Planning a thru hike

imported
#1

I am planning a thru hike of the appalachian trail Spring 2016 but have no idea where to start any suggestions?

SStucker

#2

I set out in April 1, 2013 to do a complete NOBO hike. I made it 31 days to the first camp site in the Smokies. I want to see the fall colors in VA so a Flip Flop beginning at HF to K might be a good start.
With that said, if I start NOBO where I left off (Nantahala Dam) at the southern entrance to the Smokies in Early April, will I reach VA in time to see the colors?

Crestview_hiker/ AKA Lil Cub

#3

According to my stats, if your goal is to finish the trail next year you should do a traditional NOBO or SOBO thru hike. Flip Flops are a flop when it comes to hiking the whole trail. A whole lot of yellow blazing going on there. At best 2 in 10 will do the entire trail. Traditional Thru’s will almost double that set of odds. That stat comes from following them here on TJ. I admit that flip flops are hard to track. Now the ATC who has a campaign to smooth out the bubble will try to dispute this fact. From my observations, a traditional NOBO/SOBO thru hike is better.

Francis

#4

Thank you that is helpful. Still lots to plan but a good start thank you.

SStucker

#5

Thanks guys. I know there is a bubble to experience doing a NOBO. But my gut has always been to hike tradionaly NOBO.
I am very suprised that someone has statistics on the matter. So I am swaying to pick up where I left off. (Entrance to Smokies at the Southern Terminous.

Credtview_hiker / AKA Lil Cub

#6

I attempted a NOBO Thru-Hike this year starting March 26th, and the shelters and campsites were full early in the day. With the new movie out about the AT, I look for the trail to be even more crowded than it was this year.
I’m planning on starting Mid-April from Pearisburg, Va., hiking north to Katahdin, and then going back and doing the other end, either from Springer north to Pearisburg, or from Pearisburg south to Springer.
I should be far enough a head of the NOBO Bubbles, and still avoid some of the late season cold spells.

Gorp-Gobbler

#7

Am also planning a flip-flop thru hike mostly to avoid the herd. Will likely start NOBO in VA in early April. Usually takes my knees a couple weeks to warm up, so I’m wondering where the gentlest sections are in VA.

Also, if I reach Katahdin by mid-August, then return to VA to hike SOBO to Springer, will the heat be terrible? Would there be any advantage to bumping down to Springer then instead and hiking NOBO to wherever I started in VA?

Dys-feng shui-nal

#8

I advise that you start in Rockfish Gap heading North thru the SNP. Virginia has only a few though spots and they are all to the South of Rockfish Gap. As to part 2 of your question. Yes, it will be hot. Hot won’t be the issue of the day however. Drinking water may well be your problem. Virginia Appalachian Trail hiking is a series of long waterless ridges where the trail might come off the ridge once or twice a day and you will expect to find water in most of these gaps. If this is a dry year you will be better off by going all the way to Springer and heading North. It will be hot in Georgia as well but it has better water. Also by heading North you will come to the Smokey’s in 2 weeks and it will give you a cool down.

Francis