What is a Flip Flop?

Thru-hikers generally decide on a direction to hike a trail based on several factors. Often, work or school can play a factor, but on the PCT decisions are often made based on the environmental factors. If you start too soon you’ll be up against snowfall in the high mountains. Conversely, if you start too late you’ll be at the mercy of high temperatures and fewer water sources.

The PCT is a long trail and weather considerations are important

When you hike northbound you’re a NOBO, and when you hike southbound you’re a SOBO. However, some hikers will do a Flip Flop. This isn’t where you hike in a pair of Havaianas, but where you plan to hike a noncontinuous path. Often hikers start their trip somewhere in the middle. 

Havaiana Flip Flops

Why did we Flip Flop?

The PCTA recommends Flip Flop hikes to help reduce pressure on trail erosion and impact at campgrounds.

These hikes also tend to be a more solitary experience as you’re hiking around fewer people at any time. 

Just Sean and I with nobody around for miles

A Flip Flop was always in the back of our minds for our 2024 PCT thru-hike for two major reasons:

1 – we couldn’t start the trail too early as we were working in a school

2 – we had a trip to the UK planned for the end of August that we still needed to do

When looking at flights to visit my family, it became clear the most financially viable option was to fly return from Seattle, WA. This would put us in close proximity to the northern terminus with Oregon and Washington still to hike.

Sean and I with my parents after our trip to the UK

Experiences of Our Flip Flop So Far

Our route:

Southern Terminus, CA – Ashland, OR

Northern Terminus, WA – Ashland, OR

The California/Oregon state line, not far from Ashland, OR

Positive Experiences

We enjoyed the more social, first portion of our hike, making friends, and sharing experiences with other people.

One of many pictures with friends from the first half of hike at PCT Days

Touching the border after a two week break was a good reset to stay motivated. Taking too many days off can reduce your desire to return to trail as you adapt to the comforts of regular life. Sean really enjoyed his morning coffees and I enjoyed access to all the food I could want. 

Motivation to keep going after touching the northern terminus

Aside from a brief cold snap as we got on trail at Harts Pass, we have managed to so far stay ahead of the cooler weather that comes with a late season in Northern Washington. As we hiked South during a spell of low pressure and rain, we knew we made the right decision. Hiking up north in October would be a real challenge.

Hiking in our rain jackets became more common in Washington

It’s been a joy to encounter so many hikers at the conclusion of their journeys. Their excitement and reflection of their experiences reminded me to enjoy as much of our journey south as possible. The other benefit to meeting all the NOBOs was the trading of tips for upcoming sections of trail. We were able to communicate how we navigated round the Glacier Wilderness fire closure, and in return received tips for side trails and adventures to pursue. 

Side trip views at Panther Creek Falls

Finally, we reunited with so many friends from throughout our journeys that we would not have seen again if it weren’t for our Flip Flop. Whether a ten minute chat on trail, breakfast at a pass, or even a night shared in a hotel, it was wonderful to learn more about the experiences of our friends. 

After a night in Snoqualmie Pass with Mac

Saying goodbye to Banter in Leavenworth

White Pass breakfast catch up with Tetris, Meerkat, and Nala

On trail lunch with Raccoon and Dolphin

Negative Experiences

We spoke to many hikers as the bubble began to thin out who spend their days fairly alone. Conversely, we found ourselves camping alone most nights. For some this is part of the experience they desire. We generally enjoy the more social experience of camping with others, so it was a shame to find these opportunities diminish as we headed south. It did mean we got the pick of the spots at camp though!

Sean enjoys the view of Mt Rainier that we have to ourselves

For every few hikers that were full of joy and reflection, we’d come across a hiker (or trail family) of hikers who were clearly done with the trail in all ways except hiking. Trail etiquette appeared to be a less followed concept. In particular NOBOs often hiked as if they had the right of way at all times. The National Park Service states that ‘hikers coming uphill have the right of way’. I got to the point where I began to question if I had made this concept up.

Pointing out the correct trail etiquette to an immovable object (tired NOBOs)

Sean and I felt annoyed by certain hikers and their disregard, and I especially threw out some pointed comments at times. One night I arrived to a spacious campground and found Sean, furious with interactions from a NOBO trail family that were rude and dismissive to him. They had tried to make him hike on so they could have the area to themselves and he firmly held his ground. One member then had the cheek to ask me about the road walk we took to shave off miles to Snoqualmie Pass. 

Love a Bolete (thanks Huggs for the identification)

Finally, as we head into Oregon we are confronted with a late season fire closure. The Sisters Wilderness is now closed for 50 miles and alongside a second closure. We will miss over 100 miles of trail. This is sad as many NOBOs chose this section as a highlight of Oregon… Oh well!

Celebrating our arrival into Oregon at Cascade Locks

There’s no correct direction to do a hike, but following Leave No Trace principles and Trail Etiquette are sure signs for success. We’ve enjoyed a new experience by hiking a Flip Flop and I highly recommend it to others.

The splendor of Tunnel Falls on the Eagle Creek Trail as we hike south into Oregon