Curious to those who have hike multiple times…has the trail experience changed greatly since, say, 12 years ago?
I imagine there is more technology being used, but the idea that people might be burying their faces in cellphones and tablets once arriving at a shelter saddens me.
Any thoughts on how the trail has changed at all?
Leki-Less '04
The trail itself has improved in the South with better trail, shelters, routing, blazing and maintenance. It has stayed the same in the North. The North has allowed shelter numbers to decrease by not replacing them when they burn. The North has done very little to improve the trail itself especially the Whites and Maine. The technology is no problem. Instead of reading a book they are reading I-books. I encounter more other hikers per day than 12 years ago and shelter space is more crowded even at low peak times. The use of hammock tents has changed the definition of a good campsite. We used to seek grassy tent spots, now it’s suitably spaced trees of the proper size. There is more conflict these days between trail management and hikers as management now attempts in inflict crowd and behavior control on the unruly masses. The defiant backlash results in even more conflict. When you reach those familiar trail places, Blood Mt, Neel’s Gap, Dragons tooth, Hump mts, Franconia Ridge, Baxter etc. you will see that the trail has not changed at all. It will feel the same as 12, or 40 years ago,
Francis
A positive effect from increased communications is that hikers are much more aware of coming weather conditions and tend not to get caught out in blizzards and heavy rain events. Also, 10 years ago there were a lot more “shifty dudes” using the trail as a refuge from the law. They don’t stay hidden in the crowds like they used to. If there is a thief at a hostel now everybody knows about it pronto. That’s good!
angel apple
When I section hiked the trail back in the 70’s up in Maine, the trail for the most part followed “Old Tote Roads”. You could actually hike along and look off in the distance at the mountains and lakes you passed, without worrying about tripping over rocks and exposed roots like you do now.
Gorp-Gobbler
Some guy – I suspect a shifty dude by definition – showed up in a full-up shelter one night in Georgia. 6’-5 high. Maybe 250 lbs or more.
Had a liking for one of the pretty girls in the shelter. She had expressed her great fear of snakes to her sheltermates. So he whipped out one huge blade of a knife to take care of the snake that was living in the rafters.
That immediately emptied the shelter of hikers and snakes.
Ha, and pretty girls.
Somewheres up the Smoky Mountains way on his hike he went into Gatlinburg for a rest-up and resupply.
A contest was already underway in Gatlinburg – a Country and Western karaoke contest. That shifty hiker due with the huge knife way back in Georgia won that karaoke content hands down and was awarded a recording contract in New York City.
Or $1,500 cash.
He took the cash. He didn’t think he would make it to New York.
Datto
Datto