Is there a lot of southbounders on the AT ? Do you know how many (average) and if you did, would you recomamd it ?
Stomp’er
Southbouder on AT
system
#2
How much do you like to suffer & do you like an extreme challenge? There are a couple of other threads that discuss the hardships & rewards of sbding. Have a good Headnet & raingear & you might be ok with the bugs & rain & be able to brag how you were one of the few, pround SBDers… they couldn’t take your FREEDOM!!!
GINGERBREADMAN
system
#3
Stomp’er - Based upon info from the ATC website, I caculate that in any given year, an average of 1600 hikers attempt an AT thru-hike. Only 14%, or 224, head southbound. The same percentage of hikers, though, complete their thru regardless of which direction they start out.
I’m not surprised at the comparable success rates. A thru is hard at the outset regardless of the direction you’re heading. After a few hundred miles though, you hit a grove and really start pounding out the miles wherever you are. The bugs up north would be a bitch in June, but then again, the spring rain and cold in the Appalachian mountains, ain’t no picnic either. I’d suggest pointing your feet in whichever direction suits your schedule and your personality and start walking, and walking, and walking, and …
Matt
system
#4
Southbounding is awesome. Besides hitting the large mountains first and getting (on average) alotta snow and cold the last few months - there isnt all that much difference in direction. One foot in front of the other 5 million times my friend is the key. Peace and respect. Good luck on whatever decision you make.:cheers
P.S. when your done you can call yourself a badass Southbounder :lol
Bearwalker