OT: The 100 mile wilderness section of the AT?

L

lazy otter

BANNED
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
1,901
So Ive become obsessed with the deep noth woods of maine and the one thing that is just calling me is the 100 mile wilderness part of the appalation trail that's there. It's supposed to be the most difficult part of the whole trail. So anyone ever done it? Part of it? Or even live in the area to give me some insider advice? I won't be attempting it till 2016-2017 but I am gonna do it but I'm gonna prepare alot for it as it seems to be a massive under taking and should not be taken lightly! So I want as much info and prep as I can get and as of right now this will be a solo trip so I'll have no help if needed.
 
Cobalt said:
Do you need advice on nav or just the place?
Click to expand...

I'm kinda looking for info you won't find online or in books maps Ect. I know there has to be some good info from people who have hiked it or section hiked it and am kinda looking for those little bits of info that can make a big difference. I know there is always some bit of info that can make a trip a bit nicer if it rains or black fly season or when the trail has the least amount of people on it so shealters are open or atleast not crowded. But I'll take all the info I can get! I'd rather have too much info than not enough!
 
Did you try posting on general forum or isn't there a wilderness forum as well. That may be the best bet. I have never been up in that area, but it sounds really cool
 
I wish ya the best of luck on your endeavor that sounds like a blast.

I've been to Maine a lot hiking but haven't done any stretches of the Appalachian Trail up there.

Mainly hiked all over Acadia. Beautiful country up there.
 
Never been on that section of the trail myself, but Bill Bryson "A walk in the woods" has some pretty detailed info about that section. The audio is pretty hilarious.
 
I grew up near the trail in Va.been on it many times, bring a firearm many shady folks haunt the trail looking for an easy target. Good boots, a busse of course. Enjoy its a really great experience. But be aware of your surroundings.
 
Sounds like a great trip. I have been thinking of hiking a few parts of the trail myself. I would try and find a partner to go with.
 
Nframe357 said:
I grew up near the trail in Va.been on it many times, bring a firearm many shady folks haunt the trail looking for an easy target. Good boots, a busse of course. Enjoy its a really great experience. But be aware of your surroundings.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've hiked the trail many times through the Smokies and to say that there were some odd characters hanging around would be an understatement. What I thought was interesting is that for such a remote place, its still really popular so you are defintely not alone. I guess a couple hundred years of history and hikers does that to a place.
 
Go to whiteblaze.com for info. Stepson did whole thing and he just put his head down and trucked thru. I did around 100 miles or so and it was a good time.

Bob
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I have done the va and md section of the trail and I always and I mean always have a firearm with me never leave home without one. I will check out the resources yall have suggested. Figured I had better start getting my ducks in a row way before I give this hike a go!
 
My brother in law did it last fall and screwed up his ilio tibial band by the end of it, swore a moose was going to kill him one night. He said if he could have done it over again he would've tried to budget for more ultralight products in his gear. He is aiming to do it again this year. Said it was awesome fun but the night being in total darkness and alone were sometimes creepy.


PS he wore lowa gtx's, get a real hiking boot not keens or Merrell's which are more light trail/day hike oriented the support will breakdown with 40 pounds of gear plus water.
 
I will be going ultralite without a doubt! As for boots that's a mystery for me! I'm currently breaking in the belleville mini mils which are super light and yes a combat boot but I wore my beloved garmont t8 combat boots to do the va section of the trail ! I know combat boots are not most people's ideal choice but I've worn them for so long and in so many places in the world it's hard for me not to and these mini mils are so light and comfortable but have the support I like that they may be the ones I take?
 
PS I got him a can of pepper spray for the trek he left it in his glove compartment by accident. He ended up staying up all night in an outhouse afraid the moose was going to go back to his lean to to trample him after crossing paths.
 
You will probably get better, more useful, answers on an AT specific forum.

A colleague at work used to spend a week on the AT every summer, mostly in the PA/VA/MD sections. Over time he had worked down to a very light kit, had budgeted for a certain calorie intake every day, with the expectation that he would lose 10 - 15# of body weight. When I asked him about a knife, he allowed that he did carry an old, small Gerber LST, which he hardly ever used. He certainly never carried a weapon of any sort.
 
I did jmt last year. 250 miles. Great hike. Go to whiteblaze forums for at info and rei git books. AT is great
 
So I've added some miles as I want to finish in Baxter State Park on top of Mt. Katshdin and would like to take the knifes edge trail to the top! I concider a firearm a tool and when hiking if something should happen like I break a leg, ankle Ect. I hope someone around would hear my 3 shots and know that is a call of someone in distress. I also know a shot in the fhoun or a bank any natural bullet catch will send most critters on their way. As for knives as of know my beloved SARsquatch and sebenza will tag along. image.jpg
 
verysimple said:
I did jmt last year. 250 miles. Great hike. Go to whiteblaze forums for at info and rei git books. AT is great
Click to expand...

That hike is in Yosemetie ? Anyway 250 miles is damn impressive! Congrats! Thank you that forum was exactly what I needed! Also I got a local REI store so I'm covers there. I'm just in the infancy of planning this endeavor so I'm sure by the time I hit the trail I'll be good to go. But thanks again for the info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top