View Full Version : How many today?
SGT Rock
03-10-2003, 18:13
Today is the planned start date for my thru-hike in 2007. Every year on this date I pull out the trail guide, maps of Springer, and play around with my hike plan. Every year I do this a new question comes up to mind I like to ponder. Onece it was will I give up coffee, last year it was about coffee. This year my big question is what kind of crowds will be starting around the 10th of March. So y'all experienced with Springer in the early spring, what are the crowds like?
Lone Wolf
03-10-2003, 18:16
Probably 10-15 hikers.
So, you decided to start on a Saturday, huh?
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2007&country=1
BTW, You only got 1460 days, 13 hours, 25 minutes to go. Or 126,192,300 seconds or 2,103,205 minutes or 35053 hours.
What day are you planning on reaching Katahdin?
Happy Birthday, Sgt. Rock!
Rick B
SGT Rock
03-10-2003, 18:44
7 August 2007 - on or about. That is a Tuesday.
Cool... It is 752 days, 7 hours, 55 minutes and 52 seconds until until I start my hike. Are there a lot of hikers around the 1st of April? I did not see many on trail journals...
I'm going on 11 March 2009...how many more days?
Cav always ready!
SGT Rock
03-10-2003, 21:07
Read the patch - Always Ready.
SGT Rock
03-10-2003, 21:09
2183 days, 4 hours, 50 minutes and 10 seconds
Spent two years at the airfield 1982-84 as a aircraft mechanic.
6 years 8mon active and the rest National Guard full time at the Army Aviation Support Facility as a Arcft inspector.25 years and called it quits. Good luck in 2007.... I don't fell so bad planning 6 years out!
silverback
03-10-2003, 22:45
I started March 8, 1997- I think there were 3 other hikers starting out that day. Met up with 4 others at Hawk Mtn. shelter next day.
TJ aka Teej
03-11-2003, 00:31
Originally posted by SGT Rock
So y'all experienced with Springer in the early spring, what are the crowds like?
As of March 6th, 170 GAMEs have tromped through Neel's Gap, about 30 miles north of Springer. Back on 3/1 it was reported that 36 hikers started up the approach trail that morning.
OutdoorExperiement
03-21-2003, 10:34
I have gotten a few surprised looks about starting March 1. I'm kind of trying to avoid too many people (crowded shelters and busy trails). March 1 should accomplish that, right? And for those experienced, it's not too early either?
I started March 7 and there were over 30 people at Hawk Mountain Shelter that night. Too early? Your chance of hitting significant snow & ice is increased, but that can happen anywhere in the Southern Appalachians in March & April. If you really don't want crowds, you'll have to start earlier yet, or hike SOBO.
It seems like the trend is more hikers every year on the AT. If you want to avoid the social aspect/overcrowding of the trail, you may have to start really early (Feb) or try a different trail. We started in the first week of March last year and had roughly 10 hikers/ night at shelters and campsites in GA. If we wanted a spot in the shelter it was generally not a problem, but you couldn't count on it unless you arrived early. Like I stated the trend seems to be on the increase so who knows what it will be like several years from now.
Lone Wolf
02-01-2008, 10:00
Today is the planned start date for my thru-hike in 2007. Every year on this date I pull out the trail guide, maps of Springer, and play around with my hike plan. Every year I do this a new question comes up to mind I like to ponder. Onece it was will I give up coffee, last year it was about coffee. This year my big question is what kind of crowds will be starting around the 10th of March. So y'all experienced with Springer in the early spring, what are the crowds like?
time flew, eh?
I believe Rock is now pushing thru the Smokies.
Kirby
dixicritter
02-01-2008, 23:22
Yes he is. :)
Chaco Taco
02-01-2008, 23:44
I'm going on 11 March 2009...how many more days?
Cav always ready!
This still your tentative date to start? Im shooting for March 16, 2009
Pedaling Fool
02-01-2008, 23:46
...This year my big question is what kind of crowds will be starting around the 10th of March. So y'all experienced with Springer in the early spring, what are the crowds like?
What a newby question.:D
warraghiyagey
02-02-2008, 01:37
What a newby question.:D
:D:D:p:p
tgrundAT09
04-01-2008, 07:08
March 16 ,2009 here
See you then Chaco
minnesotasmith
04-01-2008, 08:29
It seems like the trend is more hikers every year on the AT. Like I stated the trend seems to be on the increase so who knows what it will be like several years from now.
At least not for thruhikers, according to the ATC's stats. The # starting has been dropping every year for years. Now, numbers of sectionhikers, weekenders, and dayhikers is more open to question, although with overall dropping interest in nonmotorized outdoor activities that take place over a mile from pavement, I'd kind of expect those to be down as well...