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1234
10-08-2012, 15:10
It is a great sign, I saw more backpackers out this weekend than I have in over 10 years. Even in the cold rain, they kept coming. All up and down the AT were backpackers not day hikers. Maybe it is a sign. I will add that most hikers were over 30. About 60-40 men and women. Last week end I had the opposite with mostly women. I spent my 25th anniversary at Hog Camp Gap and most of the last 20 years I have been hiking in this area, on this very same weekend. I wonder how the outfitters are doing in this economy? Indications are good from what I saw.

Tipi Walter
10-08-2012, 15:17
Come to the Bald River/Upper Bald River and Citico/Brushy Ridge wilderness and you won't see a soul. I just returned from a 21 day trip and didn't see a single backpacker that last 17 days.

Blissful
10-08-2012, 16:11
Not many on the Long Trail in Vermont in Sept. Not one person with a backpack on Mt Mansfield when I was there. I felt strange.

scudder
10-08-2012, 16:34
Spent the night on Mt Pleasant three weeks ago, and counted 17 vehicles at Hog Camp. I was a little surprised to see that many, but it was a gorgeous weekend! I'm guessing its more about Fall primetime, than an explosion in the popularity of backpacking.

hikerboy57
10-08-2012, 19:41
all the cool kids are doing it.

canoe
10-08-2012, 20:30
Spent the night on Mt Pleasant three weeks ago, and counted 17 vehicles at Hog Camp. I was a little surprised to see that many, but it was a gorgeous weekend! I'm guessing its more about Fall primetime, than an explosion in the popularity of backpacking.
I think you got it right

Nooga
10-08-2012, 20:37
This was a record year for hikers on the AT

SevenPines
10-09-2012, 04:46
yet another reason I chose and love my "off schedule": my weekends are during the week, whereas all you weekend warriors have to deal with those types crowds.

funny, my brother and I biked on the BRP two weeks ago during my "weekend" and pitched camp at hog camp gap. we were the only ones there but we sure did see the evidence of weekenders!

HikerMom58
10-09-2012, 09:47
I love that area!!^

Kerosene
10-09-2012, 15:47
This was a record year for hikers on the ATInterestingly, I only ran into 10 long-distance hikers over 4 days in southwestern Maine a few weeks ago, from Grafton Notch to ME-4/Rangeley. I mean, it was pretty dead. It sounded as if I was between bubbles, with the bubble behind me unlikely to reach Katahdin before it closes.

shelb
10-10-2012, 00:26
This was a record year for hikers on the AT

How many more than last year?

MyName1sMud
10-10-2012, 16:42
I've seriously got to find me a job close to the trail.

1234
10-15-2012, 17:02
I've seriously got to find me a job close to the trail.

I b 4.5 hours away which makes for a not so bad drive. Out by Noon friday and back late Sunday.
Oh and yes October always brings out a crowd, but rather than base camping at the gap and day hiking they were all "backpacking".

Majortrauma
10-15-2012, 17:17
I noticed the same thing. Lots of hikers out now. Went hiking 11-14 Oct and hit a bubble of 8-9 SOBO thru-hikers (Pacer, Smiley, Carrot Top were a few of them) at Rod Hollow Shelter. Had a great time with them all super nice people.