Various issues on the AT

[Cookerhiker]

So you want to hike long-distance in the Eastern hardwood forests in Spring when "everyone" is on the AT and you want to avoid contact with people? 3 suggestions:

1. Benton MacKaye Trail
2. Allegheny Trail
3. Tuscarora Trail

[Skid.]

I have heard them referred to as 'trail hobos'. You will know them when you meet them, and they can be avoided by: hiking faster; hiking slower; taking a Zero; passing up magic (they tend to congregate there); or camping in the woods, to avoid them in shelters.

[58starter]

hike slow and let everyone pass you up, do not stay in shelters, camp away from the trail out of site. Stay out of towns

[sarman]

WB is not an accurate reflection of the AT. Hike and have fun. Don't worry about inconsiderate hikers with dogs. They are thinning out by now. The considerate ones are welcome any time.

[Jeff]

WB is not an accurate reflection of the AT.

If I was new to LD hiking and read some posts on WB I might never have hiked the AT. Maybe an exageration....but for most new folks it's hard to know the difference between facts and fiction.

[weary]

If I was new to LD hiking and read some posts on WB I might never have hiked the AT. Maybe an exageration....but for most new folks it's hard to know the difference between facts and fiction.

Just remember. Like all good newspapers, we write about the unusual, not the routine.

[ScrapIron]

If you read this board much, you'll find the same stuff posted over and over by the same handful of people who are here every day, all day. Every single question has been answered over and over and over. You have to take about everything you read here with a grain of salt.
Best thing to do, as someone else said, is just get out there and hike. If you don't like it, then just go home. Simple as that.

[hikerboy57]

See this is why I like to carry a blowgun with a few poison darts.

[keepinitsimple]

garlic08 is on to something here. I seem to use this site more when I can not get to the trail. When I have the time to get out you wouldn't catch me holding anything that takes a charge or gets reception.

[Sly]

I'd honestly say head to the PCT to get away completely.

Actually the PCT can seem almost as crowded as the AT. The hiking window is shorter so people group up. The lack of shelters spread them out on the trail, but established campsites and towns and hostel can get crowded.

Nope, if you really want less crowds, and a wilderness experience, hike the CDT.

[4eyedbuzzard]

People on the trail are much different in person than they are online (in a good way). Even whiteblaze members. Even me.

[Trailweaver]

Just go hiking. You'll figure it out.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Just go hiking. You'll figure it out.

This is the proper response posted to any question ever posted to whiteblaxe.net.

If you have a more specific question please leave it here, just realize there is no right answer.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Just go hiking. You'll figure it out.

This is the proper response posted to any question ever posted to whiteblaxe.net.

If you have a more specific question please leave it here, just realize there is no right answer.

[waasj]

To follow up, I hiked this summer SOBO Damascus to Erwin. First night I tented solo out of Damascus. The next night the shelter at Double Springs was full, but plenty of room nearby. One other person at Vandeventer. No one in Laurel Fork Gorge at all, felt like I had the entire gorge to myself. Had Mountaineer Falls Shelter to myself. Two folks at Overmountain. Two people at Greasy Creek Friendly. Handfull of people at Curly Maple. No weird vibes, not too much trash except near the roads, enough isolation and solo time to keep me happy and enough running into folks to make it pleasent.

[Avalanche1]

I've met some of the greatest people on the AT. Sure, once in a while you run into someone whose a pain in the butt--but not often. People should keep there electronic devices out of sight and only use them when they are alone so they don't disturb others. Remember, most folks are out here to get away from the electronics world.

[Avalanche1]

I've met some of the greatest people on the AT.  Sure, once in a while you run into someone whose a pain in the butt--but not often. People should keep there electronic devices out of sight and only use them when they are alone so they don't disturb others. Remember, most folks are out here to get away from the electronics world.

[Sir-Packs-Alot]

I believe the Appalachian Trail Conservancy suggests the best way to deal with problematic people or suspicious acting or harrassing type behavior is to not respond to it and attempt to get yourself away from this type of individual and to report any harrassing behavior to the proper authorities. Problematic people can be found everywhere, including on the AT. There are homeless people who have been reported living at the various shelters, begging for money and food, etc...The best is to just move on. Always carry a functional tent or tarp to be able to hike on in the event of a situation like this. Then you can find a place to tent or tarp away from any hostile or harassing type of behavior. As far as a "group" of people harassing hikers, causing problems, etc...locals deciding to party in the woods or at a shelter may be cause for concern. Avoid shelters close to roads or which are situated near roads providing easy access. There will be inconsiderate people found on the trail as in life. This is a reality. People will litter, talk loudly on cell phones, let their dogs run loose, etc...Unfortunately not everyone out there will have respect for other's, the trail/wilderness, or for that matter, themselves.

The key here is of course: Always carry a functional tent or tarp to be able to hike on in the event of a situation like this.

[RockDoc]

The considerate ones outnumber the inconsiderate ones, fortunately. Some days I think the web is the opposite though...

The wacky ones can be good for amusement. We met a guy named "Samari" who even had a sword although I think he broke it cutting firewood. This guy was serious bipolar. Laughing, then mad and frightening. Fortunately, he went away before anything bad happened. We laughed about him for weeks.

If you want to be alone, don't hike the AT. We went southbound last year in Virginia in April/May and one day counted 81 north bounds, all trying to thru. No lie. 81. Most other days it was only 30 or 40.

[Blue Jay]

1) Don't let cell phone users surround you and always have a plan for escape
2) Dogs can be avoided by climbing trees
3) Inconsiderate hikers are lurking behind every tree, avoid trees(unless there are dogs present)
4) Yellow blazers can only attack you from roads, cross them quickly and preferably at night so you can see their headlights
5) Trash is everywhere, it's best to pretend like it's not

Very good post. The only thing I would like to add is the always horrifying yellow blazers can be avoided by not running in front of their cars. In thousands of miles since 1997 I have only met a handful of whiteblazers on the AT. So you can stop worrying.