Some question for hikers!

[jelly]

A few questions I will be heading out starting in GA. 10/1/11 Im wondering how long will I be able to hike before I start getting snowed on. My plan is to hike till weather doesn't allow me to anymore. I know its not the best time of year to do a long hike but Im out of a job and no better time for me. This is my first real hike on the AT , I hiked the white mountains a couple weeks ago and I guess you can say I'm hooked. Anny other suggestions about hike the At would be greatly appreciated.

[ChinMusic]

Depending on the year, I'm guessing you could make it a LONG way.

[Blissful]

I didn't see snow in the Smokies until early Nov. You'd get through them by then. Might get something on top of Roan, maybe. I mean I have also seen snow here late Oct in Shenandoah (happened a few years ago). Sometimes you never know.

Big things you will contend with are - hunters (must wear blaze orange), shorter hiking days long nights, loneliness (I spent many a shelter night alone), need a good headlamp with good long lasting batteries, make sure to get adequate nutrition if you will be out a while and temps drop

Look through the articles and forums here, plenty of useful info.

[jelly]

Thanks for all the info guys big help if you have anything else let me know.

[jelly]

Anyone know where I can get trail maps online with out having to pay for the?

[Tipi Walter]

October can be a tricky month, but ice storms and snow levels are mostly dependent on what elevation you're at. There's a big difference pulling a mid-October trip at 2-3,000 feet and 5,000 feet, even here in the Southeast mountains of NC and TN. I took a long trip in October 2009 and the below fotogs show the possible conditions you will encounter---at 5,300 feet.


These guys were all bundled up due to a butt cold wind and needed their Mt Hardwear Trango four season tent.


These boy scouts got walloped and had a hard time folding up their big tarp. October can be a Sleet Festival.


Here are some backpackers passing over the mountain and getting water---the location is near the AT and west of Cheoah Bald. The guy on the right looks like he's wearing an oxygen mask and climbing K2.

[DavidNH]

southerners don't know what REAL snow is. I say to you.. don't sweat it.

[Tipi Walter]

southerners don't know what REAL snow is. I say to you.. don't sweat it.

Obviously you've never lived outdoors thru a southern Appalachian winter. In January '85 my campsite got hit with -30F and high winds---in Boone NC. That's minus 30. Then in 1993 we got walloped with the Blizzard of '93---


This was my home during that big '93 blizzard and it was tough.


And here's a typical winter campsite at 5,000 feet at -5F. Sure, it's not October but we get winters and 30 inch deep postholing snow, especially on the ridgetops.

[Chaco Taco]

Anyone know where I can get trail maps online with out having to pay for the?

Probably wont be able to find the maps for free but Parkay does the profile of all the major trails on line. Give me you address and Ill mail you an older version of the Companion

[Chaco Taco]

http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/

[RGB]

southerners don't know what REAL snow is. I say to you.. don't sweat it.

You've never spent winter in Boone, NC. If you just walked my normal route to class on a winter morning in '09 you would eat those words quickly.

[Chaco Taco]

You've never spent winter in Boone, NC. If you just walked my normal route to class on a winter morning in '09 you would eat those words quickly.

Lived in Asheville in 09 and went up to Boone pretty regularly and Im sorry, that wasnt s*** compared to the day I pulled up my new home this past feb here in NH. Im southern born and southern bred and I got a pretty heavy shock. I thought the past couple of winters in WNC were "cold and snowy". Like I said, I almost pooped myself when we pulled up our driveway and saw the 8-9 foot tall walls of snow and felt the nights get down to -20

[bus]

Jelly

I am in CB as well. I plan on a section hike in NC area maybe the 3rd week of October...shoot me a pm with you info if ya want

[bus]

Also, I can probably let ya borrow the GA section map. shoot me a pm