Here’s a very recent survival story that you can learn from so it doesn’t happen to you.
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The famous Appalachian Trail runs from Newfoundland, Canada through the following US States:
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Approximately 3,000 people try to hike the entire 2,050-mile Appalachian Trail each year.
And on rare occasions, the Appalachian Trail attracts criminal elements who cowardly prey on UNARMED Appalachian Trail hikers.
In April 2019, 30-year old James Jordon was arrested in Unicoi County, Tennessee, for threatening a group of Appalachian Trail hikers. Jordon who by the trail name of ‘Sovereign,’ was charged with criminal impersonation, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sherriff Mike Hensley of Unicoi County stated Jordon was not charged with assault towards the hikers because the victims refused to press charges and refused to appear in court.
Sherriff Mike Hensley stated “I just want the families of the victims to know that I did everything in my power to get him off of the trail.” And this is what Jordon did to Appalachian Trail hikers almost a month later in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Smyth County, Virginia.
On 10 May 2019 (Friday), James L. Jordon approached 04 hikers on the Appalachian Trail. One anonymous victim stated “He was acting disturbed and unstable, and was playing the guitar and singing.”
The 04 hikers made camp near the trail. On 11 May 2019 (Saturday) Jordon approached them again. The affidavit states: “Jordan spoke to the hikers through their tents and threatened to pour gasoline on their tents and burn them to death.”
The 04 hikers / campers in fear for their lives, packed their gear and attempted to evade for safety. Jordon chased a man and a woman through the woods and returned back to the campsite to the other 02 hikers / campers.
Jordon argued with victim #01 and stabbed victim #01. Victim #02 witnessed the stabbing and evaded. Jordon ran after victim #02, where he caught up to victim #02 and stabbed victim #02. Victim #02 fell to the ground playing dead. Victim #02 was later retrieved by 02 hikers where all 03 trekked 06-miles to Smyth County where they called police and reported the crimes.
Victim #01 was pronounced dead at the campsite with the knife laying near the body. Jordon was tracked down and arrested. He had blood stains on his clothing and was identified by all the victims.
The next day (Saturday), the initial 02 evading victims were interviewed and gave their testimony as Jordon being the man who chased them yielding a weapon (knife).
James L. Jordon was arrested, detained and charged in US District Court in Abingdon, Virginia with:
- 01 count of murder
- 01 count of assault with the intent to murder.
James L. Jordon won’t be a threat to any Appalachian Trail hikers or anyone else anymore. But these attacks and murder could have been prevented.
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How To Prevent These Attacks!
First, let me cover the following data. I’m going somewhere with this data so hang on. The Appalachian Trail runs through all the following US States:
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State Concealed Carry Permit Concealed Carry Permit Not Required
Connecticut YES
Georgia YES
Maine YES
Maryland YES
Massachusetts YES
New Hampshire YES
New Jersey YES **
New York YES
North Carolina YES
Pennsylvania YES
Tennessee YES
Vermont YES
Virginia YES
West Virginia YES
** = Permits to carry concealed weapons are very restrictive
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Some or most of the states allow non-residents with Carry Concealed Permits from their home state to carry a concealed weapon in their state. For example, Georgia honors Concealed Carry Permits from 32 other states. That’s mighty nice and smart from the great state of Georgia. No doubt, that allowance has enhanced Georgia’s economy and self-protection of their citizens and visitors.
Now what if all those 04 Appalachian Trail hikers / campers had Concealed Carry Permits, were confident in their close quarter marksmanship and ALERTED / WARNED James Jordon that they were ‘Armed and FEARED FOR THEIR LIVES’?
James Jordon would have retreated or he’d be DEAD or seriously incapacitated. And in my book (no I’m not a lawyer), the person or persons defending themselves, had lawful justification to defend themselves.
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BOTTOM LINE: The attacks and murder of the 04 Appalachian Trail hikers / campers would have never taken place if the 04 hikers / campers were armed.
In my many writings with respect to defending yourself, I’ve stated: “We are not living in ‘Leave It To Beaver Land’ where there is no crime.” You can’t depend on law enforcement to be there in a blink of an eye to protect you. You have to have means to protect yourself and your loved ones at all times Anytime Anywhere.
Now what if you don’t want to carry a concealed weapon? Damn, I’ve always said carry a primary and secondary weapon. Carry mace and a stun gun. How about a walking staff, trekking poles and a machete? Carry something to defend yourself. Odds are extremely high, nobody is going to bother you. But then again – “You just never know!”
Here are a few blog posts links that are worthy of your survival attention:
- “How To Plan Your Outdoor Adventure!”
- “09 NEVER Get Lost Navigation Tricks!”
- “84+ True Crime Stories Made Into Movies!”
- “15 Isolated Lone Survivors Who Beat The Killer Odds!”
- “12 Real Survival Tragedies You Have To Know!”
- “Home Invasion Self-Defense That Works!”
- “Save My Life… Survival Program!”
I also suggest that you go to the “Table Of Contents” and take a good look over the other wilderness survival blog posts under the Category – ‘Wilderness Survival.’
Article Source: Internet (multiple sources)
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