The strange people on my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike
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- čas přidán 31. 12. 2022
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I wrote a story in The Trek about Leafblower last spring, when he stayed at my sister Maria's hostel, Standing Bear. He was a bit eccentric, but an otherwise kind, gentle soul. He later went on to Israel to hike their major trail. He ditched the leafblower and adopted another item--a 2 foot long bubble level--which he used to measure ancient monuments to see if they were level.
That’s super cool. Thanks for sharing .
I hiked with the spear kid for several days if not more than a week… We were the ones who got him a new pack, some rain gear and a resupply… He was definitely in need of attention, and he was carrying the spear because his sister bought it for him as a gift, with the promise that he would carry it the whole way on the trail. Good kid, just different; and you are right…it blew up way over the top, I hope he is well and has completed his journey, or at least getting prepared for the next steps with a bit more preparation!
Yes I remember it was you and Gyatso and Lord Baltimore, right?
@@hikingdancer Yep! and you might remember me I was probably the first guy on trail that freaked you out because I recognized you right away from youtube lol
Yes I remember you
@@hikingdancer aw Thanks, I’m still a fan 😉
Dang the sister gifting it to him makes sense and is actually pretty cool. Sounds like dude was just figuring out how to navigate his goals and people singled him out because he was different than the hiker they are used to with the typical gear.
We need to normalize awareness and safety over niceness.
You got that right
Yes.
EXACTLY. The requirement to be nice at all costs, has had a huge adverse effect on my life, mainly bc those with a predatory disposition can sense an easy target to victimize.
You dont need to be nice to other people.
Pistop, you are so right!!!!!
If anyone is wondering why no creepy women were seen on the AT, well it's because they can be found at your local Walmart
That is actually funny
😂
Oh yeah!! Seriously!!
this video is not about Walmart
@@robbymonaco3738 🫢
I ran into Leafblower several times in NH/ME and he is a real nice kid. Not a threat at all and very pleasant to talk to. The third guy you talked about (Ice) got arrested after the nighttime fondle session but was released. Unfortunately the two women involved left trail. This happened very early on in the season. One thing that no one talks about is mental health and the trail. There are more disturbed people than I expected not only hiking but living in shelters or somehow associated with the AT. I met quite a few trail angels, shuttle drivers, and hostel owners who were a few beers short of a six pack. Stay aware of your surroundings and use good judgment. You meet some really fantastic people, but don't let your guard down. I had concocted a fake name and back story to use with people I didn't feel comfortable around.
Good info and advice 😀
do you feel someone should carry a gun when hiking the trail, idk
@Mark Lee I'm a big supporter of the 2A, own several firearms, and have a concealed carry permit. With that being said, I do not believe you need a firearm on the AT. At no point did I ever feel my life threatened by either people or animals (I encountered 4 bears). Additionally, the firearm laws in the Northern states can be very restrictive, especially New Jersey, and you could find yourself in jail instead of the trail.
Thank you I agree 100%
Wise
As a guy that usually hikes alone this is one of the reasons I've avoided the AT. There's too many people on the trail which attracts weirdos that prey on the hikers. And at the same time I always feel awkward when passing other solo hikers, especially if their female because I'm worried they will feel threatened by my presence. I prefer to travel in more remote areas....Just me and the animals.
Good points but there are weirdos all over and the trail has only a tiny percentage
ur absolute lunatic m8 worrying about what some random slt might boil in her brain pot
I prefer to hike on lesser hiked more remote trails too
Agreed, If I want to schmooze with crowds of strangers, I'll go to a tavern or cocktail party. Crowded trails like AT really annoy me. The whole appeal is exploring remote secluded areas off-trail, that not just anybody can find, although I don't enjoy doing it alone.
"Pleasure juice"?...🤣😂 I have to admit That description is a new one for me.. whoever saw him doing that should have kicked him so hard in the juicer that he would be called turtle man from then on..LOL
I honestly couldn’t think of another word in that moment. CZcams is sensitive with words so you have to become skillful at saying things differently
Thank you for the educated opinions you share. I pray my intuition is on point while I'm out there. Happy New Year to you!
I’m sure you’ll be fine. The trail is honestly quite harmless
@@hikingdancer that has been the over-all opinion of every hiker that I've followed. 😊
@@hikingdancer l still say the Bible thumpers are the ones that need to be avoided the most. Weird f*#ks.🤪
That is unfortunate that there are individuals that take advantage of a situation and make something so pure and motivational and turn it into something that people need to watch their backs. It great you had strong minded partners to hike with.
Happy New Year!
You are so right
Happy new year. I remember the touching guy and spoke to Groceries about him in MA. Definitely creepy to pretend to be someone you’re not. We always need to be aware of our surroundings and people around us. Great video and stay safe. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️
Thank you Chick pea
I was planning on thru hiking the trail in March of this year to get away from all that crap, I hate those type of people with a passion that just judge and assume something by somebody and then post it on social media. You can't even go hiking the woods anymore without having that stuff everywhere and people posting about it. I might just attempt to try to hike the whole Rocky mountain range instead. Hearing this video really made me depressed but I'm glad I watched it thank you for the information.
I’m so so sorry this depressed you. That was not the point of the video. I guess I wanted to convey that people are inherently not that bad on trail and that the true problem were the people sitting at home behind the computer judging without knowing.
Thanks for bringing this information and awareness about the AT for future hikers. As mentioned, learn to trust your intuition over social media. - Jiffy Pop
I would point out that the "social media" folks were people that trusted their intuition regarding the country bumpkin. Maybe it would be better to read the six minute x-ray and/or related material. Then you would not have to guess. You might still get it wrong, but would be less likely to do so. I 100% agree that social media is not to be trusted.
@@shanksmare good point and helping clarify, I’m trusting “my” intuition not theirs.
Thank you Jiffy Pop
Well done HD, good rundown. I met the log dude this past hiking season. I supported some movements for him in Northern VA, IVO Front Royal. Interesting cat, crazy driven - for a very solid cause. Keep on hammering out there.
Thank you
Hi Roadrunner. Great Video and Great advice. Can not wait for your next hike. I do not mind some of the talk on the trail as long as it is from personal experience. I hate it when people take a story and run with it without really knowing. I can judge for myself but would find it useful if someone said there is a person up trail that you may want to take a second look at or is acting strangely. But I would make the judgement myself. Really love you video's, keep up the great work.
Thank you so much
I stayed at Shaw's before the 100 mile wilderness last year. Leaf blower was there. I had met him briefly at Trail Days but got to know him at Shaw's. He is s a very shy, kind, artistic guy. He was doing sketches all day in his art book. Very chill guy.
That’s so nice to hear
I hiked in 2006. Most people who hike the AT are a bit odd by society's standards - we don't think we are, but I have learned that most non-hikers think we are. But there were only maybe one or two people who seemed dangerous when I hiked. I do remember a couple of younger men/boys who were clearly running away from some sort of trouble. I didn't ask them about it, but one kid did tell me he had stolen his friend's mother's credit cards and used them. I'm a lawyer and I inferred from his story that he had not shown up for a hearing and that there was most likely a warrant out for his arrest. He told me this while drunk - coincidentally in Duncannon - without any prompting or encouragement from me.
I think the thing to remember about weirdos and dangerous people is, they are around you every day. You're not in much less danger from them standing outside your house than you are on the trail. The real difference is that you are not in your regular daily environment, so you are already at a higher baseline of discomfort, which undermines your own sense of safety in specific situations and your confidence in your ability to deal with those situations. Yes, bad things happen on the AT. But bad things also happen in your neighborhood, or even in your house.
100% correct.
Agreed
I'm not much of a hiker at all , I do think your hard core hikers are totally odd but that is what makes them fun.
Wow! Number 3 and 4 were definitely really creepy. For safety and precautionary measures, it is good that social media gives warnings to others hiking. However in cases when the statements are false and distorted, then it is not good. Definitely good advice though about trusting your own intuition rather than social media. Haha I do wonder why the first guy thru-hiked with a leaf blower! Glad to hear that the leaf blower and spear guy were not creepy.
Yes number 4 was just too creepy
I live in a small town and have seen more dangerous deranged people on my block than l ever saw in all my backpacking travels.
That is so very true
Yes but the police are minutes away on your block and non-existent in the mountains
Same here I live in Las Cruces, NM and the amount of homeless is crazy and almost all of them are drug deranged. Scary as hell to go to circle k around midnight.
Hey on my last time I was saw your video I forgot to say happy New Year have a great 2023 and on your next hike
Happy new year
I hiked in 2012 and there was a guy that hiked with a didgeridoo. I also met Bismarck in West Virginia. I didn't know at the time but he turned out to be a wanted felon who was on the run from the law because he stole millions of dollars and so was living on the trail for several years before eventually being caught. Funny how he stole all that money only to live on the trail which is something someone can probably afford to do for the rest of their lives on less than 100k
I’ve heard of Bismarck
I saw Leafblower's summit picture online, it was just his leafblower sitting on the sign and I thought that was hilarious. He never publicly said why he carried it, but the message that I personally took away from it was why do we as hikers feel the need to question and judge each others' gear?
That sounds like a fun summit picture!
In this case because it suggests mental processes are off because it makes no sense.
Makes me think if he was carryingbthe leafblower in someone's name, someone that passed away. The fact that he took thatbpicturebat the summit and thatbje was hiking with an elderly lady, solidifies my hunch.
Some people carry the ashes of ñoved knes, aybe they were honoring and grieving someone that had a desire to walk yhe AT and never was able to do so.
Maybe the old lady and him were honoring a deceased person that never realized their dream of hiking he AT.
@@preparados1917 Yeah, I've seen more than one summit video where a person is seen throwing ashes, or pouring them out. With or without words.
For me this sort of thing is easy.
"Why are you carrying that one if I may ask?"
They may answer as they see fit and I'll just respond accordingly as I see fit.
Never heard about that last guy but it's definitely creepy! I assume he asked for full names as well so if he latches onto someone he has full names and pictures too. Suuuper creepy all right. I felt the same as you about the spear guy. He seemed harmless. I didn't meet any of these people though.
Jay, you are in one of his pictures.
Wait what? Two of my favorite through hikers from class of 22 conversing! Thank you both for sharing your stories. Roadrunner thanks for the balanced approach on the discussion of these individuals. Jay been enjoying your vids as you headed south on the east coast.
Glad you made it through safely, keep dancing!!
Thank you
That was an interesting take on through-hiking. Generally, I would take a person at face value, but now in this world one must be apprehensive! I have never had a problem with a stranger on a trail. I hope i never do!
I hope you stay safe.
Well said!
Good stories, thanks! Nice to know that people like that are out there.
Thanks for watching!
Leaf blower hiked the pct the year before , with a garden hose! Then the A.T. With leaf blower,in Maine he said he wants to hike all the major trails with each item in his garden shed! Met him at mt. Greylock,very nice kid, later at a hostel he painted a mural.😊 Bacon Wrap.
He sounded like he was a great guy
I met him in TN and he was perfectly fine. I heard about the garden hose on the PCT, too. Can't wait to see what he carries on the CDT. 😉 I wouldn't want to carry an 8 lb item to be unique on the AT, but he did. OK by me.
I thank for not saying that nude hikers/hiking is creepy... I am one myself, I've done the PCT and Arizona trail... But the AT, will be a real challenge. Awesome video dear!
I enjoyed your video. I always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail and admire your adventuresome spirit!! I have too many health issues to attempt it. Please stay safe and enjoy life!! 🐘🪷
Thank you so much
Great information, as usual, "Roadrunner". If you remember, we talked about "Sovereign" today during our visit.
"Wingnut"
Yes I remember 🤗
"I'm a producer from 60 Minutes working on a story." As someone who is always thinking of new, creative ways to introduce myself to girls in public, the 60 Minutes producer angle never crossed my mind. Until now. Thank you. 😊
Lol! Go for it!
Not to be rude. But your nuts are going to get kicked so hard.
Very good information and advice. Thank you🥾🥾🥾
Thank youuuuu 😀
I met Leafblower in Vermont! He was very kind and nice and also extremely talented at drawing. When I asked him why he was carrying the leafblower, he said simply, "It's got to get to Maine." I'm convinced there was something sentimental about it, but we'll never know.
I also met the spear guy. He was obnoxious to another woman in my trail family, seemed a little social oblivious, but I didn't get any dangerous vibes from him. He definitely wasn't prepared for a thru hike, but I thought the spear was quirky and funny honestly. Thankfully I never met anyone else remotely worth worrying about.
Thanks for your insight on those two other hikers
This is the first of watching any of your videos. I enjoyed it & hope commenting helps! I'll watch more of yours. -Dan
LMAO. I can understand being a little afraid of a spear, but a leafblower?? Hahahaha! I would rather hike with goofballs like that than whiny snowflakes who complain about everything.
I think I’d tend to agree with you
It's called "Situational Awareness", meaning always be aware of anyone near you, especially when you near a town.
I remember I was about 50 miles south of Harper's Ferry. I was coming up on a hiker who was standing still, checking his phone, with his back turned to me. He had headphones in both ears and the music was loud enough that "I" could hear the rock song playing from 20 feet away in his headphones. I said "Hello, on you left", no response. "HELLO, HELLO ON YOUR LEFT!". No response. So I walked around him. When he saw me his eyes opened wide as silver dollars like he just saw a ghost. He actually had an AT tag on his pack and I could read the number. About 30 seconds later I was about a 100 yards ahead of him and I could hear him yelling/cussing, "F!...F!...F!... I thought, "Is he yelling at me?" I could hear him catching up to me, still shouting profanities at the top of his lungs. I thought, "Is this guy unhinged?" Better to not find out, so I increased my pace to like 4mph. I thought the day I can't outwalk someone is the day I turn in my pack. Eventually, I could hear his profanities getting fainter, until there was nothing.
It's funny, I'm really not concerned about animals. I can predict what animals will do. They just want food. It's PEOPLE I have no idea what they'll do.
Also...don't hike with both earphones in. If nothing else you want to be able to hear the faint rattle of rattlesnakes.
That sounded like a intense situation
Lol coulda been me missing the trail intersection 😂
@@somedavechannel Yeah, that's always a fun 10 seconds.
"Something seems wrong", look at FarOut as it sinks in...."**** ! "
But this guy was a NOBO AT thru hiker, and he was on the AT going the right direction.
Wow! What a story! I would have been so scared. If I ever do the AT or any portion of it, I'll be packing heat.
Also, You're a good writer.
Unfortunately we live in the age of Technology man has never had as much access to info as he does now and unfortunately it seems to be making people stupider I watch the show the other day where a family was raising their kids in a 40 foot School Bus and what I noticed the most was how alive and happy their children seemed not one of them had a cell phone in his hand but every one of them had a smile across their face like they were going to Disneyland I remember growing up like that in the 70s and unfortunately I think we've gone backwards in time the only people that are decent Left Alive it seems like are 90% of the people that are on the trails
I haven't a clue why this video appeared on my YT, and it reminds me of a favorite quote. . . .
"Those who believe in coincidence are simply not paying attention."
So in play, and there is always certain truth within humor. I was out on a local trail, donning a leaf blower when I happened across a lady who in time gifted to me many things, all of lasting value to this day. One of which is the enjoyment of morning sunrises. We have seldom seen one another these last few years.
I had been out selflessly volunteering my time, equipment, and fuel, to leaf-blow the day hike trails of a nearby honeypot of nature and such.
No worries Through-Hikers, it was not me on the AT and I do not foresee this item being on my next hikes. As for the means & method to meeting someone, well, it's now Fall and the leaves are changing. The stained glass season is upon us. 🍁 🦌 🍂
We all however, carry our quirks and kinks, and . . . . Yada Yada 🐒
• Communication is key
• Listen to your gut feeling
🙏 ⚓️ ☀️ 🥾 🏕️ 🙋🏻♂️
Perhaps Fate
On one of my AT thru hikes there was a guy who carried a 34lb tuba the whole way. We all had a feast on trail at thanksgiving and made a cornucopia from his tuba. He also fell off a ledge in PA with his tuba. He claimed the tuba saved his life, I on the other hand told him the opposite
That’s crazy. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing. I'm happy to know garden tools are acceptable to a extent
Lol that’s so funny
This is such good information. I have learned a lot about the AT, some of it very surprising. I would have thought it would be very isolating to be out there for 5 or 6 months, but now I realize that there is a LOT of human contact. Just like in regular off-trail life, you meet all kinds of people. I used to think trail names were a little silly, but after learning more about the trail, I completely understand why people don't share their real names. There is something I would be interested in hearing your opinion on: What is the accepted etiquette regarding vlogging? I see some vloggers who never record anyone but themselves, even if they are with a tramily. Others show interactions with their tramily or hiking partners. Is it considered rude to record others without asking? Do tramilies have an agreement between themselves about how much they are recorded?
I remember one guy flipping the bird when the vlogger did a video sweep of people in the car, I suspect it's annoying at best eg rude to film people w/their consent and I'm not worried about people way in the background.
Being the vlogger can be just as uncomfortable as being recorded. I found it very hard for me to record strangers and I often didn’t because of that. My entire tramily was involved with some sort of social media so we were all ok to be filmed most of the time.
Not a thru hiker but have spent many days and nights fishing, hunting, camping. Almost always solo and in what some might consider remote areas.
Going into my 63rd year I've concluded the most dangerous things IMHO are myself and other people.
It’s so true
I mention all the wacky characters I met in my book - Only When I Step on It - Mostly funny instead of fearful. Thanks for sharing : )
Thank you
I got a Skygoat zip up too! Thanks for this video!
It’s a lovely hoodie, isn’t it?
When is social media correct? Unfortunately lies tend to travel faster than the truth in many cases.
Very true
the heard hiker # 2 pencil said the kid was returning it to its owner.....
Good to see you continuing with your Channel.
Are you talking about the leaf blower ?
Thank you for posting this.
You're welcome
long time follower, first time commenter. Hate to think I am making work for you to reply. Really appreciate that you are still posting. I feel that the way I could best support you is give you ideas for postings. Of course the thing we would most love to read is the dynamics of the tramely but would encourage you not to post that!! Just watch your videos and pick things that you are willing to talk more about. Food, tent placement, how did you video and upload etc, items that you saw others use and adopted. Falling asleep, waking up. flowers, bugs, My memory is that you never listened to pod casts or music but I could be wrong. Hopefully your view numbers give you the confidence to keep posting. Look forward to the next from Reino?
Thank you for following 🤗
My experience is that you meet many more (both as an absolute number and a percentage) crazy or outright malignant people walking down any city street. Hikers are almost always benign, and anyone through-hiking has to be a little nutty in the best of ways. The problems I have seen on bigger trails have been people using shelters close to roads as a the cheaper party alternative to Motel 6.
Interesting
I'll bet no one who cast shade on the leafblower guy minded walking on a clean-swept trail or setting up a tent on a spotless patch of earth. 😁 Seriously, though, thank you for posting this and for your thoughtful analysis. Hope the new year is off to a good start for you, and I look forward to your next documented adventure!
I hope you had a good start of the new year as well!
I kinda wondered if he used it to avoid stepping on snakes hiding in leaves on the trail???
@@mariondesousa7718 That should work! In fact, it should keep all wildlife away.
A few years ago there was a guy (Trail name Sovereign) with machete threatening people in Unicoi county. He was arrested due to threats but no hikers would press charges, so he was released. No one wanted to ruin their hiking plans by sticking around. Locals in Erwin paid for a motel room for him and bought him a bus ticket back home. He got off the bus in Virginia, got back on the trail, and got the nerve to attack a couple; murdered the guy and tried to murder the woman. Found "not guilty" due to insanity. Not freed, but sentenced to mental hospital until he is no longer a danger. After that, I started carrying a tourniquet, gauze roll, cohesive wrap, 5x9 sterile pads, and Ruger 380 Pocketlite.
That Ruger 380 Pocketlite decision was a good move. Also the other things you mentioned.
Great. Now I need to keep my eyes open for some guy called Mike with a tourniquet and a gun on the trail.
There was a machete guy at a shelter in NY this year as well.
@@matthewberry3055 If you are in trouble or injured, I am probably the guy you need to run in to. Just look for a guy in his late 60's, not very fast, but knows what to do.
@@miken7629 Mate, imagine if everyone brought a gun on the trail. We'd have a sudden spike in firearm deaths on there. Jumpy campers shooting people, tired campers shooting people and so forth. The greatest danger on the trail, would be getting shot by other hikers and campers.
Don't contribute to that problem.
There have been 11 murders on the AT since 1974, on a trail that has 3 million people on it annually. Compared to any city in the USA with a population of 3 million, those cities get 100 times that number of homicides, annually. Bringing a gun is just an unnecessary reaction emanating from unreasonable fear.
Just such a typical American thing as well. Every time there is a shooting, gun sales increase. Then there are more shootings. Gun sales go up again. And so forth. Guns dont make you safe, there is a wealth of data that owning a gun actually INCREASES your odds of death by firearm (homicide, firearm accident and suicide) and drastically increases your odds of winding up committing manslaughter or homicide yourself.
I dont doubt you're a responsible firearm owner. But please, dont carry on trails, or encourage other people to do so. I really dont want to spend my night in a shelter with a gun toting person, I hardly know.
Take care.
In the old days, (and I still hike this way) we just hiked, immersed in the good stuff out there, and enjoyed the company of folks, even strange folks, as we met them. Now we have all this social media crap in our heads as we hike--is there ever escape from this?
That’s true
Well said!
Thank you
Thanks for the video!
Thank you for saying thank you
Did you every run into situations when hitchhiking or in town that made you uncomfortable, if so do you remember the town?
No I never felt uncomfortable thankfully
The dude with a spear, now that's something you don't see everyday?? I'd be really impressed if you had seen him carrying a wild boar on the spear like in the Rambo movie. 😆
I was hoping to hear something like that while he’s on trail… unfortunately I don’t think he was able to hunt
#3 guy .... There are many euphemisms for what you described but that was a new one for me. Made me laugh.
Lol
Maybe the leaf blower guy uses it to clear a camping spot.
I would want him around
We need to compare the AT to the PCT for “strangeness.” I don’t know how one could do that, but it would be interesting.
I guess I’d have to hike the PCT to be able to compare
I did both. The PCT felt more dangerous. Lot's of crazies on the West Coast. As for hikers, it's a wash.
Thanks for the info:)
You bet!
We need to normalize awareness and safety over niceness.. We need to normalize awareness and safety over niceness..
Very right you are
Take care. Stay blessed, always.
Thank you, I will
Thanks for the interesting stories! About Leafblower--I am curious. Did anyone ask him why he carried it and he wouldn't say?
Btw, your very, very faint accent made me smile, as I share the same mother tongue. 😉
Yes people asked but nobody really knows
Considering how most of the locals and wildlife were exterminated by 200 years ago. The danger is mostly mental
I always listen to that inner voice and most of the time it right. When it's sensing danger it's usually right on.. 60 mins. Guy does sound creepy. 🙏❤️✌️☕
Very creepy
The man carrying the leave blower because he likes a clean camp site😅
Probably
Thanks for the great information. Did you have any encounters with the Yellow Deli folks?
Yellow Deli folks???
@@david_W5QDF The 12 Tribes cult. They try to recruit members along the trail. You can Google them.
I did not!
@@DovieRuthAuthor never heard them called the Yellow Tribe before
@@david_W5QDF They have town businesses called the Yellow Deli. They also have remote farms where they live. There’s an interesting CZcams channel called Reckless Ben. He infiltrates the cult and records it on spyglasses.
100% agree the fourth one was really strange to make up a story to talk to woman…goodness gracious…nice job
Thank you
Hi, great video! I know this isn't entirely relevant, and would involve a LOT of videos, but it would be interesting (at least to me) if you did commentary on some of your AT videos. Be interesting to see what you thought about it all in hindsight. :)
Mhhh that would be cool. Dont know how to do that with a video editor . Do you know?
@@hikingdancer Have you used OBS? It would basically allow you to record from a microphone while watching a video. Or any recording app, then you could match the audio track to the original video in the editor... if that makes sense.
the leaf blower could possibly be an improvised bear repellent like bear spray...that would be my guess....all in all I always trust my gut whether it is the city or the trail and if someone seems to be a possible danger I avoid them and in some cases I cancelled some overnight campouts when I had already setup camp...so I have learned to always go with my gut if some folks just don't seem right or up to no good
Good thought
I think he andvthe old ladyvwerevcarrying someone' s dying or life dream. Maybe his fathervor grandfather passed away snd they were honiring his memory thatvway. It is not uncommin for grieving people to fullfill the dream a deceased loved one had, but never wasable to realize.
Sorry about the mangled words. My touch keyboard seems adds and deletes letters at will 😁. I tried to edit the comment but was unable to do so.
Thanks!
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is mostly under the management of the NPS, also the Forrest Service and many state and local authorities. The trail experience has been deteriorating for years now. Women hike the trail, families with children hike the trail. We live in different times now. This trail needs some serious attention to preserve the dream of its authors.
Yes indeed
It's no suprise, society has been deteriorating for years. The boogeyman isn't on the trail. Society is on the trail.
I think its society that needs some serious attention
So there are people hiking the trail north to south and back repeatedly?
Some people, not many
Sounds like the guy w the leaf blower (a reasonable way to scare away coyotes,boars,or bears,though I prefer a harmonica) and the kid w the spear would have been the best hiking companions.Better to be in the company of a weird guy or 2 who might actually protect u,rather than those appear "normal" but have hidden agendas...Like "Country Bumkin"...I know bc I am often considered a "weird guy" (a Witch who talks to Sasquatches),but I am harmless to those who are harmless to others.Have yet to hike the AT,so any stories about me are not true...yet,lol.Stay safe and blessed be!
I agree with you
I heard of a guy who carried a card table up to the summit of Mt. Washington NH along time ago.
That’s unique
Number 3 was actually commiting SA. Police should have been called and shame on anyone witnessing this and not getting after him.
Yes indeed
@@hikingdancer Truly dangerous people like him NEED TO BE DISCUSSED BY NAME in my opinion. If I were to go out there, I'd want to know his name, his trail name, and his picture so that if I ever see him, I'd know to go the other way. People deserve privacy only if they're not posing a serious threat to people out there. If they are, then we all need to know about those people.
@@valeskavictoria1278 yes, the class of 2022 definitely knew his name and his picture. It was important we all were aware of him.
@@hikingdancer He's still alive and still dangerous. I really don't understand why you'd be so considerate of a terrible, indefensible person who would hurt you if given the chance with no remorse and never give you the same courtesy. You may disclose or not disclose whatever you wish, that's your choice, but as women, I'd say the easiest way we can watch out for each other is by naming the bad men out there who pose a threat to us. It's not like his innocence is even a question, you said he was known to do this too. Anyways, up to you, but it would be good to know because he could travel anywhere and be on the trail on my next hike even across the country.
I've met some very interesting people in week-long hikes along the trail. Only one guy that I considered a potential threat. All in all, the eccentric ones were more memorable.
I completely agree
Famous last words " he seemed like a nice guy ".
👍🏼
There are a number of people who are socially challenged and I personally know how that feels so just because someone is a little different doesn't mean they are a danger. If they tell lies like mister 60 minutes it's easy to find out. He should have had some kind of identification. Some guys don't get along well with other guys as well as some women don't get along with other women or guys. Everyone has to be careful for sure but we should not bash a person because they are different.
Exactly! Well said!
@HikingDancer I personally have issues with guys being to competitive and always trying to show they are the best so I don't want my first hiking trip to be with a guy or guys, but yet I can't find women be it 1or a group and due to safety I don't want to go alone. Women automatically think there is something wrong with a guy looking for a woman or group of women to go hiking with.
Hello dancing hiker, yes I replied concerning the kid "leaf blower". Guess I was a little vague on that point but I shouldn't have been commenting while at a stoplight on a crazy traffic day! BTW I believe the kid actually carried it all the way to Katahdin, but again little vague on that.
No worries
Have a great year!! PCT in 2024?😮
Hopefully!
I just started watching Darwin’s 2018 pct videos and found out he named a hiker 60 minutes because the hiker wanted to interview all the hikers on the trail.
Lol nice
As others have said, you meet some great people hiking--but there are also a sizeable number of oddballs/misfits/sketchy men out on the trails, and one has to be prudent. It's rather like sailing/cruising or living in a beach area--it attracts a fair number of bums.
Good point!
Bears are scared of leaf blowers (the loud noise & wind gusts it makes)... So always carry a leaf blower when hiking.
Good idea
@@hikingdancer ... Well, even though I tend to believe a bear could potentially be afraid of a noisy & windy leaf blower, I was actually joking in my reply... I couldn't imagine anyone hiking anywhere with a leaf blower.... That's just funny as heck!!!
Leaf blower sponsor equals money.
the point I would like to make is ,in opinon you cant trust anyone, always watch yourself and trust only your own instents.
Absolutely
I don't know what the leaf blower thing was all about .
It might be his sense of humor . All the leaves everywhere you go as you hike or camp and you have a leaf blower . Kind of clever and quirky. It probably put a smile on some people's faces .
It sure did
Regarding the final person, I know who you're talking about, shared a kitchen at a hostel with him briefly, got weird vibes off of him and did not engage in conversation, and never saw him again. I heard he was yellow blazing a lot, and I saw his summit pic in the facebook group you mentioned. It looked photoshopped. The lighting on him was different than the lighting on the summit sign. Yeah, just all around weird person.
Yeah a very very weird dude
Great story on the variety of characters you can meet. I’ve run into a dangerous guys more than once. Years ago hitchhiking was common, (NY to SC) & in my job I helped the “down & out” get food & shelter. I sing the sacred word HU every day, & it’s given me love, healing and YES, PROTECTION. It’s on many YT channels now. The HU connects u to pure love, the greatest power there is. When in danger it’s always bc I DID NOT listen to that inner voice saying BEWARE, get away from this person. I ignored it. One wanna-be rapist was extremely handsome, articulate, & friendly, & was sent to prison for biting a woman’s ear off. He also robbed me (expensive gear he sold to sports shops). But I was ok. The love of the HU sent him running back to Burlington, VT where he lived at the time.
Always listen to your inner voice. 🤗
Here in the States, at least in the South, a "country bumpkin" is a hick, a redneck -- the term is milder than "redneck" but still not a compliment. The sort of person you're trying to describe (kind, gentle, charming) might be a "Southern gentleman" instead.
You are right, that’s why I said it was MY version of a term of endearment 😊
Great tips for everyone. Enjoy rite but don't let your guard down
Absolutely!
There are little towns and remote little families all along the trail. Those residents grow up partying, picnicking and camping in those places because it's not that far for them to go. This goes for the mentally disturbed who live there and disturbed people who move in, especially if the rent is cheap.
I live in a hiking camping area and unless you are many miles up rough dirt roads far away from anything including camping areas you're going to find evidence of people, and locals and growers, mobile meth labs (they seek those areas that they think no one can get to) that are going to present a hazard. Even in those area- be watchful. Sad sign of our times.
What seems like remote trails can be a few feet from another trail or road and you can't see them through the trees and brush and with little use, unless someone goes by you won't know it's there.
Very good
Country Bumkin...so good. No offince taken ma'am
Ok good
I do not understand why anybody would want to HIKE in that sort of CROWDED environment. I’m hiking to get away from all that interaction with humans!!! Just saying.
Human interaction CAN help at times
I hung out with LeafBlower in Damascus. Great feller. Don't care what anti-social media people think. LogMan was cool too. Fast hiker
Yeah he was fast
I met logman in vt.on June 9 and for a month or so with more trail Magic for almost 500 hikers I asked everyone when logman passed you, and everyone was like,back in N. Carolina or months before,then near Maine he got off trail to go do a Ironman competition,then came back to finish.😀🏕🏔👍
The last one was unsettling, a liar who misrepresents himself to people for attention or personal gain (sounds like someone who was just sworn into the house lol) is different than a convicted stalker. I am curious about the circumstances of number 4's "arrest". Was he ever actually "convicted" of the stalking charges?
I’m not sure, and that is a very good question.
Interesting video!
Thank you
I can understand carrying a leaf blower to blow away debris on the trail for his elderly friend. I mean really, that's a no brainer.
Lol exactly
I know you said you're from Florida, but I am guessing that you're originally from either Finland or Norway? It's the way you over-enunciate certain words. Just curious. Love your videos. Newbie here learning all I can to prepare for a 2025 thru-hike.
Neither. I’m from the land of Germans
People ask me why I'm not afraid to hike alone, I tell them that the most dangerous animal out there is - Me !
Robbie Robot - Danger Danger Danger
😎
The last guy sounds the most dangerous. Good situation to use a fake name and cover story.
Yeah agreed
I hope to meet some not so bland people out there this year.
I’m sure you will