Hi All,
We are long time readers and first time posters. My wife and I are taking time off from our jobs in the UK to walk part of the Appalachian Trail starting in July, likely around July 10th.
Our visas mean that we will have a total of 90 days in the U.S., so allowing for transit time either side, we feel something like 900 miles is appropriate (ie 60 15-mile days plus rest days and buffer.). We feel this should be enough of a challenge while allowing us to take our time and take zero days and take in life in the trail towns.
We are in our late twenties. We are both quite fit, run marathons and have done a fair bit of day hiking but have little backpacking and camping experience.
We are looking for people's advice on what stretch of the AT would be most appropriate from say 10th July until the end of September.
We think the options are...
1. NOBO from Delaware Water Gap to Katahdin; this starts with easy terrain but NJ/NY etc could be very warm in July.
2. SOBO from Katahdin to Delaware Water Gap. This is probably better weather wise (though bugs prominent we understand) but tough terrain to begin with and we hit the 100 mile wilderness before we've found a rhythm.
3. SOBO from Monson, ME (or similar) down to say Harpers Ferry. This fits weather-wise and avoids early difficulties but feels like we are wimping out a bit.
A NOBO hike starting further south seems like we wouldn't hit anywhere meaningful by the end and would just get more very hot weather.
Our original plan was to go with 1. but our start date has gone from June to July which has made us consider other options too.
Any help or experience appreciated. We are coming from the UK so can't quite get a feel for the different state climates!
Cheers
Chris