new hiker/where?time of year?

[bobcat12]

need suggestions for hiking the at? and can start the last week of march where is the best place to start it that time of year?

[Blissful]

In March - why not start right at the beginning in GA. Plenty of other hikers to pal around with for sure. The farther north you go, you need to be more familiar with winter conditions and have the gear. But anywhere down south you'll run into thru hikers.

[bobcat12]

thanks..whats it like at the end of march in georgia?

[Spokes]

thanks..whats it like at the end of march in georgia?

Most NOBO's start around the middle of March so you may be just behind the "bubble". You should plan on carrying a winter pack then switch out to a summer pack somewhere around Pearisburg or Waynesboro, VA.

This Bacpacker Magazine article provides some good pointers:

http://www.backpacker.com/november_2...inations/12530

Of course, following Whiteblaze.net and reading thru-hiker journals at trailjournals.com are helpful as well.

Good luck!

[bobcat12]

thanks! what kind of training would you do?

[ShelterLeopard]

Bobcat, are you talking about thru hiking the trail? Or just a section? Have you ever hiked before?

PS- I have a thread started about physical preparation, if you want to see it. Lots of conflicting advice from people, but some is very good.

[ShelterLeopard]

Here ya go:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55669

[bobcat12]

well right now i can only do a section and i have never did hardcore backpacking trips...i want to do the whole thing eventually but with college i can only do a section here and there

[ShelterLeopard]

That's good, in my opinion, you shouldn't just get up and decide to do a thru hike if you've never hiked a long section before. (I mean you can decide to do it, but don't buy your plane ticket to Georgia before doing a somewhat long section hike- at the very least a week.)

[bobcat12]

yea i cant do the whole thing anytime soon so im not that worried about that

[ohmeringue]

Bobcat12 =

Weather in GA in March - rain, hail, sleet and snow, and omg sun and glorious days.
Just be prepared, and leave when the NOBO's do so you will be with a group that can help you if you need it.

Best of luck and see you out there - Ohmeringue March 15, 2010 start