6/19/2013 I climbed up Katahdin with my parents, who had driven me to Baxter, took all the required summit photos, then started walking south. Only went as far as the campground where the car was, but my thru hike had started. About 5 months later I stood on the summit of Springer Mountain.
Hopefully everyone on the trail is aware of this site already, but notices about the trail from the ATC can be found at https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/