Ok.... I've made shuttle arrangements with The Hike Inn and my son and I are going to hike from Springer to Fontana Dam starting May 4th.

Here's my current plan. I'm pretty sure it's workable - I just want to run it by you guys for any possible tweaks or changes. As always, any input is appreciated.

Trip has one mail drop and that's to NOC. Rest of food will be purchased locally enroute.

1. Leave Springer with 2.5 days food, hike to Neel's Gap.
2. Resupply at Neel's Gap with 3 days food, hike to Hiwassee (Dick's Creek Gap)
3. Resupply in Hiwassee with 3 days food, hike to Franklin (Winding Stair Gap). Take a zero with Ron Haven.
4. Leave Franklin with 2 days food, hike to NOC
5. Pick up mail drop at NOC with 2 days food, hike to Fontana Dam - end of trip.

Total trip time, 12.5 days.

One question I have is trip time and that is a question no one can help me with. I know I can hike it in 12.5 days but I'm not sure about my son. He's 16 and in great physical shape but doesn't have any trail time under his belt.

I guess the bottom line is that the only thing that's really important is to leave Springer with enough food to get to Neel's Gap and we can just buy more food if we're hiking slower than planned, right?

with no trail time under his belt i would say its iffy , even in the best condition if your body is not used to the unique pains from back packing he will probably be really sore at the end , im not an expert i havent done my thru hike yet , i start july 1st but given that its less than 2 weeks.. should be fine, as a AT mentor told me couple weeks back " its amazing what the human body can deal with for a week it can take alot of punishment" he should know hes a private practice physical therapist..dont think hes actual DOCTOR.. but he does rehab work for people with prosthesis and sports related injury

I think you'll be fine, assuming you don't get sucked into Franklin or Hiawassee. I'd also consider bagging that full zero in Franklin, and just a 1/2 day, spend the night, and get going the very first thing in the morning.

If there's anyway to do it, get dropped off as close to Springer as possible. The approach trail ain't much to look at, and is going to be a long slog for the first day.

You're leaving May 4th, so you won't need a full-blown winter setup at all. I'd go as light as you can, carrying just 1 set of thermals, a fleece hat, fleece/down/sythetic jacket, and raingear and call it a day. Make absolutely sure your son isn't carrying a bunch of crap if he isn't used to paring down things. If you haven't used something by the time you get to Neels Gap, send it home.

Take look at Cutting Down on Town Time (http://sourcetosea.net/Articles/articles/town-time.html) for some other ways to make some miles easier on yourself.

I think you'll be fine, assuming you don't get sucked into Franklin or Hiawassee. I'd also consider bagging that full zero in Franklin, and just a 1/2 day, spend the night, and get going the very first thing in the morning.

If there's anyway to do it, get dropped off as close to Springer as possible. The approach trail ain't much to look at, and is going to be a long slog for the first day.

You're leaving May 4th, so you won't need a full-blown winter setup at all. I'd go as light as you can, carrying just 1 set of thermals, a fleece hat, fleece/down/sythetic jacket, and raingear and call it a day. Make absolutely sure your son isn't carrying a bunch of crap if he isn't used to paring down things. If you haven't used something by the time you get to Neels Gap, send it home.

Take look at Cutting Down on Town Time (http://sourcetosea.net/Articles/articles/town-time.html) for some other ways to make some miles easier on yourself.

Yep, we're skipping the approach trail and I'm looking forward to leaving some of the winter stuff behind that I've been lugging around since December.

I'm actually looking forward to a leisurely hike with a day off in there somewhere and just enjoy being with my son. It'll be a totally different kind of hike for me for sure. I usually have the mindset you're alluding too - making the most/best use of time, limiting downtime, etc.

You know, if that's the case, I'd probably just start from Neels Gap, or plan on stopping in Franklin and doing some day hikes or something if you get there faster than you expected. The walk to Neels Gap (and possible mailing home of gear) might be a good "teachable moment" for your son. Lots of daylight to work with too.

My wife and I get bored as hell in camp, so we're usually just walk/chill/eat until dark and end up covering 15-18 miles without killing ourselves. No need to make this a forces hike though.

Consider breaking the full mileage into a bunch of shorter hikes, carrying some emergency food in case you hike a little slower. If your 16-year old decides he hates to backpack, then get off the trail for a day or two to see if he wants to go back out. You can bail-out at any of your re-supply points (and others in between in an emergency), although he doesn't need to know that ahead of time.

Consider breaking the full mileage into a bunch of shorter hikes, carrying some emergency food in case you hike a little slower. If your 16-year old decides he hates to backpack, then get off the trail for a day or two to see if he wants to go back out. You can bail-out at any of your re-supply points (and others in between in an emergency), although he doesn't need to know that ahead of time.

This is pretty much where I'm at with it too. I think he'll be ok but I've already talked with my wife (privately) about the possibility of having to come pick him up somewhere along the way. I'm going to finish the section regardless because this is the last section I need to have completed the AT from Springer to Damascus.

The schedule i posted in the first message is certainly flexible and I realize at 12.5 days is moving along at a good clip for most folks doing this section and I'm prepared to go slower to make the trip a success.

We'll just have to see. The plan then it to make it to Neel's Gap and take it one section at a time