About the Author: Laurie Freeman is a naturalist, environmentalist and soon-to-be retiree. She earned a BE in mechanical engineering and a MA in biology (ecology, evolution and behavior). Laurie spent the majority of her career as a professor of biology and environmental science at a small upstate NY community college. She and her husband Jim built their home (and homestead) using local material and human powered tools, and she continues to practice self-reliance by gardening and beekeeping. Laurie teaches yoga and runs a small herbal medicinal practice in her community. How she finds time to hike is a mystery. You can follow her AT thru hike on trailjournals, instagram @lauriefreeman and twitter @LaurieJFreeman.
NoBo? Not!
I started thinking about my AT thru hike from the premise that I would walk from Georgia to Maine. I mean, that’s what everyone does, right? It certainly seems that way when you start reading blogs and watching Youtubes of thru-hikers. Through this research I uncovered a couple of facts:
-A thru hike takes about 6 months (averaging 12 miles per day).
-Katahdin closes sometime in mid October.
Given this, and counting back on the calendar, I’d have to start at Springer Mountain, GA mid-April at the latest in order to finish in ME before the closing bell. Though I’m retiring this year, as a college professor I have an obligation to work until the end of the semester in mid-May.
SoBo? No Thank You!
This put me thinking about the less popular SOBO hike. If I started at Katahdin, I would have to wait until the mountain opened. At best that would be at the end of May or beginning of June. Great! That timing would work well with my retirement date.
In short, I cannot fathom dealing with the Maine and NH biting insects for the first month of my hike.
Another Option?
If I couldn’t do a NOBO hike in 2019 and I was unwilling to do a SOBO hike, I resigned myself to putting the hike off until 2020 when I could go NOBO.
What About That Finish?
So what about that epic finish on Katahdin? I have to admit, as much as I enjoy his podcast, the one thing that drives me crazy about Mighty Blue is his remarks that the only way he can imagine finishing is on Katahdin. I do wish he’d try on another perspective. I know from experience that any climb up Katahdin is ‘epic’. I’ve done it twice. A hiker that starts at Harper’s Ferry and gets to the summit of Katahdin has an ‘epic’ ½-way experience that a NOBO or SOBO hiker does not. The point is that ALL thru hikers experience Katahdin and each of us will experience it from our own unique perspective.
Pros? Cons?
With more reading I became aware of the numbers of hikers on the AT. In 2018 there were approximately 3862 hikers that started in GA (according to registrations with the ATC). Another 420 started in Maine and 371 flip flopped (for a total of 4653).
Other Expectations
After I read through the ‘what to expect’ on a flip flop hike on the ATCs website. That approach was looking downright attractive. A flip flop hiker would look forward to:
-Experiencing goldilocks weather (not too cold, not too hot).
-Forgiving terrain to start.
-Arriving at the whites (and difficult terrain) when your legs are in good shape but you aren’t totally exhausted from the hike yet.
-Walking south with the fall colors.
-Hunting season in the south (something I’m not concerned about if I cover my pack with a blaze orange cover.)
-Likely cold weather in the Smokies (but by then I should be an expert at outdoor living.)
-Bare trees toward the end of the hike (which is also a positive because there will be more views).
Playing the Odds
What finally clinched the deal was when I read a blog post from the Trek that revealed some interesting statistics. The post was from February 2016 so I’m guessing the numbers are from 2014 or 2015. Here they state that the completion rate for NOBOs was 26%, 31% for SOBOs and a whopping 57% for flip floppers! Well golly, I see no reason to not put the odds in my favor. I haven’t quite settled on a start date. My window is May 25 – June 1. Flip flop here I come!
I found your blog from your trailjournals post! My family went through your exact thought process as we are now planning to flip flop (in 2022…still a few years!). I’d love to follow your hike – will you post here or on trailjournals or ?
Thanks!
My plan is to post day to day stuff on trail journals and more cohesive ideas/topics/stories here.
It’s a blast planning and thinking about the hike! I’ve been reading trail journals and blogs and books… everything I can get my hands on. Then I think about how that applies to my thought process about the hike. Best of luck to you in the planning!
I started my 2018 thru hike as a NOBO. As I reached VT, I realized that my pace was going to get me to Katahdin around Oct 15. I decided to flip up and SOBO back to VT. As you said, any Katahdin summit is epic! Best decision for me. Maine in September was BEAUTIFUL! Best wishes for a safe and fabulous hike!
Congrats on your hike and thanks for commenting!
Awesome post! I love the support you give to individual experience versus what the masses do. I can’t imagine starting such a personal journey with a horde of people, even if they are like minded. The flip flop lets you have the best of all the regions.
Can’t wait to read the next installment! ❤️
I’ll keep you updated!
Laurie, can’t wait to share your adventure vicariously — you are a naturalist with a keen mind and observant eye. Photos too?
I will definitely be including photos of plants and critters along the way
Always weigh the odds in your favor! Watching your progress at all times, even when now it is simply getting ready.
Thanks!
Flip-flopping is my plan for 2020 for all of the reasons you mentioned. On a side note, I agree with your take on Mighty Blue. He’s so disparaging of anything other than a thruhike ending at Katahdin that I had to stop listening. My goal is to be a successful 2000+ miler – no matter what ‘steps’ I take to get there.
I look forward to your journey!
Mighty Blue still has some great interviews. I figure I’m already hiking my own hike. I’m practicing patience with my fellow hikers! Thanks for reading
Sharon, I completed a FF hike in 2018 and was interviewed by Mighty Blue. I tried my best to win him over and he has acknowledged several times that I gave him a new and positive perspective! It was episode #126 if you get a chance to listen 🙂
Happy trails!
– Sally Forth
https://mightyblueontheat.com/episode-126-dawanna-blue-sally-forth/
I’ll definitely be listening. I’m currently in the mid 50’s of the episodes. I look forward to hearing your interview!
Can’t imagine doing this but will live it through your journey.
Hope I don’t disappoint!
I had a friend do this last year and hike some forward and some backwards. It was so neat to read her journal. Can’t wait to read yours!
thanks. I’ll try hard to keep up a regular post
Fascinating, Laurie. Can’t wait to read more.
Love your post and your perspective. I really look forward to hearing more!
Thank you!
more is on the way!
Laurie, I did a FF hike in 2018 and it was absolutely the best decision for my hike. So many reasons made it right for me, and I see you have landed on a pile of “pros” for yourself! Best of luck to you and happy trails!
– Sally Forth
Thanks!
Just wanted to let you know there are people out here still reading your journal of your AT experience! You may be the reason I start hiking!