What exactly is a ‘flip-flop,’ anyway?

My dad and I are starting a flip-flop thru-hike on May 1. (Yes, that’s only 47 days away!) I’ve gotten quite a few questions about what exactly a flip-flop is and why it’s appealing to me, so I’ve addressed the most common inquiries, below. My hope is to spread the word about a flip-flop and why it is a viable way to hike the Appalachian Trail (and no, it doesn’t mean you actually hike in flip flops, although if that’s your thing, go for it, I guess). Enjoy!

Logistically, how does a flip-flop thru-hike work?

Anne at ATC Sign

My dad and I will begin our flip-flop thru-hike at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Think of a flip-flop thru-hike as an alternative way to tackle the Appalachian Trail. Instead of starting at the southern terminus of Springer Mountain, Georgia (which is by far the most popular choice) or at the northern terminus of Katahdin, Maine, more and more hikers are choosing to begin somewhere in the middle. For me and my dad, who is thru-hiking with me, that means starting our journey at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia! Our plan is to leave Harpers Ferry on May 1, hike to Katahdin, return to Harpers Ferry by vehicle, and then hike to Springer for the finish (likely in late October).

The ATC has a great explanation of the more popular flip-flop thru-hike options here. There are so many ways to construct your flip-flop hike—you don’t have to leave from Harpers Ferry!

You’re not starting at Springer Mountain? Does this mean you are a real thru-hiker?

The ATC defines a thru-hiker as someone who completes the entire A.T. in 12 months or less. I personally love that definition because it’s short and simple! One of the beautiful things about hiking the A.T. is that you have the chance to make this journey your own, and to me, part of that opportunity means figuring out what works best on a personal level. Please do not feel like you HAVE to start at a certain part of the Trail just because that is what you’ve seen everyone else do. For me, a flip-flop thru-hike makes the most sense logistically—and, because I’m a former ATC volunteer and employee, I like the idea that a flip-flop thru-hike disperses the flow of hikers and helps preserve the natural environment of the A.T. (more about that below!)

But do you believe you will feel like a real thru-hiker?

Absolutely! Just like anyone else who hikes the A.T., I will get blisters; I will consume copious amounts of food; I will smell bad; and I will become concerned if I stop seeing white blazes, among other things. But more importantly, I will put one foot in front of the other until I (hopefully) see all 2,189 miles of the Trail.

What if you lose motivation after you finish the first half of the Trail?

That’s a valid concern. I’ll likely take a few days after I reach Maine to see my family and my boyfriend and our dogs. There is a chance I might come home and stay home. But from my perspective now, I don’t really anticipate that happening. I’ve made a commitment, and I am dedicated to the idea of thru-hiking. I want to believe my motivation to finish is as high as any other thru-hiker’s.

How many people have tried a flip-flop thru-hike and actually succeeded? It seems like a new thing.

It is! And I believe that is one reason why people might be a bit apprehensive to embrace a flip-flop hike. According to the ATC, 485 people registered a flip-flop thru-hike in 2016 (although there isn’t a way to know exactly how many of those people actually started). The cool thing about that number? A flip-flop thru-hiker has the opportunity to be part of a small group of hikers who have sought out a nontraditional way to pursue an A.T. experience. Think of it as a fun way to challenge the status quo!

Speaking of the ATC, what do they think about this, anyway?

The ATC is actively promoting flip-flop thru-hiking as a new, sustainable way to hike the Trail. Most of us have likely heard of the large crowds that begin the A.T. in Georgia—and those crowds not only mean more people, but more damage done to the Trail and its surrounding corridor, too. If you have the flexibility, a flip-flop thru-hike is a way to alleviate a bit of the pressure on the Trail’s southern end.

By the way, this doesn’t mean you’re “unsustainable” if you decide to pursue a more traditional northbound thru-hike. No matter where you start, you will make a big impact on the health of the A.T. if you Leave No Trace.

So what exactly are the pros of this way of thru-hiking?

There are a lot, actually! Besides the sustainability factor, a flip-flop thru-hike can reduce your exposure to extreme weather. Yes, you might run into a few cool mornings and evenings if you start in April, but you likely won’t experience any snow if you start in the middle of that month. You’ll also experience the mid-Atlantic before it gets TOO hot and humid, make it through New Hampshire’s White Mountains before peak tourist season, and miss the black fly season in Maine. Speaking of Maine, you can also rest assured you will summit Katahdin before the trails close due to snow, which can be big concern for some northbound hikers.

What are you NOT looking forward to?

Encountering the dreaded Pennsylvania rocks not all that long after leaving Harpers Ferry. There will be some pretty intense rock scrambles about 200 miles into the hike, and I’m nervous that I won’t quite have my Trail legs yet.

I’m also trying to be conscious of the fact that I could be a slow hiker, and that means the second part of my flip-flop could lend itself to winter weather. The Southern Appalachians can see snow or ice at the end of October, so I need to keep that in mind if I’m running behind my self-imposed schedule.

In addition, I would likely have some major anxiety about logistics if it weren’t for my family. My dad and I are lucky because my mom has agreed to pick us up and shuttle us all the way back to the mid-Atlantic after we finish the first leg in Maine (thanks, mom!) Not everyone has someone in their life who can do that for them, though. Make sure you have a plan in place for getting back to your original start location so you can complete your hike.

Does a flip-flop hike mean you won’t get the social experience that some people love about the A.T.?

It does mean I won’t be in the “bubble,” so to speak, but I’m fine with that. I’m expecting to encounter early northbound hikers as I leave Harpers Ferry and make my way to Maine, and then finishing the second half of my journey with those who have hiked the Trail southbound from Katahdin. It will be great to hear about the different perspectives that come from hiking the Trail north versus south!

Aren’t you sad you won’t have that epic finish at Katahdin?

I get it—there’s something amazing about finishing a northbound thru-hike at Maine’s highest peak. To be 100 percent honest, when I began dreaming of my thru-hike, I definitely pictured myself ending at Katahdin, standing behind that iconic sign. But now, I love the idea of a flip-flop and have fully embraced that this is the best way for me to hike the A.T. My journey is about more than the end point, and I will still summit Katahdin—just not in the order as most.

Curious about flip-flopping and want to learn more? Come to the third annual Flip Flop Festival in Harpers Ferry, WV during Earth Day weekend, April 22 to 23, 2017. There will be workshops, games, entertainment, vendors and more!

 

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Comments 22

  • Ruby Throat : Mar 14th

    I’ve totally embraced a flip-flop hike, too, Anne (starting April 26 at Grayson Highlands State Park). I’m a little worried that I’ll feel “done” after summitting Katahdin. But I’m counting on the beauty of the southern Appalachians in the fall pulling me through. And I’m hoping there will be a few of us left heading south to Springer to share it with. Hope to see you out there! RubyThroat

    Reply
    • Ruby Lane : Apr 16th

      I am just now learning about the flip-flop and am very interested in tackling the trail this way.

      Reply
  • dwcoyote : Mar 14th

    Still a few years out from being able to thru-hike the AT. In the last couple of months I have decided a flip-flop is the way for ME to do it. It may not be for everyone but it is going to be the best option for me and I have come to terms with any doubts I had about doing it this way. Great post. Good luck on your hike.

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Thank you so much for reading! I’m so happy to hear you’ve decided to do a flip-flop in the coming years. Best of luck to you! Happy hiking.

      Reply
  • Gary : Mar 14th

    I also am Flip/flopping this year. Starting April 15th @ Harpers Ferry. Look forward to meeting lots of good people and seeing a whole lot of our incredible country!

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Your start date is coming up SOON! Best of luck to you, Gary! Thanks for reading.

      Reply
  • Jay : Mar 14th

    Pam and I are set to start our flip flop from Bear Mtn State Park on April 30th. We chose to do the “Modified Cool Breeze”, due to the cool marketing effect of the name. Being from the Seattle area, 60 degree weather means it’s time for shorts and a tee-shirt. Our logistics includes a mix of friends driving us to the trail head and some trains and buses. Our logistics I laid out here, so I’d have something down to work from: http://seemedgoodatthetime.blogspot.com/2017/02/logistics-for-modified-cool-breeze-hike.html . Hope to see you all on the trail!

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      What great planning! You have put a lot of thought into this. Best of luck to you and Pam. Thanks for reading, and happy hiking! Hope to see you all out there!

      Reply
  • Tory White : Mar 14th

    I’ll see you out there Anne, starting at HF April 23! 🙂

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Yay Tory! I’ll be at the Flip Flop Festival, so I might run into you. Best of luck as you finish up your hike prep! Happy hiking.

      Reply
  • Barry Hudson : Mar 15th

    Great post! I’m starting my flip flop thru hike at Harper’s Ferry as well. NOBO 4/23 right after the festival. To me, this is the most efficient and effective way to thru hike the AT. May sunshine flood your path.
    Discount

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Thanks for reading, Barry! I’ll be at the festival, so I might run into you! Best of luck to you. What an incredible adventure. 🙂

      Reply
  • Christine (Nemophilist) : Mar 15th

    Yay for the awesome flip floppers! As I read of the struggles the traditional NOBO’s are experiencing with the winter weather, I’m so glad to have chosen a non-traditional hike. See you out there! Happy Hiking!

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Thanks for reading, Christine! Best of luck to you! 🙂

      Reply
  • Tom: May 15th : Mar 17th

    Great and timely article. I start my Flip-Fop on May 15 from Front Royal-so I’ll probably be behind you. Hopefully we can run into each other. Best of luck to you and remember–” One woman with courage is a majority”.. Tom–“The Lone Ranger”

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Thanks for reading, Tom “The Lone Ranger”! Best of luck as you finish up your hike prep. I’m a slow hiker, so we might run into each other out there! Happy hiking!

      Reply
  • Kool Aid/ Kim Starr : Mar 17th

    Hey, I’ll see you also at HF!! I’m starting May1st, also! Have fun! I walked half the trail last year and I’ll do the other half this year!! I enjoyed it so much, I took my time and over 1,800 pictures! See you on the trail.Kool-Aid

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Hey Kool-Aid! Thanks for reading! I’m excited we are starting on the same day. Best of luck as you finish up your preparations. See you SOON!

      Reply
  • Shakespeare : Mar 22nd

    Flip-flopping is definitely a viable alternative to the traditional end to end hike. If you are concerned about running into snow during the latter half of your hike you may want to consider beginning the second half at Springer Mtn. and finish where you began your hike…Harper’s Ferry. With lower elevations in the northern part of Virginia I’d think you’d encounter fairer weather toward the end of your hike.

    Reply
    • Anne Baker : Apr 10th

      Thanks, Shakespeare! That’s something my dad would really like for us to do. I just really like the idea of going Southbound during the second half! I’ll be flexible, though, and we’ll see what happens. Thanks for reading, and happy hiking!

      Reply
  • Myra : Feb 20th

    I’m so sorry your gall bladder ended your hike. I’ve never seen anyone suggest it, but I was thinking of starting in Georgia and flipping in MD and going to Katadin and ending in Maryland. I live in Maryland. It seems if I flipped around July it would be about right. Any thoughts? I’m a year or two away from the ability to do this. I’m glad you got to spend that time with your father. Memories to cherish a lifetime!

    Reply
  • Larry Rush : May 27th

    For years I have dreamt of hiking the AT with my dog
    Decided next year 2020 is the year to due it
    I am going to leave my job as a physician (retire early)
    Thinking flip flopping is the way to go
    I would love to have a companion with a dog accompany us

    Can email me at [email protected]

    Reply

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