100 mile wilderness

“A friend of mine wants me to hike the 100 mile wilderness with him. Has anyone else ever done this hike before? What is the temp in Maine in May? I triing to decide how much food I will need and what bag I should bring with me. Any info will help.”

“Pedxing has done it.”

“You're going in May? That's really early. May is mud and black fly season! Katahdin may not even be open by then (when the mud is bad, they don't let cars into Baxter SP).

As to the trail - it's nice country. Lots of moose and bears. The southern part of the wilderness has some good climbs (the Barren-Chairback Range leaps to mind), but the northern part is pretty easy. There are lots of lakes and streams. If the water is high, the stream crossings can get a bit hairy.”

“I thought that it was early also but, that is when my buddy can go. He graduates from college and I was going to fly to see him and we were going to hike that part of the AT. You know the one last good thing before you have a get a job thing and pay off all of the loans from school hike.”

“You better go later in the year!

8)”

“That is what I'm starting to think. That blows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Ya dude the flys and mud suck real bad!

8|”

“I might have to go to NY and hike then.”

“You could buy a bug sute and play in the mud ya know!

heheheh!!!!!

8D”

“I do that enough in Alaska. I want to go some place that is not to hot or buggy. I might just take my vacation and go to Germany who knows.”

“Ya that would be fun too!

8D”

“Check out the website for nat. parks in the UK. There's a place called Pembrokeshire along the coast of Wales. Haven't been there (yet... it's on my list), but it seems like a really cool place and has a long-distance trail (forget name) running thru it. The weather might be wet, but not hot or buggy. Add to that the fact that one can fly to London for about $200 r/t (Ecoast prices with advance planning) and you'll have some bucks for lotsa quids of ale at trailside taverns.”

“I would go to the 100 mile if I were you, and do Katahdin while you are there. I did that trip---Baxter SP to Monson--a couple of years ago and it was a blast. Plan for mid to late May and keep an eye on when Katahdin will open up for hikers, if you go N. to S. Don't worry about blackflies and mosquitoes. If you go early enough, when the nights are cool, they won't be much of a problem. If you wait until June they will. Bring a headnet and a lightweight tent for good sleeping.

Yeah, the country is rugged, but the N. part is mostly at lake level and 20 mile days are doable early on. Count on walking in water for miles at a time. Good whisky and gortex boots are de rigeur for this section. When you get to the mountains, be prepared for some grinds. I counted three switchbacks in 115 miles of trail, total. Stop at the Gulf of Hagas.”

“I did the 100 mile wilderness a few years back and loved it.

BSP isn't open in May, so you might have to leave out Katahdin.

I did the trail in late August, so I don't know for sure about black flies. I think that the 100 mile wilderness might be cold enough in May that you won't have much in the way of black flies yet... I think June might be more of a problem.”

“You can find a recent discussion of the 100 mile wilderness with some good info at:
(the thread is on page 3 right now, last post: 7-12-02 title: 100-mile wilderness)
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/ " target="_blank"> http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/

Let me know if there is any more info I can provide.”

“at Views from the Top, you need to select Northeast Q&A”