View Full Version : SoBo thru hikers can register with ATC.
Was poking around the ATC page the other day. Made it to the registration page and noticed you can now indicate your starting point as Katahdin.
https://ao4.availabilityonline.com/reservation_form.php
Not sure if it is being handled like NoBo last year or not. We'll see I guess.
The voluntary thru-hike registration system for the A.T. for 2017 is quite similar to the system in place in 2015 and 2016.
The best link is www.appalachiantrail.org/thruhikeregistration (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/thruhikeregistration).
The ONLY function of the calendar is to let you know if a specific start day has filled up or is off limits, i.e., starting a southbound thru-hike prior to June 1, during the period that Baxter State Park is closed (until May 15) or likely to be closed (May 16-May 31).
Charts (bar graphs) are updated twice a week (during peak season) showing the number of people registered each day for each of the following categories:
Northbound
Flip-Flop starting north from Harpers Ferry
Flip-Flop, any other version
Southbound
These charts can be viewed by scrolling down the registration page above until you see the rectangle that says 2017/2016/2015 Thru-Hiker Registration Charts. Click on that, and you'll see the frequently updated charts for all 2017 categories, as well as charts from the past two year.
TJ aka Teej
12-21-2016, 20:41
Thanks, Laurie. Sobos need to be aware that just because the Park's open for day-hiking in early May, and overnight camping season starts on the 15th, there's no guarantee trails up Katahdin will be open that early. Once again this past May there were sobos in the Park amazed, amazed, they couldn't climb the mountain on the 15th. Good move having the sign-up calendar start May 30th!
Recent history:
'16 The Hunt Trail opened May 27th.
'15 Park delayed opening some campgrounds. Hunt open May 22nd. (Summit snow on the 23rd!)
'14 Park delayed opening some campgrounds until May 22nd. Hunt open May 29th.
'13 May 24th
'12 May 20th
'11 Park canceled traditional May 15th opening, Abol open Memorial day weekend.
'10 May 25th
'09 May 20th for both Hunt and Abol.
'08 Park canceled traditional May 15th opening, Abol and Hunt open May 29th.
'07 May 31st