How cold would a February 3rd start be?
Two tone
Feb - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Two Tone, We started on Jan. 13,in 2001 and will start this year on Feb. 21. Winter hiking is the best for us.
I know of atleast one hiker that started Jan. 1 this year and three that are starting early Feb.
Comer & Jean
system
#3
The chances are really good that you will have some snow and ice and a lot of cold nights. How much can’t be known now. But you will have winter weather off and on for the next three months. You won’t be hiking with spring until northern Virginia, if then. You also will have some very long nights. It gets dark at 5:00 and doesn’t get light until about 7:00 a.m. That makes for short days with low mileage and very very long nights.
Ginny
system
#5
Sunset on Feb 3 at Springer is 6:03pm and civil twilight ends at 6:33pm. Sunrise is at 7:32am. Plenty of hiking time. It’s not as bad as people make it to be.
Most people who start in the winter end up taking time off in towns during harsh winter weather, which you will get. You will also get beautiful days. Bugs will be less of a problem in winter.
nrkybill
system
#6
well, let us see here… hummm… COLD!!!
and a damm fine ‘cold’ it is. Cold enough to make the ground hard and not mucky like it is after the first spring rains start. Cold enough to drive most hikers away so you have shelter space. Cold enough that shoes/boots freeze solid every night. Cold enough that you can walk over dozens of lakes in New England. Cold enough that bladder hoses usually freeze up. Cold enough to freeze about half or more of the water sources near the shelters. Cold enough to see your breath most of the time. For me, cold enough to be perfect!
ga-me feb14, '03
ga-me feb 14, '04
ga-nh dec 29, '04/05
ga nobo jan xx, '07
hellkat