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Flip-Flop

What is a flip-flop hike?

flip-flop (FLIP-flop) n, v, adj.

1. an open-toed sandal worn with black socks by old men and teenagers

2. a way to hike a long trail by starting in the middle, then completing each part separately

Meatstick's tramily flip-flopped from Pen Mar.

Walter and his hiking associates began their Appalachian Trail hike on the Pennsylvania/Maryland border (Pen Mar Park MD), hiked northbound to the end in Maine (Mt Katahdin), commuted back to Pen Mar, then hiked southbound to the end in Georgia (Springer Mt).

Other ways to hike the Appalachian Trail:

NOBO

Start at the southern end at Springer Mt Georgia, then hike northbound continuously to Mt Katahdin Maine.

SOBO

Start at Mt Katahdin Maine, then hike southbound continuously until reaching Springer Mt Georgia.

LASH

Hike the whole trail, in any order, in long ass section hikes.

Springer Mt Georgia can be accessed year-round.

Pros/Cons of a Flip-Flop:

PROS

You could pick any start location you'd like. (It's wise to pick a location that's easy to access by public transit, hiker shuttle drivers, or Uber)
You'd have a little more flexibility with your start (and re-start) date.
You'd have a natural break in the middle of your thru-hike to recharge.
Theoretically, you could catch late-spring weather going north, then fall weather going south.

CONS

It's not the pure end-to-end thru-hike.
After completing part 1, you have to get back to your re-start location.
You'd have a natural break in the middle of your thru-hike to reconsider.

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