Why Go SOBO: Perks to Going Against the Flow

Only 12 percent of all Appalachian Trail thru-hikers last year hiked southbound from Maine to Georgia, and roughly only 1,500 thru-hikers have ever completed a southbound hike in the entire history of the AT. This total is less than half of the hikers that attempted thru-hiking northbound in 2016. I guess you can’t blame the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for saying that “Maine has never been a popular place to start a thru-hike, and may never be”. While southbounders – commonly referred to as “SOBOs” – may be few and far between, there are plenty of reasons future thru-hikers should consider joining the ranks and hiking southbound towards Springer Mountain.

Benefits of a SOBO thru-hike

The Time of Year

Having a start date of June, July, or even August works perfectly for those who just graduated from high school or college/graduate school. The best news? You’ll be home in time for the holidays.

Weather

If we had a dollar for every time someone told us that we’d “have snow in the Smokies” we wouldn’t have had to pay for a single hostel the entire hike. While it obviously got chillier as the months went on, we only slept outside on two nights that had sub-freezing temperatures. And you know what? It wasn’t that bad (and no, we did not see snow in the Smokies). On the flip side, NOBOs can get swamped with cold, wet weather for the first third of their hike which can be a real downer and make hikers start visiting their “Why I’m thru-hiking” list earlier than anticipated.

One of our absolute FAVORITE perks of going SOBO was that we were literally hiking with autumn. We started to see the foliage change when we entered Connecticut, and we were still enjoying the amazing views of fall all the way through mid-Virginia.

The Terrain

Yes, tackling Maine and New Hampshire first is hard. But guess what? It’s going to be hard regardless of which direction you thruhike. We were so happy to hike southern Maine and the Whites with fresh legs and a fresh hiker outlookBy the time we were in Tennessee, we were so physically and mentally exhausted at the end of each day that we frequently noted how happy we were to be on the soft, rolling terrain of the south instead of the opposite.

^^Maine vs. Tennessee vv

Mileage

Lower mileage days were our norm for the first part of our hike and it didn’t bother us at all, since it was all we knew. However, we chatted with plenty of NOBOs who couldn’t believe the drop in their average mileage once they reached the northern states and were struggling with this mental roadblock. In addition to bypassing this obstacle, once we hit the mid/southern states we had our hiking legs and could really start cranking out enjoyable higher mileage days on the nice terrain.

Hostel Support

In the beginning of a southbound thru-hike, there is infinitely less on or near trail support. Up north, we would typically spend a week or so between towns and resupplies, which was fine because we were happy to be spending most of our time outdoors while we still had good weather. But the further south we got, the more exhausted we were and the colder the nights were getting. Luckily, we were able to stop in towns and hostels much more frequently to sleep and resupply, which enabled us to carry lighter packs and stay warm. The benefit of being closer to towns and hostels towards the end of our thru-hike was a huge lifesaver for both our physical and mental well being.

It’s not crowded, but it’s not lonely either

We rarely had to worry about space to sleep at night, and if we did it was only during the summer when there were local groups on weekend trips. At the same time, I don’t think we pitched our tent alone at all the first two months (even when we stealthed). My favorite example of the lack of SOBO loneliness was on our second to last night in the Smokies (pictured below). We stayed in a shelter with 14 other SOBOs, which doesn’t sound like a lonely number to me.

There is still trail magic

Albeit, there isn’t going to be as much as you would have as a NOBO. But you know what? SOBOs appreciate every bit of trail magic that much more. As a SOBO, just a small cooler full of soda or a gallon of filtered water waiting at a road crossing is exciting and genuinely appreciated.

Take as long as you’d like

There’s no constant little voice in the back of your head telling you to hurry up and finish your thru-hike before the terminus closes for the season.

Mentally, you don’t have to keep reminding yourself that the “worst is yet to come” because, guess what? You’re a total rockstar and you’ve already done it.

So, when you start to daydream about your future thru-hike, remember that you don’t have to start at Springer. And to all you SOBOs out there getting ready to head to Katahdin — GOOD LUCK!

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Comments 19

  • Mark Anderson : Jun 19th

    The 2 bear barrels pictured are ours. Wrentham Boyscout Troop 61 – glad the trail magic helped.

    Reply
    • Emily : Jun 20th

      Yes!! In the 100 Mile Wilderness! That was our first bit of Trail Magic EVER…and it was so appreciated. Please thank your troop for us 🙂

      Reply
      • Mark Anderson : Jun 20th

        They will be in the same spots July 16-21 again this year. Our 3rd year leaving them out. We are planning our supplies as we speak with our trip coming up. Any suggestions?

        Reply
        • Emily : Jun 26th

          We loved the cheez-its, oreos, etc…and the capri suns were great 🙂 I think having an empty barrel for hikers to leave garbage would be a nice touch, but snacks are always better than a garbage bin haha. You guys are the best! Please thank your troop again for us!

          Reply
          • Piper : Dec 31st

            Please consider leaving something for those with dietary restrictions. Popcorn or Tortilla Chips for those who can’t eat gluten. Plain chips for those who can’t eat dairy (ranch and cheese flavors of off-limits for some).
            As someone with multiple dietary restrictions I assume I won’t find anything I can eat at Trail Magic, to avoid disappointment, and am so GRATEFUL when I’m wrong.

            Reply
  • Carnac Jack : Jun 20th

    Great info, Cinderella. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
  • Doc : Jun 21st

    I too am a 46r , but am planing/dreaming about SOBO thru & would like to chat.
    I’ve done ADK nvpl trail & long parts of VT long trail but research is going, slow… I’ve already decided south bound is ideal & your validation with following fall foliage is dead on!!! Totally cool.

    Nice article.
    THANKS
    Happy trails

    Doc

    Reply
    • Emily : Jun 26th

      Hey Doc! Good to hear from a fellow 46er 🙂 SOBO all the way! Let me know if you have any questions in the future.

      Reply
  • Paul Boulay : Jun 22nd

    1lb hot dogs lasted 1 week in the cooler weather. So you can eat well.
    MEGA (SOBO) ’78-79, winter through Shenandoah & south.

    Reply
    • Emily : Jun 26th

      Such a great point!! SOBOs have a ton more options for resupplies thanks to the cooler weather.

      Reply
  • Katie : Jun 23rd

    I’m heading out SOBO 7/6, 200 miles on lucky 7s (7/7/17). Love this thank you so much for sharing the positive vibes!

    Reply
    • Emily : Jun 26th

      Hey Katie – good luck and have the best time!!

      Reply
  • TBR : Aug 14th

    Reading of the horde of hikers starting out from Springer, a southbound journey just makes sense (or a flip-flop).

    Hiking with autumn moving down the trail … that sounds fantastic!

    Reply
  • Doctari : Oct 17th

    WOW!! I’ve been dreaming of a NOBO for 50 years! You may well have changed my mind. Very very valid and convincing points! Thanks!!!

    Reply
  • Joseph Barnett : Jun 11th

    Thanks!!!! Planning SOBO… about July 1 2019…as soon as retire! Thanks!!!!

    Reply
  • Burt : Oct 7th

    How bad were the bugs would it be better to start say mid July also how many miles did you average first few weeks

    Reply
  • Marc Hickey : Mar 5th

    cant wait heading out on my first sobo -flip flop in april startng in mass heading south will have to back track to finish at katadin

    Reply

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