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Photo Courtesy of virginiaplaces.org

One reason that the Appalachian Trail is so famous is the the way in which it forces its travelers to become close to one another.

Hikers are required to stay in the designated camping areas along the trail, which are spaced out anywhere from 5-9 miles apart.

One reason that I am excited to spend some time alone on the trail is the because I will be allowed to tag along with different groups, couples or single backpackers who are on their own excursion.

It is almost comparable to the new online phenomenon, ChatRoulette.com, where visitors are paired up with a total stranger to either 'next,' or chat a bit with.

While the chance that your 'stranger' in the shelter may be a serial killer, (two female hikers were killed in January, 2003 in Shenandoah National Park) most often hikers are friendly and willing to even lend you food or other supplies if need be.

Bill Bryson, author of the novel "A Walk in the Woods", talks about the friends that he met on the trail being the friendliest people that he has run into. One story that he tells circles around a solo hiker that followed him and his partner for nearly fifty miles of the trail.

While Bryson describes the girl as "thoroughly annoying", he tells the reader of how much of an asset she was with her advice and all of the food she lent out.

Overall, these shelters to me will be a way to discover a different aspect of American culture. Being able to see complete strangers interact (whether positively or negatively) will give me a really unique perspective on how the breed of 'backpackers' are in general.

I look forward to the experience, and hope that I don't run into any 'creepers' along the way. What do you guys think ,will mace suffice?

All of the Appalachian Trail shelters are cataloged online, where their coordinates are mapped out precisely for any hiker to pick and choose their hiking schedule for the day, I will definitely be taking advantage of this!

Best Travels,
Matthew