Hurricane Helen's damage to the Appalachian Trail is “historic” and could take years to repair, the trail's conservation group said.
The 3,200-mile trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, typically draws millions of visitors each year to hike it and stop at the many towns along the way. new york times reported.
The devastating storms and flash floods claimed more than 1,000 lives. 220 people The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), which spans six states, is now encouraging people to hike the first 1,300 miles north.
“Hurricane Helen left significant destruction on the southern Appalachian Trail (AT) landscape and surrounding communities,” the conservation group said. saidadded that the group's first priority is to ensure the safety of its own staff and members.
The group said Helen was “the largest natural disaster in terms of geographic impact” to impact the trail in its 100-year history.
ATC President and CEO Sandy Mara said, “We are anxious and anxious as we continue to work diligently on the work needed to repair the portions of AT affected by Helen. I ask for your patience.”
Unreal! Entire building washed away in Helen's floodwaters, smashed into power pole
Chris Faber/Times Bar & Coffee/TMX
“Critical infrastructure such as water, electricity, and internet must be fully restored and roads cleared to allow ATC and partners to assess trail conditions. As soon as it is safe to access the AT, We will identify sections and features that need attention and recruit volunteers to help repair the trail.”
In collaboration with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and other state and local partners, ATC will work to restore the trail, but for now, ATC is asking hikers and visitors to stay off the trail. I advise you to do so. It starts from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Rockfish Gap in Virginia.
“The scope and scale is historic,” Mara said. times. “I can’t imagine that being the norm in 2025.”
Even if the trail were completely safe, AT hiker Gary Sizer told the magazine that “nobody” would be able to hike the trail without small towns to serve as pit stops along the way.
“Without these communities, no one would be able to hike the Appalachian Trail,” Sizer said. “The whole experience is a series of three- to five-day backpacking trips. When you get to the city, you meet some people. The hikers form a community.”
Mara suggested hikers choose other trails outside the disaster area, saying, “There are people literally struggling for water and food. Why put a strain on an already broken system? Is that so?”
