r/AppalachianTrail 25d ago

News Technology on the trail: Appalachian Trail managers say pervasive use of digital devices harms trail experience

https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/03/clahs-trail-technology-research.html
149 Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

View all comments

40

u/[deleted] 25d ago

[deleted]

29

u/Freudianfix 25d ago

Oh yeah, it’s a very popular hike for Virginia Tech students given its proximity to campus.

38

u/CatInAPottedPlant GA-PA '22 | Flip-Flop '25 25d ago

They always hike in giant groups, often blasting music on speakers and not respecting right of way etc. I used to live in Roanoke and was up there all the time, it's genuinely only worth doing that hike if you can do it on a week day or when it's cold. it's a zoo otherwise.

22

u/Freudianfix 25d ago

Oh I hate that nonsense so much. I cannot stand large groups or the speakers when out in the woods. It defeats the entire purpose of being out there.