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HikingLane
12-13-2015, 02:00
Hello everyone,
just posting to see if there is anyone else starting thier thru hike In early February 2016. Me and my buddy are starting a nobo on February 1st. Just trying to get an idea if we'll see anyone else on the trail that is brave enough to ensure the cold and snow with us.
Happy trails y'all!

kayak karl
12-13-2015, 08:28
Brave might not be the right term, but you will see people out there.

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Cotton Terry
12-13-2015, 14:20
I see one person registered for a February 1st start, so far.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/thru-hiking/voluntary-thru-hiker-registration/2016-thru-hiker-registration-charts

HikingLane
12-13-2015, 20:53
Is suppose crazy may be a better term than brave. We're are on a tight schedule and have to finish in time to go back for college classes in the fall.

rocketsocks
12-13-2015, 21:12
Is suppose crazy may be a better term than brave. We're are on a tight schedule and have to finish in time to go back for college classes in the fall.with the weather were having lately, you might make spring break.:D

Oslohiker
12-13-2015, 21:22
Is suppose crazy may be a better term than brave.

Why? Are there any Youtube videos out there showing these allegedly dangerous conditions? What is so dangerous and crazy about it? Against cold you can use warmer clothes and a warmer sleeping bag/sleeping pad. Against ice you use crampons. Against heavy snowfall you have extra food and fuel, so you can wait it out. Anything I have missed?

Kookork
12-13-2015, 21:37
Why? Are there any Youtube videos out there showing these allegedly dangerous conditions? What is so dangerous and crazy about it? Against cold you can use warmer clothes and a warmer sleeping bag/sleeping pad. Against ice you use crampons. Against heavy snowfall you have extra food and fuel, so you can wait it out. Anything I have missed?

In theory and on paper you might be right but what you may have missed is real life experience in hiking in storm and very cold condition. It slows you down and might force you question your early start hike.

I am not here to judge but statistics shows February starters have less chance to hike all the way. Who knows you may belong to the group that can make it all the way. Just you need to be prepared more than on theory to make it .

George
12-13-2015, 21:52
Why? Are there any Youtube videos out there showing these allegedly dangerous conditions? What is so dangerous and crazy about it? Against cold you can use warmer clothes and a warmer sleeping bag/sleeping pad. Against ice you use crampons. Against heavy snowfall you have extra food and fuel, so you can wait it out. Anything I have missed?

books to kill some time

George
12-13-2015, 22:00
Is suppose crazy may be a better term than brave. We're are on a tight schedule and have to finish in time to go back for college classes in the fall.

end of Feb start would still be plenty of time

CarlZ993
12-14-2015, 00:30
A 5-month thru-hike is easily done. Give yourself a week to 10 days leeway before you take off. As long as you don't get injured & need significant recovery time, you'll do fine (especially as young as your are).

Good luck on whenever you start & happy trails.

Oslohiker
12-14-2015, 07:30
In theory and on paper you might be right but what you may have missed is real life experience in hiking in storm and very cold condition. It slows you down and might force you question your early start hike.

I am not here to judge but statistics shows February starters have less chance to hike all the way. Who knows you may belong to the group that can make it all the way. Just you need to be prepared more than on theory to make it .

This is the most sensible answer I have seen regarding this subject. The conclusion should therefor be: It is not crazy at all, you should just be comfortable about hiking in cold weather, taking the appropriate precautions, and plan accordingly.

Personally, I think it is more "crazy" to hike in very hot weather. An early start will make you avoid most of that later on in a thru-hike. That should be a good reason for an early start.

FatMan
12-14-2015, 08:27
More and more are starting in February. Last year I was quite surprised as hardly a day went by where I did not see NOBOs in Feb. With all the support services for the AT today, and instant accurate weather info, an early start is not nearly as difficult as in the past.

Traveler
12-14-2015, 08:56
Given weather this year, December starts may not be too much of a reach....

squeezebox
12-14-2015, 09:38
Think about the mud and bugs in New England. How do they fit your schedule?

runt13
12-14-2015, 13:35
squeezebox, empty your PM's, tried to send you one and got the box is full memo!

Boots and Backpacks
12-14-2015, 13:58
Given weather this year, December starts may not be too much of a reach....

Until you get up north, and there's still snow.

je1230
12-15-2015, 19:24
I'm planning to start mid-February (potentially as early as Feb. 8 or as late as Feb. 22). I'm leaning towards earlier as I have a July 1 soft deadline to get back to move and start work Aug. 1.

BillyGr
12-16-2015, 12:42
Until you get up north, and there's still snow.

Hence the this year in the post, as the amount of snow in the north so far has been little, if any. Of course that could change any time.

Dogwood
12-16-2015, 12:56
http://appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/thru-hiking/voluntary-thru-hiker-registration

Use this resource to see who else REGISTERED thru-hikers will be on the trail with you or not and register yourself to assist others plan their hikes too.

egilbe
12-18-2015, 06:06
Hence the this year in the post, as the amount of snow in the north so far has been little, if any. Of course that could change any time.

if i remember correctly, almost all our snowfall last year was in February. Just cuz theres no snow NOW, doesnt mean we wont get dumped on in january, february, march and april.

Traveler
12-18-2015, 08:57
if i remember correctly, almost all our snowfall last year was in February. Just cuz theres no snow NOW, doesnt mean we wont get dumped on in january, february, march and april.

The start of winter in 2014 saw significant snowfalls in New England in December that continued well into March. It was a record year. Typically we do not get significant snow in southern new england (6" or more in a single fall) until mid to late December. This year we will see 60 degrees on xmas eve, which led to my comment. Of course we will probably see snow in February and early March, though some years we don't, and elevations over 2,500 feet will probably have snow. However, the long range forecast is not promising for much snow or even below freezing temperatures through mid January into February. Bad news for snowshoers and those who prefer winter conditions over mid July conditions.

Boots and Backpacks
12-21-2015, 16:56
Hence the this year in the post, as the amount of snow in the north so far has been little, if any. Of course that could change any time.

Just stating a fact. This past year was mild for the amount that it snowed in time, but not for the amount of snow that fell. There was a shorter season that dumped much of the snow in about 2 weeks. All of which was in February.


if i remember correctly, almost all our snowfall last year was in February. Just cuz theres no snow NOW, doesnt mean we wont get dumped on in january, february, march and april.

You remember correctly. We didn't see any snow on the trail until the first of February.