There’s a quiet magic that lives along the Appalachian Trail (AT)—a thread of wildness, history, and human determination that weaves its way through 14 states, from the misty peaks of Georgia to the granite heights of Maine. At over 2,190 miles, the AT is not just a footpath; it’s a pilgrimage, a rite of passage, and one of the greatest long-distance hiking trails on Earth Each year, thousands of people set out to hike a portion of the trail. Some are thru-hikers, aiming to complete the entire trek in one go. Others are section hikers or day trippers, drawn to a particular summit, shelter, or moment of solitude. But all…