ATC reports these GAMEr figures:
Springer Mtn., Ga. 3/31 623, 4/9 801, 4/22 1120
Neels Gap, Ga. 3/31 498, 4/9 641, 4/22 896
Fontana Dam 3/22 133, 4/4 238
Harpers Ferry 4/9 - 2, 4/22 13
TJ aka Teej
Nobo count 4/22
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#5
We were at Newfound Gap this last week and some of the hikers said they were being told that at Fontana and Franklin the people along the trail said the numbers were down this year. TJ is that what the numbers indicate?
Papa Smurf
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#6
So much for the trails being more and more crowded theory so far. Perhaps it’s because of the rise in popularity of other long trails?
Tha Wookie
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#7
Papa Smurf, looks to me like a downward trend each year in the numbers since 00/01.
Tha Wookie, I think you’re right. There’s a continuing boom in the hiking industry, so those customers must be hiking elsewhere!
TJ aka Teej
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#8
the numbers come from the ATC, and are posted here:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/thru_hike/facts.html
how do they get their numbers? see here:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/thru_hike/source.html
more nobo number talk:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4549
TJ aka Teej
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#10
Hope all are well and enjoying what the AT has to offer as well as the opportunity for others to offers to ea. other. It seems as though the NOBO numbers are lower this year than the past,probably a good way to help reduce wear and tear on this valuable resource.If you are thruhiking,several sections are better southbound if the trail is too crowded for your style(flipflopping is always an option too if the demands of Georgia are too much for tender feet etc) Why not start at Springer,hike some if not all of GA, then head up to Waynesboro and do SNP? If you are thinking about quiting, look at your options of hiking easier sections, meeting earlier season hikers, then returning to that difficult section with more miles under your hat. Peace, mike
2 spirits
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#11
Economy has picked up since 2000. Just as grad student enrollment picks up in bad economic years, so too do the hiking roles.
True_Dat
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#12
2000 had a large increase due to hikers wanting to do a millineum hike. I was surprised that it didn’t drop off steeply in 2001 but interest in the trail remained high.
Big B
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#13
I’d have to agree with the economy playing a part. Either more people have jobs or those without just can’t afford to hike. I was one of the latter last year. Unemployed for three mos. and would’ve killed to take off on a long trek. Unfortunately it still costs money to hike on the AT and with job prospects questionable at best, I put it off. However I’m now employed again and have a section hike scheduled for next April. Can’t wait! SW VA here I come.
kbar
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#14
Tha Wookie said: "So much for the trails being more and more crowded theory so far. Perhaps it’s because of the rise in popularity of other long trails? "
Not likely. The number of PCT hikers hasn’t changed significantly in the last 4 years - and 90% of the PCT hikers are AT veterans anyway so you’re not getting a lot of “new” hikers there. And the number of CDT hikers is still insignificant even though it’s doubled in the last 5 years. On top of that, the number of “repeat offenders” on the AT has increased greatly. In 1992, about 5% of the starters were repeat hikers. This year I’d guess the number of repeat hikers is likely to be closer to 20%. In other words, the number of “new” AT hikers is even lower than TJ’s numbers indicate.
As for the economy, it’s been in the crapper for the last two years - and that’s traditionally one of the triggers for an increase in the number of “new” AT hikers. But it ain’t happening. Yeah, I know the economy got better this year - but not that much better and that wouldn’t explain the lower hiker numbers for the last couple years anyway.
All of which fits with a recent study that says the hiking/backpacking population has decreased by 10-15% over the last decade. Which gets really interesting when you consider the population growth and the demographics of that growth in this country over the last decade.
Hey Wookie - on a related subject, want a good guage of where the trails are going? Go look at the age of the trail maintainers on the different trails. And at the prospects for future trail maintenance as that maintainer population dies or gets too old to do the job anymore. It’s not a real bright picture.
Jim
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#15
Just got back from GA and the southern trail, Gizmo reports 20% less starting this year, Neels the same, Gary @ Blueberry Patch down 15% or so (says he’s rarely been full all spring).
as to why?
'punos?
Bluebearee
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#16
Hi, heard from someone on the Pct this year and said rumors of 450 folks hiking this year ! That is definitely up from our thru hike ( 96 ) and our 1000 mile trek in 2002. I do think the Pct is growing some… lots of AT folks out there… myself included. What will help the pct keep its numbers down is no shelters or blazes. It is growing though.
yappy
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#17
The decline in backpacking over the last decade would seem consistent with the aging of the population as a whole. Physical fitness declines with age while family obligations increase. And I also read that Americans are getting fatter each year. Fatsos don’t rush to do the AT. :nerd
steve hiker
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#18
All the above reasons seem correct for the decline of AT hikers. I can add this for whatever it is worth; people in todays society want instant gratification. Hiking the AT or the PCT or any long distance trail does not fall into this category. As everyone knows, the AT takes a lot of planning and the hike itself is not instant.
Cygnus