Looking to take the family for our first leg of the AT. The goal is to complete the trail over the next 9 or 10 years. The kids are still in school, so summers are our best option to hike, is it feasible for us to start in the North? This will be our first time backpacking for an extended time and those first 100 miles in Maine, look daunting. Any suggestions? Are there any hostels or drop box pick up from Mt. Katahdin to Monson?
Hate to put the family at risk - thanks in advance! Krav
Start in New York with some 2 or 3 day sections.
Many section hikers like to finish on Katahdin; it makes for a great epic ending. Don't worry about going in one direction, and don't start with the hardest parts and scare yourself or your family off.
The NY trail surprisingly beautiful. There are some rock/steep/scrambly sections, but the climbs are shorter than those further north so it's not overly physically challenging
Try to plan for late summer when there are the least bugs.
If you plan on finishing in 9-10 years then you'll probably be doing 2 week long trips per year plus a few long-weekend trips. You probably want to cherry pick and see each section at its most beautiful. Fall in Vermont, the smokies during rhododendron bloom, etc.
Best wishes, and it's a great goal.