40 plus Days Hanning on AT 2015

**hikehunter** · 07-23-2014, 22:20

I plan to start my 42 day mega section hike of the AT on or about the 19th of Feb. 2015.
I have been camping and hiking for 30 plus years, been in a hammock for the last 3 years.
I have done a little of every type of hike. It has been many years since I have done real winter hiking.
I have done some sub-zero hangs and have the Quilt thing mostly under control. What I need is a good 3 to 4 day training hike at alt. with some snow to sharpen my skills and test out equipment. I am looking for a good mid-to-hard hike in mtn/snow to get ready for the early AT hike. North NM or south CO. could work well or even something in the Ozarks. I really need to train in some snow. I do not want to get in to TN the first week of March and find that I have an equipment failure. Let me know what you guys have in mind.
Most everyone on HF is very nice and informative. That is the thing I like most of this place. Thanks

**hikehunter** · 08-04-2014, 00:16

I have been watching a lot of "youtube" the last few days of what the weather may be like in mid Feb and early March. I welcome any and all advice about what to prepair for at the start. I am looking at a 7 to 10 mile a day trek(depending on weather) from GA to mid TN. If the weather is good I can do 10 to 15 miles a day. by the time I get to Hot Springs I hope to be doing 15+ miles a day. I only ask these questions to know how much gear and what gear to bring... It is a bit of a crap shoot this far out from the launch time. I just want to get my crap together before I get out on the trail. I have never done more than a 92 mile trip. this will be my first LONG distance Hike.

**TZBrown** · 08-04-2014, 07:05

I would suggest Katoola Micro Spikes, walking on a slippery trail is very hard work, and not worth the risk of falling.
All of the other traction aids I have tried and they all fail when compared to these.