Sobo 2010?
anybody plan on leaving from maine to georgia around 6/10?
I'm trying to get my girlfriend to leave around that time. Last year alot of the sobos where bitchin about the rain and bugs. It seemed people leaving later then june where having a much better time thru the 100 mile.
I hoping to be starting in Maine on or about June 15th
I would like to start mid-June 2010 also. Is anyone looking for a partner here? Or just soloing it?
Oh, also, is now too late to plan for a Sobo 2010? I HOPE NOT!
Best time to begin a southbound thru-hike from Maine is no earlier than mid-May, and even then, you will run into a few patches of snow in the higher elevations like the Bigelows, Spaulding Mtn, Saddleback, etc. Major problem, especially if we get a lot of rain in May (and we do) is the high runoff from snow melt that causes the rivers and streams to be extremely difficult, if not impossible to ford. Maine has a "no bridging policy", so the majority of the water crossings are fords. I have seen many times being turned back on a hike due to high water. Streams become raging rivers and rivers non-negotiable. June 1 is a good start time, but then you are plagued by the black flies which last all of June until they are driven out by the hordes of mosquitoes which stick around, but are outnumbered by deer flies which will test your level of sanity. Another reason to start after June is that most maintainers can't get out to work their sections due to late snow, washed out logging roads they use to access their sections or because it rains every weekend! Until all the blowdowns are cleared out, travelling the Trail in Maine is difficult at best. Southbound hikes are tougher, both physically and mentally, but hiking with the hordes headed North can be a challenge in itself.
I hope to leave early June. Hopefully the first week, but no set date right now.
Hi, and Welcome to WhiteBlaze!Originally Posted by ogmandoog
If the trend holds there'll be around 100 ATers heading south into the 100 mile by then. You won't be alone, and will start meeting northbounders sooner than you think.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
Heck no, now's a great time! Think about partnering up for the train and bus ride and for splitting the cost of the campsite. Plan on staying in Millinocket at the AT Lodge the night before you hit Baxter, and reserve two nights in a lean-to at Katahdin Stream if you can.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
I've collect this data, since I'm usually up Baxter 4-5 times every year in May and June:
Official Opening Dates:
'09 May 20th for both Hunt and Abol.
'08 May 29th (Park had canceled May 15th opening)
'07 May 31st
'06 May 18th (Abol May 15th)
'05 June 4th (Abol May 30th)
'04 May 16th
'03 May 24th
'02 May 15th (Day hikers summited via Abol May 10th)
'01 prior to May 20th
'00 Memorial Day Weekend
'99 May 18th (per South Walker '99)
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MEGAs who want to summit Baxter Peak to start their hikes should read these dates and plan accordingly.
Teej
"[ATers] represent three percent of our use and about twenty percent of our effort," retired Baxter Park Director Jensen Bissell.
Looks like my movable target of May 29, 2010 is probably good. I'm afraid if I start too much later, I hike too slow to make it home to GA before winter.
Richard Angeli
[email protected]
http://trailjournals.com/tuney
"Life is what happens while you're making other plans." John Lennon
do you think a synthetic 3-season sleeping bag would hold off and be comfortable for the six months, or should i plan a drop off for a winter bag when i get down south and it starts to get cold?
When are you planning to start? You may be able to get by with a 3 season bag and a liner when you get to the south. I was comfortable in mid December in my elderly 0 degree down bag. Actually I was too hot.
Richard Angeli
[email protected]
http://trailjournals.com/tuney
"Life is what happens while you're making other plans." John Lennon
i'm leaving late may early june. a 3 season bad and a liner will have to suffice for economical reasons
You can certainly make do with your 3 season bag.....you'll still have cool nights in Maine and New Hampshire; and when the weather gets hot, you can stop at a Dollar Store or Thrift Store and pick up a bed sheet to cover up with and use the 3 season bag to lay on for extra cushion......and by the time you get to Southern Virgina, the 3 season bag will feel good in the cool early Fall evenings. Have a great hike!!
Just Jim
You CAN get by with a three season bag, but you can also hike the entire AT only eating poptarts, but I wouldn't suggest it. When you're hitting consistent single digit nights in North Carolina/Tenn & Georgia in December, you'll be happy you have it, even with the extra weight and bulk.
We carried zero bags towards the end of our hike, (by mid November) many of those around us didn't and had many a miserable night.
Good luck and enjoy! It's definitely a once in a lifetime adventure for most of us.
I'm looking for a couple of people headed SOBO leaving in June. Send me a PM if you're interested.
Im starting SOBO July 1st, anyone else waiting till July???
I'd like to leave first or second week of July, and I'm interested in trying to get a couple people to start out with. If anyone wants to hike with a friendly firefighter, shoot me a pm
Cool Breeze
Ok the Cool Breeze Itinerary Wins the day. I can start at Kent CT, and hike down through Shenandoah around April 19. Filp back to Baxter after July 4, and hike back down to CT. Ending up by Starting back in Southern VA after Labor Day, and being home to GA in time for thanksgiving.
That gives me my south bound hike, gets me out of the worst of Black Fly season, avoids, the NOBO crush from Springer, and lets me start a month and a half earlier.
Richard Angeli
[email protected]
http://trailjournals.com/tuney
"Life is what happens while you're making other plans." John Lennon
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