SoBo supply for 100 mile wilderness?

[CrumbSnatcher]

the prices at WHL and ABOL BRIDGE STORE are what they are! i enjoy both of these places whenever i go thru the 100 miles. last sept. the $1.00 for 3 minutes pay phone at the abol store was worth every penny at the time.

[weary]

.....Contact Kathy Preble, aka Boarstone here on WB. Nothing better than a nice heavy food bag waiting for you on the other side of Whitecap!
Check the ALDHA Companion or AWOL's Southbound guide, and take a look at the southbounder's forum here on WB.

Sometimes when I plan on climbing Katahdin and then heading south through the 100 miles, I'll stash food along the trail, usually at the AT crossing of the Jo Mary Campground road. I pack it in one of those 12 quart plastic buckets that every hardware store sells. Wrap the cover on tight with duct tape, and put the whole thing in a black plastic garbage bag. I stash it behind bushes, a big log, or a big tree at least 100 feet from the trail. So far the stashes have always been there when I arrive a few days later, unmolested by neither man nor beast.

Just follow the Jo Mary Campground road from Route 11, north of Brownville. Go past the campground another few miles. There are signs and a turnout at the trail crossing.

An alternative drop off can be reached from the Katahdin Iron Works Road, which also branches from Route 11, north of Brownville. Follow the signs to Gulf Hagas. The trail crosses a few hundred yards north of the Gulf Hagas Parking lot. A drawback to stashing food it that you have to go back after a hike and remove the empty container.

But mostly, unless there is a special reason, like hiking with kids, or newcomers to the trail, I usually just stuff my pack with an extra 10 pounds of food. I eat the heaviest food first so the extra weight disappears quickly.

Weary

[Blissful]

Yeah I was sad you can't get a maildrop at WHL. Is there enough to resupply ok? We skipped it in '07.

[Rockhound]

Extremely limited and expensive for resupply. The sit down food there is to die for and a great value for the dollar. I recommend the 1 lb burger and fries and purchasing a bottle of wine to enjoy in a canoe near sunset.

[Johnny Swank]

If I SOBO'd again, I'd pack extra food and take a nearo beside one of the lakes along the way. Some friends did that, and I was too jealous for words! There aren't that many places on the trail that you can go swimming all day and chill on shore out in the middle of nowhere.

[boarstone]

You can get off the trail at Cooper Brook/AT trail crossing, go over the bridge and hitch or hike down the dirt road, 6mi, to the Jo-Mary campground. Limited resupply but are getting better and they are very hiker friendly and love you guys and gals! They have a register just for the hikers who come thru...do sign if you go. Depending upon when you start SOBO, they should be open by 2nd week in May. Check on here for any updates as I keep up on goings on in this area or e-mail me for updates at: [email protected]. They carry HEET, instant potatoes, lipton, have cold sodas, lunch counter for breakfast and lunch. Great food! And oh so reasonable! And yes, you can send me your resupply and I'll deliver to Cooper or Gulf Hagas.

[weary]

You can get off the trail at Cooper Brook/AT trail crossing, go over the bridge and hitch or hike down the dirt road, 6mi, to the Jo-Mary campground. Limited resupply but are getting better and they are very hiker friendly and love you guys and gals! They have a register just for the hikers who come thru...do sign if you go. Depending upon when you start SOBO, they should be open by 2nd week in May. Check on here for any updates as I keep up on goings on in this area or e-mail me for updates at: [email protected]. They carry HEET, instant potatoes, lipton, have cold sodas, lunch counter for breakfast and lunch. Great food! And oh so reasonable! And yes, you can send me your resupply and I'll deliver to Cooper or Gulf Hagas.

I know they are there. That's why I walked to their store a few years ago. No car or truck came by, so I walked the whole six or seven miles -- and found the place closed and no indication about when, or if ever -- the store might open.

So I walked back, and continued on my hike to Katahdin, after having done 12 or 14 miles of worthless miles on a dusty road.

My advice is: do not rely on the campground store -- at least until you have solid evidence that the campground and its store is going to be open. It's not a particularly pleasant walk as Maine walks go.

Weary

[quasarr]

Actually it's about 115 miles to Monson. Day 1)Summit Mt K, enjoy the view then hike about 5 mi. to the Birches Lean-to. Day 2)Abol Bridge campground about 10 miles. You can get lunch,supper and the next days breakfast while you're there. Day 3)Hike about 15 mi. to Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Day 4)Hike 17 miles to White House Landing. Get a fantastic supper and breakfast the next morning. Day 5) Hike 15 miles to Cooper brook falls Lean-to. Day 6) 11 miles to Logan Brook Lean-to. Day 7) hike 17 mi. to Chairback Gap Lean-to Day 8) hike 16 miles to Wilson Valley Lean-to Day 8) Hike 10 miles to Monson. Day 8 you just need a breakfast.

I was nowhere close to this schedule! Katahdin is a hard first day! Forget making it to the Birches. I was so pooped I could barely move when I got back to Katahdin Stream.

Doing 15-17 mile days right out of the gate is tough - I know I couldn't have done it and I was in pretty good shape before starting the trail. Sure there are studs out there, and if that's you then go for it. If not it's best to stick to 10-15 miles until you get your legs.

[DawnTreader]

Well this sounds like everything I need to know! Thanks mister!

Be careful with that advice.. Have you ever hiked the 100 mile wilderness SOBO in early June during black fly season at the start of a hike??? I would carry 10 days of food.. then there is no pressure. The 15 plus mile days the above poster mentioned may not be practiacable, nor safe, for someone just begining a SOBO thru... Take 10 days of food, Take it easy... 10 miles a day to start... Unless your superman, then disregard the previous ramble...

[quasarr]

And Maine is so beautiful! We stopped for lunch at a small lakeside beach and ended up staying for a couple hours just swimming and sitting in the sun. There are so few opportunities to swim outside of Maine, I would take all you can get!

[Jeff]

There are so few opportunities to swim outside of Maine, I would take all you can get!

I agree with this. But, southern Vermont has three wonderful lakes for swimming.

[Rockhound]

Be careful with that advice.. Have you ever hiked the 100 mile wilderness SOBO in early June during black fly season at the start of a hike??? I would carry 10 days of food.. then there is no pressure. The 15 plus mile days the above poster mentioned may not be practiacable, nor safe, for someone just begining a SOBO thru... Take 10 days of food, Take it easy... 10 miles a day to start... Unless your superman, then disregard the previous ramble...

I don't think it would take Superman to hike that schedule. People do the 100 miles in 4 or 5 days every year. My schedule, as I mentioned is steady but certainly more than doable for your average hiker. 8 days of food + 2 days at WHL & Abol bridge. + the last day when all you might need is an energy bar to get you to Monson for lunch gives you as much as 11 days to do it without going hungry. Average, a little over 10 miles a day. Please explain why you feel it would take Superman to stick to a pace that, if maintained throughout a thru-hike, would take over 200 days to complete with no zero days? I feel the schedule I posted, through the relatively flat 100 miles, is simply a good warm up for someone attempting a thru. If it's going to take you much longer than that, chances are you wont make it to GA.

[Blissful]

I don't think it would take Superman to hike that schedule. People do the 100 miles in 4 or 5 days every year. My schedule, as I mentioned is steady but certainly more than doable for your average hiker. 8 days of food + 2 days at WHL & Abol bridge. + the last day when all you might need is an energy bar to get you to Monson for lunch gives you as much as 11 days to do it without going hungry. Average, a little over 10 miles a day. Please explain why you feel it would take Superman to stick to a pace that, if maintained throughout a thru-hike, would take over 200 days to complete with no zero days? I feel the schedule I posted, through the relatively flat 100 miles, is simply a good warm up for someone attempting a thru. If it's going to take you much longer than that, chances are you wont make it to GA.

(Just jumping in here) Personally I would never plan to hike 15-17 mile days with a fully loaded pack just starting out SOBO or to get ready for a thru. Whats the rush anyway, with such a gorgeous area? But that's my 40 year old ligaments and mind talking. And the 100 mile wilderness is not flat. Also plenty of roots and other impediments to ankles not in condition. The Chairback Range was hard, and I was in condition going NOBO (and also did a 20 miler through there, UGH). Not sure why, if you take your time in the 100 mile wilderness, means you won't make the whole trail? Taking it easy, to me, is common sense starting out. I would go slow as molasses until I got to Hanover to preserve myself. Then 20 mile days if I wanted 'cause the tough stuff is behind me, for the most part. There should also be common sense in hiking. I have to tell myself that a lot or I overdo it, get injured and then that's really the end of the trail.

[Ramble~On]

(Just jumping in here) Personally I would never plan to hike 15-17 mile days with a fully loaded pack just starting out SOBO or to get ready for a thru. Whats the rush anyway, with such a gorgeous area? But that's my 40 year old ligaments and mind talking. And the 100 mile wilderness is not flat. Also plenty of roots and other impediments to ankles not in condition. The Chairback Range was hard, and I was in condition going NOBO (and also did a 20 miler through there, UGH). Not sure why, if you take your time in the 100 mile wilderness, means you won't make the whole trail? Taking it easy, to me, is common sense starting out. I would go slow as molasses until I got to Hanover to preserve myself. Then 20 mile days if I wanted 'casue the tough stuff is behind me, for the most part. There should also be common sense in hiking. I have to tell myself that a lot or I overdo it, get injured and then that's really the end of the trail.

I agree...totally.

I didn't hike SOBO and I didn't arrange a food drop. When I do it again, I'm gonna have a food drop worked out and take my time through the 100 Mile. I'd take my time with menu plannng too so that this part of the trail would be indulgent.

[DawnTreader]

I don't think it would take Superman to hike that schedule. People do the 100 miles in 4 or 5 days every year. My schedule, as I mentioned is steady but certainly more than doable for your average hiker. 8 days of food + 2 days at WHL & Abol bridge. + the last day when all you might need is an energy bar to get you to Monson for lunch gives you as much as 11 days to do it without going hungry. Average, a little over 10 miles a day. Please explain why you feel it would take Superman to stick to a pace that, if maintained throughout a thru-hike, would take over 200 days to complete with no zero days? I feel the schedule I posted, through the relatively flat 100 miles, is simply a good warm up for someone attempting a thru. If it's going to take you much longer than that, chances are you wont make it to GA.

Pebbles,
your first post on this thread dosn't jive with your 2nd.. I can't figure out how a 15,10,15,17,15,11,17,16, and a 10 mile day average a little over 10 miles a day??
"Actually it's about 115 miles to Monson. Day 1)Summit Mt K, enjoy the view then hike about 5 mi. to the Birches Lean-to. Day 2)Abol Bridge campground about 10 miles. You can get lunch,supper and the next days breakfast while you're there. Day 3)Hike about 15 mi. to Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Day 4)Hike 17 miles to White House Landing. Get a fantastic supper and breakfast the next morning. Day 5) Hike 15 miles to Cooper brook falls Lean-to. Day 6) 11 miles to Logan Brook Lean-to. Day 7) hike 17 mi. to Chairback Gap Lean-to Day 8) hike 16 miles to Wilson Valley Lean-to Day 8) Hike 10 miles to Monson. Day 8 you just need a breakfast. Two other days are basically taken care of at WHL and Abol campground. All you really need to get through the 100 miles is a weeks worth of food. Most of the 100 miles is relatively flat so you should make good time. Depending on how wet it is, mud should be the only thing that might slow you down."- Pebbles
"Mud should be the only thing that might slow you down." Don't ever count on that. Plenty of things should slow you down. Out of the gate fatigue, weather, The views, Gulf Hagas, ect. ect. Listen, all I'm sayin', is that it took me 10 days, and you shouldn't question peoples chances of making it to Georgia based on their "stats" through the 100 mile wilderness.. thats just silly. The sign says "Carry 10 days worth of food." So I did, and I also advise other SOBO starters to do the same.. Thats all..

[Rockhound]

For Petes' sake. A weeks worth of food is enough to get through 100 miles. The 100 miles is RELATIVELY flat as compared to the rest of the trail. Yes I know there are a couple of hills along the way. I hiked it last year. If the 20 something kid who started this thread is not using a walker, crutches, Hoverround or is extremely obese and out of shape he should have no problem sticking to the schedule I laid out. Also if there is a sign that says carry 10 days worth of food one might reason that they can drop 2 of those days if they will be getting food at Abol Bridge and WHL. I stick by my original post. Really people. You are trying to make this a lot harder than it is. IT'S ONLY WALKING!

[DawnTreader]

A weeks worth of food is enough for YOU to get through the 100 miles. I am not contesting your stance that it is a relatively flat section, i concur, but since we know little to nothing about this '20 something kid', more factors will effect this little 'walk'. Has he ever been on a long distance trip before? Has he found a comfortable gear kit that will allow him to walk 15+ mile days at the begining of a thru hike without hurting himself and ruining the rest of his hike? White House Landing can be an expensive stop ..bunk/food/resupply. We need more info on the thread starter, and his hiking motives before assuming he/she would be up for your schedule.
p.s.
I am a '20 something kid' who is not using a walker, crutches, hoverround and I am extremely fit. If I stuck to your schedule during the 100 mile wilderness, between the rain, mud, blackflies ect. I probabbly would have been even more discouraged than I already was. Looking back, one of the many joys I can recollect from that trip was the night before monson, I think it was at Wilson Lean to, handing out my extra food to sobo thrus i was hiking with that ran out of food one day early (they packed for 7 days).. Some of my fondest memories were gorging extra food the night before a town stop.. point? food is good, carry lots of it... especially if you have no clue as to how long it will take YOU to hike a certain section.

[Rockhound]

So I guess that means you are a camper who enjoys hiking and I'm a hiker who enjoys camping. I honesty consider myself to be an average hiker. Many many many people, even new to the trail and hiking, average more miles per day than I do and of course some average less. The schedule I laid out would be very doable by the average hiker. I also mentioned the mud might slow you down and of course weather is implied with that. Can't have mud without rain. As for black flies. They may irritate but slow a person down? I don't really see the logic there. When reading my post one might say "well I'm a below average hiker so I will add a day or two to that. If I was a megamiler I might even drop a day or two of food. Also, maybe you could have made it a little quicker if you were'nt carrying so much food. Then again the first time I hiked the 100 miles I listened to advice like yours and got to Monson with 3 days worth of food left over. My bad. Like anyones advice, you should filter it and take into account your own desires and abilities. Yes you are a slowpoke. I get it, but don't expect everyone else in the world to hike at a snails pace just because you choose to.

[Rockhound]

Also If you ate and camped at ABOL & ate and stayed at WHL, by the time you got to Monson you would have only averaged about $1 per mile.

[DawnTreader]

Okay, as long as you think its a good idea to start a thru-hike doing 15+mile days.... thats good for you.. but the majority of the hikers I meet going south in early june through Maine do not start out that fast. I don't think I'm alone on this.. I pack light enough for extra food. no harm... no race to the finish.. no above average below average nonsense.. I don't have to list my "stats" to prove anything.. I just like food, and think others should carry enough... and we still don't know anything about the hiker in question... we are talking about our personal hiking styles, not knowing his/hers, so we arn't getting anywhere anyway...
p.s. I bet you were glad you had leftover food instead being hungry for two days before town..