Just curious if anyone has an estimate of how many people will be attempting the trail this season. It has been a rough start weather wise this year sounds like.
Trampas
Hiking season 2005
system
#2
Just a note on our weather for those who may not be familiar with it. This winter has been fairly typical so far. I’ve lived in Chattanooga for 9 years now and this is neither an extremely cold or wet winter. Pretty typical for this time of year. We’ve had highs near 70 on some days and lows in the mid to upper teens. Keep in mind the standard lapse rate for temperature. As I recall it’s about 3 degrees per 1000 feet. i.e., 30 degrees in Chattanooga( 800’ ASL ) will be 21 degrees at 4000’ which is not hard to find in our mountains.
I admire those hardy souls who are willing to begin their trips in January, just don’t underestimate the weather here. We may not have the Arctic conditions of our neighbors farther north, but it’s not always a day at the beach either.
Gene Roll