Hello, I have mostly been sneaking around the forums, but I just can't find anyone starting a thru hike in May. I am going NOBO. I want to start earlier, but I need to graduate high school first. This puts me departing sometime in mid May. Is this a bad time to go? Is anyone else going around this time? Will I meet other thru hikers, or will I be the only thru hiker around that time? And also, what do I do differently? What will the weather be like compared to earlier departure times? Should I carry any different equipment than I would for an earlier thru hike? Thank you for your help!