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naturejunkie
02-20-2008, 10:13
Granted it is still early for SOBOs to be making a lot of noise. But, it seems this year's class is a bit thin so far. So, if you're goin' SOBO in 2008, let's here about it.

Me: I am planning to be in Millinocket on the 21st, climb Katahdin on the 22nd and head into the 100 Mile Wilderness on the 23rd. I tried this last year, but injured my knee almost immediately.

Things I learned in 2007:
1. Katahdin is not a hike, it is a climb.
2. Do not step on the cross logs on the bog bridges. It is like stepping onto ice, covered in oil, covered in ice.
3. One of the bogs is, roughly, just over knee deep.
4. You can hike pretty far with an injured knee, as long as you have ibuprofen. When you run out..., well not so much.
5. "River Crossing" sometimes means something akin to a circus highwire act.
6. The locals love to hear that you are from Washington, DC.

Cheers SOBOs!

Almost There
02-20-2008, 10:43
Right now it's a section hike starting on June 10th.

However, there is a decent, outside chance that I might be able to turn it into an all the way thing if my wife's new position pans out. I'll know hopefully by May, so for now I'll sound off and we'll see what happens.

Lone Wolf
02-20-2008, 10:48
2. Do not step on the cross logs on the bog bridges. It is like stepping onto ice, covered in oil, covered in ice.


i will only use them if they are bone dry. bog bridges are a stupid invention.

BugGirl
02-20-2008, 10:50
We're climbing Katadin Friday the 13th. =) Can't wait!

surefoot
02-20-2008, 12:17
My son and I, Splash1986, are arriving in Bangor June6th. We have shuttle service arranged so that we can make it to Baxter that evening and have already confirmed reservations at Katadin stream campground. Weather permitting we will climb Katadin on the 7th and hit the 100 mile wilderness on the 8th. He is planning a thru hike while I have to be back at work on July 29th. We will cover as much ground together as we can before I have to leave.
Working on food prep and have been slowly stocking up on food to make boxes to be mailed to us where we can.
Working on getting in shape before we hit the trail because it will be here sooner than you think. Can’t wait! :banana

Idealist
02-20-2008, 14:18
Currently, our estimated start date is June 20th. Four months to go!

Red Hat
02-22-2008, 11:33
Planning on arriving in Maine on June 29th, climbing Katahdin on July 1st. Got my reservations at Katahdin Stream Campground. Anyone want to share a tent site?

Pete Moss
03-05-2008, 14:54
I am starting a bit late than most (july 20) an dwas wondering who I may run into?

TJ aka Teej
03-08-2008, 15:25
I am starting a bit late than most (july 20) an dwas wondering who I may run into?

Skinny and hairy Northbounders, mostly! And some Quebecer camp groups in the 100 mile.
:welcome to Whiteblaze, Pete!

chip B
03-09-2008, 13:20
leaving for abol bridge end of may.. have done katahdin before. have left from abol last year but way to much water esp. nahmakanta lake i go very slow .. the roots are like ice when wet also

chip B
03-09-2008, 13:22
leaving in end of may sometime.. have climbed katahdin before.. leaving from abol again.. last year ran into to much water. esp nahmakanta lake.. blaze was under water
the tree roots are also like ice when wet..

Carpetbagger
04-17-2008, 02:15
going southbound June 1st.

think0075
04-20-2008, 22:00
I am heading up to maine as soon as i get everything at home situated. hopefully get there in late may. and then my plan is to walk in solitude, just the peace and quiet of the wilderness. don't really care how fast i go or when i get anywhere just want to be away from a world that is quickly dissolving into temptations and false desire.
- a happy boddhistvah

Captain
04-20-2008, 22:07
you will probably run into me in one of the shelters i plan to really take my time and go shelter by shelter with plenty of rest in between and im starting on the 1st so heres to hoping ill see another whiteblaze member out there cheers

Carpetbagger
04-29-2008, 21:00
"just want to be away from a world that is quickly dissolving into temptations and false desire."

Amen to that!

trailblazer30577
04-29-2008, 21:48
Teej said:


Skinny and hairy Northbounders, mostly!

Hee Hee. LOL! Hee Hee. (Fact can be funnier than fiction, huh?

Lone Wolf
04-29-2008, 21:53
Teej said:



Hee Hee. LOL! Hee Hee. (Fact can be funnier than fiction, huh?

for all your hiking needs http://www.amway.com/en/Product/products-10329.aspx

trailblazer30577
04-29-2008, 22:13
I ain't a gonna go down that road every again, and you can bank on it. :)

L Tee
04-29-2008, 22:29
Fly into Bangor June 3rd, should be on trail June 4th weather permitting.

I have not gotten my reservation for the Katahdin Spring campgrounds, am I screwed?

warraghiyagey
04-29-2008, 23:09
Fly into Bangor June 3rd, should be on trail June 4th weather permitting.

I have not gotten my reservation for the Katahdin Spring campgrounds, am I screwed?

No, early June - you should make a reservation, but on that date you likely could just drive in, I'm not recommending it, just saying that there will be room somewhere between Katahdin Stream and Abol or other areas.

nyetski
04-30-2008, 00:29
Starting early June, hopefully the 3rd or the 4th

salves
05-05-2008, 21:21
Shooting to start the 21st...can't wait...

dironstarr
05-05-2008, 21:35
Not thru hiking this year but am beginning the "rest-of-my-life" (10 days per year, North-South) section hike on June 2nd. Will be on trail through the 8th, so I'll see some of you out there.

jnetx
05-12-2008, 04:38
Planning a June 10 start, but currently stranded in a very small town in Spain with a bag of ice on an injured and very painful knee! :eek:

Hopefully, icing and rest will get me walking again in time for trip home to the US next week and I´ll be able to get a proper medical consult to see if June 10 is still realistic!

Captain
05-12-2008, 04:55
im surprised more people are starting before the ATC reccomended date of july 1st for a SOBO, thats what i went by trusted they knew what they was talking about

Northern Brewer
05-14-2008, 10:43
Hi everyone! First post here from Montreal,

I'm currently planning a SOBO thru-hike starting on August 1st

Wish me luck

glacier48
05-14-2008, 12:57
I am starting out June 4th at Abol Bridge, due to the dog coming along I can't do Katadin. I too am hiking slow. I need to build my emotional and physical strength before I do anything beyond a 5 mile day. I am looking forward to the challenges of hiking alone and trying to stand my own company. I will be out on the trail till late August so that I can start college again. I intend to make this the biggest adventure of my lifetime, at least until 5 years from now when my husband retires and we can do a thru together. Good luck to the class of 2008, may the peace of nature and personal challenges find you in a good space. You will recognize me, I will be the one sweating, grunting, swearing and yet still smiling.

Glacier

Shadowfoot
05-23-2008, 19:26
Hey I'm planning to leave Katahdin July 2008. Hope to see some of you fellow Southbounders along the way...

dragonfeet
05-23-2008, 23:55
planning on july 1st. Injury put me out of my nobo in april, But on a good note my job let me come back after being gone for two weeks and I still have all my money for my thru. Now am healed up packed up and ready to go.

Red Hat
05-25-2008, 19:30
planning on july 1st. Injury put me out of my nobo in april, But on a good note my job let me come back after being gone for two weeks and I still have all my money for my thru. Now am healed up packed up and ready to go.
I see you're from San Antonio... are you by any chance going by bus? I leave Brenham on June 27th and plan to be at Katahdin on the 1st.

Captain
05-25-2008, 20:01
everyone from whiteblaze who is starting on july first and has reservations for KSC should call and arrange it that all the sites are next to each other we can make smores and collber and banana bread and yumm

Red Hat
05-25-2008, 20:31
Sounds great Captain, but I thought you were coming up from the other way... or do you mean the night of the 1st? If that's what you mean, I'll probably be too worn out after climbing Katahdin to do much but fall into my tent, lol...

warraghiyagey
05-25-2008, 20:56
everyone from whiteblaze who is starting on july first and has reservations for KSC should call and arrange it that all the sites are next to each other we can make smores and collber and banana bread and yumm
everywhere at Katahdin Stream is next to each other:):):)

Captain
05-25-2008, 20:58
yeah night of the first and yeah horribly impractical since everyone will be worn out still a nice/novel idea, whats the update with you red hat t minus..35 days?

Red Hat
05-26-2008, 14:50
Exactly! Going on vacation with my hubby for a few weeks then heading back home to pick up my pack and head to Maine.

kayak karl
05-26-2008, 23:04
next to each other we can make smores
i think you mean SNORES:rolleyes:

Captain
05-27-2008, 00:33
that too

Frick Frack
05-27-2008, 17:58
My wife and I were planning a June 7th start until I separated the AC joint in my right shoulder mountain biking this past weekend. We are going to aim for a Friday the 13th start now (or is that a good idea?). I'm progressing rapidly but think an extra week of rest will be wise. Hopefully reservations will not be a problem...keep your fingers crossed.

Captain
05-27-2008, 21:12
thats good, dont rush yourself tho dont want to hurt yourself further

kayak karl
05-27-2008, 22:17
i was going on 6/4 but didnt like the weather up north and the closing of Baxter. Now i want to start any day after 6/21 but before 6/30. what groups are leaving. ill be starting from http://www.appalachiantraillodge.com/index.php any ideas of a start date?:-?

Dakota_
05-31-2008, 02:21
Hi Everybody

I will be at the Ap Travel Lodge on the June 23 and probably do the summit on the 25th. Depending on my travel times, I'm looking to be on the trail sometime b/w the June 23 and 26.

I'm going to take the first 3 weeks pretty slow and would enjoy a little company during that time if anyone is heading out the same time.

Melissa
06-02-2008, 13:33
Hi everyone! I'm leaving June 22, climbing Katahdin the 23rd or 24th depending on weather, then off. Haha as my dad keeps telling me, 'Hey, you're headed south! It's all downhill!'

Happy hiking!

Moe
06-03-2008, 20:33
I have official dates. woo.

I will be arriving in Millinocket late on June 26th. Summiting on the 27th, and staying at Katahdin stream campgrounds. (As long as my reservation goes through...I just sent it out today. :/ Should I be worried at all?) Wake up early on the 28th and head for the long trek to Springer.

I'm excited.

Surlylht
06-10-2008, 17:30
Heya Red Hat and Captain. Looks like I am starting July 1. Don't suppose either of you have any extra tent space at Katahdin Sprinds that night do you? Just decided to hike sobo today. Now all I have to do is wait.

Red Hat
06-10-2008, 20:39
Sorry, I reserved a spot with room for four and they are all taken. Captain is looking for a spot too, I think... Good luck, see you there!

Captain
06-10-2008, 20:50
oh yeah well me and robert is going o build a fort! no girls allowed!

D-wreck
06-11-2008, 11:49
Any luck in finding a place to stay, captain?

I'm a little late in getting my SOBO thru-hike together, so I might delay until the second week of July. It would be nice to start with a group, though.

Captain
06-11-2008, 12:06
id say start with us if at all possible the more the merrier besides we will all probably break up to our natural hiking speeds into four smaller groups anyway

Red Hat
06-11-2008, 17:55
I suggest you guys get together and one of you call Baxter. There may be a campsite left and four can share....

Captain
06-11-2008, 22:24
i dont talk on the phone.. not to anyone, only my mother when she decides to drop by with fast food but no i never never never talk on the phone

D-wreck
06-11-2008, 22:52
I'll call BSP tomorrow and see if I can get a spot anywhere. Is everyone summiting Katahdin on July 1st or the day before? Should I try and get a spot for the nights of June 30th and July 1st or just the 1st?

My initial thoughts were to stay at Appalachian Trail lodge on the 30th, get up early on 1st and summit the mountain, then camp at Katahdin Stream that night. Will anyone else be doing the same?

Red Hat
06-12-2008, 10:36
I'm spending the night of the 29th at the Lodge, supplying at the local market, then heading over to Katahdin Stream and camping on the 30th, climbing K and camping on the 1st.

Sharkey
06-12-2008, 10:43
What is the lastest you would recommend someone starting SOBO? I've been told, one would want to be past Mount Washington by mid-September. Any other input?

Sharkey
06-12-2008, 10:46
I meant to say latest in the previous post. What is the latest you would recommend someone starting SOBO?

Captain
06-12-2008, 13:35
lastest is latest even if it is none good gramerr

Captain
06-12-2008, 13:35
i heard august tho as latest to start sobo

hammock engineer
06-12-2008, 16:32
I'll call BSP tomorrow and see if I can get a spot anywhere. Is everyone summiting Katahdin on July 1st or the day before? Should I try and get a spot for the nights of June 30th and July 1st or just the 1st?

My initial thoughts were to stay at Appalachian Trail lodge on the 30th, get up early on 1st and summit the mountain, then camp at Katahdin Stream that night. Will anyone else be doing the same?


I would plan on staying 2 nights. I did and it was a good call. Stayed one night, summited the next morning, camped that night, then hiked to the first shelter in the wilderness the next night.

Get a really early start up Big K. Weather moved in during the afternoon when I was there, storming at 4pm. I was told it wasn't uncommon. I started up at 6am. Next time I will at 5am. Depending on when you start there may be groups of other people up there. A early start takes you away from that.

Sharkey
06-12-2008, 19:23
Captain,

Thanx fir currecting my non good gramerr. And fir the August infirmashun.

Captain
06-12-2008, 20:58
its what im here for, my dream? to be just like Lone Wolf

Moe
06-12-2008, 23:13
Just got my reservation confirmation back from Baxter. June 27th, Katahdin Springs, Tentsite 17. Stop by and say hello if you are around.

I also got my lodging for June 26th, in Millinocket. My parents and I will be staying at the Katahdin Cabins. I hope they don't suck!

warraghiyagey
06-13-2008, 02:34
Anyone here heading to Katahdin on June 223 or 24?? Just wonderin. Gonna check the ride board but would love to share expenses with someone.:)

Red Hat
06-13-2008, 09:06
its what im here for, my dream? to be just like Lone Wolf

so you plan on growing up to spend all your time harassing folks on WhiteBlaze? cool

Captain
06-13-2008, 09:11
nah im fully convinced im going to be one of those people who lives as a caretaker at a shelter for 4-5 months out of each year

Red Hat
06-13-2008, 09:50
Here we sit, packs ready to go, waiting for July 1st. Dreaming of the AT so we spend all our time on Whiteblaze looking for new threads of interest. Are we sad or what? But not as sad as those who aren't going this year... So captain, have you practiced with your pocketmail yet?

Captain
06-13-2008, 09:55
quite its a little wonder my brother thinks its a scam to pay so much jsut for use of a proxy server BUT if i had garunteed access to a computer to email everyone i wouldnt HAVE to pay for the service

naturejunkie
06-15-2008, 10:13
Anyone here heading to Katahdin on June 223 or 24?? Just wonderin. Gonna check the ride board but would love to share expenses with someone.:)

If you want to leave a few days early I can pick you up tomorrow.

orangebug
06-15-2008, 11:52
Well, the bus is $32 from Portland to Medway and then a little shuttle or hitch into Katahdin. You can get some resupply there, although it is pretty nice to be able to get to EMS in Portland for fuel and such stuff. One idea is to rent a car in Portland to drop at Bangor (about 1/2 mile from the bus station) and split the expense with a hiker or two.

I strongly recommend that folks reserve two nights at Katahdin Springs. It sounds trivial to do 10.4 miles, until you are into it. Weather changes quickly there and can get very nasty before you know it. A very early morning start (5-6AM) gets you much more reliably up and off the mountain and able to recover. The next day gets you out of Baxter.

quasarr
06-17-2008, 16:58
Just made my reservations for Katahdin Stream Campground!!! June 30 and July 1.

can't wait!!!! :banana

Captain
06-17-2008, 19:02
stop by lean-to number 10 and say hello!

Captain
06-17-2008, 19:05
should clarify stop by on july 1st ...on july 31st you'd get strange looks if you came up " HI i'm britteny who here is from whiteblaze!!"

warraghiyagey
06-18-2008, 01:12
If you want to leave a few days early I can pick you up tomorrow.
Dude, thanks. That'd be SWEET but can't leave til Saturday.:):)

salves
06-18-2008, 14:31
Anyone here heading to Katahdin on June 223 or 24?? Just wonderin. Gonna check the ride board but would love to share expenses with someone.:)

Hey man I'm coming into town and staying the night of the 22nd at the Appalachian Trail Lodge with intentions to hike Katahdin the next morning. I guess I'll see you out there...

TJ aka Teej
06-18-2008, 15:25
JFYI: If you're taking the bus from Bangor to Medway, it'll get in way too late for you to get to the Park that same night.

Surlylht
06-18-2008, 17:54
Looks like a lot of us starting July 1. I wish everyone the best.

orangebug
06-18-2008, 19:59
Hey man I'm coming into town and staying the night of the 22nd at the Appalachian Trail Lodge with intentions to hike Katahdin the next morning. I guess I'll see you out there...I had the same intentions. I strongly encourage you to use 2 nights in the Park - in order to get a very early (5-6AM) start. This will be the longest 10 mile hike of your life.

warraghiyagey
06-19-2008, 09:09
I had the same intentions. I strongly encourage you to use 2 nights in the Park - in order to get a very early (5-6AM) start. This will be the longest 10 mile hike of your life.
Au contraire, hiking Katahdin is over too quickly. I always want to go backup the next day. Maybe this year.:):-?

orangebug
06-19-2008, 10:46
All the more reason to reserve 2 days, just so you can go back up.

warraghiyagey
06-19-2008, 10:47
All the more reason to reserve 2 days, just so you can go back up.
Yupperdoodle!!!!!!!!!!!

Captain
06-19-2008, 16:52
anyone who wants my reservation for KSC on July 1st let me know transfer fee is 15.00 and youll be sharing shelter with dereck robert and kaelyn

mudhead
06-20-2008, 08:14
I had the same intentions. I strongly encourage you to use 2 nights in the Park - in order to get a very early (5-6AM) start. This will be the longest 10 mile hike of your life.

I thought yawl had hills in GA? It is steep, but not that bad. Quit scarin' the other urbanites.

Red Hat
06-20-2008, 09:48
anyone who wants my reservation for KSC on July 1st let me know transfer fee is 15.00 and youll be sharing shelter with dereck robert and kaelyn

so what's the deal, you're not planning on going to KSC now???

Captain
06-20-2008, 13:28
so what's the deal, you're not planning on going to KSC now???



Not going at all

Moe
06-21-2008, 10:54
Not going at all

Not climbing K, or not hiking at all this season?

Captain
06-21-2008, 12:51
right now id be lucky to get as far as gorham

Red Hat
06-21-2008, 13:48
Hope you are okay... wondering what changed... still hope to see you out there!

Dakota_
06-25-2008, 01:46
Captain, hope things are working out for you. It sounded like you were excited about the thru hike and I'm sorry to hear about your change of plans.

Take care

freebird'08
07-06-2008, 04:20
I am planning to leave the first week in Aug. Not sure of the date yet. I will make final decision next week. I have already walked 375 miles in PA, NJ, NY, and CT in April- May. I will SOBO to Falls Village CT. Hop on a bus to the 501 shelter, then walk to springer. Lord willing.

johnny quest
07-14-2008, 09:45
freebird, you need a ride to katahdin? my ride fell apart, but im still looking at renting a car. i can leave then.

Captain
07-14-2008, 12:41
figure nearly 2 weeks sulking is enough?

Red Hat
07-14-2008, 13:51
Nope, sulk a little more.... We missed you at Katahdin! In case you haven't heard, I got off in Monson. Little old ladies are not meant to do "bouldering"... I'll hike elsewhere, somewhere there are trails. Hope all is well with you. I am getting along, but it will take some time before I get over my sulking....

Captain
07-14-2008, 13:56
i dont know which is worse the sulk of having to abandon plans last moment OR the sulk of acutaly having went then having to quit