[at-l] Latest date to start and Reach Katahdin

[rickboudrie@xxxxxxxxxxx (rick boudrie)]

>What is the latest (warmest date) one could start and reach K. The >hiker
>would be in very good shape and experienced. averages about >12miles a day,
>has done 19 miles on occasion.
>

I am going to assume that the hikers' average will change once out on the
AT.  Otherwise all you need is a calculator.  Got a calendar?

Baxter State Park is closed to camping around October 15th.  While
conditions might prevent one from climbing Kathdin earlier, and while the
mountain might be open for day use later, you would probably want to reach
the park before then.

Many people speak of 6 months as the norm for hiking the 2150+/- trail.
There is a lot of variation, of course.

Since everyone is different, it is hard to suggest what might be a practical
latest NOBO start date.  FWIW, the norm for hiking the Trail used to be
quicker than 6 months that it is now.  The traditional start date was around
April 15th.  When I hiked most people seemed to hike the trail in about 4.5
to 5 months.  Only a very few of the strongest hikers did it more quickly
than 4 months.  One of the biggest factors which will lengthen a hike is the
number of town or rest days one takes, and that's very hard to plan for.
You might take days because of illness or for social reasons.  Not taking
many town days is cool, but you'd probably want to have some flexibility in
that regard.

Don't forget that a later hiker can always flip-flop, or one can go
southbound.  Why "the warmest date" in your question, BTW.  Isn't that what
fleece is for ;-)?

Rick B






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