Hey all, I was just wondering who is starting in February. I had thought that almost no one would start then, but I'm seeing more and more people who say they're starting in Feb. So, raise your hand, who's starting in Feb, and when?

(I'm starting sometime between February 18 and 23, probably the 23)

I am planning on starting February 20th. Most likely I will be at the Hiker Hostel on the evening of the 19th. Looking forward to meeting lots interesting people. I plan on starting slowly.

Leaving on Feb 3 get to Gainesville on Feb 4 to start my Thur-Hike
Hav fun

:cool:

Just kidding, but I'll be hitting the trail January 28th. Hope to see some of you speedsters pass me by.

I will be leaving sometime around Feb 23rd. Look forward to seeing you out there...

I am looking to leave early February, but havent set a date yet. Depending on weather, it will be somewhere between the 1st and 15th. I am honestly hoping to do it on the 1st, which is my wedding anniversary. Since we are finalizing the divorce right now, that date would be especially poingnant.

We shall see.

I want to leave in late Feb. but the more I think about it the less I think it'll be a thru-hike. I think its going to be a long section hike. Just whenever the money runs out.

just thought i'd let you know that none of you are actually raising your hands. :-?

http://www.primetimersphiladelphia.org/Images/Image002_1.gif

<<Raises hand>>

if i don't start in Jan it will probably be mid-Feb sometime

Starting mine Nov. 1 (2009). Do I have to start in 2010 to be a member of the class? Or just finish in 2010?

That's like being a February freshman at college- never know which graduation to go to. I say, you could be in both 2009, and 2010. But you'll probably meet more people in 2010.

No desire to hijack here, but I'd be interested to hear the reasons folks have chosen this "less than the norm", somewhat difficult time to start. Necessity or Personal Preference?

Hello All. About a Feb. start: Have any of you found reliable information about weather & trail conditions, either good anecdotal stories or, better, statistical tracking of temps, snow, and so on?

No desire to hijack here, but I'd be interested to hear the reasons folks have chosen this "less than the norm", somewhat difficult time to start. Necessity or Personal Preference?

For "most" people -- in my opinion only with nothing to back it up -- I think most people start in late Jan and February because they really don't have a clue how long to expect the hike to take and they want to make sure they are finished before mid October. Its can daunting to look at a road map and envision actually walking ga-me.

This obviously excludes those with some type of date commitment, such as students.

Also responding to Lyle, my wife has some plans for the Fall so I want to finish in August sometime. Not the ideal situation (it always nicer to have no deadline imposed), but with a late Feb start I think I can manage it and still enjoy the process. Barring the unforeseen, and still able to take the occasional zero or nero along the way.

I'd much rather do the trail this way than put it off another year.

And in terms of "making lemonade out of lemons", I'm sure there will be some unpleasant "I'm tired of cold weather" moments, but it's also a fun adventure to plan for, to try to balance sufficient clothing/gear against keeping pack base weight low. And a bit of a spirit of adventure in leaving somewhat before average I guess --- though from the registry thread and this one, it looks like a late Feb start isn't all that unique or special!

McIntyre asked: "About a Feb. start: Have any of you found reliable information about weather & trail conditions, either good anecdotal stories or, better, statistical tracking of temps, snow, and so on?"

I'm interested in this too. One that I'm aware of is on postholer.com, http://postholer.com/postholer/index.php?trail=3

Of course there's a trail conditions thread on this site: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=100

That's all I can think of off-hand.

Hi Again -- About 10 mins on internet produced the following. What we really need me thinks is wise old trail experts to talk about WTE (What To Expect). Anyway:

some of what appalachian trail conference has to say about start dates

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805569/k.F6/When_Should_I_Start.htm

this weather site for franklin

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Franklin&state=GA&site=FFC&textField1=33.2814&textField2=-85.0977&e=1

this weather site for amicalola falls, just below springer mt

http://www.findlocalweather.com/pinpoint/us/ga/amicalola+falls+state+park/current13743.html

I am leaving feb 20.

Why?

I have a summer business on marthas vineyard that demands I be there. My thru hike will encompass the spring and then a break to work and then a finish in the fall.

I also hate hiking in the heat. This fall is really nice. October in the northeast is perfect hiking weather( unless a storm hits)

So feb 20 to may 15

Then

September 1 to October 14

this weather site for amicalola falls, just below springer mt

http://www.findlocalweather.com/pinpoint/us/ga/amicalola+falls+state+park/current13743.html

The reporting station for the "AFSP" is actually the Cherokee County airport in Canton. Springer is 3700 ft, this location is 1000 ft. 3.5 degrees cooler for each 1,000 ft etc.

No desire to hijack here, but I'd be interested to hear the reasons folks have chosen this "less than the norm", somewhat difficult time to start. Necessity or Personal Preference?

I'm starting in February because I love snow (and would love to be in it as much as possible, but can't start earlier), and I'd probably start in Feb even if I could start earlier, because though I want to miss the start off crowd (and I want to be weeks away from Damascus during/after traildays), I still want to meet people!

The most ideal thru hike (for me) would be later half of winter, then spring, skipping summer (I could talk to the weatherpeople about leaving off summer that year), then heading straight on to fall. I do NOT like heat, and heat doesn't like me. If I could always hike in crisp, cool fall days like today (minus all the rain) and a couple winter snow days, it'd be perfect. But, I'll live through the summer!

The most ideal thru hike (for me) would be later half of winter, then spring, skipping summer (I could talk to the weatherpeople about leaving off summer that year), then heading straight on to fall. I do NOT like heat, and heat doesn't like me. If I could always hike in crisp, cool fall days like today (minus all the rain) and a couple winter snow days, it'd be perfect. But, I'll live through the summer!

Not that I am quite leaving in February (my arrangement with work won't begin until March 1 and I can't cut into snowboarding season too much :D), but those are exactly my preferences and why I am planning to leave on the earlier side. I love cold weather and snow and can't deal with the heat. I am preparing for the cold temperatures but dreading the heat of summer.

On this topic, how cold will it really get in GA at the beginning of March? I mean, I am considering this bag: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/bb2e/ but I can't find any temperature ratings (other than the vague 'sub-zero') or weight information anywhere ;)

Well it is supposed to be a cold winter (good time for us to do our thrus, warm weather- dislikers).

AND I can't believe you're thinking of the Taun Taun bag! Are you serious? I almost got that! Not for the hike, necessarily... And I just made a fairly large order on ThinkGeek. Favorite site in the world (aside from this)! That's where I get all of my christmas presents for my whole family.

On a more serious note, I'm bringing a 15 degree bag and a liner (just in case, for the first couple weeks). I've been told many times to expect snow.

Well it is supposed to be a cold winter (good time for us to do our thrus, warm weather- dislikers).

AND I can't believe you're thinking of the Taun Taun bag! Are you serious? I almost got that! Not for the hike, necessarily... And I just made a fairly large order on ThinkGeek. Favorite site in the world (aside from this)! That's where I get all of my christmas presents for my whole family.

On a more serious note, I'm bringing a 15 degree bag and a liner (just in case, for the first couple weeks). I've been told many times to expect snow.

Haha, no not serious...unfortunately :( That would be one quick way to a new trail name though ;)

Yea, I am also bringing a Marmot 15 degree bag, I tend to wear warm clothes in the bag during the winter, and might throw in a liner as well.

And, I should clarify on my preference for snow. From past experience, deep snow while hiking is a pain. I am rather short and jumping from foot spot to foot spot is slow going. But, it is all part of the adventure!

Reposting from incorrect placement in "Straightforward" thread.

I'll sign up to be the party pooper since someone has to.

For most thru-hikes, what's the necessity of starting in Georgia in February? More town/hostel zero days? I've seen several such situations here, but what's the draw? If you're trying to be ahead of others, why not a southbound?

I know that some folks like cold-weather backpacking (and I've postholed up Apple Orchard Mountain in Virginia in January), but I got a pretty decent taste crossing the Smokies in late April on a section hike a couple of years ago.

Even with a mid-August college/teaching start, March 1st gives over 150 days to make Katadhin.

I'm planning on starting around the 25th, hopefully to avoid the march rush-but I don't know how well that'll work! I can probably start a little earlier, as I'm borrowing a 0 degree down bag for the first few weeks before switching to my 25F down bag.

Haha, no not serious...unfortunately :( That would be one quick way to a new trail name though ;)

Yea, I am also bringing a Marmot 15 degree bag, I tend to wear warm clothes in the bag during the winter, and might throw in a liner as well.

And, I should clarify on my preference for snow. From past experience, deep snow while hiking is a pain. I am rather short and jumping from foot spot to foot spot is slow going. But, it is all part of the adventure!

I'd like mostly a small amount of snow, to look nice. But I'd like just one big snow. I know it's a pain, but you can't play in one inch as easily as two feet!!! Besides, I figure it could snow two feet when I'm a day away from a qaint B & B, I'll take a zero (or two) to renew myself and build more snowmen, then it'll melt away and it'll just be dusted with snow from then on.

Sound good?

Leopard i feel the same way. I am looking for one good hard snow in February. I was hoping as i do a stretch in NJ/ny this weekend it would snow, but it appears to be rain Friday night not snow. but i will still have fun i am sure, testing out some cold weather gear.

I am hoping the Smokies might lay a good snow on us once in February/march

Leopard i feel the same way. I am looking for one good hard snow in February. I was hoping as i do a stretch in NJ/ny this weekend it would snow, but it appears to be rain Friday night not snow. but i will still have fun i am sure, testing out some cold weather gear.

I am hoping the Smokies might lay a good snow on us once in February/march

Well, if you're in the area, a couple of us WBers (and a couple others) are doing a two day shakedown in Delaware Water Gap in mid November! Crossing my fingers for snow... (Especially after camp is all set up- snow on the hike back or when we wake up in camp would be perfect!)

What is footwear best practice for Feb snow and cold of GA start? For years in West I've used pretty heavy boots, wool socks, medium or tall gaiters. What are some other ideas? Thanks in advance.

I'd like mostly a small amount of snow, to look nice. But I'd like just one big snow. I know it's a pain, but you can't play in one inch as easily as two feet!!! Besides, I figure it could snow two feet when I'm a day away from a qaint B & B, I'll take a zero (or two) to renew myself and build more snowmen, then it'll melt away and it'll just be dusted with snow from then on.

Sound good?

That sounds good to me. Actually, one of my best memories of backpacking was in the winter in Vermont on a scout trip. We got 18 inches of snow overnight on top of an already existing base, so the hiking was very slow going. It was so slow that it became obvious we wouldn't make our goal, so we instead stopped at a shelter, pulled out our sleeping bags, and continued to joke around, make snowmen, and build a fire for the rest of the day. It was great!

What is footwear best practice for Feb snow and cold of GA start? For years in West I've used pretty heavy boots, wool socks, medium or tall gaiters. What are some other ideas? Thanks in advance.

I am planning on just trail runners. I switched from boots a couple years ago, and it was one of the best decisions I have made with gear choice. But, I wouldn't use my advice since my feet simply don't get cold.

Leopard i feel the same way. I am looking for one good hard snow in February. I was hoping as i do a stretch in NJ/ny this weekend it would snow, but it appears to be rain Friday night not snow. but i will still have fun i am sure, testing out some cold weather gear.

I am hoping the Smokies might lay a good snow on us once in February/march

Takethisbread and ShelterLeopard, let me know if you are doing any trips in mid/late November or December in the NJ/NY/PA area (my weekends are tied up until then). I had been thinking about doing the Black Forest Trail in PA mid November, but I need to first check on taking a day off work. I was at the Delaware Water Gap a couple weeks ago for a quick 1-nighter, but wouldn't mind going back there again.

just noticed this thread, so i'll raise my hand. i'm starting feb. 23.

i'd prefer minimal snow if i could choose, so when it does comes, i'll let you break the trail, shelterleopard :eek:

i'm a really cold sleeper (even in the summer) and i'm worried my 0 degree bag won't even be enough. should be just right for me by the time May rolls around.:D

i need to be back to North Carolina by early August for various reasons and also want to miss the big bubble at end of march and beginning of april. some here asked why feb., and EVERYone outside of this forum asks why feb. that's why.

henry shire's new tarptent MOMENT will be arriving in mail tomorrow!!!:D:D:D

Yall' make me weep, I'd love to do a thru hike. Life didn't deal me those cards. If the good Lord wills I'll do it in sections. When you pass Birch Run Shelter Please sign the book, Shelter Leopard I figure you will pass my7 way in June I'd like to meet you I'm not a DOM just you have posted so much. but leave me a note if I am not on the trail. BTW I'm "Over The Edge"on the trail.

That sounds good to me. Actually, one of my best memories of backpacking was in the winter in Vermont on a scout trip. We got 18 inches of snow overnight on top of an already existing base, so the hiking was very slow going. It was so slow that it became obvious we wouldn't make our goal, so we instead stopped at a shelter, pulled out our sleeping bags, and continued to joke around, make snowmen, and build a fire for the rest of the day. It was great!

Sounds perfect!!!

in response to lyle

it is personal preference, i like hiking and camping in the winter. if i could figure out a way to do it i would do a winter thru.

For "most" people -- in my opinion only with nothing to back it up -- I think most people start in late Jan and February because they really don't have a clue how long to expect the hike to take and they want to make sure they are finished before mid October. Its can daunting to look at a road map and envision actually walking ga-me.

This obviously excludes those with some type of date commitment, such as students.


I am starting some time between January 4th & February 10th 2010. The date will be determined solely on how far the COLTS make it thru the playoffs.
I am starting this early because I have NO time frame to worry about, want to take my time,have a few nice family visits along the way and spend alot of extra time in the Mt. Washington Valley.

Takethisbread and ShelterLeopard, let me know if you are doing any trips in mid/late November or December in the NJ/NY/PA area (my weekends are tied up until then). I had been thinking about doing the Black Forest Trail in PA mid November, but I need to first check on taking a day off work. I was at the Delaware Water Gap a couple weeks ago for a quick 1-nighter, but wouldn't mind going back there again.

By the way Hobbot- I just sent you a PM about an upcoming hike!

I know this is a 2010 forum but I started Feb 15 last year and there is a lot of info on my journal at trailjournals.com/OMRIVER/ about the early start,
also Garage Man and Pound Hound have a journal and started on the same day.
COLD ..It dropped to 5 degrees ... everything in the tent was frozen unless I slept with it,(water, fuel, shoes,cothes) too cold to lace frozen boots in the morning,
too cold to stop for a rest ...only way to keep warm is to keep moving...
Thank God Whitten sold me a Western Moutaineer down 20 degree bag at Neels Gap..I was never cold in that bag.(My cheap synthetic 15 degree bag wasn't so good and the zipper broke the second day)
I wore boots in the snow..wouldn't want to do the snowdrifts with trail runners .
I told myself it would be cool to sit in the shelter and drink hot chocolate while winter was all about me ..just like a true explorer ....what I found out was it was too cold to do anything except get into the sleeping bag as fast as possible ..which was by 5 -6pm on most nights because it gets dark early...you have to be able to sleep for 12 hours if you start this early because of the lack of daylight.
I hated it and loved it and am glad I did it because now I know I can do it
O.M.River

I'm starting In february too.. I guess about the 2nd week... I'm told any sooner and it's gonna be cold cold cold..

I have to return on work on August 16, 2010 so I need an early start.

2010 is supposed to be an El Nino year. I am assuming that it will be cold, dark, wet, cold, & cold for the first 535 miles. So I will be very happy any day it is not. It is just part of the experience.

I am planning on a 20 degree bag with a liner and sleeping with some clothes. Plus, putting some hot water bottles in my boots at night. Plus a book to read.

It should work out fine. Plus, we will have great weather in the spring and summer.

Thanks so much for your tale!

It sounds like you underestimated the winter conditions, but recovered nicely. Did you sleep 12 hours because you were tired and needed it or did you do it out of boredom/cold?

?I know this is a 2010 forum but I started Feb 15 last year and there is a lot of info on my journal at trailjournals.com/OMRIVER/ about the early start,
also Garage Man and Pound Hound have a journal and started on the same day.
COLD ..It dropped to 5 degrees ... everything in the tent was frozen unless I slept with it,(water, fuel, shoes,cothes) too cold to lace frozen boots in the morning,
too cold to stop for a rest ...only way to keep warm is to keep moving...
Thank God Whitten sold me a Western Moutaineer down 20 degree bag at Neels Gap..I was never cold in that bag.(My cheap synthetic 15 degree bag wasn't so good and the zipper broke the second day)
I wore boots in the snow..wouldn't want to do the snowdrifts with trail runners .
I told myself it would be cool to sit in the shelter and drink hot chocolate while winter was all about me ..just like a true explorer ....what I found out was it was too cold to do anything except get into the sleeping bag as fast as possible ..which was by 5 -6pm on most nights because it gets dark early...you have to be able to sleep for 12 hours if you start this early because of the lack of daylight.
I hated it and loved it and am glad I did it because now I know I can do it
O.M.River

That boot thing is some of the best information I have read on here in quite some time


I have to return on work on August 16, 2010 so I need an early start.

By the way how do I get just one portion of a post on a quote?

2010 is supposed to be an El Nino year. I am assuming that it will be cold, dark, wet, cold, & cold for the first 535 miles. So I will be very happy any day it is not. It is just part of the experience.

I am planning on a 20 degree bag with a liner and sleeping with some clothes. Plus, putting some hot water bottles in my boots at night. Plus a book to read.

It should work out fine. Plus, we will have great weather in the spring and summer.

I've heard that too- and I'm planning the same. 15 degree bag with liner and hot water bottles in my boots! And a recent issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction literary magazine. (Maybe even a real book)

I have to return on work on August 16, 2010 so I need an early start.

2010 is supposed to be an El Nino year. I am assuming that it will be cold, dark, wet, cold, & cold for the first 535 miles. So I will be very happy any day it is not. It is just part of the experience.

I am planning on a 20 degree bag with a liner and sleeping with some clothes. Plus, putting some hot water bottles in my boots at night. Plus a book to read.

It should work out fine. Plus, we will have great weather in the spring and summer.

Good to know Tex, very helpful post, I'll be sure to look up your trail journal.
I know this is a 2010 forum but I started Feb 15 last year and there is a lot of info on my journal at trailjournals.com/OMRIVER/ about the early start,
also Garage Man and Pound Hound have a journal and started on the same day.
COLD ..It dropped to 5 degrees ... everything in the tent was frozen unless I slept with it,(water, fuel, shoes,cothes) too cold to lace frozen boots in the morning,
too cold to stop for a rest ...only way to keep warm is to keep moving...
Thank God Whitten sold me a Western Moutaineer down 20 degree bag at Neels Gap..I was never cold in that bag.(My cheap synthetic 15 degree bag wasn't so good and the zipper broke the second day)
I wore boots in the snow..wouldn't want to do the snowdrifts with trail runners .
I told myself it would be cool to sit in the shelter and drink hot chocolate while winter was all about me ..just like a true explorer ....what I found out was it was too cold to do anything except get into the sleeping bag as fast as possible ..which was by 5 -6pm on most nights because it gets dark early...you have to be able to sleep for 12 hours if you start this early because of the lack of daylight.
I hated it and loved it and am glad I did it because now I know I can do it
O.M.River

I am planning on starting February 20th. Most likely I will be at the Hiker Hostel on the evening of the 19th. Looking forward to meeting lots interesting people. I plan on starting slowly.
I plan on staying at the Hiker Hostel on the 20th of Feb 2010 then hit the trail soon after. Flying in from Seattle. Frost

takethisbread asked texman "Did you sleep 12 hours because you were tired and needed it or did you do it out of boredom/cold?"

As he said, it's about how much daylight there is --- it's dark for more than 12 hours out of every 24 in February. In late Feb (~25th) when I plan to start there's about 11 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. If planning to read books every night, I suggest spare headlamp batteries and lithium ones (work better in cold temps). If you're the sort that can sleep for 12 hours a day, good on you --- still less hours of daylight to hike in, so combined with possible snow on the trail and heavier base weight, just less daily mileage possible. I know that when I'm out at that time of year, it can seem like a long time until daylight.

One nice factor, however, is that the moon is full at the end of Feb, and waxing pretty large (90% full) on the day I'm tentatively starting. It will be rising in the afternoon, so it means possibly walking longer into the evening, assuming it's not too overcast. Snow would just improve the light available --- could be pretty cool (in both senses of the word ...).

Hikerbiker/Frost: We'll have the NW represented in Feb then, I live near Seattle (Bellevue).

Hot water bottles in boots: Seems like too much time and effort to me, but I plan to use trail runners. Less overall mass to warm up vs. bulkier boots. Quite cold going on the feet initially, but just start stomping around, a few jumping jacks or whatever and you're in business. But who knows, maybe I'll give this a try --- it's always worth trying out different approaches!

Highlighting one point from texman's helpful post:
"too cold to stop for a rest ...only way to keep warm is to keep moving..."
I.e., those of us starting in Feb should hopefully be in good enough physical condition that we can just keep moving for the entire day; maybe not moving fast all day, but a steady sustainable pace, and with food that can be nibbled rather than planning to stop for long lunches (or get out your sleeping bag if you do on the coldest days ...). I'm also going to bring a vest, something I'm normally too warm to walk in but perhaps not in the conditions described.

Well I have read alot of reasons and good ones mind you for starting in February, I propose a different one. I am starting early for one there are less bugs, the views are better because the lack of foliage, its a whole lot easier to manage you body temps, you can put on enough clothes to get warm but cannot take enough off to get cool in the summer. Aside from that I am planning on a Yo-Yo hike next year and want to be well south of the new England states before the snow starts to fly. as for the newbies a yo-yo hike is defined as a north or southbound thruhike one way and the turning around and going in the opposite direction back to where you came from. now that sounds like fun!! Im trying for $1 a mile, now this should be interesting. FEB 8th-ish:-?

I made my train reservation last week for Feb. 21st so I will officially be starting on the 22nd, as my train arrives that day at 6:58 am. Not doing the approach trail, also a plus. :) I'm so excited though. I'm bringing a 0F down bag and plan on holing up in shelters in the bag for pretty much most of the time that I am NOT hiking. Will be fiendishly trying to get in shape between now and then so I can move the whole day without too many pauses.

My wife and I will probably be starting February 13th. We both have off work, sold one of our cars, and have almost all of our gear.