View Full Version : Most dangerous part of the trail
ReaDy2G0
05-28-2009, 23:48
Im planning a thru hike and im interested in hearing from those that have hiked all the way thru what are the more dangerous parts of the trail
fiddlehead
05-29-2009, 00:07
People have been known to have hypothermia, dehydration, even frostbite on the trail.
But getting lost is probably more common.
Be careful above treeline in a whiteout.
That to me is probably the most dangerous.
Or else, getting wet along with all your clothes in a storm where you have nothign warm to put on. (if you kept your sleeping bag dry, you can still get into it naked and get warm)
If i had to pick an area where more of this extreme weather happens, it would be the whites and Maine.
For me, the NOBO descent off of Mt. Moosilauke, with everything good and slicked up after a rain storm. Mostly, though, the AT is very tame.
Any of the balds or open, exposed mountain tops during lightning storms. Avoid the situation the best you can.
Lone Wolf
05-29-2009, 06:39
PA has the most trail murders
No murders have taken place on the AT north of PA.
All of them have been from PA south.
Darting across the parkway in New York is pretty bad.
Other than that, there are a few no-fall zones, disease-bearing ticks, lightning, heat and cold, and the ever-present danger of tripping over your own feet.
Even though I have never thru hiked I have hiked a many a mile on the trail and in my opinion the most dangerous part of the trail is when you have gotten your confidence up and your hiking legs under you and your are just a rolling along that is when something is most likely to step up on you and kick you in the butt. Your guard is down and you think you are King Tutt and all at once boom!
Im planning a thru hike and im interested in hearing from those that have hiked all the way thru what are the more dangerous parts of the trail
Roasting marshmallows around the fire. You can burn the roof of your mouth really easily. Be careful! :sun
Digger'02
05-29-2009, 09:25
the Doyle hands down
When you walk past me.....jk
Blue Jay
05-29-2009, 09:31
the Doyle hands down
I agree 100%. Duncannon is like a black hole for me. Once I go there I never want to leave.
Blue Jay
05-29-2009, 09:35
The second most dangerous place is where ever you get off the trail aqnd return to conventional society. Do not go there whatever you do, it's fatal.
boarstone
05-29-2009, 10:04
trail towns........
The White Mountains have got to be the most dangerous stretch. Might be the most beautiful, too.
http://www.mountwashington.org/about/visitor/surviving.php
garlic08
05-29-2009, 11:22
Stubbing your toe walking around barefoot in motel rooms. Man, that hurts.
Monkeyboy
05-29-2009, 11:37
Generally, the most dangerous part of the trail for you is whichever part you are on at that given moment......
Just sayin'.
Gray Blazer
05-29-2009, 11:52
Generally, the most dangerous part of the trail for you is whichever part you are on at that given moment......
Just sayin'.
Would that be the safest part, also?
Monkeyboy
05-29-2009, 12:11
Nope......that would be the rest of the trail that you are not on.........
...or the part you just left.
Gray Blazer
05-29-2009, 12:30
HMMmmmmmm......so some people are admitting that there are dangerous parts of the trail? Would you mind repeating that on the hiking with a one year old thread?
Darting across the parkway in New York is pretty bad.
Amen! Playing Frogger trying to get across Pallisades Parkway was by far, the most dangerous part of the AT for me.
HMMmmmmmm......so some people are admitting that there are dangerous parts of the trail? Would you mind repeating that on the hiking with a one year old thread?So you take precautions,
just like people do when they put their toddlers in car seats, and drive the speed limit, and stay alert.
Gray Blazer
05-29-2009, 13:36
So you take precautions,
just like people do when they put their toddlers in car seats, and drive the speed limit, and stay alert.
Amen, Brother Ben!!
Blissful
05-29-2009, 13:38
Other than that, there are a few no-fall zones, disease-bearing ticks, lightning, heat and cold, and the ever-present danger of tripping over your own feet.
That about sums it up.
saimyoji
05-29-2009, 14:58
The absolute hands down MOST dangerous part of the trail.....is the ride to the trailhead.
JumpInTheLake
05-29-2009, 22:53
Roasting marshmallows around the fire. You can burn the roof of your mouth really easily. Be careful! :sun
And don't drop a flaming marshmallow on the top of your bare foot.
TIDE-HSV
05-30-2009, 12:51
Getting the hang of lighting an alcohol stove...:p
The most dangerous part of the AT occurs while crossing roads.
DaSchwartz
05-30-2009, 18:03
ReaDy2G0, it's a shame this forum has declined so bad that you can't get a straight answer. The legit posters have pretty much left.
Mt Washington and that area is the most dangerous. Just google Mount Washington + deaths. Due to the unstable climate and people underestimate it in summer.
buff_jeff
05-30-2009, 19:02
road crossings
Blue Jay
05-30-2009, 19:03
ReaDy2G0, it's a shame this forum has declined so bad that you can't get a straight answer. The legit posters have pretty much left.
Mt Washington and that area is the most dangerous. Just google Mount Washington + deaths. Due to the unstable climate and people underestimate it in summer.
You're also not legit. Compare the number of deaths on Mt. Washington to almost anything on the AT or conventional society, dog bites, peanut butter allergies, falling in holes and on and on. Mt. Washington does not even make the top 100. Your answer is ludicrous.
SunnyWalker
05-30-2009, 19:07
When you neglect your feet (blisters) and your feet become infected.
flemdawg1
05-30-2009, 19:19
Getting the hang of lighting an alcohol stove...:p
Building alchy stoves or experimenting with pot stands.
TIDE-HSV
05-30-2009, 23:42
LOL! I guess we're talking about danger of minor injuries with the stoves. Road kill still tops the list of being killed or morbidly injured. Serious, but non-life threatening is still busting your butt...
wacocelt
05-31-2009, 09:47
Hitching to town for resupply. Had an old fella that was really lustin for my bootay. He didn't want to take no for an answer, then when he finally let me out burned off with my pack. Unfortunately I was making a grab for it, got caught up and dumped off his van doing about 30.
Nine staples in my head, bunch of stitches in my leg, some nerve damage in my thigh which is still numb...
I'm still kickin though!
Puck Fu
saimyoji
05-31-2009, 09:56
Drunk belligerent ******** are dangerous too. Locals often get mixed in with partying hikers. Stay away from shelters close to roads.
ReaDy2G0, it's a shame this forum has declined so bad that you can't get a straight answer. The legit posters have pretty much left.
Mt Washington and that area is the most dangerous. Just google Mount Washington + deaths. Due to the unstable climate and people underestimate it in summer.
What is dangerous, is scaring people into believing that the AT is dangerous. If that tactic works, they'll sit at home on their couch near the refrigerator where it is REALLY dangerous. As far as long distance trails go, the AT is a walk in the park.
saimyoji
05-31-2009, 10:17
What is dangerous, is scaring people into believing that the AT is dangerous. If that tactic works, they'll sit at home on their couch near the refrigerator where it is REALLY dangerous.
gotta disagree......the freezer is MUCH more dangerous. those damn freezer packs are like bricks.:mad:
wacocelt
05-31-2009, 10:21
I'm not at all trying to deter people from attempting any hiking, be it day, section or Thru... but it would behoove many folks to know what risks there are that can be avoided.
As for the Whites, I did them SoBo in 05 with a broken foot. It's all relative to what you're expecting and what you're ready for. Too many people get too hyped up about things of little consequence. If you're thinking and worrying about THE WHITES while you're still in NC/Tenn then of course it's going to be incredibly scary and difficult.
The more energy and anxiety you give a fear, the harder and deeper it bites your soul. If you aren't imminently facing it, forget about it until you are. Be well!
Puck Fu
None of it is dangerous; it's all dangerous.
Both things are true, of the AT, and of life in general.
SassyWindsor
05-31-2009, 22:48
Some of the privies I've had the unfortunate pleasure of visiting should rank pretty high on the list.
Town. That's where trouble happens.
Driving to the trail, and road crossings
Driving to the trailhead! :D
foxfire01
06-01-2009, 16:40
I would say Maine and New Hampshire can have most dangerous weather.
There is also a section of trail south @ Moreland Gap Tenn.where there are a faction of people who have a reputation of not being very friendly towards hikers.
Foxfire 01
Ga. Me. 02
ReaDy2G0
06-03-2009, 20:42
LOL that is the truth, and the smell of burnt hair never smells any better
The most dangerous part of the AT is when you think you know it all.
MattBuck30
06-04-2009, 10:48
The following link is a pic of the first "dangerous" climbs NOBO's encounter.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/5/6/6/6/107_0044_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=31622&c=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=15666&cutoffdate=-1)
MattBuck30
06-04-2009, 10:56
New Hampshire and Maine can be dangerous with all of the rock scrambles. Specifically the White Mountains, southern Maine (Mahoosac Notch), and Mt. Katahdin. I felt the most dangerous part of the trail was all of the snakes you encounter. We had so many close calls w/ poisoness snakes that it makes me shiver now! A few close calls with bears as well. Every great adventure has some danger to it!