i am interested in the 2004 class. i know it is months away, but i am wondering already, when you folks are planning on jumping off the couch and onto the trail. I jokingly put april fools day, but i have no ideal within me to thruhike, but would like to hike a few states in 2004 and maybe keep in touch with you all as you travel in your thruhike. i should do GA this year even tho i quit because i am a “Puss”, but have been training, so next year maybe VA or TN/NC.
Burnfucious
March 1st with Bloody Cactus 
yippeeeeeeeeee!!!
(but, shoot, it’s gonna be COOOOOOLLLLLLLDDDDDD)
Joy
FEB 22nd!!! Rock steady.
Neels Gap on night four.
Deep gap on night seven.
From there… we’ll see.
nathan
Tentatively set at 2/29, but may be as early as 2/22, or as late as 3/1 or so…
So, that equates to, 143 days to go (2/29 start), 136 days (2/22) or 144 days (3/1)…not that I am counting or anything…
airferret
airferret
MARCH 1ST BABY!! I’ll be seeing quite a few of you apparently. 144 days til the first white blaze. I actually have the countdown on my cell phone. I know; It’s an obession.
C-Giddy
April 1st is a foolish day to start since it’s the biggest start day (I heard 200+ in 2003) If I’d thru hike again i’d start in early march, unless you like crowds. Good luck with the planning! You’ll love it no matter what day you start! It’s an adventure of a lifetime! Peace!
Flowcefus
I was getting worried about you! I hadn’t heard from you in awhile! Hang out and leave with us on March 1! If not, I’m sure we’ll see each other out there
Woo-hooo 144 days left!
Joy
I started March 1st in 1994, along with 12 other people. Of that group, 4 dropped in the first few days, but the other 7-8 went all the way! I wont say that the March first’ers are a tougher crowd (due to the weather), but I believe the average is still 15% of those starting finish in the same year.
30-30
GAME 94
GAME 04
30-30
How come it seems like everyone is starting earlier each year? Back in the eighties, the vast majority started in April. It seems now the majority start in mid-early March. I wonder why?
Z-Man
Mark me down for March 15th. A little later than most of my 2004 Hiker buddies, but still earlier than the April crowd.
Crystal
Z-Man, i think it might have to do with a majority of the people wanting to avoid the crowds by starting early. As more people do this, the crowds just start earlier. I don’t know…just an idea.
C-Giddy
Could the earlier start date be in part because of the advances in gear technology? I remember camping and backpacking in the 70s and 80s and blue jeans and Coleman stoves were pretty standard gear. The weight was high and the margin of error was low. Now with new kinds of clothing, lightweight stoves and tents, water-resistant sleeping bags and the like it seems easier to start facing cold weather and know that you’ll get through it okay. Just a thought, Joel.
Joel
If I hike into Damascus next year (for trail days), I’ll be starting in early April (maybe the 1st), at the latest.
If not, I’ll see you fools at Trail Days, and maybe up in some of the northern sections of the trail I missed this year!
bearbait
I’m planning on leaving in March also. Don’t know exact day yet. Waiting on a planned trip to Mexico to start my adventure. Going from Victoria Mexico to springer MTN?? Seems logical to me. Any live around AL want to do some short hikes through the winter?
Dakota “Kody” Kelly
Hey Kody…where in AL? If you’re from east AL I would be interested in getting together and hiking some. I’m from NW GA but have done some hiking in AL and am thinking of thru-hiking the AL section of the Pinhoti Trail over my winter break. Let me know…
Lauren