I read something in one of the forum entries the other day that got me thinking.
Are we going to need snowshoes to begin hiking the AT in February? I hadn’t thought of using them.
TheGreatWhazoo
Snowshoes For AT
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#1
system
#3
thanks Cheers, I’ve been telling myself “I’m the man” for about 20 years now, good to finally hear it from someone else. in one context or another. 
I started Feb 1 and thought about snowshoes but chose not to after careful thought and many posts here on TFs. The only time i might have wanted them was in the Smokies where the snow can seriously fall . When we (the solemates) hiked through the trail was already packed down by weekenders and dayhikers who had used snowshoes. The snow was deep enough along the trail to warrant them if you caught it on the right day or days.
think about maybe mailing them to Fontana depending on the long term weather forcast. if you already own them, i wouldn’t go dropping a hundo plus for a pair “just in case”.
On the whole, I found i could muscle through the days when 6 plus inches fell and that still saved me from carrying the minimum of 3.5 lbs that the lightest pair are the rest of the snow season. (which it had snowed on me at least once a month incuding april-june)
I might recommend crampons. I had them, also never used them, but there were times when i should have; it was just sleeting/raining/snowing too hard that if i would have stopped i might have died. :bawling
Officer Taco
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#5
Southbound only, and basically only. N.B, I will carry the Yaktrax Pro’s in a bounce box or on my belt on the day I call for them in respect of the great smoky mountains. But at large, most of the snow melts right away or some local trail running club will make a post holed to packed icy trail in no time if your staying on the A.T.
hikerdude
system
#6
The big snow & ice concern will be the Smokies. I tried using the MSR Snowshoes (with an attached “tail”) but my and my pack’s weight caused me to sink into the snow.
I used and would suggest crampons. The snow may be an issue (causing you to posthole), but a greater concern is the icy surfaces. What may be a snow cover (packed down) on the trail may freeze overnight and make for a slippery surface. The ice is another justification for hiking poles.
JAWS