Starting off - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Has anyone started their thru hike with a friend or someone from home who wanted to just hike a week or so? My roommate will be starting at Springer Mtn. with me and I just wondered if anyone had any ideas about a good place for him to get off the trail after 5 days of hiking or so, to fly back to Denver. Or maybe even a good town to get on a bus to a decent sized airport. We’re both in excellent hiking shape, so even though I plan on taking it easy my first week, we should make decent headway as far as mileage goes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Josh

#2

Including approach trail (approx 8 miles)
he can get off at Neel’s Gap at 38 miles into the hike.
Helen, GA at Unicoi Gap is 58 miles, Hiawassee, GA is 74 miles. Josh / Leigh Saint run shuttles to the last Marta stop, so he could ride Marta back to Hartsfield Airport in the ATL.

Tabasco

#3

i know someone who started the trail with the intentions of getting off after a week or so and got hooked and went ahead and did the whole thing!
but otherwise, yeah neel’s gap is a good place to get off in a week.

emily

#4

I’d say if he has a whole week, to shoot for UnicoiGap (Helen) or Dick’s Gap (Hiawassee) instead of Neels Gap. Neels Gap is only 3 or 4 days out.

I second using the Hiker Hostel folks (Josh and Leigh) for shuttles, as well as first/last night stay. They will drive you to your choice for start - either Amicola or Springer. (I suggest Springer)

Red Hat

#5

A friend of mine hiked with me starting at Springer for a week. He didn’t want to do the approach trail so that he could get the most time on AT as he could. It was about a five day hike and he got off at Unicoi Gap. Though he had a car, I’d also recommend using the Saint’s. They’ve got a beautiful hostel and their shuttle rates are pretty reasonable. (plus they’re some of the nicest people on the Trail)

0101