I did a thru hike with my dog (Alaskan Malamute) and we started on April 7th. We finished on Sept 30th and we had about 30 zero days so you shouldn't have a problem finishing on time. The next year I started late April but it got too hot for my dog around Roanoke, so we went home. Another time I started around mid May without a dog and hiked to Harpers Ferry. I flipped flopped to Maine and went south. I got off the trail after a few weeks. For me flip flopping sort of sucked out all of the motivation for but there were plenty of others who finished after flip flopping. Next year I will start a thru hike start on the 19th of Feb. with a new dog so I can try to beat some of the heat.
If anyone is interested in Registration
registering there thru-hike with the ATC https://www.atcamp.org/index.cfmRegistration
If anyone is interested in registering there thru-hike with the ATC https://www.atcamp.org/index.cfm
I can see where they are going with it. If you were leaving in March, April timeframe and everyone at least tried to plan their first three stops it may help in some planning for some folks. I am leaving the first weekend in February I am not too worried about a lot of hikers.
My wife and I are hoping for a February 25 start.
March 24 starting at the approach trail.
Don't care much about partying, just want to walk.
Went for my visa interview at the US embassy yesterday. I got escorted by security personnel to a lift that only stops 30 floors up. Here I filled in more papers and had to remove my belt, wallet, cigarettes and lighter, etc to be scanned. After this I was taken to a seat in a waiting room. With my pants somewhere around my ankles I looked like an American. All I needed was a baseball cap put on back to front to complete the picture, and maybe a mouthful of chewing gum. To fit in further I decided to put my feet onto another chair and to talk loudly. The embassy lady that interviewed me was awfully sweet and we exchanged email addresses and cooking recipes. I should be notified soon if my March starting date is on track.
Not as bad as many people think, don't get me wrong it can be downright cold out. If you are prepared you will be just fine.
20150219_091458 (1).jpg
The good news is the efficiency. I went for an interview yesterday, and my passport has already been processed and is on its way to me by courier. I should have it by tomorrow
My daughter Sara and I will begin on the approach trail on 05/04/18. We are very excited to be able to go for this grand adventure, and are planning to do a leap frog hike.
ClayTurner
This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, hatred with love. Peace Pilgrim
My visa duration is for 10 years. The prospect of me setting a record for the slowest thu-hike are now vastly improved. If I walk 50 paces each day I should make it with time to spare. However, no person should be forced to eat Ramen for that length of time
My husband called the ATC to see how many other blind people have thru hiked. The guy called back and said 9 others have done it. So he plans on being number 10! Which we don't know for sure how many have actually done it. Some may have "reported" it. My husband is an Army veteran will such determination and will power I know we will make it. We don't have a quit button!