Itinerary thoughts
I really don’t like being cold. So I don’t see myself starting at Springer in March, or maybe even early April. So here’s my latest idea. I could start around Trail Days. Flying into D.C. and the train to Harpers Ferry is an easy trip and probably cheapest to get on-trail from St. Louis. Could start hiking north from there, or could catch a ride to trail days from there, a bit more difficult as I’ll have no trail contacts yet. And after Trails days hike north from there, or back to Harpers Ferry from trail days. After Katahdin back to the start and head South. Puts me back from Harpers Ferry say early Aug. Damascus some time later. Portland ME to Harpers Ferry is way easier than to Damascus. Might be able to start with summer gear, not holding my breath with finishing with summer gear. But it would be less winter gear for sure. A lot more time in the green tunnel, not as many views. Won’t have a bubble of friends to hike with, I’ll be hiking way fewer miles every day for a while. Probably less trail magic. Bugs? I’ld be spending more time in 75* + temps and less in 40*- temps. I have read a couple of flip/flop trail journals, not much different than any others. Not sure you can add much to these thoughts of mine, but your opinion will be appreciated.