View Full Version : 2017 Flip Floppers Starting in HF NOBO.
dcdennis
10-19-2016, 08:37
Looking to do a week or two in 2017 starting in HF NOBO April 1. Was hoping to coordinate with flip flopping thru Hikers. Sign in!
Slo-go'en
10-19-2016, 12:40
The official kickoff is the 2nd weekend in April, so you'll be a couple of weeks early. Chances are good there will be a few others out there though. Also, there can be quite a bit of difference between the weather the first week of April and just a few weeks later.
FiftyNine
10-21-2016, 16:04
I'm planning on leaving on my Flip Flop on April 16th.
Just learned that Flip-flop festival is scheduled for weekend of April 22-23rd, Earth Day weekend... I'm not sure I want to wait for that; I was already pushing back my date from early- to mid-April...
dcdennis
10-25-2016, 16:39
Im starting a 9 day section on Friday the last day of march NOBO out of HF.
Just learned that Flip-flop festival is scheduled for weekend of April 22-23rd, Earth Day weekend... I'm not sure I want to wait for that; I was already pushing back my date from early- to mid-April...
Don't start too early in April or you will arrive in New England during peak black fly season.
The blackflies this year where pretty tame. Don't know if it was a result of a mild winter or what, but we are due for serious bug season sooner or later.
DizzyMcG
10-26-2016, 08:01
I was planning a flip flop from HF starting the first week of May. I am hoping that I won't need to bring much cold weather gear with me.
FiftyNine
10-28-2016, 08:01
I think I'm going to stick with the 16th as my start date. I believe it's Easter Sunday which might make it easier for my family to come with me to see me off.
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Starting a through hike from HF NOBO on April 5 2017 with my brother. Then returning to HF in July to go SOBO to Springer Mtn......hoping for warmer weather using this flip flop
WiredMonk
11-02-2016, 20:47
3rd Annual Flip Flop Festival (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/promo/75th-anniversary/upcoming-celebrations/2017/04/22/default-calendar/flip-flop-festival)
I plan on leaving the weekend of the festival which looks like it's going to be April 22-23, 2017.
UofDoboe
11-02-2016, 21:09
I flip flopped this year. Another consideration: I started NOBO from HF May 8, summitted Katahdin on Aug 1, started SOBO from HF Aug 8. I was fortunate to link up with 2 other flip floppers up north. We all started SOBO together and stuck with each other the whole south. When we started south on Aug 8, there were only 4 or 5 super-fast SOBOs ahead of us (never met them) and 1 other flip flopper. The trail was completely abandoned, which was eerie after the north. A handful of fast SOBOs caught up & passed us, but for the most part we were alone for 2.5 months.
We were always well ahead of the bubble on the north leg, but there was always a constant low level population of thru hikers along with you. We all flip-flopped to avoid crowds, but we were surprised at how much we missed the people in the south and found it somewhat lonely. It would have been really bad without each other. Just keep that in mind - unless you take a very long break between halves, you will be doing the south way ahead of the small SOBO pack and you may enjoy that less than you think.
FiftyNine
11-03-2016, 10:49
Your post really gave me something to think about. I am doing a solo flip-flop starting April 16 out of HF. When did you finish your hike at Springer? Maybe I should consider starting the 2nd half at Springer mid August but transportation and weather then becomes a huge factor. This may be a consideration once I reach that point in the middle of the hike.
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UofDoboe
11-05-2016, 15:12
My south half (Harpers Ferry to Springer) went from Aug 8 to Oct 25. We slowed down & smelled the roses somewhat. The "pure" NOBOs we hiked with up north assured us that after being tempered by The Whites and S Maine, we'd fly thru the south. The south was easier, but not to the extent we'd been lead to believe. The heat & humidity had a lot to do with that.
I believe the ATC's "template" head-start hike (flip-flipping around Harpers) does have you taking nearly a month off between Katahdin and starting SOBO, intending you to start south around Labor Day. That makes for a 6.5-7mo total hike time which was unacceptable for me.
goldielocks
11-08-2016, 20:00
Just learned that Flip-flop festival is scheduled for weekend of April 22-23rd, Earth Day weekend... I'm not sure I want to wait for that; I was already pushing back my date from early- to mid-April...
Where did you hear this? Do you know where we can find information on the Flip Flop Festival 2017
WiredMonk
11-08-2016, 22:26
Where did you hear this? Do you know where we can find information on the Flip Flop Festival 2017
The link is in the original, but I will add it here also CLICK ME! (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/promo/75th-anniversary/upcoming-celebrations/2017/04/22/default-calendar/flip-flop-festival):)
WiredMonk
11-08-2016, 22:46
I just noticed you weren't quoting my original post. I would delete the previous comment if I could, because I didn't read it entirely and thought you were referring to my post. My apologies for the haste on my part. The link will still get you the information you desire :)
Where did you hear this? Do you know where we can find information on the Flip Flop Festival 2017
I asked the folks at the ATC. The news came from their response...
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I'm planning on leaving from HF NOBO as soon as the festival concludes.
Looks like I'm going to be starting later than I planned: updating to Wednesday, April 26th.
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GolfHiker
01-12-2017, 22:35
I plan to attend the Festival, heading Nobo from HF on Sunday 4/23!
Tai Chi Guy
01-16-2017, 17:57
I plan to attend the festival, then head north... maybe on the Monday (2th), but I'm flexible.
BooBooRunner
01-21-2017, 21:41
I'm planning to go to the Festival and start on the 22nd or 23rd of April. However, my nephew and his wife in Alexandria, VA are expecting a baby just around that time, so may be delayed in starting.
Starting NOBO from HF May 6th(ish). So stoked!! Can't wait to see y'all out there
I'm leaving from HF May 13th, I'm nervous that I'm going to miss the Flip Flop crowd and end up feeling really lonely. Part of the experience for me is meeting people.
Hey Meghanc,
Here are the numbers of hikers photographed at ATC last year on May 13:
8 nobos
3 flip-floppers headed north starting in Harpers Ferry
1 flip-flopper who had started in Georgia and had flipped up to Harpers Ferry from Franklin, NC to continue hiking northbound.
3 section-hikers
And that's only the people who were long-distance hikers who stopped in at ATC. There are of course hikers out for shorter distances, too.
In time, more nobos will catch up with you--although it's not wise to try to keep up with them unless--or till that time-- it comes naturally. I can't guarantee there won't be times that you won't feel connected to the few thru-hikers around you, or that you won't find yourself between bubbles.
You have to be a strong and resilient person to be a successful flip-flopper. You are doing something different. Anytime people are part of a new movement there are people who will not understand. Some people will applaud and admire your choice, but some people won't get it. Some flip-floppers say that nobos were friendly and helpful when they started out and shared a lot of great tips that helped them learn quickly. Others say that nobos didn't accept flip-floppers as part of their tribe. You just have to be ready to hike your own hike and be proud of who you are and what you've decided to do.
twistwrist
01-29-2017, 10:08
If you're flip-flopping away, this resource might come in handy. This blog was written by a 2015 flip-flop thru-hiker and is loaded with tips and info.
https://appalachiantrailclarity.com/at-for-newbies/ (https://appalachiantrailclarity.com/at-for-newbies/)
abigail_s
03-01-2017, 13:46
Hi friends,
I am starting a late flip flop the first week of July from either Harper's or just north around the Delaware water gap area. Sounds like most everyone else in this thread will be long gone but I look forward to hearing about your experience as I get ready to start!
IslandPete
03-07-2017, 12:40
We're starting on or about the 1st of May, and may start in Shenandoah northbound. Like stated earlier, we're hoping this schedule translates into better weather, and smaller crowds.
Pete, Linda, and Scout...
FiftyNine
03-07-2017, 13:51
Hey Meghanc,
Here are the numbers of hikers photographed at ATC last year on May 13:
8 nobos
3 flip-floppers headed north starting in Harpers Ferry
1 flip-flopper who had started in Georgia and had flipped up to Harpers Ferry from Franklin, NC to continue hiking northbound.
3 section-hikers
And that's only the people who were long-distance hikers who stopped in at ATC. There are of course hikers out for shorter distances, too.
In time, more nobos will catch up with you--although it's not wise to try to keep up with them unless--or till that time-- it comes naturally. I can't guarantee there won't be times that you won't feel connected to the few thru-hikers around you, or that you won't find yourself between bubbles.
You have to be a strong and resilient person to be a successful flip-flopper. You are doing something different. Anytime people are part of a new movement there are people who will not understand. Some people will applaud and admire your choice, but some people won't get it. Some flip-floppers say that nobos were friendly and helpful when they started out and shared a lot of great tips that helped them learn quickly. Others say that nobos didn't accept flip-floppers as part of their tribe. You just have to be ready to hike your own hike and be proud of who you are and what you've decided to do.
I was at the ATC last May 13th after finishing a few days going into HF. No pic [emoji4]
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frontovik193
04-03-2017, 22:31
Is anybody doing Springer-Harpers nobo, then doing Katahdin - Harpers sobo?
Leaving in just a few weeks! I'm starting to get really excited and nervous!