The Appalachian Trail’s Dangers and Motives
People all across the nation enjoy hiking and one of those trails being the Appalachian Trail. The AT is known to be the longest marked trail in the nation. The Appalachian Trail is known to fuel people with inspiration and motivation from the breathtaking scenery that hikers are surrounded by while on it. The increase in hiking among the nation puts a major increase for injury and illness. The Appalachian Trail is a 2181-mile foot path trail, meaning hikers who face this in one trip have an abundance of stamina and courage to fight the dangers and the health risk that come with the hike. Research has very little documentation on injury and illness for long distance hiking, however some of the people who have hiked the AT have shared their experiences. Leading into my question of what are the dangers and health risks people face when hiking the Appalachian Trail? Leading into the second question that others wonder of why do people hike the Appalachian Trail?
One of the many dangers that hikers face on the AT, is murder. Since 1974, there have been 11 murders on the Appalachian Trail, with the latest one occurring in 2011. The random acts of violence that happen on this trail are unknown and hard to understand. Back on June 1st, 1996, two women who were partners, were killed out of a hate crime while hiking the trail. The two women were killed alongside of the AT at the Shenandoah National Park located in Virginia. Following this, another lesbian couple were shot and killed at their campsite on the AT in Pennsylvania back in 1988. (Mantilla). Decades ago it is seen from history and research, that hiking the Appalachian Trail was even more dangerous when doing it with a partner of the same sex. History of the deaths of these four women show that hate crimes are performed on the trail periodically.
Hiking is not typically looked at as a dangerous pursuit, but more of a relaxing escape. However, crimes and violence do occur on the Appalachian Trail more than what people think. From disappearance to murder, it is important to know that not everyone a person comes in contact with on the trail is harmless. The last murder on the Appalachian Trail still seems to be unsolved today. This hike may make it easier for predators to attack because there is still unknown reasons of why this type of crime and violence happens so often. This trail has had more violence happen on it than any other trail, which is why it is so important to never hike alone and always have protection.
Health risks are also a main danger for people hiking the Appalachian Trail. Hikers need to anticipate that musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and skin problems may occur during hiking. It is prudent to carry medications such as analgesics in the form of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, topical antibiotics, and bandages. Methods to purify water need to be used regularly, and adequate preparation of food needs to be a priority. (Bryon). Taking preventative measures may not only keep them safe, but alive.
Lyme Disease is one of the leading and most prominent danger health risks when on the Appalachian Trail. Ticks that carry Lyme disease are common in the woods of the northeast on the Appalachian Trail. A preventative that people can take for tick bites on the trail is a pesticide called permethrin that kills bugs on contact. (Knoll, 24). Ticks can be more or less common depending on certain months which is another tool that hikers can consider when mapping out their trail. It is important that hikers check themselves often to prevent getting this deadly disease. Hikers sometimes have a hard time recognizing characteristics, but have a high exposure risk.
It has been found that section hikers are much less likely to seek treatment than through hikers. The reasoning behind this is unclear, but is thought to believe that section hikers do not seek treatment because of their limited time on the trail, they let the rash take care of itself instead of seeking medical attention. Following this, it is thought that through hikers are focused on completing the trail, which makes them cautious of any types of diseases and illnesses that could prevent that. (Knoll, 27).
Hikers may come across certain animals while on the trail that can be a potential danger. Black bears are found amongst the trail, but are more prominent in Georgia, Shenandoah and The Great Smokey Mountains. Attacks from black bears are fairly rare, but it is important not to startle one or come near a mom and her cubs. While walking along the trail or even at camp, make sure to have food put away and make loud noises that way a bear is not startled when running up on one. Snakes and yellow jackets are also a danger that hikers face along the trail. Both poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes are on the trail, but snakes are typically not aggressive unless felt the need the defend themselves. Lastly, yellow jackets build their nest from holes in the ground. If their nest is stepped on the wasp will take this as a threat and attack. The bees can sting multiple times and are dangerous because they can cause a swelling in the throat that can swell and block a person’s airway.
Although the hiking the trail is full of fun, it also can be hard. When it rains constantly the streams on the trail get very high. The trail is full of rivers and streams that hikers have to cross in order to keep moving along. When crossing the streams when they are high from the rain, hikers have to carry their backpacks above their heads so that their only belongings are not ruined or wet. Water is a huge resource that hikers must have to survive. The lack of water that can be accessible to hikers makes them realize how little they can live off.
Hikers are exposed to health dangers while on the AT. Health risks can be fatal because they can go untreated and lead to serious illness. Water is essential for every hiker who has ever trekked across the Appalachian Trail. However, hikers do not always have access to clean water which makes this a major health risk danger. Hikers can run into a lot of risks while being out in the wilderness and illness from contaminated water that has coliform bacteria in it. Research conducted back in 2016 sampled 10 shelters on the Appalachian Trail water. From this study, seven out of the ten shelters water were positive for coliform water, and six of the seven were also positive for E-coli during the summer months. (Reed 108). Exposure of contaminated water increases the risks diarrheal illness. This health related danger of contaminated water is important to be conscious of because water is a major resource that is used by all hikers.
From previous statements, the Appalachian Trail has a reputation of being dangerous. However, people share their stories and talk about the kind and helpful people that they meet along the way. Part of the Appalachian Trail community does while on the trail is create a “trail name. While on the trail, it is known that a person goes by their trail name because it makes a distinction between their world and the trail world. (Murphey). Having a trail name is a big part of why people do the trail and complete it. After completing the trail, a trail name has a lot meaning and stories behind it. People who have trail say it with pride and talk to others they have met along the way by their trail name as well.
The Appalachian Trail stretches across from Georgia to Maine and an average of 3 to 4 million hike a portion of the trail every year. As one can imagine, this would take a long time for one to complete. Which leads into the question a lot of people ask, “why do people hike the Appalachian Trail?” Hikers have been asked this question and a lot of the data has shown that people hike the AT for environmental awareness, the mental and physical challenge, isolation. It has been analyzed that people generally hike the AT for their health/exercise, to form strong relationships with others and for the enjoyment of life.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail brings people in touch with themselves. People that I personally know have said the best word to describe completing this trail, would be gratitude. The trail allows people to have a long, thorough check-in with their bodies and their minds. It is a recovery, a haven and an escape to many. Although hikers face the dangers of health risks, animals, insects, murder, and abduction; it has been said that is worth it. Hiking the AT is an experience like any other, but is always important to know what obstacles can occur.
Still, it is often wondered why people choose to take months off from their life to hike the Appalachian Trail. Hikers are aware of the hard endeavors they may face while hiking the trail. The challenges of not only physical, but mental challenges as well. This is why the “why question” pops up quite often. Hikers may choose to hike the trail to increase physical activity, take a journey, grow as a person, escape the world, fight disease or get out to see natures beauty. It has been said that hiking the entire Appalachian Trail is a personal growth experience. It helps widen people’s perspectives through talking to other hikers and seeing what one person is cable of. (Nelson).
Being outdoors for that long of a period of time changes a person’s perception of the worries they had from the normal world when beginning. Surrounded by beautiful nature everyday as hikers continue their journey, it brings them to an easy way of life. The trail is a place where people come to escape attachments and regain a new focus. The trail gives a person time to reflect on their life, but also helps them get in touch with their physical and mental capabilities when having to survive. Willingly taking on this long challenge is not something that just anyone could do. But, it is proven that people come out empowered. Strategies that are used on the trail can also be applied to life. (Baltus). Focusing on each day’s goal, overcoming obstacles and trusting the instincts are all things that are taken from the trails experience and can be used to help a person in their day to day life.
In conclusion, the Appalachian Trail is full of adventure. It is full of beautiful nature, people, and animals. It is also full of dangers, but it is easy to be aware of these is people are prepared and keep safe. Hiking the AT opens up people to a new perspective on life. It is something to say that a person has hiked and completed the entire Appalachian trail and if they have, they probably have a few stories to tell.
Bibliography:
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Gomez, Edwin, et al. “Appalachian trail hiking motivations and means-end theory: theory, management, and practice.” Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, vol. 2, no. 3, 2010, p. 260+. Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/apps/doc/A321463952/AONE?u=viva_vpi&sid=AONE&xid=1f1f2181. Accessed 4 Dec. 2018.
Knoll, Judith M., et all. “Appalachian Trail Hikers’ Ability to Recognize Lyme Disease by Visual Stimulus Photographs.” Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, March 2014, vol 25, Iss 2, p.24–28.
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Reed, Brian, et all. “An Assessment of Coliform Bacteria in Water Sources Near Appalachian Trail Shelters Within the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.” Wilderness & environmental medicine, ISSN: 1545–1534, Vol: 27, Issue: 1, 2016, p. 107–10.
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Goldenberg, Marni, et al. “Why Individuals Hike the Appalachian Trail: A Qualitative Approach to Benefits.” Journal of Experiential Education, vol. 30, no. 3, Jan. 2008, pp. 277–281.
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Mantilla, Karla. “Murder on the Appalachian Trail.” Off Our Backs, vol. 26, no. 7, 1996, pp. 1–19. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20835528.
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“Journal of Appalachian Studies Annual Bibliography, 2011.” Journal of Appalachian Studies, vol. 18, no. 1/2, Spring/Fall2012 2012, pp. 244–300.
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