Originally Posted by
jbwood5
If your plan is to tackle Katahdin, start at Monson or even further south so that you meet the requirement for a long distance section hiker. I believe you have to have started 100 miles south of Baxter to eligible to stay at the Birches thru hiker site. Otherwise it is very difficult to get any place to camp within the Park unless you have made reservations way in advance. Even the Birches can fill up. I stayed at the expensive Abol Bridge campground so that I could get into the Park early to try and try to guarantee a spot at the Birches. Also, you get to borrow a day pack at the ranger station and you can leave your full backpack at the ranger station. That helps a lot on the climb.
Another advantage to starting a hundred miles or further south is that you will gain some conditioning before tackling Mt Katahdin. A few of the climbs going up that mountain are pretty strenuous for us older folks. You probably saw the video posted here a few days ago.
It may not be a bad idea to knock out some of the tougher sections while you can. I think it is a personal choice. I always had in my own mine to maintain a continuous South to North trek and not switch it around. That is just me though. :)