WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 67
  1. #1

    Default SOBO's, don't underestimate Katahdin

    SOBOs begin their thru hike by first summiting Mt. Katahdin. It is a big mountain and we were unprepared for what lay ahead that day.

    So I have some advice esp for sobos. (by the time nobos get here they've pretty much seen and done it all, and know how long it will take to climb K.)

    1. Bring plenty of water. 7 or 8 hours of climbing + 2 liters water = mistake

    2. Bring plenty of food. The descent off Katahdin is almost as challenging as the ascent. The progress is slow and you really don't want to lose your energy halfway down the Abol or Hunt trail.

    3. Give yourself PLENTY of time. Be waiting at the park gates when they open in the morning. Give yourself as much time as possible.

    4. Bring deet. The black flies are going to be coming at you full force. It will make the first few miles of your assent much more comfortable.

    6. Take plenty of pictures and enjoy the view. It's amazing!

  2. #2

    Default

    In addition to DEET, it's a good idea to bring a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers. Those black flies aren't much deterred by deet! And a bug net would be a good idea, too.

    Actually, you should bring a sweater and warm pants anyhow, since the weather is often very chilly on top, even in summer. But what we did (in June) was to bring just a warm sweater..... it turned out to be both hot and buggy and we were pretty sweaty by the time we got down!!

  3. #3

    Exclamation

    I'll agree - bring extra clothes for the tableland and summit! In June it can be 30 degress colder on top than it is at the Trailhead. And I'll add - The Ranger has loaner day packs for you to borrow at his cabin (you stash your own backpack on the Ranger's porch). And while you're on the porch sign your very first AT Register! It will still have last year's finishing GAMErs entries - always a good read! If you have time, walk up to the Birches site and check it out.
    Teej

    "[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-05-2005
    Location
    Salem, NH
    Age
    43
    Posts
    25

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TJ aka Teej
    The Ranger has loaner day packs for you to borrow at his cabin (you stash your own backpack on the Ranger's porch).
    All really good tips. I made a LOT of mistakes on my first day and am just thankful it didn't end my hike on the first day. First, I hiked up with my full pack, which was 48lbs with water - a false sense of bravado and adrenaline made me over-confident. And I completely underestimated how long it would take me to get down the Hunt Trail (we summitted via the Abol Trail, which is gorgeous as well) - as a result, I ended back in the campground after dark, completely and utterly exhausted and hurting from the climb.

    Great tip about the water - just want to add yet another comment of a mistake I made during the early Maine stage of my hike. I was carrying 4 liters of water to start every day, which is an extra 8lbs of weight on your pack. Maine has the most plentiful water in the entire AT - you're constantly passing streams, ponds, and springs. You can really get through all of Maine carrying 1.5-2 liters of water and filling up when you need to, with some exceptions on the longer mountain ranges.

  5. #5

    Default

    all great advice, thanks
    U.S. Marines.
    no better friend. no greater enemy.

  6. #6
    Registered User Phreak's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-21-2005
    Location
    Lake Saint Louis, MO
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,708
    Images
    132

    Default

    Personally, I found Mt. K's difficulty to be overrated IMO. I completed it round-trip in 4 hours 20 minutes last June.

  7. #7
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-12-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    7,145
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    Dang, you got a good memory!

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-10-2005
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    12,678

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Phreak View Post
    Personally, I found Mt. K's difficulty to be overrated IMO. I completed it round-trip in 4 hours 20 minutes last June.
    I wouldn't call it "easy" hiking but I do recall the round trip taking far less time than I'd figured. Left the ranger's station around 9 AM on the way up, returned just before 3 PM. I think there was a good deal of adrenaline involved.

  9. #9
    Registered User Phreak's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-21-2005
    Location
    Lake Saint Louis, MO
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,708
    Images
    132

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by _terrapin_ View Post
    I wouldn't call it "easy" hiking but I do recall the round trip taking far less time than I'd figured. Left the ranger's station around 9 AM on the way up, returned just before 3 PM. I think there was a good deal of adrenaline involved.
    I agree... it's now 'easy' by any stretch, but I heard so many horror stories about its difficulty. So maybe I was prepared for the worse, and it was easier than anticipated.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Phreak View Post
    Personally, I found Mt. K's difficulty to be overrated IMO. I completed it round-trip in 4 hours 20 minutes last June.
    yeah. it ain't that tough

  11. #11
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-12-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    7,145
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    Kinda sucked with a full pack.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rickb View Post
    Kinda sucked with a full pack.
    for you maybe. 4 times for me was no biggie. course i'm a Marine. different mindset

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-13-2007
    Location
    Buladean, NC
    Age
    59
    Posts
    807

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rickb View Post
    Kinda sucked with a full pack.
    I left my pack at the bottom.


  14. #14
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-12-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    7,145
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    for you maybe. 4 times for me was no biggie. course i'm a Marine. different mindset
    You had 10 days worth of food?

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flush2wice View Post
    I left my pack at the bottom.
    i won't say it.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rickb View Post
    You had 10 days worth of food?
    in 98 yeah SOBO

  17. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-13-2007
    Location
    Buladean, NC
    Age
    59
    Posts
    807

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rickb View Post
    You had 10 days worth of food?
    You took 10 days of food up Katahdin? It's a day hike.


  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-13-2007
    Location
    Buladean, NC
    Age
    59
    Posts
    807

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    in 98 yeah SOBO
    you too?


  19. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    duh........

  20. #20
    splash splash1986's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-24-2007
    Location
    Natchitoches, Louisiana
    Age
    38
    Posts
    60

    Default

    Be in shape. Not saying you won't make it if your not, but it makes it a lot more enjoyable if you show up in somewhat decent shape to do the climb. Also have good footwear!!!! Can't stress that enough.

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •