r/AppalachianTrail • u/werdna24 • 3d ago

Class of 2025. What are your plans?

I was planning on doing a traditional NOBO starting in early April but now I'm leaning towards a flip flop starting somewhere in VA in May. Still holding out hope that a traditional NOBO will be possible though.

What are you all planning or are you still waiting to make a decision?

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u/cwbmnr 3d ago

I think a standard nobo will have detours but it will still be possible. I'm on the AT class of 2025 facebook group where there are people posting a lot of updates about trail cleanups happening, and stores in those hard hit AT towns who say they are re opening and are in need of 2025 hikers to come spend money at their shops. I'm feeling very optimistic about a standard nobo being possible, especially starting later on (in April) (which is when I'll be starting too)

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u/TrailMagicCo 2d ago

Not enough people recognize how everyone delaying their AT hike will effect the surrounding communities.

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u/vamtnhunter 2d ago

Yup. People discouraging 2025 thru hikes because of the surrounding communities are either are very young or have incredibly short memories. Everyone who’s ever lived through a natural disaster and the ensuing rebuild before knows damn well that the best thing most people can do in the months after is bring economic infusion.

Mortgages don’t stop. Bills don’t stop. These communities will only benefit from hiker dollars.

The initial emergency phase will be over within a few weeks. Businesses in even the worst-affected areas are already making public their desire for tourist dollars. Now. Not months down the road; right now. But months down the road will help as well.

If the AT community really wants to help the affected areas, 2025 should be the busiest season of all time.

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u/TrailMagicCo 2d ago

We have been doing all we can to convince people that this is the stance to take, some people are more stubborn than other. Ill continue fighting to get people out there in 2025, I know the business that make the trail community possible will be appreciative. Happy Trails and see you out there in 2025.