Hi there,
I will respond as someone who hiked it recently ('07) in June-July with my wife. We were out for 20 days total, starting near Andover, ME and finishing at Katahdin. We spent 7 days in the HMW. It was a wonderful, although challenging(!), trip and I recommend it highly. I had previously (1974) hiked north from Shenandoah to Andover. Here are some impressions and suggestions for you:

1. Bugs were not bad, although we took the trouble to soak all our gear in permetherin prior to the trip (recommended). We noticed that other hikers were engulfed in clouds of mosquitos, while we were mostly unbothered. Generally we hiked in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. As long as you keep moving you don't get bit much. It was no worse than what I've experienced in the Midwest or Pacific Northwest during the same months (and not as bad as Alaska <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />). Don't hesitate to do the trip because of bugs.

2. It is tough. Pretty steep learning curve for beginners. Good hiking, but not easy. We (fit, experienced hikers w/ 25-30 lb packs including 9 days food) averaged about 1 mph. We had plenty of falls and slips on rocks and roots. Everyday there are brutal climbs and descents. I recommend that you get fit and know your equipment before you go hike there. Even then, plan maybe 12-15 miles/day, which might well be a 10 to 12-hour day.

3. There are a lot of hikers in the HMW. We saw maybe 30/day, versus less than 10 in SW Maine. Leat-tos were crowded (we always camped). And, the closer you get to Katahdin, the sorrier the Southbounders look; huge packs, out of shape, moving slow, and complaining. A LOT of them bail out at White House Landing or at Monson, basically as soon as they can once they found out it wasn't what they expected. Many of these people intended to hike the Whole AT; <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> although the harsh reality of the HMW filters out 9 out of 10 (real statistics from Monson). I'm just reporting what I saw. No value judgement against these folks. More power to them for trying. Really, a lot of people were having horrible days, getting huge blisters and putting duct tape on them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> We carried a foot care kit with lubes, tapes, etc that we used quite often, and I would recommend against using duct tape. Read the book FIXING YOUR FEET before you go.

4. There were a few huge (20-30) groups of young (teens-20's) folks that were real loud all day long, and dominated the lean-tos and campgrounds. Heaven help you if your schedule matches theirs. You will never have a quiet moment or a decent campsite. One of these groups was a lot (30) of French speaking girls from Quebec. Imagine constant high-pitched French screaming for days on end!! Not what you want to hear in the middle of the "wilderness".

5. Don't expect to re-fuel much at White House Landing (WHL), unless you like expensive candy. The boss there seems to think that all we hikers eat is junk food. Maybe most do. I asked for nuts and dried fruit and he told me I was the first one ever to ask him for that, as if it were a stupid question <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

6. We carried food for 9 days; mainly home dried fruit, gorp, pasta, soup mixes, jerky, etc. No problem, really, just plan out every single meal and make them adequate but as light as possible. The all-you-can-eat breakfast at WHL was worthwhile and saved carrying a meal or two, although his dinners were not very good for the (high) prices. Again, just fatty (burgers, pizza) and suggary foods (ben and jerrys, brownies) which certainly was attractive in a sinful sort of way, but is poor fuel for endurance sports IMHO. You can carry all the food you need and have a pretty light pack if you get lightweight gear and use your head about packing.

7. You will see some northbounder thru-hikers with their heads down, pounding out big miles just to finish the AT as soon as possible. With few exceptions, they are just sick of it and want it to end. Section hikers make better company, again, IMHO. You will meet some real cool folks.

8. We always camped (in a Shires tarptent). Worked fine. Usually camped near lean-tos, but stealth camped a few times in the HMW to get away from noisy large groups. I think its important to have the option to camp; you need a light, bug-proof tent.

9. Personally, I would consider doing other parts of the AT. The HMW has a mystical attraction, although actually it is neither 100 miles long, nor wilderness (a good road goes into Gulf Haggus). There are some great 4000 ft mtns in SW Maine, a lot fewer people hiking, and better logistics for access and resupplying.

10. Katahdin is divine. You might just want to spend you time in BSP.

--"Coffee" and "S'mores"