Checking In and Fire Closures

Greetings from Erwin, TN and mile 1,847!

In response to the concerned calls and texts we have received in the last few days, we just wanted to post a quick update about our status on the trail. First, we are safe and have been in no immediate threat from the numerous fires in the southeast. We did hike fifteen miles through significant smoke on November 23rd, but we have been fortunate so far to be well out of harms way. I'm sad to say that others have not been so lucky. Our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives and homes in the Gatlinburg area, and our hearts break to know that the same forests and mountains that inspired this journey from our adolescence will be scarred by these fires for years to come.

Our plans for completing the trail are unclear at the moment due to trail closures in two areas. The trail through Great Smoky Mountains National Park (70.5 miles) is currently closed along with the park, and it is also closed due to several large fires from the Nantahala Outdoor Center in NC to Dick's Creek Gap in GA (67 miles). It is unclear when any of these sections might reopen as the trail might be unsafe due to downed trees and falling limbs or unnavigatable even after the fires are all out. We are watching notifications from the forest service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy to see what our options will be.

For now, we plan to hike five more days to the last road before GSMNP and to get a shuttle around the park if it is still closed. We will be able to do another 40 miles of open trail until the next closure. Then we will drive around to the remaining 70 miles in Georgia. We hope we can come out in the spring to hike any missed sections when they reopen and perhaps volunteer some time toward the needed trail work in the meantime. We might reach Springer Mountain, our finish line, in twelve days or twenty, but we will keep everyone posted as much as possible.

A friend of mine once wisely noted the competitive way that some hikers approach thru hiking the AT. She remarked that they saw their journey as a battle against the trail, and that it was foolish to imagine that you could ever triumph against it. People fail every year, but the trail remains. It was here before you were and will be here long after. And as I have explored the limits of human resilience, I can certainly say that she was right, and I hope that nature continues to surprise us with its resilience in the face of drought and fire.

If you are wondering how you can help this region, please consider donating to great organizations like the American Red Cross or simply learning more about how our environmental choices make forest fires like these more intense and frequent.