One of the things I am looking forward to on my hike next year is the social aspect. Meeting lots of different people. As of now, my buddy and I are planning on starting March 1st. Will this be starting too early to meet a lot of thru-hikers along the way?
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C-Giddy
No it’s not to early unless you hike fast. If your into meeting people don’t hike 20 miles everyday. A slower pass is generally better for meeting people. You will be slighlty ahead of the crowds but this allows you to start slow and then speed up if you meet people you want to hike with. Good Luck.
Darth Pacman
According to the survey done by Roland Meuser, only 5% of thru-hikers start before March 15. That statistic may have changed some in recent years. But, I’d say that an early March start date certainly puts you ahead of the pack. For what it’s worth, 50% of thru-hikers start between April 1 and April 15. 80% of thru-hikers start between March 20 and April 16.
Peaks
I’d start March 1 with the intent of keeping the pace slow and also to get myself into trail shape. Let’s face it if you have been on the trail for two weeks already and you run into a crowd that has only been on the trail for two or three days, then ask yourself, who is the most experienced. You will be a popular girl or guy, who everyone is asking lots of questions. It will take at least two to three weeks to get into good trail shape, unless you are in absolutely great shape already. Also there is nothing wrong with hiking a few shelter ahead and then hiking or hitching back to where the crowds are. This gives you another edge, I was there last week. So I believe the social aspect of your hike would be greatly enhanced by doing the above things, you’d have the edge, you’d be over the initial physical pains, the initial learning experiences, etc. etc. Most people don’t last a week on a thru hike, some only a day or so, many less than two weeks. 50% of those that make the half way point on the AT don’t finish. So I’d say that the social aspect becomes important only after 100 or 200 miles of trail hiking. Prior to that, the most important thing is the survival aspect and learning to survive on the AT (i.e. Will I survive, will I make it?). Anyway, this is just my opinion regarding your question. Hope it helps. 
Maintain
Set up a hiker hostel along the trail. Offer free beer to hikers. Guarantee you’ll have more of the hiker social scene than you ever imagined, all the time.
Social Butterfry
While in 1987, only 5% of thru-hikers started on or before 3.01, things have definately changed, especially in the past 3 years. The onset of the 2000 hiking season (and the record high numbers of hikers it brought) combined with the newer gear material and design technologies (i.e. lighter and more efficient) and the growth of hiking mailing lists and forums like this one to increase widespread knowledge and awareness have caused people to start earlier and earlier to “avoid the crowd.” However, my own observations seem to say that they’re just moving the “crowd” earlier and earlier. While the majority of hikers used to start April 1-30, I would bet that it has moved almost exactly a month earlier. If things stay the same as they have for the past few years, you’ll be right in with the rest of the pack. In 2000, I started on March 9 and was surrounded by more than enough people to suit my needs.
-Howie
Hungry Howie
we started on March 3, 2002 and the shelters were full all through GA and NC/TN. NOC was packed. If you have good weather you will have lots of hikers early. We did trail magic at Newfound Gap at the end of March this year and we saw fewer people than we did when we hiked through there. But the weather was beautiful for us, this year they had more snow and more rain. Don’t worry you will see plenty of people. Not only thru hikers, but scout troups, day hikers, section hikers, hiking clubs, church groups, problem youth programs, we saw somebody about every mile in GA. If you like people you will see plenty on you hike north.
Papa Smurf
We run a Hostel along the ‘AT’ trail, $12.00 bunks, free pick up and drop off to the trail head, shuttles, free internet, we are in the center of town:)
Pegleg & Ladylnnkeeper
Hey Pegleg, you should have said we run the cleanest hostel on the AT. The best deal on the trail in my book for $12. You guys have an awesome place. It was great staying with you guys last year. How’s the dog?
Papa Smurf
If you look at their email address, it’s pretty obvious that they are talking about the Andover Guest House.
Peaks
Andover Guest House get’s my vote for the nicest hostel I stayed at on the AT. Other hostles I stopped at: Goose Creek Cabins, Blueberry Patch, Standing Bear Farm, Uncle Johnies,Laurel Creek, Four Pines, Rusty’s, Ironmaster’s, Palmerton, Church of the Mountain, Jim Murray’s, Graumoor, Hikers Welcome, Gull Pond, Stratton Motel & Hostel, White House Landing, and Shaws. Shaws Boarding gets my vote for the best hostel on the AT. Nice place, great food and nice people.
Grampie