Camp stuff

Advice from those
who’ve already done it

Reprinted from the Appalachian Trail Companion, written by ALDHA members and published by the Appalachian Trail Conference. (The current year’s edition is usually available by late January or early February in bookstores and from the ATC’s Ultimate Trail Store.)



Safety

If you tell anyone you are planning a long-distance hike on the A.T., one of their first questions is likely to be, “Aren’t you afraid? What will you do to protect yourself?” There are many dangers in the wilderness, but, because of mass-media publicity and the growing popularity of backpacking in recent years, your friend was likely speaking of the dangers posed by other humans. Fortunately, dangerous humans on the A.T. are nearly as rare as snakebites. Violent crimes, including rape and murder, have occurred on the Trail, but they have a frequency rate of less than one per year. In the 56-year history of the A.T., seven murders (five incidents) have occurred on the Trail. Compare that with the city or town you live in, and you have a good idea of how safe the Trail is.

The difference on the A.T. and in any wilderness setting is that you have only yourself and your instincts for protection. That means you must use common sense to stay out of potentially dangerous situations.

It’s best not to hike alone, but if you chose to, a few precautions can help keep you out of trouble. Don’t tell strangers where you are headed or plan to camp for the night. If you run into a suspicious character at a campsite or shelter, consider moving on to another location for the evening. Avoid camping or staying at shelters that are within a mile of a road crossing, and finally, leave an itinerary of your trip with family or friends at home. And, if you use a trail name, make sure the folks back home know it as well. If you will be hiking with a partner, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Often times, two or more are just as vulnerable as one.

By the way, ATC and most long-distance hikers strongly discourage the carrying of a handgun. Guns are not permitted in national parks and in many other jurisdictions through which the A.T. passes.

If you are the victim of a crime or witness a crime, report the incident to the police, and notify ATC immediately. The conference and its member maintaining clubs are working on a campaign to place emergency numbers at useful spots along the Trail, such as road crossings and shelters. Take note of this information.


Lightning Strikes

For A.T. hikers, lightning strikes are by far the most commonly faced life-threatening danger. At least one hiker each year gets a good scare. A few simple precautions can improve your chances of weathering a lightning storm. The most obvious thing to do is take shelter; unfortunately lighting storms don’t always come along when a trail shelter is conveniently handy and a tent offers no protection. If you’re on top of a ridge or mountaintop, get off the highest point as quickly as possible. Look for the lowest spot you can find and avoid tall trees, standing water and open unprotected areas. A dense stand of small trees offers the best protection. Remove your pack and crouch down or roll in a ball. Some hikers use their sleeping pad to crouch on; it might offer some insulation if a bolt strikes nearby. If you are hiking with others, spread out so that everyone is not struck by a single bolt.


Snake eyes
Snakebites

We mention snakebites here only because we have information not available in other A.T. guidebooks. The truth is, snakebites are very rare. In fact, there have been more foxbites than poisonous snakebites on the A.T. in the past decade. (Last year a thru-hiker was bitten by a fox at Flint Mountain Shelter in North Carolina.) The ATC has received no reports of poisonous snakebites on the A.T. in more than a decade. And, even if you are bitten, your chances of surviving the encounter are great. In most cases, victims have 12 hours to get anti-venom before the poison starts destroying body tissue and causing organ failure. If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, stay calm and get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Do not use a snakebite kit or attempt to remove the poison. This is the advice of Maynard H. Cox, founder and director of the World Wide Poison Bite Information Center. He advises medical personnel worldwide on the treatment of snakebites. If you hike in fear of snakebites, carry his number (904) 264-6512, and when you’re bitten give the number to the proper medical personnel.

Other potential problems, such as hypothermia, Lyme disease, etc., are addressed in A.T. guidebooks, as well as numerous backpacking and outdoor survival publications. It is wise to be familiar with basic first aid techniques as well, just in case you become a victim of nature or circumstances. If you are unfamiliar with first aid techniques and the dangers inherent in backcountry travel, study an alternative information source before beginning your hike.


Water

ATC and its maintaining clubs attempt to locate water sources but have no control over these sources and cannot be responsible for the quality of the water. Most water sources along the Trail are unprotected. They are susceptible to contamination and pollution by animals and humans. Just because a water source happens to be located in what looks like a pristine backcountry spot, do not assume it is pure and does not need to be treated. The most worrisome contamination for the backpacker is the parasite giardia, passed to the water via the feces of mammals. Once afflicted, the victim is said to have giardiasis. Symptoms of the disease include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, bloating, flatulence (isn’t that a symptom of trail food?), and weight loss. If you are afflicted, rest, recuperate and see a doctor. Antibiotics are available that will rid your belly of the unwanted visitors. The surest way to avoid the disease is to purify all water by either chemical treatment, boiling or use of a filter system.


No-Trace Camping

To understand the importance of no-trace camping, a history lesson is in order. Before European settlers discovered the Appalachians, American Indians called the hills their home. They lived in harmony with the woods. Their simple lifestyle and relatively small numbers ensured that the forests would remain unscarred. But, you know the rest of the story--the white man came, bringing a drastically different lifestyle; soon the timber was harvested; and the wolves, mountain lions, elk and even buffalo were driven into oblivion. Today, wilderness areas, and the A.T. in particular, face similar pressure. This time, backpackers in ever-increasing numbers are “loving the wilderness to death.” The trick is to backpack like an Indian. As the Forest Service and National Park Service say, “Leave only footprints, take only pictures.” Following these guidelines for no-trace camping can help decrease the effect that you have on areas that you pass through.

More than three million people use a portion of the Trail each year, and, unfortunately, not all of those people are aware of the no-trace camping ethic. As long-distance hikers (and supposedly true wilderness travelers), you will be respected. Short-timers and day-hikers unfamiliar with the Trail will take your lead. Set a good example and if you see an opportunity to educate others, do so. Aside from a few ridgerunners, there is no one else out on the Trail disseminating no-trace camping information. If no-trace camping is not practiced by all, the A.T. will quickly lose its beauty.


Town Conduct

In town, consider yourself a walking, talking billboard for backpacking and the Appalachian Trail. The success of a thru-hiker’s journey depends heavily on Trail towns and the services they provide. Likewise, the continued success of the A.T. and ATC depends on the support of the people who live near the Trail. Nothing can turn a person or town against backpacking and the A.T. quicker than an ill-behaved hiker. When in town, remember you are a guest, even though you may be pumping money into the local economy. Be courteous to those who make their living there, and remember your conduct will have a bearing on how well the next hiker is treated. Always, always follow rules and regulations posted at hostels. Just because you live in the woods, don’t act like an animal.


Hitchhiking

Good news! With the increased number of backpackers and the popularity of the A.T., most Trail neighbors are aware that a person with full pack, “athletic aroma,” and thumb out is probably not a vagrant. They know you’re just trying to get to or from town, and finding a ride is usually not an impossibility. To improve your chances of getting picked up, some long-distance hikers suggest changing into cleaner clothes before reaching a road crossing. Few hikers have experienced “bad rides,” but the possibility always exists. If possible, hitch with a partner, and always follow your instincts. Don’t accept a ride with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable. Most drivers don’t expect compensation, but it doesn’t hurt to offer. Another way to say “thank you” is to get their name and address and send them a card at a later date. Next time, that person will be even more likely to pick up that smelly hiker with his thumb out. Hitchhiking is prohibited on interstate highways, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.


Hiking with Dogs

Sic ’em

If you choose to hike with your canine companion, treat your dog like any other backpacker. That means, bury his waste as you would your own, and carry a water bowl so your dog won’t have to drink directly from a water source. You are responsible for your dog and you will be held responsible if he decides to steal another hiker’s food or flop his wet body on another hiker’s equipment. Keep your pet under control in camp, on the Trail and in towns. Dogs have a tendency to stir up trouble, not excluding skunks, snakes, and porcupines. Barbed quills should be removed from a dog’s nose only by a veterinarian. If your dog has never walked on rugged trails before, closely monitor the pads of their feet for torn flesh, bleeding and other sores. When it warms up, you’ll have to constantly check for ticks. It’s best to keep your dog on a leash at all times--in Shenandoah National Park, that’s a regulation. Most post offices will allow only guide dogs inside the building. Dogs are also prohibited in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in Maine’s Baxter State Park. And, as you’ll notice from the entries in this book, many hostels and other accommodations don’t allow dogs either. For information on kennels near GSMNP and Baxter State Park, see entries in The Companion for those sections.





NOTE: If you’ve read this far, and you are still serious about hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, ALDHA would like to direct you to a short printout that might help you take the next step. It’s called “The First Step,” and it’s free. While it doesn’t pretend to tell you everything you need to know about hiking the A.T., it does answer some frequently asked questions, and it suggests other sources of information for you to devour before heading out. Click here for an online version of the pamphlet that you can print out for future reference.


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