Hello to all === Is there any one out there starting on TAX DAY ??? Myself and one of my sons will be and it would be great to hear from any one else that is. Also any one from Cape Cod hiking the trail this year ??? Hike your Hike, Brother Buzz
Brother Buzz
My hike date is dependent on the arrival of my nephew, but it will be very close to that date. Hopt to see you out there!
reggaemylitis
An April 15 start date does not necessarily mean that you are cutting it close on getting to Katahdin before the snow does.
Mid April to mid October is 6 months. That’s enough time for most people. And, by starting in mid April you avoid the severe weather down south. I think it’s a great time to start NOBO. A week or two later might be even better, as you will avoid most of the herd going north until you catch up with them.
Peaks
I “plan” on hiking in less than 6 months anyway. I’d like to be done before October. Whatever happens happens.
reggaemylitis
I plan to start hiking April 5 - I’ve been slacking in the physical prep department, so I’ll be starting pretty slow - no doubt we’ll cross paths!
I also need to be done the trail in 6 months - y’all kick us Canadians out of the country after that amount of time! 
nunyet
nunyet
I use to think that starting that late in season was problematic but now I believe its ideal. Last season Mama Kin and I ran into several thru-hikers coming into the Collins shelter and Klingmans Dome areas first week of May.
Beautiful weather and less crowded yet still plenty of time to make it to Maine.
Neandertal
I plan on starting April 3rd or 4th. I am looking forward to seeing you all out there.
Big Slick
Big Slick
Well, you all know I had to jump in on this one, being an April starter myself (18th). You’re not even close to cutting it close. I spent 179 days on my 02 thru, finishing 10/13 in a blaze of Maine autumn. Wouldn’t do it any other way. March starters are crazy; full full shelters and cold cold temps. I never once had to worry about a full shelter or a full hostel, etc. Not once. Do it! Look at my dates on my journal and mark down some of the more significant benchmarks and then gauge how you’re doing. Everyone will tell you from the start “you’re never going to make it” “you’re kinda late aren’t you” - don’t let that get you down. I finished with people that started in March, April, May and some of the June starters beat me! Remember until recent times, an April start used to be “normal” (look at Earl Shaffer’s hikes)
Bluebearee
In 99 I started May 1st. Ya it was cutting it close, the parks dept. told us all we couldn’t go up Katahdin (and then sped away never to be seen again). Of course, 25 people who have walked almost 2200 miles weren’t going to go home without a shot at it. Anyway, if we got there 2 days earlier (Oct. 6) there wouldn’t have been a bit of snow. As it was, we summitted, froze our tails off, watched a bear cub run over the peak about 100 yds. away and then went home. April 15th gives you plenty of time. You may have a little snow at the end but that’s better than at the beginning. It also makes you look really burly when your summit photos are in 9 inches of snow
Red Wing
Good words Bluebearee… Buzzman. Imnot originally from the Cape but I’ll be out in Brewster to work for the summer. AHppy trails! ~ Ktr:cheers
Ktr
There be a one or two dozen on Springer on April 15th gonig NOBO. You won’t be alone. Good luck and have a great hike.
Erkel
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hikers I think summitted the year I did on the 15th of October under flawless blue skies, with dry trail under our feet.
You gotta weigh your options: get to maine in august and early sept and you are going to be swimming in lakes and enjoying wonderful northern summer.
Be in Maine in sept and Oct and the hills will be afire with red maples, you will swim a couple of times anyway, and it will be crisper at night.
I don’t think you want to be at home, done with your trip, when the seasons change to autumn. Check some photo galleries to see why. Above treeline in maine in a cold raging wind is an exhilirating thing on a fall day.
Every way you lose.
captain slackpack
if i had to pick the “best” day to start a thru it would be april 15. You miss the bad weather at the start and get to hike in new england in the fall. i started may 1 and finished october 4 hiking at a normal pace.
mr wonderful