Flip Flop Class of 2015 Unite!

[squeezebox]

Dwill1000 ; I'm overweight, out of shape, but determined!, I'm hoping for the same kind of mileage, you won't be last. And If someone sits out for a few days with Noro, or a bad ankle etc. you'll catch up to them. Oh yea I'll be 62 two weeks into the trail. Sounds like most of this group is older wanting to get away from the crazy 20 somethings.

[kushtakaa]

I'm right there with you squeezebox (well...you have 10 or so years on me :-)), but the out of shape and going to go slow (especially for the first number of weeks)...yeah!

[T-Rx]

Dwill1000,
we too are starting out of HF on May 3 and are members of the 55+ group. It is shaping up to be largely a group of older 'seasoned' hikers. I think many people will use your strategy of start low and build up your miles. We plan to start with 8-12/ day and build from there. We will take what the trail will allow. I think you will have a lot of company at that pace. Come join the flip flop crew. See you in HF!

[Dwill1000]

OK - thanks for the replies to my post. It is wonderful and encouraging that we seem to be shaping up as (at least some of us) in the 50+ age group. I will plan to be in HF on May first, then.

On a more philosophical note, I've come across so many hikers - mostly young but in all age groups - who seem to be motivated entirely by making as many miles as they can as fast as they can; like this is some sort of competition (I've also seen MANY of these hikers forced to leave the trail early due to injury and burnout!). For my part, I have an entirely different motivation. While I 'get' the necessity to make miles on a long-distance hike, the fact is that I really want to enjoy the experience of hiking; of the wilderness; of my fellow hikers. I've learned that I have to listen to what my body is telling me and adjust my pace and distances accordingly. It really makes no difference to me whether thru-hiking the AT takes 5, or 6, or 7 months.

[squeezebox]

Seems like we are developing quite a little bubble. I'm looking forward to hiking with all of you, and spooning in the crowded shelters.

[Lauriep]

I've attached a brochure produced by ATC that lists a lot of Harpers Ferry area services in one place. It's not absolutely current in every detail (so please confirm prices, etc.), but hopefully will be helpful.

[Lauriep]

I'm posting a graph (below) of the thru-hikers who have registered through the official A.T. Voluntary Thru-Hike Registration system on ATC's site, as of February 14.

Most of you are already aware of the voluntary registration, that is in a pilot phase this year. One or two of you even helped ATC during the development and testing phase of the website. Some of you have registered - thank you! The main purpose of the voluntary registration process is to spread out thru-hikers, mostly by evening out the flow at Springer, but also by encouraging alternative start locations. The registration also allows us to collect data on starters, and potentially communicate with hikers before, during, and after their hikes, whether they complete the thru-hikes or not. We are still tweaking the system, and learning a lot to get ready for next year, when we expect a whole lot more hikers.

If you haven't registered yet, there's no rush, although we hope you will register before your hikes (at least 2-3 weeks in advance so we can send a special commemorative 2015 thru-hiker hang-tag). We're not really concerned that there will be too many of you starting during the flip-flop weekend (although we know there are a lot more people starting in Harpers Ferry than the attached chart shows). Even if we had, say, more than 25 leaving on May 3 (which doesn't seem likely), there are several locations where hikers could end up: Ed Garvey Shelter of course would be the most popular. It has space for 14 in the shelter and there are 6 designated tent sites. Some could go on to the Crampton Gap Shelter. A few of the stronger, more experienced hikers will even go on to the Rocky Run Shelters. Some might camp off-trail by staying at the Maple Tree Campground (mile 10), or get slack packed back to Harpers Ferry.

One thing that may be throwing the dates off slightly is that the registration form asks for "arrival date." Some have interpreted that to mean when they are arriving in the area, so they may actually be hitting the Trail a day or two later.

By the way, if you've emailed me to tell me of your plans, that is not the same as registering through the official site. I am keeping my own records, which allows me to have keep a little more detail on individual hikers, and perhaps capture some who are not inclined to register. I have gotten behind in my email, so if you've written me and I haven't responded, don't hesitate to check in with me.

Here is a dates and locations of hikers who have registered an alternative start location other than Harpers Ferry:

3/1/15 Port Clinton, PA sobo
3/23/15 Bear Mtn. Bridge, sobo
4/4/15 Daleville, VA nobo
4/11/15 Hot Springs, NC nobo
4/14/15 Atkins, VA nobo
4/29/15 Pearisburg, VA, nobo
5/1/15 Waynesboro, VA nobo
5/1/15 Fontana, NC nobo
5/15/15 Damascus, VA
7/1/15 Connecticut nobo
10/31/15 DWG, PA



Again, thanks to all of you pioneers who are helping to preserve the A.T. by choosing an alternate start date!

[dangerdave]

Thank you for the encouragement, Laurie. Having the support of the ATC is immeasurable---I would think---to our enthusiasm.

For myself, as each day goes by, I feel more convinced that this choice borders on destiny. It just feels right. In my mind, it has become an inevitability. This is exceedingly strange for me, as I'm not a fan of "fate". If it all rolls out like pre-destined clockwork, I may have to change my point of view. As grounded and earthy as I am, I still foresee a series of revelations to come. I can't wait to face them!

[BrandtCantWatch]

Hi all, i'm a 26 year old dude who is quitting his job and trying to flip flop with you guys. Ill be in harpers somewhere between 30th-may 3rd. I hope to see you guys. Ill be the chubby one with glasses and the red backpack. Say hi. And id love to chat with you about the trip and the travel back to hf

[Humminbard]

Hey Everybody! I've been watching the 2015 FlipFlop tribe steadily expand, and am hoping to become a part of it if only for a section at a time. I'll have to jump on and off throughout the season, but want to collect lots of AT miles in the company of other hiking/backpacking enthusiasts. Probably will try to connect with some of y'all at the May 2nd-3rd Harper's Ferry Kick Off. Between now and then, I plan to hike often on the AT south of HF in Virginia and would love to have hiking buddies to join me in picking up some SNP miles in March and April. My home is closest to Rockfish Gap and Swift Run Gap, but I'd be happy to drive a little farther north or south. Do any of you want to start working on your trail legs now?

[jimmyjam]

Hey Humminbard, welcome to the FlipFloppers. I hike in the SNP area fairly often. I've done all of the park south of Elkwallow, some of it multiple times. I'd probably be up for a section in the SNP or south of there like Maupin Field Shelter/ the Priest area once it warms up a little.

[Treehugger]

Hi all, i'm a 26 year old dude who is quitting his job and trying to flip flop with you guys. Ill be in harpers somewhere between 30th-may 3rd. I hope to see you guys. Ill be the chubby one with glasses and the red backpack. Say hi. And id love to chat with you about the trip and the travel back to hf

Looking forward to meeting you BCW!

[Humminbard]

jimmyjam, thanks for the welcome! I hike in SNP a lot too, often with other C-ville PATC members, and like you I've done most of it, but not for 2015. I did Three Ridges from 56 to Reed's Gap earlier this month and was grateful for my micro-spikes. Also hiked Rockfish to Jarman's. It's tricky to find 10-12 milers when the Drive and Parkway are closed! I'll be ready to get back on the trails starting next weekend (out of town until then). Hoping snow and single-digit temps will be gone soon. The Priest is probably an ice chute right now. Let me know when it's warm enough for you to head out and we can pick a day-hike!

[squeezebox]

You know we could almost do a collective trail journal. Maybe someone in our bubble writes well enough to turn our journals into a book. Laurie keeps saying we are breaking fresh ground. But heck I'm just walking, just starting somewhere else. It is interesting we a forming a 55+ bubble rather than the 20 something stuff from springer.

[lsteveo]

based on the research i've done, there is a bus/train via amtrak from bangor, me to harpers ferry, wv. my plan is to take the train from newark, nj to harpers ferry and head north.

[squeezebox]

Check out Megabus from Portland to DC, dirt cheap. Getting back to Harpers Ferry should not to be too difficult.

[lsteveo]

any space left for Sat night? your PM box is full.

[Carbo]

... the 20 something stuff from springer.

Made me laugh!! Just kids having fun, like us.

[BrandtCantWatch]

I am excited to hang out with you "oldies" . anyone else trying to stay away from town as much as possible?

[brancher]

Wow. Now this is very intriguing. Hmm.... At 60 (but with a 15-year-old brain), maybe I should put off my Springer departure in end of March and move it to HF in May? Sure seems like it's a better fit for me (especially since, as we all know, no decent music has been composed since 1977). Any room for a long-time hiker/backpacker in this group?