Flip Flop Anxiety

[Lefty Red]

My wife and I are starting a flip flop hike on May 15th. Circumstances picked the date. We will begin at Harpers Ferry NOBO and return there to finish SOBO. I'm curious about several things Will we get passed and left in the dust by every thru hiker we meet? We're both athletic with experience in endurance sports and back packing but nothing on this scale. What kind of mental adjustment is required after completing the first leg? It seems that heading into VA so abruptly after Maine will be strange. We will suddenly be without our NOBO friends and surrounded by mostly section hikers. I have a million questions but even any general advice about flip flopping like this is appreciated.

[JAK]

I think they make something called Viagra for this sort of thing.

[Praha4]

you should hit the best weather for both legs by starting mid May in Harpers Ferry. Don't worry about not keeping up with the NOBO thrus right away. That's a mental trap that is easy to fall into. HYOH. Enjoy it at what pace you can do comfortably. Don't make the mistake of trying to do too much the first couple weeks, it will bring on blisters and injuries.

As far as the SOBO leg, you'll probably return to Harpers Ferry SOBO around early August... so you will be in the midst of the SOBO thrus that started at Katahdin in June... you may even be ahead of most of the SOBOs... but you will be chasing Fall color changes and cooler weather as u hit the southern Appalachians... getting to the Smokies by mid September is great timing.

good luck!

[Lauriep]

What Praha4 said, except there's no rush to get back to Harpers Ferry. The mid-point of southbounder traffic through Harpers Ferry last year was September 23.

Laurie Potteiger
ATC

[Tinker]

The best thing is that you will be sharing shelters (if that's your aim) mostly with hikers who might have a tip or two for you, rather than worrying about some ill-prepared hiker's chances of surviving, never mind enjoying, his/her hike. I met a few of the latter when I hiked Georgia back in 2006, and I was glad to help with whatever tips I could offer, but I did worry about a couple of younger folks.

Another thing: The latrines at the shelters won't be full yet.

[Tinker]

For those who have done a flip -

Does it make sense to hike from HF to Me. and then start the second half at Springer?

[Slo-go'en]

For those who have done a flip -

Does it make sense to hike from HF to Me. and then start the second half at Springer?

I wouldn't. By the time your done with the first half, it will getting into the fall. Hiking south from HF might keep you ahead of the winterish weather instead of hiking into it.

For the OP, not many NOBOs make it to Harpers Ferry by mid May. Many of those who started early and could have been that far north have already dropped out. The late March/early April starters are just getting into Virginia or a little ways into it. That's why Trail Days in Damascus is in mid May.

[Tinker]

From Slo-go'en: "I wouldn't. By the time your done with the first half, it will getting into the fall. Hiking south from HF might keep you ahead of the winterish weather instead of hiking into it."

Either way, I suppose that one would not be able to stay ahead of the cold weather, but wouldn't getting the Smokies out of the way earlier in the fall be better than hiking into them later?

[bigcranky]

This is the hike I plan for someday.....

You get the best overall weather, and you get to "finish" twice, once at each terminus. Yes, at first the thru-hikers will blow past you on the trail. But that will last only a couple of weeks. No big deal.

[Slo-go'en]

From Slo-go'en: "I wouldn't. By the time your done with the first half, it will getting into the fall. Hiking south from HF might keep you ahead of the winterish weather instead of hiking into it."

Either way, I suppose that one would not be able to stay ahead of the cold weather, but wouldn't getting the Smokies out of the way earlier in the fall be better than hiking into them later?

I suppose that is a risk. The weather trend which seems to be emerging is for warmer and longer fall weather. As the jet stream starts to sag over the north east, the storms are directed first into the mid Atlantic area and then move farther south as full on winter starts to set in. It's also more likely for warm air to surge back over the southern Apps then it is a bit farther north. So, I think on average, you'd be better off heading south from HF then heading north from Springer. Finally, I think you'd see more fall colors going south.

[dink]

You will have a great time because the weather is the best for each area you will be in at the time...I did the same trip, alas couldn't finish way back then, but will the next time around after I retire...have a wonderful hike!!

[AggieAl]

There will be others starting out about the same time from Harper's Ferry. Just go at your own pace.
I will be starting NOBO on May 18th. Hope to see you on the trail.