Half a thru-hike

imported
#1 
									I'm doing my long range planning for an AT hike, possibly Springer to Harper's Ferry one year (2013) then Harper's Ferry to Katahdin the next.  What are you're thoughts on best time of year, NOBO vs. SOBO, etc?  Mild weather is my main concern.  Crowds of hikers I can deal with.  I'll be flying in from from CA so starting and ending points near a large airport is also important. 

									_bowlegs_
#2 
									Hmmm....If I was looking at this type of hike, I would start at Harpers Ferry in September and head south on my first leg to Springer winding up around Thanksgiving.  Amtrack runs from DC to Harpers Ferry, so this opens up Reagan National or Dulles to fly into.

On the second leg, I would make a late start at Katahdin(August) and head south into Harpers Ferry to finish up about the same time again on the following year. Since you came into DC before, you would already have a good idea on the return home logistics. The fly into Boston or Portland would be the only tough part logistically, but if you have AWOL’s trail guide, there a couple of options listed in the book. Leaving late from Maine would put you out of black fly season and still get you over the Whites, before weather turned too bad.

Sounds like a great trip. Good luck.

									_Fullcount_
#3 
									I too would suggest starting at Harpers as suggested by Fullcount but start in Mid April and head south I've done this section this way and loved hiking with spring.Then start the same time the following year to head north. Or do as Fullcount suggested and hike south in August and follow  the fall colors south. Bangor also has a airport and you can get a shuttle from there.

									_where is she_
#4 
									When and where do I want to avoid these guys?

									_bowlegs_
#5 
									There is no uniform "black fly season" in Maine; however, local observations has the season running from around Mother's Day or Memorial Day through about July 4th. They are most gone by mid-July after the birds have gobbled them all up.

NedtheFed

									_Ned_
#6 
									Just fly into Atlanta mid march or April and hike north to Harpers ferry from Springer. Depending on you speed,you can make Harpersferry by June or July.Fly home from Dulles intl. 2nd year pick 3 months you would like to hike and come back to Harpersferry and fly out of Portland Maine. 

									_Virginan_
#7 
									If you want to meet people and hang with them for weeks,hike north. If you want to pass people and only see them once at a camp,hike south as most thru hikers will be hiking north 

									_Virginian_