i’m considering an attempt of the LT this season as a warm-up for an AT thru-hike in '05. i’ve heard that, tho shorter, the LT may be even more demanding than the AT. any thoughts or opinions? how about nobo vs. sobo? also, what month does anyone feel is best to thru-hike the LT? thanks for any input you all can provide!
skip
The northern LT has more tough climbs and rough trail than the southern part but it is not more difficult than the roughest parts of the AT. Hiking the LT should give you a good idea what to expect on the AT. A Nobo hike would allow you to get in shape for the harder north while hiking the easier south. Others like getting the harder half out of the way first. I’ve done both and enjoyed both. I suppose finishing at Canada has its appeal too. I think the time of year is more important. June can have the most appealling temps but is buggy. July is buggy too and hotter too. I hiked north in August and it was hot for a stretch but without many bugs. September is cooler and late in the month you can get some fall colors. I hiked south in October and if your prepared for cooler and wetter weather this is the best month for autumn colors. I loved october. My LT journals are on trailjournals:
Celt
You may consider starting to hike between july-sept if you’re looking for hiking companions or shelter mates. I started june 2nd and hardly saw anyone, besides a couple AT thru-hikers. The last 3 days from Bromley to U.S. 4 I didn’t see a soul. If you are out for some solitude, the LT in june is a good place. for 2-3 weeks, its not for me. Celt is right about the temps. Pretty mild though I had a couple nights in the 30-40’s. The bugs are also out in full force. Enjoy
A-Train
Skip,
That’s how I did it, just as you propose. The LT in '02 was my first long-distance hike, and I used it as prep for the AT thru in '03. Although I’d been backpacking prior to it, it was never for more than 8 days straight.
I learned alot about resupply, metal stamina, the long-distance trail “groove,” and also gave my gear a trial run. For example, the lovely Hennessey hammock I used on the LT did not start with me in March '03; I kept thinking I’d send for it, but in a cool, rainy year I just never did. Nor did the pack I was using, nor the disposable cameras.
On the other hand, the AquaMira, alcohol stove and WM Highlite summer bag were keepers. I also selected a hiking shirt of another material because the poly of my LT shirt just held the “stank” too badly. I learned a lot about foot management and pacing. I worked out my Pocketmail, which I knew I’d want both to journal and as a way to stay in touch with the home team. And journaling brought me to this great site, Trail Journals.
As a novice and not-so-strong LD hiker, I found the LT quite tough in the northern section. The descent from Appalachia Gap was a jaw-sagger for this newbie. 
But it was a foretaste of the Whites and Maine. I was usually exhausted at day’s end. Yet, the wilder, northern terrain and bald, rocky tops hooked me into long-distance hiking for good. Using Vermont as a prep was a wise move for me.
Best of luck,
Jan
Jan LiteShoe
I forgot to add the most important thing: the Long Trail trek gave me the inner knowledge and confidence that I could perhaps really DO a thruhike of the AT.
Shoe
like shoe i also did the LT as my first hike and i was good to go with the AT. the best time of year to hike the LT is first of October South. you start with peek foliage and walk with the wave of color. much colder than summer, but the views are some of the best ever. but, nobody out there either and i had some water trouble. Still kick ass good time.
If a summer hike what for the black flies to die, middle july or first week of july NOBO, and you may even think about flip-flop
goof