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I find it easier to think in terms of weeks vs. months for planning.
2190 mi at a very achievable pace of 100 mi/week = 22 weeks. Start May 15, finish Oct 15. The down side is dealing with summer...

Short answer: excellent idea for the many reasons posted above.
A 26 week thru hike is an 85 mile/week average, which is pretty slow and achievable by almost anyone who can finish. I started April...

Of states with an announced end date for stay-at-home orders, VA's is the furthest at June 10. Gov. Northam has announced a phase 1 opening for VA for May 15. This would include state parks on a...

Hiking southbound TO Trail Days or FROM Trail Days will likely be a more pleasant experience.

(2) 32 oz Gatorade bottles and (1) 64 oz iced tea jug. Treat with Aqua Mira.

Train. Good advice above.
Work. Save as much $ as possible.

I'm not a big fan of Feb starts. For any prospective THs on a limited budget, starting a couple months later is a chance to accumulate...

Not an expert but I have built several alcohol stoves. My beefs are the difficult ability to simmer, no "on-off" switch and not great fuel economy (result of my handiwork). Have not used a caldera...

Alcohol stoves are light, easily replaceable and quite indestructible but IMO too limited for LD hiking. Canister stoves seem to be the popular choice albeit with some hassles (purchase, disposal,...

Stationary bike and stair stepper work best for me for indoor training. IMHO walking around the county park with a pack on is worthless.

PA is almost guaranteed to have temps of 80+ in July. North of Duncannon reliable water may become scarce.

Sept is usually pretty nice in VT, tending toward warmer rather than cooler. The...

I also recommend a sign.

It seems that tradespeople or fellow outdoors enthusiasts are most likely to stop. However, hitched a ride with a guy whose Subaru was, like, two weeks old. I think he...

March is a particularly bad time to be on the southern AT because of so-so weather and hoards of would-be thru hikers. If your schedule allows, recommend mid to late April instead.

FWIW I will be heading north from US 2 to Canada starting AUG 3.

The book was a hoot as is most of Bryson's work. The movie was a dud. I can see Wild (film) inspiring someone to hike the PCT but, after all the delays and hand wringing WRT to AWITW (film), it...

Wines from wineries north of the James River are generally better. Top red varietals are Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin. Top white varietals are Viognier and Chardonnay. Doukenie Winery near...

^ This. Southwest flies to BWI. Not sure any discount airlines fly to Reagan (DCA) (e.g. Jet Blue) but do not fly to Dulles (IAD). Nothing is convenient from Dulles.

SNP is the most highly regulated hiking in VA. Consider Massanutten Mtn. (non-AT) or Peaks of Otter (AT) as alternatives. Also, IMO you have about a 50-50 chance of crappy weather at that time. Be...

I've cut down a plastic bag that DAV leaves at the front door to use as a ground cloth and 1/2 gallon iced tea jugs + gatorade bottles in place of a water bag and nalgenes.

Ditto on a spoon and the green plastic cup from a mid-70s mess kit and a 3/4 inch Thermarest from 1986.

The quote from Slo-g'en says all that needs to be said.

Planning a NOBO E2E starting the second week in Sept.

I sectioned Newfound Gap to Damascus in '87. Somehow I knew you were on the trail ahead of me and tried to catch you near Damascus. Didn't know your '87 trail name was Lone Wolf til today.

Sorry for the confusion. Nom de trail = trail name. When did you change from your previous one?

@ Lone Wolf: When was the LW nom de trail adopted?

Same applies to the photo albums at ATC HQ. A couple of years ago my wife and I were in Harpers Ferry and I was able to find my photo from 1986 to show her.