AT Thru - 2012

**Yukon** · 11-15-2011, 07:22

Originally Posted by dpitalo

Anyone planning on being on the AT next season?

I've got an early start planned for mid-February next year.

I'm envious! I would love to camp in my Blackbird from Georgia to Maine!!

**Cali** · 11-15-2011, 07:47

I was out of work last year and planned to hike the AT starting in March 2011, but luck would have it, I started a new job 14 March 2011. It was one I couldn't turn down, so here I am sitting at my desk in sheer envy, and dreaming of hiking the AT, but I cannot take that long off to do it. I kick myself for not doing it when I retired from the Army. I was younger then, and I could afford it since I was getting full pay for three months after my retirement. Oh well, hind sight is 20/20. One of these days I will be hitting that trail. Until then, I will be stocking up on all the good information and gear.

**fallkniven** · 11-15-2011, 07:51

I'll be heading south next year. I plan to start in the middle of summer, and hike into the winter. I'm sure I'll probably walk past one of you hangers next year. And I agree, I don't like whiteblaze either.

**Meriadoc** · 11-15-2011, 20:25

Thought I'd chime in. I'm heading north early April 2012 with my WBBB.

I credit HF with making my hike much better even before I start. I got turned on to hammocks through planning my AT thru and couldn't be happier.

**Streetgang** · 11-15-2011, 20:31

My son is going to do it. He'll be leaving in late March or early April... He's got to finish his high school senior year before Mrs SG and I will allow him to leave. He'll have his 18th birthday on the trail.

**Bat** · 11-15-2011, 21:03

Trail birthdays are a blast. I will never forget mine from this year and look forward to mine out there this next year too!

**Streetgang** · 11-15-2011, 21:17

In a way, I want to be with him for his B'day, but I know as dad, I'll only get in the way. I do plan on spending the first week on the trail with him. My wife doesn't want him to go alone so that's our way of making her more comfortable with the solo trip.

**Bat** · 11-15-2011, 23:30

You are never solo on the AT. I'm an extreme extrovert and I sometimes got my own hotel room in towns so I could get some peace and quiet alone time.

**rtramseyer** · 11-16-2011, 00:40

My plan is to leave mid-April for a NOBO thru. I'm a wimp about cold & even that date sounds early - and here you are coming from FL to leave in Feb. But I do understand about working with the circumstances you've got to work with. Here's hoping for an unusually warm spring.

Thanks to everything I've picked up from this site I've accumulated all my gear (made a few pieces myself including hammock & UQ, bugnet, pack cover & black bishop bag).

Good luck to all of us. Can't wait!

**Bat** · 11-16-2011, 00:45

This year was way too warm (let's call it like it was HOT). I was hiking in the Smokies in 80*F by the time you are starting in GA. Warm is nice to sit around in but the exercise for long periods of time, not so much.