All articles tagged with #appalachian trail
A 64-year-old hiker from Colton, California, Bert Peter Goris, died hours after reaching the northern end of the Appalachian Trail on Katahdin. A passerby called 911 on Sept. 14 from the Hunt Trail near York Valley reporting the man was unable to talk, unable to move, and had a leg injury. Baxter State Park officials confirmed the death and that Goris was tentatively identified as the victim.
At 67, Emma Gatewood became the first woman to solo-end-to-end the Appalachian Trail, hiking from Georgia to Maine with no tent, map, or compass, wearing canvas sneakers and a 17-pound denim sack under a shower curtain, finishing in 146 days and sparking lasting changes in trail upkeep and women’s hiking.
At 91, Dale 'Grey Beard' Sanders reclaimed the Appalachian Trail record as the oldest person to complete the 2,193-mile trek, finishing atop Mount Katahdin in Maine after starting Sept. 6 in West Virginia; he endured about 71 falls (six hard ones) and a pinched nerve that briefly hospitalized him, but he pressed on to complete a thru-hike, a distinction he previously held at 82 before Nimblewill Nomad briefly claimed it and Sanders mounted a comeback that has inspired thousands on social media.
Terrence O’Brien reviews A Trail Tale, an interactive, pixel-art trail journal inspired by Sierra point-and-click games and Oregon Trail. The piece guides readers through Andy Moliski’s Appalachian Trail journey with day-by-day landmarks, mood and fortitude meters, poetry, and a nature-sound score, all rendered in a charming retro UI. It’s easy to lose hours exploring, and the author even says it has rekindled a desire to tackle more of the AT in real life.
Shenandoah National Park reports a severe, highly contagious norovirus outbreak along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, with several ATC alerts since May and a suspected case at Blackrock Hut; hikers should practice thorough handwashing with soap and water, boil drinking water, dispose of waste properly, and avoid sharing food or utensils, while self-reporting illness to the ATC and seeking medical care if dehydration or persistent symptoms occur.
The article argues East Coast hikes are typically tougher than West Coast routes largely because East Coast trails lack switchbacks, resulting in steeper climbs, whereas West Coast paths—designed in part for pack animals—use switchbacks to ease ascent. It highlights brutal East Coast sections like Devil’s Path (Catskills), Presidential Traverse (White Mountains), and Precipice Trail (Acadia) and contrasts them with gradual climbs on Mount Whitney and the Pacific Crest Trail. Anecdotes from hikers and thru-hikers are cited to support the view that AT climbs can be more physically demanding per mile, though overall difficulty varies by trail. The takeaway is that switchbacks are a key factor in perceived difficulty, and the best way to know which coast is harder is to hike both.
St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark requires all freshmen to complete a five-day, 55-mile Appalachian Trail trek with limited supervision, a 53-year tradition designed to teach teamwork, resilience, and independence; the hike concludes with sophomores who are worn but transformed.
On day 61 of hiking the Appalachian Trail, the author faces a challenging night in an outdoor bunkhouse, deals with the aftermath of a nearby tornado, and navigates various trail obstacles including a water shortage and a tick bite. Despite feeling lonely and missing her hiking companions, she finds solace in meeting other hikers and sharing a cocktail before bed.
A hiker recounts a challenging day on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, including a steep climb, struggles with food and bear hang, and battling the blistering wind. Despite facing difficulties, the hiker finds solace in small acts of kindness and perseveres through the tough conditions.
The author shares their decision to hike the Appalachian Trail, expressing feelings of imposter syndrome and a desire for collective effervescence. After experiencing life changes, including job loss and a broken engagement, they seek purpose and community through this journey. The trail holds personal significance as a former city dweller and offers the opportunity to make new connections. Despite feeling nervous and excited, they are ready to embark on this solo adventure.
The mysterious case of Vance John Rodriguez, known as "Mostly Harmless," who was found dead in the Florida wilderness in 2018, is being examined in a new documentary. Rodriguez, a loner with a troubled past, left a trail of mystery and intrigue as investigators and internet sleuths worked to identify him. The documentary sheds light on his struggles with mental health, isolation, and past abusive behavior, ultimately leading to his decision to abandon his life and spend 15 months in the woods before likely choosing to starve himself to death. The story highlights the complexities of human nature and the impact of online mythmaking in the digital age.
The mysterious case of Vance John Rodriguez, known as "Mostly Harmless," whose emaciated body was found in the Florida wilderness in 2018, is being examined in a new documentary. Rodriguez, a loner who struggled with mental health, spent 15 months in the woods and encountered several hikers along the Appalachian Trail. Despite the internet's efforts to identify him, it took years to confirm his identity. The documentary sheds light on the complexities of his life and the challenges of online mythmaking. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, but it is likely that he chose to starve himself to death.
HBO's documentary "They Called Him Mostly Harmless" explores the online detective work to identify a deceased male hiker found in Florida, known as "Mostly Harmless." The film delves into the toxic behavior of internet sleuths, the mystery surrounding the hiker's death, and the eventual revelation of his true identity as Vance Rodriguez, shedding light on the stark disparity between the romanticized perception of the hiker and the harsh realities of his life.
Matthew Grant, a 22-year-old student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, who had been missing since November 20, was found safe in the Pocono Mountains near Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. Grant walked into a police station in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, and confirmed his safety. His family expressed relief but declined to disclose the reason for his disappearance. Grant is a mechanical engineering major and a captain on RIT's wrestling team.
The author and their hiking companions successfully completed their journey on the Appalachian Trail, reaching the summit of Springer Mountain after 150 days. They celebrated with a steak dinner and expressed gratitude to their fellow hikers, trail volunteers, and supporters. The author is considering future adventures such as a canoe trip down the Connecticut River or hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.