View Full Version : Flip flop start date
Tprunty8
11-07-2014, 07:59
I'm planning a flip flop thru hike, Harpers Ferry to Katahdin/Harpers Ferry to Springer. Any recommendations on my earliest feasible start date? I'm trying to hit Maine after black fly/ mud season, and I want to finish before the southern end gets too far towards winter. Anybody have experience with this type of hike? Thanks to all
If you start May 1 and take 5.5 months to complete, at that pace you wouldn't get to Maine until July (typically after the worst of bug season in Maine) and you would get to Springer on October 15, typically before things get too cold in the southern mountains. There are never any certainties when it comes to weather and trail conditions, though.
I don't know how fast you like to hike so that 5.5 month estimate is just generic. Things you might not like about that hike: typically lots of mosquitoes in CT and MA in June; a fair amount of heat to deal with in August in Virginia.
same hike I am planning for 2017...I will be heading north from HF mid may, looking to take 6 months more or less because I am in no hurry!!
squeezebox
11-07-2014, 22:28
I'm planning to do the same. What wt sleeping bag will I need?
squeezebox
11-07-2014, 22:31
Coffee did this hike, check out his trail journal.
No, I didn't do a flip flop. I only hiked about 280 miles this spring but I did start nobo in mid April which could be good timing for a flip flop.
Tprunty8
11-08-2014, 09:38
Thanks, Dink. I'm looking at 2018 (retirement) and want to take it slow enough to enjoy it. Doing a traditional NOBO worries me with the October cutoff date at Katahdin.