Ok, ok, I have to address this, for my parents ease of mind. Any ideas on things to bring along for personal safety(God forbid) from animals and/or humans?
hippie hiker chic
Safety? - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Meet up with another hiker/s. As far as animals, specifically doggies, that might be a scource of long discussion. I think we did this a while ago about the pros and cons of the furry ones but what the hell. You’ll meet many dogs that are nice and will walk all over your gear and muddy it up and you’ll meet some that would just rather eat you and you’ll meet some that are cool to hike with. Or the ones that want to eat you keep your tekking poles handy to jab with and/or learn how to throw a meen overhand with a rock. Most of the dogs were with hikers that had no concern for how thier mutt acts. We just went intot he poker defence EVERY time a dog passed us after one went by nice and then turned around and tried to bight our rears. Don’t trust any of them! Don’t trust any of them unless it’s Dookie Bandit, Sage Rose, Wonder Dog, Madison, Dana and Silvia. But we know them first hand and are all super trail dogs.
Bushwhack
system
#5
a big knife, a cell phone(though I know we’ll be out of range for most of it).
Lone Wolf–A GUN??? are you being serious???
hippie hiker chic
system
#7
What’s your reasoning behind it? For animals? This is the first I’ve heard of bringing a gun, I’d like to hear more about it.
hippie hiker chic
system
#8
I had a run-in with a couple of abandoned or wild mutts in Nantahala last year. Sprayed one with pepper spray but he and his cohort came back into my camp 10 minutes later. Sprayed him again and got the hell out of there. Got me to thinking, if a dog can take a snout of bear spray and come back for more, maybe a small handgun is in order. They almost certainly would have come back a third time later that night if I hadn’t left, to settle the matter in the dark.
steve hiker
system
#9
The best defence is your mind. If your gut reaction tells you to avoid someone, then do so. I encountered a few “not save” dogs but all encounters could have been avoided if I avoided the dog. I love dogs and couldn’t leave them alone, however. What good will a gun, knife or pepper spray be when its inside your pack anyway. Many people brought cell phones and if it made then feel safer then I guess it was worth it. It may be more of an issue of educating your parents. One of my co-workers thinks any women on the trail alone is insane and bent on death… but then again, she grew up in East St Louis. She has no clue about walking in the wilderness. Your parents may not know the facts about hiking long distances either. Make you parents aware of how safe the trail realy is. Convince them that you do know what to do when any situation arises. So don’t mention hitch-hiking and hike naked day in the same conversation. The facts are there… Hiking the AT is safe. Guns, tazers and cell phones are not neccessary for your safety. Common sence is the best weapon. Now teach your parents the facts to ease their worries.
TB
TurkeyBacon
system
#10
I couldn’t avoid these mutts. Was gathering firewood when they came up to me and the lead dog wouldn’t back off. I know enough about how dogs act in groups to know that one will circle around behind and bite your ass if you let them. So instead of tempting fate, I let the leader have it with bear spray. Sole dogs don’t present that problem, but it’s different with multiples.
steve hiker
system
#11
I may have to call out sick from the trail that day 
hahaha!
All good points and I’m takin them to heart. This might need to be a discussion I have with my parents rather than making the decision on my own. They are letting their “baby girl” go hiking all alone for 2,200 miles. I think I afford them at least some semblance of comfort for all the worrying they’re going to be doing!
What about a machete or a diving knife that I can put on my calf?
hippie hiker chic
system
#13
She decided to wait another year for money issues. I haven’t really found someone else that I know that wants to hike the trail, or that is seriously thinking about it.
“Oh, hike the AT, sure, no problem. We’ll be back in like a week, right?” That’s the normal response
And, I figured I’d meet enough people along the trail, right?
hippie hiker chic
system
#14
Use common sense. Avoid staying in shelters alone with someone you do not trust. Use caution when you see a stray dog. But most important - remember that this is part of the experience - being independent and vulnerable to the mountains. No matter what - it is certainly safer on the AT than where you are reading this from a computer. (unless you have a wireless connection and are on the AT when you are reading this)
presto
system
#15
Use common sense. Avoid staying in shelters alone with someone you do not trust. Use caution when you see a stray dog. But most important - remember that this is part of the experience - being independent and vulnerable to the mountains. No matter what - it is certainly safer on the AT than where you are reading this from a computer. (unless you have a wireless connection and are on the AT when you are reading this)
presto
system
#16
Like others have posted, the safety issue is mainly one of educating parents and other concerned friends.
The AT is very safe. As others have posted, the best thing to bring along is your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right to you, then move on.
Most people hiking, including females feel very protected and looked after. Someone commented that it’s like having a family of big brothers looking after you.
If there are problems, it’s usually at trailheads or road crossings. Just don’t linger there. OR, cross with a buddy.
Along the way you will have the chance to meet up with others, and that will be your support family on the way. It’s the best part of the adventure.
If you, or your parents, want to talk with someone about this, why not look up someone like Bluebeary who thru-hiked last year, or Windex, who thru-hiked the year before, or Pushing Up Daisys. All of these women kept journals on trail journals.com.
Peaks
system
#17
Funny you should mention her. I wasn’t afraid hiking with her and I’m a manly type. HHC, you’ll find a crew to hike with that will make you feel safe. Not a problem. Most hikers, guys or girls defend thier friends like family and will gladly finish that donut when you cant.
Bushwhack
system
#18
please! just wait till you guys see my appetite on the trail! 
I started reading Windex’s journal at work and am going to try to e-mail her. I haven’t found her e-mail on her journal but I haven’t looked yet either.
Anyone interested in making a trip to springer in beginning of march for a 2 day hike? hike a ways, camp out, then hike back?
hippie hiker chic
system
#19
windexross@yahoo.com
Also check her journal, AT '01, for the website link to the site she dedicated to her sister she lost to auto-immune disorder. Okay, I could have worded that better.
We know her rather well. She hates mussels. Especialy Maine mussels. Really, I can cook way better than that, I was just out of my element.
HHC, we’ll be in the Highlands the second week in March for a loop.
Bushwhack
system
#20
There were alot of cell phones on the trail last year.
If you have the right carrier you get excellent connections
because alot of the shelters are at or near mountain peaks.
Reception in the valleys can be poor/nonexistent.
But you will be atop AT LEAST on mountain every day, usually two
or three.
Scamp
Scamp