View Full Version : Leaving GA in May?
Trail_Name
03-23-2011, 16:05
Hi everyone,
I'm planning to leave GA in the second week of May, but it seems like everyone leaves earlier- this is concerning because I'm going solo, and was hoping to hook up with some people along the trail (even though I'll probably be on the slow side, which is another concern.) I'm only going to be on the trail for a month or so.
Are there still a lot of people on the trail in May? Also, what are the special concerns for May/June in Georgia and in the Smokies? The guides that I've looked at have said it could be cold anytime, but should I really pack cold weather clothes for May and June?
Thanks so much!
HiKen2011
03-23-2011, 16:07
Hi everyone,
I'm planning to leave GA in the second week of May, but it seems like everyone leaves earlier- this is concerning because I'm going solo, and was hoping to hook up with some people along the trail (even though I'll probably be on the slow side, which is another concern.) I'm only going to be on the trail for a month or so.
Are there still a lot of people on the trail in May? Also, what are the special concerns for May/June in Georgia and in the Smokies? The guides that I've looked at have said it could be cold anytime, but should I really pack cold weather clothes for May and June?
Thanks so much!
Pack for cold for sure, there will be hot days as well.
Ladytrekker
03-23-2011, 16:08
I did a very small section starting at Springer in the last week of May and the first shelter I stayed at there were 10 of us. And probably 6 people passed us and went to the next shelter and did not stay at the one I was at. I don't think you will be alone.
daddytwosticks
03-23-2011, 16:34
Lots of sectioners on this part of the trail in May, especially the weekends. Have a good hike. :)
Plenty of thrus starting later and later as the collective gets wiser and wiser. You will not be alone. And even your choices of trail friends is slim in the beginning, all the fun ones eventually filter to the back of the crowd.
If I thrued again, second week of May is exactly when I would start.
We left May 1st when we thru hiked the trail. We got snowed in on Wesser Bald, so yes any kind of weather can happen.
Az
you'll see lots of hikers on the trail in May, don't worry. You will start to encounter hotter daytime temps, but nites could still be in the 30s, esepecialy in the Smokies. I went thru the Smokies last year from 4-8 May, it was perfect weather. A 30 degree bag was more than adequate (Mamot Hydrogen)
If you have a decent pace, you'll start to catchup to the ones that start in late April.
Mid May is a great time to start. 30s is as low as you will need to pack for. You will be hiking in shorts for sure. And you will be in the middle of spring. It will be very nice. Oh, and lots of section hikers will be out there. A lot of section hikers wait til May to avoid the throngs of thru hikers and the hard freezes.
I will be starting out May 6th from Springer! Maybe I'll see you out there!