I’ve noticed a bad trend… Seems that all the positive things about the trail appear to be people talking about hostels, hotels, restaurants, gear, food, and trail towns… And so little talk about the trail itself. What gives?
LexCO
Why so little love for the AT itself?
system
#3
With me, the hike is not so much the trail, well it is in a way but, it is more about the journey, the adventure of the hike. The people I meet, siting up camp, preparing my food, mentally preparing for the next big climb, these are the things I most enjoy when on the trail.
chessnut
system
#4
i adore the trail myself!..i’m hooked on all those rocks and roots and mosses and wildflowers and streams and peaks and meadows and…and…and!..yep!..i’m kinda wondering if the pct next year will “measure up”!!! :^)
maw-ee
system
#5
I’ve hiked both the AT (x3) and PCT (x2), and I feel there is no comparison between them. I’d take the PCT over any other trail out there.
Machine
system
#6
The PCT is fantastical.
Dont get me wrong, I do love me an AT. but the PCt has more ‘out there’ time. and I dig that.
Lion King
system
#7
i havta agree too. i love the AT but the pct crept in and stole my heart. would do the At again though … ha !
yappy
system
#8
Until you hike the CDT. It’s the best of all. So much more beauty, more wildlife, more challenge, more wilderness - just wait, you’ll see.
Ginny
system
#9
I liked all three for different reasons.
Which trail will I do again? Too many others to do first. :cheers
Paul Mags
system
#10
Some colleges turn into party schools. The AT has turned into the party trail because of its proximity to conveniences and towns. Also, how many ways can a journalist say “Wow, I saw a pretty long green tunnel. I bet it’s like yesterday’s and I bet I’ll see another tomorrow.”
The six months’ slow “normal” hike also fosters more time for partying, hanging out schmoozing in shelters or town. Trail Days is a party all by itself. When classes, books, guides and rules solve problems for the hikers in advance, the experience is “dumbed down” and some hikers just sink to a lower level. Big Dogs hiking the tail repeatedly contribute to the part atmosphere or by having the cases of beer driven out from town. Unfortunately the plethora of trail angels make it too easy to mooch, hang and party.
Sorry to sound negative but the AT is not remote enough any more.
No repeat AT hikes for me
system
#11
The ol’ AT is a beauty, no matter how each hiker hikes it. Lot of animals who are large, silent, with shiny eyes, many you see leaving 'cause they heard you coming. Every night sleeping beside the trail is Quiet. You see who you hang around with, or who you hike with, and the places you walk along, - no more, no less. True, it is busier than the less traveled trails; scenery and convenience are unique. Anyway, it is a beautiful long narrow passage!
Blue Yonder
system
#12
ahhhhhhhhhhhh, the dream trail for me. the one that has eluded my greedy foot prints so far. i thought this coming spring would be my year but an ailing dogs keeps me to the Azt this time. I just don’t want to leave her for 5- 6 months . Of course, she could struggle while i am gone for 7 weeks… i hope not. The Cdt will be worth the wait though…
yappy
system
#13
…as we wax poetic, the PCT that I see from afar, may indeed be my mistress that puts my wife, the AT, upon a shelf. The positive, and beloved nights were those we spent together, alone, adrift to sleep on a barren ridge, along a tumbling creek, mountain top peak;, as we look over the valley that contains the bar, the hostel, the McDonalds of Western culture, and ponder the prayer, the dream, that I have escaped to hike another day…
fishngame
system
#14
Avoid the party season (March-September), and you’ll discover the real A.T. Wait until the lemmings and the leaves drop off. You’ll have views, you’ll have cold crisp nights, you’ll have snow in winter, and most valuable of all … you’ll have solitude.
Bonehole
system
#15
There’s no views on the AT. The CDT, I’ll agree with Ginny, is great. But, the connecter sections (over 1/2 of the trail), aren’t great. The PCT, though, that is a nice, nice trail.
The great thing about the AT is the people, and the shelters, and how you aren’t a bum in town. There are hostels, which make the trail awesome in how easy it is to get around and get your town stuff done. All so you can hit the trail again. It’s not a party trail if you don’t want it to be. But, it is social.
The appalachian TRAIL itself, it’s nothing impressive beyond the feats of engineering and of land preservation. All you see all day, though, are trees and rocks, and the occasional deer or black bear.
With the AT, it’s about people. With the PCT, it’s about views. And the CDT, it’s about the woods, and being alone in the wild. They’re all good in their own ways.
wing it