While it is true that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the nonprofit that helps manage the path and the lands surrounding it, has advised hikers to stay off the southernmost 865 miles, or its lower third, it is not true that those miles are destroyed. Sources I spoke to talked of toppled trees, down branches, and flooding.
Did Hurricane Helene Really Destroy One-Third of the Appalachian Trail?
https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/appalachian-trail-hurricane-helene-damage/
2 Comments
satanmat@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y
No
People are advised to avoid the lower third as those areas were so heavily impacted
MysteriousSophon21@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
The AT isn't "destroyed" but sections are legitimately impassable with bridges out, landslides, and dangerous deadfall - check the ATC's official closure map before heading out since they're updating it regurarly with specific section statuses.