Source
r/AppalachianTrail•
OGHops

Specific gear/advice for a SOBO mid-June start?

I'm thinking specifically about the differences between a typical March-April NOBO departure and a typical SOBO start. The fact that there is no Neel's Gap setup-tweaking equivalent for SOBO's - making gear decision extremely important, what things are necessary, and what things are not?

The concerns I can think of are bugs, weather, and the food situation of entering the 100 Mile Wilderness immediately after the intense hike up and down Katahdin.

Posted Dec 10, 2015, 5:37 PM UTC

48
apulverizerYankee ME->GA '14•

Get a bug net and bug spray for the 100 mile wilderness. I just had spray and the bugs were still insane and all up my face. You don't need a food drop at Joe Mary road, but it might make the hike more enjoyable since your pack will be lighter. River crossings obviously depend on recent rainfall, not much you can do about it besides wait.

Not related to gear, but I'd recommend taking the Gulf Hagas side trail to see some cool water falls and rapid things. It's in the middle of the 100 mile wilderness and adds 5 miles or so.

3
nwagers•

Get the bucket drop halfway through the wilderness! It was awesome. Put heavy/fun stuff to eat in there. Put alcohol in there. Put sodas in there. If you really need to, it's possible to hitch out or call for a shuttle to get to town and buy what you need.

You'll be able to camp at low elevation if you plan it that way. Be ready for extra days waiting out stream crossings. Be ready for getting wet in stream crossings. Be ready for bugs. I'd carry long sleeves and long pants, deet, a head bug net and a hat with a wide brim all around.

1
at2168•

Have you been in the Maine woods during black fly season? It sucks, they're inescapable. I'd start later, or flip-flop if you're determined to start in June. Those little shits can drive a normal person mad.

1
subadai2015 sobo (Striker)•

Bring everything that you think you might need. Then suffer through the 100 mile wilderness with a 50 lbs pack. When you get to Monson, stay at Shaw's and have Poet give you a shakedown. When you pick up your lightened pack you will truly appreciate lightweight backpacking.

1
OGHopsOP•

http://lighterpack.com/r/3h2fdp

I'm maybe 85% finished with gear collection.

1
subadai2015 sobo (Striker)•

Damn. I'm impressed by your preparation. I wish I did half that much.

Here's some tips:

  • regarding weather, Maine is a rain forest with mountains. Your trail runners will be wet for several days at a time. It really sucks. Can't really be helped.

  • food in the 100. Bring a ton. (Maybe 15 lbs?) When you leave Baxter and hit Abol Bridge buy a bit more so you are topped off. If you are really concerned, bring a collapsible fishing rod.

  • snacks are as important as meals. Little Debbie's oatmeal cream pies are the best kind of snack.

  • medical tape + a little gauze is great medical gear

  • spare batteries for head lamp are essential. An external battery for your phone is a big quality of life improvement.

  • you might want to ditch your crocs once you finish Maine. They lose a lot of utility once you stop crossing rivers.

  • tents are more optional than you might think. Lots of sobo's mail their tents/hammocks home after they pass the nobo bubble. The shelters are a lot roomier without those heathens getting in the way. BUT... I'm composing this from a mouse infested shelter in Teneessee and I sure wish I had a tent.

Most people are constantly tweaking their gear. Don't be too worried about getting it right at the outset.

1
HouseCopeland•

Fellow Everton Fan here. Love the fact youre hiking in the jersey. COYB!!

1
virginiajenMEGA '14•

Don't stress that there's no Neel Gap on day 3. Day 3 is when everything sucks anyway.

I left out of Baxter with a 40lb pack, 9 days of food for the 100 mile. It sucked, but I knew my pack wouldn't be that heavy ever again. (I was wrong, stupid resupply in Manchester Center of beeping hungry, wanting town food, and only going to grocery store topped my pack out at 46. Only 6 days of food. Always eat town food before resupply. Lesson learned.)

What OP say is solid. Bug spray (the strong stuff), head net, be prepared to be wet. Maine is a hard place to start, but it's the most beautiful place on the trail.

Don't ford rivers after 3 days of rain, wait it out. It'll be down in size the next day. (Friend got swept 100 yards downstream, it was a close call).

You won't need river crossing shoes after Maine. Crocs are decent camp shoes, I know many pairs that went the distance. I ditched my camp shoes early.

1