wanting thru hike input plz

[hairbear]

You'll stumble upon plenty of water in most places, but a good chunk of the water sources ID'd in the guides will be just off the trail. Not far, but usually not terribly obvious either. Now and again, you'll find water well below the trail. Almost always, these sites are in areas that are fairly dry, so you'll be going regardless. Those water holes are usually very well marked. Just pay attention to your guide book and where you are on the trail. You'll be fine.

not trying to bombard you with questions ,but what guide would be most current/useful.

[Dos]

If memory serves, both of those are quite a distance from Katadin. I would look for bus service. Amtrak only goes to Portland. That's a long way away. Local buses would be your best bet to get there. There have to be outfitters nearby Baxter State Park. They may be able help you with those logistics.

There is a hostel in Millinocket. Call him. He is chock full of advice.
(plus, he will do drop bucket for you through the 100 Mile Wilderness for a fee).
He takes a load of hikers to the bus every morning at 9 am (NOBOs).

Some go to Bangor or Portland for the Amtrack.
Some go to Boston via bus.
Some go to Portland via bus.

you will have to check about the train that stops on the AT because you can only buy a ticket one way, and not the other - I forgot which it is. Either way, it was silly not to have a ticket station right there.

[Dos]

not trying to bombard you with questions ,but what guide would be most current/useful.

AWOL's got the most votes for info. Although I questioned some of the mileage.
(pull my hair out some days).

The mileage APPEARS questionable in ALL of the books.

There was a better elevation map...I am trying to think who put that out.
It was quite expensive.

[Cannibal]

Dos has a better idea of current guidebooks. My hike was a million years ago in 2008.

Dos, be thankful. I carried AWOL's book the first year. You think it has errors now!? Even still, it was pretty easily the best of the field. The changes he has made since are all very positive. That profile will drive a hiker insane though. I finally stopped looking at the silly thing by the time I got to Connecticut.

[hairbear]

you guys are alot of help thx.it seems to me that with my plan ill meet sobos,then flip and meet nobos,perhaps mixing with the sobos if i time it right.i hope to finish around x mas.im hoping that i see a few people ,but will enjoy my loner time.

[affreeman]

Weekenders and section hikers are far more interesting people to hang out with than thru-hikers. All thru-hikers do is fantasize about food and tell stupid fart jokes.

And even better, weekenders carry way too much food and booze and they always seem to want to share it with you!

Number one tip for a successful thru-hike: Never quit on a bad day.

[Skygzr]

im getting ready to start my a t thru hike june firstish,starting pawling n y, north to katadin.take the train back to pawling,then sobo to springer.any input would be seen as kindness.

If everything in your pack doesn't have 2+ purposes- don't bring it
Whiteblaze website has a lot information on water location, shelter distances, mail drop points all free and printable

[Ramblinrev]

Some go to Bangor or Portland for the Amtrack.

According to Amtrak's latest route maps and listing they no longer serve Bangor. Portland is as far as they go.

[hairbear]

If everything in your pack doesn't have 2+ purposes- don't bring it
Whiteblaze website has a lot information on water location, shelter distances, mail drop points all free and printable

hi skygzr i stole your sawyer dirty bag set up from last hang.its working well for me.i should have paid more attention to your cook kit.thanks,too bad you cant make the next hang.

[Skygzr]

I have a video posted on the cook kit and I also thought you might try to find a trail angle in that area to give you lift to where you want to go