I'm more of a lurker here and a meticulous planner for the next year or two before I can actually get out on the AT. I've still got a year on my contract before I can get out of the Navy so I'm trying to do all my planning now so that I can stick my foot out the door the minute I get my dd214 in hand.

I expect to go to college immediately after I get out and hike the AT, however I'll be getting out in fall of '14 which leaves me with almost 6 months before I reasonably expect to be on the trail. I'd like to do some distance hikes before I actually get on the trail. Which leaves me to question of how many of you guys have done more than one of the major trails in the states? I was thinking of the Florida Trail for a warmup, but thats not much shorter than the AT itself (although Florida is sooo devoid of any sea level changes).

Also while in college I was thinking it'd be neat to pick a trail and hike it over summer break, has anyone else attempted something like this?