So as the title suggests, this is my first post of what I'm sure will be many regarding my (hopeful) thru-hike next spring. Just a little background info to start: I initially planned to do the AT after I graduated college ('01), and did all the requisite reading and research that is involved. Unfortunately (or not), by the time graduation rolled around, furthering my education and focusing on my career had taken precedence and the thru-hike got pushed to the back burner. Fast forward some 10+ years, and I find myself infinitely less enthusiastic about my career (read: "burned out") and looking for an opportunity to take a break to gain some perspective and to reassess my life and my options. A few weeks ago the idea of doing the AT resurfaced, and as I am still single with no kids/mortgage/shackles, i figure why not, right? So thats where I am right now. Like I said, I did a ton of reading and am pretty well familiar with the 'conventional wisdom' associated with a thru-hike, but as that was mostly 10 years ago I am sure much has changed.
So for my first question, I would like some opinions on the structure of my hike. The initial idea was to do a nobo hike starting from springer in the early spring. The "classic", if you will. But a few factors have me considering alternatives. The first is money. I've run the numbers, and while it's certainly feasible that I'll be financially prepared for a thru-hike an extra month or two to save will certainly help. So instead of a March or April start from spring, I'm thinking about a May or June start from farther up, perhaps Damascus or Harpers Ferry. It of course nixes the dramatic finish at Katahdin, but I think it might also be advantageous for avoiding the worst of the crowds and freezing my tush off in the Smokies. And with as much as I work, I doubt I'll have much opportunity for pre-hike conditioning. I figure VA-MD-PA will be an easier place to "ease into it". So . . . Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Any and all input is appreciated.