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Post by jammer on Aug 28, 2015 11:04:11 GMT -8
Hi all,
Some of you read and replied to my previous post 'British Backpacker Looking For November Trail' - many thanks to all of you!
After a short while thinking about it, reading up on it.. I've decided on the Appalachian Trail. One of the main reasons is that with the AT being so well known and with so much info out there about it, it makes it a lot easier to plan from another country.
The rough idea is to fly into Atlanta on November the 1st and make my way up to Gainesville where I'll spend the night, then make my way to the Amicalola Galls Approach Trail. From there I plan on giving myself around 21 days to get to Cherokee or Gatlinburg NC, then find some transportation back to Atlanta and fly home! This works out at just under 10 miles a day on average, which I assume will include a few higher mileage days, and a few nero/zero days. Due to the unpredictability of hiking the trail I'll allow a few days at the end for flexibility.
From the information I've received in this forum, and reading up online etc., it would seem that the weather doesn't get too extreme at that time of year - I'll be comfortably prepared for lows of around -10/14 C/F, a reasonable amount of snow and of course rain (I'm British remember...).
I'd prefer to resupply at local stores, both to help the local economy and logistically - arranging mail drops from abroad whilst not impossible are a lot more of a hassle.
I've obviously got a lot of planning to do! Gear wise I'm sorted and have everything I need, being a fairly experienced backpacker already. My fitness level is quite high, though I want to start with a reasonable daily mileage to give me time to enjoy the trail!
I'd welcome any suggestions or information - please let me know if you see any glaring omissions or problems with my basic plan.
Time for me to get my nose into AT Thru Hikers' Companion!
Many thanks,
Jammer
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no_granola
Trail Wise!
Eating f***ing pie. Duh.
Posts: 88 
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Post by no_granola on Aug 28, 2015 12:02:28 GMT -8
Set yo Brit traps, folks! We gwine hab us a hoedown!
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Aug 28, 2015 14:34:36 GMT -8
Any particular reason you plan to stay in Gainesville on the way to Amicalola? If you have a friend/family you're staying with that's fine, otherwise it's not exactly on the way.
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Post by jammer on Aug 28, 2015 16:07:51 GMT -8
Any particular reason you plan to stay in Gainesville on the way to Amicalola? If you have a friend/family you're staying with that's fine, otherwise it's not exactly on the way. It's all down to public transportation. I can get Amtrak from Atlanta to Gainesville at around 8pm, which gives me time get my luggage and get to the Amtrak station etc. The following morning I'd plan on travelling to Amicalola via shuttle. As mentioned this is the first draught of my plan - I'm more than open to changing it for anything easier. All I need to do is pick up a fuel canister from somewhere before I get on the trail. If you've another, more practical suggestion, I'd be very grateful. I'm very flexible, and excluding the aforementioned fuel canister I don't need to get anything or be anywhere. A night in a proper bed after the flight and before the trail would be good though! Cheers! Jammer |
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 565
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Post by daveg on Aug 28, 2015 20:04:55 GMT -8
As TDale suggests, you can join the Forum on Whiteblaze.net and ask about a shuttle from the airport.
Or contact shuttle providers on the ATC list. I've done that four or five times and all have been good experiences.
Depending upon who you contact, the shuttle provider may be able to make a stop at a store where you can pick up a fuel canister or even bring one for you.
And if you want a good sleep after arriving, consider the Amicalola Falls Lodge. It's not cheap (but not too bad) and a nice facility with a nice view (I've stayed there). Plus it's located about halfway along the approach trail. So you can just walk out the door in the morning and start hiking. Spend your first night on the trail at the shelter on Springer Mountain. Don't know how crowded it might be at the beginning of November -- depends upon whether color season is still going on. And IIRC there is no source of supply there so you'll have to arrive with your trail food and other supplies. |
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Post by ecocentric on Aug 29, 2015 17:43:35 GMT -8
I don't have anything to add, but I hope that you have a great visit. I've hiked part of what you plan to hike, and I think that you will enjoy it.
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Post by jammer on Aug 30, 2015 7:47:11 GMT -8
You can get from Atlanta Airport to Amicalola Falls in an hour and a half on any given Sunday. I think you can find a shuttle on Whiteblaze.net that will do that for you. As TDale suggests, you can join the Forum on Whiteblaze.net and ask about a shuttle from the airport.
Or contact shuttle providers on the ATC list. I've done that four or five times and all have been good experiences.
Depending upon who you contact, the shuttle provider may be able to make a stop at a store where you can pick up a fuel canister or even bring one for you.
And if you want a good sleep after arriving, consider the Amicalola Falls Lodge. It's not cheap (but not too bad) and a nice facility with a nice view (I've stayed there). Plus it's located about halfway along the approach trail. So you can just walk out the door in the morning and start hiking. Spend your first night on the trail at the shelter on Springer Mountain. Don't know how crowded it might be at the beginning of November -- depends upon whether color season is still going on. And IIRC there is no source of supply there so you'll have to arrive with your trail food and other supplies. Thanks both - this is precisely the reason I posted my basic plan here! You see, shuttles aren't common at all here in the UK. I imagine as it's a much smaller country and therefore has more public transportation. Nowhere is ever that far away over here! I've checked out a few of those shuttle providers and it's obviously the way forward. As for Amicalola Falls lodge, the prices are a little steep as I'm likely to stay for two nights (around $350) so I'm fresh for the trail after travelling. I'll take a look at what other options are available, though as always any advice is appreciated. Many thanks Jammer |
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Post by jammer on Aug 30, 2015 7:48:06 GMT -8
I don't have anything to add, but I hope that you have a great visit. I've hiked part of what you plan to hike, and I think that you will enjoy it. Many thanks eco - if you've any tips be sure to send them my way! |
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Post by rwtb123 on Aug 30, 2015 10:58:35 GMT -8
If you can spring for the Lodge their buffet is raved about by hikers.I was planning a winter dayhike to Springer with a small group staying in the Lodge but unfortunately it got cancelled due to threat of lightning.The Hike Inn hike-inn.com/ a five mile hike might be slightly more reasonable but if you want even more reasonable alternatives besides the campground already mentioned the most reasonable would be the free AT Shelter about a 1/4 mile in on the trail behind the visitor center www.amicalolafallslodge.com/bpdocuments/Amicalola-Park-Map.pdf or for a reasonably priced private room,cabin or bunk popular with thruhikers use the HikerHostel for your shuttle and stay with them hikerhostel.com/lodging/ .Any of the shuttlers should be willing to stop at the REI in Atlanta and a couple days in at Neels Gap the trail passes right by/through an excellent outfitter www.mountaincrossings.com/default.asp . |
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daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 565
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Post by daveg on Aug 31, 2015 20:24:02 GMT -8
A random thought. I'm thinking it's likely you will be hiking during hunting season. If you haven't already considered it, carrying some blaze orange might be worth it.
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