I’m thinking of going down to Georgia in Apr-May when everyone starts their 2006 thu-hikes of the AT. I figured I’de go out there for a week or so, make some friends, and maybe meet up with people later in the season when they get up to the mid-Atlantic region.
What would be the best time do start the trail in order to run into the most people?
Thanks,
Bob
Bob
Bob there are folks who start in may and do just fine. You have yer fastpackers or folks who want to enjoy the spring temps. Nothing wrong with their style of hiking. many of them past me in 04, and i had 800 miles on my belt.
so you could go about any time and meet folks. a weekend start would help and shelter hopping. I still bet in mid april you could load up at Hawk Mt and Mt Crossings.
expect cool nights and rain…dry days will be warm at ridgeline if you don’t have a breeze going.
you can also check start dates closer to jan-feb…most post when they are starting…go when the bulk goes. meet them online and plan a tad, shake hands when ya meet…bring a gift…early trail magic is great!
burn
Laurie at ATC said at a presentation a couple of years ago that the prime starting dates are the 1st and 15th and any of the weekends in March through mid-April.
Ginnny
like Burn said, a lot of people on the 1st and the 15th and the weekends around those dates. Plus there’s a chance when you hike that week that you’ll catch some good weather.
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