View Full Version : Crowds in Georgia week of Christmas-New Years
White Oak
12-23-2004, 01:38
Are there many people on the Georgia section of the trail during the week between Christmas and New Years?
TakeABreak
12-23-2004, 02:37
That would probably depend on the weather, if it nice and sunny, it could very well be. If it cold snowy and ice, then it should a good place to be.
Not much crowd @ all....looks like the wx is gonna be mild & cool during that week. (according to Weather.com)
10 %
Sat
Dec 25 Mostly Sunny 39°/18° 10 %
Sun
Dec 26 Sunny 44°/25° 0 %
Mon
Dec 27 Mostly Sunny 49°/33° 10 %
Tue
Dec 28 Partly Cloudy 57°/46° 10 %
Wed
Dec 29 Partly Cloudy 59°/36° 10 %
Thu
Dec 30 Mostly Sunny 55°/39° 10 %
Fri
Dec 31 Partly Cloudy 58°/45° 10 %
Sat
Jan 01 Showers 60°/35° 40
have a great hike! :D
...looks like the wx is gonna be mild & cool during that week. (according to Weather.com)
10 %
Sat
Dec 25 Mostly Sunny 39°/18° 10 %
Sun
Dec 26 Sunny 44°/25° 0 %
Mon
Dec 27 Mostly Sunny 49°/33° 10 %
Tue
Dec 28 Partly Cloudy 57°/46° 10 %
Wed
Dec 29 Partly Cloudy 59°/36° 10 %
Thu
Dec 30 Mostly Sunny 55°/39° 10 %
Fri
Dec 31 Partly Cloudy 58°/45° 10 %
Sat
Jan 01 Showers 60°/35° 40
That looks downright warm. Might bring out the bugs from ATL.
There will not be many, however, we have already put several hikers on the trail (two today) who are hiking the Ga section. Also, There is about 15-20 people who go to Springer every New Years.
Drala Hiker
12-24-2004, 15:26
Jaybird, what town was your weather report for?
If you're heading for the AT over the holiday, just remember that it will be colder and more windy on the trail than it will be in any town, i.e, the weather forecast doesn't cover the mountains, per se. Yesterday afternoon I was driving from Roswell to Maryville TN. It was sunny, a few clouds in the sky, strong NW wind. The mountains, as they tend to do, were creating their own weather, as the NW wind was squeezing the moisture out of the atmosphere as it hit the mountains. I was in sun, the mountain tops were in clouds, hoar frost covering everything. It was 39 down in the valley, likely 25, possliby less, up in the mountains. That doesn't take into account the increased humidity or wind chill, either. Our Georgia mountians may not be huge, but real mountains can create their own weather, so in that regard, Georgia has real mountains.
Just read the Knoxville papers about the highly experienced hiker who was rescued in GSMNP the other day. This guy is an Army vet, 39 yrs of backpacking experience, on an SAR team, and an avid winter hiker. Yet he got into a winter situation that nearly killed him. He had a good winter weight down bag, but no shelter - bivy, tarp, tent - as he was going to a shelter (Tri Corner Knob). The snow eventualy wetted his bag. He was experienced, but not quite as prepared as he needed to be. It's certainly a lesson I learned from his experience - in winter, take shelter as well as a warm bag and clothing.
Maybe it's overkill, but if you're doing a winter trip in the mountains, the few ounces a weather radio would add could save you from a miserable experience. If you've ever noticed, the NWS tends to change the forecast every 8 hours this time of year!
its tempting to spend newyears eve on springer,doing 5 16 hour shifts in the power plant now including christmas eve and christmas day:sun neo
Drala Hiker
12-25-2004, 14:37
Tray Mountain shelter is a great place in winter, with it's wonderful views, and early morning sun!