Hi,

I was wondering if anyone is thinking of hiking the AT in 2012 starting in Georgia. I know it seems far away but I wanted to start researching and planning and hiking to prepare. Let me know if you are looking for someone else to hike with sometime around the end of March that year. I am 26F and so far not quite as much experience camping and hiking but I am going somewhere almost every weekend at this point. I am from the Maryland area so if you are near and would like to hike portions of the trail let me know:)

Depending on the situation, my g/f and I might be bumping our 2011 plans to 2012, but we'll see. Personally I hope we don't, but I'm trying to understand that there are other things that need to be done. :(

One piece of advice I can give you though is don't spend TOO much time researching, planning, and web surfing this stuff. It gets into your brain which isn't really helpful. If you know you can't go for 2 years...spend more time hiking and less time researching up until you get to about 8-9 months out...then start planning. Any farther out than that is just mental punishment...at least IMO.

We're in the Jersey area and have been spending about every other weekend out either dayhiking or overnighting. I'm 28, she's 29...though I'll be 29 as well this October. If you'd like to meet up with us at some point, let us know...we're always up for company. Neither of us is super experienced, but we know enough to get into trouble. :D

PM me if you'd be interested in doing a hike with us or whatever. Good luck out there! Maybe we'll see ya on the trail in 2012...if not, you can hopefully read our trailjournals from the year before to help ya plan!

Greetings!

I WAS going to try for 2011, but it seems that it's going to be 29 Feb 2012 for me as well. It's still a faint possibility, but........ gotta get the bills paid down for my wife to allow me to leave for 6 months plus I have to have 3 months of lesson plans ready for a long-term sub, IF and ONLY if I can get a leave of absence. I'm old - 53 (centuries ) at current growth ring count and I have to get this done before I'm too downhill to do it. My Scout Troop has been section hiking for 3 years now. This last summer from Neel Gap to Standing Indian campgrounds. The year before they were rained out after 3 miles (I wasn't along) and the first year was Springer to Neel Gap. Been camping and hiking for decades, but I'm still hesitant to offer advice, as what I do is what works for me, esp. with all the mistakes I make. Still, free advice is free and well worth the cost.

Being down here in FL, I'm envious of you guys who are able to actually train with actual elevation. That's the roughest part for me: dealing with the elevation changes. My son is going to let me in his building to do the stairs at night and that should help.

Any-hoo - hope to see you in '12!

Old Hiker
I'm so far behind, I thought I was first!

I cant wait to meet everyone on the trail! I am questioning as to when to start now and am wondering if the end of March would be too late....

I am questioning as to when to start now and am wondering if the end of March would be too late....

the first week of april is the best time to start NOBO

I am also dreaming of being in the class of 2012. Had wanted this to happen much sooner, but due to circumstances I will have to wait until then. Just praying that I will still be physically able to do it. I plan to start in April and hike Northbound. Have much to do before then. And much to research to be able to do it. Looking forward to this experience.

My retirement date is 2/12/2012.
I am hoping to start NOBO on 3/21/2012. Fingers crossed.

Im finding as I research and read there is a lot to take in. Have you gone on some backpacking trips to break in new gear and to train? My theory is to just get as much experience in every kind of situation whether it be rain,sleet,snow or sunshine just so its not a shock out on the trail. What things have you done so far to prepare?

To "gldodd" : I think its awesome you are going to tackle the trail hardly a month into retirement. Hope to see you out there and good luck!

Hello 2012ers
Was originally planning my hike for 2011 but due to the economy I'm (probably) changing my start date to 3/15ish/12. A little depressed about having to put it off for another year, but gotta do what ya gotta do. Nice to see there's people already planning. Hope to see you all on the trail.

Jan 27, 2012 My 50th Birthday, NOBO slowly, planning on lots of weather days, and enjoying the hike!

So far, i have sectioned Springer to Davenport, and the 100 mile wilderness (Kinnebec River to Abol Bridge)

Hearing everyone elses experience makes me feel like such a newbie. I am backpacking the MD section of the AT this weekend Nov6-8. My first backpack trip alone ahhhhhh!

I too am planning a 2012 thru hike but not till around Feb. 24th. I am not gonna get in any kind of hurry and just go with the flow of how my body feels. Hope to meet all you fine folks out on the trail.