I would like to do some backpacking at the beginning of the AT around Springer when I visit home around the first week of January. I was thinking of a 3-4 day hike. Will the weather be unbearable? Anyone done this before? Any recommendations?
hikemist
I did about a 3 day January hike around Springer 3 years ago, and I recall the temp being about 10 degrees ay Hawk Mt. Shelter and awaking to frozen boots and water bottles. Will never hike in January again.
abbey
It doesn’t have to be that bad. Last year the weather wasn’t that cold. In 05 when I started in February all the register entries from January were talking about the fabulous weather while I was freezing my ass off. There are always a few hikers that start their thru-hike in January maybe you can check out their journals. And if it does turn out to be unbearable there’ll will be a road nearby you can hitch out from or just take a zero in a shelter with a good book. Also, I can recommend celebrating New Years on Springer, I think there’s always a bunch of thru-hikers there. Anyway, have fun!!!
apple pie