SOBO vs. NOBO help

imported
#1

Hey everyone,

Im currently in college in upstate NY as a junior (3 semesters to go) and am DYING to get out on the trail. I am planning some summer hikes (I live in NH), but want to thru hike after college.

However, the college timeline isnt ideal for starting a thru hike. I would graduate in late May, giving me a few different options.

  1. I could SOBO starting in July or August, which would time well and get me out on the trail pretty quickly w/ a little prep time, but I kinda like the thought of “Walking Home” from Georgia and ending on Khatadin.

  2. I could get a late start, Northbound it, get on the trail immediately after school(late May), which would me a pretty late start.

  3. Work for the summer and winter, Northbound it, start with all the “normal” people in mid march. Only problem with this one is that I’ll have to wait too long!(and quit my job)

  4. Something I havent thought of.

Thanks,
Restless

Restless

#2

Mid May is not an unreasonable late start if you are in shape and willing to put in the miles from day one with very few if any zeros. Of course you could hike to NH flip to Katahdin and end up back home in NH. This would mean hiking through the Whites in November but its your back yard and you should be able to get all sorts of support from home. I think it would be fun to hike to Washington, flip, and then end on Washington.

Big B

#3

Although some people have definately proven this statement wrong, you only get one chance to hike the AT, so do it right. I graduated, worked seasonal jobs (both very rewarding in ways other than money), and hiked in March. If you realy want to hike it in one strait line, then waiting is the best option. If you are willing to flip flop (maybe) then start late. Depending on your view of things, starting late will not have the masses, good for solitude, bad for finding more freinds. Of cource there is nothing wrong with going SOBO, except for it seems you realy want to hike north.
If you are in college as a junior then you have many years left in life, don’t hesitate to wait 8 whole months to hike. As a final note, I decided to hike 2 years before I actually did. Don’t do much planning, the anticipation will drive you insane and your grades may suffer, not to mention your mind will definately suffer. Relax, enjoy the small hikes now, the big one will come when its time comes.
TB

TurkeyBacon02

#4

A friend of ours couldn’t start until mid-May because of her job. She started in Damascus, hiked with the northbound thruhikers to Katahdin, returned to Virginia and hiked with the pack of southbound thruhikers. She got the best of both worlds and finished before Christmas. One advantage is that Virginia is generally easier than Georgia, so it can be a good place to get your trail legs.

Ginny

#5

There’s nothing quite like finishing an AT thru-hike atop Katahdin, which literally means “greatest mountain.”

If you’re in good shape and comfortable with higher mileage, then option #2 sounds perfect. There would be plenty of college ‘kids’ like yourself in that time frame heading NOBO.

This year, i hiked off and on with a number of recent college grads, including Spirit, Wink, Poke, Clambone, Egon, etc. who all started just after college in mid to late May. They all ended up finishing @ Katahdin on Oct. 3rd.

Contrary to many rumors that you might hear, October 15th is not an absolute deadline at Baxter State Park. The park simply does not allow overnight camping as of the night of 10/16. Logisitically this means that you would have to start for the summit early in the morning from Abol Bridge, or hike to Katahdin Stream Campground, hitch out of the park, and hitch back in the morning (easy hitches). Weather can be a factor this time of year, so you might have to wait out a storm.

Good luck and happy trails!

freebird

#6

I’ve never heard of Ginny’s technique of flip floping. If you want to hike with the crowds, then that idea makes a lot of sence. Hiking speed is something you can’t predict. I ended up hiking faster than I wanted to, but went with what felt good. If you start in May, you are either forcing a quick pace or planning the possiblity of the traditional flip flop.
Oh yah… there are no “normal” people on the AT. If you hike the AT (or even just start it) you are very unique.
TB

TurkeyBacon02