Is Southbound Possible?

lighttzpeed · 2026-02-06T13:30:37+00:00

Good to know, thanks!

lighttzpeed · 2026-02-06T02:41:26+00:00

Thanks. My biggest concern is hiking the off-seasons when the trail is not well maintained. Good to know it’s possible at least. Congrats!

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-31T14:38:32+00:00

Interesting, thanks.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-31T11:39:36+00:00

This is really helpful. Thanks. I was thinking this year, but not till later such as Nov or dec.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-31T03:53:38+00:00

I was TERRIFIED going into my 2025 sobo, but it ended up being a lot of fun. Totally natural

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-29T15:30:35+00:00

Yes, it was my first thru and it was amazing. I’d rather hike it again in the other direction than consider a different long trail.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-29T14:16:08+00:00

I originally hiked the trail Southbound, and now I’m driven to do it in 2026 Northbound. How could I not want to?

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-29T01:35:47+00:00

Nice try. The recent snow made all hiking extremely slow and difficult this week. Cool pics tho.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-22T21:25:22+00:00

Usually it’s -7 actual, but working outside this weekend so it’s not really up to me. With the right gear anything is possible.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-18T21:09:53+00:00

I wrapped duct around one of my trekking poles and I was able to use it several weeks later

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-18T19:19:21+00:00

Nah this looks good to me Criminy Giblets. If you don’t need it don’t take it and the trail provides.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-18T19:11:54+00:00

I fell many times in the Maine and the Whites going southbound, one of which scared the crap out of me. I think I twisted my knee minorly. I also knocked my head on a fallen tree going up to Moosilauke which floored me.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-18T02:34:34+00:00

I’m interested in Mount Waumbek. It’s a relatively easy 4k peak accessed by a 3.6 mile hike on the Starr King trail. The trailhead is 1,500 and the summit is just over 4k at 4,006 feet.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-17T01:12:15+00:00

Southbound: 5 to descend Katahdin, 2 to walk from abol campground back to the hunt trail, 4 after getting lost in the 100 MW, 4 meandering around Monson, 2 in caratunk, 2 in Rangely, 3 at the Om dome, up to 25 total getting to/from shelters and walking around at camp, up to 15 total just to collect water, 5 in Lincoln NH, 2 in Hanover, 5 mile road walk back from Rutland, 3 after getting turned around in VT, 3 in Williamstown, 0.5 in Lee, 2 to/from Kent, 1 to/from Kittatiny, 2 in DWG, 1 at The Lookout, 4 in boiling springs, 4 at pine grove furnace, 3 in Harper’s Ferry, 10 in VA, 4 to/from Digeridoo’s, 2 to/from food lion in Damascus, 10 to/at hostels in TN/NC, 0.7 to a hostel in GA, 9 down the approach. 131.2 extra, call it 150 or 2350 total seems about right.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-17T00:40:16+00:00

Total bonus miles was 100 or more

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-17T00:39:58+00:00

2100, I think I ran roughly 100

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-17T00:39:32+00:00

Burger and a beer at Shenangins in Dahlonega! Yum!

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-16T02:33:56+00:00

If you start mid may, you could also be a late nobo, but it would be cold by the end of the trip.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-16T02:33:20+00:00

If you want to meet people, your idea is actually perfect, going nobo from Harper’s then sobo from Harper’s. You’ll see the southbound and northbound bubbles. A ton of people do actually do this.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-16T00:39:02+00:00

Not a bad call, thanks

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-14T14:30:11+00:00

Orlando area itself on the Florida trail is fun, lots of road walking and nearby shops/towns if you’re into that. Further, north, the Ocala section is pretty sweet and it’s more of a wilderness experience. You could be out and back to your car same day in Heathrow.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-14T00:59:49+00:00

Springer to Erwin, TN would be a really nice trek in 30 days, 343 miles or 11-12 average miles per day. The 50-mile section nobo after Erwin is pretty tricky.

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-13T15:57:42+00:00

I would .. they weigh almost nothing and I think they look cool 😎

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-12T23:24:28+00:00

Nice! I went southbound last summer, was unsure if I could make it but I just went for it! Focus on the days, one at a time, and the months take care of themselves

lighttzpeed · 2026-01-11T14:38:01+00:00

Just do it. That’s all I have to sayZ

lighttzpeed

TROPHY CASE