I’m pretty sure this has been posted before, but I don’t know where the thread is.
Anyway, I would like to hear from people who have hiked the AT, north and south, and get opinions on which they prefer.
Or, if you haven’t hiked it both ways, you can give your opinion on the pros and cons of hiking in the particular direction you did.
Really, any input would be appreciated, as I am thinking about starting a SOBO trip when I go back out, instead of a NOBO trip.
Thanks.
bearbait
Continuous journey north, hiking with spring, Katahdin as the carrot. And in my case, walking home as well. No other way, IMO.
Bluebearee
I’ve done 4 NOBO, 1 SOBO. Liked SOBO the best. Not crowded, much more scenic, more remote feeling. It takes a tougher person to go south.
Wolf
There are pros and cons of each way. But, something like 80 to 90% of the people go north bound.
While Wolf has gone south once, and north 4 times, there are also those like Baltimore Jack that have done the trail many more times than that, and always go north.
My major reasons for advocating a northbound hike are:
The people. Prior to doing a long distance hike, I never bonded with my fellow hikers before. I was able to bond with a group of my fellow hikers on a north bound hike because there was enough of a mass of them around me. Mind you, it was an everchanging group, but one of the highlights of my adventure.
Katahdin. Bluebearee touched on it a little. Katahdin is a group goal that builds all the way through Maine. Finally the last night, everyone was excited as Christmas Eve. A great feeling. Finishing anywhere else, while still a great accomplishment does not have the same feeling. Katahdin is a kick a$$ goal.
New England in the fall makes it special. And the south does have a better spring.
Peaks
The reason B. Jack always goes north and at peak start times is for the social aspect. I’ve got as many AT miles as him just not all thru-hikes. To me Katahdin and Springer are just mountains like the hundreds in between. I hike for the sake of hiking not goals or writing books or to be in crowds on a pedestal.
Wolf
Bairbait you didn’t include starting in the middle. It has 2 carrots and less crowds and its flater giving more time to get in shape.:cheers
use to be YANG
Keep the black flies in mind if you start on or about 1 July on a SOBO.
They’ll make you wish you hiked north instead. They’re generally active through July and they can almost literally eat you alive.
sky rider
if and when i hike sobo, ill probably leave july 8th my b-day or a week or two after. july 8th + 5 months= dec 8th + a couple days at miss janets= home a week or so before x-mas
A-Train
I am wondering how a NOBO hike is easier than a SOBO. Is it because of black flies? The weather? The solitude?
bearbait
NOBO is easier cuz there are lots of people, roads,towns, outfitters, hostels in the first few hundred miles and the hiking isn’t that difficult.
wolf
I’m a Southbounder this year and started July 8th. Day one of a sobo hike introduces you to CLIMBING. You hit Maine/NH while trying to get into hiking shape and while trying to adapt to life in the woods. You don’t get to meet as many people as you would going North, but you don’t have the crowds either. The black flies were not a problem. only had a few pockets of them. The other issue you have going South is winter. It sucks. snow sucks, so be sure to finish before winter sets in. Which way you go will also be dependent on when you want to start/finish.
Goosebump the Snow Princess