I will be doing a thru-hike on the appalachian trail for the first time this april, starting from GA. What can I expect weatherwise throughout my journey?
doug
Weather? - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Pretty much anything, we had a ton of rain last year. I think it was Oopala who kept track and determined there was a 110 day stretch where 100 days had rain. In contrast, a few years ago finding water was a real problem sometimes. Temp wise, I’d say be ready for 20 degrees in the beginning to 100 degrees by summer. What to expect on the north end varies a lot depending on how long it takes you to get there. Have fun!
Skittles
system
#3
If you go to Wingfoot’s website (www.trailplace.com), there is a chart of average high/low, and record lows for various trail towns. Pay attention to the record lows, and be prepared for nights that get that cold.
Peaks
system
#4
If it’s going to be a “rainy” year will it cause the streams to have more running water? meaning better quality of water.
zammy
system
#5
Clearer down south as most of the water is running through and off hard bedrock. Muddier in the middle states. Crystal clear up north, but treat all in some fashion unless it comes right out of the ground. Strider got water from a road side pipe out of spring and didn’t filter it, I walked back in the trees a few feet and found a bathtub with a ton of dead frogs in it and who knows what else.
Bushwhack
system
#8
From friends who are hiking NC/GA right now, I hear that mounain temps not been above freezing before today, and much snow on the ground. The windy days are the hardest. Ah well, at least it’s not 33 degrees and raining, the real spirit crusher.
Plan for the worst, revel in the mild days.
Jan LiteShoe