I'm looking for local advise and/or fatal flaws here. I'm flying from LA to Boston to do this with my brother over the weekend after Labor Day. Since I arrive around 0600, we plan to drive directly to NH and will have a late start. My brother feels he can do this in two days but one day is not possible for him.
We plan to start at Appalacia and take the Airline trail to the ridge and generally follow the AT south, finishing at Crawford Notch. The proposed route can be seen here: http://mapshare.delorme.com/consumer/v.aspx?p=5t0dqlzv
Bailout routes are plentiful so I feel comfortable with those contingencies should the weather go bad.
My concerns are:
1) Camping
The huts are full Saturday night and close after Saturday so they are not an option. I understand there is no camping allowed above timberline unless there is 2 feet of snow, which there won't be. So it looks like we will have to descend for the night.
- How likely are Randolph Mountain Club shelters to be available on a Saturday night after Labor Day?
- What about descending the Jewell trail to treeline? Are there any decent tent sites?
- Based on the topo, the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail does not appear to be a suitable descent for a campsite. True?
- Can anyone provide any more information as to potential camping or "resting" on the AT in the Whites?
2) Water
- We will need to refill water and have cooking water. I understand water is available at the huts. True?
- Can we count on the streams shown on the topo for water?
Thanks in advance for your insights!