anyone starting jan1st?

[allman]

Hey everyone, first post with whiteblaze. Just wondering if anyone is starting northbound January 1st. I am starting a nobo thru hike jan 1st. And just trying to find out how lonely ill be.

[bigcranky]

There is usually quite a crowd on the summit of Springer on Dec 31 for the New Year's Eve celebration. Not quite like Times Square, of course. So try to be there that evening for a good sendoff.

You'll meet other hikers, but the trail won't be crowded and you'll have plenty of days by yourself. Good luck and happy trails.

[Longchuan]

Hi Allman,

I'll be starting on Jan 1st as well. Looks like there will be a few of us starting around that time this year according to the ATC registration chart.

I will be staying at the hike hostel on the 30th and on the approach trail on the 31st. You?

[allman]

Hey longchuan
I don't think I'm gonna do the approach trail, gonna get dropped at forest service road close to Springer and backtrack on the first. Have done sections in summer and fall but not winter. So a little nervous about starting in Jan. It's nice to know other people will be out there. Hope to see you out there.

[Longchuan]

Sounds good, same here. Looks like the first night will be below freezing XP

Good luck on your hike!

[Learn Free or Die]

Hey all, I'll be starting on the 1st. While I arrive to ATL in the late afternoon on 12/31 and need to hit a few stores for supplies as well as a good restaurant with a friend, I may be on Springer for the NYE celebration. I won't be doing the approach trail.

I plan on going really slow for the first few weeks yet it's great to know there will be a bubble out there! We may need to band together when winter finally hits in earnest.

[sparky2000]

A Jan 1st starter I talked with a few yrs. ago said she was sorry that she haden't brought spikes.

[Traveler]

Hey everyone, first post with whiteblaze. Just wondering if anyone is starting northbound January 1st. I am starting a nobo thru hike jan 1st. And just trying to find out how lonely ill be.

Welcome to WhiteBlaze! With an early start date like this, I have often wondered about the planning involved and have a couple of questions.

Regardless how this winter is starting out, you will run eventually into serious snow in February and March and curious how you planning to work through that. Will you have snow shoes along with crampons and/or microspikes for hard ice? What do you plan as an average daily mileage in these conditions where you may be breaking trail in snow depths of 20" and higher?

Another, perhaps larger issue will be Vermont. Trails in VT are closed from early-mid April through late May during "mud season" to protect trails. How are you planning to avoid the closure with the likelihood you will be in VT at about that time?

I wish you well on your journey and hope the weather remains kind to you!

[kayak karl]

even if a group starts it will be broken up by Neel, if you are hiking your own hike. you will know it's the weekend when you see other people. i went 5 days not seeing a sole. prepare for being WET and cold. the dampness in Georgia is amazing. you will have views like this.
cheoahbald.jpg

[The Cleaner]

The forecast for next week here is temps back to normal by 12-31.A low temp of 19* is expected here in the TN valley.Friday's high is 37* and this is for town,it will be much colder in the higher elevations....

[double d]

My wife and I spent New Years Eve on Springer Mt. a few years ago, great times, and we met a few hikers who were starting their thru hike, not something I would suggest at time of year, but its their hike, not mine, so good luck to those who will be heading out on the AT!!!!

[coyote9]

See you guys Jan 1. Probably Dec 31 up on Springer.

[coyote9]

We are going to be cold guys. low of 20s to the 6th. I hope my 12 deg bag and fleece liner hold my heat.

[George]

We are going to be cold guys. low of 20s to the 6th. I hope my 12 deg bag and fleece liner hold my heat.

yeah, that will be a bit marginal - I find a minus 5 F bag to be about right

[soumodeler]

I will be on Springer on the 31st, but just for a short section. See you out there.

[hikehunter]

I did a super section starting Friday Feb 13, 2015. 18deg. clear blue sky and no wind. by the time I got to Neel's it was neg 6 and 10inch snow on Blood Mnt. I thank the maker for micro spikes......they saved my ass more than once.

[Longchuan]

Just an update. So far 7 of us, that I know of, started the thru hike attempt on Jan 1st. Most of us are pushing for Neel's gap tomorrow. The weather has been really really nice so far. First rain coming up in 5 days from now.

[Adriana]

I was purging 2015 photos off my iPad and came across a screenshot of our local weather station near Mt. Oglethorpe 20 miles south of Springer which showed a temperature of 0.1°F on February 19, 2015.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

[squeezebox]

Winter just might happen after all. Be prepared in case it does.

[Cannon]

Good Luck! Hope you guys get decent weather these next few weeks! Stay Safe.