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  1. #1

    Default Advice for my 1st section

    I am going GAME next March ('09). The 25th is my wife's B-day, so I plan to start on the 26th or 27th. My wife is completely understanding and excited for me to go (she likes hiking, but can't come for the whole trail). Our anniversary is May 17th (this will be our 1st to be exact) and I'm trying to plan for spending our anniversary in Asheville, NC (Biltmore). But I need to make it to Damascus by May 13th or 14th (the bus leaves from Marion, VA on the 15th).

    Long story, short: Can I make it from Springer to Damascus in 49 days?


    Anyway, I am in the preliminary stages of planning and just wanted to get some opinions on what kind of schedule I should expect (or if that is too ambitious and should plan something else).

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
    "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." ~John Burroughs

    "...follow the day and reach for the sun!" ~ Polyphonic Spree

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by ncerniglia View Post
    Long story, short: Can I make it from Springer to Damascus in 49 days?
    Most likely. Thats 459 miles in 49 days, or about 9.3 miles/day average. You might actually be there a week or two early!
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  3. #3
    Registered User Tennessee Viking's Avatar
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    It generally takes about 5-6 weeks from Springer to Damascus. Most of the March starters get to Damascus at Trail Days which is around that time (weekend after Mothers Day).

    If you get held up or takes you longer, Hot Springs & Erwin are good locations to get to Asheville by shuttle. Johnson City & Bristol would be the other closest Greyhound terminals.

    I wouldn't go past Damascus until after your anniversary.
    ''Tennessee Viking'
    Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
    Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by ncerniglia View Post

    Long story, short: Can I make it from Springer to Damascus in 49 days?
    you can make it all the way to Mt. Rogers HQ in 49 days which is about a 6 mile hitch from the bus station

  5. #5
    But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
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    It took me 39 days to cover that section, and I was just barely going faster than "typical" thru hiker pace.

    Kirby

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by ncerniglia View Post
    Long story, short: Can I make it from Springer to Damascus in 49 days?
    Yes. No problem.

  7. #7
    Section Hiking Knucklehead Hooch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ncerniglia View Post
    Can I make it from Springer to Damascus in 49 days?
    I give up, can you?
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  8. #8
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    damn, you and I are in the same boat. My wifes b-day is the 5-20, our anniversary is the 5-23 and mothers day is a week before both. I guess I am waiting until after the anniversary. good luck.

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