Would you change your start date because of possible thunderstorms?

[shivelight]

The plan was to start the approach trail this Sunday or Monday (16th or 17th). The forecast now shows possible thunderstorms every day from Sunday thru Wednesday.

While I know I can't avoid all storms once a hike starts, is it prudent to put off a start for four days because of a chance of lightening? My main concern is that all the hiking will be counter to lightening safety as it'd be uphill going towards a summit the entire first day.

What would you do? What have you done before?

Thanks for weighing in.


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[Grampie]

In my estimation, forecasted thunder storms are not a reason to postpone your hiking start. When hiking it is not unusual to see possible thunder storms in the forecast. Learn of the cautions for hiking in these conditions. Happy trails.

[Abatis1948]

On my first section hike, I started the approach trail, skipping the stairs, in a storm. I finished 5 days later in the rain. It rained the whole hike. This is very much a personal decision. Good luck on you hike.

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[JC13]

You might as well get rained on early, the sooner it happens, the sooner you will be able to decide if being wet is a deal breaker.

[cmoulder]

You might as well get rained on early, the sooner it happens, the sooner you will be able to decide if being wet is a deal breaker.

Good advice!

Did a long-planned 4-day hike in PA recently with some friends and we went ahead despite a crappy forecast (rain/snow) the first couple of days. The weather was indeed crappy and it was challenging but still a lot of fun. How glorious it was to have the warm sun on our faces after a couple of days like that, however!

A friend crossing one of the many swollen streams we waded across while it was snowing!
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[TX Aggie]

Completely a personal preference, but honestly the wind and rain are a greater factor than if you're concerned about lightening strikes. The threat of lightening can be mitigated pretty easily: stay off balds, stay clear of the taller trees and standing water. Generally, harder ground (rocks) are better than damp/wet soil and mud.
As for the wind and rain? Well that's the truly difficult part. My personal advice: embrace the suck and move out doing your best to keep your sleeping gear dry.


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[dudeijuststarted]

Nope. No rain, no pain, no Maine (or wherever it is you plan on finishing!)

[illabelle]

Being from Idaho, perhaps you're unfamiliar with the southern forest. While you will occasionally reach an exposed area, most of the trail is under substantial tree cover. Yes, it'll be wet, but the lightning safety concern is much less than it is out west or up north in the above treeline areas of NH and ME. Georgia is a "walk in the woods."

[la.lindsey]

This time of year, most of the predicted thunderstorms will never even happen. Just start and be relatively smart about stuff.


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[colorado_rob]

Being from Idaho, perhaps you're unfamiliar with the southern forest. While you will occasionally reach an exposed area, most of the trail is under substantial tree cover. Yes, it'll be wet, but the lightning safety concern is much less than it is out west or up north in the above treeline areas of NH and ME. Georgia is a "walk in the woods."

I was going to say something similar, substituting "Colorado" for "Idaho".... it's really only above treeline that lightning is a significant concern (and we are above treeline a LOT in CO and ID), it's almost amusing seeing the fear of lightning on the AT, not that the danger is zero, just a lot less than in the high mountains (and Florida, interestingly enough). It's all relative!

[T.S.Kobzol]

the very first thing you will probably realize is to take weather forecasts with a grain of salt.

[Bronk]

Just about the time you think all your stuff is going to dry out today it will rain again. You'll be wet at least every 3rd day, probably more often. Everything you own will smell like mildew. You need to learn how to have fun hiking in the rain.

[evyck da fleet]

If the forecast was 100% rain with thunderstorms and ⛈ for three days yes. I cancelled an overnight hike to Springer a few years ago because of that and the tornado warnings. But for a possible thunderstorm, no way. That may as well be the forecast for the next month.

[Wuff]

While it may seem less than ideal psychologically to start your hike in the rain, I think it could work out the opposite. As many already said, get the rain and mud out of the way early. When I started my hike it was my first backpacking trip ever - I worried about the rain for days until it finally poured and I realized "Oh, you just keep walking".

[Hikingjim]

thunderstorms don't last forever. You can plan your day and wait things out at shelters, etc, before you go out on the limited exposed areas on the southern AT
You're going to be hiking in a lot of warm weather, and you'll have a "chance of thunderstorm" A LOT, so you'll get used to managing risk

i've had many fantastic hiking days where there's some nasty pictures of tstorms in the forecast.

[tflaris]

Embrace the Suck


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[Malto]

The sooner you learn that you won't melt in rain (unless you're a snowflake) the better off you will be. It's the crappiest days that really make you appreciate the nice days. Just do it.

[DownEaster]

Personally I wouldn't vary my schedule for thunderstorms; I'm used to the wet and know the risk of being hit by lightning is very low. I wouldn't even delay for snowstorms, due to logistical issues. These days the hassles associated with air travel include committing to a flight long in advance of any weather forecast. I might need to find a place that sells crampons when I arrive in Atlanta, but that would just be part of hiking to Mother Nature's drumbeats.

[Dogwood]

My trail runners aren't Gortex. I'd postpone until 5 months straight of no thunderstorms in the forecast.

[rafe]

For a section hike, if I had a choice in the matter, maybe.

For a thru-hike, it would seem silly. You're going to be dealing with whatever nature dishes out for the next few months. Get used to it.