Hi im interested in knowing more about a good late season start date going south bound. what is the best time of year to start a south bound hike to avoid bad weather and so forth. being on the west coast i have never really noticed much of the weather in the north east or east at all. would a late July early Aug be too late to start a thru hike south bound if so what would i encounter? and what would be the latest date to start ?
Thanks in advance.
Chemical Burn
_Chemical Burn_ I started SOBO in 2009 on August 3. This was the earliest I could start. I encountered deep snow in North Carolina for over 100 miles and finished on an icy New Years Eve. There were days when it was cold enough to freeze my water bottles solid. If I were to hike over again I would probably start a good two weeks earlier. No regrets though. Southbound hikes tend to be cold hikes IMHO. Enjoy the trail my friend.
_Snags_ I started june 19th, and when I do it again i'll start july 19. Try to miss the sqeeters in ME
_Farsang_ flip it. Start in Virginia hike to harpers ferry. time it so you can hike into harpers ferry around mid to late July. Later the better. Train into D.C. Plane into Portland, Maine, Bus to Millinocket. Hike south. Skip your section in Virgina. and finish SOBO. Bugs cant be avoided, There everywhere, but some cold weather can. I would start Early June with this Plan. Muffin Man SOBO '08
_muff_ The other positive to this is that you're in shape by the time you hit Maine, and Maine is ****ing Brutal when you're starting your hike there. You don't want to have to carry 10 or 11 days worth of food thru the 100 mile wilderness. I did it, I was hungry and it sucked. The more you hike down south and the later you go thru Maine, the fewer bugs, less mud, and you might see some leaves changing up north. you could get two Autumns if you time it write. email me if you have any questions. Muff
_muff_