Backpacking camaraderie in the Great Smoky Mountains
Backpacking camaraderie in the Great Smoky Mountains
One thing I love about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains is the backpacking camaraderie that exists in the shelters. Every time I have stayed in a shelter along the Appalachian Trail (AT) I have met some of the coolest people. My latest trip over the 4th of July was no exception. I have heard stories of rude hikers before, but I have never had the misfortune to camp with them.
There were a couple of young men about ready to begin their college career at my alma mater, the University of Tennessee, there was another young man doing an internship with the park service, friends from New York and Atlanta hiking together, and a couple from California out on a 6 night AT hike. We enjoyed many hours of hiking conversation in the shelter and around the campfire. I will most likely never see any of these people again, but for one night, I enjoyed hearing about their lives and past adventures and sharing some of my own.
Adventure on!
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I agree Ted! One of my favorite hikes is through the Smoky’s on the AT and I must say that I have met some of the coolest and friendliest people while on those hikes. In fact, of all the hundreds of miles I have hiked I can’t think of one time that I came across someone that I felt was a danger.
JP recently posted..A Taste of 19th Century Mountain Life North Carolina Style – The Vance Birthplace
I once read a book by a thru hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and he tells this story of confronting a bunch of absolute jerks that were hiking the trail and terrorizing many of the hikers. He was an ex-army dude and pretty big, so he put them in their place. Only time I have even heard about rude hikers. It is a good read called “Walk for Sunshine” by Jeff Alt if you are interested.
I love the randomness of who you meet on an adventure. The only thing I feel sad about is some people would be fantastic to stay in touch with. Such is life.
Leigh recently posted..A Canoe Trip to Hidden Lake Territorial Park, Northwest Territories
That is the beauty of Facebook. If they are that memorable, become friends and the odds of meeting again are higher once connected.