Miner
05-14-2018, 00:45
I'm starting to plan my summer backpacking trip this year. I'm thinking about getting back on the AT this September where I got off a few years ago in North Adams/Williamstown, MA. I have 23-24 days available which I figure will get me somewhere between DWG (if I have issues) and Port Clinton, PA (if all goes as plan). I'm planning to maximize my 3 weeks of vacation by picking up an extra day due to Labor Day, so I was thinking to try and start on late morning Friday Aug.31 by getting a Red Eye flight from LA Thursday night and thus finishing ~Saturday, Sept 22 and flying home on Sunday the 23rd.
Just prior to leaving, I will be doing 4 to 6 weekend backpacking trips as training in high elevation mountains with 4000 to 5000 ft of climbing so I expect to be in decent shape. Though most trails out here are switch-backed so there won't be any rock staircase type climbing. I'm hoping hiking in high elevation will help compensate for that. Pack weight will be UL (<10 lbs baseweight).
I have a few questions:
What would the expected temperatures be that time of the year? I'm assuming my 40F quilt will be warm enough.
I want to verify my assumption that the hiking of this section will be not be any more difficult than Vermont or is it even easier? Though I understand that I'm to expect rock covered trails once I get to DWG.
Is the hiking the typical long green tunnel or will it be more exposed where someone with a pale complexion should bring sunscreen?
If I'm willing to delay my start a few weeks, when would the best time to hike see fall colors (and not having to deal with hunting season) be? I'm assuming it will happen later than NH and VT due to the low elevation. Given how short the days were in VT in mid October, I'm not inclined to wait that long.
Transportation to North Adams, MA. Taking Peter Pan bus from Boston to Williamstown does not look like good choice. So I would prefer to fly into the closer Albany, NY airport and get a shuttle so I can actually hike the same day I arrive. Any shuttle recommendations that cover that area? Especially one that could pick up during the morning hours on Friday before a big holiday weekend.
Transportation from DWG/Port Clinton to airport: I know DWG has a daily bus into NYC transit station will connections to the airport. But if I get off trail in Port Clinton as planned or end up somewhere in between DWG and Port Clinton, any shuttle recommendations that can pick me up and take me into Allen Town (LeHigh Valley Airport 35mi) or Harrisburg (Harrisburg International Airport 62 mi) on a weekend.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Just prior to leaving, I will be doing 4 to 6 weekend backpacking trips as training in high elevation mountains with 4000 to 5000 ft of climbing so I expect to be in decent shape. Though most trails out here are switch-backed so there won't be any rock staircase type climbing. I'm hoping hiking in high elevation will help compensate for that. Pack weight will be UL (<10 lbs baseweight).
I have a few questions:
What would the expected temperatures be that time of the year? I'm assuming my 40F quilt will be warm enough.
I want to verify my assumption that the hiking of this section will be not be any more difficult than Vermont or is it even easier? Though I understand that I'm to expect rock covered trails once I get to DWG.
Is the hiking the typical long green tunnel or will it be more exposed where someone with a pale complexion should bring sunscreen?
If I'm willing to delay my start a few weeks, when would the best time to hike see fall colors (and not having to deal with hunting season) be? I'm assuming it will happen later than NH and VT due to the low elevation. Given how short the days were in VT in mid October, I'm not inclined to wait that long.
Transportation to North Adams, MA. Taking Peter Pan bus from Boston to Williamstown does not look like good choice. So I would prefer to fly into the closer Albany, NY airport and get a shuttle so I can actually hike the same day I arrive. Any shuttle recommendations that cover that area? Especially one that could pick up during the morning hours on Friday before a big holiday weekend.
Transportation from DWG/Port Clinton to airport: I know DWG has a daily bus into NYC transit station will connections to the airport. But if I get off trail in Port Clinton as planned or end up somewhere in between DWG and Port Clinton, any shuttle recommendations that can pick me up and take me into Allen Town (LeHigh Valley Airport 35mi) or Harrisburg (Harrisburg International Airport 62 mi) on a weekend.
Thanks for any help you can provide.