Would Like some advice please.

[Dee]

My 13 year old son and myself are planning to try to hike half of the AT in May - Aug. He has never hiked anything overnight. We walk 5 miles a day on flat ground. We have gone to Pokagon State park and have day hiked their trails a few times. So as far as experience we have very little. He had see the documentry on Natgeo. Since then, this is what he has talked about. He wants to do half in 2010. Then do the other half in 2011. He said he would like to try to do a thru hike after that. My question is, with our experience, is it a smart move to start our hike in Harpers Ferry and go south. We live In Indiana so my thought is, we would start closer to home. Just incase we can't get to GA the first try.
My next question is a total mom question. Is this something that any of you have done or have heard of anyone doing with a child/teen? What saftey things should be thinking about when planning our hike?
Thank you for any advice you can give.

[Hopper]

Dee,

I think hiking South from Harper's Ferry is an excellent idea for you and your son. It is a reasonable landscape and towns are close for any help necessary.

I have not hiked with a child on the A.T. (I did take my 7 year old Nephew on a long weekend hike in southern KY) but a have seen many parents enjoying the A.T. with their kiddos. I think it's a great idea for you both to get out and enjoy the mountains together.

Hopper