im planning on hiking in 2013. i was going to start the last week of February. i was a little nervous when i first started planning my trip because i would be doing it alone. however my brother who thru hiked in 2003 told me that they'll usually always be another thru hiker or two no matter when you start. although i think it would be awesome to start out with someone around my own age for at least the first few weeks or even a month.