A hiker would most likely choose to do a flip-flop hike of the Appalachian Trail if he or she (A) had only two weeks a year during which to hike the trail. (B) lived in a remote area of Maine near Mount Katahdin. (C) wanted to avoid crowds at the traditional starting point. (D) was an experienced hiker looking for a tough challenge.

A “flip‐flop” hike is an alternative approach to tackling the Appalachian Trail that allows a hiker to bypass the traditional crowded starting point. By beginning the hike at an intermediate point rather than at a conventional terminus (like Springer Mountain or Mount Katahdin), the hiker can avoid the heavy traffic of people starting the trail season, making the experience quieter and less congested. Looking at the choices: (A) Having only two weeks a year to hike the AT wouldn’t prompt a flip‐flop itinerary because even a flip‐flop requires more than a couple of weeks to complete the 2,000+ mile trail. (B) Living in a remote area of Maine near Mount Katahdin means you’re already near one end of the trail, so you’d likely choose a traditional northbound hike rather than a flip‐flop. (C) Wanting to avoid crowds at the traditional starting point is the ideal reason to consider a flip‐flop hike. (D) While an experienced hiker might be up for many types of challenges, the flip‐flop approach isn’t primarily for increasing the difficulty but for logistical and comfort reasons relating to trail traffic. Thus, the best answer is (C).