I would like to start off first by defining a few keywords so as to not confuse anyone about the meaning of this article…
- RIGHTS: A moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way. “She had every right to be angry” synonyms: entitlement, prerogative, privilege
- WANTS: A desire to possess or do (something); wish for: “I want an apple” synonyms: desire, wish for, hope for, aspire to, fancy
- NEEDS: Circumstances in which something is necessary, or that require some course of action; necessity: “The basic human need for food” synonyms: necessity, obligation, requirement, call, demand
- FIGHT: To commit an act of battery in a fit of aggression
- ARGUE: To aggressively debate an issue verbally
This article is not to discuss the “RIGHT” of anyone to carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail but rather instead to discuss the “NEED” for doing so. I do agree those legally allowed to own a gun have every “RIGHT” to carry one wherever a gun is legal to be carried. I own several guns of many types. I carry a gun daily everywhere I go in the city. I also hunt and I am an Army Veteran. I am pro gun and feel everyone should own one with a proper background check. With that said I believe we can all agree this article is not about the “RIGHTS” but instead it is about the “NEED” or “WANT” to carry a gun while backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.
Just How Many People Are Out There On The AT?
Roughly 3-4 million people utilize a section of the Appalachian Trail yearly. (That’s all inclusive counting day users, through hikers, section hikers, and campers) Around 1,800-2000 people attempt to through hike the entire trail yearly.
“According to the ATC’s records as of this December, 1,385 northbound thru-hikers, or those who walk the A.T. from Georgia to Maine, have passed through Harpers Ferry, resulting in an increase of 9 percent over last year’s data. The number of southbound thru-hikers, or those who walk from Maine to Georgia, has increased by 14 percent to total 192. The number of those who choose to thru-hike the A.T. in an alternative, non-contiguous way that disperses use has increased dramatically, with 291 people passing through Harpers Ferry, an increase of 139 percent.”
A pilot study was done to get an estimate on the number of people using the Appalachian Trail:
“For the pilot study, the authors developed a survey design using two instruments—exit-site tallies and a survey questionnaire—to make visitation estimates on a section of the AT. They also used a model-based design for comparison purposes. The initial survey was performed over a 75-day period on a 109-mile stretch of the AT from Harpers Ferry, WVA, to 10 trail miles north of Boiling Springs, PA. The design-based approach visitation estimates were 66,967 and the model-based approach estimates were 70,912 with coefficients of variation of 23 and 16 percent. Using these numbers, the researchers extrapolated annual visitation for the entire trail at 1,948,701 with a coefficient of variation of 20 percent. by Patty Matteson”
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2012/01/24/how-many-people-hike-the-at-every-year/
Read more about the Appalachian National Scenic Trail Pilot Study: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/39411
So we can agree, I presume, that there is a LOT of people roaming around on the AT right?
One might come to the conclusion that due to the numerous amounts of people on the AT at any given time that there might be a lot of violent human activity…
My personal experience:
I have been backpacking on the Appalachian Trail (AT) consistently now for 10yrs. In that time I have never come across a single incident where I felt the need to have a gun. I’ve never met another hiker on the trail either who claimed they felt the need for one. I’ve section hiked basically the whole southern half of the trail from Georgia to West Virginia in increments of 50-100 miles at a time. In all this time I’ve never seen a fight or any kind of violence among hiker on the AT. Now I have seen people argue.
FIGHT: To commit an act of battery in a fit of aggression
ARGUE: To aggressively debate an issue verbally
I have seen maybe 3-4 arguments take place on the trail which resulted in the people involved going their separate ways within a few moments. Most people put a lot of effort, time, and money into going out on the AT that they find it is not worth losing it over a disagreement. Many people just ignore those they get a sense of not being on the same wave length as they are, if you catch my drift. The motto of the trail is “HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE” and most people adhere to that.
Now I have heard of fist fights breaking out on the AT here and there over the years but I’ve never personally seen one. The people involved in them claimed there was no need for a gun.
For my article I spent several weeks searching for news reports that would give us reason to “NEED” a gun on the AT. This is all I found…
2015 – Federal authorities captured fugitive James Hammes, who had been hiding on the Appalachian Trail. He had been on the run for six years. Hammes is alleged to have embezzled millions from his employer, Pepsi. Though not investigated for murdering someone on the trail, authorities are investigating Hammes for the murder of his wife, who was killed in a house fire when the Hammes’s home burned in 2003.
(Not a violent crime but last known excitement and I was there for it, I met the man)
2011 – A male hiker from Indiana died on the Appalachian Trail. The Roanoke Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the man died of “asphyxia by suffocation,” and as of today the murder appears to be unsolved. Here is an http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/appalachian-trail-hiker-s-death-ruled-homicide/article_d1245d42-b927-550b-a6f5-dea7098a7802.html
(Not even sure if it was murder but a gun would not have made a difference)
2008 – Randall Lee Smith shot two fishermen on the Appalachian Trail. Both survived, but Randall Lee Smith was charged with two counts of attempted murder. Randall Lee Smith was convicted of the death of two hikers in 1981, crimes for which he served 15 years in prison from 1981 to 1996.
(I will give you this one; a gun might have made a difference here)
2001 – A Canadian woman was murdered in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The woman was stabbed to death near the Glen Boulder Trail head just south of Pinkham Notch.
(Not enough info to go on but they say not to bring knife to a gun fight)
1996 – Two women were found slain in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia from incisions to the neck. A collection of articles and various updates can be found http://users.fred.net/kathy//at/tragedy.html#earlyon .
(You will have to draw your own conclusion here)
1990 – Two thru-hikers were murdered at a Cove Shelter outside Duncannon, PA. The male hiker had been shot and killed, and the female hiker had been raped, tortured, and killed, according http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20115243,00.html . The murderer was then 38 year old drifter Paul David Crews.
(2 against 1 means depending on who had the gun it may have made a difference)
1988 – A young man, Stephen Roy Carr, fired his rifle eight times at two women, Rebecca Wright and Claudia Brenner, having sex in the woods in a Pennsylvania State Park. He struck both women with several shots, and Wright died as a result of those shots.
(These two ladies had no idea what was coming and therefore a gun would not have saved them)
1981 – Randall Lee Smith killed two thru-hikers, Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, while they were hiking along the Appalachian Trail.
(Not enough info to go on but betting they were not given warning)
1975 – Paul Bigley murdered Janice Balza of Wisconsin, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Bigley killed her with a hatchet, reportedly for her backpack that he coveted.
(Not enough info to go on)
1974 – Ralph Fox murdered Joel Polsom of Hartsville, South Carolina. Polsom was murdered at the Low Gap Trail Shelter along the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
(Not enough info to go on)
ABOVE INFO COPIED FROM: http://adventurepossible.com/adventure/murder-on-the-appalachian-trail/
The above incidents, which as you can see by the dates of each, are extremely rare. Especially when taking into account the vast number of people on the AT at any given moment along any given section as per discussed earlier. That’s 41 years with only 9 incidents between 1974 and 2015 of violent crimes where a gun in the hands of the hiker may or may not have made a difference. Let’s face it crime is so rare on the AT that it is probably safer on the trail than sitting in your living room if you live in a city. I felt more afraid to go to high school in the 90’s than I do going on the AT.
In my conclusion, as far as a “NEED” to carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail due to “Human Violence” I see no reason to have a gun while hiking for the purpose of “Self-Defense”.
Now there is another case to be heard for the “NEED” to carry…
WILDLIFE
Many people think that there are dangerous predators lurking behind every tree along the Appalachian Trail. While there are predators in them there woods I wouldn’t say they are behind every tree myself.
There are bears, coyotes, feral dogs, various snakes, etc… on the AT that if you do not know how to act around them, then they could be very dangerous to your well being.
I can say the only animals I have ever seen or heard of people regularly having problems with on the AT are these ponies…
They LOVE to mug you for treats and if you don’t give them something they might just knock you down and rob you lol. But that is mainly because they have grown accustomed to getting snacks and now expect it. It is best you do not give them anything.
Does this mean you “NEED” a gun? I don’t believe so.
There are so many things you can do to prevent a dangerous encounter. For starters you just need to take a little time before your trip to learn how to react to the wildlife in the area you are heading into. Animals are actually very predictable. This means you can learn what not to do around them so not to trigger an attack. I will post several links at the end of this article to assist you in your learning how to not trigger attacks from wildlife.
The best way to prevent the need for a gun on the AT for use against wildlife is “PREVENTION” 🙂
Here are a few tips to prevent animals from attacking you:
- Make your presence known before you enter their space (use a bell or make some noise while hiking. This alerts the animals that you are coming so you don’t startle them causing the animal to think they need to defend themselves)
- If you see an animal on the trail give it plenty of space. Remember this is their home and you are the visitor. If your actions cause the animal to alter theirs then you are to close.
- Don’t camp on animal trails as they generally lead to their homes or food/water sources etc… and will make them mad if you block them.
- Do not eat in or near your shelter or use yourself or clothing as a napkin. The scent of food carries in the air for a long ways and can attract them. They might not be after you but just want to try a taste of whatever it was you were eating and then misunderstandings happen and someone gets hurt. Best to eat in one location, shelter in a separate location, and store your food in a bear bag or bear vault in a third location. Be sure that your shelter is up wind of your food.
- Animals are early risers. They like to get going at sunrise. So to avoid conflict on the trails with animals heading to their feeding grounds and water sources in the morning consider waiting an hour or two after sunrise. Besides the coldest time of the day is 1.5hrs before to 1.5hrs after sunrise anyhow.
- Stay alert. Don’t hike with headphones on so you cannot hear your surroundings. Snakes and other animals very often give warning sounds before they attack. They generally don’t want a confrontation with you as much as you don’t want one with them.
- If you encounter an animal remember sudden movements and loud noises are stressful to them. Try to remain quiet, do not approach or try to feed. Do not force animals to flee. (Unless in bear country then see link below referencing black bears)
For more tips visit the links below referencing animals and leave no trace skills.
I feel there is no “NEED” to carry a gun if you follow these simple rules of engagement with the wildlife. Knowing your enemy or in this case your wildlife is a better weapon than a gun because it can prevent the “NEED” of ever having to use your gun in defense. I have followed these tips for the last 20yrs of my hiking experience and the last 10 of those years have been on the AT. I can proudly say I have never had a wildlife encounter that was not wanted.
Hopefully you enjoyed this article. I hope it helped you to understand the difference between the “NEED” and “WANT” and “RIGHT” to carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail. In my opinion of both cases of defense against humans and wildlife there is no “NEED” for guns on the AT. People may “WANT” to carry a gun and they certainly have a “RIGHT” to but ask yourself this: is it really necessary on the Appalachian Trail?
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Sees Record Number of Hikers in 2015
Appalachian National Scenic Trail pilot survey | Publications | SRS
How Many People Hike the AT Every Year? – CompassLive
Murder on the Appalachian Trail
Murder on the Appalachian Trail | Outside Online
Safety – Appalachian National Scenic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
21 Appalachian Trail Statistics That Will Surprise, Entertain and Inform You – REI Co-op Journal
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm
https://fixedbydoc.com/2016/12/23/leave-no-trace-principles/
FixedByDoc 
very good
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Thanks…
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Excellent research and really cool blog man.
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Thanks. There is so much arguing on this topic on YouTube. People don’t understand the difference between a WANT and a NEED and others think the argument is over your RIGHT when that isn’t even the issue. So I gave my points here with factual data.
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Framing the eternal gun debate as one of NEED versus WANT doesn’t really help in this case or any other, because there are still subjective and temporal components to most needs. You may not need a bug net, but I will not get any sleep without one. And without sleep I increase my risk of illness or accident. Do we need sleep? Yes, eventually, but different people need different amounts. Ditto for food, water, and oxygen.
IF it is potentially possible to come to harm from an attack, AND if you don’t want to take any risks, THEN you do need a firearm. Your contrary assessment is based on statistics, your personal experiences, and your subjective risk tolerance. But risk tolerances differ from person to person. You may feel comfortable taking risks; others may not.
No one needs a gun on the Appalachian Trail… until they do. And then they will either have one or not.
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I understand your view but personally disagree. There is no historical need for a gun in the sense of self defense for hikers on the Appalachian trail. From my personal experience of hiking the trail for the last 10yrs and this year hiking the entire trail at once, everyone I’ve seen or heard of that carried a gun on the trail caused all their own drama by simply having had a gun. Had they not had a gun in the first place the issues they found themselves in would never have happened in the second place. Also if you need a gun to sleep better then perhaps you have some other underlying issue you need to address before heading out on the Appalachian trail. A gun on the trail in almost every case has caused exactly what they were trying to avoid by carrying a gun. If we were talking about grizzly country or down town Compton or Chicago then I would agree CARRY A GUN lol…
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If bringing a gun caused drama on the trail, then it’s likely the person shouldn’t own a firearm under any circumstance. You don’t whip out a firearm when you’re having a heated argument. Not in a bar. Not in a parking lot. Not on a trail, nor anywhere else. You present a firearm when you’re ready to discharge it without hesitation at an imminent threat to your life or someone else’s. Period. Full stop.
So I agree with you that people who can’t handle firearms shouldn’t have firearms under any circumstance. The trail aspect is irrelevent. I disagree that the trail somehow causes responsible people to act irresponsibly with firearms. If you know what you’re doing, there won’t be any drama.
Beyond that, I defer to the first rule of preparedness: It is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
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It caused drama by someone noticing it and thinking oh this must be a tough guy and then started antagonizing the gun owner about having one. the gun owner never pulled it out or flashed it around in the incidents ive heard of or seen. it basically becomes a reason for people to attack the gun owner or get upset. there are some hardcore anti gun people out there who file false reports all the time to get gun owners in trouble. there is also the times that people with guns (0n trail) have good intentions about the use of it but when they see an argument they tend to be the first to step in and try to mitigate it but then someone sees the gun holstered and suddenly everything escalates due to the gun even existing.
i would like to point out that every single incident where someone may have needed a gun for self defense due to an attack (on the trail), those people generally had zero warning and no idea the attack was coming and there was nothing they could of done about it meaning having a gun would have not changed the outcome. for instance the two girls having sex in their tent that were attacked in the middle of having sex by a man with a 12guage who didnt like lesbians. there was nothing the girls could of done to defend themselves even if had a gun on them. that is pretty much the same for almost every single case.
another thing is you cannot secure the gun at night when asleep. majority of the hostels deny guns along with hotels. most shuttles will deny guns. many towns deny guns along the trail. you need to get a permit for every single state which is not possible for NY if you dont live there. so how do you secure it while backpacking in the states you are not permitted?
most people who carry a gun in the beginning end up stowing it inside their backpack because it is discovered on trail that it only gets in the way and never needed. so IF it were to be needed it would not be accessible thus rendered useless at time. it is nearly impossible to legally hike the trail with a gun. the logistics are not very easy.
now remember i own several guns and ive been hiking the AT for ten years now. spent the last 20yrs hiking around the country.
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It caused drama by someone noticing it and thinking oh this must be a tough guy and then started antagonizing the gun owner about having one.
I’ve seen drama on the trail simply because someone was rocking brand new expensive gear. This guy would call you a racist for simply being white and hiking the trail. These are the times we live in. In any case, we should be able to exercise our 2A rights without being antagonized or discriminated against.
Hopefully the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (which just passed the House) will eventually become law, and make it easier for lawful and responsible gun owners to exercise 2A on the Appalachian Trail.
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there you go again proving my statements true. it has NOTHING to do with RIGHT TO CARRY it has to do with the NEED TO CARRY. if you want to carry simply because you feel it is your RIGHT then fine but the evidence proves you have NO NEED to. and even if you had the right to carry in all states that doesnt mean you have the ability to carry on private property which you WILL need to stay on routinely. clearly you have never been on a long distance hike before like the full AT or even just a state or two of it. all i can say to you to further my point is that you need to go and see just what i am saying first hand by trying to hike the AT next summer in it entirety with a gun and see just how much it makes your life difficult just to try and carry it. not to mention you will see you don’t NEED it. Please learn the difference between want and need and right.
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“I’ve seen drama on the trail simply because someone was rocking brand new expensive gear.”
i highly doubt that issue elevated to the point someone needed a gun for defense. every little disagreement does not need a gun. im physically disabled with severe spinal damage and can easily be permanently placed in a wheel chair for life if i got into a fight and yet i never felt the need to carry a gun on the trail.
also i carry the most top of the line gear and am sponsored for nearly all of it. i have the best you can get on the trail for the most part. yet after ten years of hiking the trail every summer and winter i have NEVER seen anyone argue over gear in such a way that was abusive and needed a gun to settle. and i doubt you can find someone who can make the claim they have.
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chicago is far from the AT lol. maybe you shouldn’t have a gun in the first place before getting some counseling. i have the feeling you would be that guy who escalates a situation simply because you are afraid the other person will get you. if you are living with that much fear you WILL cause your own fate. please warn me before you go on the trail so i can stay away.
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OK for some reason you just made things really personal. Maybe you’re just tired of this thread and want it to end. Here’s one last point for you to consider. Hopefully you can do so without attacking me in the process.
You already admitted that you think carrying a firearm in Chicago is justified. Well Chicago liberals will tell you that you don’t NEED a gun in Chicago. And they will come back at you with all the arguments you raised regarding the AT. You don’t NEED one. It’s a HASSLE to carry one. We’ve lived in Chicago our ENTIRE LIVES and NEVER ONCE needed a gun. Blah, blah, blah. Same arguments, dude. The fact that there are daily homicides in Chicago doesn’t phase them or change their risk assessment regarding the NEED for firearms. The odds of being murdered in Chicago are 1 in 5000. They’re OK with that; you’re not. Different risk assessments based on different ideologies or experiences or mental issues or whatever. Again—framing this debate in terms of NEEDS doesn’t really get you anywhere, because there’s no objective definition of acceptable risk. It’s a value judgment.
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your analogy is not supported and you even un-support your own point by exclaiming that chicago has DAILY murders. the AT has maybe a murder once every 10 years or so IF that. chicago and the AT are on COMPLETELY different levels. chicago is rated in days where the AT is rated in years. any educated person would not use those two examples in the way you just did due to the timeline of events being so far off from one another. if you are that scared of walking the trail perhaps you shouldn’t do so. as a certified and highly qualified medical spc. i sincerely suggest you seek counseling for your fear of unsupported risks. it isnt healthy at all to walk/hike around afraid of everything.
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