From Outside Magazine- the story of Baltimore Jack- a fella that spend a couple decades on the Appalachian Trail. Since I was young I have been fascinated by the Appalachian Trail. My family had a friend who a few times would go off and walk the trail for a few months at a time. It’s one of those things I always had in my head that I’d like to do someday… This story is a fascinating one- and a sad one.
slicethelife 
You admire the guy but then you feel sadness for him. What an interesting story. I feel for the people trying to help him at the end.
Interesting story. Walking the trail has been on my bucket list for awhile, but at this point, it is an item on a list. Maybe one day I will but wouldn’t want to do it alone. Sounds like Baltimore Jack found his niche there. I’d like to see someone take those posts he wrote and turn it into a book.
I would never want to walk the trail alone- not in these times.
Have you ever been near the trail? From the photos with the article, looks like a lot of men partying out there on it, which would be dangerous for many reasons. With as many who complete every year, it sounds well-worn. I think I actually have that book, Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. Someone at work left it as a freebie on the break room table. I got a little into it but got sidetracked.
When we go to Harper’s Ferry- the trail runs through there- and they have an Appalachian Trail center there- we always stop in -there are always walkers there getting supplies etc. We’ve walked a mile or so on it— the problem they have is people living near the trail [not talking about Harpers Ferry–but by places that have populations around it]- going out on the trail for a couple days and causing problems from what I understand.
I can see where that might happen. Like the hobos riding the trains and the hobo camps, they probably have the trail walking homeless who set up camps. Doesn’t sound real safe and hope it doesn’t deter serious walkers from walking, as they are the ones who fund the businesses.
I have a couple who come to my book club- their daughter spent the spring- summer on the trail. she went alone but soon connected with a few others and they traveled together. no doubt the way to go.