Article about the AT in the Smokys, but check out the quote.

[SGT Rock]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/ma...her-appalachi/

And then we hear something new: “Next year, most of the through-hikers I’ve talked to say they won’t be going through the Smokies,” Rockit said. “They’re going to be hitting the Benton MacKaye Trail.”I have no idea where that trail is located.

[Bags4266]

Yes I just came off a section hike. I started in Erwin Tn just north of the Smokies. Most of the thru's did not have good things to say about hiking through them

[WIAPilot]

Great article! Yeah. That's the part of the trail that I'm dreading the most - simply for its restrictions.

[Mountain Mike]

I have a love/hate relationship with Parks. Scenery is great but to many restrictions. I do have to say though all the backcountry rangers I have met were pretty cool.

[SGT Rock]

I see less people (including rangers) on the BMT. There are also no ridge runners on the BMT. I have hiked both through the park multiple times and I prefer the BMT, but the AT has some great spots that are also special, but I hike those outside of thru-hiker season. Lets face it: the "thru-hike season" for the park is probably not the optimal time to enjoy the AT in the park.

[ChinMusic]

Great article! Yeah. That's the part of the trail that I'm dreading the most - simply for its restrictions.

I hate staying in shelters. That said, it ain't as bad as many folks make it out to be. Even WITH the restrictions, I liked the Smokies.

Yeah, you are forced to stay at shelters and that can mess with your planned mileage for that day. You may have more gas left in the tank but not enough gas to get to the next shelter. Some folks get bent out of shape over this.

If you are entering the Smokies during peak season and don't want to stay IN the shelters, just arrive at the shelter late. Or, if you arrive early, just hang out. The shelter will fill and you can tent/hammock.

[Rain Man]

Gosh, that was a lot of sniveling for just one article.

Rain Man

.

[bflorac]

Fun read..

When staying at Tri-Corner on the 18° slope, he should have looked a little harder as just up hill is a real flat area near the horse tie-offs. (unless it was full of horse ****)

While other complain about shelters, I tend to stay at or near them . Now granted, I section hike starting late June so the shelters are not as crowded. I really enjoy meeting others and trying to understand "their story". Why they are hiking what the hope to achieve by hiking.

[Mags]

If you are entering the Smokies during peak season and don't want to stay IN the shelters, just arrive at the shelter late. Or, if you arrive early, just hang out. The shelter will fill and you can tent/hammock.

That's what a triple crowner buddy of mine did when he decided to re-hike part of the AT as a prep for the another hike on the PCT.

He hated shelters. But had no problem tenting. Invariably the shelters would fill up and he could pitch a shelter away from the rats, farts and snoring.

ps. The article mentions more thru-hiker taking the BMT as an AT alt route. I hope not...part of the charm of the BMT is the lack of people. Totally selfish motive..I know.

[HeartFire]

(QUOTE) "And then we hear something new: “Next year, most of the through-hikers I’ve talked to say they won’t be going through the Smokies,” Rockit said. “They’re going to be hitting the Benton MacKaye Trail.”I have no idea where that trail is located."

Gee, last time I checked, the BMT went right through the Smokies.

My first reaction to this is "great, the park will be less crowded"
my second reaction is why does the park have such a bad reputation? I remember when I set out to hike the AT, before moving to Asheville, I too felt like I was walking into the proverbial "Lions Den" When I entered the GSMNP. Turns out it's more of a "lambs" den than lions. I hike in the park all the time now, and appreciate the restrictions placed on hikers to prevent abuse of this beautiful place. The AT is my least favorite trail as it is so overused. I really doubt that thru hikers will pick the BMT rather than the AT.

[Pedaling Fool]

Gosh, that was a lot of sniveling for just one article.

Rain Man

.

It was nauseating.

[Spokes]

Funny, the quote assumes the same group of thru hikers will doing the trail again and therefore avoid the AT section in the Smokies. I doubt that.

[max patch]

Actually, exactly zero AT thruhikers will on the BMT next year or any other year.

[ChinMusic]

I'm looking forward to doing the Smokies again next year on my thru. With my early start weather will be a concern and not restrictions.

[Spokes]

Actually, exactly zero AT thruhikers will on the BMT next year or any other year.

Great logic! Just like all the blue and yellow blazers who claim to be 2000 milers.

[Rain Man]

... why does the park have such a bad reputation? ... I hike in the park all the time now, and appreciate the restrictions placed on hikers to prevent abuse of this beautiful place....

It only has a bad reputation among those who bad-mouth it. Typical "glass half-full" negativity v. positivity. I hiked the GSMNP during thru-hiker and Spring Break season in '05 with my nephew and we had a ball.

Bad-mouthing is something of a self-justifying contagion. The GSMNP really is a beautiful place and a national treasure.

It's hard to understand folks who set out to hike one of the most popular trails in the world, then complain about there being people on the trail (which is different from complaining if someone does something bad on this or any trail).

RainMan

.

[rocketsocks]

It only has a bad reputation among those who bad-mouth it. Typical "glass half-full" negativity v. positivity. I hiked the GSMNP during thru-hiker and Spring Break season in '05 with my nephew and we had a ball.

Bad-mouthing is something of a self-justifying contagion. The GSMNP really is a beautiful place and a national treasure.

It's hard to understand folks who set out to hike one of the most popular trails in the world, then complain about there being people on the trail (which is different from complaining if someone does something bad on this or any trail).

RainMan

.

Right you are Rain Man!

[WingedMonkey]

Griz and Gypsy string their hammocks from the porch rafters

Something I will never understand about hangers.

[WIAPilot]

I appreciate that the GSMNP is a beautiful place. But we are all different. The Baaaaackpackers have no problem with being told that they absolutely must sleep in a dirty, mice-infested shelter with snoring men. That even if you have a tent, you must sleep in that shelter if it is not full. And if it is full, then you are "allowed" to tent in the area near the shelter. Give me a break. The reason that most of us are hiking the AT is to get away from all this conformity. Come on! Get your Tipi Walter Action Figure and you too can learn to sleep in places other than the shelters!

[Spokes]

Griz and Gypsy string their hammocks from the porch rafters

Sounds like something Cousin Eddie of Griswold fame would do......