Hi There!

My name is David and this is my first forum post, ever. My wife and I are planning to do a Southbound Thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail this upcoming June. Right now, we're in the early stages and I'll likely be posting here fairly frequently for tips and advice about gear, etc. We're really looking forward to this epic adventure! We also started a blog to track our journey. You can check it out at:

https://dandjappalachiantrail.blogspot.com

Welcome! You'll find lots of tips about gear and other items on the home page of this site, left-hand column.

I strongly recommend (as will others here) that you plan a number of short backpacking trips between now and the start of your thru-hike (even if just 1-2 nighters) to get accustomed to your gear and to learn the required skills. Some of those trips should be planned for bad weather conditions, preferably within short distance of your car.

Our own BrianLe (Gadget) has done all three of the north-south trails (AT, CDT, PCT) and will no doubt chime in here. I recommend reading his journals on postholer.com.

bigdavemc08

I've done the AT twice, both times south to north. For what it's worth, I would recommend that you reconsider your north-south itinerary. There are several problems.

You can't start from the north until Katahdin is clear, which is usually about a month later, leaving you in poor weather at the south end, and out of synch with services all the way.

Much of the trail in Maine is very wet, often ankle deep in water. In the early spring, with snow melt and runoff, it can be up to your knees, leaving the trail very hard to find, and with log bridges and such laying unseen and waiting to trap an ankle.

Also, coming off Katahdin in early spring routes you right into the black fly and mosquito bloom.

Met several former southbounders who had flip flopped after a few days, met several southbounders who said they would never do it that way again, and I've also hiked in Maine in spring, and would not do it again. Remember that the loggers came out of the woods in spring because they feared losing their minds.

But as OM noted, Brian Le has done the AT, and I believe he hiked north - south. He's often here, and if I'm right, he can give you a better report, plus he has considerably more trail experience than I do.

best, jcp