I am planning to hike from Harpers Ferry to the Hudson in Feb. I was wondering how much snow I can expect and if snow shoes will be helpful or not.
_Goat Boy_Winter Hike - Appalachian Trail
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#1
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#2
Goat Boy,
If this Feb is anything like last year, I can’t imagine being out on the trail at that time. Living in Maryland, about and hour out of Harpers Ferry, we got hit with back to back snow storms in Feb. last year. Very big storms…each of about 2 feet a piece. So, if that doesn’t bother you, go for it.
_Stylin_
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#3
If you hike any distance in snow and don't use snowshoes, you'll get really sore extensor muscles from lifting your legs higher than they're used to. I also like them because they "level" the underlying surface and reduce the chance of a twisted ankle from an unseen root or rock.
_Croft_
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#4
Snowshoes are a must. this is looking like a bad winter.
You won’t get very far, very fast, without them. Are you going alone? Will you post on Trail journals?
_Dogfood_
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#5
Dogfood...
Wanted to let you know, we started our journal. We are under Currently hiking…Styling & Tony. We confirmed our start date of March 19th.
_Stylin_
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#6
Good to hear from you. I,m still "on" for Mar 3,
I’ll start a journal soon, been real busy. I’m sure i’ll see you on the trail. I’ll be the one with a backpack and hiking sticks.LOL.
_Dogfood_
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#8
Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to take the snowshoes. I will be going alone and posting on trail journals as often as I can.
_Goatboy_
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#9
sounds like that part of the country could be PRETTY WINTERY that time of year....i would say you might even encounter continual snow? (which would make snowshoes a big help in my opinion).....
we hiked in LOTS of snow in '06 on the AT (in february right on up through april down south)…still, it was “patchy” at times, so “yaktrax” were sufficient…i distinctly remember, however, in the smokies, being very “jealous” of whoever had left their snowshoe prints in the snow, (which would have been so much easier than postholing through thigh high drifts!)…but snowshoes are heavier and bulkier than yaktrax…
we’ve seen and walked through “blizzard like” conditions and accumulations right on up to the first of may into virginia in the mountains…and though it may or may not be the case for you this year in february, just be aware that we’ve already been hit with LOTS OF snow and ice!
_maw-ee_