Ever come across real live hillbillies on or near the trail or, more likely, on your way to the trailhead? I mean, the type you do a double take on either by behavior or appearance or both?
Percival
Hillbillies - Appalachian Trail
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#2
Watch out for stereotyping mountain folk as “hillbillies.” You are in their territory when you are on the trail. The vast majority of them are nicer than anyone you will find in the city. I would take “hillbillies” over the people in Kent or Salisbuy, CT anyday. There are some folks who are a bit hostile towards hikers since the government took their land. 19E near Roan Mountain is the best example of this.
Bankrobber
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#3
i am from west virginia and i know there is a big difference between a hillbilly and a redneck. hillbillies are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. they will go out of their way to help someone they hardly know. like a hiker. they are generally not afraid of dirty smelly guys with beards. the problem is that rednecks are usually the ones you want to be leary of. they look like hillbillies but act quite differently. they can be mean and overprotective of their area especially if they own that area.
WISE OWL
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#4
how you throw that “hillbilly” label around. By the time many hikers reach Virginia on the A.T., I think most folks would be hard-pressed to tell at first glance who is the “hillbilly” and who is the hiker. And that can be a good thang.
Truth be told, I bet many couldn’t distinguish between a hillbilly, a redneck, and a thru-hiker. Aren’t all these labels just a tad silly anyway?
“Skyline”
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#5
There is a mile of difference between a Hillbilly and a redneck.I was born and raised in a small town in Virginia, about 15 miles from Bland Va.One of the enjoyments on the trail for me, is meeting the earthy people back home.They will bend over backwards, to help in any way they can.:boy :boy
Bill Harris
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#6
recently section-hiked Carvers Gap to Hampton TN (US-321) meaning, of course, that we crossed the forementioned Hwy 19-E area…we had NO problems…i wuz told to not be around 19-E on Friday or Saturday nites if we could help it…thats when “the “good ol’ boys” party & drank @ the shelter…” (Apple House Shelter)…but, didnt have any problems with local residents…they were some of the friendliest i’ve met in my 3 years of section hiking the A.T.!..beard & all.
“Jaybird”
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#8
I’m from big city NY and I have to say the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure to meet are from towns around the AT; who gave me rides; stopped to say hi or see if i needed anything while i was resting at a roadside; or just bought me a coke or a beer for listening to my stories about my hike. I’d trade that for rude city people any day. I’m sure that somewhere you might run into a stereotypical hillbilly; but I’ve never seen one. Rednecks; well; sadly; they are all over. but thats not what this column is about. The people you meet off the trail that help you along are some of the more pleasant surprises along the way.
Big Boy