SoBo supply for 100 mile wilderness?

[Spot In The Sky]

I keep seeing how expensive the resupply in Abol Bridge is- so for going southbound, is there any way to avoid it, or do I start the trip with like 11 days worth of food, if thats even possible?
What has worked for anyone who has done it before?

Thanks team!

[Mountain Wildman]

Not sure what most people do but this might help, It is a page from Bearwalkers Trail Journal, He did a SOBO. This page talks about the Abol store and 100 mile Wilderness.
I read his whole journal. Maybe it will help you.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=242859

[white_russian]

Abol bridge is not a good spot to supply for the 100 mile wilderness. Their prices are high and the selection is geared to RV campers. The mostly have stuff like cans of beans, potato chips, and hot dogs. If you stay the night there you can buy those kinds of things and eat well so you don't have to pack that nights dinner. They also have pay showers so you can get at least a couple of days funk off of you before you start the 100 miles.

[CrumbSnatcher]

you buy food in millinocket at the grocery store before heading to baxter state park or you go into town to resupply after reaching the golden road/abol bridge camp store! the abol bridge camp store is better at just pigging out before or after the 100 mile wilderness

[Rockhound]

Actually it's about 115 miles to Monson. Day 1)Summit Mt K, enjoy the view then hike about 5 mi. to the Birches Lean-to. Day 2)Abol Bridge campground about 10 miles. You can get lunch,supper and the next days breakfast while you're there. Day 3)Hike about 15 mi. to Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Day 4)Hike 17 miles to White House Landing. Get a fantastic supper and breakfast the next morning. Day 5) Hike 15 miles to Cooper brook falls Lean-to. Day 6) 11 miles to Logan Brook Lean-to. Day 7) hike 17 mi. to Chairback Gap Lean-to Day 8) hike 16 miles to Wilson Valley Lean-to Day 8) Hike 10 miles to Monson. Day 8 you just need a breakfast. Two other days are basically taken care of at WHL and Abol campground. All you really need to get through the 100 miles is a weeks worth of food. Most of the 100 miles is relatively flat so you should make good time. Depending on how wet it is, mud should be the only thing that might slow you down.

[weary]

When I'm going southbound through the 100-mile-wilderness, I drive into Katahdin Stream with 11 days of food, enjoy the campsite, maybe climb the owl or doubletop the first afternoon. The next morning I climb Katahdin, return to Katahdin Stream, eat, and spend the night.

The second morning I eat a hearty breakfast of fresh eggs, sausage and such and then head south. Since the stuff all arrived by automobile, iincluding the cooler full of cold beers, it hadn't added anything to my pack weight. Heading south from Katahdin Stream, I always stop to snack at the Abol Bridge Store, mostly to learn of any trail rumors or special difficulties to the south.

By then I have only nine days of food left -- enough for a liesurely walk through a magnificent wild country. I've never stayed at Whitehouse Landing. But reports say opportunities for resupply there are also skimpy -- and expensive -- something like Abol Bridge. But if you want to spend the bucks a visit certainly eliminates another day of food needs.

But stopping also interupts an increasingly rare opportunity to walk for nine days in the eastern forests and hills without any great intrusions by civilization. Though the several logging road crossings cause many hikers to disparage the claim of "wildrness" for the 100 miles. The trail between Monson and Abol Bridge is as wild as one can find in the east. I choose to enjoy it in its entirety, rather than stopping midway just to save a couple of pounds of pack weight.

I know I can do the 100 miles in less than nine days. But I never rush. I visit the side trails to remote ponds, climb to the top of interesting ridges, try a worm or two in some of the wild trout streams, photograph gulf hagas again .... And wish I had planned even more time so I could explore even longer.

Weary

[Spot In The Sky]

Actually it's about 115 miles to Monson. Day 1)Summit Mt K, enjoy the view then hike about 5 mi. to the Birches Lean-to. Day 2)Abol Bridge campground about 10 miles. You can get lunch,supper and the next days breakfast while you're there. Day 3)Hike about 15 mi. to Rainbow Stream Lean-to. Day 4)Hike 17 miles to White House Landing. Get a fantastic supper and breakfast the next morning. Day 5) Hike 15 miles to Cooper brook falls Lean-to. Day 6) 11 miles to Logan Brook Lean-to. Day 7) hike 17 mi. to Chairback Gap Lean-to Day 8) hike 16 miles to Wilson Valley Lean-to Day 8) Hike 10 miles to Monson. Day 8 you just need a breakfast. Two other days are basically taken care of at WHL and Abol campground. All you really need to get through the 100 miles is a weeks worth of food. Most of the 100 miles is relatively flat so you should make good time. Depending on how wet it is, mud should be the only thing that might slow you down.

Well this sounds like everything I need to know! Thanks mister!

[Rockhound]

When I'm going southbound through the 100-mile-wilderness, I drive into Katahdin Stream with 11 days of food, enjoy the campsite, maybe climb the owl or doubletop the first afternoon. The next morning I climb Katahdin, return to Katahdin Stream, eat, and spend the night.

The second morning I eat a hearty breakfast of fresh eggs, sausage and such and then head south. Since the stuff all arrived by automobile, iincluding the cooler full of cold beers, it hadn't added anything to my pack weight. Heading south from Katahdin Stream, I always stop to snack at the Abol Bridge Store, mostly to learn of any trail rumors or special difficulties to the south.

By then I have only nine days of food left -- enough for a liesurely walk through a magnificent wild country. I've never stayed at Whitehouse Landing. But reports say opportunities for resupply there are also skimpy -- and expensive -- something like Abol Bridge. But if you want to spend the bucks a visit certainly eliminates another day of food needs.

But stopping also interupts an increasingly rare opportunity to walk for nine days in the eastern forests and hills without any great intrusions by civilization. Though the several logging road crossings cause many hikers to disparage the claim of "wildrness" for the 100 miles. The trail between Monson and Abol Bridge is as wild as one can find in the east. I choose to enjoy it in its entirety, rather than stopping midway just to save a couple of pounds of pack weight.

I know I can do the 100 miles in less than nine days. But I never rush. I visit the side trails to remote ponds, climb to the top of interesting ridges, try a worm or two in some of the wild trout streams, photograph gulf hagas again .... And wish I had planned even more time so I could explore even longer.

Weary

White House Landing is not exactly what i would call civilization. I think a little time out to canoe on a gorgeous lake looking for moose, turtles and heron, away from TVs and computers and other distractions of the real world, not exactly life in the big city. As far as for the meals and prices at WHL you could not get a better deal. Both the food and the portions are fantastic, but then again you would not know having never been there. As far as the pace goes I would consider 8 days certainly not leisurely but steady. It can and has been done in less time. Add a day or two to the schedule to make it leisurely and you are still only looking at 7 or 8 days worth of food, keeping in mind you'll be eating at a couple of spots along the way.

[trailangelbronco]

I used to live in Maine and hiked the section in 84. Not exactly the best hiking in Maine, but part of the AT. I just carried 9 days worth of food, that's how long it took me.

I used to think it was extreme wilderness, but then I moved out west.

[weary]

White House Landing is not exactly what i would call civilization. I think a little time out to canoe on a gorgeous lake looking for moose, turtles and heron, away from TVs and computers and other distractions of the real world, not exactly life in the big city. As far as for the meals and prices at WHL you could not get a better deal. Both the food and the portions are fantastic, but then again you would not know having never been there. As far as the pace goes I would consider 8 days certainly not leisurely but steady. It can and has been done in less time. Add a day or two to the schedule to make it leisurely and you are still only looking at 7 or 8 days worth of food, keeping in mind you'll be eating at a couple of spots along the way.

I'm not sure of your point, Pebble. I was just reporting on how I go through the wilderness for what value that may have for other hikers. I know White House isn't exactly civilization. It's just not what I'm seeking when I'm walking the wildest long section of the entire Appalachian Trail.

I also think I have a pretty good perspective on what White House Landing offers, since I have no reason to question the dozens of reports over the months on Whiteblaze. I'm not sure where the second place to eat may be. Is there an eatery besides White House Landing?

Weary

[Rockhound]

I'm not sure of your point, Pebble. I was just reporting on how I go through the wilderness for what value that may have for other hikers. I know White House isn't exactly civilization. It's just not what I'm seeking when I'm walking the wildest long section of the entire Appalachian Trail.

I also think I have a pretty good perspective on what White House Landing offers, since I have no reason to question the dozens of reports over the months on Whiteblaze. I'm not sure where the second place to eat may be. Is there an eatery besides White House Landing?

Weary

You referred to WHL as a "great intrusion of civilization". I say it's not. In fact I suspect you might see more hikers with their Ipods and cell pones etc on the trail than paddling around a beautiful serene lake. If the fact that you can grab a shower there and the best hamburger on the trail makes it a "great intrusion of civilization" then so be it. Weary, I think you need to hike out west. The A.T. (even the 100 mile "wilderness") is no place to escape civilization.

[Rockhound]

The 2nd place to eat is.... try to keep up.... Abol bridge campground. Combine that with WHL and there is 2 days of food you need not carry. Campground food is not the worlds most sought sfter delicacy I know, but you can get 3 meals there you wont have to carry in your pack. Abol Bridge Campground + WHL = 2 places to eat.

[mweinstone]

ive hiked the 100 mi wilderness over a hundred times in both directions with nothing more than wild foraged foods and stuff mermaids and unicorns brought me ,..in , my ... dreams.

stop talking about crap i cant do.



yet.

[Rockhound]

The mermaids are fine but unicorns!? You should know better Matty. Pack animals are'nt allowed on the A.T.

[Treefingers]

millinocket would probably be the closest grocery store option though it is a haul to get there. White house landing is a great place to great place to get a huge burger, pizza, and some resupply option such as candy bars, crackers, and lipton meals and mac and cheese. A bit expensive only because the must carry all supplies in on ATVs. Also the only place you'll get a hitch in a boat other than across the kennebec. White house landing also excepts credit and debit cards.

hope this helps

[shoe]

You could also check with boarstone here on Whiteblaze. She used to do food drops in the middle of the wilderness. Not sure of she is still doing this or not.

[mudhead]

Weary, I think you need to hike out west.

You lead the way. I'll follow.

[weary]

....Weary, I think you need to hike out west. The A.T. (even the 100 mile "wilderness") is no place to escape civilization.

Well, I've walked quite a bit in the west over the years. I've wandered to the Colorado River from the rim of the Grand Canyon, spent a week in Yosemite, spent time in the foothills around Rainier, and three months in the desert north of Yuma, AZ.

A couple of years ago my wife and I spent six weeks exploring all the northern tier of National Parks and Forests from Maine to Washoington State. We camped most nights and I walked many days.

My concludion: A North Maine Woods National Park would be equal to any of them, and wilder than most. The Maine terrain is certainly different. But not inferior.

Weary

[naturejunkie]

In 2008 I carried four days of food into the wilderness. I grabbed a bite to eat at Abol, but didn't resupply there. I planned on and did resupply at White House Landing. They had plenty of options to get me the rest of the way to Monson.

I didn't need four days heading into the wilderness, but I wanted to give myself a margin of error, because I wasn't sure how far I would be hiking each day. I would do it the same way again.

Some of the other Sobos had prearranged food drops along one of the logging roads, which is probably about a half day South of WHL.

[TJ aka Teej]

"I keep seeing how expensive the resupply in Abol Bridge is"
Actually, Linda's store is pretty reasonable. She's mostly a chips/candy/soda/beer/souvenir camp store. Grab a fresh sub and big bag of chips to eat a few miles into the 100 Mile. But don't plan on any resupply there. She'll have mac&cheese and liptons, beef jerky, instant potatoes and such, and canned things for the campground, but not much else.
Contact Kathy Preble, aka Boarstone here on WB. Nothing better than a nice heavy food bag waiting for you on the other side of Whitecap!
Check the ALDHA Companion or AWOL's Southbound guide, and take a look at the southbounder's forum here on WB.