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I'm graduating college spring 2019 on May 20th. Would it be possible to do a NOBO thru hike. I figured...
a week in May, whole month of June, July, August, september and 2 weeks in October before BSP closes on Oct 15th.
My base weight will be right around 15 pounds.
I'll be 22.
10 miles first 3 days and from there on do at least 17.5 miles. For the New Hampshire and Maine I need a month.
Calculated 146 days
Yes. With a bit of determination you should be able to make it without breaking anything. I don't think your education will impede you that much.
Keep in mind that Katahdin Stream Campground and Daicey Campground in Baxter State Park are open until October 22 (you just need to make a reservation). And that many years it is possible to hike up and down Katahdin on some dates after there is no overnight camping -- it depends on the weather.
Every year many people your age have to wait to start until after graduation, so you will have company.
I started my 2013 thru hike on April 28 and summited Katahdin on Oct. 13. I had many recent college graduates who started in mid- May fly past me on the trail and finished well before me. Given your age, you will be in a position to do big miles from the beginning and you will need less recovery time due to your youth. You also will have more sunlight and thus longer days to hike than those starting in March and April, so higher mileage days will be the norm. Basically, 4.5 months will be more than enough time for you to complete the trail. Best of luckQuote:
Originally Posted by Hiker4Jesus
At age 51 I started on May 1 and finished on Sept 17. And I took 12 zeros.
It is easy to do what you are contemplating.
What will help (pick and choose).
Hike by yourself as hiking with others always slows you down.
Eat energy bars and/or snacks while walking. It keeps you from having to stop all the time for food.
Avoid shelters and hike a full day. Shelters are way too close together and suck people into slow days.
Take fewer zeros than I did. Neros are better.
Get up early and do not do the sleeping till 9 am stuff.
Get 10 miles in by 10:00 and the day is set.
Once you are past Mr Rodgers north of Damascus there are only a couple of strenuous climbing days until you hit the Whites in New Hampshire. This is over 1000 miles. Just let your feet fly you down the trail. It is easy over this stretch to average in the mid-20's if you want to.
thank you all for the advice.
I'm going to do my original plan of starting March 1st 2020. That way I can have more time and not rush.
I don't know how to delete a reply so "delete" comment above.
Im going to wait until March 1st of 2020 so i don't have to rush.