Absolutely. I am planning to do the AT. I’ve hiked in many parts of the world and love it, and while you have to be careful and observant, generally it’s safe.
But I think in terms of nutcases, the AT has got it cornered. A lot of these people with their “trail names” are basically nothing but people who should be in mental hospitals. I have met many normal, real hikers who have felt very threatened by some of their encounters with these people. This is not the first murder on the AT, btw.
“A lot of these people with their “trail names” are basically nothing but people who should be in mental hospitals. “
The trail name thing is a tradition on the AT. Everyone who is a through hiker is given a name by other hikers. I bet this nutcase chose his own name.