[at-l] Cold weather camping

[Bob C]

Carole:

I'd start early April. The crowds won't change much from March 1, but the beauty of the southern Appalachians -- one of the unrecognized incredible beauties of the trail -- will be in full bloom.

If you find the six months needed to reach Katahdin is too short, by pass whatever miles are needed and go back and finish them in the fall -- or next year or the year after, whenever. I mostly "finished"  my hike two years after I had climbed Katahdin, with a leisurely walk through Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Weary 




> ------------Original Message------------
> From: Carole Warner <carewarner at yahoo.com>
> To: at-l at backcountry.net
> Date: Fri, Nov-9-2007 5:51 PM
> Subject: [at-l] Cold weather camping
>
> Hi Ya'll,
> 
> I'm in the process of creating my itinerary for my
> 2008 AT thru-hike, and I'd love some input from all
> you experienced folk who've not only thru-hiked the
> AT, but have also hiked in colder weather.
> 
> I know things can get pretty lonely on any kind of
> extended journey (I went on a 6 month bicycle tour
> once).  However, I'm definitely NOT interested in
> starting out on the AT when there are crouds of twenty
> somethings starting out (50/day by some accounts) and
> the shelters and trail are PACKED, etc.  I prefer a
> start with more peace, solitude and space.  So,
> although I am planning a March 1st start date, I'm
> seriously considering starting somewhere close to
> Ashville, NC (perhaps even as far north as Damascus.  
> 
> In this way, I'll be at least a month ahead of the
> throngs, and by the time some start to catch me
> they'll be fewer in number I'm pretty sure.  This
> would put me in Maine in July, and I'd finish up on
> Springer in August or early September.  Ideally I
> wanted to start in Georgia and end in Maine, but I
> don't see a way to do so without starting in February!
> 
> So, #1 does March 1st seem too early to start (in
> terms of weather, enjoyment of the hike, etc.)?  Any
> other feedback on the weather thing on the AT?
> 
> #2 what thoughts, feedback, input do ya'll have about
> my idea?  Any suggestions for other itineraries or
> other ways to meet my "needs/desires" for my trip?
> 
> Any input (based on experience, not just opinion
> please) you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Many thanks.
> 
> Carole
> 
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