NOBO in 2011 - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

This forum is being started for all the 2011 NOBO AT thru-hikers. OMG! A little over a year away, and I am stoked! I have a 3/12 start date (tentively). I have about 2/3 of gear I plan to use so far. The rest (i.e. tent) will be purchased soon because I want to go a little lighter than my 2-man I have now. I plan on averaging 12-14 miles a day including zero days. I am also in the process of starting a trail journal on WB and this site. May be a couple of weeks tho, as I am walking\hiking daily and getting ready for 3 short (3-4) trips (Pinhoti loop (N Ala.), Sispey Wilderness loop (N Ala.), and a backcountry trip into the Walls of Jericho wilderness (AL-TN).
Would love to hear from others here planning to thru-hike in 2011.

Moondoggie

#2

I have my date set at March 5, 2011.
I would like to start early so I don’t have to rush.
I may push it forward to the week after or even the end of March or beginning of April depending on weather next year. The south is getting hit pretty heavy right now with snow.
I have 95 percent of my gear and then some. Backpack is due Tuesday, Feb.23 and I am ordering my tent on Monday the 22nd.
I will do some shakedown hikes to fine tune the list of gear that will accompany me on my Thru-Hike. If you check out my gear in my journal you will see that I have gone overboard a little. :slight_smile:
I cant wait to try it all out and 2011 seems like forever!!!

J.L.

#3

OK, so the class of 2011 hopefuls has started!!! Just ordered a couple more items to “lighten up”, as I already had them. My pack (Gregory Shasta) concerns me a little with the weight, but it’s been a good one for me. Plenty of room for everything on the inside. Yeah, my start date is pretty set barring a snowstorm, but I figure there will be snow in the Smokey’s. I been there in early April and snow each time at higher elevations.
I’m just trying to contain my elation that my dream is only a year away! :slight_smile:

Moondoggie

#4

So stoked! Hopefully starting in early March, then completing the trail in time for grad school to start. :slight_smile: I’m shopping for my major gear (tent, a new pack, etc.) trying to get most of it for cheap and on craigslist, but splurging where I need to. I row collegiately, so I plan on being pretty much in shape, but I’ve got a lot of trips planned for this summer/fall in the SW VA area because I’m not really used to going more than 2-3 days. Also, if anyone needs hiking company, let me know because my mom doesn’t want me to go by myself. Cheers!

Starbuck

#5

We are a pair of Aussies who are going to hike the AT as our retirement gift to ourselves. We were planning an early Feb hike until we have read all the scary journals about deep snow and blow downs, so now we are loking at early march. whilst we are used to long distance hikes, we are not used to mountains, West Australia only has ‘hills’!

wendy nelson