My girlfriend and I went hiking (if you can call it that) on the Appalachian Trail today. We went to Fork Laurel Falls in Elizabethton TN, which is only about a 40 minute drive. We mostly went because we have very little money and had nothing to do. We've recently discovered that we both enjoy the outdoors and like to take short hiking trips. While we were at the falls I ran into a guy who was doing a thru-hike of the trail. I had a little bit of weed on me so I got him high and we had a short conversation before he went on his way. He was telling me about various aspects of hiking the trail. I wasn't aware of the subculture. Actually I was pretty ignorant of most of the things that he told me. I had no idea that there were hostels/shelters that you could stay in for free or very cheap along the trail. Anyways..I know that I'm not alone when I say that I feel like I belong whenever I'm surrounded by the beauty of nature and alienated from the general public. One day I would really like to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, but for now this is just a dream. I have a couple of questions though if you all don't care to answer them. How close are hostels/shelters apart from each other on average? What is the average price for one night? Are shelters/hostels are too full to hold anyone else? What are the people like that stay there? What are the best methods to earn income along the way? I suppose that's all my questions for now. I took some excellent pictures yesterday, I just hope that the lighting was good. I'll post them here whenever I get them developed. The hiker that I ran into had hiked from PA and said that the area was the most beautiful spot that he had scene so far on the trail.
sorry man ignore that last one unless ya want the main stream take.. i was in a hurry an couldnt think of the links i was lookin for.. these here is all ya could ever want to know from our kinds eyes.. http://www.whiteblaze.net/ http://www.trailjournals.com/
Thanks HH..btw I was checking out your site. I don't live too far from you. I saw where you posted in Random Thoughts that you wouldn't mind having some company. Perhaps I'll stop by in a few weeks or whenever I have enough money to take the trip.
I used to live in Oak ridge Tennessee, I was thinking about possibly hiking the trail with anyone that wants to go with me. Hippiehillbilly I saw your site, When I finaly get away from Berkeley I was thinking about stopping by at your place on my way home, I dont know where home is yet but I know its some where in east tennessee, possibly with some friends I have made on the way through life. you guys ever go caving out in that area?