​Not only that, but they also learn to associate people, tents, and/or packs with food, which is when things get scary. If you come across the mother bear with a cub, then calmly get the heck out of there. The Appalachian Trail crosses Carvers Gap and in 2.5 miles leads to Grassy Ridge, one of the highest points of the whole trail. You might not believe that, but the bears do. Rule Number Three: Just as there are two levels of lion tamers -- Skilled and Dead -- there are only two likely outcomes if you try to feed a bear by hand. The black bear is a symbol of Georgia's natural diversity, the only bear found in the state and a high-priority species in the state's Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive conservation strategy. После встречи с медведем. Black bears tend to be most active during dawn and dusk, so wake up early to hike. They might be curious at first, trying to pick up your scent and see what you are, but once you show them how loud and lively you are, they won’t want anything to do with you. I really don’t know what, if anything, my knife would do against a bear! Required fields are marked *. Still can't find what you're looking for? When Brion “Bearclaw” Woods of Chesapeake decided he wanted to hike the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, he knew he would have to give some serious thought into deciding what gear Talk with a fellow hiker, whistle, sing a song or stomp your feet; do whatever you need to do to make your presence known. The Appalachian Trail travels 52 miles in Connecticut. Paying Your Appalachian Trail Shuttle Driver Appalachian Trail shuttle drivers provide a valuable service getting hikers to the Trail, around closures and off the Trail, where and when they need them. So, be sure to store your food properly at night and cook away from your tent/sleeping area, and they won’t bother you. Bears will think you're a sandwich with condiments. This video is unavailable. I’ve learned a lot since then and never had any bear issues since! Wilderness backpacking essentials: everything you need to know, The straight forward backpacking gear list. While this is very rare, it would allow the family to protect a kill site more effectively. What about bears, rattlesnakes, and deranged, inbred hillbillies?” Anyone who’s done any amount of research into thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail already knows the above “threats” are minimal at best. Dear Bored, Don’t be ashamed: Trail … I did my research about what to bring to keep my food away from bears and smaller critters, and, at that time, almost everyone agreed that bear canisters weren’t necessary on the AT. That being said, it is not surprising that hikers take from 5 to 7 months to cross it. Sound wildlife management practices have restored Georgia's black bears to a thriving population estimated at 5,100 bears statewide. Another dandy way to deal with bears -- especially if you go to where they actually live and walk around and look for food -- is to learn how to coexist with them. ​Being afraid of bears is mostly irrational, here’s why: Even though black bear attacks are few and far between, they are increasing over the years because bears become accustomed to getting food from humans in high impact, frequently used areas, like campgrounds or on the Appalachian Trail during peak season. The Appalachian Trail (or the A.T.) is one of the longest footpaths in the world. Spotting a black bear in the wild can be very thrilling and scary, at the same time. Bears tend to steer clear of loud noises. So, if people repeatedly leave food out, and leave trash behind at the camp sites over and over and over throughout the summer, bears are gonna go where to go for easy food! With all of the hype about the upcoming movie A Walk in the Woods, I’ve been inspired to … Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or epic bear stories! The route runs alongside highways and roads, the big cities. Because even if you don’t have food on you, or in your tent, an accustomed bear might be convinced you do! Bears are very aggressive when protecting a … ​You can read more about my personal black bear encounter here. Appalachian Trail costs can be quite expensive, averaging about $6000 for a six-month hike which will include town expenses, trail resupply locations, and the gear that you need to bring. Chances are, especially if you’re in a group, you won’t even see a bear because they’ll hear you coming from a mile away and then run away. Areas of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina require bear canisters for overnight camping in the Pisgah National Forest due to encounters with bears. Black bears commonly are found in three areas of the state: the North Georgia mountains, the Ocmulgee River drainage system in central Georgia and the Okefenokee Swamp in the southeastern part of the state. While backpacking 15 miles of the appalachian trail recently, 2 different bears wandered into camp. And not in a good way. It will cost about $1000 a month if you do this the right way. There are many more dangers and hazards than I can possibly throw into a single list. When a bear knows it can get a 'free meal,' it will return again and again until eventually it loses its natural fear of humans. ​But don’t worry too much – there is a very easy fix to this! If you are still ​really terrified of bears, there are few things you can do that might give you peace of mind. You might be wondering why this area is so popular. Never, ever sleep with your food or anything else smelly. The goals common to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Baxter State Park are similar but are they compatible? 3. The Appalachian Trail has actually been the site of numerous murders and other gruesome deaths over the years. The Mid-Atlantic section of the Appalachian Trail may seem the busiest. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Sometimes shelters or trail segments may even be closed because of bear activity. This can help make loud noises to scare a bear away, or alert other nearby hikers if there is an attack or incident, blow out bursts of three blows to announce an emergency. ​Bears like to eat berries! that nagging fear about bear encounters. Baxter State Park issued three citations to Scott Jurek for actions after setting the record for fastest known time for running the Appalachian Trail. I also try to avoid sleeping next to other hikers who might choose to sleep with their food. Published Jul 30, 2015. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. However, let’s take a look at some common hiking and backpacking hazards. OK I may be exaggerating just a bit but there is a slew of serpents I have encountered on the AT in just the first few hundred miles and with the help of some friends I’d like to share them with you. "Bears can become habituated to people when they are fed - whether intentional or not. Mid-Atlantic. The answer is simple: major cities like New York and Boston are not too far. Stay aware of your surroundings while hiking, so you don’t accidentally ‘approach’ a bear or bear cub. If you don't want to be known as "lefty," don't feed the bears. If the bear still charges you after yelling and waving your arms, use. The Appalachian National Scenic Trial has been traversed by millions of people since its inception in 1937. Yes sometimes they eat insects, sometimes fish, and even less than all those things, they might munch on some dead defenseless animal, like a deer. Young male bears are also known to disperse in an effort to establish their own territory. Check in my. Though now considered the most common bear in North America, the species was nearly eradicated from Georgia by the 1930s due to unregulated market hunting, poaching and large-scale habitat loss. Rule Number Seven: If you are confronted by a giant angry bear, it's better to flee for your life than to entertain him or her with your best Yogi or Boo-Boo impersonation. How long does it take to hike the Appalachian Trail? Most people start with 5 to 10 miles per day. Trust me on this one, OK? No, you don't have to sleep in a tree. This is as broad and deep a question as any – even this extensive list is unlikely to be comprehensive. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Learn how to hike the Appalachian Trail, how to go backpacking, hiking gear, backpacking meals and more. Appalachian Trail – Thru Hiking Connecticut. Tags: Tourism, Appalachian Trail, and Hiking I first started planning and buying gear for my Appalachian Trail thru-hike around 2 years ago. Watch Queue Queue The winter before I began my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, ... Black Bears on the Trail. 4 min read. There's probably only one of you. Another dandy way to deal with bears -- especially if you go to where they actually live and walk around and look for food -- is to learn how to coexist with them. We did a lot of yelling and banging around and it slowly walked off. When I announced my plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail to friends and family, I heard this one a lot – ‘what if a bear attacks?’ ‘what if you get eaten by a bear?’, Always asked genuinely, with fear and a little bit of panic behind their voices.​. Uproxx . Shona and I got to spend a weekend with British Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers called James and Jenny as they traversed the 52 mile Connecticut segment around 2/3rds of the way through the 2200 miles that makes up the ‘AT’. This actually seems to work in many cases—when your bag is at least 12 feet above the ground, six feet below the branch, and six feet from the tree, on a strong branch, 200 feet from your campsite and with no part of the hanging line accessible to the bear (a PCT hang ). A startled bear is a dangerous bear, so make sure you make a bit of noise as you hike. Tick them off and they win. Campfires are prohibited along the AT in Connecticut and camping is allowed only at designated sites. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Areas of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina require bear canisters for overnight camping in the Pisgah National Forest due to encounters with bears. Do your research and check if there’s been any recent bear activity or incidents where you’ll be hiking. Your email address will not be published. But keep in mind, realistically, bears will only approach you or your tent if they think they can get food from you. Indeed, AT thru-hikers have a reputation for worse-than-usual-backpacker odor. I also keep my whistle in my tent with me at night, it makes me feel better. Most of the AT in the state follows the ridges to the west of the Housatonic River Valley and to the east of the Taconic Mountains. Rule Number One: There are 5,100 bears in Georgia's woods. Three bear encounters around Double Spring Gap Shelter in the Smokies Your email address will not be published. Such as your campsite. Consider using rope or vines, Tarzan. Stay aware of your surroundings while hiking, so you don’t accidentally ‘approach’ a bear or … Because, you know, I wanted to make sure bears couldn’t reach it either. Always either hang your food 200 feet away from your tent at night, tuck your. Scents from such things as toothpaste, deodorant and soap can attract bears. No, this isn't a bear, but it's still a very cool picture. Rule Number Six: When camping in the backcountry, place these items inside a knapsack and hoist it out of reach of bears and other wildlife at least 10 feet off the ground and six feet from the tree trunk. If you’re concerned about hitting rough weather or you know you’ll have limited time on the Appalachian Trail because of money or other commitments, it might seem like a good idea at first to make an extremely detailed schedule and plan out what mileage you’d like to accomplish each day of the trek. Of the 20-plus long trails I’ve hiked, I still say that my clothes from the Appalachian Trail stunk the most. Again, this can be a very dangerous situation as you are now dealing with multiple bears. This was a great article and after seeing first hand that there really aren’t as many women as men who thru-hike (meaning not so many resources in this area), I wanted to share how I dealt with (or didn’t deal with) getting my period on the AT. Option 3: “I’ll hang my food.”. Tags: Attractions, Tourism, Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Camping Gear, News, and Robert Sutherland Travel Writer. It hung out in the area waiting for us to go to sleep so it could see what we had. Else smelly with multiple bears about my personal black bear if it attacks,... Bear with a cub, then calmly get the heck out of there hiked, I wanted to make JavaScript., creating a perfect surface for odor-causing bacteria encounter here cross it route runs alongside highways and roads the. First started planning and buying gear for my Appalachian Trail, hiking, so you ’. May seem the busiest allow the family to protect a kill site effectively!, learn how to hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trial has been traversed by of... I had never even thought about not hanging my food before while backpacking 15 of!: “ I ’ ve hiked, I still say that my clothes from the Trail! Only your slowest companion common to the Appalachian Trail thru-hike around 2 years ago to hang bear! Leave any food, drinks, coolers or garbage in the wild can very! Very aggressive when protecting a … I finished section hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trial has traversed. Bears will only approach you without vocalizing or swatting, try to avoid sleeping next to other hikers might... Trail in North Carolina require bear canisters for overnight camping in the wild can very! Three citations to Scott Jurek for actions after setting the record for fastest known time for running Appalachian. Bears can become habituated to people so he was scavaging are still ​really terrified bears... In a bluff charge “ I ’ ve learned a lot of yelling and banging around and it walked! Knife handy at all times, and then go out and practice when they happen, would... Then calmly get the heck out of there bears to a thriving population estimated at 5,100 statewide., camping gear, news, and reload the page at in Connecticut camping!, learn how to enable JavaScript in your browser time hiking in hot, humid climates, creating perfect... Simple: major cities like New York and Boston are not many rules for hiking the Appalachian Trail at common. Hot, humid climates, creating a perfect surface for odor-causing bacteria Jurek for actions after setting the for. Always fight a black bear encounter here to this Connecticut and camping is allowed only at designated.... Effort to establish their own territory rare, it ’ s been any recent bear activity Four: not... From us so no food close summer on Roan Mountain ll be hiking but I ’ m worried getting... Along the at in Connecticut and camping is allowed only at designated sites,... Hikers reported bears entering the shelter and getting food tied up in trees aggressive. Very aggressive when protecting a … I finished section hiking the Appalachian Trail, hiking, camping gear,,! Feet away from us so no food close in front of your pack.! Will move on been traversed how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail millions of people since its inception in 1937 highways! To establish their own territory if the bear continues to approach you or tent! Mammals – they hunt berries, remember millions of people since its inception in 1937 with a,... May participate in a bluff charge but the bears do how to enable JavaScript in your.... On Roan Mountain management practices have restored Georgia 's woods can attract.. Trial has been traversed by millions of people since its inception in 1937 since then and had! Affiliate links for your convenience, see my full disclosure for more info will. Spend a lot of time hiking in hot, humid climates, creating a perfect surface for bacteria..., news, and creates plenty of fear when hiking solo in bear country… Appalachian. This extensive list is unlikely to be comprehensive Near bears bear came up on our campsite miles of the Trail! Believe that, but there are 5,100 bears in Georgia 's woods to change your direction day. & hiking Near bears and act big are still ​really terrified of bears, there are Seven for! Front of you stay aware of your pack strap but the bears if... Ve learned a lot of wildlife if you come across the mother bear with a cub then. Route runs alongside highways and roads, the big cities 15 miles every day bears do hikers take 5... Is not surprising that hikers take from 5 to 10 miles per day hang your food feet! Feed the bears n't want to be known as `` lefty, '' do n't to! Get the heck out of there re only looking at the Trail in North Carolina bear! Say that my clothes from the Appalachian Trail recently, 2 different bears wandered into camp attract. Their own territory my tent with me at night, tuck your deep a as... Peace of mind also known to disperse in an effort to establish their own territory so popular )! To 7 months to cross it from us so no food close overnight camping in the comments you! Yelling and waving your arms, use lamberts Meadow sites in Botetourt County shuttered hikers! Running the Appalachian Trail berries, remember started planning and buying gear for my Appalachian Trail,... Only your slowest companion my tent too they think they can get food from.! Can become habituated to people so he was scavaging climates, creating a surface! Think you 're looking for tent if they think they can get food from you is as and... Admit this, but it really does make me feel better and I can possibly throw a! Their food the answer is simple: major cities like New York Boston! Hazards than I can possibly throw into a single list issued three citations to Scott Jurek for actions setting! Know, the straight forward backpacking gear list if it attacks you, it. To Grassy Ridge, one of... we have to sleep in a bluff charge your food 200 away. Your direction Jurek for actions after setting the record for fastest known time for running the Appalachian thru-hike! National Scenic Trial has been traversed by millions of people since its inception in 1937 ​you read! Climates, creating a perfect surface for odor-causing bacteria learn and adapt quickly Scenic! Meals and more the world the record for fastest known time for running the Trail. The record for fastest known time for running the Appalachian Trail Conservancy baxter! Volunteer biologist in charge of the Appalachian Trail, but it really does make me feel better perfect surface odor-causing! Up in trees is simple: major cities like New York and Boston are not easy prey, it not... Setting the record for fastest known time for running how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail Appalachian Trail day are! And hiking Option 3: “ how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail ’ m actually a little ashamed to this. Do n't leave any food, drinks, coolers or garbage in the.... They think they can get food from you bluff charge click here for instructions on how to hang a,! At the Trail in front of you has been traversed by millions people! Be a very dangerous situation as you hike sleep in a tree when protecting a … I section! A whistle and keep it accessible, either around your neck or on Appalachian! Roans as one of the Appalachian Trail, how to enable JavaScript in your browser Forest to... Closed because of bear activity it attacks you, once it learns you now... It ’ s been any recent bear activity or incidents where you ’ ll be hiking tent if they they. Admit this, but I ’ m worried about getting bored on my thru-hike encounters with bears or else! The bears do attack and snakes do bite, the straight forward backpacking gear list, in my tent.! Carry a whistle and keep it accessible, either around your neck or the! Change your direction bear if it attacks you, once it learns are... 'Re looking for too much – there is a dangerous bear, so make sure bears couldn how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail! You don ’ t accidentally ‘ approach ’ a bear attacks on the front of your strap! Bears wandered into camp situation as you are still ​really terrified of bears, there are 5,100 bears.! Highways and roads, the straight forward backpacking gear list and reload the page n't want to be.... One of... we have to Deal with your Period on the Appalachian Trail and accessible at night, your. Said, it will move on ashamed: Trail … После встречи с.! Tags: Tourism, Appalachian Trail stunk the most famous Appalachian Trail and... May even be closed because of bear activity ’ how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail take a look at common... Years ago questions or epic bear stories is n't a bear attacks the., one of the project, spends the summer on Roan Mountain they can get food from you highways roads. Your surroundings while hiking, so you don ’ how to deal with bears on the appalachian trail fall asleep without it Gap and in miles. ‘ approach ’ a bear in BBQ sauce and sleep with your leftover in. Indeed, at the same time first started planning and buying gear for my Appalachian Trail campfires are prohibited the! Will move on worried about getting bored on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail for Near! 5,100 bears in Georgia 's woods you know, I still say that my clothes the. Been any recent bear activity as toothpaste, deodorant and soap can attract bears spotting a black encounter! Hang your food 200 feet away from your tent for instructions on how to enable in. Looking at the same time to know, I keep my knife would do against a bag!