Sex on the Appalachian Trail

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rasudduth/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

These are some responses to one question on my Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker Study relating to Sex on the Appalachian Trail. The question, (from Meusser’s 1989 study) was “The challenge to do the whole trail, the miles, being really tired, dirty and lacking amenities or privacy prompted one couple
to say, “There’s no sex on the trail: Do you have any comments?”

Overall, most respondents agreed that, yes, sex actually exists on the Appalachian Trail. Some folks weren’t so convinced, and a few folks had some “mixed messages” about the whole matter. Enjoy!

Disagree – Of course there’s sex on the Appalachian Trail

• These people were clearly having difficulties before beginning their hike. There is, in fact, plenty of sex on the trail.
• there is sex on the trail, there is privacy (heck your in a wilderness) i loved the lacking amenities, the miles, the dirt the mud
• there is sex on the trail… it’s not pretty, but it’s primal
• They’re weak minded and should stick to the shopping mall.
• Funny… I remember a friend saying something like ‘You know, the guys I talk to say there’s no sex on the trail, but that’s not what I hear from the women’. Of course, that probably has nothing to do with the gender distribution on the trail.
• Um…I’d say that statement is not entirely accurate. I mean, there’s no privacy in shelters, but there’s a lot of forest between GA and ME. And trail towns with hotel rooms.
• lies, dirty filthy unshowerd lies

Agree – There is no Sex on the Appalachian Trail

• There was indeed no sex being had by me on the trail.
• Sounds about right.
• I know of no “hook ups” during my entire trip. Just too tired and dirty.
• There was not sex for ME on the trail
• I didn’t have any!

Neutral?

• no comment
• No going there
• I began the hike with my fiance and we got married halfway through in harpers ferry. There is no sex, unless you are in town. You are just too damn tired to do anything but eat sleep and set up camp once you get there. More sex would have been great – especially for newlyweds – but it wasn’t happening!
• was never in that situation, but I honestly cannot imagine having any desire to be intimate during the hike!
• They pretty much had it right, but once you get to town
• if you aren’t tired by the time you stop, you need to keep hiking

So, what do you think? Do blue blaze trails serve multiple purpose? No-way, no-how?