DANGERS OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Join Steve Stockton as he recounts stories of the missing, murdered and found along the Appalachian Trail. Join this channel to get access to perks:

#AppalachianTrail #SteveStockton #AmongTheMissing

[averyreganward]

As someone from Appalachia (generations of my family has lived there)- I can tell you that the people who live in VERY rural Appalachia are either the kindest or the most dangerous people you will ever meet.

[davidortiz]

I never understood how people can go into the woods & not be armed.

[monicawilder]

I'm so glad you mentioned Chad Austin in this video. Everyone knew Chad here in town and thought highly of him, and his disappearance was suspicious! There's no way he would have left his dog in a locked car.

[brianjohnston]

My brother, Scott Johnston, and my close friend, Sean Farmer, were shot by Randal Lee Smith along the AT in Virginia. Smith was the man who murdered two hikers along the AT in 1981 and got out of prison after serving his sentence only to try to kill again. Amazingly, they made a miraculous escape and, in a final ironic turn, it was Smith who ended up dying. My brother and friend, who both still have bullets in their bodies to this day from the incident, and are both doing fine.

[jenniferdickinson-hanley]

A woman just went missing literally yesterday from her campsite on my local section of the Appalachian Trail in Kent, Connecticut. According to the missing person bulletin issued by State Police, the woman's cell phone and hiking gear were still in her tent. We all hope and pray she's found safe. I find it very unnerving that she doesn't even have her phone on her. This tells me she wasn't planning on being far from her tent for long or straight-up met with foul play.

[blobbertmcblob]

I know exactly how scary it is to be lost in the woods. I got lost in a stretch of woods I THOUGHT I knew like the back of my hand once. Was lost for well over 8 hours, until crashing through the brush comes my sister and our dog. Our dog had led my sister to me. I'd never been so grateful to a dog in all my life.

Edit: and my sister, of course, but she was too busy bitching me out and sobbing lol.

[JohnTorchick]

Several years ago, I met a retired USFS employee who spent time regarding the AT. He stated that there is at least one murder every year on the AT, for money or food or both. He stated that this is kept quiet or at a minimum to keep people from crossing off the trail on their to-do list. Edit: One should carry a loud whistle as three blasts are a signal for help. A whistle will last longer than shouting lungs. Also, three small fires, three cleared places in the snow, etc. are signals for help.

[celebrityrog]

The biggest danger on the Appalachian Trail isn't the animals, the weather, getting lost, it's the other hikers, the people who are on the trail who will do something more horrifying to you than any animal.

[Desh]

I hiked the entire trail at age 23 solo after finishing a 5 year prison sentence. It was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I hope to do it again with my brother in law once my kids are grown and out of the house.

[jameshoward]

I live about 40 miles away from the Appalachian trail. In my younger days I often hiked alone in many places, including there and the Adirondack mountains. Hiking alone is always a bad idea. While I was skilled in land navigation and survival, there are just too many dangers that are potentially deadly. There is a reason they advise to never attempt these hikes with less than 3. Being armed in the backcountry is highly advisable as well because of the threat of both wild animals and possible criminals. I love the woods, but when reflecting on the risks I would take when younger, I am glad to be alive.

[bensanders]

At every hostel or outfitter store in almost every town there is a log to sign...showing where each person's progress was on any given day. It is wise to make an entry or signature in every logbook you come accross almost everywhere, so there is a clear timeline and tracking progress of how far you have came and how far you still plan to go. As well as where you took a zero day at. These are great ways to know where to begin looking for should you become lost or injured. They would at least know where you were last.

[RTFLDGR]

I hiked the AT near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The terrain is so rocky, root-strewn, hilly and wooded, that you can step-off the trail just a few feet and not be seen by hikers passing-by. Anybody can easily lay in-wait for a victim hiker. We stepped-off to relax and smoke a joint. As folks hiked-by, several commented they could smell cannabis, but could not see us. A perp can hide anywhere along the trail. Do not conduct yourself like a victim.

[AnthonyOMulligan-yvcg]

Anything can happen. This Friday coming will be 7 year's since my last hike, it was only supposed to be a single day's 18 mile hike. I was with my Terrier Molly and in almost 8 miles when I had a heart attack, no warning no symptoms, Boom. Like an Elephant kicked Me and then sat on Me. I reckon that I was unconscious roughly 3 hour's, it was nearing dark and my phone was broken. I had come to laying on the trail, but I'd fallen at the top of a decline and must have rolled a fair bit. very weak on my left side, I couldn't stand, it was getting cold, almost winter here in Australia and so I started crawling, it took me until near sunset the next day to get back to my car, I didn't attempt driving but managed to hail a passing car. I was lucky that Molly was with me and I had 5 pints of water, snacks and some spare clothing in a rain coat. I miss the outdoors. Be safe everybody and always be prepared.

[cloutdaze]

I grew up in Tennessee and the woods were like a second home, but do not ever forget you’re always being watched. By something. Doesn’t matter what. You’ll always have that feeling, but when I was a kid I wasn’t really aware of it. To this day I kinda avoid being in a forest alone.

[Jackknife]

In April of 1988, I was on a solo backpacking trip on the AT. I was camped near the intersection of the AT and the Devils Stairs not far from the Gravel Springs shelter. I avoid shelters.

About 9PM, there was footsteps in the forest debris approaching my tent. They would take a few steps and stop, like they were trying to sneak up n my camp. I crawled out of my tent, and after a bit I cold see a dark figure of a person standing there, and taking a few steps at a time. I turned on my flashlight and saw a person, dressed in all dark clothing, holding a large knife. Fortunately I had my little North American Arms .22 revolver. I fired a warning shot next to the person and used some very harsh language telling them to F. off and clear out. At the shot, they ran off through the woods. I have wondered why someone would try to sneak up on my tent at night with a large knife, but I doubt they were collecting for the Sierra Club.

I never went back to the AT again.

[squarewheel]

A childhood friend of mine was murdered back in the late '70's while hiking the A. Trail for the $500.00 he was carrying, he was one of the nicest kid's I ever knew.

[OfficialSparklyPig]

Today is the decade mark for Gerry Largay. I wish her family - and the families of all the missing - love, light, and healing.

[NASkeywest]

I’ve had people get mad and say I’m fear mongering when I tell people to bring protection! So many think the outdoors are just a scenic backdrop for their selfie photo shoots, smh.

[katrinajohnson]

Alaska has the biggest number of missing people. You don't think walking in the woods will lead to you becoming lost, or injured, or missing forever, or your being murdered by someone. It only takes a moment for something terrible to happen. Being single, and the way our world has become, I'm sure not stepping foot into any woods alone. Please, be careful if you do.

[jamieUSG]

So nice to hear a real voice instead of AI, love the individuality ❤