I think the AT is way overrated for beginners, actually

I keep seeing people push the Appalachian Trail as the perfect first long hike, but I think that's wrong. I met a guy named Dave at a hostel near Springer Mountain back in March who had never backpacked before and was so overwhelmed by the crowds and the constant mud that he quit after 3 days. The trail is so packed in peak season you can't even find a tent site after 5 PM, and the shelters are full of people snoring and fighting. Why do we keep telling new folks to start with the most popular trail when something like the Ozark Trail or the Colorado Trail gives you way more space and less pressure? Has anyone else seen a beginner burn out because of the AT hype?

2 comments

2 Comments

uma30623d ago

Wait, is the Colorado Trail really any better for beginners though? The altitude alone above 10,000 feet can wreck someone who's never hiked high country, and that's way harder than dealing with crowds in my book. I think @robin836's point about being honest about trail conditions is good, but we also gotta be real about what "easier" actually means for different people.

robin83624d ago

That story about Dave at Springer Mountain really hits home... I met a couple from Ohio at a hostel near Hot Springs who had basically the same experience last April. They spent $800 on gear and left after three days because the campsites were all full and the shelters were like a zoo. It's such a shame because the AT could be a great first hike if people were more honest about the real conditions instead of just saying "anyone can do it." The Colorado Trail is a much better suggestion for beginners, way more room to breathe and less pressure to keep up with a crowd.