SOBO Trail Journals

[slugger]

So I am about 90% sure I'm going to switch from a GaMe to a MeGa and It hit me last night that I really don't know much about starting up top after I spent a few years prepping to start at the bottom. With that in mind does any one know of any good Trail Journals for SOBOs?

[sidebackside]

I don't know of any good TJ's to check out but I am curious though...why do you wanna go SOBO instead of NOBO? What has made you change your mind?

[Spokes]

Here's a couple:

Bearwalkers' 2008 journal

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=233950

or Juiceboxes'

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=237830

True, the SOBO journals are few and far between.

Good luck.

[slugger]

Thanks Spokes.


The a few reasons I'm switching to SOBO...
Me and buddy don't want to Flip-Flop.
Due to Life I can't leave until Early to mid May. I don't like to be rushed. If I see a Blue Blaze that says 1 mile to a great look out I would like to drop packs and walk it. If I only get to do this once in my life I want to do it right. No rushing, no counting Zeros or miles perday. I just want to walk. When I feel like I'm done walking for the day I want to camp. I figure if I leave May 15th I would have to hike 15 miles a Day on average and take no zero days, it's just not realistic nor does it sound fun.

Growing Up and learning about the trail I always thought I would go NOBO but life says not this time.

[slugger]

I was looking for trail journals to help me get a better Idea of what to expect starting at the north. I really have no clue about weather or any of that up there.

[bigcranky]

Understood. Starting a few weeks later and having essentially unlimited time to finish is not a bad thing. And Fall in the South is beautiful.

[Spokes]

Slugger, you may want to consider moving up that start date if you're going SOBO or carry a bug suit. You definitely don't want to be in Maine during black fly season- those buggers draw blood!!!

The general rule of thumb start time for SOBO's is anytime after Fathers Day which this year falls on June 20th.

http://www.mainenature.org/blackfly/blackflyinfo.html

All the Best!

[slugger]

Yeah I was planning on doing that. I think they hold my college graduation mid to late june. If i where going NOBO I was going to skip it or hitch a ride back up for it. However, now that I'm going Sobo I was just going to stick around and leave right after it.

[wcgornto]

Here's my SOBO journal from last year.


http://postholer.com/journal/viewJou...e&event_id=487

[Shutterbug]

So I am about 90% sure I'm going to switch from a GaMe to a MeGa and It hit me last night that I really don't know much about starting up top after I spent a few years prepping to start at the bottom. With that in mind does any one know of any good Trail Journals for SOBOs?

I recommend the journal of Keith & Lisa Haynie -- http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=3052

[sasquatch2014]

Here are a few that come to the top of my mind right away.
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5159

Boo Boo

There were a few others but now i can't find them. Particular I was thinking of Coffee who I think was 06 or 07 also Firework same time frame.

[slugger]

Thanks guys, this will be a big help!

[naturejunkie]

I also recommend Tinkerbell's (Tasha Marie Purcell) 2004 journal. It is a great SOBO journal with a lot of helpful information, although some is now a bit dated.

Cheers!

[emerald]

Marta's and Idealist's are two others.

[Marta]

It's a book, not a Trail Journal, but the Barefoot Sisters' book, Southbound, is really good.

[Johnny Swank]

Here's mine from 2000

http://sourcetosea.net/category/appa...hike-journals/

[atsent]

I went SOBO last year. Fall in the south is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. but beware you're (speaking from personal experience only of course) going to be eaten alive by mosquitos in Maine and freeze your butt off in the Smokies. My boyfriend was growing icicles on his beard. Even so, don't regret it at allll. Have an amazing journey.

www.trailjournals.com/AnyaAndJosh

We're still working on filling the gaps and uploading pics in between getting back to normal life.

[Snowleopard]

wcgornto, last year was quite a rainy cool summer. Congratulations. I'll read the rest of your journal.
Marta, I really enjoyed your trail journal.

[Marta]

Thank you very much, SnowLeopard.

[naturejunkie]

It's a book, not a Trail Journal, but the Barefoot Sisters' book, Southbound, is really good.

Waterfall's 2000 journal is a nice compliment to this book. She hiked with the Barefoot Sister's for a time.

Cheers!