I have about six weeks available to me starting about June 5th and I am considering hiking a section of the AT.
My wife will be driving from our home in Texas to our son's home in Florida. We can detour to drop me off at the trail. I need access to public transport at the end of the hike to travel to Orlando to rejoin my wife and see an expected new grandbaby.
I have in mind a start at Damascus and an end at Harpers Ferry.
I have never hiked on the AT but have hiked several trails in the West and midwest (Centennial,SD, Superior trail, Colorado trail and JMT).
Questions: what are typical temperatures between June 5 and July 17 on this section of trail? More specifically is it likely that I can hike with temperatures below 85 for most of the time? I am quite at ease with taking a three hour or so nap early afternoon to pass the hottest part of the day.
Is it likely that this part of the trail will be deserted in this time period? I like to have company at least at some of the camps. I am quite comfortable hiking alone but I do enjoy company at camp. I have never used a shelter and will try them but will take my tent with the intention of camping near shelters.
Is daily or twice daily access to water likely, I typically hike 12 mile days?
Is there another 5oo mile section that might be better for the time of year, bear in mind the extra transportation cost to going further north.
My ambition is to thru hike the AT when I retire, likely 2014.