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  1. #1
    Registered User Doctari's Avatar
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    Default Southbound Vs northbound "War"

    During a ride this year, a shuttle driver in VA told a story of hikers in a "hiker friendly bar" of some SOBOS & NOBOS actually getting into a fight over what direction was "BEST", to the point of hikers are no longer welcome at this bar. I was in the very rear of the van so didn't hear all of the details, like: when, name of the bar, etc. However, this seems quite the STUPID thing to fight over IMHO.
    The miles hiked are EXACTLY the same!!! The Elevation gain & loss is EXACTLY the same!!! Some things are easier or harder if you are going NOBO & some things are easier or harder if going SOBO!
    Yes, it is fun to do some good natured digging at each other, as long as we all realize it's only hiking & if you have put one foot in front of the other for nearly 2200 miles, it doesn't really matter which direction you are pointed when you put your feet in front of each other. In fact, there are places along the AT where, no matter which way you are headed, your compass will say you are going the other.
    SO, these hikers ruined it for everyone who follows & over what?
    SOBO or NOBO, IT REALLY DOSENT MATTER!! Choose the direction that suites you & go for it! As you pass someone going the other direction, be happy for them, THEY ARE OUT THERE HIKING!! Want to hike a flip flop? COOL, go for it!!
    Section hiking? Good for you! Thru hiking? Good for you! Both have their plusses & minuses & that doesn't matter either!
    Try to be civil to each other out there, you never know who is watching.
    Got a favorite: Hostel, waterfall, road crossing, etc, & you meet someone who doesn't like that particular "Whatever" SO WHAT!! Maybe they were at the hostel on a bad day (them or staff) or twisted an ankle at the waterfall, or ??????? Or maybe it's the reverse & you really had a (to you at least) bad experience at the hostelwaterfallroadcrossing! Let it go! It was a way to make you stronger without killing you. :-) Long distance hiking is hard sometimes & sometimes we just have a bad day regardless.

    Here's to never hearing a similar story again!!
    Curse you Perry the Platypus!

  2. #2
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    Default

    I find it hard to believe anybody would actually argue over sobo vs nobo. Sounds blown out of proportion, or, maybe way too much alcohol was involved.
    humor is the gadfly on the corpse of tragedy

  3. #3
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    Baltimore Jack used to love ragging on southbounders, never missed a chance.

    But you know, we hiker types can argue over just about anything...

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by greensleep View Post
    I find it hard to believe anybody would actually argue over sobo vs nobo.
    yeah really, cuz SOBO IS the way to go

  5. #5

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    yeah really, cuz SOBO IS the way to go
    duck season!

  6. #6
    Registered User greentick's Avatar
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    rabbit season!
    nous défions

    It's gonna be ok.

    Ditch Medicine: wash your hands and keep your booger-pickers off your face!

  7. #7
    Clueless Weekender
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doctari View Post
    The Elevation gain & loss is EXACTLY the same!!!
    Katahdin is higher than Springer.
    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

  8. #8
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Quote Originally Posted by Another Kevin View Post
    Katahdin is higher than Springer.
    I disagree.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Another Kevin View Post
    Katahdin is higher than Springer.
    Except that there's no way to start (or end) a hike at the top of Katahdin.

  10. #10
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    Jumpstart parachuted on springer to start his hike

  11. #11
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    I agree with the sentiment that the situation you describe was probably fueled by alcohol in a big way. It's a total non issue on the trail in my experience, just friendly ribbing at most. I've definitely heard that you should never trust a southbounder...

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    Jumpstart parachuted on springer to start his hike
    Yeah, I've heard of that. I somehow doubt we've had a similar start on K. Anyone? Bueller?

  13. #13
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
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    Since when do SOBOs and NOBOS cross in VA?

  14. #14

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    Default

    A bit of good natured ribbing has been around a long time.
    With the occassional choice words on shelter walls.

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rafe View Post
    Yeah, I've heard of that. I somehow doubt we've had a similar start on K. Anyone? Bueller?
    fer real????

  16. #16
    Registered User egilbe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rafe View Post
    Yeah, I've heard of that. I somehow doubt we've had a similar start on K. Anyone? Bueller?
    Im pretty sure the rangers would have a fit! Can you imagine missing the drop zone and being dashed against the rocks? The damage to the fragile alpine zone? Carrying that parachute back down Hunt trail? Yikes.

  17. #17
    13-45 Section Hiker Trash
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    You know, it's a sign of the times. In our current society one can get shot for not merging the way someone else would like them to on the highway. So an argument about something that at least has a little substance and ends in no gun fire...sounds like a win win
    AT: 2007-2019 (45 sections)
    JMT: 2013

  18. #18
    Registered User LittleRock's Avatar
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    That story kind of reminds me of The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss.
    It's all good in the woods.

  19. #19
    Registered User colorado_rob's Avatar
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    I love this little "fight", and hear it discussed a bunch on the trail, kinda like cross-town sports rivalry's, perhaps. And you hear the "purists" claiming the only true AT thru starts at Springer, ends on Katadin, no significant stopping along the way. Classic!

    As far as the elevation changing being exactly the same... well, it kinda is, is it not? A half a million total vertical gain (and the same loss) on the AT divided into the 5300-3800 end point height difference = 0.3% difference... that's "exact" in my definition of hiking elevation changes!

  20. #20
    Registered User Doctari's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattjv89 View Post
    I agree with the sentiment that the situation you describe was probably fueled by alcohol in a big way. It's a total non issue on the trail in my experience, just friendly ribbing at most. I've definitely heard that you should never trust a southbounder...
    Well, they were in a bar! So, Yes, Alcohol WAS involved. :-) Still, no Excuse!
    Curse you Perry the Platypus!

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