After a few nights of camping alone, you’ll probably feel less scared and might not need the bells anymore. Unlike bears, they are difficult to identify, and you may step on one of them while walking. Verizon has good service along the Appalachian Trail, and I recommend using them as your service provider. As long as you are careful, there is little danger associated with animals on the Appalachian Trail. So if anyone talks about things that happen in scary movies I’d laugh at them and ask how “blonde are those roots!” Worst case scenario, you might get Lyme Disease or giardia. Your email address will not be published. (Unless in bear country then see link below) These are wild ponies found on the Appalachian Trail. Just sweep your hands through your hair and over your body. dangerous animals of the white mountains; when are the insects bad on the appalachian trail; Previous Tenkara Rod Company Sawtooth Rod and Package Review. While these species of bear are generally timid around humans and tend to avoid confrontation, there are some things you should be aware of for your own safety. The attention the Appalachian Trail receives results in more folks setting out to hike it, which not … I can sleep with animal noises around me pretty well but the thought of humans approaching in the dark gets my hackles up for some reason. You should be alright until you can get to town and get new one. With snakes and spiders, that‘s another story. After all, if you go downtown, there are lethal hazards foremost of which is the car. It is not an easy trail. This is an irresponsible and dangerous method for the A.T. Sleeping with one’s food habituates animals to shelters and tents and greatly increases the likelihood of a mutually negative encounter with wildlife. Don’t go really far off of the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy suggests you don’t listen to headphones or ear buds while hiking, and trust your gut if you start to get a bad feeling about a situation. I agree. I have learned not to camp too close to babbling brooks because my ears will play tricks on me. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The most vicious animals you are likely to encounter will be domestic dogs brought to the trail by other hikers, or the domestic dogs of folks who live close to the trail. The nonpoisonous snakes that inhabit the Appalachian Trail include garter snakes, black snakes, corn snakes andwater snakes. It was brightly colored and easy to spot. Snakes will normally only attack a human if they are provoked. . The truth is, nothing I or anyone else says will make all of the fear go away. There was already a part of me that was scared to do what I was about to do, and loved ones trying to chip away at my confidence did nothing to help the situation. Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Today some of the best and most-extensive broad-leaved deciduous forests in the world still flourish in the Appalachians and bordering areas, notably in southern Appalachia. Do a tick check every night before bed. During my hike, an elderly hiker fell and busted his kneecap in the 100 Mile Wilderness. However, every year many people die doing an activity they love, and it can be all too easy to overlook the dangers that you can face out on the trail. You just have to get out there and see for yourself that it’s not scary. With snakes and spiders, that‘s another story. There are lots of animals in the Appalachian Mountains, and some of them can be dangerous if not treated with the proper respect—we just want you to be prepared. It is one of the reasons that mice are a problematic and universal experience in the shelters along the Trail. Postholer.Com Resource for Hikers. The wilderness of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail can pose many risks to its visitors. Today's trail hiker can walk up to the summit of Mount Greylock and also appreciate Mount Greylock from the Cobbles, a quartzite outcrop on the trail. Most campsites are not very far off of the trail or they are on a side trail. If you read some of their stories, it just may inspire you to do something similar. However, these animals have no interest in being around you. I would be scared more of a female stranger than a male since my “danger stranger” instincts would be in full mode around a guy. I hope this post did something to ease some of your concerns about the dangers of the Appalachian Trail. The area is a zoologists paradise. Required fields are marked *. If you naturally gravitate toward these people because it feels safer, then by all means do so. Why does everyone think I should carry a gun?! Each year, thousands of people attempt to hike it, but only one in four succeeds. I may just print a bunch of copies of this post out and hand them to people when they ask Thanks for this! Utilize the bear boxes and bear hangs at the shelters. It does not matter what it is. You’ll probably just meet lots of friendly people who want to chat and hear about your trip. So, if you see a snake, leave it alone and it will go away by itself. I tend to travel much emptier spaces than the AT and may not see people for days at a time if my luck holds out. Appalachian Trail animals includes amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles. If you see a bear or snake, back off and let it be. The thing about tiny bugs and organisms is that it’s really difficult to stop them from their parasitic ways. When I did my Wilderness First Responder certification, my instructor told us that most snake bites happen to intoxicated young men. You’ll have gnats swarming your face, mosquitos biting your legs, spiders creeping around while you sleep. They mainly dwell in forested areas where the trees and vegetation provide them shelter and food but they also can be found in marshes or swamps as well as farmlands. So I guess you can say I’m afraid of babbling brooks. While visiting Franconia Notch in New Hampshire's White Mountain State Park, I saw a young lady hitchhiking near the Appalachian Trail. If you come across the mother bear with a cub, then calmly get the heck out of there. I sincerely appreciate you sharing it. “On the Appalachian Trail, we have little subtle things, dehydration, norovirus from hikers spreading stomach flu to one another,” Mr. Graves said. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. That being said, it is not surprising that hikers take from 5 to 7 months to cross it. It is estimated that close to three million visitors are hiking the Appalachian Trail to some degree. Here are 11 facts you might not know about America’s greatest trail. Pygmy rattlesnakes can be seen Tennessee and south. He recovered and completed his hike the next year. First, we should cover ticks – as tick-borne diseases pose the largest risk to human health while hiking the Appalachian Trail. There are reports about bears and snakes. This is a wonderful post. Chicas on the Appalachian Trail Women-specific Tips for Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and Conversations With Badass Women Hikers (Book) : Seymour, Jen Beck : "Hiking the Appalachian Trail is your dream adventure - but so far, you've done nothing but dream. Don’t follow along with any solo hikers unless you’re confident that they want your company. If you don’t make it to the campsite, you can just set up where ever you find a good spot. As well as being against the ‘spirit’ of hiking, carrying a gun can alienate you from your fellow hikers. The first did not occur until 1974, when a man was killed in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. It’s not Leave No Trace anyway if you’re walking around off the trail. Bring along a. To be out on the trail without navigational equipment or expertise, and to be inadequately prepared for rapid changes in weather are the biggest dangers you will face (along with ticks, although preparation takes care of them as well!). Visit www.gordonalexander.org for more info! Black bears will generally want to eat your food. If one starts off in Georgia. women especially have concerns about hiking solo. A few things about bears on the Appalachian Trail: There are only black bears on the East coast. Ticks, Spiders, Waterborne Pathogens, Norovirus, and other small but harmful organisms. I was wondering if there was any way to reassure them that this is completely safe and that if we run into anyone on the trail they’ll probably be like the hikers Cheryl Strayed came across on the PCT. The 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail is a favorite of hikers, running from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Main. The Appalachian Trail is home to thousands of species of plants and animals, including 2,000 rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species. If I'm not training for my next 100 mile trail race then you can probably find me exploring a new trail with my family. Watch out for the little critters! Other potential dangers on the trail come from getting lost, lightning strikes and from falling trees. You will go off the trail a short ways to camp and pee. That isn’t to say that the Appalachian Trail, and long-distance backpacking in general, are without real risks. The Appalachian Trail is crossing 14 states, and five national parks and the route is marked by white blazes on trees, rocks, and posts. As a travel writer and photographer, Gordon spent the better part of 2018 visiting 13 different countries as far apart as Chile, Morocco and Vietnam. Many regions along the Appalachian Trail, and you may step on one of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail enjoy! Share in the matter walkway without reason also be forced onto some not-so-hot sections of eroded Trail you! Kneecap in the shelters a pack of coyotes heck out of 5 against! Each State a week a year step foot on it, in some form or another your body carry.. 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