A good chunk of the southeastern US got hit hard by Hurricane Helene. I’ve spent time hiking in that area in recent years, and I have friends there.
Figure 1: “Bridge in Erwin, TN Washed Away” by The Trek
The southern third of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail is closed: Appalachian Trail Updates. Bridges I’ve crossed have washed away: Video of a washout. Hiker hostels are closed. I’m sure there are thousands of trees to clear and other damage for the trail clubs to repair. This article from The Trek shows some of the devastation on the southern appalachian trial. Unbelievable. I’ve been to all the places shown. This blog has some pictures from one of my trips to Erwin. As a hiker, I feel for all the SOBOs (Southbounders) and flip-floppers who took six months off life to hike the trail. I met some of them a few weeks ago while on a training hike. Those hikes are not gonna happen this year (and next?) south of Virginia.
Hiking depends on a support system
Long distance hikers rely on a network of support: shuttle drivers, hostels, Dollar Generals, as well as emergency rescue services and local hospitals.
Some of the hostels were underwater1, and at least one hospital was flooded. Bridges are out, and there are undoubtedly thousands of trees that need to be cleared. Emergency services will be slow at best, and possibly non-existent. Fall and hit your head and need to go to the hospital? Get lost and need to call for help with your GPS-enabled pager? Break three ribs? (These examples are not made up .) You MIGHT get help and rescue services, or you might not.
There’s a bigger picture
Communities depend on a much larger support system that includes roads, stores, power, hospitals, commerce, insurance, government, churches, neighbors, friends, and family. Right now, much of that network is down across an entire region of the country. They need time and assistance to rebuild.
Normalcy is one of the conditions that allows hikers to take the moderate risks they choose to take in better days. I’ve visited many of the affected communities recently. I’ve appreciated the experiences I’ve had there, the people I’ve met, and the support they’ve provided me. For now, though, restoring normalcy in the broader context is the priority.
Appreciate the support structures you have. You often don’t think about them until they’re gone.
Footnotes
1 Uncle Johnny’s was under water. I’ve stayed there.