Starting An Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike On New Year's Day

Photo credit: Flickr.com / CC 2.0

In January, the Appalachian Trail is largely deserted. The lean-tos along the way often are uninhabited as well. Daylight is in short supply and the temperature frequently below freezing, especially at night and in the early morning hours. Some of the trail town amenities and resupply options that later hikers will make use of are yet closed for the season.

Winter in the Appalachian mountains is also a beautiful and unique time of solitude that relatively few people experience in such an up close and personal way as do thru-hikers starting their journeys at the beginning of the year.

On December 31st, 2000, Flyin' Brian Robinson hiked the approach trail from Georgia's Amicalola State Park to the summit of Springer Mountain, where the southernmost white blaze of the Appalachian Trail is located. He spent the night there, to his surprise, in the company of four other hikers, three of whom he knew from an online Appalachian Trail discussion group.

The following morning, on New Year's Day, Brian officially began his quest to hike America's Triple Crown of National Scenic Trails -- the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail -- in one calendar year. On October 27th, 2001, he successfully completed his journey, becoming the first person to accomplish this goal.

You can read Brian's trail logs and view photos from his 7,371-mile adventure on his and his dad, TrailDad Roy's, website, RoyRobinson.homestead.com.

Photo Credit: Flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

On the plus side for many hikers:

• Solitude
  
• No crowding at trail shelters and campsites
  
• More far-reaching views without leaves on the trees
  
• The sheer beauty of winter in the mountains
  
• No thunderstorms (meaning, no lightning)
  
• No bugs (ie. mosquitoes, black flies)
  
• No poisonous snakes

Some possible negatives:

• Fewer daylight hours
  
• Cold to frigid temps
  
• Snow and ice, meaning potentially hazardous hiking conditions
  
• Slower hiking
  
• Possibly frozen water sources
  
• Some services near the trail will be closed (some stores, hostels, etc.)

Appalachian Trail in Winter, White Mountains, New Hampshire
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