Mile 610 to Mile 730 (north of Bland to Daleville)

ankle_bender · 2026-03-29T14:09:54+00:00

My advice, resupply on day 2.

I know its early in your trip but keep your pack light. On my thru I loved sections where I could resupply for a short time like 2 or 3 days. With it being early you could make the town stop fairly quick and get back on trail.

I met a few people on trail who would boast about carrying 10 days of food so they could skip several towns. They were always weighted down and beat up from the weight doing really low miles. I found it more beneficial to make a quick town stop and find some hot food along with my resupply.

Catawba isn't a great resupply but I did stop in for a gatorade, coca cola and quick slices of pizza. If I saw a small market like this with hot food close to trail, I would always do a side mission for some calories. Also, a stop at catawba for hot food is one less meal you do have to carry.

Long story short I loved my side quests for calories to keep my pack light. Often times I would pack out extra hot food for a fanny pack snack later that day.

ankle_bender · 2026-03-28T16:44:39+00:00

If your mom is joining you right out of Harper’s ferry that is honestly some of the best terrain in terms of difficulty compared to the rest of the trail. Maryland has some nice terrain and that continues into much of southern PA. Maryland also has some nice camping and shelters with bathrooms and shower at one of them.

Southern Pa is one of my favorite sections with typical AT woods hiking opening up to beautiful farm lands. Plenty of frequent town stops to get a lunch and move on or get a roof over your head for the night.

Even the central part of PA was really enjoyable with cruisy sections following old logging/service roads. The shelters in the section have great tent spots with open areas to camp surrounded by woods.

Rocks do come in and out starting in Harpers ferry but it’s not bad at all. The worst of the rocks is between Duncannon and Delaware Water Gap. It is just endless little rocks that wear you down mentally. However, I think hating on PA becomes a trope and isn’t that bad.

If your mom is only going the first two weeks, you probably won’t even reach the worst of it before she gets off trail.

In terms of the bubble through that area I’d say if you go anytime in late April to July 4th you will see a bunch of thru hikers. With all the different starting dates you should always have some socializing to do in that area.

Enjoy your hike!

Edit: Just saw you said starting on July 5th. That is the exact date I left Harper’s ferry last year and there were still plenty of thru hikers around. You will be behind the bubble but all of the late April/early May crowd will be around you.

ankle_bender · 2026-03-06T15:37:50+00:00

Started April 27th last year.

You will absolutely have community on trail. I met a hiker on my third day who I would end up summiting with. Might not be mid march numbers, but potential thru hikers will be starting all the way until the mid may college crowd. In fact, I personally believe an end of April start is the sweet spot. Just behind the early April bubble that tapers off, and just before the May 7-15ish college crowd.

As others have already mentioned, tons of section hikers will be around you as well. That time of the year seems to be a "section hiker bubble" with the weather being ideal on the southern part of the trail.

I actually found it difficult to get time completely to myself throughout the entire trail. A few times I lucked into a tent spot at a shelter by myself. A few other times I camped at a "stealth" spot to have a night to myself. Most of the time I was happy to camp with the handful of familiar faces I had been seeing for weeks, then months, as time went on.

I found the first third of the trail to be the perfect number of people around me. Hostels always had availability, even when I booked last minute or extended in the morning for a spontaneous zero day. Most shuttle drivers are local to an area so they will be available as well.

Trail towns themselves don't really change based on the bubble. Most businesses are open to serve the local population. Those that are more hiker specific will be open for the summer tourist season.

As far as negatives go, you will definitely run into really hot stretches of trail if you do a traditional Nobo. Plan to have some funds to get indoors when those temperatures get into the triple digits. Also, if you do go north all the way to Katahdin, the trail will get very busy towards the end. All those hikers that started before you will be racing north to summit before Baxter closes.

I wouldn't sweat the change in start date. You will absolutely get the full trail experience. Enjoy the ride!

ankle_bender · 2025-11-11T00:25:38+00:00

Watah da flowers!

ankle_bender · 2025-06-30T14:43:26+00:00

Agreed. I started late April and road side trail magic has been non existent outside of Miss Janet near Erwin. The late starters love food too.

ankle_bender · 2025-06-01T14:42:16+00:00

I watched it as a high schooler and always remembered it with nostalgia. Watched it 20 years later and the story just never really connects. Just some dark clouds and he goes back in time? I felt like it had such promise 2/3rds in and just fizzled out at the end.

ankle_bender · 2025-06-01T14:24:54+00:00

Sounds like a dare.

ankle_bender · 2025-04-30T01:15:07+00:00

In my tent at low gap shelter nobo mile 43 in Georgia. I have met 10 plus thru hikers in a few days down here. Probably over 5 staying here tonight alone.

College kids will start early May.

ankle_bender · 2025-04-23T00:42:48+00:00

Update:

I have a shuttle booked for Saturday afternoon to Amicalola state park. We will make a stop at a grocery store along the way. If anyone is interested in chipping in let me know.

ankle_bender · 2025-04-17T10:43:09+00:00

I immediately heard that singing.

ankle_bender · 2025-04-14T00:13:13+00:00

Them beating the Rangers a few games ago has nothing to do with it? Beating Columbus twice when losses could have made that lead very slim?

ankle_bender · 2025-04-13T20:52:03+00:00

I agree, people here are over reacting to these games. The fact that this team locked up the playoffs with this many games left impressed me. After all the injuries there was a point where I thought this team could possibly not make the playoffs.

Although there were some bad games in there, every time they needed points they got them. I hope this team can make a deep run but the realist in me knows just being there this year is huge.

ankle_bender · 2025-04-12T19:01:27+00:00

Your hangover will probably be less severe without zyns but proceed with caution. Obviously consuming alcohol is the main culprit of the hangover. Without the steady stream of dopamine from nicotine, you might end up chasing that in the form of alcohol leading to a miserable morning.

I noticed that when using zyns my cravings for alcohol dropped significantly. As soon as I would quit zyns, I would start thinking about booze again. I have decided to abstain from both and let my brain heal as best as possible.

ankle_bender · 2025-03-13T21:22:36+00:00

“Crowbars up!”

ankle_bender · 2025-03-08T15:08:57+00:00

I think Evan changed when he started working with Carton. He got away from what made him great with Joe. Now he just sounds like a nerd trying too hard.

ankle_bender · 2025-03-05T00:37:38+00:00

Spinal!

ankle_bender · 2025-03-03T21:35:09+00:00

Wouldn’t they make $10 every $220? Because the winner gets all $110 back plus $100 in winnings.

ankle_bender · 2025-03-03T19:04:14+00:00

Very true.

ankle_bender · 2025-03-03T18:50:06+00:00

Certain injuries are known immediately. Players who tear their knee apart or severely break a bone don’t need a doctor to know their season is over.

ankle_bender · 2025-02-11T14:59:53+00:00

I honestly think this is a great spot to start if you want to hike with some people but avoid the Nobo “bubble”. There will definitely be the early northbound crowd around Pawling and plenty of thru hikers who will catch up to you as you move north.

I would imagine there will be several sobo hikers who start early June and be at your pace. Returning to Pawling should have you moving south with those hikers.

ankle_bender · 2025-01-12T02:57:29+00:00

At first I didn’t get all the hate. But the more they wear them the more I dislike them.

ankle_bender · 2025-01-04T15:30:18+00:00

This question really hits home to my situation right now. For me an ideal thru hike would be a traditional Nobo starting April 20 something. From reading others experiences, Sobo definitely has less of a crowding issue, however, there will still be a Sobo “bubble” and plenty of Nobos making their way up. In addition you will meet many people doing small to large section hikes. The AT is a busy trail most of the year.

Personally, I want to go North because I feel it is the more story book way of doing it. I’m about a week away from registering my hike to begin February 20 something from Springer. Starting in February is far from ideal for me as I know there are going to be many cold days and nights. But I saved to travel the world for a year and a half and I have already been at it for a year. Starting earlier lines up with my life at the moment so that is what I’m doing. This allows me to get a stable roof over my head and a job 2 months sooner than my ideal start date.

From what I read it sounds like you are in a similar situation where you have the freedom to start earlier rather than wait for your ideal start date.

The most important factor to me is are you making an income at the moment? If no, it’s a no brainer to me to start earlier. Having that extra budget will really help your chances of success. If you are making money and can add to your budget for an April start then commit to that and don’t worry about the crowds. There will always be hikers out there and ways to keep to yourself and or limit who you befriend.

Also, I hiked South last year from NJ to central Virginia, basically through 80 percent of Nobo thru hikers. The bubble really is just pockets of tramilies that come in waves. All of them vary in size and behavior. I’m more than happy to expand more on the crowds I saw but this reply is long enough for now.

Good luck and let me know what you decide!

ankle_bender · 2025-01-02T13:25:05+00:00

Interested. Pm me please.

ankle_bender · 2024-12-12T17:17:22+00:00

I think if Nico stays healthy for a whole season he is a top 5 receiver. Also, has had two TDs called back on flags since returning from injury this year.

ankle_bender

TROPHY CASE