Starting date - Pennsylvania to Maine ?

[RangerZ]

I'm looking for advice on the date to restart my thwarted 2018 NOBO thru hike now 2019 LASH. I made it past halfway to Pine Grove Furnace last year.

I'm considering a mid May restart based on:

1. Mothers Day 12 May
2. Avoid hiking in Vermont until July to avoid mud season
3. Black flies in Vermont until the middle of June.
4. Black flies in Maine until the middle of July.
5. Take advantage of longer days up to and following the summer solstice.
6. Native Americans at Baxter on Labor Day weekend.
7. The heat map shows that I would start ahead of the bubble but fall behind it before Maine.

My window seems to be 13-21 May. I figure 90 days to get to Katahdin, I am not fast.


Yes, I'm over thinking this. :banana

[bigcranky]

Yeah, mid May seems good. You want to be early enough to have water in PA but not so early you get to VT too soon.

[ldsailor]

I started from Wind Gap, PA last year on May 24th. My intent was to finish the trail. Unfortunately, I had to quit in the White Mountains (Wild Cat mountain range). That was on July 19. I am a slow hiker, but I figured if I hadn't got hurt and continued on I would have finished by mid to the end of August.

If you start anytime from the middle of May to end of May, you shouldn't have a problem finishing before September. Just be careful in the Whites!:D

[RangerZ]

I started from Wind Gap, PA last year on May 24th. My intent was to finish the trail. Unfortunately, I had to quit in the White Mountains (Wild Cat mountain range). That was on July 19. I am a slow hiker, but I figured if I hadn't got hurt and continued on I would have finished by mid to the end of August.

If you start anytime from the middle of May to end of May, you shouldn't have a problem finishing before September. Just be careful in the Whites!:D


Thanks to both of you. That's about how I had it figured. I'm leaning toward the beginning of the 13-21 May range to account for some zeros. Final date will be set after negotiations with my wife.

:banana

[Puddlefish]

Sounds like you're "just right" thinking this.

[shelb]

I can't comment on weather conditions during different times; however, I can comment on the PA section. My first hike in it was a 90 mile-ish section from the southern border to Palmerton. I figured those who claimed it was so tough and a place "where boots went to die" were pansies... (no offense!). The next year, I about 100 miles from Palmerton to NJ border... dang! This was different! I think someone actually chiseled those rocks into points to mess with my feet! (Make sure you have good soles and maybe add inserts to your shoes/boots).

FYI: The rocks continue into NJ for a bit, then that state becomes a "boardwalk" - literally !~

Enjoy!

[colorado_rob]

Just FWIW, another data point, my wife and I are hitting the trail in Wayesboro heading NOBO and we'll get to PA right about that same date (May 12th +/-), timed for lots of reasons you state, so I concur with your timing. Maybe we'll see you out there!

[Bubblehead]

Starting at Wind Gap on May 9th. Plan to be on Katahdin late July...

[Bubblehead]

Actually, now starting at Smith Gap Rd. trailhead now....Mechanical Man is going to pick me up at the airport on May 9th...stoked to start!