I am planning on beginning my AT thru-hike on the first day of the new year - Jan. 1 2004. I've got top-notch winter gear and once, in my youth, worked a ski season at mount bachelor, oregon. During that time i accumulated some moderate experience with snowshoeing, basic mountaineering w/ crampons & ice-axe, and snow camping during multiple overnight hikes (alone) in the mountains.
Anyway, my question is - is it just completely crazy to begin a thru-hike in January? Is it completely unheard of? Do you know anyone who's done it before? Any websites with general information on winter thru-hiking?
Although I had this one winter season at mount bachelor to gain some experience, i've lived all my life in Houston and Austin Texas. So, i'm trying to figure out if i'm just completely crazy or if my dream of beginning on Jan. 1 is reasonable albeit challenging.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Oh yeah - i will of course be starting in Georgia heading north. I'm not *that* crazy. :-)