...The consensus about this recent machete attack on hiking forums is call the authorities and wait a few hours for them to arrive.
In other words, dial 911 and die. Nice plan.
concealed-weapons-on-the-appalachian-trail
and it's east. Never go east.
I have absolutely zero desire to do the AT because it's crowded, sleep in designated areas only (huts), and it's east. Never go east.
Thanks, I did some research on it few years ago and somehow came up with the wrong conclusion, a simple search shows you are correct. I hiked the Tecumseh Trail a few years back and had to stay in a shelter, even though I was the only one there I didn't like it. We did the Knobstone a couple years back and it was a lot of up and down, people said it was good training for the AT but without all the magnificence. I enjoyed it though.It's only sort of crowded; less so than most national parks.
You are certainly allowed to set up camp in areas other than the shelters. I personally avoid the shelters.
concealed-weapons-on-the-appalachian-trail
Well here's a start, but not a great one.
The AT is about 40% NPS land.........and it's east. Never go east.