Ok, it’s the end of May, so now us SOBO’s are getting ready to leave, except for the hardcore people who have already left:)
I just thought that I could see who else is planning on thruhiking SOBO this year.
I am 31, I have bad knees, I live in Indiana, and I’ll be starting at Baxter on June 20th, so I’ll be seeing all of you! Unless Katahdin kills me first.
Looking forward to clouds of blackflies, raging rivers, and mud–Tilly
Tilly
Two of us, Kea and Weka, are plaaning on an end of July departure date so I doubt if we will see you. The reports of bugs at this time of year sound too much for us. We hope that they will be much less come August.
Kea
Right-o Kea, I’m starting in mid-July to avoid the black fly gauntlet. Why anyone would want to start in the thick of them is beyond me. Unless they like to “be eaten.” :x
Tea
I’m starting on June 24th. There is at least one other gal starting that day as well. If I remember correctly from the whiteblaze calendar, there are a bunch of folks starting the week of the 15th-24th. See you on the trail!
Hot Toes
I’m the Abol Bridge ridgerunner this year! My schedule is based around the NOBOs coming through mid-July so I won’t be posted there til after the 16th. Hope to meet some of you mid-summer starters! I’m excited to get to know the Class of 07 this year.
Bluebearee
GA==>ME 02
Bluebearee
I am starting beginning of July or possibly as late as Mid July. I noticed some of the posts about black flies. When is that over with in Maine? I about died of blood loss many years back on the Northville Placid Trail due to blackfies! I had the whole trail to myself, but it was miserable for the first few days. Any opinions?
ADAM BRADLEY
i’m starting june 15th. i’ve heard horrible things about the blackflies, but the gsmnp can be pretty brutal in winter. i’m hoping to get home before december. as far as the blck flies though, i’ve heard if you coat yourself in a think layer of mud, at least they can’t get to your skin 
hope to see you all out there
smoky
I started July 4th in ‘05 and the black flies were gone (I think, I didn’t see any.)SWARMS of mosquetos tho’.
spider
For lots of good info and tips on blackflies, mosquitos, and deerflies in the northeast, check out www.viewsfromthetop.com
Read old threads or register and ask questions yourself. I’ve found vftt especially helpful every time i have a question.
markv
They haven’t been to bad so far this season. We had a good long cold snap in the winter and the spring has been very dry. Last year was pretty brutal with the wet spring we had and mild winter, but things are looking up this year. I reckon if this heat keeps up and it stays dry, we should see the last of them by mid june…but then there are the mozzies! Got bitten by my first one today, those fockers are much worse in my opnion. Just take this advice…don’t stop moving!
Cheers
Cheers
I’m on my way to Katahdin now, but won’t get there to get started on my sobo until late August. Looking forward to missing the bugs this year. Hey Bluebearee, hope to see you up there this year.
Stumpknocker
The snow doesn’t get too deep in the Smokies until January or February. December is a great time to be in that neck of the woods. Giving yourself 5 months to get to Springer, you can easily start on August 1 and be home for Christmas.
Red Oak