I have hiked about 1700 miles along the AT, seen Springer Mountain, GA to Carlisle, PA plus NJ, and always solo. But it was never my first time in the woods. I went on a 50 mile canoe trip in northern Wisconsin and saw my first black bears with the BSA. I grew up next to the state forest and took frequent day hikes, bikes, and cross country ski trips through the forest. I cut through my neighbors yard to reach the trails, including the Ice Age Trail, other hiking trails, horse trails, and snowmobile trails.
I have seen 4 venomous snakes on the AT. I prefer rattlesnakes to copperheads. A rattlesnake at least gives you an audible warning, so I consider the rattlesnake to be the gentleman of the venomous snakes. I heard and then saw one rattlesnake right in the middle of the AT in NJ, and stopped in time thanks to the warning. Pretty much the same thing happened on the Great Allegheny Passage near Ohiopyle, PA, but I was trying to stealth camp in a grassy area behind some bushes. I had to turn my head all the way and twist my torso to see the snake.
When I was in NJ, I camped a short way off the trail. After dark, I heard heavy breathing outside my tent. I asked in a loud voice, "Who goes there? Are you a dog?" By the time I got out my light and tiny Gerber folding knife with a 2 inch blade, the source of the noise was gone. Later I head loud music nearby, which I protested loudly and even threw in an obscenity. Later that day I met a guy who told me about a bear who had wandered into his camp, and how he had chased it off with loud music.
Even though I have never had a traveling companion while hiking the AT or biking the GAP, I have very seldom been alone. I have wandered the AT in all 12 months, but January was only a day hike on an unusually warm day. Sometimes I may see the same person on consecutive nights, but it is usually the exception. Many of my hikes are multiday section yoyos, so sometimes people tell me I am going the wrong way. I tell them I will go the right way the next day.
I have seen 4 venomous snakes on the AT. I prefer rattlesnakes to copperheads. A rattlesnake at least gives you an audible warning, so I consider the rattlesnake to be the gentleman of the venomous snakes. I heard and then saw one rattlesnake right in the middle of the AT in NJ, and stopped in time thanks to the warning. Pretty much the same thing happened on the Great Allegheny Passage near Ohiopyle, PA, but I was trying to stealth camp in a grassy area behind some bushes. I had to turn my head all the way and twist my torso to see the snake.
When I was in NJ, I camped a short way off the trail. After dark, I heard heavy breathing outside my tent. I asked in a loud voice, "Who goes there? Are you a dog?" By the time I got out my light and tiny Gerber folding knife with a 2 inch blade, the source of the noise was gone. Later I head loud music nearby, which I protested loudly and even threw in an obscenity. Later that day I met a guy who told me about a bear who had wandered into his camp, and how he had chased it off with loud music.
Even though I have never had a traveling companion while hiking the AT or biking the GAP, I have very seldom been alone. I have wandered the AT in all 12 months, but January was only a day hike on an unusually warm day. Sometimes I may see the same person on consecutive nights, but it is usually the exception. Many of my hikes are multiday section yoyos, so sometimes people tell me I am going the wrong way. I tell them I will go the right way the next day.
I am human and I need to be loved - just like everybody else does
I saw all the AT from Springer to the Mason Dixon line, and never heard banjo music. 
