Driving around the U.S, I stopped my Amicalola Falls State Park and the ranger station… I counted 1, 394 registered thruhiker from Jan-07-2006 to May-13-2006. The heaviest pack weight was… 82lbs! Hope he reached the top of the approach trail 
Spiz
Number of thruhiker registered
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#1
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#2
Cool. I wonder if anyone’s ever charted starts over time, to see when northbound departures peak. I’ve also wondered what day of the week has the most departures and which the fewest.
Not So Fast
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#3
I’m pretty sure the traditional first day of Spring or the closest weekend to it is the most popular time frame, from what I understand. I’m interested in seeing a final count of thru-hikers reporting that they completed the trail and comparing that # to this # at Springer. I suppose if we wanted to estimate according to the stats given, it would be in a range of 139-209 hikers.
82 lbs!!! What could they possibly have been carrying…a small child or dog? :lol
Michele
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#4
A thruhiker I met in 02 from NH told me he used to hike in the Whites with an 80lb pack. By the end of his time on the AT he cut it down to 30ish. It’s amazing what you think you need, then what you learn you can live without, and what your philosophy is on hiking. Another thru I met said for him to feel like he thrued the trail he had to carry everything he started with on Springer all the way to Khatadin. He couldn’t swap anything out or send anything home. Hopefully that poor hiker isn’t of the same philosophy!
Grassy Ridge