2012 hikers, have you picked a start date?

[peasantgirl]

Love this concept. As Mary and I are not spring chickens, we're weighing the trade-offs between an early start to provide some safety cushion, and a later start to avoid cold and snow ...

My Birthday is mid-march, and that would be a great day to climb the approach trail to Springer. I like the idea of a spring equinox start. But, then, there's also something right about an April 1st start to a Fool's Journey!

I'm right there with you, ChillyWilly. I want to start early to give me plenty of time to get my trail legs, but I'm a cold weenie!

[Bucketfoot]

DE Nova, Just go for it. I will be 62 and retiring and heading NOBO from Springer, end of April 2012. Exact date not set yet. I plan for my life to be pretty much unscheduled from then on.

[LDog]

I'm right there with you, ChillyWilly. I want to start early to give me plenty of time to get my trail legs, but I'm a cold weenie!

Here it is, the time period we're planning to start next year, and the wx here in Michigan has been wonderful for hiking. 'Course while we're higher in latitude, we're 3000' lower in altitude ... We've got a good tent, good bags, insulated sleeping pads, lightweight boots, and plenty-o-layers ... We'll be good for what ma nature throws at us.

More and more looking like a 17 March start. Amtrack to Gainesville, GA. Shuttle to Hiker Hostel, and then to the approach trail.

[RGB]

SOBO
Name: RGB
Date: July 15, 2012
Approach: I guess the equivalent would be summiting K.

[morganw413]

I'm not sure at all when to start. We've just gotten the idea to do this. was thinking on June 22nd, 2012. Is that too late?

[Far East]

I'm not sure at all when to start. We've just gotten the idea to do this. was thinking on June 22nd, 2012. Is that too late?

Depends on your speed... :-)

[Myakka Mules]

My wife and I are starting on March 15th as well. We have already done the approach trail so we will be starting on Springer. Our trail name will be The Myakka Mules!

[Track3307]

SOBO
Trail Name: Squatting Bear
Date: July 1st 2012
Approach: I'll walk down it when I finish on Springer

[88BlueGT]

You people make me want to set a date and start counting down! lol I guess I'm no exception but my life changes so damn much within weeks let alone an entire year from now. No clue what I'll be doing but if its anything like my life at the moment, I'll see you on the trail. March 15th sounds like a popular date, maybe I'll join you all than!

[Badspeller]

My son and I are hiking NOBO we planning to leave north on the trail 6 am 5-5-12

[TFOS]

88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.

[TFOS]

Start, even. Geez, I'm the typo king!

[Carol A.]

I am planing to do the approach trail on March 4th. but it is not set in stone. I am counting the days and already getting excited.

[brian039]

If I had it to do all over again I wouldn't start before April 15th. I wish I could have seen Maine in the Fall. Good luck to all of you, it will be one of the best experiences of your life! Take it one resupply at a time and hike your hike.

P.S. Virginia is NOT flat!

[88BlueGT]

88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.

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I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to be forced to hike with all these lunatics on the forums! It is a good idea to start a little early/late though to beat the crowds. Better chances of catching a shelter, etc. etc. etc.

I want to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LDog]

88BlueGT, I didn't pick that date specifically because I don't want to start on the most popular date! Firsts and fifteens seem to get a lot of traffic, and I'd rather ttsrat on a slower day.

Then there's all the folks who start on weekends making those days to avoid. Of course you want to consider cost of transport to the trailhead being potentially cheaper mid-week than on weekends ... We're down for the first day of spring

Our Offishul Thru-Hiker Registry thread is up and running at:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71615

[carpattack]

Looking at April 1 but might start mid week that week before since it falls on a Sunday

[jelina]

We both work at summercamp for kids with diabetes and although I know the fiance would be willing to miss it for the trail, I know I won't be ok missing it. If we don't make it to Katadhin in time, there will simply be a 3week camp hiatus from the trail before we return. I am reading all the time about the AT and I am looking at a start date at the beginning of April.

[Badspeller]

NOBO leaving May 5th after exams

[Feral Nature]

I am having a difficult time picking a NOBO start date, but sometimes in March.