I completed the PCT as a 60+ yo and as a 3 year LASH (Long ass section hike) rather than a single year "thru hike". I retired during the 1st year after completing the 1st 700 miles as a SOBO during a 6 week vacation from work.. That took care of some of the issues you described and allowed me to pick/choose weather/conditions that I wanted to hike in. The 2nd year I hiked 1200 miles NOBO from SKM - the place I had finished the year before. The 3rd year I cleaned up all the remaining sections including those I had to skip in previous years due to fires. I had a blast and while I think it would be nice to actually "thru hike" a long distance trail at some point, it does take a major commitment of time away from friends and family which is precious as well.
That approach is solid. It is kinda what I am doing with the AT. Several weeks every year in different sections. I really enjoy my LASHes, but a long contiguous time commitment is a problem. The same amount if weeks broken into pieces is not the same problem.
These are such terrific questions to answer before entertaining the romance of a major thru hike. Thanks Jon's Dad. Enjoy the shorter thru hikes this season.
:) Last year (2023) I hiked with some thru hikers for a couple weeks. It was so tempting to resupply and continue to Maine with them. It was not in the cards (yet).
I retired 2 years ago and have been doing a ton of outdoor activities, and that freedom to hike, camp, fish, hunt, has been an incredible journey. I thought about doing part time work at EMS .... but to your point once you taste that freedom you don't want to have a job dictate your hiking schedule.😊😊😊 new sub and will follow you going forward, good to have someone around my age hiking stories, wins and fails, take care be safe!!!!!😊😊😊😊
Great analysis on when is the best type of hike for each individual and weighing the pros and cons and realizing the limits we may have physically, economically, etc.
Thanks! It’s so important to protect our wild lands and we share that goal. Before I retired, one of my office windows overlooked a prairie in Wisconsin. Almost daily we could see a pair of coyotes making their rounds. They had worn a path that they followed. The prairie was replaced by a monster-sized parking lot and distribution center. I heard a few months later that one of the coyotes had been hit by a car. :(
@@JonsDadHikes yeah I hate seeing road kill their is road nearby that has a lot of roadkill was just thinking today about getting some plywood and putting up a sign on each side of the road slow down for wildlife
Nice video! My sister thru hiked the AT a few years ago, and on the one hand I've always been jealous but on the other hand my job in healthcare requires commitment and i need to be there for my family. Day hikes and section hikes as a result are perfect. You can learn a lot just by exploring the area around you. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the positive feedback. That is something you hear more often. “My sister hiked… “ when I was young, girls were not allowed, literally not allowed, to do things like this. With all the questionable things happening in the world, we are moving in the right direction in many ways. Now, girls are allowed into Scouts BSA. Almost half the people I meet on trails are women. I think it’s great.
You had me going! Ha, ha! I was getting excited for you. I attempted the AT in 2023 and only got 109 miles (Franklin, NC) before I let anxiety get to me and quit on a bad day. I have plans to try again in 2025. Your videos are great, educational and inspirational. I look forward to watching your hikes in 2024. God bless you Brother. Happy New Year!
We all make mistakes!! You are allowing yourself to make them and learn from them, and even sharing them so that others can learn from them. Great questions asked here; all very important to consider and you have great thought-through answers. Fantastic video!
Great video, Jon. Thanks for sharing! Being 60+ and retired, I developed an itch to do a bit more than my usual 3 - 4 day 60 mile backpacking trips. I did the 95 mile Lone Star Trail last winter and was bitten by the thru hiking bug. This year (2024) I’ll be embarking on the Ouachita Trail in March followed by the Colorado Trail in July. I’m planning to see just how bitten I really am. lol.
Easy solution: make up your own. Several years ago I hatched a plan where I’d hike the length of the Winds up to Dubois, WY, then up the CDT to the thorofare/yellowstone to Cooke city, MT. From here jump on the east rosebud trail (aka “the beaten path” in the Beartooths to Alpine, MT. You could also include the Gros Ventre wilderness and Tetons between the winds and Yellowstone, though that adds a layer of park service red tape you might not want to deal with. Figure 10 days for the winds, another 10 from Dubois to Cooke, 3 or 4 in the Beartooths plus 0/resupply days. I never got to do this so I’m counting on you to make it happen!
Long distance trails of the mid-South: Missouri’s 230 mile Ozark Trail, Arkansas’ two long distance trails: Ozark Highlands Trail (165 miles) and the Ouachita Trail (223 miles), which has AT-style shelters every 10 miles. Start late Oct and enjoy cool temps and gorgeous autumn colors. Hike all three and be a Triple O Crowner.
These are great ideas. I definitely prefer cold to warm / hot weather for backpacking. I grew up in Wisconsin and camped every month year-round with the scouts. :)
I'm with you on taking the time for a hike, but my situation is different then yours in some ways. Why don't you do a long section hike on the AT? It really doesn't matter if you do the whole thing, it's more about the journey of what you do. If I would suggest a section of doing the entire VA section; one of my favorite sections on the AT. Your cost is a little bit high, but the higher you raise it would because you see yourself doing more hostiles. I think 15-18 hundred is sufficient even with a few hostiles. Good luck to you my friend!
:) We're on the same page. I'm planning to hike the AT from Fontana Dam to Amicalola State Park later this year. I'll do part of it solo and meet up with some friends for the rest of it. I've done everything north of Rock Fish Gap in VA and a couple long sections south of there. Connecting the uncompleted sections in VA is definitely a good idea for me. My costs estimates are intentionally high so that I don't worry about spending too much while on trail. My situation is a lot different from someone just out of high school or college and different from someone who is between jobs. I still need to watch my cash flow - I need to pay my bills for another 29 years. My financial plan shows me passing away with a little money left over at 95. I can't waste any of it! :)
We hiked the Centennial Trail in South Dakota a couple of years ago. Interesting hike through the Black Hills and other areas. Would probably take around a week.
You know, that really has potential. My wife wants to explore that part of the USA by renting an RV. It would be convenient to park the RV somewhere nice and head off with my backpack.
Hey!! Sorry to hear you're not thru-hiking this year, but I do understand your thought process. If you do get out for sections of the AT after February, get in contact and maybe we grab a meal, coffee, or a section together during my thru-hike. Peace!! 👍😎✌️
Thanks for the feedback! I will be doing the Laurel Highlands trail again this spring. After that, I need to go hike longer distances. Thanks for watching.
@@hikingbill before I retired, I flew into Williamsport for years to visit a client down in Sunbury. Are you in that area? That was super beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go back to that area as a civilian and not have to work all week. I went to LA and Lubbock, TX a lot too. For some reason I’m not drawn to return there as much. :-)
How about the Vermont Long Trail at 273 miles? On average it takes between 20 and 30 days to do the entire length. My hiking partner and I did 187miles of that trail as a shakedown hike for my Appalachian Trail hike. It set me up well for the AT, but just to be transparent I can't call myself a "thru-hiker" as I completed the trail in 2 segments in 2020/2021. Maybe you can do longer sections of the AT to finish as a section hiker sooner rather than later instead of completing it as a thru-hiker?? You might also consider doing the Tahoe Rim Trail located in Nevada/California at 170 miles. i will be hiking this as a thru-hike this summer with some of my friends. Another option might be the John Muir Trail at 211 miles but this one takes a lot of pre-planning and a complex permit process and has high elevations to deal with. I managed to get a NOBO permit out of Cottonwood Pass in August of 2022 but had to bail after 8 days due to the altitude. This trail is absolutely stunning. I have a goal one day of returning to finish what I started. Best wishes on your future trails.
The Long Trail sounds good. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s about the same length as the Kings Trail that I completed a couple years ago. It took me 24 days and that includes several zeros that I took with my tramily. I could do it when the mud is minimized! I really liked the movie Mile, Mile and a Half. The beauty of the JMT is indescribable! I hiked parts of the JMT and am not sure the full trail is in my future. I don’t do well over 8K feet.
@@JonsDadHikes Good idea to avoid the mud. I think if I were to thru-hike this trail, I would go SOBO and start in mid to late August to catch the fall colors. This would definitely be outside the mud season and most of those pesky deer flies. NOBO does allow you to get your trail legs but SOBO keeps you ahead of some of the colder weather. I did capture daily vlogs on my UA-cam channel and have a playlist if you are interested in seeing what any particular segment of the trail is like: ua-cam.com/play/PLnRAyIvPpjPiw9qRvQkU1CAFF0BFGBFmc.html. I definitely understand the altitude. Even after acclimating the best way I know how I still had issues on the JMT but it doesn't seem to be consistent because I was able to hike between 8,000 & 11,000' recently on the Colorado Trail with no issues. Go figure. I'll be watching to see what trail you choose. Good luck. Trail on!
@@JonsDadHikes I just thought of another trail you might enjoy...the Foothills Trail. It is a 76 mile national recreation trail in North & South Carolina. It might work out better for you since it is closer to Georgia.
I am also whittling away at the Ice Age trail in Wisconsin. It’s not as nice for stealth camping. A lot of nights you need to pre-reserve or make specific plans in advance. Wisconsin is famous for mosquitoes in the summer!
I'm looking to section hike the Palmetto Trail next until it's all knocked out. Working I can't get the time to hike any longer than a week or so at a time.
500 miles of the Palmetto Trail might be more than I can take on in one hike, but doing it in 2 or 3 sections might be perfect. Thanks for the idea. It wasn’t on my list.
I see you’re starting February 1. That is coming up quickly. A couple weeks after that. I’ll be doing two nights in Mohican State Park near here. I’ve got my 0° sleeping bag too. Along with an R7 air mattress. Those and some good firestarters. I’ll be warm. I’ll be doing a month Sobo on the AT later this spring. I forget exactly where I’m going in April, but the group I hike with is going someplace in Pennsylvania for a 3-day weekend.
@@JonsDadHikes I am on the 2025 docket. I will be doing the Bataan Memorial Death March in March. If not for that I would be on the AT this year. Starting around Jan 18 2025. Good luck to you and put one foot in front of the other. Cheering you from afar
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Tuscarora trail that could serve as a possible option and it is similar terrain as the AT in fact they cross paths in a few spots
Actually, I had never heard of it. I have hiked all of Virginia from where it starts thru West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. I should’ve seen the overlap, but never noticed it. That’s definitely an option. Only 250 miles.
@@danielfegley2735 Cool I’ve done about 20 miles I’d say along the Massanutten Range in Virginia and that was nice, See my Strickler Knob, Kennedy Peak, and Bird Knob vlogs I did awhile back that will give an idea of the terrain and views along the Shenandoah valley most of which are views of SNP.
Isn't that the truth! I'm writing up the plans for our February trip now. All the possible trails wouldn't be a problem if I didn't want to repeat any of them!
I will be hiking the AT from Fontana Dam to Amicalola this year. Part of that will be with friends. A month or so on a trail later in the year will be good too! BMT is a really good suggestion.
I appreciate you subbing our channel … right back at you … I REALLY appreciate your perspective on the importance of family and balancing that with fun in the wilderness … we are in the planning stages of doing the Foothills Trail here in SC … ever considered it?
@@twooldmeninthewoods I can do 77 miles in five days. Maybe a week if I decide to go slowly. I need to look into that. Maybe this fall. Do you think it’ll be a good trail to do in October? I am booked up this spring until the end of June at least. July and August get a little bit warm for me. :)
October would be perfect for the Foothills … Although we have hiked sections of it in July and August it can definitely be brutal with the temperatures and humidity that time of year
There is a lesser known trail in PA that runs north to south straight through the middle called the mid state trail l would like to see that one but it would probably be a long distance from were you live.
Actually, the Mid State Trail is within reasonable range for our traditional 3-day backpacking trips. We do one in the fall and one in the spring. By “we “ I mean a group of my friends who hike the Appalachian Trail together for one week every summer. We expanded from one week in the summer to two 3-day weekends, and a 1-2 night winter camp out. Somehow, we found each other and about 30 people have rotated through the group over the years. We have 10 to 15 that are regulars for almost every outing. I’m pretty lucky to be in this group.
will looking forward to seeing you, I haven't gone back packing yet but I'm watching people to get ideas. I'm short on time and money and a lot of people would worry about me if I went alone, I have gone on a lot of day hikes and camping with my family but now my foot hurts and I have no idea why so until I find the answer hiking is off I'm still on my feet all day for my job I get between 8 to 10 miles a day and my foot is killing me, so far the doctor is no help.
@@danielfegley2735 Wow. That sounds serious! At least the doctors knew what was causing my knee pain! Some injections, meds, physical therapy, and then a replacement fixed me. That has to be frustrating! My family worries about me too when I go backpacking. We reached a compromise. I carry a Garmin InReach so I can call for help if I hurt myself.
Having to get a knee replacement makes my problem seem small, I get pain at the end of the day, and when I first get up like a needle stuck in my Heel and arch , but I can still get around, I choose not to hike so it doesn't get worse, knowing what you went through gives me hope
@@charlottedunlay4397 Does CT = Colorado Trail? Definitely beautiful from the videos I’ve watched. Before I retired, one of my clients was in Boulder. It was one of the few locations that called my name. Every morning the drive to the customer was awesome!
Jon , I went to England in late May this year and hiked both the West Highland Way in Scotland and Wainwrights Coast to Coast trail. Great hiking the opportunity to enjoy a good pub meal and a pint most days.
I definitely will hike a section of the Florida Trail someday. As we’ve gotten older, many friends have retired to Florida. One of them is an old hiking buddy. I have a couple hesitations about a thru hike of the Florida Trail I need to work out. Hot temperatures are tough on me. The King’s Trail in Sweden was perfect with high temperatures in the low 70° F / 20° C. I’m sure I would be fine, but the wildlife in Florida is a little different from what I’m accustomed to. Alligators and bugs the size of my head. :) Some education on procedures and true risks is probably all I need.
:) There are lots of grandparents who think they have wonderful grandchildren, but if they had my grandchildren then they would know what wonderful grandchildren really are! Being a little more serious, a friend took a college class decades ago that taught about the impacts on American families of the cultures of their immigrant ancestors. As I understand an example a difference, Irish families came over and each set up their own independent farms. They each bought a tractor, wagons, implements. The families slowly went their separate ways. Large Irish farm communities are unheard of. German families came over and shared equipment and labor. Their families remain close even now almost 200 years later. Entire towns retain strong signs of their German heritage. Families gather in large numbers for holidays and special events. Being of Irish decent, my family tended to follow the first model and I’d prefer they follow the second path. That takes time and effort that doesn’t always come naturally.
I was in the UK in 2022 (I'm from the States). I knew there were some good hiking trails in the UK, but had no idea of vast options. Before I get too old, I'm coming back.
@@JonsDadHikes Nice. There’s nothing to compare in length to the US options of course. But some pretty scenic hikes certainly. Our club’s first of the year is a 14km pleasant riverside walk tomorrow up along the river Clyde to New Lanark. I share the first part of the recce walk of it a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed for fine weather to keep up an extra day!
Check out the Colorado trail... it's about 500 miles. There's another one I'm trying to complete in Tennessee to Kentucky.. did the first 110 miles... views, waterfalls, and mines.
![Ten More on the Appalachian Trail [1/3 Thru Hike Documentary]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xL9u-ib1iU4/mqdefault.jpg)
I completed the PCT as a 60+ yo and as a 3 year LASH (Long ass section hike) rather than a single year "thru hike". I retired during the 1st year after completing the 1st 700 miles as a SOBO during a 6 week vacation from work.. That took care of some of the issues you described and allowed me to pick/choose weather/conditions that I wanted to hike in. The 2nd year I hiked 1200 miles NOBO from SKM - the place I had finished the year before. The 3rd year I cleaned up all the remaining sections including those I had to skip in previous years due to fires. I had a blast and while I think it would be nice to actually "thru hike" a long distance trail at some point, it does take a major commitment of time away from friends and family which is precious as well.
That approach is solid. It is kinda what I am doing with the AT. Several weeks every year in different sections. I really enjoy my LASHes, but a long contiguous time commitment is a problem. The same amount if weeks broken into pieces is not the same problem.
These are such terrific questions to answer before entertaining the romance of a major thru hike. Thanks Jon's Dad. Enjoy the shorter thru hikes this season.
:) Last year (2023) I hiked with some thru hikers for a couple weeks. It was so tempting to resupply and continue to Maine with them. It was not in the cards (yet).
@@JonsDadHikes yet! Love it.
I retired 2 years ago and have been doing a ton of outdoor activities, and that freedom to hike, camp, fish, hunt, has been an incredible journey. I thought about doing part time work at EMS .... but to your point once you taste that freedom you don't want to have a job dictate your hiking schedule.😊😊😊 new sub and will follow you going forward, good to have someone around my age hiking stories, wins and fails, take care be safe!!!!!😊😊😊😊
That is awesome!
Great analysis on when is the best type of hike for each individual and weighing the pros and cons and realizing the limits we may have physically, economically, etc.
Thanks!
It’s so important to protect our wild lands and we share that goal. Before I retired, one of my office windows overlooked a prairie in Wisconsin. Almost daily we could see a pair of coyotes making their rounds. They had worn a path that they followed.
The prairie was replaced by a monster-sized parking lot and distribution center. I heard a few months later that one of the coyotes had been hit by a car. :(
@@JonsDadHikes yeah I hate seeing road kill their is road nearby that has a lot of roadkill was just thinking today about getting some plywood and putting up a sign on each side of the road slow down for wildlife
Nice video! My sister thru hiked the AT a few years ago, and on the one hand I've always been jealous but on the other hand my job in healthcare requires commitment and i need to be there for my family. Day hikes and section hikes as a result are perfect. You can learn a lot just by exploring the area around you. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the positive feedback.
That is something you hear more often. “My sister hiked… “ when I was young, girls were not allowed, literally not allowed, to do things like this. With all the questionable things happening in the world, we are moving in the right direction in many ways.
Now, girls are allowed into Scouts BSA. Almost half the people I meet on trails are women. I think it’s great.
Thanks for taking us with you! Happy New Year 🎈🎆🎊
Happy New Year!
You had me going! Ha, ha! I was getting excited for you. I attempted the AT in 2023 and only got 109 miles (Franklin, NC) before I let anxiety get to me and quit on a bad day. I have plans to try again in 2025. Your videos are great, educational and inspirational. I look forward to watching your hikes in 2024. God bless you Brother. Happy New Year!
Thank you for the positive feedback. A thru hike of the Appalachian Trail is on my list. I hope the stars align while I can still do it.
We all make mistakes!! You are allowing yourself to make them and learn from them, and even sharing them so that others can learn from them.
Great questions asked here; all very important to consider and you have great thought-through answers. Fantastic video!
Thanks! Your start date in February sounds great to me. I’d rather be hiking in cold and snow than hot August humidity. Good luck!
@@JonsDadHikes thank you!!
Great video, Jon. Thanks for sharing! Being 60+ and retired, I developed an itch to do a bit more than my usual 3 - 4 day 60 mile backpacking trips. I did the 95 mile Lone Star Trail last winter and was bitten by the thru hiking bug. This year (2024) I’ll be embarking on the Ouachita Trail in March followed by the Colorado Trail in July. I’m planning to see just how bitten I really am. lol.
Be careful! I have not found a cure yet!
@@JonsDadHikes 😉
Easy solution: make up your own. Several years ago I hatched a plan where I’d hike the length of the Winds up to Dubois, WY, then up the CDT to the thorofare/yellowstone to Cooke city, MT. From here jump on the east rosebud trail (aka “the beaten path” in the Beartooths to Alpine, MT.
You could also include the Gros Ventre wilderness and Tetons between the winds and Yellowstone, though that adds a layer of park service red tape you might not want to deal with.
Figure 10 days for the winds, another 10 from Dubois to Cooke, 3 or 4 in the Beartooths plus 0/resupply days.
I never got to do this so I’m counting on you to make it happen!
I will do my best!
Long distance trails of the mid-South: Missouri’s 230 mile Ozark Trail, Arkansas’ two long distance trails: Ozark Highlands Trail (165 miles) and the Ouachita Trail (223 miles), which has AT-style shelters every 10 miles. Start late Oct and enjoy cool temps and gorgeous autumn colors. Hike all three and be a Triple O Crowner.
These are great ideas. I definitely prefer cold to warm / hot weather for backpacking. I grew up in Wisconsin and camped every month year-round with the scouts. :)
Thanks for your subs. Me too and going to follow your adventures
Awesome, thank you!
You got this!!
Thanks!
I'm with you on taking the time for a hike, but my situation is different then yours in some ways. Why don't you do a long section hike on the AT? It really doesn't matter if you do the whole thing, it's more about the journey of what you do. If I would suggest a section of doing the entire VA section; one of my favorite sections on the AT. Your cost is a little bit high, but the higher you raise it would because you see yourself doing more hostiles. I think 15-18 hundred is sufficient even with a few hostiles. Good luck to you my friend!
:) We're on the same page. I'm planning to hike the AT from Fontana Dam to Amicalola State Park later this year. I'll do part of it solo and meet up with some friends for the rest of it.
I've done everything north of Rock Fish Gap in VA and a couple long sections south of there. Connecting the uncompleted sections in VA is definitely a good idea for me.
My costs estimates are intentionally high so that I don't worry about spending too much while on trail. My situation is a lot different from someone just out of high school or college and different from someone who is between jobs. I still need to watch my cash flow - I need to pay my bills for another 29 years. My financial plan shows me passing away with a little money left over at 95. I can't waste any of it! :)
We hiked the Centennial Trail in South Dakota a couple of years ago. Interesting hike through the Black Hills and other areas. Would probably take around a week.
You know, that really has potential. My wife wants to explore that part of the USA by renting an RV. It would be convenient to park the RV somewhere nice and head off with my backpack.
@@JonsDadHikes she could be your resupply at Mt Rushmore or maybe Nemo. We enjoyed it.
@@TylerCampbellOutdoors that is exactly what we talked about only a half hour ago. I think we have a plan in the works here. Thanks.
Hey!! Sorry to hear you're not thru-hiking this year, but I do understand your thought process.
If you do get out for sections of the AT after February, get in contact and maybe we grab a meal, coffee, or a section together during my thru-hike.
Peace!! 👍😎✌️
Will do!
Good video, good luck with whatever trail you choose! If you come towards PA, Mid State Trail would be a good 3-4 week trail.
Thanks for the feedback! I will be doing the Laurel Highlands trail again this spring. After that, I need to go hike longer distances. Thanks for watching.
@@JonsDadHikes You from PA? I'm hoping to hike that one this year. I seem to put it off every year, but hoping this is the year that I finally do it.
I’m in Ohio. We’ve been dipping our toes in PA trails more in the last 5+ years. We’re pretty lucky to have so many trails close to home!
@@JonsDadHikes Cool, I'm from the true Central PA area, so it's got some of the best areas to hike in PA.
@@hikingbill before I retired, I flew into Williamsport for years to visit a client down in Sunbury. Are you in that area? That was super beautiful. I’ve always wanted to go back to that area as a civilian and not have to work all week.
I went to LA and Lubbock, TX a lot too. For some reason I’m not drawn to return there as much. :-)
How about the Vermont Long Trail at 273 miles? On average it takes between 20 and 30 days to do the entire length. My hiking partner and I did 187miles of that trail as a shakedown hike for my Appalachian Trail hike. It set me up well for the AT, but just to be transparent I can't call myself a "thru-hiker" as I completed the trail in 2 segments in 2020/2021. Maybe you can do longer sections of the AT to finish as a section hiker sooner rather than later instead of completing it as a thru-hiker?? You might also consider doing the Tahoe Rim Trail located in Nevada/California at 170 miles. i will be hiking this as a thru-hike this summer with some of my friends. Another option might be the John Muir Trail at 211 miles but this one takes a lot of pre-planning and a complex permit process and has high elevations to deal with. I managed to get a NOBO permit out of Cottonwood Pass in August of 2022 but had to bail after 8 days due to the altitude. This trail is absolutely stunning. I have a goal one day of returning to finish what I started. Best wishes on your future trails.
The Long Trail sounds good. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s about the same length as the Kings Trail that I completed a couple years ago. It took me 24 days and that includes several zeros that I took with my tramily. I could do it when the mud is minimized!
I really liked the movie Mile, Mile and a Half. The beauty of the JMT is indescribable! I hiked parts of the JMT and am not sure the full trail is in my future. I don’t do well over 8K feet.
@@JonsDadHikes Good idea to avoid the mud. I think if I were to thru-hike this trail, I would go SOBO and start in mid to late August to catch the fall colors. This would definitely be outside the mud season and most of those pesky deer flies. NOBO does allow you to get your trail legs but SOBO keeps you ahead of some of the colder weather. I did capture daily vlogs on my UA-cam channel and have a playlist if you are interested in seeing what any particular segment of the trail is like: ua-cam.com/play/PLnRAyIvPpjPiw9qRvQkU1CAFF0BFGBFmc.html.
I definitely understand the altitude. Even after acclimating the best way I know how I still had issues on the JMT but it doesn't seem to be consistent because I was able to hike between 8,000 & 11,000' recently on the Colorado Trail with no issues. Go figure.
I'll be watching to see what trail you choose. Good luck. Trail on!
@@JonsDadHikes I just thought of another trail you might enjoy...the Foothills Trail. It is a 76 mile national recreation trail in North & South Carolina. It might work out better for you since it is closer to Georgia.
@CzyzAdventures I have seen a lot of people hike that trail. It’s only a days drive from home and I can get it done in less than two weeks!
I am also whittling away at the Ice Age trail in Wisconsin. It’s not as nice for stealth camping. A lot of nights you need to pre-reserve or make specific plans in advance. Wisconsin is famous for mosquitoes in the summer!
Colorado Trail. Recently retired. Hiking it instead of AT for reasons you mention.
Colorado is so beautiful! Reminds me a lot of the Kings Trail in Sweden. Just Wow!
I'm looking to section hike the Palmetto Trail next until it's all knocked out. Working I can't get the time to hike any longer than a week or so at a time.
500 miles of the Palmetto Trail might be more than I can take on in one hike, but doing it in 2 or 3 sections might be perfect. Thanks for the idea. It wasn’t on my list.
You go bro. Let the old guys get it
I see you’re starting February 1. That is coming up quickly. A couple weeks after that. I’ll be doing two nights in Mohican State Park near here.
I’ve got my 0° sleeping bag too. Along with an R7 air mattress. Those and some good firestarters. I’ll be warm.
I’ll be doing a month Sobo on the AT later this spring.
I forget exactly where I’m going in April, but the group I hike with is going someplace in Pennsylvania for a 3-day weekend.
@@JonsDadHikes I am on the 2025 docket. I will be doing the Bataan Memorial Death March in March. If not for that I would be on the AT this year. Starting around Jan 18 2025. Good luck to you and put one foot in front of the other. Cheering you from afar
Oops! I watched a few videos this morning. Somebody else must be starting on February 1. I wish them luck too. :-)
Lol, You had me going. Love your priorities.
It is tempting! Last year, I hiked with some people for several days. It would have been very easy to resupply and continue with them to Katahdin .
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Tuscarora trail that could serve as a possible option and it is similar terrain as the AT in fact they cross paths in a few spots
Actually, I had never heard of it. I have hiked all of Virginia from where it starts thru West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. I should’ve seen the overlap, but never noticed it. That’s definitely an option. Only 250 miles.
I was also going to recommend the Tuscarora. (I've not done the whole thing, only pieces. But it's really nice in spots.)@@JonsDadHikes
Living in PA, I've seen parts of this trail, on top of the mountain separating Cumberland country from Perry .
@@danielfegley2735 Cool I’ve done about 20 miles I’d say along the Massanutten Range in Virginia and that was nice, See my Strickler Knob, Kennedy Peak, and Bird Knob vlogs I did awhile back that will give an idea of the terrain and views along the Shenandoah valley most of which are views of SNP.
So many trails, so little time 😃
Isn't that the truth! I'm writing up the plans for our February trip now. All the possible trails wouldn't be a problem if I didn't want to repeat any of them!
Maybe section hike the AT. Or how about the Benton MacKaye trail?
I will be hiking the AT from Fontana Dam to Amicalola this year. Part of that will be with friends.
A month or so on a trail later in the year will be good too! BMT is a really good suggestion.
I appreciate you subbing our channel … right back at you … I REALLY appreciate your perspective on the importance of family and balancing that with fun in the wilderness … we are in the planning stages of doing the Foothills Trail here in SC … ever considered it?
I am aware of the foothills Trail, but I’ve not looked at it enough to know if or when I would hike it. It is definitely interesting.
Probably only take 3-5 days … 77 miles of beautiful wilderness and you would be back to those grand babies before you knew it!
@@twooldmeninthewoods I can do 77 miles in five days. Maybe a week if I decide to go slowly. I need to look into that. Maybe this fall. Do you think it’ll be a good trail to do in October?
I am booked up this spring until the end of June at least. July and August get a little bit warm for me. :)
October would be perfect for the Foothills … Although we have hiked sections of it in July and August it can definitely be brutal with the temperatures and humidity that time of year
What what ?? Sweet
I am going to have to be content with section hike for now…
I’ve cross the Appalachian 1,000’s of times. Lol. Hiked Katadin at least twice
All 3 trails
Excellent video and humor. Thx. $$ouch
Vaca here june 29- July 9th !! Open for ideas.
Even my wife has hiked the entire width of the Appalachian Trail. :)
@@JonsDadHikes haha
There is a lesser known trail in PA that runs north to south straight through the middle called the mid state trail l would like to see that one but it would probably be a long distance from were you live.
I will look into it. I just got back from Laurel Highlands. Beautiful trails!
Actually, the Mid State Trail is within reasonable range for our traditional 3-day backpacking trips. We do one in the fall and one in the spring.
By “we “ I mean a group of my friends who hike the Appalachian Trail together for one week every summer. We expanded from one week in the summer to two 3-day weekends, and a 1-2 night winter camp out.
Somehow, we found each other and about 30 people have rotated through the group over the years. We have 10 to 15 that are regulars for almost every outing. I’m pretty lucky to be in this group.
will looking forward to seeing you, I haven't gone back packing yet but I'm watching people to get ideas. I'm short on time and money and a lot of people would worry about me if I went alone, I have gone on a lot of day hikes and camping with my family but now my foot hurts and I have no idea why so until I find the answer hiking is off I'm still on my feet all day for my job I get between 8 to 10 miles a day and my foot is killing me, so far the doctor is no help.
@@danielfegley2735 Wow. That sounds serious! At least the doctors knew what was causing my knee pain! Some injections, meds, physical therapy, and then a replacement fixed me. That has to be frustrating!
My family worries about me too when I go backpacking. We reached a compromise. I carry a Garmin InReach so I can call for help if I hurt myself.
Having to get a knee replacement makes my problem seem small, I get pain at the end of the day, and when I first get up like a needle stuck in my Heel and arch , but I can still get around, I choose not to hike so it doesn't get worse, knowing what you went through gives me hope
Have you considered the Jmt or Colorado Trail?
Both of those trails would be worthy of consideration.
CT
@@charlottedunlay4397 Does CT = Colorado Trail? Definitely beautiful from the videos I’ve watched. Before I retired, one of my clients was in Boulder. It was one of the few locations that called my name. Every morning the drive to the customer was awesome!
Jon , I went to England in late May this year and hiked both the West Highland Way in Scotland and Wainwrights Coast to Coast trail. Great hiking the opportunity to enjoy a good pub meal and a pint most days.
@@Ericidryfly I was in the UK last year (2022) and first heard about several hiking trails. The West Highland Way is firmly on my list now!
Have you considered the Florida Trail?
I definitely will hike a section of the Florida Trail someday. As we’ve gotten older, many friends have retired to Florida. One of them is an old hiking buddy.
I have a couple hesitations about a thru hike of the Florida Trail I need to work out.
Hot temperatures are tough on me. The King’s Trail in Sweden was perfect with high temperatures in the low 70° F / 20° C.
I’m sure I would be fine, but the wildlife in Florida is a little different from what I’m accustomed to. Alligators and bugs the size of my head. :) Some education on procedures and true risks is probably all I need.
Florida trail "hiking season" is over the winter, because of cooler temperatures.
Good decision be around your grandchildren so they have cherished memories of you
:) There are lots of grandparents who think they have wonderful grandchildren, but if they had my grandchildren then they would know what wonderful grandchildren really are!
Being a little more serious, a friend took a college class decades ago that taught about the impacts on American families of the cultures of their immigrant ancestors.
As I understand an example a difference, Irish families came over and each set up their own independent farms. They each bought a tractor, wagons, implements. The families slowly went their separate ways. Large Irish farm communities are unheard of.
German families came over and shared equipment and labor. Their families remain close even now almost 200 years later. Entire towns retain strong signs of their German heritage. Families gather in large numbers for holidays and special events.
Being of Irish decent, my family tended to follow the first model and I’d prefer they follow the second path. That takes time and effort that doesn’t always come naturally.
Enjoyed very much your presentation and happy subscribe to your channel. Your subscription is greatly appreciated ✌🏻👍
I was in the UK in 2022 (I'm from the States). I knew there were some good hiking trails in the UK, but had no idea of vast options. Before I get too old, I'm coming back.
@@JonsDadHikes Nice. There’s nothing to compare in length to the US options of course. But some pretty scenic hikes certainly. Our club’s first of the year is a 14km pleasant riverside walk tomorrow up along the river Clyde to New Lanark. I share the first part of the recce walk of it a few weeks ago. Fingers crossed for fine weather to keep up an extra day!
Subscribed 🫵😎👍📹🏕🏔🕺🏼
Check out the Colorado trail... it's about 500 miles.
There's another one I'm trying to complete in Tennessee to Kentucky.. did the first 110 miles... views, waterfalls, and mines.
Me too. Thanks.
@JonsDadHikes thanks man... 915 👍👍🙏