u/Liltarp27

Thinking about doing the trail for my first ever thru hike this year. Ive never hiked In Vermont but ive done a lot of the NH 4ks. My longest backpacking trip before this is 5 nights. I can decide now between any time to start as long as I finish by late August for college. Wondering what the pros and cons are of the different time periods to start.

Are the black flies really a dealbreaker to not start in June?

Should I actually not bring a tent because there’s so many shelters?

Is there a “bubble” on the LT?

Should I set up resupplies beforehand or do people normally just hitchhike into the towns?

Also advantages of NOBO vs SOBO