View Full Version : Last chance for 2018
Am recovering from a knee injury. We are hiking the trail in sections. What’s the last date,weather wise, we can leave from Big Meadow Va heading north to the 3/4 point in Pa ? Any advice would be appreciated.
Dan Roper
08-06-2018, 19:12
It's impossible to answer your question with any degree of accuracy due to the uncertainties of weather and the lack of information about your condition, tolerance to wet and cold, gear, etc.
As a very general idea, October should be possible, November iffy to horrible (especially the latter half), and December almost always horrible (assuming you aren't an expert in cold-weather survival and that the weather is somewhat typical for that season at that latitude and altitude). You're talking about a month or more of backpacking, with the days (and therefore the miles hiked) getting shorter. If you're talking 300-400 miles of hiking, that would probably mean 30 to 40 days, not counting zeroes. With that in mind, starting in mid-September would be better; starting in mid-October would most likely be asking for trouble.
Slo-go'en
08-06-2018, 20:45
Yep, the sooner the better, but not too soon. It's still too beastly hot and humid. I agree mid-September is the latest you'd be wanting to head NOBO. You would definitely want to end the hike before Thanksgiving. All in all, a mid to late fall hike through there is one of the more favorable times to do it.
peakbagger
08-07-2018, 06:12
We did Northern Va to Pa in late September/early October. It was some great conditions except water was a PITA in Maryland and northern VA. Many shelters were dry, with planning we could haul from water sources but it did require some planning.
The other issue is that the abundant oaks and hickories dump their bounty on the trail. This makes for some tenuous footing as they act like ball bearings. After a winter they tend to get washed out of the trail bed but in the fall they really are an issue you need to watch for.
Slo-go'en
08-07-2018, 07:57
The other issue is that the abundant oaks and hickories dump their bounty on the trail. This makes for some tenuous footing as they act like ball bearings. After a winter they tend to get washed out of the trail bed but in the fall they really are an issue you need to watch for.
That could be a problem for someone coming off a knee injury. You might want to wait until next spring and let that knee heal more.
November or December. You will be OK
Thank you all for your good advice.
The trail passes through a lot of State Game Lands in PA. If you're still out there by October 27th, when turkey season starts, you'll want to make sure to wear blaze orange. And I would not hike through game lands after Thanksgiving, when the regular deer season comes in - it'll be a war zone out there. You'll likely want to pack it up by then anyway (gets pretty cold by the end of November most years), but it's something to keep in mind.
petedelisio
08-08-2018, 11:07
We did Northern Va to Pa in late September/early October. It was some great conditions except water was a PITA in Maryland and northern VA. Many shelters were dry, with planning we could haul from water sources but it did require some planning.
The other issue is that the abundant oaks and hickories dump their bounty on the trail. This makes for some tenuous footing as they act like ball bearings. After a winter they tend to get washed out of the trail bed but in the fall they really are an issue you need to watch for.
Some years they are much much less abundant than others.
There is no deadline, it all depends on how cold you are willing to hike. I would look up some weather records and make your judgement by your own comfort levels.