Re: [at-l] Introduction

Welcome to the campfire.

Pull up a log & join in.

Re: Crowds --
There are another options to reduce the crowd.  Do a planned flip, a leap
frog, a wrap-around, or some other segment hike.  Check out
http://www.atconf.org/hike/thru_hike/itin.html#5.  I also suggest that a
Northbound Circuit, a.k.a. Wraparound would get you ahead of the crowd and
have the advantages of Cool Breeze's hike --

Pros:
Hike in Virginia & mid-Atlantic during the spring, before it gets hot and
dry.

Hike first three months in moderate or easy terrain.  [Very easy, if you
start at Rockfish Gap.]

Hike in New England after bug season, in temperate weather before it gets
cold.

Expect few other long-distance hikers traveling in the same direction,
especially on first leg.

No worries about Katahdin closure.

Avoid extremes of both heat and cold.

Cons:
Additional logistics required -- some traditional places will not be open
yet.

Not ending at one of the terminus mountains.

Sample itinerary: Start in Central  Virginia in the first half of April and
hike north to Katahdin.  Shuttle to Georgia and hike back to your start
place.

Re: list traffic -- I received 603 messages from this list in the last two
weeks.

Chainsaw

BTW -- If ending at one of the Terminus mountains is important to you, look
at the ATC suggested "Head-start: April -- Damascus, Va. north to Katahdin;
Damascus south to Springer."  Only consider stating in Central Virginia.


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