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View Full Version : 2012 hikers, have you picked a start date?



TFOS
03-10-2011, 02:10
I know it's really early, but I'm sure I can't be the only one who has picked a date already. What's yours, and did you pick your date for a reason?

Max and I are going to do the approach trail on March 19th next year. I want to be on top of Springer when the sun rises on the 20th, the first day of spring. If things go well, we'll have hiked through each of the four seasons (ok, so we'll only be hiking for one day of winter, but still).

RETCW4
03-10-2011, 13:44
I was going to start April 1 this year until I herniated a disc. Now I am plannining March 15th 2012.

NOBO
Trail Name: Tumbleweed
Start Date: March 15, 2012
Approach Trail: No

Tumbleweed

Sickmont
03-10-2011, 13:47
Not yet. I'll determine it probably sometime next january, to be honest.

Far East
03-10-2011, 13:48
Another 370 days to go... (still depends on the price for the flight from Europe, so +/- 5 days)

NOBO
Trail Name: don't have one yet
Start Date: March 15, 2012
Approach Trail: No

SweetBee
03-10-2011, 14:06
We're definitely doing our thru next year but the start date has yet to be determined. It will most likely be early March though, as ideally we need to be done by the end of July. We both work at summercamp for kids with diabetes and although I know the fiance would be willing to miss it for the trail, I know I won't be ok missing it. If we don't make it to Katadhin in time, there will simply be a 3week camp hiatus from the trail before we return.

Old Hiker
03-10-2011, 14:29
29 Feb - special date as it's a leap year and my mom's birthday.

HockeyGirl
03-10-2011, 14:38
Hey Old Hiker - that's my birthday too! :-)

NOBO
Trail Name: Button
Start Date: March 15, 2012 (for now - might be a couple days earlier)
Approach Trail: Undecided

I'm now officially counting DAYS, not years and ticking them off the calendar!

ekeverette
03-10-2011, 14:54
i will be working my last day after 30 years, around mid march. i'm planning to hop on the trail between april 1st through the 15th. i'm so overwhelmed can't control myself!

One
03-10-2011, 15:00
NOBO
Trail Name: One
Start Date: March 15, 2012 (Not set in stone, but feels good to put a date on the calender :))
Approach Trail: Absolutely

:):):):):):):)
Sorry, can't wipe the smile off my face as I am typing this start date!

Old Hiker
03-10-2011, 15:11
Hey Old Hiker - that's my birthday too! :-)

NOBO
Trail Name: Button
Start Date: March 15, 2012 (for now - might be a couple days earlier)
Approach Trail: Undecided

I'm now officially counting DAYS, not years and ticking them off the calendar!

Beauty! 357(?) days or so right now. I have the countdown on the front board in my classroom and my kids are counting with me.

Where is Hampshire? I was born around Wimpole Park, Cambridgeshire - Alconbury AFB - father was American Air Force. I was stationed in northern Germany and actually had to go to the UK for sunshine and warm weather! Thanks for giving me about 2 weeks head start - I'll be the old grouchy guy moving slow! See you on the trail.

sjd0397
03-10-2011, 19:38
I'm planning on mid march between the 11-17.

Trail name: ?

HockeyGirl
03-14-2011, 09:05
Hampshire is about 2.5hours SW of Cambridgeshire, we're on the coast, but certainly doesn't give us any more sun or warmth!

And even with 2 weeks headstart, that's no guarantee I'll catch you, I'm hot a hiker, more of a meanderer :D

Hope to see you on the trail though!
:)

LDog
03-14-2011, 09:36
Max and I are going to do the approach trail on March 19th next year. I want to be on top of Springer when the sun rises on the 20th, the first day of spring. If things go well, we'll have hiked through each of the four seasons (ok, so we'll only be hiking for one day of winter, but still).

Love this concept. As Mary and I are not spring chickens, we're weighing the trade-offs between an early start to provide some safety cushion, and a later start to avoid cold and snow ...

My Birthday is mid-march, and that would be a great day to climb the approach trail to Springer. I like the idea of a spring equinox start. But, then, there's also something right about an April 1st start to a Fool's Journey!

Captain_Slo
03-14-2011, 13:23
NOBO
Trail Name: Captain
Start Date: March 12, 2012
Approach Trail: Yes

Trailryder42
03-18-2011, 18:13
NOBO
Trail Name: ?
Start Date: Around April 1st
Approach Trail: Yes

De nova
03-18-2011, 18:39
Nobo
I am contemplating my first hike ever of the AT next year.
I have some hiking experience and plan some backpacks in California this summer.
I am reading all the time about the AT and I am looking at a start date at the beginning of April.
I really never even dreamed I could hike the AT and decided just to weigh in now.
So far my greatest obstacle is friends telling me, "You can't do that!" for a myadrid of reasons.

Sonno
03-18-2011, 19:17
5/14/12
Sobo MeGa

Storm
03-18-2011, 19:59
April 1st 2012 since everyone thinks I'm an old fool anyway. Did the approach trail a couple weeks ago so might not do it again. Didn't find it to be a big deal. Thinking about staying in the Hike Inn and leaving from there on March 31st. Only 4.7 miles to the summit from the Inn.

Entropy2012
03-20-2011, 19:08
NOBO
Trail Name: ?
Start Date: March 1st to 7th (it'll depend on flights/travel arrangements etc.)
Approach Trail: Yes

Aaaaagh, I'm so damn excited it's ridiculous! I've never done anything remotely like this before, so I'm literally shaking with anticipation. :p:

Handschin
03-20-2011, 19:25
NOBO
Trail Name: ?
Start Date: 20 Feb 2012
I have not figured out if I am doing the approach trail yet. I am fired up to say the least!

peasantgirl
03-20-2011, 21:26
Love this concept. As Mary and I are not spring chickens, we're weighing the trade-offs between an early start to provide some safety cushion, and a later start to avoid cold and snow ...

My Birthday is mid-march, and that would be a great day to climb the approach trail to Springer. I like the idea of a spring equinox start. But, then, there's also something right about an April 1st start to a Fool's Journey!

I'm right there with you, ChillyWilly. I want to start early to give me plenty of time to get my trail legs, but I'm a cold weenie!

Bucketfoot
03-20-2011, 21:53
DE Nova, Just go for it. I will be 62 and retiring and heading NOBO from Springer, end of April 2012. Exact date not set yet. I plan for my life to be pretty much unscheduled from then on.

LDog
03-20-2011, 22:25
I'm right there with you, ChillyWilly. I want to start early to give me plenty of time to get my trail legs, but I'm a cold weenie!

Here it is, the time period we're planning to start next year, and the wx here in Michigan has been wonderful for hiking. 'Course while we're higher in latitude, we're 3000' lower in altitude ... We've got a good tent, good bags, insulated sleeping pads, lightweight boots, and plenty-o-layers ... We'll be good for what ma nature throws at us.

More and more looking like a 17 March start. Amtrack to Gainesville, GA. Shuttle to Hiker Hostel, and then to the approach trail.:sun

RGB
03-20-2011, 22:43
SOBO
Name: RGB
Date: July 15, 2012
Approach: I guess the equivalent would be summiting K.

morganw413
03-27-2011, 11:26
I'm not sure at all when to start. We've just gotten the idea to do this. was thinking on June 22nd, 2012. Is that too late?:-?

Far East
03-29-2011, 11:50
I'm not sure at all when to start. We've just gotten the idea to do this. was thinking on June 22nd, 2012. Is that too late?:-?

Depends on your speed... :-)

Myakka Mules
03-29-2011, 21:16
My wife and I are starting on March 15th as well. We have already done the approach trail so we will be starting on Springer. Our trail name will be The Myakka Mules!

Track3307
03-29-2011, 22:43
SOBO
Trail Name: Squatting Bear
Date: July 1st 2012
Approach: I'll walk down it when I finish on Springer

88BlueGT
04-07-2011, 16:49
You people make me want to set a date and start counting down! lol I guess I'm no exception but my life changes so damn much within weeks let alone an entire year from now. No clue what I'll be doing but if its anything like my life at the moment, I'll see you on the trail. March 15th sounds like a popular date, maybe I'll join you all than!

Badspeller
04-07-2011, 16:52
My son and I are hiking NOBO we planning to leave north on the trail 6 am 5-5-12

TFOS
04-10-2011, 16:21
88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.

TFOS
04-10-2011, 16:21
Start, even. Geez, I'm the typo king!

Carol A.
04-10-2011, 19:23
I am planing to do the approach trail on March 4th. but it is not set in stone. I am counting the days and already getting excited.:sun

brian039
04-10-2011, 19:43
If I had it to do all over again I wouldn't start before April 15th. I wish I could have seen Maine in the Fall. Good luck to all of you, it will be one of the best experiences of your life! Take it one resupply at a time and hike your hike.

P.S. Virginia is NOT flat!

88BlueGT
04-11-2011, 11:35
88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.<br />
<br />

I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to be forced to hike with all these lunatics on the forums! :D It is a good idea to start a little early/late though to beat the crowds. Better chances of catching a shelter, etc. etc. etc.

I want to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LDog
04-11-2011, 11:59
88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.

Then there's all the folks who start on weekends making those days to avoid. Of course you want to consider cost of transport to the trailhead being potentially cheaper mid-week than on weekends ... We're down for the first day of spring :sun

Our Offishul Thru-Hiker Registry thread is up and running at:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71615

carpattack
04-11-2011, 17:24
Looking at April 1 but might start mid week that week before since it falls on a Sunday

jelina
07-16-2011, 05:51
We both work at summercamp for kids with diabetes and although I know the fiance would be willing to miss it for the trail, I know I won't be ok missing it. If we don't make it to Katadhin in time, there will simply be a 3week camp hiatus from the trail before we return. I am reading all the time about the AT and I am looking at a start date at the beginning of April.

Badspeller
08-09-2011, 10:25
NOBO leaving May 5th after exams :)

Feral Nature
08-09-2011, 12:52
I am having a difficult time picking a NOBO start date, but sometimes in March.

Serial 07
08-09-2011, 13:19
ah, i can't wait!!!! sometime in april!!!!

so excited to be back on the trail! i'm slowly stashing away food and shoes and whatnot...

PreyingJaws
08-09-2011, 18:27
It depends upon work for my start time. If I don't get a job after the seasonal job I'm working I'll start in March. If I get the job I'm hoping for, I'll do a head start maybe in VA around May 1st.

jansom
08-10-2011, 18:39
May, 5th NOBO when school lets out. Going as far as I can before the fall semester.

Stats 2012
08-10-2011, 19:33
March 13, for me. Can't wait.

You may want to sign the 2012 Registry and give your particulars: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?71615-2012-Thru-Hike-Registry.

CaptainNemo
08-12-2011, 00:54
Trail Name: Nemo
Start Date: April something :)

...Feels weird to set a start date finally after planning for so long...

shattercat
08-24-2011, 13:36
June 1, 2012 MEGA!

orions_knight
08-24-2011, 13:58
going NOBO april 22, for my 26th birthday and a friend will be with me, maybe 2. gonna do the approach trail as well and tryin to get to ME by mid october.

LDog
09-10-2011, 00:28
Just posted a piece on what went into our decision as to when to start our thru hike.


http://laughingdawg.blogspot.com/

tomman
09-10-2011, 04:20
NOBO
Trail Name Cherokee Tom
Start Date 15 March 2012
Approach Trail. No not a part of the AT.

Lux
09-10-2011, 04:30
SOBO
lux
starting early june from maine-

been wanting to thru hike the AT for years! so excited!! :D

fireneck
09-13-2011, 17:50
NOBO
Trail Name: On the Loose, or OTL for short or maybe Tooth Brush.... The trail might even decide.
Start Date: February 29, 2012 - you can only start on a leap year every four years :sun
Approach Trail: Have not made my mind yet..

Praha4
09-13-2011, 18:42
starting Tuesday April 10th from AFSP, doing the approach trail.

Noboat

RWheeler
09-13-2011, 19:07
I think I'm going to start the approach trail on April 24, camp-out that night, and start the actual AT trek on the 25th.

LDog
09-30-2011, 17:05
Just posted our thoughts as to how Mary and I are going to get to Springer Mountain next spring:

http://laughingdawg.blogspot.com/ (http://laughingdawg.blogspot.com/)

yingxuy
01-10-2012, 23:27
Method of tracking a few weeks ago, it may not do it again. Did not find that it is a big problem. Thinking about raising interest rates to live in hotel March 31, and from there to leave.

Rick Hines
03-20-2012, 03:31
I will be starting either 4/9 or 4/15 2012 so I may see you on the mountain ! lost my job in Jan. after 27 years of the workforce ! so I decided to take this time to head for Maine !!

i will be working my last day after 30 years, around mid march. i'm planning to hop on the trail between april 1st through the 15th. i'm so overwhelmed can't control myself!

bigpopcrush
03-21-2012, 08:37
I will be starting in early June SOBO I was just diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to bump my start date accordingly. I plan on writing a book and have a Kickstarter about to go live on Friday. So hopefully I meet some of you out there!