Vandalism

[Chumps Later]

Reading a lot about vandalism of cars parked at road crossings in the South, makes me worry that generally the South has it in for hikers (hikers' cars at least). What's the feeling about that, and is it that way all the way to Maine?

[Slo-go'en]

Some trail head parking lots have a history of break ins, most don't. No doubt it depends on the number of kids of driving age in the area. Reduce the risk by not leaving anything of value in plain sight or better yet, don't leave anything of value and leave the doors unlocked.

[map man]

This web-site has info on trailhead parking including information on any reported vandalism problems:

http://appalachiantrail.rohland.org/

This resource is specifically about shuttles but has vandalism alerts about any trailheads with known problems:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/at-shuttle-list.pdf?sfvrsn=2

I have parked, long and short term, at several southern trailheads over the years and never had problems. Making broad generalizations about "the South" is uncalled for.

[Chumps Later]

My concern is that the trouble extends to confrontations w/ the hikers themselves, trouble at campsites close to the road, harassment or worst, ... . Any of that going on? South, North?

[rocketsocks]

Vandalism knows no geographical boundaries, happens in the north as well.

[Slo-go'en]

My concern is that the trouble extends to confrontations w/ the hikers themselves, trouble at campsites close to the road, harassment or worst, ... . Any of that going on? South, North?

At worse you might run into a some locals out to get drunk in the woods on a weekend night. In that case you either move on or join the party. If you don't have the option to move on, the best thing to do is join the party. I've never known them not to be willing to share the beer and whiskey. You might even get a meal out of the deal too.

[Walkintom]

If you hear banjo music, hike faster.

Seriously, most of your trail magic occurs in the South. Lots of factors involved in that, but it's true.

[Donde]

Vandalism happens check the aforementioned ATC list. Way to remind me how much nicer everyone was in the south and in New England versus PA/NJ/NY. You sir are a tool.

[peakbagger]

We get it up in New England on occasion. Usually its not vandalism as much as car break ins. The northern section of the Long Trail has had persistent issues at some trail heads and on occasion the whites will get some habitual offenders working the parking lots. The other source of issues in the whites is usually high school kids near the end of the school year.

[Lone Wolf]

Reading a lot about vandalism of cars parked at road crossings in the South, makes me worry that generally the South has it in for hikers (hikers' cars at least). What's the feeling about that, and is it that way all the way to Maine?

lots of pill and meth heads down here

[johnnybgood]

My concern is that the trouble extends to confrontations w/ the hikers themselves, trouble at campsites close to the road, harassment or worst, ... . Any of that going on? South, North?

For what it's worth, campsites near roads anywhere are notorious for social gatherings by locals. Word of wisdom ; a rule of measure , hike about 3 miles beyond a road crossing , including any forest roads and camp away from any shelter . As for the vandalism, store everything you consider valuable in the trunk of your vehicle .

[FatMan]

So many things I want to write here but for the benefit of all I will simply shut up and suggest to the OP if he/she is concerned it would be best to simply avoid the South.

[RockDoc]

Plenty of trailhead break-ins happen out west as well. The economy truly sucks and it's hard to get work with 93 million Americans out of work, not to mention millions of illegals looking for jobs too. Plus the thieves know that police do little or nothing about petty theft from vehicles. Smash and grab is pretty out of control in most cities, too for all the same reasons. If you call the police they will blame you and say "why did you leave things in the vehicle?"

[joshuasdad]

In parking perhaps 200 days on the trail, the only place I had "vandalism" was in Maine just north of the Bigalows. Some kids sticker bombed the place (e.g., the signs, cars), and I had a big Sunoco sticker attached to the back of my Prius. It came off pretty easily.

I did take care to drive the Saturn (American-made...) south of Virginia, and I did avoid areas with reported vandalism.

[rickb]

So many things I want to write here but for the benefit of all I will simply shut up and suggest to the OP if he/she is concerned it would be best to simply avoid the South.


Good thing he didn't make an observation regarding the geographical distribution of Homicides on the AT.

There has never be one confirmed north of PA, of course.

[kayak karl]

Good thing he didn't make an observation regarding the geographical distribution of Homicides on the AT.

There has never be one confirmed north of PA, of course.

That's because 89.4 % of hikers don't make it north of Pa. :)

[78owl]

I feel it is to dangerous down here in the south for you. Stay up north where there is no vandalism, muggings, or any criminal activity. The Mason/Dixon line might be a good pace to start your trek north.

[seminoles]

34 trailhead parking days in the south, no problems.
7 in the north with 1 broken window and a new paint job by an artist with a spray paint can.

[No Directions]

What year is this? I thought all the stereotypes about us dumb redneck hillbillies were gone by now.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Good thing he didn't make an observation regarding the geographical distribution of Homicides on the AT.

There has never be one confirmed north of PA, of course.Maybe Yankees hide the bodies better.

My daughters car got broken into at a trailhead in northern MA.
I've never had my car broken into in the south, nor has she.
But we've never parked at a trailhead in the south either.

Don't leave anything visible in the passenger compartment.
Don't leave anything of value in the car, period.

[Pony]

Some people are just *icks regardless of geography, citizenship, or employment. At points in my life i have been extremely broke either due to unemployment or student loan/medical debt. Not once have i broken into a car or stole. I lived next door to about 10 illegal immigrants and never locked my door. Never once had a problem yet two of my room mates that came from upper middle class families robbed me blind. I would just be careful not to leave anything valuable in my car.

[Donde]

Good thing he didn't make an observation regarding the geographical distribution of Homicides on the AT.

There has never be one confirmed north of PA, of course.

One stabbing in NH in 2001, and one or two still missing uncomfirmed issues up there. VA has the highest occurance, but compare that to the amount of trail it makes up and that doesn't really mean anything.
by the way PA is not the south.

[V Eight]

This web-site has info on trailhead parking including information on any reported vandalism problems:

http://appalachiantrail.rohland.org/

Thanks for this link Mapman, I had missed that info somehow!

As for parking in the South. I have parked anywhere from overnite to a week and a half at round 8 or 10 different spots in GA & NC. Some right on a Hwy like at Winding Stair or Dicks Creek gap to the wide spot in the road at Tellico gap. Never had any trouble. Last week I left my truck at Sinking Creek VA 630 for 3 days. No problems. Actually, at the end of my hike I spent an hour talking to "Longhorn" (Hiker, Maintainer, and Trail Angel extraordinaire) getting some of the local history of the trail in that area.

Say what you will about "trail Magic" in the south, but their are unintended benefits. One of those is the locals that are looking for some place to mess with or steal from parked cars at trail heads, see these folks out there. What had the presumption of being easy pickings is now not so much.

[Fredt4]

I feel it is to dangerous down here in the south for you. Stay up north where there is no vandalism, muggings, or any criminal activity. The Mason/Dixon line might be a good pace to start your trek north.

Had my car broken into three times in the south. It's definitely way too dangerous to hike there. I hear most southerners carry guns or knives. Some even carry banjos. Strongly suggest you stay north.

[Elder]

If you hear banjo music; hike faster



BECAUSE THE PARTIES ALREADY STARTED!

[Riocielo]

Had my car broken into three times in the south. It's definitely way too dangerous to hike there. I hear most southerners carry guns or knives. Some even carry banjos. Strongly suggest you stay north.
It's really hard when we carry all three! ;)

[Donde]

It's really hard when we carry all three! ;)

Juggle? :banana

[vamelungeon]

Hold my banjo and pistol so I can have a drink...yes, we southerners are all uneducated alcoholic drug addicted rapist thieving inbred vandals. You probably shouldn't come down here.

[daddytwosticks]

Hold my banjo and pistol so I can have a drink...yes, we southerners are all uneducated alcoholic drug addicted rapist thieving inbred vandals. You probably shouldn't come down here.

...don't forget, we are all racists too...

[tiptoe]

In an effort to rescue this thread, I suggest that the OP consider public transportation combined with shuttles instead of driving and leaving a car at a trailhead. That's what I do whenever possible (I've hiked roughly three-quarters of the trail), and it has worked out well.

[Chumps Later]

FWIW: I'm only book hiking the trail right now so my references to reading about vandalism in the South, and questions about whether it happens in the North, were basically because I have only read as far as Tennessee. As I keep reading, I'll probably get plenty or references to vandalism in the North. No anti-South bent here.

[BirdBrain]

To all you hypersensitive posters, the OP included a question of if vandalism occurs "all the way to Maine". Goodness. No one is being singled out or stereotyped. It was a question, not an accusation. I have found the people of the south to be some of the most hospitable and generous people I have ever met. They are class acts that people from Maine could learn from. I am going to assume this sensitive bunch here is not representative of the whole and that those I have met are. Calm down already. Wow!

[rickb]

I am going to assume this sensitive bunch here is not representative of the whole and that those I have met are. Calm down already. Wow!


My problem with Mainers is they think those of us living away are just plain stupid.

Used to be you see warning signs that were just a silhouette of a moose.

Then they added the words "Watch for Moose" below the silhouette-- just to make sure everyone got the point.

Now all the signs heading up 95 from MA and NH have been rewritten to say "Watch for Moose in Roadway"

I mean really. Do they think those driving into thier state could possible misunderstand the original signs to be nothing more than encouragement to view their wildlife out in the woods?

[BirdBrain]

The signs are lying. Moose are becoming rare. I would be happy just to see a moose. Ticks are doing a number on them. Besides, we have worse faults than bad signs.