Outside magazine: Hiking the AT during the ‘20 pandemic

[HkNewman]

Story of one hiker completing that trail this year while it may not have been legal in some areas (ironically the AT reopened upon his completion) and officially frowned upon by the ATC.   Some besides the trials and tribulations (more packweight for one), there’s some differing philosophies … at the expense of pondering belly-button lint perhaps.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2415299/appalachian-trail-thru-hikers-2020-coronavirus?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Dispatch-07022020&utm_content=Final&utm_term=dispatch

[HkNewman]

Note before sending any nastygrams, the entire AT will be officially open in a few days (for now), and in general, American travel (mostly road trips using cheap gasoline) is expected to break records this summer.  Think it’s more RV – car camping based though.

[Jacob]

expected to break records this summer

Was trying to get a hotel room last minute in palm springs for work for a Tuesday night and my first choice was fully booked.

Also the local REI has lines going out the store and signs up with lists of sold out items, many of them backpacking related like sawyer minis and squeezes.

[HkNewman]

the local REI has lines going out the store

Stove fuel is sold out in multiple REIs where I’m posting from … helping family but getting ready to get out for a couple weeks.  It doesn’t help that the travel industry is begging for customers, so can’t fault hikers that much.

Just received notification I should consider a Texas vacation despite their reclosing (plus the fact their summer is hot and humid like a sauna in Hades .. aka Houston)

[AK Granola]

That guy seems like a selfish jerk! I’ve never had the opportunity to do a big hike like the AT, but I’m disgusted with the pure entitlement; does that just go with the trail? He doesn’t even care if he makes someone sick.

[Ken Thompson]

Outside is a rag. People magazine for the semi outdoorsy

[HkNewman]

Not a fan of the entire magazine (the gear section is pretty much advertising), but their name is big enough to get direct interviews with newsmakers.

Like all magazines each story is either enjoyable or at least interesting to read … or not.   At least they have a big online presence so I don’t need to skim at the magazine aisle (speed read but at least I buy a soda).

[Author]

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