I will be hiking the AT from Neels Gap to USFS71 at Chunky Gal Trail in North Carolina in 4 weeks. Anyone been on that section of the trail lately to know the conditions? Are any of the shelters better (or worse) than average? Any to avoid? All advice appreciated.
Zydecajun
Bono is going thru there now…you might find what you are looking for in his journal. just type his name in the search area on the journal page.
Sounds like cold, but no snow as of his last entry.
jt
jt
Zydecajun,
The shelters are located fairly convenient mileagewise and while some are newer and nicer, none are really bad (if you don’t want to stay in them, tent nearby with usually other hikers and good water supplies.
In Georgia the weather can change very much, within a day, prior to around April 1ST. You could have very warm days to nightly lows in the single digets just depending.
Look at some of the gear lists of prior and current hikers. You will not need a lot of clothes as you hike, but will need warm clothes for breaks, around camp and sometimes to supplement your bag.
Hope this helps and also read “Bono” as jt stated. Good journals and accounts of weather for January.
This section is a beautiful and fun section, but take it easy in the start with mileage, I would just target shelters. Have a great hike !!
Happyhiker
Just south of the stream at Muskrat Creek Shelter there is a ridge line ideal for tents or tarps. It’ll depend on the wind because at times it doesn’t offer much protection. But the view is wonderful. That’s a nice shelter too with close by water. Have a nice hike, that’s a pretty area.
BR
I forgot to add, Neel’s Gap has a little weather info box at their site: www.mountaincrossings.com or you could email them for the current conditions up higher, or other info you might need.
Hope you enjoy your hike! jt
jt