This article briefly discusses the history of the Appalachian Trail, what it's like to hike along that path, and what shelters are available.
The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a marked hiking path that travels from Mt. Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia, a distance spanning 2160 miles and 14 states. The major portion of the trail is ensconced in wilderness although some parts of it do traverse roads and river crossings. The Appalachian Trail, formally referred to as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, or A.T., is famous for its many hikers. Some people hiking the Appalachian Trail attempt to conquer the trail in one single season and are called thru-hikers for that reason. Earl Shaffer was the world's first thru-hiker. The A.T goes north into Canada and ends in the North Atlantic Ocean. This northward bound extension of the trail goes by the name International Appalachian Trail.
Historical Origins of the Trail
The trail was born out of the vision of Benton Mackaye, according to which a grand trail was to come into being, connecting farms and wilderness camps for the urbanite. It was in October of 1923 that the first segment of the trail from Bear Mountain to Arden, NY was inaugurated. Subsequently, in 1925, Mackaye ordered the famous Appalachian Trail Conference in Washington, DC. This gave birth to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy which was vested with the responsibility of developing the trail, but also protecting it from urban development.
Native Flora and Fauna
The American black bear is the most prominent omnivore to be seen on the trail. However, the sighting of a black bear along the trail is a rare event, and even more rare are human-bear confrontations, making it a reasonably safe path. As for the plant life along the trail, it varies based on the highly variable climatic zones along the path and the levels of elevation thereof.
Hiking Along the Path
The Appalachian Trail is an exclusive hikers path and has all the facilities that hikers would inevitably need. Some of these facilities may even be unique to The Appalachian Trail, not found on other trails. The trail is commonly hiked from south to north and rarely ever the other way around. The typical hiker will start in spring and break the hike up into parts, based on the weather, and finish off somewhere at the end of summer or early autumn.
Shelter Along the Path
The trail has many lodgement facilities along the way. Most shelters are situated a day's walk away from one another. These “houses” usually have three walls, are open with wooden floors, and are situated near a water resource. People volunteer to maintain these shelters on a regular basis. Inns have also become commonplace, as have people who offer their homes to the AT hikers. Hiking The Appalachian Trail is relatively safe, with minumum hazards. Most accidents are similar to those that occur during any other outdoor sports or activity and can be linked to weather conditions, human errors, diseases, other people on the trails, or those who cross paths with the hikers. It is recommended that generous quantities of DEET be used during the hike to minimize contact with ticks and other rodent-borne parasites and viruses.
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