Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site and excited to find this community. I'll be 62 this year and have wanted to thru-hike the AT since I was 15.
I have been planning my thru-hike attempt for next spring (2023) but am strongly considering starting on trail mid-October 2022 and hiking to Damascus, VA. then jumping off in early December. I would return to Damascus and hike to Katahdin starting the beginning of February (2023). I see a lot of advantages of doing this but the biggest is getting a comfortable head start on the bubble. I've been looking for information on others who have approached their thru-hike in this way and would like to confirm my thoughts. I'd appreciate any feedback to consider as well.
Also curious if this would make me part of the class of 2022 or 2023?
Thanks!