February start appalachian trail

imported
#1

Question: sorry to be dense – is there a thread or something that describes the weather & trail conditions for an early start on the AT? February 1 for instance? Anecdote or statistical will work.

Trail Bum

#2

I started on January 31st and experienced some snow and colder weather 20’s and 30’s in the Georgia mountains. In the Smokies 10" of snow and temps in the single digits in the morning. But there were some very beautiful days also. I’m from Wisconsin and the cold really didn’t bother me that much. One other thing to consider is that you will be alone much of the time.
Hobbit '07

Hobbit

#3

A couple of years ago a hiker named “Rocket” did an early start I believe it was January and posted a very good journal here. It would be full of useful information for you.

Big B

#4

I remember finding some almanac data for past years somewhere online, to get an idea of temp highs and lows. Look for Suches, GA. I left in April, saw data showing single digits in some years, took my 15F bag and down vest, and was very glad I did.

Garlic

#5

Pick out towns along the trail and check out The Weather Channel on-line. They chronical historical highs and lows for every month of the year. But in a nutshell, doggone cold, and worse, wet!

Matt

#6

And don’t forget to subtract 3-4 degrees for every 1000 feet the trail climbs above a town!

Matt

#7

I started mid February in 05 and encountered several snow storms. Nothing major but enough to cover the trail especially in the Smokies. It can slow you down a lot. The hardest part was the short days, it gets dark so early that there is a lot of shelter time so bring a book. And you won’t see many people out on the trail yet so I hope you don’t mind being alone. That said, it can be very enjoyable and beautiful.

Apple Pie

#8

You can read some journals on here (Red Dane) stared in January. I have been hiking 30 years in winter in the Ga. to Va. areas and have had trips with 80 degree days in Ga. on Jan first and six below zero in the Hot Springs area on Jan first. I have also woke up to three feet of snow in the Mount Rogers area in April. The southern A T can be great in winter hiking but can really throw you some very cold windy and snowy days. Never under estimate what could happen and be prepared for the worst.

winter person

#9

I applaud those people that had success leaving January, February or early March. However, if you look at old journals of people leaving early, you will find most had a difficult time and gave up or left the trail for a month or so before coming back. It is lonely early, it requires more food, equipment, clothing and money. For some (from Wisconsin, Maine, etc.) it is a great time of the year. Some leaving early have cold, rain and snow for 3 months. The bright side of it, not so much heat the last 2-3 months. Go to old journals and read for yourself, very informative and entertaining.

Bilko

#10

I Started 2 thruhikes in Feb. 05 and 07. Completed both and did not have a lot more trouble than the people that started later. Did deal with some snow in the Smokies but had smaller crowds, more room in the towns and hostels. Enough people for a good experience but very little crowding and cooler temps in Pa… Really Any time is a good time to do the AT.

Butch Cassidy

#11

Journals written in the past five to seven years may give you an inaccurate feel for the Southern mountains in February and March. It has been incredibly dry over that period. Usually these two months are very wet and, in the mountains, quite cold. We’re about due for a change in this unusually long dry pattern (as summer and fall has already proven in the South), so watch out.

Dan Roper

#12

We thought it would be neat last year to start a thru hike at Springer on January 1st. It was 9 degrees. Four days later, on top of Blood Mtn, we were wearing shorts and t-shirts. By January 20th, we had warm days, cold days, wet days, dry days, snow days.

On Jan. 20th we woke up to zero degrees at Wayah shelter in NC. Decided it was time to go to Florida to wait out the cold. Got back on the trail on March 2nd at 15 degrees but it steadily warmed up. Point of this story is that the weather in the winter on the southern AT varies all over the place.

swamp fox

#13

I started Jan 11,2007. I loved it because I was completely alone and enjoyed my hike the way I wanted too. It was cold windy rainy and icy. Sometimes these all occured at once. It was a challange to stay warm dry and comfortable. I used a hammock with an air mattress and a 0 degree bag that was good even below 0 degrees. I knew my emergency exits and where every road went. I hope to do it all again and this time start Jan 1. Hello Butch Cassidy. We hiked together through some cold weather.

Joseph Stanley Harrison

#14

We will have my heated dome set up for the month of February this year 4 miles past Wayah. After a night with Ron you can spend a night with us at Burnington Gap. Let me know if you decide to do it and we will have the fire going when you get there. APPLE

APPLE