View Full Version : October Start Date
riverroyer
03-19-2008, 14:41
Is Mid October SOBO to late to start in Maine?
Appalachian Tater
03-19-2008, 14:44
There is no camping inside BSP after October 15th. Hikers arriving after Oct. 15th must arrange to camp with private establishments outside Baxter State Park and enter the Park for day use only. Remember: After October 15th, opportunities to climb Katahdin will be determined on a day-by-day basis, depending on access and weather conditions. We cannot emphasize it enough—to avoid disappointment, plan to hike Katahdin by October 15th at the very latest and earlier if at all possible.
http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/hiking/thru-hiking.html
max patch
03-19-2008, 14:50
Is Mid October SOBO to late to start in Maine?
yes.......
The Solemates
03-19-2008, 14:51
Is Mid October SOBO to late to start in Maine?
no.......
wilconow
03-19-2008, 14:51
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=571055
max patch
03-19-2008, 15:01
no.......
It is for at least 99% of hikers.
I think if you have to ask the question, then by definition the individual does not have enough winter hiking experience to complete the hike.
Appalachian Tater
03-19-2008, 15:08
It is for at least 99% of hikers.
I think if you have to ask the question, then by definition the individual does not have enough winter hiking experience to complete the hike.I would agree. The Whites can be pretty tough as far as weather goes even during the summer. I wouldn't even dream of attempting it during the winter unless hiking with someone with extensive experience with winter hiking and the area.
CrumbSnatcher
03-19-2008, 15:27
[quote=Appalachian Tater;571153]
There is no camping inside BSP after October 15th. Hikers arriving after Oct. 15th must arrange to camp with private establishments outside Baxter State Park and enter the Park for day use only. Remember: After October 15th, opportunities to climb Katahdin will be determined on a day-by-day basis, depending on access and weather conditions. We cannot emphasize it enough—to avoid disappointment, plan to hike Katahdin by October 15th at the very latest and earlier if at all possible. Appalachian tater, i always heard after oct 15 the parks are closed but you could still hike big k weather permitting,and camp outside the park. sometime recently i thought i heard that all changed? that your not allowed to enter at all after the 15th is that true i thought i heard that. anyway you would definatly be winter hiking i think your biggest concern is getting south of the whites before the s*** hits the fan(weather wise) good luck.:banana
Appalachian Tater
03-19-2008, 15:50
CrumbSnatcher, the website is probably up to date, but you should always call and clear up any questions before you get there. My understanding is that the park is for day use only after October 15 and that trails are closed when hazardous. There are good reasons for the rules.
fiddlehead
03-19-2008, 17:25
I started my SOBO thru-hike in 2001/2002 on Oct 14.
Don't let the naysayers talk you out of it. ( Chances are they haven't done it themselves. )
BUT be prepared for long cold nights, many hostels, hotels, state parks, restaurants that are normally opened and talked about here, to be closed for the winter.
But it was a beautiful hike for us and we saw almost no one after the first week or two.
Our hike was supported so we had no problem with those places being closed, or those long nights. we were usually up before daylight, cooking breakfast and eating our dinner after dark.
We even got a 40 mile day in on Dec 21 (shortest day of the year, and we made it our longest day of hiking) Enjoy! A great way to see the trail: no leaves, no hikers, more views, cool hiking weather. (sometimes, we did hit 70 deg. days in NJ and northern PA in Dec.)
I consider myself lucky to have gotten a beautiful clear day across the presidentials in the whites.
I've had worse days in August! That and fording the Kennebec were two highlights of that hike.
riverroyer
03-19-2008, 17:59
Thanks for the info, I would not want to get into too much winter hiking, yet. I would definatley be on the trail before the 15th then if this is what I choose. Business keeps me from any other start date till sometime in the future. I will again look at the Trail Guide and keep up with the weather forecast and will continue to use this as a goal. Have wanted to hike the trail for many years and of course now that I have decided I will I want to do IT NOW. This site is the best for good knowledgeable info.
grizzlyadam
03-19-2008, 18:08
in 2003 i started sobo on october 9 and in 2004 i started heading sobo on october 8. the first year i ended up hitching around the whites (partially due to ankle issues and partially due to weather). the second year i climbed mount washington on october 25 with blue skies overhead, cloud filled valleys below, 50-degree temps and no wind...
it's pretty unpredictable up there....
Don't let the naysayers talk you out of it. In fairness, the OP did ask people's opinions. I don't think responding to such a request is naysaying or trying to talk him out of it.
Plus, he doesn't want to winter hike, and I'm not sure how you can get through the Whites in November unless you have good luck with weather (though I understand that half the people who try it experience better than average weather).
Appalachian Tater
03-19-2008, 18:37
In fairness, the OP did ask people's opinions. I don't think responding to such a request is naysaying or trying to talk him out of it.
Plus, he doesn't want to winter hike, and I'm not sure how you can get through the Whites in November unless you have good luck with weather (though I understand that half the people who try it experience better than average weather).
Well, winter hiking in the Whites if you don't know what you're doing is a good way to get your name engraved on a plaque in the visitor's center on Mt. Washington.
CrumbSnatcher
03-19-2008, 18:44
he says he doesn't want to get into to much winter hiking, being south of the whites would be great before winter really sets in,but wont it still be winter/cold in vt.,mass.,conn.,n.y.,n.j.,penn. sure not as bad,but weather could change for the worst anywhere/anytime most of his hike is winter hiking? just be prepared and have a great hike
Deja Vu all over again? (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=34615)
Tennessee Viking
03-19-2008, 23:57
Going SOBO you want to get at least in TN by October. Definitely want to cross the Smokies if there is any indication of early snowfall and temps drop.
If starting that late, you want to probably do Maine to Harpers, then start back up in Spring and do GA to Harpers.
hammock engineer
03-20-2008, 01:38
Going SOBO you want to get at least in TN by October. Definitely want to cross the Smokies if there is any indication of early snowfall and temps drop.
If starting that late, you want to probably do Maine to Harpers, then start back up in Spring and do GA to Harpers.
I would agree with you, but I didn't hit TN until December, was in Gattlenburg on Christmas, took a little over a week off for an ankle, then finished up on January 20th.
I have to admit last year was a mild winter by most standards. I had a good weather windo over the smokies. I heard stories about deep snow in past years. That to me is a last minute thing that could change a lot. I met northbounders in Jan heading north. Too me the south is nothing to laugh at in the winter, but nothing compared to what it would be up north.
To me the biggest thing for starting late would be you are going to spend most of your time alone and it is going to be cold most of the way.
The challenge is going to be getting through the Whites. Say it takes 3 plus weeks to reach Gorham. That puts you going though the Whites in mid November. By that time, the most huts have been closed for a month or so. I would suggest be prepared for extreme winter weather, and the only bail-out will be to go down below tree line.
Like someone posted, good way to get your name on the list.
dessertrat
03-20-2008, 10:45
It's possible to do it, but usually not possible for someone who is asking the question as to whether it's possible. Getting through the white mountains would be more like an "XTrme AdVntURE!" than an enjoyable hike.
valleyfire
03-20-2008, 11:47
Have fun
hammock engineer
03-20-2008, 13:44
Someone will have to correct me, but some of the huts stay open year around. Some stay open or open early for self service.
I talked to early northbounders about their plan. I was told the trick for going northbound is to wait until Galehead Hut opens for self service. You can go from there to the next one that is open for late. But from there you are committed to going up and over the rest of Mt Washington ridge to Pinkom Notch. You could probibly play the same games southbound.
Someone will have to correct me, but some of the huts stay open year around. Some stay open or open early for self service.
I talked to early northbounders about their plan. I was told the trick for going northbound is to wait until Galehead Hut opens for self service. You can go from there to the next one that is open for late. But from there you are committed to going up and over the rest of Mt Washington ridge to Pinkom Notch. You could probibly play the same games southbound.
From North to South:
Carter Notch Hut is open year round. Full service June 1 to about October 1, and caretaker service October 1 to May 31.
Madison Hut is open full serve only, June 1 to mid September. No self serve season.
Lakes of the Clouds. Same as Madison.
Mizpah: brief self service in the spring (May?), the full service until mid October
Zealand: same as Carter Notch Hut.
Galehead: same as Mizpah
Greenleaf: Same as Galehead and Mizpah
Lonesome Lake: same as Zealand and Carter Notch.
My dates may be off. Check the AMC website for better information on openings and closings.
minnesotasmith
03-21-2008, 11:59
About starting a SOBO in October:
If you are uncertain enough about your preparedness to do something like that that you feel the need to ask other people if it's reasonable, you're nowhere near able to undertake such a journey. How's that?
If you could do it, you'd know it.
riverroyer
03-21-2008, 18:47
Thanks for all the knowledge and input. I will not be starting a SOBO in mid October. I may start a section in Hanover NH in Mid Oct. Now I have alll summer to prepare. Will be hiking 4 days on the Canadian Cataraquai Trail as oon as it thaws and Mid May in the DAKS. Great site, great persons