[almog]

Right, you might have to pitch early or late to find a decent camping ground, but that would only apply the Alabama road walking part (which is 220 mile long and part of it goes through forests so it's even less). I still think that wouldn't change my rough calculation that could align with him continuing along the ECT.

[brudgers]

Walking along the road with a backpack is more than enough to stop a deputy sheriff pretty much every where in the south. Areas in proximity to the AT are exceptional not typical.

I am not disagreeing with your theory. Just thinking about what walking is like in the south and how it differs from other parts of the US based on nearly a lifetime living there and meaningfully traveling the west in recent years.

[almog]

Got it now. I wonder if it's likely that a deputy sheriff would keep a record of such encounter, during which I assume, they might ask a hiker to provide identifying details.

[brudgers]

A hiker from Baton Rouge is less likely to be caught at unawares and more likely to talk through an encounter. Anyway the odds of someone making paperwork for themselves is pretty low in a chance encounter.