I keep on switching my direction of travel so that i can graduate college and do the trail. I thought may 15 would be to lare for a NOBO so thought i would head SOBO. now im thinking i can still make it NOBO. Is this realistic? I dontwant to do any flip flops just one direction. but which one?
Anthony
My 15th is definately not too late to start a thru-hike northbound, contrary to what some may tell you. That gives you exactly 5 whole months to summit Katahdin on or by the 15th of October, when the park closes for overnight use. Even after that date you can summit K, you just need to be a little more crafty with your plans. It seems like every yr a few dozen late starters or stragglers finish in late October and still “make it”.
All you need to do is stay consistent. A 5 month trip is an average of around 14-15 miles a day. No need to fly out of the gate. You can stay with 8-10 miles a day if you please. Eventually you’ll build up the endurance to where 15 or 20 miles a day is no problem. As long as you keep your miles consistent and avoid taking too many zero days, there shouldn’t be any reason it can’t be done.
Plus you’ll have the added bonus of longer sunlight days and warmer temps which means you’ll need/want less time in the sleeping bag.
A-Train
Just realize that if you do a NOBO leaving in May, you will feel the pressure to get to Katahdin before Oct 15th. If you are fine with pressure, and relaxed about it, no biggie. If the pressure will degrade your hike, think about going SOBO or a flip-flop (although you already said you didn’t want to do this, which indicates to me some Type-A personality, which indicates to me pressure to finish before the deadline will be overwhelming).
You really don’t want pressure out there. It’s hard enough to hike 2200 miles, you don’t want to have to think “If I don’t do 20 miles today, then I won’t get to Maine on time. I might as well stop now…”
Gravity Man
Gravity Man
Anthony,
While Gravity Man makes a very good point about the pressure you might feel to get to Katahdin, I think that you will find that 5 months is plenty of time to hike the whole trail, have tons of fun, and not kill yourself with miles. I did my 03 hike in just a few days short of 5 months, had many zero days, drank lots of beer, and enjoyed everyday of my hike. Somedays I didn’t hike, some days I did less then 10 miles and others I topped 30 (not very many). The point is that I didn’t rush the AT, I had fun, the miles just happened and I finished in under 5 months.
Have fun, you’re going to love it!
SweetAss
SweetAss
Thanks for the input. Irs final im leaving upstate new york nay 13th arive ar amicola falls the 14th and head out onthe 15th via FS road crossing. The pressure will just be motivation. I thrive on pressure (thanks to rager/airvprne school and college. Thanks again!
:cheers
Anthony