The trail can be hiked in both directions but most people will start at the southern end and hike northbound (NOBO) because it is warmer in the south which speeds the melting of the snowpack, freeing high passes of snow earlier in the summer. The difficulty of the trail generally increases as you travel north, allowing NOBO hikers to acclimate to trail conditions as they hike. Southbound (SOBO) hikers beginning with Section G may feel like they’ve been thrown into the deep-end immediately. The starting date of a SOBO hike will likely be delayed a week or two compared to a NOBO hike to allow more time for snowmelt and improved trail conditions.