Good morning!!!
I am thinking seriously about a 2005 thru-hike. I am trying to decide on a start date. I want to make a 4-6 month adventure out of this. I almost hiked the trail in 2003, only to change my mind at the last minute do to lucrative offer from my employer. I was wondering what the best start date is. I would like to go to Trail Days in Damascus. Any input would be great.
Thanks,
Chebon White
AKA: Quill
Chebon
If you want to avoid a mass exodus from Springer, avoid early March (plus it’s cold…brrr). I wish I’d started later, like mid to late April, when the crowd has thinned slightly (and it was warmer). Of course, there’s always the southbound option. Lot’s of past AT thruhikers emailed me urging me to start later, wish I’d listened :boy
Cheers!!
Ross
Chebon,
Yes, I am too planning a 05 NOBO hike. I am living here in Murfreesboro, TN having just moved from Oklahoma to prepare. Work has kept me from doing the hike for the last ten years. However, I’ve decided that the AT would not become a pipe dream.
Keep me posted of your plans.
I am contemplating beginning the hike mid-February or early March. The weather doesn’t scare me too much as I’ve lived in Minnesota for 7 years.
Jason
Jason Bivin
Choose whatever dates work for you. There are pros and cons to early and late dates. I like your idea of taking 4-6 months. We are going to take 6 - 7 months. We want to experience the trail not rush through it. We will hitch back to Trail Days from wherever we may find ourselves. You may never get another chance to thru hike. Enjoy it!!
The Great Whazoo
Like the Great Whazoo, I plan on taking 6 months or so and seeing as much as possible. Going to leave March 1st which means a little cold and maybe a little snow. But hiking in the snow is a wonderfully peaceful experience. :cheers
Snowdog
I’m heading out in late Februrary to take in some winter camping in 05. I totally agree with Snowdog. The whole world changes in the snow. It really is beautiful. That, and Georgia in February is a slightly warmer in Ottawa, Canada, at that time of year. 
Jeff T
February 1st is the best time to head out for a NB thru-hike, that way you don’t have to burn the miles every day, it gives you a little more time and you can take it easier than if you would have started in April.
Wounded Dog
Anyone who follows my posts know I always recommend an April start. I left April 18th, had 10 zeros on the trail and 13 off trail for family events and still made it by Oct 13th. If I were to hike again (always a distinct possibility) I wouldn’t leave any earlier than April 1st, but anytime in the first two weeks of that month I think are ideal. I had no snow on my entire hike (and I like snow, but not for an AT thru-hike IMO) and no crowded shelters (hostels, etc) ANYwhere. Walk into Trail Days if you leave first week of April.
Bluebearee
Those from up North that think it isn’t cold here in the South, don’t factor in the to the bone WET cold. We have gulf breezes, winter and summer. The temp might not be that low, but the cold is exceptional. The coldest I have ever been was in Florida in Feb. and the temp was 40.
Rocky Reiner
We had temps hover around 10* at night in Georgia/North Carolina, very cold indeed (maybe not for a Canadian, I’m English). We even got caught in this years snowstorm (one of many I’m sure, I’m talking about peak thruhiking season) in the Smokies, even the Mainers didn’t enjoy that one. So, it can still be very cold into late march and early april, just something to consider.
Cheers!! :cheers
Ross
everybody has a good point… it’s good to read people’s journals who have left at different times and see their experiences. I was planning for early march departure… it can be beautiful… but extremely unpredictable and crowded. I will be leaving end of march/ first week april.
see ya out there…
greenie