View Full Version : Why do people go NOBO or SOBO
protargol
05-18-2011, 14:32
I have a general idea of the pros and cons of each direction, but they seem pretty even to me. That said, there are many more NOBO hikers than there are SOBO, and I'm trying to figure out why. Do people fear the weather in the North? Are the black flies a huge deterrent? In the end HYOH, but I'm just trying to get a grasp on why one direction is so disproportionately more popular than the other.
For me going NOBO was just easier logistically. I salute all the SOBO's since they're starting at the toughest part of the trail. At least I had time to get my legs before the agony set in.
WingedMonkey
05-18-2011, 15:14
Because going East or West only leads to more beer.
Ding, ding, ding............ We have a winner!!
4eyedbuzzard
05-18-2011, 15:24
Other than all the usual reasons of weather, flies, streams, blowdown, etc. that prevent starting a SOBO much before mid-June / July, and the whole "walking with spring" tradition, it's mostly just sheep following the herd / party.
hikerboy57
05-18-2011, 15:25
Because going East or West only leads to more beer.
apparently, there is no wobo or eobo.
Those are great trailnames.....
Most go NOBO because most are eager to get started. If you start before or after the herd you miss most of the party. It's what you prefer, or not.
Its easier to avoid this going sobo as there are less hikers that have to, or can wait, until June on...:)
brian039
05-18-2011, 16:40
I would think that ending your hike in Georgia would be more anti-climatic than ending your hike in Maine. Maybe somebody who has done both ways could chime in. I know for me that finishing in Maine was a huge deal, it was a great ending to an awesome journey.
hikerboy57
05-18-2011, 16:42
I think if you read some of Blissful's posts, you'll get a good understanding about why do a SOBO.
tat44too
05-18-2011, 16:45
Ya'll are crazy. Very funny stuff...
I would think that ending your hike in Georgia would be more anti-climatic than ending your hike in Maine. Maybe somebody who has done both ways could chime in. I know for me that finishing in Maine was a huge deal, it was a great ending to an awesome journey.
Well, it is a understandable thought...:)
I've found it to be anything but true- for many reasons- but the main one is... it's the same.;)
WingedMonkey
05-18-2011, 17:12
I think if you read some of Blissful's posts, you'll get a good understanding about why do a SOBO.
Keep in mind that was a south bound over a period of four years.
protargol
05-18-2011, 18:05
Wanting to go NOBO because there are more people is a positive feedback.
People go north to be with more people, and there are more people going North because more people want to do it the more popular way. The argument that people want to get out there early makes sense, but I'm not sure why people don't just start going south and have an equally large community. I guess doing NH/ME at the end when you're fit also makes sense, but the reverse is that ME and NH make you a seasoned hiker pretty quick weather you like it or not.
I would think that ending your hike in Georgia would be more anti-climatic than ending your hike in Maine ....
+1 on that. End your hike in Maine and your celebratory meal is lobster as opposed to a plate of BBQ in Georgia. Now you choose.
Speaking only for myself (as opposed to those who start their replies with generalizations like "People go north to ...") Mary and I are starting in Georgia because the timing makes more sense to us. We could care less about the party crowd. Hiking with spring sounds nice. Easing our 55+ YO legs makes sense. Avoiding black flies is a good thing. But, the timing is the prime motivator.
I will say, we most certainly don't ****ing say "Baaa..." - Well except maybe to those who make generalizations about why one group hikes a particular direction.
ChinMusic
05-18-2011, 19:14
Coming out of flatland Illinois I don't know if I could do a SOBO. It might kill me. I like the idea of ending at Katahdin. I also like the idea of doing the Whites with trail legs.
For me, personally, I loved the idea of ending in New England (where I am from originally and did my formative backpacking).
Some of my family and close friends were able to meet me up there.
I will also say of all the trails I've done, Katahdin was by far the most impressive ending.
Nearly 4000' [1] vertical feet gained, a memorable summit and seeing for miles and miles with nothing around but woods. Add in the whole mythology and dare I say romanticism of Katahdin itself, and it was a memorable day. Katahdin is just a damn impressive mountain visually, too. Nearly 2000' above tree line, and a sprawling massive. It looks more a Western peak than the wooded mountains of the Appalachians.
Springer, while nice, just seemed tame by comparison.
That's just me, anyway.
[1] To put it perspective, Longs Peak here in Colorado is 14300' and has just under 5000' vert gain! Less than 1000' difference! :)
Not to be negative, or anything, but if you hike SOBO you get to hike Katahdin for sure (or almost for sure--there are people who quit early on Day 1), while if you hike NOBO, you probably won't get there.
I think most people choose their direction because of the timing. For my work schedule at the time, hiking in the second half of the year made a lot more sense. And I liked the idea of hiking home, and the reality of it, too.
NEPilgrim
05-18-2011, 20:30
I've been sectioning since '08, which was originally planned as a TH. Logistically & physically were my main reasons for going north. A SOBO hike is a tougher hike, & different altogether,,,not as many people going that way at the start. A SOBO hike is definitely not for everyone. Someday I will TH, even after my sectioning is complete. I'm strongly considering going south for that one.
Wanting to go NOBO because there are more people is a positive feedback.
People go north to be with more people, and there are more people going North because more people want to do it the more popular way. The argument that people want to get out there early makes sense, but I'm not sure why people don't just start going south and have an equally large community. I guess doing NH/ME at the end when you're fit also makes sense, but the reverse is that ME and NH make you a seasoned hiker pretty quick weather you like it or not.
Dude - you are not paying attention! :confused:
You can go south with the same number of people- there are just less days to do so.:-?
People go because of timing- not because its "more popular".:datz
The first hundred miles down south is harder than the first hundred in Maine.;)
Friends, family, logistics are all good reasons to choose your terminus- but to say one is better than another usually means you have only done it one way.:)
Besides- you ever been to Katahdin on a cold cloudy windy rainy day? :eek:
Nothing to see but you may die.:(
Maybe it just comes down to the food you prefer?:rolleyes:
If you end a hike on Springer Mt. you will be left wanting something more. Overall there are many reasons to hike NOBO, but mainly it is the weather. WALK WITH SPRING
If you end a hike on Springer Mt. you will be left wanting something more. Overall there are many reasons to hike NOBO, but mainly it is the weather. WALK WITH SPRING
Have you done a SOBO hike? Believe me, finishing on Springer is an emotional experience.
I also disagree that the weather is better hiking NOBO. I started in New England in the summer and hiked through the flowering alpine plants, the ripe berry season, and weeks and weeks of blazing fall glory. When the leaves came off the trees, instead of walking through a long, green tunnel, I had ridgeline views almost all the time.
I'm not saying that SOBO is better--people who hike either direction have plenty of crappy weather to deal with, and both groups get to hike up and down the exact same mountains--but I am saying that SOBO is not worse.
Two indisputable facts are that the terrain is harder at the start of a SOBO hike, and that the number of fellow thru-attempters is much, much smaller. Other than that, the differences are mostly chest-thumping by the two tribes.
Have you done a SOBO hike? Believe me, finishing on Springer is an emotional experience.
Marta- I don't think has done any hiking - yet hopes to someday.:)
Either he is trolling or basing his opinion on something other than experience- both common here on WB!:D
People go NoBo because that's the way the hikers in the documentary/book/movie they like went. Also, it's easier in the south. More of a party. Especially at the start of the year.
People go NoBo because that's the way the hikers in the documentary/book/movie they like went. Also, it's easier in the south. More of a party. Especially at the start of the year.
...and you know this based on a doc/book/movie you like?:D
Lord Helment
05-19-2011, 12:26
ok..i'm been through the 100 mile wilderness 5 times....on top of katahdin 6 times....i have also done the springer to neels gap section twice.....i live in the flatlands of florida.....true for me, the first hundred miles in the south is considerably harder....yes, katahdin is a very hard climb but then you get a few days of recovery hiking until you get to white cap mountain.....i'm doing a sobo thru beginning in early july....walking back home to the south....but i would feel blessed to go any direction...neither way right or wrong...or better or worse...just different...hyoh
Lord Helment
05-19-2011, 14:20
let me clarify my previous error...i meant from springer to wesser...not neels gap
My first hike started atop Katahdin- it was my first step towards a new life.:sun
By the time I got to N.H. I was hooked...:o
I walked that last mile up Spinger with my Dad (he couldn't of done K-) and that was another first step that changed both our lifes.:)
I've finished on Katahdin too, but to say those times were better would not be true.:-?
When you get to where you are going, you are there, and that is what makes it special.;)
Lord Helment
05-19-2011, 15:26
welll said nean
ChinMusic
05-19-2011, 15:37
Good point on family/loved ones not being capable of joining your finish at K. Most anyone can get to Springer.
Good point on family/loved ones not being capable of joining your finish at K. Most anyone can get to Springer.
it wasn't even part of the plan- it just worked out that way-
glad it did ;)
When you get to where you are going, you are there, and that is what makes it special.;)
That's The Truth in a nutshell.
You're happy and sad and tired and confused all at once. I've never talked to a SOBO who was anything less than moved by the experience of reaching Springer, any more than I've met any NOBOs who find the experience of starting on Springer to be a big yawn.:rolleyes: It's the significance of the place more than the place itself that makes it special.
I'm planning for a NoBo thru next year because it's a lot easier for me to start from Georgia and I just like the idea of hiking north with spring. Everyone seems to have their own reasons whether it's just following the crowd or that they'll finish closer to home or whatever but I think at the end of the day what Nean said pretty much sums it up.
When you get to where you are going, you are there, and that is what makes it special.;)
Either way looks to be an incredible experience.
seggera88
06-07-2011, 14:29
I would think that ending your hike in Georgia would be more anti-climatic than ending your hike in Maine. Maybe somebody who has done both ways could chime in. I know for me that finishing in Maine was a huge deal, it was a great ending to an awesome journey.
For me growing up in NH and having hiked Katahdin a few times, Springer Mountain seems so far away and a desired place in my hopes and dreams. So I think Springer will be climactic... hope to get there soon!
I'm planning on going northbound for mine, seeing as I live closer to Georgia than Maine, and frankly the jagged spire that is Katadhn seems a lot more climactic than Springer. Besides, from there I could take a tram back down, hike to Rhode Island for the nostalgia, and stick about there for a while until I figure out what the hell I'm going to do after this.
max patch
02-27-2012, 10:13
I think if you read some of Blissful's posts, you'll get a good understanding about why do a SOBO.
The weather is much better on NOBO; start in the spring and end in NE in the fall.
Oh, and when asked, Blissful (who has gone both ways) said she preferred NOBO.
Lone Wolf
02-27-2012, 10:19
i preferred SOBO. i've done 4 NOBOs
rocketsocks
02-27-2012, 10:37
Now I have only seen pictures from Springer Mt.and it always seems to be that one shot through the trees if you look just right to the far away mountains...."so it would be nobo for a the big finish"...for me.
Jim Adams
02-27-2012, 12:42
My first hike started atop Katahdin- it was my first step towards a new life.:sun
By the time I got to N.H. I was hooked...:o
I walked that last mile up Spinger with my Dad (he couldn't of done K-) and that was another first step that changed both our lifes.:)
I've finished on Katahdin too, but to say those times were better would not be true.:-?
When you get to where you are going, you are there, and that is what makes it special.;)
...miss you much!...what a great answer...in fact I never even considered going SOBO until I read your answer....may be time!
Speaking as a section hiker, I like having no more than eleven hours of darkness per day when I'm hiking. Otherwise, I go stir crazy with boredom spending a lot of waking hours in the dark in my tent. So March 21 to Sept. 21 are prime hiking time for me and that's a time frame suited to a NOBO thru-hike. A southbound thru-hike starting around July 1 means some mighty long nights in November and December (unless you do a fast hike) toward the end of your thru-hike.
rocketsocks
02-28-2012, 08:02
Speaking as a section hiker, I like having no more than eleven hours of darkness per day when I'm hiking. Otherwise, I go stir crazy with boredom spending a lot of waking hours in the dark in my tent. So March 21 to Sept. 21 are prime hiking time for me and that's a time frame suited to a NOBO thru-hike. A southbound thru-hike starting around July 1 means some mighty long nights in November and December (unless you do a fast hike) toward the end of your thru-hike.+1 on thoughs sunny figures:sun
rocketsocks
02-28-2012, 08:03
+1 on thoughs sunny figures:sunThat's "Those":o
I like the idea of a SOBO myself, because at the finish I would be six hours drive from home. The nobo finish point looks awesome on everyone's pictures, though. As a section hiker in training I think I'm a long way from either nobo or SOBO, so there's plenty of time for that later. I might be TH class of 2020....
Lone Wolf
02-28-2012, 19:30
I like the idea of a SOBO myself, because at the finish I would be six hours drive from home. The nobo finish point looks awesome on everyone's pictures, though. As a section hiker in training I think I'm a long way from either nobo or SOBO, so there's plenty of time for that later. I might be TH class of 2020....
i was never a section hiker or in training when i first hit the trail. i never did a "shakedown" whatever that means. it's just walkin'. seriously
on_the_GOEZ
02-28-2012, 20:04
SOBO weather was fantastic (save Hurricane Irene in southern vermont and flooding in NY/NJ! :eek:)! I had nearly the same temperatures up until central virginia - going 'with' late summer and fall made more sense to me. NTM, besides a few in the north east, hostels , shelters, and AYCEs were never full. However, some were closed by the time we came through (Pine Grove Furnace SP was also closed - no HG Challenge)
This said, the first ~400 miles SOBO were the best and the hardest, for me the only reason I would go NOBO - to finish in Maine, my favorite part. I started in good shape and had no trouble with Katadhin, southern Maine, whites, etc but I enjoyed them the most for that reason. Next SOBO hike, I will start earlier to finish around 1st of november (there were some really cold nights towards the end..)
And all this balogna about Springer being anti-climatic..walk 2100 miles first then say the end isnt important. I couldve finished at a privy and have been as equally estatic as finishing a NOBO at Katadhin. NTM, the parking lot is only a mile away from Springer vs. 3 (at least) in Baxter SP...
Lone Wolf
02-28-2012, 20:24
And all this balogna about Springer being anti-climatic..walk 2100 miles first then say the end isnt important. I couldve finished at a privy and have been as equally estatic as finishing a NOBO at Katadhin. NTM, the parking lot is only a mile away from Springer vs. 3 (at least) in Baxter SP...
you (get" it :)
quilteresq
02-28-2012, 20:31
Black flies su**! And I'm allergic to their bites, so it's the crowd for me. Also, I really can't imagine skipping either New England fall or blooming rhododendron tunnels. I've lived here over 25 years, and I still hate missing the first three weeks of October here. Only missed any of it once.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a lot about SEASONS - Northbound hikers chase down the spring and into summer and finish in Fall which is a wonderful feeling. I went Southbound because I was finishing high school until late May and wouldn't have been able to finish a northbound hike before BSP and the Big K shut down for the winter weather. Most northbounders start between February and April - most southbounders start between June and August so a lot of thru hikers decide their direction by when their schedule stipulates that they start. If I thru-hike again, I'd like to go Northbound but the crowded nature of the southern parts of the trail in spring time worry me - I'd surly try to start early - mid February, perhaps. Speaking for my southbound kin, SOBO is harder in a lot of ways - Maine and NH are harder than GA and most of NC for the most part and you are thrown right into the crux of the trail with a few blackflies to boot. The trail is "set-up" from a NOBO perspective in a lot of ways too and SOBOS have to adapt - being a smaller crew though, it's a tight-knit little crew that often braves snow in the smokies and the cold wet, sometimes lonely finish in north GA.
Blissful
02-28-2012, 20:56
And all this balogna about Springer being anti-climatic..walk 2100 miles first then say the end isnt important. I couldve finished at a privy and have been as equally estatic as finishing a NOBO at Katadhin. NTM, the parking lot is only a mile away from Springer vs. 3 (at least) in Baxter SP...
Absolutely.
I finished my SOBO at Harper's Ferry as I had to leave PA and MD for the following spring when work came up.
We had bubbly at the ATC center and everything. I was the first 2,000 miler for 2011. It was great. We had a blast. They LOVE hikers finishing at Harper's Ferry.
on_the_GOEZ
02-28-2012, 21:00
SOBOS have to adapt - being a smaller crew though, it's a tight-knit little crew that often braves snow in the smokies and the cold wet, sometimes lonely finish in north GA.
Our final day from Woody Gap to Springer was 6.5 hours of downpour. Cold downpour. Wouldnt trade it for anything