Section Hike Suggestions

[wperrott92]

This will be my first and quite possibly my last last long distance hike before I report for active military service and say good bye to anything more than weekend hiking for years. I need suggestions for a 180-200 mile section in the Georgia/Carolina/Tennessee area that I plan to hike over ten to fourteen days starting around May 17th. I go to school in Arkansas so would prefer less driving distance, but open to other variables. I am familiar with the Nantahala area and would like some elevation if that is necessary in the summer. I am in extremely capable physical shape and plan to be carrying around 15-20 pounds if that factors into consideration.

I originally planned to complete the Bartram trail but was convinced that an AT section would be better for my first long hike, and a more fulfilling experience. I don't report to airborne school until mid June but would like to keep the trips around two weeks or less to minimize the likelihood of excessive muscle wastage. I have most of the gear, and just need to figure out a section, a shuttle and a good pair of trail runners as I'm set on giving up my hiking boots despite my mediocre ankles. I have/can get ahold of a mld burn, ula cdt, and hmg 2400 to choose as a pack, a EE enigma 10 quilt with a solite pad, and either a tt protrail, flat tarp, or poncho tarp to choose from. I don't like trekking poles and was planning on using the tt replacement poles for my choice of shelter. Keeping expenses low is also a priority.

[Hikingjim]

Lots of good options with 200 miles
Could go newfound gap (smokies) north to carvers gap. Would give you a good mix and a lot of higher elevation areas
If you go south, you might get tired of passing a ton of thru hikers and seeing dozens of new people every day. A bit better to go with the flow, imo

[wperrott92]

I'm not familiar with the permits for the smokies and if I missed the time limit to get one or not. Would hiking from Springer to the NOC/Fontana also be a good option?

[illabelle]

I'm not familiar with the permits for the smokies and if I missed the time limit to get one or not. Would hiking from Springer to the NOC/Fontana also be a good option?

Nothing wrong with Springer to Fontana.

I'll suggest a couple of my favorite sections, both with great views, and plenty of elevation change:
1. The Smokies alone are about 70 miles. If you do 50 miles before and after, you qualify for a thru-hiker permit, total of 170 miles. No concern about a time limit. If you prefer not to do the extra miles, you have to reserve space at each shelter you plan to use (assuming space is available). With plenty of hikers on the trail in May, I think that could be a problem. Many of your views will look something like this Google pic.
https://static.rootsrated.com/image/upload/s--ODTnpqFv--/t_rr_large_natural/rweeso0yvgposzxly5za.jpg

2, From Hot Springs NC to Hampton TN is about 150 miles and includes the Roan Highlands. Unfortunately your time frame is 2-3 weeks before the peak rhododendron bloom. But it will still be beautiful!
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKzaZ5PwocMRvjnjY7P1pBII83TRyFx lBmEpoRNtMTgbI1vdO2

Helpful resources:
Smokies permits (https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/)
AWOL guide (http://theatguide.com/)
Distance calculator (http://www.atdist.com/)

[wperrott92]

I want to keep it within a 9-14 day time frame so it will either be springer mountain to the NOC or Hot Springs to Hampton.

[daddytwosticks]

Doing Deep Gap NC to the NOC starting on May 22. May see you out there. Just look for the old slow hiker carrying a green Osprey pack. Probably describes lots of section hikers on this forum. :)

[wperrott92]

I undertand that the springer to NOC option would probably be a lot less packed in late May than the hot springs to Hampton option? Any other resupply option, or random variables between the two areas?

[daddytwosticks]

I undertand that the springer to NOC option would probably be a lot less packed in late May than the hot springs to Hampton option? Any other resupply option, or random variables between the two areas?

Parts of the trail have be affected by last fall's wildfires, specifically in the North Carolina stretch from Deep Gap up thru the NOC. :)

[wperrott92]

Thanks, I'll be doing the smokies to roan highlands section.

[dudeman_atl]

Camp Merrill is right there in Dahlonega & they often make it up on to the AT during Ranger training.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[wperrott92]

Wow, if all goes well I should be at ranger school myself in about a year.
How agressive could I get with clothing worn and carried? I tend to hike warm and was planning on nylon shorts and a polyster long t, with a down puffy, rain gear, extra pair of shirt, underwear, socks and fleece hat in pack.

[Professor Paul]

Doing Deep Gap NC to the NOC starting on May 22. May see you out there. Just look for the old slow hiker carrying a green Osprey pack. Probably describes lots of section hikers on this forum. :)
You can count me in that category!

[wperrott92]

Any clothing suggestions for someone who hikes very warm, and ways to get from Hampton to hot springs?

[bigcranky]

Any clothing suggestions for someone who hikes very warm, and ways to get from Hampton to hot springs?

I'm always warm. I hike in nylon shorts and a merino wool t-shirt (150-wt) though a synthetic works just fine too. Mesh trail runners and wool socks. Nylon ball cap or Tilley hat. In my pack I have dry merino wool shirt and long john bottoms for sleeping and for town, dry socks for sleeping, and another pair of the same nylon shorts so I have something dry to put on while I hang up my soaking wet shorts and t-shirt to dry (rain, sweat, whatever - it's wet at the end of the day). A third pair of socks so I can clean a pair and wear a pair, with the clean ones drying on the back of my pack.

I often bring a very light down puffy even in summer, as it can get chilly early in the morning, and it also supplements my 45F quilt. I have a small fleece beanie, and a light rain shell and a rain kilt. I sometimes bring a light fleece pullover instead of the puffy.

There is a shuttle list at the AT web site (http://appalachiantrail.org/). Several folks in the area shuttle, just call well in advance.

Sounds like you are graduating and being commissioned this month? Congrats. Have a great hike.

[wperrott92]

I won't be commisioning for about another year due to weird grad student schedule, but will be headed to air assault school mid june. Since hot springs is a straight shot down the freeway from Hampton maybe I could just save money and hitch a ride?

[HooKooDooKu]

I'm not familiar with the permits for the smokies and if I missed the time limit to get one or not. Would hiking from Springer to the NOC/Fontana also be a good option?

If you do a hike that begins and end 50 miles beyond the borders of GSMNP, then you are eligible for a thru-hiker permit you can get online here (https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=2).
There is no limit on the number of thru-hiker permits issued, so you wouldn't have missed anything.
The thru-hiker permit allows you the flexibility of not having to obtain a reservation for each shelter you wish to stay at. You will also be allowed/required to tent outside the shelter if the shelter is full.

If you do a hike that begins or ends less than 50 miles beyond the GSMNP border (such as a hike from New Found Gap), then you must obtain a general backcountry permit you can get online here (https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/index.cfm?BCPermitTypeID=1).
This permit requires you obtain a reservation for each shelter on a specific date you plan to stay there. Reservations for your desired time period have only been open for about a week.
At the moment, there are plenty of reservations available... however a few shelters have already filled up for some of the dates in your time frame.

[bigcranky]

I won't be commisioning for about another year due to weird grad student schedule, but will be headed to air assault school mid june. Since hot springs is a straight shot down the freeway from Hampton maybe I could just save money and hitch a ride?

Possibly so, it's relatively easy to hitch near the AT if you have a pack.

[wperrott92]

I will stick to the hot springs-Hampton plan due to time frame concerns, and will skip a shuttle reservation and hitch a ride since it's a straight shot on the freeway and I need the money for supplies.

[bayview]

SOBO from 19e to Hot Springs.