Timeframe from Springer to Fontana

[wolfpack_law]

Im planning a SOBO thru starting Aug. 5th, but wanted to get my feet wet with a smaller trip from Springer Mt, to Fontana Dam. I was just wondering what the average time frame is between those two points.

[sparky2000]

The variables of speed, ambition, health, ect. make your question difficult to answer. I have seen a couple hike straight thru without stopping to NOC (about 3 days before Fontana) in 25 days. 162.5 miles total is what your after - that is a possable amount of dehydrated food to carry - limit yourself to a total of 20 lbs. and you'll probable make the trip - all other things being favorable.

[Lone Wolf]

Im planning a SOBO thru starting Aug. 5th, but wanted to get my feet wet with a smaller trip from Springer Mt, to Fontana Dam. I was just wondering what the average time frame is between those two points.

2 weeks

[sliderule]

I have seen a couple hike straight thru without stopping to NOC (about 3 days before Fontana) in 25 days. 162.5 miles total is what your after - that is a possable amount of dehydrated food to carry ...

They must have spent more time eating than they did hiking!!!

[wolfpack_law]

Thanks. I'll plan on around 2 weeks.

[Lyle]

Agree, I hiked it last May in 13 days. Took 1 zero day. Two weeks should be a very leisurely trip for you if you are in anything close to decent shape, especially at your age.

[wolfpack_law]

Awesome, great to hear. Thanks for the info.

[Monkeyboy]

Definately two weeks.......even taking your time.

About six days from Springer to the NC border at a leisurely stroll and about six days from the border to Fontana.

[stranger]

I've done it in 10 days and I've done it in 17 days, depends on how fit you are and just how much you like "hiking"

[Jack Tarlin]

13 or 14 days would be quick time for this section.

I think 16-18 would be more realistic for most people.

[Survivor Dave]

I did that section in 14 hiking days. I zeroed in Hiawassee and Franklin.

[Jaybird]

Im planning a SOBO thru starting Aug. 5th, but wanted to get my feet wet with a smaller trip from Springer Mt, to Fontana Dam. I was just wondering what the average time frame is between those two points.




AVERAGE=12 miles per day for a THRU HIKER
:D
if my math is correct...that should put you @ the Fontana "HiLTON" in less than 14 days.

Good Luck w/ yer hike...no matter how long or short it is.

I'll be hiking May 2-14 NOBO Harpers-Swatara Gap with "Model-T" & "Jigsaw"

[Jack Tarlin]

12 miles a day is indeed the daily mileage average over a 180-day thru-hike, but very few folks average 12 per day in the first few weeks of their trip.

On the first week, many folks average more like 8 to 12.

Plus, while the weather is better in summer than spring, there will still be half days or shortened days going in and out of places like Neel Gap; Hiawassee; Franklin; the NOC. These shortened days will cause your daily average to go down, and this doesn't even factor in the possibility of a full day off, which many folks take in Hiawassee or Franklin.

Because of this, a 12 mile per day average here (for 14 consecutive days!) is
probably unrealistic for most folks. I think 16-18 days is more like it, and for many folks, 18-21.

I hope some Whiteblaze readers check out their trip journals and get back to us on this. Something tells me we're gonna here from more folks who took 17 or 18 days on this stretch than those who did 13 or 14.

[slowandlow]

I did that section in 14 hiking days. I neroed at Neels Gap and zeroed at Hiawassee and NOC.

[Kirby]

I started 3/1 and rolled into fontana 3/18, but that was at thru hiker transition pace, meaning I was going slower than if I were just sectioning.

[10-K]

Finished on the morning of the 9th day. No zero days but one day we slackpacked from Wayah Bald to Franklin to avoid the climb out of Franklin with a full pack which was kinda nice.

[stranger]

Last year I met people at Neels Gap who had started 3 days before me, and that night I met someone who hiked from Stover Creek shelter to Neels Gap in one day, it all depends on what you like to do, some people seem to like camping as much as hiking, so for some hiking 8 miles and cooling your heels from 2pm til bedtime might sound enjoyable - for me that would drive me crazy, to each their own.

I guess it depends on whether or not you train before you leave, I trained pretty hard for 7 weeks before I left last year and had minimal problems doing 18's right from Springer, but where I don't have any problems with making miles, my "challenges" with hiking come more in the mental department! We all have strengths and weaknesses I guess.