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Blacktop
10-15-2011, 23:07
Starting springer mt, March 21st 2012. Hope to have good weather! Not crazy about snow hope to miss it! My trail name is blacktop. Hope everyone has a good hike!

ChinMusic
10-15-2011, 23:10
Age 46, huh? Don't see a whole lot at that age.

Stats 2012
10-15-2011, 23:20
Age 46, huh? Don't see a whole lot at that age.I'll be 43 - does that count? Will start at Springer March 13.

ChinMusic
10-15-2011, 23:30
I'll be 43 - does that count? Will start at Springer March 13.
Sweet

It just seems that the major age groups are the 20-somethings and the 50+ crowd.

I got 54/55 in my sights.

Blacktop
10-15-2011, 23:58
Wanted to for a long time. Have done some on the past just have the time to do it this year.

Old Hiker
10-16-2011, 12:10
Sweet

It just seems that the major age groups are the 20-somethings and the 50+ crowd.

I got 54/55 in my sights.

55 starting the hike and I hope I finish before 56.

Storm
10-16-2011, 12:21
Just say "Howdy Gramps" as you youngsters zip past me.

Myakka Mules
10-16-2011, 20:07
Hey, Blacktop... The wife and I are starting on March 15th. Hope to see you out there. We Florida folks have to get use to the weather and the hills...

ironman y2k
10-16-2011, 22:21
For you Florida guys in the Tampa Bay area Bill Jackson's Sports in St. Petersburg has a thru-hiker clinic next February 10 - 11. A lot of great info.
http://www.billjacksons.com/backpacking.php

HockeyGirl
10-17-2011, 07:39
Hey Blacktop - probably see you out there - I'm starting Springer on the 20th - you'll probably pass me the next day!
Guess I'm in the 'crazy' minority - in my 30's and giving it a shot!

Megapixel
10-17-2011, 09:02
speaking of the minority, i'll be 37 and my wife 48. hope to pass you somewhere up north as we are sobo-ing. Good luck Blacktop

Pedaling Fool
10-17-2011, 09:05
You'll see snow.

Blacktop
10-17-2011, 18:41
Thanks, ironman I'll check Bill Jacksons out it's close by . Hadn't thought about looking there. Don't know if I'll pass you hockey girl I'm working on getting in better shape but like khakis mules few hills in Florida. But I will be in Dahlonega Ga March 16 th to do some pre hiking .

Mountain Tech
10-17-2011, 20:21
me and 3 other friends are planning on starting our AT thru-hike on March 1st, 2012 up in Maine and hiking down back towards home which is in Atlanta. We've heard the weather will be quite cold but the trail is smooth from ME to WV where it starts to get treacherous from that point south. any thoughts?

ironman y2k
10-17-2011, 22:37
@ Mountain Tech.... am I reading your post wrong? Or are you making a joke? "....trail is smooth from ME to WV...." Maine, N.H., V.T. are some of the most treacherous mountains on the entire trail, and in March / April they can be deadly with snow and temps in the single digits and below. Crossing the Presidential range of N.H. during those months would not be wise unless you have had training in winter mountaineering.

Pedaling Fool
10-18-2011, 08:34
me and 3 other friends are planning on starting our AT thru-hike on March 1st, 2012 up in Maine and hiking down back towards home which is in Atlanta. We've heard the weather will be quite cold but the trail is smooth from ME to WV where it starts to get treacherous from that point south. any thoughts?Go for it.

rdaviskiwi
10-18-2011, 12:34
I am 47 and a travel nurse so I can take time off between assignments as long as you have money in the bank. So I am fortunate to be able to start march 29th. Look forward to the experience. Git Bear

drainwater
10-19-2011, 01:29
My wife and I will both be in our early 40's for the hike, with one teenager and a 10 year old. Likey we may be in the minoruty of hikers.

Looking forward to sharing the trail with peeps of all ages!

Rainwater2012.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainh2os-2012-APPALACHIAN-TRAIL-THRU-HIKE/180547586481#!/pages/Rainh2os-2012-APPALACHIAN-TRAIL-THRU-HIKE/180547586481

Bowlegs
11-15-2011, 18:56
Thanks Ironman I live in St Pete and expect to attend!

strollingalong
11-16-2011, 02:07
starting the same day... I'll be the guy with the mezcal

Mike2012
11-17-2011, 13:57
I'll be 43 - does that count? Will start at Springer March 13.

I'll be 44 if I start then. I'm gonna watch the weather and jump on a good weather window if it presents itself otherwise maybe St. Patrick's day.

Feral Nature
11-17-2011, 14:26
I''l be 56 by March for my thru and will be another slow one that these kids will zip by.

Bat321
11-17-2011, 18:10
40 when I start and looking forward to another trail birthday. Trail birthdays are the best.

LDog
11-17-2011, 20:19
Heh, I will have turned 57 while driving to Atlanta. Gonna start real slow, and get strong before shifting gears ...

shobes104
11-17-2011, 21:18
I'm starting sometime in March and looking to finish in August. I'm hiking for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA). To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. I have begun my campaign to collect donations in their name and raise awareness for the cause. I hope this will bring the motivation I need during struggling times to finish my journey.

Here is my blog that explains it all...http://www.sethsatjourney.blogspot.com/
This is my donation hosting page...https://www.wepay.com/donate/sethsatjourney

Whether you make a donation or just check out the page, THANK YOU.

You only have to remember that
What you've done in your life
May change what someone's doing in their life
And it changes everything


~ Peace

Switchback2012
11-18-2011, 17:28
I will celebrate my 40th on the trail!:)

tomman
12-30-2011, 02:36
Hey all you young kids that are starting the trail say hi as you rush pass me. I am 76 and have COPD so I will huffing and puffing along the trail. Hit me on the shoulder to see if I am still alive as you pass. I am starting the trail on the 15TH of March.

msupple
01-03-2012, 13:11
My wife and I plan on leaving about April 1st but will be keeping an eye on the long range weather forecast. If it looks good we may back up to about March 15th. Regarding our age....let's just say our trip is being partially funded by the Social Security checks we receive each month in the mail. :) SYOTT

Juice
01-03-2012, 13:26
I should be getting on trail on the weekend of the 24th. I decided last June that I was going to stay 32 for another year then jump right to 34!

CROCKETT
01-08-2012, 22:11
Another Ol Man starting mid March. I am 56 years old from South Carolina. Just retired the first of the year. I've been working on getting in shape for the past several months. I feel like I'm ready physically. I'm a bit concerned about the snow we'll hit, I've hiked in the cold but never in heavy snow. Can't believe my long time dream is about here. WOW

ChinMusic
01-08-2012, 22:49
Another Ol Man starting mid March. I am 56 years old from South Carolina. Just retired the first of the year. I've been working on getting in shape for the past several months. I feel like I'm ready physically. I'm a bit concerned about the snow we'll hit, I've hiked in the cold but never in heavy snow. Can't believe my long time dream is about here. WOW

Re snow: A little bit is really fun.....really. A lot doesn't seem like fun at that time, but is still fun when you think back on it. Get good weather forecasts when you finish each 3-4 day section. If the weather scares you, just hole-up in a hotel for a bit. I have often hiked the southern AT in winter and do just that. Sometimes I end up kicking myself for being a wuss.

CROCKETT
01-09-2012, 18:51
Thanks ChinMusic for the words of encouragement on the snow..Great advice on checking long range weather every 3-5 day stop. I plan on leaving mid March depending on the 10 day forecast at that time. I did the Springer Mtn to Mountain Crossing Hostel a month ago just to get a bit familiar with the start to help reduce any anxious concerns.

Best of LUCK on the Trail, hope to see ya

Seven mile
01-17-2012, 12:41
I am getting into hiking the Appalachian trail. This year! April to Oct. I should say I am exploring the possibility of doing the AT starting April first.
First I have to sell the trailer and prove to myself I can hike multiple days with a pack.
I ordred a Hennessy Hammock to test.
I just weighted my 1985 Backpack, its 7+ LB?!
I love that custom made Dan McHale pack but can I do the hike with it?

Hiker8261
01-21-2012, 21:48
I did my AT thru hike in 2009 and turned 48 while on the trail. I will likely be back out mid to late March for a 500 mile warm up for a PCT thru hike starting in May. Just go easy when you need to and enjoy your hike.

Nitrojoe
01-22-2012, 00:50
When I start my thru hike on the AT this year Ill be 70. Start date is March 07. In 2010 I had a four-way by pass and in 2011 a knee replacement. Ill be starting out with new anatomy. Ive been working out alot on my steep hill climbs and long distance hikes. I feel as though I can meet the chalenge. See you all on the trail.

CROCKETT
01-22-2012, 12:37
I too am a "Older" Hiker (56 years young) I plan on starting mid March, depending on 10 day forecast. I hope to see you out there.

rowan
01-22-2012, 13:58
Hi all-

guess it's time I signed in here. I've been blowing up all the other boards, but I too will be hiking as much of the AT as my body, wallet, and mind will let me. Starting between march15 and april1, weather dependent - like so many others here. I'm 24 and will be having a trail birthday in July. Is a bottle of bubbly considered UL?

trail name is Rowan for planning purposes :banana native american name - pee long time

Ladyofthewoods
01-22-2012, 14:59
Starting mid-March going NOBO and turning 53 at the end of that month. I'll have a little candle lit that night to celebrate and maybe a wee bit of something if I can manage to carry it! Very excited. Can't think of a better way to have a birthday and start a new life as a single lady, finding my own path in life.

The Monk
01-22-2012, 17:41
I'm 48 years young and will be starting February 1st this year. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy hike. :)

Cheers...
Monk

Nooga
01-22-2012, 23:21
I'll be 63 when I start and turn 64 in May. Just wave as you pass me.

clowd
04-06-2012, 11:29
i planned on a thru hike...started march 24th 2012...but after 4 days...stepped off the trail and went home...need to lighten that pack..alot!~...and repair the achilles tendonitis...anybody seen SALT?....need to get a hold of him... clowdwalker

Airman
04-07-2012, 22:13
Will begin my hike on Sat Apr 14 from Dick's Creek Gap NoBo to Fontana. Starting a week later because of low temps. If I can choose, I will always choose warmer temperatures.

LDog
04-24-2012, 22:06
Just uploaded a bunch of photos from Georgia and NC

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/browseimages.php?catid=member&imageuser=30691