This is from what BL TOLD Gabby's friend. And if he said the "Appalachians" it was assuredly a lie. No one calls hiking the AT "in the Appalachians". It's not a mountain range, it's a trail. I really doubt BL has anywhere near the skills required to survive a winter on the AT, especially is he is moving north east which he most likely would be if he went there from FL.
And the weather will be getting colder, the leaves will soon be off the trees and freezing rain & snow will fall. I've lived along the AT all my life. There will soon be much fewer people but info on him has been well circulated through the outdoor community. There will also soon be lots of hunters out in the woods the next few months as the various seasonal hunts begin & end.
Example of AT NY area deer hunting seasons:
Deer and Bear Hunting Seasons - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
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There will always be people in the woods!
I also seriously question how much actual experience BL has in cold weather camping or, honestly, camping at all without a vehicle.
He's from Long Island! There are no mountains there. All the "camping" I've seen him do is his car camping in major tourist areas. I've never even seen them do a difficult or unpopular trail or even hikes in bad weather conditions.
IMO, BT is more of a "poser" and the principled ideals he mouths are purely aspirational. Now he may see himself that way. But that won't help him on Mt Washington in the winter. I don't think he has nearly the skills to survive on his own and certainly not without purchasing or being supplied with food, socks, warm clothes etc.