Staying safe on the trail - from a different perspective...

[paradoxb3]

I was going back reading some old threads today, and a couple years ago SGT Rock had started a discussion about being mistakenly perceived as being dangerous because of his appearance.

With all the bad press the AT has got recently over Hilton, and recent talk about carrying defensive weapons this year, how many of you are worried about all the other first-timer AT hikers out there packing heat, and staring you down from up the trail as you approach them with full beard and long nasty hair? And could you imagine two inexperienced hikers getting paranoid over each other and pulling out weapons?

Its definately gonna feel alot stranger on trails down here in GA this year.

[Freeleo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esl2NNOtHQE

[shelterbuilder]

I was going back reading some old threads today, and a couple years ago SGT Rock had started a discussion about being mistakenly perceived as being dangerous because of his appearance.

With all the bad press the AT has got recently over Hilton, and recent talk about carrying defensive weapons this year, how many of you are worried about all the other first-timer AT hikers out there packing heat, and staring you down from up the trail as you approach them with full beard and long nasty hair? And could you imagine two inexperienced hikers getting paranoid over each other and pulling out weapons?

Its definately gonna feel alot stranger on trails down here in GA this year.

Hopefully, all of the paranoid people will load their weapons, lock their doors, and stay home!

[zoidfu]

I honestly can't picture a legal firearm carrier just whipping it out at the slightest provocation.

[1Pint]

I anticipate feeling SAFER this year on the trail.

I think everyone is going to be looking out for each other even more than before and I anticipate that there will a lot of love and caring for other hikers sharing the trail.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it until proven differently.

Happy hiking all!

1Pint/Laura

[Bearpaw]

The trail is a great place and while hearts are certainly heavier for Meredith, it will ultimately have relatively little effect on the thru-hiker community. People will head out, some will falter, others will press on, and nearly all will develop positive bonds as a tribe forms and heads north.

I doubt there will be any more hikers carrying weapons than have done so in the past, and highly doubt one would be used (or even seen) in any thing shy of a true life and death situation.

[shelterbuilder]

I anticipate feeling SAFER this year on the trail.
I think everyone is going to be looking out for each other even more than before and I anticipate that there will a lot of love and caring for other hikers sharing the trail.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it until proven differently.
Happy hiking all!
1Pint/Laura

I think you've hit the nail on the head, 1Pint. The hiking community DOES know how to "close ranks" and look out for its own. I've seen this reaction after several crimes took place, but I've never seen an increase in the number of folks brandishing firearms.

Just use common sense (good trail sense), and listen to your gut feelings about others.

[SGT Rock]

Don't wear flowerdy Hawaiian shirts.

[rafe]

Not too worried. But if I do any LD hiking at all this year, it's going to be on the PCT, and many months from now. I suspect the "trail community" will take this tragedy in stride, as it were.

[Lion King]

I hear the Rangers at Amicalola Falls will be handing out Nunchucks and giving a three day seminar in the art of AssKickADo.

So, for the sake of being safe, all new hikers make sure you do the Approach Trail this year.

[SGT Rock]

Chink Chink Pow works good.

[highway]

Don't wear flowerdy Hawaiian shirts.

Rats. I guess I am doomed because this is my trail shirt:

http://www.railriders.com/eco-mesh-s...?cPath=104_111

It is the Aloha Print design of the Eco-mesh RailRider shirt and I am used to it & kind of fond of it. The blue & green pattern even matches my olive green trail shorts.

[DAKS]

i love hawaiian shirts! they are very "stealth"!!!

[SGT Rock]

It was Hawaiian shirts what got me into that fix.

[take-a-knee]

The trail is a great place and while hearts are certainly heavier for Meredith, it will ultimately have relatively little effect on the thru-hiker community. People will head out, some will falter, others will press on, and nearly all will develop positive bonds as a tribe forms and heads north.

I doubt there will be any more hikers carrying weapons than have done so in the past, and highly doubt one would be used (or even seen) in any thing shy of a true life and death situation.

A voice of reason.

[SunnyWalker]

While I think that the AT is relatively safe I think we need to not allow ourselves to grow complacent. The attitude, "it will never happen to me" is part of this. I think it is healthy to be careful, sort of check out other hikers, make friends of other hikers, communicate. But to numbly go on hiking, not being alert, not aware of our enviroment is asking for a repeat. -SunnyWalker

[SGT Rock]

It's still safe, maybe safer. I got stopped on the 14th by a Polk County Sherriff Deputy for looking like a crazy person.

[dessertrat]

I honestly can't picture a legal firearm carrier just whipping it out at the slightest provocation.

Ditto. Now we are in the strange state of things where people are afraid of afraid people afraid of the afraid. . . etc. . . .

The real deal is that people who carry guns are no more fearful than those who don't. It's just a matter of how much preparedness people think they need, and the comfort level with guns already existent, and the laws, etc.

Strange that some people will be more afraid of law abiding folks carrying guns than they will be of a Gary Hilton type.

[Tin Man]

It's still safe, maybe safer. I got stopped on the 14th by a Polk County Sherriff Deputy for looking like a crazy person.

How is it safer? He let you go.

[rafe]

[quote=dessertrat;503621Strange that some people will be more afraid of law abiding folks carrying guns than they will be of a Gary Hilton type.[/quote]

Or you could turn that around and say... it's not the guns that amaze us, so much as the fear that compels folks to desire them.