Starting SOBO in March? Just beware that this is an unorthodox start date for SOBO thru-hikes. You’ll need a special winter climbing permit for Katahdin and excellent winter camping/treking skills to get through the northern states. Snowshoes and perhaps crampons are in order as well. Considering we’ve already been dumped on in the Boston area significantly with snow, I think you can expect a large snow pack in the North Woods and the Whites. Traditionally SOBO hikers start after the black fly season in late June through July. My wife and I left June 12th finishing November 5th on Springer. However, March is a traditional start date if not a little early for NOBO hikers.
Hiking partners… Find them when you’re out there. I met too many partners who met up for the trip, had different personalities, hiking speeds, endurance levels, philosophies. You’ll meet plenty of people on the trail to keep you company who you’ll mesh with much better than some stranger. There was a group of four who started the same day we did. College/HS group who didn’t know each other too well. After a few weeks they had split into groups of two, then separated all together. None of them finished. Too much stress to deal with in what should be a stress free corridor.
Grimace MEGA '01
Grimace
