2021 Southbound AT Hiker Survey
Data was collected from 93 respondents in an attempt to better understand southbound “sobo” hiker trends. This equates to roughly 26% of sobos that started in 2021, providing a decent sample to pull population statistics from. This survey will evolve over the next few years as we try to improve information available to future sobo hikers. One respondent’s submission had to be removed from the sample due to conflicting errors in their responses. Thanks to each and every hiker that participated in this year’s survey.
You can click on the charts to see more information.
How did you get to Katahdin?
There are several different options for getting to the northern terminus of the trail. When family and friends can’t make the drive up, the AT Lodge has been the go to option for an economical and efficient start to a southbound hike.
Baxter Reservation
Obtaining a Baxter State Park reservation is one of the most important aspects of starting a southbound hike. 17.4% of respondents had to partner up with someone else, who had a reservation, in order to get into Baxter and be able to summit Katahdin.
How did you obtain a reservation?
Campsite reservations become available four months in advance, on a rolling basis. 73.9% of respondents planned ahead and secured a reservation, 17.4% had to partner up with someone else who had a reservation, and 8.7% winged it close to their start date and were able to secure a reservation. If you are unable to obtain your own, sharing with another hiker is a good option. Other options exist. However, securing a campsite in advance is the best option for a sobo.
How did you gain entry to Baxter?
While it is possible to use other Baxter campgrounds or a day-use-parking reservation to climb Katahdin, the most common method is with a Katahdin Stream Campground reservation. To gain entry, 50.0% of respondents used a single night camping reservation and 37.0% used a 2+ night campsite reservation. A two night reservation gives hikers a back up day if the weather is less than desirable.
Start Dates
53.8% of respondents began their hike in the first three weeks of June. After this, numbers continued to trail off through the end of July. We consider June and July to be sobo season. This is the ideal time to start in order to allow for a maximum window of opportunity. Anyone wishing to begin a hike in August or September should be physically prepared for not only higher mileage days to “out-hike” incoming winter but also a far less social hiking experience.
How long did it take you to summit and descend Katahdin?
56.5% of respondents took between eight and twelve hours to complete their summit. This is considered the average return trip time for Katahdin. This year 27.2% of respondents were able to complete the trip in less than eight hours.
Did you attempt to summit and hike the extra 9.9 miles out of Baxter to Abol Bridge in the same day?
96.7% of respondents chose to not attempt hiking the extra miles after their summit and 82.0% of those respondents were glad they didn’t. This is a roughly twenty mile day and is not advised for sobos, unless they are an experienced long distance backpacker. Sobos are required to have a reservation in order to gain entry and climb Katahdin, even if they plan to exit the park in the same day. For this reason, we suggest hikers obtain a campsite reservation for the day of their summit and enjoy an easier hike out of Baxter the following day.
Did Katahdin meet your expectations?
37.0% of respondents stated that Katahdin met their expectations, while a combined 42.4% found it to be more difficult than they anticipated. Another 20.6% found it to be easier than expected. Katahdin is considered one of the toughest climbs on the entire trail and for some sobos it is the toughest day of their 2193 mile journey.
Looking back, did you feel you were prepared to climb Katahdin?
80.4% of respondents felt they were prepared to take on Katahdin while 19.6% did not.
How long did it take you to hike the first 115 miles of the AT from Katahdin to Monson?
67.4% of respondents took between eight and eleven days, with eleven being the most common.
How long would you recommend new sobos plan to take for the first 115 miles from Katahdin to Monson?
38.0% of respondents recommend taking ten days to hike this section while 22.8% say eleven. Nine and twelve days were tied at 15.2%. Eight days received the least recommendations at 8.7%. A large portion of respondents who took eight days or less to hike this section made a recommendation of nine or ten days for new sobos.
Did the 100 Mile Wilderness meet your expectations?
34.8% of respondents stated that the 100 Mile Wilderness met their expectations, while a combined 39.1% found it to be more difficult than they anticipated. Another 26.1% found it to be easier than expected.
Looking back, did you feel you were prepared for the 100 Mile Wilderness?
80.4% of respondents felt they were prepared to take on the Wilderness while 19.6% did not.
Did you utilize a food drop service?
70.7% of respondents utilized a 100 Mile Wilderness food drop service and were glad they did. In addition, another 9.8% wish they had utilized a food drop, 5.4% wish they hadn’t, and 10.9% did not feel the need for one.
Which guide or guides did you find most useful?
89.1% of respondents selected the Farout “Guthook” app while 40.2% selected the AT Guide. Only 5.4% selected paper maps. Respondents were able to select multiple guides or input their own. Many respondents selected both Farout and AT Guide.
What was your total pack weight at the start?
52.7% of respondents had a starting pack weight between 25 and 35 pounds. This is considered average for first time thru-hikers.
One factor to consider is that respondents who did not utilize a food drop would have had more food weight in their packs than respondents who did. Most of these respondents reported a total pack weight of 35 pounds or more.
What backpacking experience did you have before starting your hike?
23.4% of respondents had some form of prior thru-hiking experience, ranging from shorter trails less than 400 miles to multiple thru-hikes. The most common responses were “a few overnights or weekend hikes” at 23.9% and “2 - 7 day section hikes” at 20.7%. Due to the remoteness, terrain difficulty, and lack of easy access to resources a southbound hike should be prepared for with on trail experience prior to starting.
If you got off trail in the first 115 miles what was the reason?
Of the ten respondents who left the trail within the first 115 miles, Katahdin to Monson, 70.0% were due to injury. This also indicates that 10.9% of the 92 respondents left the trail in the first 115 miles.
Nineteen respondents stated they suffered an injury on trail. The most common injuries reported involved overuse and ankle issues due to improper footwear, slipping on roots & rocks, and pushing too many miles early on.