I'm just wondering. We are hearing of a LOT more crime being committed on the AT over the past decade or so. Serious crime as well as petty crime. I've never heard of much on other trails, even the popular ones. I'm sure some exists, but it seems that the AT has WAY more than it's share. Why? Too well known? Too Civilized? Shelters attracting the low-lifes?

It is getting troubling, and it's getting harder and harder to say with conviction that these are isolated incidents any more.

Safer than many cities? Probably. Safer than most any other trail? Probably not.