My daughter just asked me if she were to take off and start hiking the trail next week, would she be able to do a thru hike or flip flop hike. -- I told her it would be hard but if I had to start tomorrow I would do a flip flop and start around PenMar or Harpers Ferry and go South to follow the weather. The problem would be she would have to take time off and start the north bound part of the flip flop in April. On the up side she would see some beautiful fall colors . Any other suggestions?