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  1. #21
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-19-2022
    Location
    Grand Rapids, MI
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    2

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    Polar bear
    I plan to do almost the same thing. I have terminal leave to use so I am starting at Springer on October 6, hiking North to wherever I get by November 15. Retirement date is February 10, 2023. On or about March 1, I will resume the NOBO hike from wherever I stopped on November 15.
    I'm used to winter hiking so that doesn't concern me as much my preference to avoid crowds and having flexibility in hiking NOBO.

  2. #22
    Registered User
    Join Date
    07-23-2022
    Location
    Anderson, South Carolina
    Posts
    70

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    Advice from experience: Take into consideration the following: 1: Heavier gear due to winter temperatures which means you must be able to carry more weight. 2: Lack of water sources along the trail. Many water sources are frozen. Many springs do not run in the winter. Be prepared to carry more water further distances or heat icicles to make your own water source.

    You are still considered a thru-hiker if you complete the trail in a year. Please message me with any specific questions you may have. I do possess a wealth of knowledge concerning winter hikes. Most of my hiking has been in winter months which has given me a lot less trail recognition.



  3. #23
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-16-2007
    Location
    Montpelier, VT
    Age
    70
    Posts
    135

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    I was at Liberty Springs Tentsite just below the Franconia Ridge, NH, Father's Day Week-end this year. The NOBO's I spoke to started between 2/22/2022 and late March 2022. They had experienced 5 winters (I believe counting the cold, rainy conditions on Franconia Ridge and the snow waiting for them on Mt. Washington). There was a trickle of NOBO's, who said that the train would be coming in about 2 weeks. I was back at the same location mid-July. Some of the NOBO's had started in late February. There were also Flip Floppers and Section hikers. I believe I was seeing the head of the bubble.

  4. #24
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-04-2020
    Location
    porum, ok
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2

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    what was the weather like in feb? I have done springer to stecoah gap twice now and want to start there and head north around march 15th. plan on only having a quilted blanket and emergency blanket? curious about low temps.

  5. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-16-2007
    Location
    Montpelier, VT
    Age
    70
    Posts
    135

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    Father's Day week-end in NH, the nighttime temperatures probably ranged between the 20's and the high 30's/low 40's, depending on where you were. The hikers I met said generally that they experienced 5 winter conditions (snow and below freezing temps) with a late February start.

  6. #26
    Registered User Tennessee Viking's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-10-2007
    Location
    Morganton, North Carolina
    Age
    46
    Posts
    3,613
    Journal Entries
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    242

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    Hike Your Own Hike - Ignore the haters.

    Your AT Thru Hiker Class is when you complete.

    Expect heavy snow in TN and VA till mid March. Freezing temps as late as late April. Roan and Mt Rogers are known for Spring Snow.

    Early bird Nobos start as early October or November. The actual bubble doesn't start until mid March.

    Main issue with early birding are hiker services.

    FYI - Seasonal Forest Service roads close at the end of December. Clingsmans Dome Rd seasonal schedule is Mid April to end of November.
    ''Tennessee Viking'
    Mountains to Sea Trail Hiker & Maintainer
    Former TEHCC (AT) Maintainer

  7. #27
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-19-2022
    Location
    Grand Rapids, MI
    Posts
    2

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    Update to my earlier post:
    I started on Springer 9/30/2022. I will enter Hot Springs tomorrow. I'll come off December 10 to celebrate Christmas and handle a few things at home before returning in February.

    The weather has been OUTSTANDING and the trail has been simply amazing! All the services I need/want have easily been available. Numerous section hikers active on the trail and some SOBOS but I am the only NOBO that I know of.

    I agree wholeheartedly with Tennessee Viking. Hike your hike. Had I been discouraged by the nay Sayers, I certainly would have missed out on an awesome time to be on the trail!

  8. #28
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-16-2007
    Location
    Montpelier, VT
    Age
    70
    Posts
    135

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    I am glad to hear your hike is going so well! One word of caution is to check on hunting seasons. In VT, there is very active hunting from early to late November. Wear an orange hat and vest.
    When I section hiked the AT in the southern Appalachians in August perhaps 10 years ago -- I came across three unescorted hunting dogs with collars, who were very aggressive. I was alone on a ridgeline. I blew my whistle and yelled "Go home" repeatedly, but no one called the dogs. I had to take a significant detour off the trail to get past them. After that incident, I started carrying bear spray.

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