How many foreigners do you get hiking the AT?

[bishbash]

I am an Englander, have dreamed ever since reading Bill Bryson's book on his AT attempt of doing the AT, won't be any time soon but enjoy reading these fora and have just recently signed up and so can post. Just wondered what, approximately, percent of the hikers are foreign, and of them what are the main countries they come from?

I'm thinking Canada, UK, Australia and perhaps a few others from european(mainly north european) countries. Would I be right?

[Robin2013AT]

This year I thru hiked with many, many Germans as well as 2 from the Czech Republic and quite a few Brits and Aussies (and don't mix the two up)

[bfayer]

I have met people hiking the AT from just about every major country on earth.

For some reason Germans seem over represented. In the last couple of years I have met quite a few Asians of various nationalities as well..

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Marta]

A few years ago I ran into an Japanese man who spoke almost no English. I've also encountered Italians.

I read that the relatively large number of Germans gave it a try as the aftermath of a TV documentary.

[Poedog]

I've run into several Israelis, fresh out of the military. I guess after a mandatory stint in the IDF, a thru hike isn't too bad. Aaaaand cue LW...

[Sailing_Faith]

Stick in the Mud,

I think you will find that everyone is a foreigner out on the trail.... Or most everyone anyway.

It's all good.

[Dogwood]

You made me dig out my AT trail journal to check up on this. In 2006, the yr I thru-hiked, I noted 67 people from 14 different countries. I will not name all the countries but Canadians, Israelis, Germans, Swiss, Scottish, English, Irish, Australians, French(both Canadians and from France), Italians, and a few others I'm not recalling are the people I meet most frequently meet on American trails. Seems many Germans will go anywhere to hike whenever.

[Trance]

I stayed at Neels Gap with 2 guys from Austria and an 84 yr old guy from Germany

[Old Hiker]

If you're not Native American, aren't you ALL foreigners?

I'm 1/16 Cherokee, by the way.

[jimmyjam]

This year on my section hikes I've met people from Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Australia, Spain, Canada, Israel, and some from the countries that used to make up Russia.

[bishbash]

So Germany does seem to crop up a lot. Even more than UK? Was sure UK would be number one after perhaps Canada.

Don't you mean the countries that used to make up USSR, one of which is Russia.

[Pedaling Fool]

Don't you mean the countries that used to make up USSR, one of which is Russia.

I'm sure that's what he meant.

[flemdawg1]

If you're not Native American, aren't you ALL foreigners?

I'm 1/16 Cherokee, by the way.

Using your own logic, even the Native Americans, aren't native, since they came from Siberia. SO basically everyones a foreigner, unless you're from Eden.

[tarditi]

Our first hike we were about 2 hours into our first section hike and we came across a fellow from Germany - his feet were pretty torn up - wearing heavy mountaineering boots. We told him to get some sneakers (trainers) and try that for a while. He was just here for a few weeks.

[Lauriep]

In 2012, 5% of those who reported completion of the A.T. to ATC were from foreign countries. Although the numbers vary year to year, overall the numbers of international hikers have been increasing since we received our first international hiker completion reports in 1973. Since I just compiled some stats from our 2,000-miler database for another purpose, I'll share them here. In 2012, Germany had the highest number of 2,000-milers of any country, with 15 who have reported so far.

Canada 180
England 118
Germany 64
Australia 48
New Zealand 23
The Netherlands 18
Irsael 13
Switzerland 11
Japan 9
France 6
Ireland 6
Belgium 4
Norway 4
South Africa 4
The Czech Republic 3
Denmark 3
Scotland 3
Chile 2
Italy 2
Singapore 2
Sweden 2
Austria 1
The Bahamas 1
Barbados 1
Finland 1
India 1
Mexico 1
Morocco 1
N. Ireland 1
Philippines 1
Romania 1
South Korea 1
Spain 1
Wales 1

Laurie P.
ATC

[Old Hiker]

Using your own logic, even the Native Americans, aren't native, since they came from Siberia. SO basically everyones a foreigner, unless you're from Eden.

Eden, Texas? Nope - from just down the road. I've driven THROUGH Eden, though.

Not sure they would be foreigners, since they were first, with no one to check the papers.

Come to think of it, I think most of the visitors that passed me were from Germany. Amber Kat and, and, rats, can't think of the other name, come to mind.

[bfayer]

...

Canada 180
England 118
Germany 64...

Laurie P.
ATC

Makes sense. The Canadians are walking home, the English are too stubborn to quit and Germans can't go home knowing the English hikers are finishing more often than they are

All fun aside, it really is a international group out there. Add to that the fact that the U.S. is not as culturally monolithic as most Europeans tend to think and you will find the AT community is quite eclectic.

[hikerboy57]

keep in mmind americans have to walk 2184 miles, whereas europeans have to walk over 3500 kilometers.
do it the american way!!its much better.

[Venchka]

Data Point: First snowfall of Fall-Winter-Spring, 2013-2014. October 24, 2013. Boone, NC. elevation 3,400' (+ or -).
It will be interesting to track the last snowfall in 2014.

Wayne

[hikerboy57]

Makes sense. The Canadians are walking home, the English are too stubborn to quit and Germans can't go home knowing the English hikers are finishing more often than they are

All fun aside, it really is a international group out there. Add to that the fact that the U.S. is not as culturally monolithic as most Europeans tend to think and you will find the AT community is quite eclectic.

apparently the french just gave up