Class of 2010 hikers

[phototori]

My names Tori, I'm looking to thru hike starting early june 2010, after I graduate high school. I'm 17 and looking for someone to hike with. Anyone looking at starting around this time?

[muddyblaster]

hello phototori
im looking for the same thing, im starting the same time, and right outa high school to, let me know!

[Pathfinder]

Hey tori, I'm looking to do the same thing but I'm not certain which direction I am heading. Maybe us early June folks could form a group to hike with if we're heading the same way since I would be hiking alone for the most part. I'm realizing that a NOBO hike could work, but it means ending in Maine late when it's really cold so I might be going SOBO.

[STICK]

I assume you guys are planning a SOBO hike? Mt Katahdin is only open "weather allowing May 31-October 15."

http://www.baxterstateparkauthority....ru-hiking.html

There is no way that you will be able to complete a thru hike NOBO starting in June. Most people start around Marchish going NOBO.

[Pathfinder]

There is no way that you will be able to complete a thru hike NOBO starting in June. Most people start around Marchish going NOBO.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you here because 4 and a half months is a managable amount of time for a thru as long as you're making good mileage. My main concern is the fact that hiking thru Maine is tough enough (trust me) but adding on frosts every night and freezing through last part of the hike would ruin it for me.

[STICK]

Pathfinder, you are right. It has been done in less than four months. However thats gotta be awfully chancy if you have no or little expierence, to me it would be anyway, but HYOH. There is alot to plan and get ready, get gear together, find out what works, etc...
Im sorry though, I shouldnt have said that it couldnt be done.

[expat2005]

If interested in forming a 3-4 man team leaving Springer MT 04/10, please email Billy (expat2005@yahoo.com)

[clairep1791]

Tori and Pathfinder, I plan on hitting the trail in late May/early June after I graduate from high school as well. Do you guys have partners yet? I'm thinking about doing a flip flop hike, but I am open to other suggestions. Send me some messages because maybe we could all hook up together.

[Kryptahdin]

I'm also planning a hike beginning in June, starting at Katahdin and heading SOBO. Not looking for hiking partners per se, but, it would be cool to get to know a few other folks hitting the trail at the same time.

[takethisbread]

Hiking partners going nobo makes no sense. So many hikers, you will quickly find one who naturally goes your pace and is a fit personally.

This hike appears to be a sobo, leaving in June, leaves no room for error in getting to katahdin. One illness, or sprained ankle, or real bad weather days, and you will miss katahdin. As that gives you a pace of 17 miles a day with only a 3-4 zero days. Very tough pace and you could still get to Baxter on the 13th and it may be bad weather /closed through the 15th.

June is a great time for a sobo start, and starting in Ga in summer would be torture. You would be carrying a lot of water and bug spray, not to mention the Smokies would suck, they'd be filled with cub scout troops.

[Wrangler88]

Maybe it's just me but starting from Baxter in late May or early June sounds like a bad idea to me. The bugs will be unforgiving and the trails very sloppy. However, going through the south and mid atlantic in the middle of summer heat and humidity doesn't sound all that great either.

Early June would be a tough time to start going either direction. If you're not going to school the following fall, which it sounds like you aren't because you're talking about making it to Katahdin by mid October, I'd suggest waiting until July and then going SOBO. There are pleanty of people leaving SOBO around that time and it'd be easy to meet up with people around your age group.

[wudhipy]

How 'bout starting at Harpers Ferry and doing a flip flop...you'll miss the bugs...dodge the weather...and have a better chance of finish...just a thought. Good luck to ya..I appreciate your dream...hope to see ya on the trail.

[SwingLow]

I am leaving around June 19th and am flexible for NOBO or SOBO.

[Simba]

I was debating going SOBO in early July and ending in Ny (harriman); but decided starting in Harriman, NY and going NOBO was a good idea too. I have three months available.

[volleypc]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you here because 4 and a half months is a managable amount of time for a thru as long as you're making good mileage. My main concern is the fact that hiking thru Maine is tough enough (trust me) but adding on frosts every night and freezing through last part of the hike would ruin it for me.

I left the trail last year so I could finish with the fall colors. I ended up in Maine Sept 27 through Oct 7th last year and it was absolutely amazing. I had some ice on Whitecap Mtn and cold winds on Katahdin, but the fall colors made it worth it. My advice is to try to finish around Oct 7th or so. Check the average temps, they are not that bad for the area. You will get run into some weather on the peaks, but nothing you have not already gone through.