AT Thru - 2012

**Dos** · 12-22-2011, 00:24

Planning on NOBO Feb 28th with some variability if need be
hoping last week's hernia surgery is well on it's healing ways.
heck, it's only hiking

yes, learning lots via HF

my apt is in total gear explosion and I love it!

**LazyCat** · 12-28-2011, 01:33

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 am planning on leaving for Springer on the 27th of March. Since it's almost 11 hours each way, I will be spending the night somewhere near Springer on the 27th and get up early on the 28th to officially begin my hike. I am SOOOOOO excited!

~Hairball (trail name and WB name) for some reason I couldn't use it here so I'm the LazyCat

**Cali** · 12-28-2011, 08:51

Makes me want to plan a week long hike starting at Springer, just to hopefully meet a few of you folks who will be headed NoBo. I can't do more than a week due to work, but one of these days I will be headed NoBo to Maine.

Until then, I will just sit here at my desk in envy...

**Hooch** · 12-28-2011, 08:59

Originally Posted by Sprigganarmy

I'll be heading out NOBO on March 3rd. I'm new to the hammock world and plan to buy my first hammock with my next paycheck.

Try it out, experiment a lot and make sure your insulation, but top and underside is sufficient before heading out.

**yooz85** · 12-28-2011, 09:51

starting my section hike on springer this year in june, i know its gonna be warm but its when my schedule be in the clear. but should be out for about 4 weeks.

**Bat** · 01-01-2012, 04:41

A couple of us are starting on 2/28. Always fun to meet cyber family in real life. 58 days!

**Dos** · 01-01-2012, 07:45

Originally Posted by Bat

A couple of us are starting on 2/28. Always fun to meet cyber family in real life. 58 days!

yeah buddy!!

**R00K** · 01-01-2012, 15:41

After another great learning experience (no sarcasm) I've realized I'm not really ready to finish a thru-hike of the AT (financially, physically, mentally) and I don't want to start one if I'm not sure I'll finish. Going from six months to four months was another factor. I know I've said the "maybe next year" attitude doesn't typically pan out, but I want to thru-hike for the right reasons and I'm confident another year of backpacking will help me decide once-and-for-all if and when I'll attempt a thru. There's a Stephen King quote that stands out in my mind, "Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page." Just change "blank page" to "Appalachian Trail". I want to be confident and able to 'hike my own hike'.

I have an idea of what I'm going to do instead this year, I still plan to spend a few months trail-side but not as many (probably two) and without the time constraints. I also plan on doing a lot of traveling state-side to backpack in new places and see parts of the country I haven't seen yet. I know I've got a lot more to learn.

**Dos** · 01-01-2012, 15:45

Originally Posted by R00K

After another great learning experience (no sarcasm) I've realized I'm not really ready to finish a thru-hike of the AT (financially, physically, mentally) and I don't want to start one if I'm not sure I'll finish. Going from six months to four months was another factor. I know I've said the "maybe next year" attitude doesn't typically pan out, but I want to thru-hike for the right reasons and I'm confident another year of backpacking will help me decide once-and-for-all if and when I'll attempt a thru. There's a Stephen King quote that stands out in my mind, "Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page." Just change "blank page" to "Appalachian Trail". I want to be confident and able to 'hike my own hike'.

I have an idea of what I'm going to do instead this year, I still plan to spend a few months trail-side but not as many (probably two) and without the time constraints. I also plan on doing a lot of traveling state-side to backpack in new places and see parts of the country I haven't seen yet. I know I've got a lot more to learn.

please keep us posted of your plans.
I'd be highly interested in following and learning from afar

Learning comes in many forms.
and always...HYOH

**RustyFurnace** · 02-29-2012, 20:20

Have any of you AT hammock hangers had any problems finding places to setup your hammocks???? I'm starting my section hike the 2nd week in July at Cades Cove then over to Spence Field, north on the AT for 6 days. I can't imagine that finding two trees would be a problem but there are five hammock hangers that have never hiked the AT, so I thought I should ask.