Appalachian Trail CHALLEGES: Closures, CONTROVERSY & Hiker Progress
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this Appalachian Trail Update (1.25.25), we cover the latest trail conditions, closures, reroutes, and hiker progress as we move deeper into the 2025 hiking season. Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to DrinkLMNT.com/R... to get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase. Meanwhile, hiker registrations are at their lowest since 2020, with speculation about ATC policies playing a role.
We also highlight major reroutes, including the controversial Chestoa Bridge detour in Erwin, TN, and updates from the ATC Sawyer Crew working to clear storm-damaged sections. Plus, exciting hiker milestones: Fancy Pants, Titanium, Nutty Hiker, Luscious, and Wolfie are making big strides, while new hikers like Grub Worm, Kat Woman, and Jolly are just starting their journeys!
Finally, a huge congrats to Fierce & Feather on their engagement-proof that the trail truly provides! Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly trail reports.
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Leave a comment down below if you would hike through a closed area that is hikeable or if you would avoid that area. Finding Sadie episode 1 ua-cam.com/video/8zcShqg8vYk/v-deo.html
Instead of hiking through the closed areas, I’ll be getting off trail for a week, and volunteering in Asheville and surrounding forest areas! Imagine the impact the Class of 2025 could have if we all took even a zero day to help out the communities that have given us so much. Can’t wait to get started, thanks for all you do Ramdino :)
As usual we appreciate the updates. Looking forward to starting at Springer this next Saturday. -Dinty
Hiked a bit with Luscious, Metro, and ATypical Hiker before I get back on in a couple weeks. Crossed paths with Wolfie and Subman as well. Conditions either side of Albert were a slushy sloppy mess that freezes hard at night. Morale is high! I hiked SoBo and crossed only a few hikers. Yay 569! 👊👊😉
Thanks Ramdino for the hiker update! 😊. So glad to see your new cast and hopefully you will heal quick! 💪 I think this winter has been the coldest in years and hikers are going to leave alittle later! We are in New Jersey and last week was terrible! 🥶🥶🥶🥶 Stay warm , rest, and before you know it you will be all brand new! 👍😴🙏💪💤
Thanks! I'm doing okay, and I'm sure spring will be here soon.
Aww Ramdino, thank you for sharing in our excitement! We are so happy!!! ❤️
You're very welcome!
Congrats to Fierce and Feather! Love is good.
Thanks for all you do, Ramdino.
Thanks for listening
Another great update.
Thanks for watching!
Hey Ramdino, Good to see you moving those fingers. Keep on Keeping on!
Stops
Thanks! I'm trying!
Thanks for updating. Good to see you on the mend.
Thanks! I'm glad to be back at it.
Hi.
Thanks for another good report on the hiking community.
Of more importance, hoping you are being blessed with the Lord's Healing Grace and Comfort.
I've received a reply from the Pisgah National Forest regarding so many sections of the AT being closed.
It appears we will be seeing some updates in the near future on trail re-openings.
God Bless!
Thanks so much for your prayers and for the update!
Thanks for the update.
Totally agree with you on that reroute!!!
Thanks for the update!❤❤❤❤❤
Ooo I forgot to mention my UA-cam channel… here it is! lol
Great info. And ideas and points!! Once I'm able to get outta Henderson county, NC and back in Pisgah and Shining Rock Wilderness with the CMC i will send you videos!!!! Take care!
Thanks! I'd love to see those videos.
Good hear about your fingers moving again! And that the National Forest will do something with those down trees! I would hate to see all those trees go to waste! Thanks for all you do Ramdino!
Thank you, I appreciate that!
They need to get with the rafting company up the way and come up with a ferry schedule.....ahhh dang you just beat me to it in your video!
I know, right?
Thanks Ramdino!
Again, thanks. Blessings
You're very welcome.
Whenever possible I try to find something positive even in the worst circumstances. The only good thing I can come up with in this case is there should be plenty of firewood available. And there should be lots of rhododendrons in about 10 years.
Best show on UA-cam
That's so kind of you
Hey man! Thanks again.
You bet!
It’s not really surprising that there’s been a decrease. I think, due to some popular films and books, it was very trendy for a while. It’s just settling down again 🤷🏻♀️
I am very curious if they ever thought about, Helio Logging?? Agencies have used this in a handful of different wilderness areas for various reasons, including natural catastrophe cleanup or storm damage. This process works and has very little impact on the environment. I think they used it at a place called the Bill Wallace Wilderness area?? It is a fascinating process. It's a win win for everyone. I suppose the cost may be a hindrance.
I have finished all but the last 3 miles of GA. Metro and Luscious are in NC. There were 9 Hikers at the green dragon so I would say you are correct in assuming people are NOT registering with the ATC. There would be 3 other hikers who stayed in addition to that nine so I doubt half of all registered hikers stayed at green dragon hostel.
Some people want privacy and dont like big government organizations. I get it. I quit being a member of the NSS because the organization got political and quit being about caves and caving.
NC is waiting for me as well as the last 3 miles in GA.
It’s great to hear your progress!
I will have updates for you this weekend too. Working at Cherry Gap & Low Gap with the USFS this week.
That's great to hear, thanks for all you do!
No high fives, but I hope that you heal soon, brother.
Thanks for another interesting video, Ramdino.
You didn't say anything about your neck and back pain. I hope that means that you're no longer experiencing a problem.
Thanks! I'm doing much better now, but thanks for asking.
Like many others, I gave up on paying any attention to the ATC when they made some moves in 2020 that were completely unnecessary.
I missed what happened to your arm.. goodness! Im behind on videos. I like your ideas for the river etc. 👍
Looks like you're healing up well. That's great! Hey... how about using all those down trees for a couple new bridges or a new Overlook shelter Ha Ha... Thanks for the update. Be Well.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Was rhe dog Sadie ever found? Do you have a link for bright?
No high 5s, thanks again Ramdino
My pleasure!
Titanium good luck met you in the smokies last year on the AT nobo.
Seems like a lot of politics are running the AT. Maybe she will get replaced by someone that can keep their own politics out of Hiking.
There's potential for additional storms and flooding in the 10 day weather forecast around GA and NC. Be careful my friends.
Once again, great info! Glad you are feeling better. Would it be ok if I send my intro to you in a couple of weeks? If so, where should I send it?
forms.gle/BTXtyAz3nx5SmQKb8
and yes
It’s unlikely I would hike a closed section, simply because I don’t know the trail well enough. If it was an area I had hiked and I was confident about then I would approach with caution.
What are the spring rains going to do to those areas? No trees = no root systems.
Likely like New Mexico this year. We saw the aftermath of fires & lots of places closed because of floods.
lots of very expensive homes on ridges and vantage points in NC , corporate purchase and build/resale of damaged land encroaching the trail? the coast of NC is quitely reducing public access to the beaches. $$
Nine mile section?
Iron Mt. Gap to Unaka Mt. = 6.4 miles
Iron Mt. Gap to Cherry Gap LT = 3.1 miles
Therefore, max mileage would be 6.4 miles (if that).
Hi Ramdino, hope you are healing up. What are the repercussions for being in a "closed" section of trail? Thanks for all you do.
Well, the law says that they can fine you up to $5000 and/or imprisonment, but I have not heard of that occurring to anybody.
@Ramdinohikes WOW! Thanks for telling me. Hope your wrist is better soon.
@@DarrellSampson-s9m Carver Gap is packed almost daily. No enforcement of that totally unnecessary closure is made. Precedence has been made.
A ferry would be so much fun! The planners aren’t that creative. Lots of ferries on the Camino del Norte.
ATC spends a LOT if time working with communities, saving our forests from terrible invasive plants that will ruin our trail...please volunteer befire complaining. They are VERY professional during my 2 weeks volunteering..
I have volunteered and done dirt work on trail and we'll be back and do it again because it's about the trail maintainers and the camaraderie where we share for help and hikers none of that was brought about by the ATC trail maintainers would still be on the trail if the ATC didn't exist.
ATC needs to remember that hikers and the supporting communities share a symbiotic relationship; the communities evolved over the years to support the hikers and therefore the hikers need to be there to support the communities as well. If one abandons the other the whole thing just goes haywire. As long as it’s hike able and the closure isn’t established by a private landowner for some mitigating reason, I don’t see why not hike on through and give support along the way.
Well if the ATC is watching, perhaps they need a reminder that the treadway is there For The Hikers. That's why Benton Mackay built it 😊
Speedy healing to you Ramdino!
I knew someone who worked in a finance office for a "non-profit". The ATC is "in-it" for the staff mostly. Not them but many entities. Love the TV Ads for just send us $19 dollars a month. Sure they must spend money on their causes...sure many of their causes are great - Veterans - Struggling Animals - Disaster Relief ... but look at the public knowledge webpages for the Non-profit's salaries. -- $19 a mont of which about $16 dollars goes to Millionaire CEO's and officers and millions of $ toward assets like skyscrapers real-estate in NYC. - Just sayin.
I’m going to have to steal FOG’s trail name!!!
@@justjonoutdoors I can relate to that name also. It's a great one
OH SWEET MOTHER OF PEARL!!! A 3.6 mile yellow blaze walk around on a narrow road with no shoulder and truck traffic!!! More ATC guidance without confirmation.
ATC? Nobody goes to them for current trail info, we go to Dino! Thanx dude! Crackerjack.
You got it!
JD Vance was in Damascus today 👍
I hiked over a thousand miles in 2020, so I'm not worried about "closed" sections of the trail. I'll throw a phillips head screwdriver in my pack, just in case the ATC wants to lock up the privies again. Amateurs! 🤣
Interesting! I was on the trail for a. section in 2020 and yes we found a nice toilet in a National forest . The trail ran by it. It was more than a trail toilet in that there was a road crossing and pull for the public as well as a picnic table. The toilet was locked . Ridiculous! Near the toilet there was paper everywhere. Nasty! I put a sign on the door that said your government at work. Officials don’t give a s**t.
Thru hiker here. There are fewer thru hikers today because the Conservancy has lost touch with the rank and file hiker community. The ATC has never recovered from the disastrous decision to “forbid” AT hiking during COVID ( running completely counter to the original spirit of the Trail founders). They have focused on fund-raising and lobbying and infrastructure. There’s very little accountability to the hiker community. Until the ATC is responsive to hikers, the number of “official” hikers will continue to drop. The Conservancy board and salaried officers need a complete overhaul.
Maybe you making the comment about the road walk will kick them in the butt to do something different.
Doubtful
No bad mouthing the ATC from me this week. Don't want to trigger anyone about an organization that now turns you into a number to be in the woods to earn a paper degree for your wall.
Love ya, Ramdino, get well.
More whining. There wouldn’t be an AT without the ATC negotiating with private land owners, trail maintenance, shelter upkeep, privy upkeep, etc. I know if the ATC closed up you and all other self-righteous dinks would be crying about how bad the trail conditions are, the privies are overflowing, garbage left by hikers in all the shelters, etc. Grow up.
Thanks for your support, I appreciate it!
I bet all you ATC-hating folks would be crying and complaining about trail conditions if they up and left. I think most of you just need a boogey man to hate on, whether deserved or not. Kind of like a derangement syndrome. There wouldn’t be an AT without the ATC. Show some respect.
100%
East TN hiker here, expect the AT near Erwin, TN to be rerouted to some road walking.
@@jerrywinters6914 hope to see some of the people who came up with this road walk, try it themselves.
Fewer hikers, not less hikers
......Unaka.....
U.....nay.....ka
Not trying to be a negative person. I trust the ATC about as far as I can throw the semi trucks I drive.
After what the ATC did in 2020 and in the aftermath of Helene, I would never register with them. You're so right about the ATC, hikers and hiker towns are not their priority. We've stopped supporting the ATC entirely and will never do it again. I bet you the 100 year bag tag is going to going to be very woke.
"Woke"? Can we keep the culture war bullshit out of this please?
Men are darkness…
Sure your going lose some subscribers with that comment kat woman
✌️
*FEWER hikers. Grammar 101.F
The ATC is the reason why I don't do anything involving the ATC anymore. The people that need to know things know them when I hike now. Don't forget the Roan Mt. shelter crap to go along with your examples. I have tags up until 2020 and nothing after. You and others have brought them into the spotlight with their shady practices.