Hey hikers. Why do some people say NOBOing is easier than SOBOing? Because there is more support on the southern end when you leave with 1000+ people? Because of the 100 mile wilderness? Or are there more uphills going south than north? I do hear that SOBOers get to walk down Roan MT in NC, but I don’t know if this is right. Maybe it all of the above. I would like to leave Maine in June and be in GA by December. I love hiking in the fall. But thats just me.
kare in Charlotte
Doing a SOBO thru-hike is (in my opinion) more difficult for psychological reasons:
JAWS
Starting in Maine is harder because of the relative isolation compared to Springer. You start with the climb of big K which is one of the toughest on the whole trip and other than the first two days the hundred mile wilderness is no picnic. Then there are the bugs in Maine in June and the high water. To top it off you have to go through the mountains of southern Maine and NH that have some of the most challengeing hiking on the whole trail. On the plus side right off the bat you get some of the most magnificant views. Georgia starts you off with good trails but limited views.
Big B
Starting SOBO in July lets you miss the black flies, and delays your finish long enough to see the fall colors down south with are IMHO better than in New England. Also, if you don’t go too fast, you get some early snows in December which makes for some very scenic hiking. Not to mention hiking the Smokies after the vast multitudes have gone.
1
I agree with wanting to go SOBO. I plan on heading that direction in early to mid June. For me the reasons that some state as bad, I think are good. I would rather hike around a few people than the 1000 or so that leave every April in the south. Plus hitting the harder sections first lets you know that if you can finish it, you can make it through anything.
See you in Maine.
Nate
Kare,
"Or are there more uphills going south than north? "
Please think about what you write!
Although, some folks do say that the northern sides of mountains in general are steeper so there are more tougher climbs going southbound.
DL
Ive never been on the AT outside of GA, so I dont really know what its like, but the last two miles SOBO going up hill from long creek all the way to the summit of springer, and the section going from neels gap up to the summit of blood mtn…those sections really wear me out going southbound, but there arent any sections that are that bad going northbound. If GA is indicative of the rest of the trail…Id have to say SOBO is FAR harder than NOBO.
Im almost done with GA. Been section hiking it in small sections. Only one more short 8 mile day hike…and I will have completeted the entire Georgia AT. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the trail is like.
Ive basically been hopscotching all over GA, even doing some sections twice, or NOBO and SOBO, and going off trail onto the other side trails like the Coosa Backcountry(the trail from hell).
Im actually considering doing NOBO and SOBO in each state, so in the end I will have done the entire AT NOBO, and SOBO. I got to get moving though. 10 years of hiking and still havent left GA. At this rate Ill be 90 by the time I get to the big “K”.
bryan
Kare in Charlotte - Not easier if you ask anyone who didn’t make it. Each has its steep ups and nasty descents. I’d rather go up the north side of Mooselauke than fall as many times going down it as I did. What’s important is to vanquish the idea that any of it is “easy”. It’s glorious. Joyful. Thrilling. But always demanding. The weather can make anything that is usually a non-issue, significant. Directionally speaking, the reason to go north, if it works for your life’s timetable, is the finish. Reaching the above cloud summit of Katahdin is an ideal place/way to finish. Its quite grand really, but I’m sure sitting down next to that plague at Springer would feel equally grand.
Postcard