North -> South - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

When do most people leave if they start in the North? About what state / month do Nobo’s run into Sobo’s? If I were to fly to the North, what town would I fly into / launch my hike from?

dawg

#2

Most people start around mid june to miss the spring rains and black fly season. You’ll meet most NOBOs in new england from Katahdin down to new york. Most people fly to boston and then take a smaller plane north. I recommend picking up the thru-hikers companion as it will answer all your questions on the topics and give you more info.

Darth Packman MEGA '99

Darth Pacman

#3

if you had to do it again, would you go Nobo or Sobo? I have read from people that have completed both that they would hike Sobo first…

dawg

#4

The closest commercial airport that I know of the Baxter is Bangor International Airport(it flies to two countries). Its still a haul from there but I believe you can get a bus to some town a few miles from Millinocket (Medford?). Portland Maine also has an airport and bus service. By the way black fly season runs through June and blends nicely into mosquito season.

Big B

#5

Start date: Conventional wisdom is to wait until the first of July. Reasons include black fly season and high water from spring snow melt.

Airport: There is good express bus service from Boston. Sit back, relax and watch a video. You change in Bangor, and then catch another express bus to Medway. Read Wingfoot’s Handbook. So, your choices for airports include Boston, Portland, and Bangor. See what works for your schedule and price.

Peaks

#6

if (ahem…when) I hike the Trail again, I’d go SOBO. Or leave late april-mid may and finish very late.

A-Train

#7

I’m also interested in dawg’s question whether those who have done a thru would, if they had it to do again, do a sobo or nobo first.

steve hiker

#8

I’ve done 4 nobo and 1 sobo. I preferred sobo and would go south if I were to thru-hike again.

Wolf

#9

Why would you chose to do a Sobo instead of a Nobo? Be specific, please. I am planning a March 21 start, but am considering a Sobo instead. I am considering pro’s and con’s. Thanks.

dawgtrekker

#10

No crowds,awesome scenery right off the bat, more of a remote feeling, wonderful kick-ass climbs, lots of water, and for me once out of Vermont the rest of the way to Ga. was a cakewalk.

Wolf

#11

I only say I would do a SOBO, if I hiked the Trail again. If I was in a newbies shoes again, I would go NOBO like I did. The original question was based on people already hiking the Trail. I’d want a different experience than the one I had starting 1 march. But I wouldn’t have traded my hike for the world. There is something magical and right to me about going NOBO, just my two cents. I liked the idea of walking with spring, having a group of folks to hang out with, weather warming up, have the best part of the Trail last, and of course Katahdin. Some like it different, its all good.

A-Train

#12

I agree with A-Train as well. I don’t have any desire to SOBO. I would definitely do another NOBO hike, I left sorta late (4/18) and had NO crowds, anywhere until we met the LT in Vermont. Ended in Fall in Maine, what a way to go. I think it does depend what you’re looking for. For sure I wanted solitude as well, and I got plenty of it, during the day while walking, even though I had a loose trail family of 3 for 800+ miles, we didn’t hike together much during the days. And for the record, leaving when I did, we first started seeing SOBOs in PA (outside Duncannon), they peaked in NY but right up until the last days in the Wilderness (Oct) I was still seeing people starting south, including those 2 guys who hiked through last winter and the Class of 2003 going north met them in March and April this year!

Bluebearee