i am planning to leave sometime in march 09'. I know it is a long time away but i am trying to figure out if its better to go at the beginning or end of march (weather wise)?
_Josh_Best time to start hike?
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#1
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#2
March in the mountains is mixed. You'll have some 70 degree days and some 20 degree days. The earlier you start, the better chance you'll have of getting serious snow and ice storms. Even starting later, you will probably run into some snow and ice. We had a big snow storm in May in southern Virginia. On my first thruhike I had two snowstorms in the Smokies in April. If I were to do a NB hike again, I would start around April 10.
_Ginny_
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#3
End of March! The weather in north Georgia is very unpredictable in March (can be very cold - teens, very warm -70's, icey, sometimes snowy, frequently breezy, or drop-dead gorgeous) but is less subject to these wild extremes later in the month. If I were to thru-hike again, I'd follow Ginny's suggestion and leave mid-April and reduce the odds of these wild swings that much more.
_Matt_
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#4
I always suggest starting after St. Patrick's Day. The earlier you start the more likely you will have cold weather. Cold weather means more gear, more down time and likely more zero days in hotels, which means more money. If you can leave closer to April so much the better. It will be cold at night even in April.
_bilko_
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#5
Depends on what kind of weather you like. I prefer the cold to the heat. So I started my thru on March 3rd & kept ahead of the hot weather all the way. Worked really well for me & I would do it again !
_Kaptain Kangaroo_
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#6
maybe even february?.....i think i'd vote with kaptain kangaroo.....yes!....the weather can be tricky in late winter/early spring....and yes...you must be prepared for the worst.....but i so think it's worth gettin' out there earlier!.....paw-ee and i left out feb 22 in '03 and feb 13 in '06 and loved it!.....you get GREAT, clear vistas, beautiful snow scenes....ALL the spring wildflowers (for an extended season as you hike north).....very LITTLE poison ivy.....fewer bugs and mice....better accomodations.....cooler hiking temps......more water in the springs....and less crowds!.....you do miss the autumn colors up north, but you could always catch the glory of the fall foliage on another trail after you get home.....i definitely would suggest 'EARLY'..... (just carry 'yaktrax' and 'hand warmers'!)
_maw-ee_
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#7
Miss the worst of the heat, bugs, unpredictable snow, bugs, snakes, bugs, crowds, bugs. And get fall colours and views through the trees. Start mid July and go SOBO!
_Kea_
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#8
We hiked NoBo in 2007, April 30th-Sept 27th. Starting a bit later meant we missed the crowds and cold. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
_stitch_and_figgy_