Starting point - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Hi evereyone,

I am planning to hike on the Appalachian Trail on the upcoming september-october. Since I don’t live in the US of A i have no knowledge of the weather conditions. My common sense tells me that since i’m starting in the early fall it makes sense to start southbound. I would much appreciate any advice as to a good starting point which will provide good weather throughout the hike and scenic views as well. I am an experienced hiker so that terrain and difficulty are not factors in choosing a starting point.

thanx very much in advance

Asher

#2

For a SOBO hike I’d suggest you start in mid August just after the blackflies have gone. New England has a nasty bug that will flat chew your ears off. It’s the New Hampshire state bird. From August you get to hike in the Fall colors all the way to Virginia if you’re fast enough. If you wait too long in the season you’ll have trouble getting over Mt. Washington.

Bushwhack

#3

I would do Virginia. The colors on the trees are at thier peak during Sept,Oct with the weather being sunny and warm to slightly chilly with rain. It will be seasonal enough to still meet some folks on the trail and you could probably hit some apple festivals and stuff.You could start in Damascus and travel North to Harpersferry( both cool towns)

Virginian

#4
  1. Yes, hike southbound. The trail goes mostly west, so you will not gain that much following the folage. However, you probably want to avoid hiking north into Vermont or New Hampshire the last week of October.
  2. Estimate your total length. Most people hike the entire trail in 5 months including a small number of days off. If you have exactly 5 months you could hike 2200*2/5 = 880 miles (14.7 mile/day). You will be lucky to hit any estimate within a week, or 100 miles.
  3. Early september is well before the Fall folage season, so you can hope for decent weather in New England. I suggest starting in Pinkam Notch, New Hampshire and hiking the 846 miles to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Both ends have good access to public transportation. The headquarters of the AT is located in Harpers Ferry, and this is a common destination for those who flip-flop the AT. (Those who start northbound late or slowly an then go to the north end and hike back to where they left off, Harpers Ferry.)
  4. If you take my advice, you might want to micro manage the Pinkham Notch end. Monday, 3-September 2006 is our Bank Holiday from Hell… Very busy campsites around Pinkham Notch, NH. There are also several ways to avoid Mt Washington in bad weather.
  5. Try posting on www.whiteblaze.net
    You will get a more diverse opinion. I agree that Virginia is better northbound, but a little short for two full months. Did Wacky really answer the question: “where do you start as long as you start at the north end of the trail.”???
    Rambler

Ambler Rambler

#5

thank ya’ll especially amber rambler i’ll look further into the advice you have given me

Asher