To "Yo-Yo" or not to "Yo-Yo," that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind...

[LoufromFWB]

Ok, enough of the Shakespeare! ---I thought it would be an interesting thread to start and get other aspiring "lunatics, crazies, etc" (as they are often called) who are contemplating an A.T. "Yo-Yo" for 2014, and those who have opposing viewpoints, to explain the "whys" and "why-nots" of such a plan. Some questions may even be answered, such as:
Is there anything to be gained from such an accomplishment?---And I'm sure many more will be answered,especially if previous "Yo-Yo'ers" chime in.

"YO-YO" THRU-HIKE: A THRU-HIKE, WHETHER NOBO OR SOBO, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY TURNING AROUND AND COMPLETING THE THRU-HIKE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Let me be the first to input (yes, I'm one of those lunies contemplating this). I guess the first question is, "Why?"--Well, simply put, because I can. In other words I have the time (most likely; unless certain personal events occur). The second reason is that it just seems logical to me. Yeah sure it's easier to simply catch a ride home after a thru-hike, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that (indeed I may end up doing it), but as far as an adventure nothing is better than undertaking an expedition (which the thru-hike is) to a certain location, pursuing it for 4-6 months, then returning home the way it all began. Let me put it this way: compare it to Lewis and Clarke! And for those mountaineers out there: climbing Mt. Everest, then returning down to Base Camp and home; and NOT taking a helicopter ride from the top!--Now this does not take anything away from a successful thru-hike, be it NOBO or SOBO, or even doing it in sections (or even climbing Everest!)----afterall, we all have to hike what is possible for us. But indeed, if it is possible for us, why not? As far as getting anything from it, well 'there's the rub' isn't it? Some would say nothing, others would see a true adventure of over 4,000 miles!
Again, this is just to get some views on the matter, positive or negative. Contemplating it is far from doing it, so keep that in mind when commenting. Thanks to all for any input.​

[max patch]

More power to ya if thats what ya wanna do.

I was considering having my bike shipped to me and pedaling home to GA, but when I finished my thru I was tired, missed my family, and was ready to be home. So I kept the bike at home and hopped on Amtrac.

[jeffmeh]

HYOH, right? For me, I would rather spend the time and money hiking somewhere different, than spend it on the return trip.

[ChinMusic]

Get to ME and then make up your mind.

[Odd Man Out]

The answer to the questions "Why?" is quite obvious. It's because you left your car at Springer Mtn.

I'll admit that I have thought about it, but will also admit that I almost certainly will never have neither the opportunity nor inclination to do so. BUT, if I did, I would think that I would do something to make the second half distinct. Maybe hiking with as few resupply stops as possible, or sleeping every night in your tent, or eating only food from hiker boxes, or walking backwards, or counting white blazes, or something else.

[CrumbSnatcher]

i have plans to do a yo-yo someday. i think it would be a great trip & 2 totally different hikes even though its the same trail. its not the yo-yo i want to hike that some would call me crazy, its the fact that i would much prefer GA-ME-GA instead of starting at BIG-K and finishing at BIG-K
HYOH and have fun!

[max patch]

I would not want to do an AT yo-yo via hiking because of the unfavorable weather l would have on the return trip.

[Malto]

Get to ME and then make up your mind.

That was my thought exactly!

[hikerboy57]

That was my thought exactly!

finish the first 2184 before you plan on hiking 4368 miles.you'll have plenty of time to figure it out.

[aficion]

You will know when you get wherever you get to whether or not you are still enjoying it enough to keep walking a little or a lot. Most likely a great big Not. Fun to contemplate. Fun to do for very few. You won't know til you get up and go.

[ChinMusic]

finish the first 2184 before you plan on hiking 4368 miles.you'll have plenty of time to figure it out.

I got 5 miles into my YoYo before changing my mind and heading home.

[Mags]

Continue further north on the Intl Appalachian Trail if you have the time and the inclination.

[hikerboy57]

I got 5 miles into my YoYo before changing my mind and heading home.

you mean back to ksc?
hows the legs/feet doing, chin?

[max patch]

Continue further north on the Intl Appalachian Trail if you have the time and the inclination.

As a practical matter, don't you have to prepay and reserve campsites on the IAT? Been a while since I looked.

[Slo-go'en]

Continue further north on the Intl Appalachian Trail if you have the time and the inclination.

Talk about a logistical nightmare - your mostly on logging roads and a LONG way from any towns with resupply. Heading into Canada from Baxter would take some serious planning and more then a few food catches.

Lou doesn't say if he's done any long distance hiking before, so thinking about doing a yo-yo is a bit premature. The main issue is time, as it relates to weather, assuming one has the cash and the endurance to physically pull it off. You'd have to start pretty early at Springer and be a reasonably fast hiker to get to Kathadin with enough time to turn around and get far enough south so that snow isn't going to stop you. That's probably one of the major factors as to why only a handfull of people have done a yo-yo.

[Dogwood]

LOL. Wouldn't be surprised if the longest hike you ever did was taking the dog for a walk around the county park. I come to WB for the humor of it all. What's my BPL password again? It doesn't stop. Oy vey.

[max patch]

First things first; you need to be part of 1 in 5 who make it the first 2K miles before you can think about the next 2K miles.

[Rasty]

Every serious hiker knows the triple lindsey is the only acceptable non traditional thru hike

[Dogwood]

Don't knock the Triple Lindsey. It broke the diving team's losing streak.

[Rasty]

Don't knock the Triple Lindsey. It broke the diving team's losing streak.

It's amazing when done correctly