The 100 mile wilderness section of the AT?

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lazy otter

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So I've decided in 2016-2017 to do the 100 mile wilderness section of the appalation trail. So I'm looking for some insider tips! Maybe some of yall have hiked it or section hiked it and I want to know what you thought and any secret spots to camp or tips you may have. I know what to pack and im skilled in the outdoors so I'm okay there. I also have done the trail in its full lengh in va and md but it's not the 100 mile wilderness which is a compleatly different beast! I'd like to do start in late June but no later than July. So any info is welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance yall!
 
The blackflies won't be too bad, but the mosquitoes will be in full force at that time of year. Especially on the northern half.

The southern 2/3rds are tough if you haven't just walked from Georgia, but the northern 1/3rd isn't too bad. You'll either come out at Abol Bridge or Monson depending on which way you're walking. They both have food. :)

You can find some great stealth spots for camping if you just look for a clearing away from the trail. That is usually a pond and sometimes have great spots that don't get used.

Don't set up in any kind of game trail because moose will walk over anything. Your tent won't protect you.

You do have a great chance of seeing moose in the ponds that way and almost always get to go to sleep listening to loons.

It's not a complete wilderness. There are logging roads and several places where you might see day hikers that drive in on the logging roads.

White House Landing used to be about 70 miles in and was a great place to stop. It was an old time fish camp, but served hikers and hunters mostly the last 15 years or so. I think they have closed down though, so you have to carry enough food to get you through.
 
I am very jealous, good luck! This summer I am planning on hiking the Devils Path portion of the Appalachian trail, which people say should take 2-3 days. Maybe one day I will do the 100 mile section. Let us know how it goes.
 
Poromenos said:
I am very jealous, good luck! This summer I am planning on hiking the Devils Path portion of the Appalachian trail, which people say should take 2-3 days. Maybe one day I will do the 100 mile section. Let us know how it goes.
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I won't be doin it till 2016-2017 but I decided to start getting my info and such now. I added some miles so I can end at Mt. Katahdin and want to take the knifes edge trail to the top! So who knows you may end up on the trail when I am!
 
Stumps said:
The blackflies won't be too bad, but the mosquitoes will be in full force at that time of year. Especially on the northern half.

The southern 2/3rds are tough if you haven't just walked from Georgia, but the northern 1/3rd isn't too bad. You'll either come out at Abol Bridge or Monson depending on which way you're walking. They both have food. :)

You can find some great stealth spots for camping if you just look for a clearing away from the trail. That is usually a pond and sometimes have great spots that don't get used.

Don't set up in any kind of game trail because moose will walk over anything. Your tent won't protect you.

You do have a great chance of seeing moose in the ponds that way and almost always get to go to sleep listening to loons.

It's not a complete wilderness. There are logging roads and several places where you might see day hikers that drive in on the logging roads.

White House Landing used to be about 70 miles in and was a great place to stop. It was an old time fish camp, but served hikers and hunters mostly the last 15 years or so. I think they have closed down though, so you have to carry enough food to get you through.
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Great info! Thanks man!
 
I've been through it three times.

The first time was on my northbound thru-hike. I had been told to take at least ten days worth of food. I don't know if I was delirious from exhaustion or just in great shape from getting to that point, but it bothered me very little physically.

I'm sure you've read the linked info. My trips through there were not as wet/muddy as was described, but it was wet and muddy.




The last two times I went through it, I went southbound and carried two pair of ultralight boots. I carried much less weight in gear and more substantial food (carbs/fat/protein/flavor). I tried to make the food system as light and simple as possible while providing significantly more protein and carbs per morning and nighttime meal.

Back to the feet...At every crossing, I stopped and changed into my "wet shoes". After the crossing, I dried my feet and put on my "dry shoes". If the crossing "looked" knee high or higher, I removed my pants.

The first southbound trip, I didn't know what to do about the very "wet" muddy areas. I finally decided to empty a few stuff sacks and wear the stuff sacks over my socks and inside my shoes. I didn't do this much or for too long at a time, but it helped so much that I had some "made into socks" back home after that trip.

I carried at least five sets of socks and three sets of underwear the whole way. The comfort was worth it and the value per ounce was outstanding.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.
 
BillyJoeBobJim said:
Back to the feet...At every crossing, I stopped and changed into my "wet shoes". After the crossing, I dried my feet and put on my "dry shoes". If the crossing "looked" knee high or higher, I removed my pants.

The first southbound trip, I didn't know what to do about the very "wet" muddy areas. I finally decided to empty a few stuff sacks and wear the stuff sacks over my socks and inside my shoes. I didn't do this much or for too long at a time, but it helped so much that I had some "made into socks" back home after that trip.
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This is exactly why I say nobody walks the way anyone else does. Your experience on your thru hike made you want to keep your feet dry all the time. Experience is the only way you know what will work for you.
I'm probably the polar opposite. I wear Asics road running shoes and never slow down for any water crossings unless they are deeper and fast. Then I slow down enough to ford that water crossing safely. I usually only carry the socks on my feet.
 
Stumps said:
This is exactly why I say nobody walks the way anyone else does. Your experience on your thru hike made you want to keep your feet dry all the time. Experience is the only way you know what will work for you.
I'm probably the polar opposite. I wear Asics road running shoes and never slow down for any water crossings unless they are deeper and fast. Then I slow down enough to ford that water crossing safely. I usually only carry the socks on my feet.
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I agree. Most figure out what they like and do it their own way.

Different people save (or waste) weight, space, money, and time in different ways.

I don't mind having wet feet/shoes/socks for certain lengths of time in certain conditions, but I like to limit my "wet" time when I'm on my feet 10-14 hours per day.

I also don't consider it a "slow down" to change shoes/socks. :]

On my last southbound thru-hike, I drilled holes in the "wet" shoes (stitching the holes in the fabric). This eliminated the squishy bubbling after a water crossing and allowed them to dry significantly more quickly.
 
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3 times on thru hikes! Very cool! One day I'll do it one day ! ...lol! Yeah I'm a stickler on foot wear. Iam definitły gonna keep it light anywhere I can cut weight I am. Foot wear I'm still deciding on but I got time to decide. I'm used to carrying heavy loads for a distance like full body armor,ammo,comms,3day sized packs to expidition size packs so I'm happy to take a light load minus all the other crap..lol. I will be bringing my TAD Gear amphibious cargo pants cuz they are light and dry damn quick! I don't mind stinking and id say there is a good chance I may hike at night some to make some good time to allow me to stay in spots longer or to beat weather or just because.
 
BillyJoeBobJim said:
I agree. Most figure out what they like and do it their own way.

Different people save (or waste) weight, space, money, and time in different ways.

I don't mind having wet feet/shoes/socks for certain lengths of time in certain conditions, but I like to limit my "wet" time when I'm on my feet 10-14 hours per day.

I also don't consider it a "slow down" to change shoes/socks. :]

On my last southbound thru-hike, I drilled holes in the "wet" shoes (stitching the holes in the fabric). This eliminated the squishy bubbling after a water crossing and allowed them to dry significantly more quickly.
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BillyJoeBobJim….what years did you thru hike and what was your trail name? We might have run into each other on the AT.


lazy otter said:
3 times on thru hikes! Very cool! One day I'll do it one day ! ...lol! Yeah I'm a stickler on foot wear. Iam definitły gonna keep it light anywhere I can cut weight I am. Foot wear I'm still deciding on but I got time to decide. I'm used to carrying heavy loads for a distance like full body armor,ammo,comms,3day sized packs to expidition size packs so I'm happy to take a light load minus all the other crap..lol. I will be bringing my TAD Gear amphibious cargo pants cuz they are light and dry damn quick! I don't mind stinking and id say there is a good chance I may hike at night some to make some good time to allow me to stay in spots longer or to beat weather or just because.
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It sounds to me like you're going to have a great time and will do well.
I would suggest not too much night hiking because you miss too much…although it's fun to walk into dark or start before the sun comes up. Best time to see animals.
 
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