OK....so I had intended to go NOBO, but due to an Army commitment in June it looks like will be going southbound with a start date between June 20th and July 1st. This changes alot of things. For one thing...I am bummed. A guy from my fire department who bought into the hike with me has already quit his job and is leaving next week without me!! I thought of joining him wherever he is when I start, but the idea of climbing katahdin in such a non pinnacle way doesnt appeal to me (still having 800 miles down south to do). Ok that is the venting. Now the questions.....I have done all my research based on a NOBO hike. I have all my gear already. What do I need to consider differently for a SOBO hike? Clothing? I read somewhere that you absolutely need pants and a long shirt not to get eaten alive in Maine. Cold weather gear? Will i need cold weather stuff for that kind of start date up north? If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it. i've spent so much time and planning on a North bound hike, and now im just not sure how to go about this.