The needs vs the wants thing...Wisdom beyond your years girl!!! Took me till my late 30's to fully understand and live in that one...Such peace of mind afterwards! Just imagine if the entire world lived together in that!
Thank you for doing this post-hike recap. I really enjoyed watching your videos. Last time I checked 2,189 minus 100 equals 2,089..........2,089......let that number sink in for a moment!! You hit the nail on the head when you said it was a blessing just to have the opportunity to hike the trail. There are so many opportunities we have each day and we fail to see them as blessings! You and your husband have accomplished an awesome feat.....I hope the feeling of that accomplishment stays with you a long time!
Thanks again for taking us along! You and Ryan should be very proud of your accomplishment. Wishing you all the best in your life ahead. May you enjoy each moment of the rest of your journey together.
I like your description of how much of a blessing clean water is. We went without a well pump for a while and just that really makes you realize how simple things like taking a shower are not a right, they're a blessing. Thanks for sharing all your time on the AT and afterwards. Lots of props!
Congrats, thanks for sharing the post trail feelings! You guys ARE thru hikers. Blowing off 100 miles to re-engage and meet your tie line is ok! It was your trip and you met your needs.... enough said! Can't believe the energy you still have reflecting upon the trek and being back to work! Kudos to you guys and good luck with your marriage!
Thank you so much for sharing....I'm envious...don't worry about the few miles, you've got to hike your own hike and don't worry about what anyone else thinks! Best, ljh
Thanks so much for being honest about the trail. Followed you the whole way. Really good to hear a woman's point of view. You did a great job the whole way. Congrats.
Your videos were very uplifting to watch. Now I really want to hike the trail, I just do small trails around where I live. I really appreciated your comments about privilege, it really shows your depth of character. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Thanks Crystal. You and Hummer, plus Will Wood, Ken Lambdin, Kyle Barry, Jessica Mills and Joe Brewer all helped get me through a hike-less summer. See you on the PCT!
I started watching this with a lot of skepticism, but I was hooked after hearing you talk about needs v. wants and your relationship with your spouse. My husband and I are in our 50's and we are just starting to figure those things out now. We hike a lot, but are feeling hesitant about a long trek. This made me feel hopeful that it could happen despite the pain involved. Thanks for your insight.
Great update and cool to hear your thoughts. We do take a lot of things in "real life" for granted. Best of luck to you and Ryan and hope to hear from you'all in the future. Really enjoyed your video series and following along.
Started in Ga - check Made it thru the Smokies - check Survived VA - check Gutted it thru Pa and the rocks - check Moved thru Nj, NY, Conn, Ma, Vt, Nh - check Survived the Whites and the Hardest Mile - check Walked thru Me and made it to the Sign - check Hike your own hike. You made it, The trail adjusts, moves, and even re-routes often. Your stress, pains, and desire cover the 100 - pay it back by a 'donation', 'trail angel', or by encouraging the next class moving along the trail - and it balances out. You. Did. Good!
Thanks for sharing both your hike and your feelings about it. You have a great perspective on life, and I suspect some of it was gained on the AT. Good luck in your next adventure.
Fellow RN! I am in CRNA school and haven't been able to hike since before school (in glorious Colorado). Your videos were really nice to watch as they reminded me why I'm doing what I'm doing. Cheers
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in on the trail and in filming and sharing your journey. I loved each video. Your gear videos will help many people. I'm in NH and hope to do at least the NH part of the AT. And I consider you a thru hiker and totally understand your decision to skip a tiny section. I appreciate the fact that you shared your feelings about the journey. I think it will help a lot of hikers through whatever troubles they may encounter. I'm glad to see your feet looking better. They looked SO BAD in some of those early videos. You are "True Grit Weaver" in my book!
I was wondering the other day how your transition back to the world had went . Now I guess I don't have to wonder anymore. Thanks for taking time to document your trip it was really entertaining for me . Good luck in life and maybe go on a couple of overnight trips to put the fun back in backpacking.
You are a thru hiker! Living in NE Tennessee, I've hiked quite a few miles in TN, NC and VA, but my dream is thru hike someday once the kids are old enough. I've got the fever again after watching your videos. Thanks for posting your adventure and allowing me to tag along!
Congratulations on the miles hiked! I enjoyed your videos. I'm thinking that you will one day wish you had completed the 100 miles. Everyone, at some point in their life, reflects back on their life and wishes they had done something different in their lives. So consider knocking those miles off at some point - you have the rest of your life! Sincerely.
I think this is the first time I seen you with your hair down(miss that topknot lol). you did right in cutting a few miles and finishing on time.; I hope you keep the channel active, I miss your regular posts. best wishes to both of you, and the dogs.
Hey , Just hike little parts of the trail on weekends here and there. And make up the 100 miles . It shouldn't be that big of a deal. Yeah! some people are going to say you did not complete it. But I bet it's people that haven't hike it that are saying that. I look at this way if you walked that far on the trail than you finished it. Because you'll had to hike into some of the towns . So I'd call that part of the it so those made up the miles you'll did not finish. Great videos and good job. Be proud of yourselves. You always have jerks out there that are going to give you crap about it. Ryan's is a lucky man. Let's us know when you''ll get married . Congrats !
Awesome videos of your entire hike of the AT experience. I know its nice to be home but I'm sure you still wish you were still on the trail at times. Speaking of Waynesville, we were up at Caesars Creek State Park last week, what a beautiful park! Well hope you and Ryan keep making videos and whats on your next agenda trail wise??? The Buckeye Trail?
Just absolutely right about needs vs wants. Stuff can own you rather than the other way around. Incidentally, I wonder if some of your joint problems couldn't be traced to a diet typical of thru-hikers that focuses on calories rather than one based upon the real nutritional needs of such a physically challenging undertaking. Of course a more rounded diet would weigh more but, I wonder if the typical hiker diet couldn't be improved but still be portable enough. Anyway, love these videos. I followed along with you the entire trail and appreciate your updates during your re-orientation to a normal life.
Hi Crystal. Been following your hike and loved the journey you took us on. Im from the UK and planning on a pct thru hike in 2018. Logistics will be huge and lots of money to save but i cannot wait. I sent a message to your fb while you were on trail for some advice, but since we are not 'friends' i dont think you received it. Would be good to have someone to give me a few pointers regarding a thru hike. Take care and best wishes, Rob
As a former thru-hiker I'm loving your videos (I've many more to view yet) and I've told a few other former thrus about your channel and they are onto it also. A suggestion... Somehting I did a good while after returning from my hike was to compile my "AT highlights", that is the things that really stuck in my mind 12 months later. Some of these were the not-so-good-at-the-time-events, what I call the war stories. but mostly is was about things that happened to our around me and memorable people I'd met, specific hikers, towns people and or trail angels etc. Maybe you could do a video for us along similar lines? Regards Downunda (AT 2000-2002)
Whoever planned the AT through PA had a twisted sense of humor I think. The state itself is probably innocent, lol. Thanks for the nice follow up videos!
Hope you guys are doing well, maybe you could give us a short update video on how everyone is doing......this year I've been following six different hikers on UA-cam with only two left, most have dropped out for physical issues, it just puts in perspective what you accomplished last year
Loved the videos, Super congrads on finishing the AT. Your videos helped inspire me to start planning my own trip. btw, you look so different with darker hair, I had to take a moment to make sure I was watching the right person. :)
Really enjoyed watching your journey. Loved all your posts and the different topics you discussed: weather, resupply, travel, trail magic, etc. I'm curious...What guide book did you follow? What were those detailed papers with graphs and information about elevation over distance? You and Ryan have inspired many people to get out there and challenge yourself and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you.
Great job! You could technically still call yourself a thru hiker. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago the AT was probably 100 miles less. Those hikers still consider themselves thru hikers. BTW, I just met a SOBO last weekend in Grayson Highlands, he said he was in the first group of SOBO's. So hitting the smokies in a month should put you right in the middle of SOBOs.
Crystal - I've started watching ALL of your AT videos again, in preparing for our thru-hike for next year (2017), just love you and your videos! You are very no-nonsense, and I really like that about you. I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind - what did you do for training in OH before you started the AT? (We will be in Wisconsin before starting).... Also - where did you keep your phone when you weren't using it? Like a the side-waist pocket, so you had it at the ready if you needed to do a video? Just curious. I have the Osprey Exos 48L, but my iPhone 5S doesn't fit in there with the case on.... THANK YOU!! Really appreciate your help. :)
Did you make any notes along the way or was it all video? Are you thinking about a book if even just for yourself and friends? I live in Pennsylvania. :-)
We didn't get to see the dog :-( Great adventure Crystal! You looked totally different with darker hair haha. You were my favorite NOBO this year on UA-cam (except for Will Wood on the PCT -- I guess you could technically call him a NOBO?). I'm hiking the AT in sections and I'm very excited and a little nervous to hit the PA section haha. Take care and see you on the PCT next year right? ~Ridgewalker
Posted another video that has my dogs! Don't be nervous about Pennsylvania, it's more annoying and boring than actually hard. I thought Maine and New Hampshire were the hardest states. May need a year to recover from the AT! Lol will probably hit the PcT in a few years
+Sinfonian Barelytone Maybe in a few years, Ryan is going to take alot of convincing to do a thru hike again. We will probably just end up doing it in sections.
Hi -- I just watched all your videos last night and this morning -- Very well done and inspiring. I am a novice hiker. Why did you go south to north? Is there an advantage over north to south? Also, did you use an app on your phone for the trail map?
Good to figure out needs and wants in life at an early age. Older people, like me, start realizing the burden of having "stuff". I don't really want anything much beyond my needs now. A little more is OK but I'm OK not having extra "stuff" in my life. Now my wife needs to get there.
+David Holland Id of switched shoes a lot sooner than I did! I went monthes with awful feet that cleared up as soon as I got different shoes. Also I probably would have pushed bigger miles in the beginning. We could have easily finished in 5 months. Id also probably visit more hostels and camp in wierder places just for the experience.
hey there! making decisions regarding my 2016 thru-hike and I'm looking for some advice regarding how you shot all of your video. Did you use a go-pro? phone camera? Would love to know more about your methods!
Hello I used my iPhone 6 to film everything and the iMovie app to edit my videos. It works really well because I was able to use my phone as a book, music player, phone and videotaper. Go pros are nice because you can hold them out and get better views and you can hike and film at the same time better. But the components are extra weight
Hey, I'm on my husbands account right now but this is Crystal. We used the lifeproof cases and they worked great! I definitely dropped my phone a lot and it was handy for when my pack got wet because it's waterproof. I'm even still using the same case now.
Yes we hung a bear bag every night except obviously when in towns or if there is a bear box. Didn't want to risk having any critters get into our tent. Mice will chew threw it
+Katelyn Farley No I didn't keep a trail journal. Thats why I video' my adventure then upon returning home, made them into a DVD. Trail journal just wasnt for me
The needs vs the wants thing...Wisdom beyond your years girl!!! Took me till my late 30's to fully understand and live in that one...Such peace of mind afterwards! Just imagine if the entire world lived together in that!
Crystal, you are wise beyond your years, a great role model for all young ladies, congratulations, awesome girl!!
Thank you for doing this post-hike recap. I really enjoyed watching your videos. Last time I checked 2,189 minus 100 equals 2,089..........2,089......let that number sink in for a moment!! You hit the nail on the head when you said it was a blessing just to have the opportunity to hike the trail. There are so many opportunities we have each day and we fail to see them as blessings! You and your husband have accomplished an awesome feat.....I hope the feeling of that accomplishment stays with you a long time!
Thanks again for taking us along! You and Ryan should be very proud of your accomplishment. Wishing you all the best in your life ahead. May you enjoy each moment of the rest of your journey together.
I like your description of how much of a blessing clean water is. We went without a well pump for a while and just that really makes you realize how simple things like taking a shower are not a right, they're a blessing. Thanks for sharing all your time on the AT and afterwards. Lots of props!
Whatever! You guys rocked! You're certainly a Thur-hiker! I loved your videos...
You are awesome. Thank you so much for you videos. I have really enjoyed the commentary.
Congrats, thanks for sharing the post trail feelings! You guys ARE thru hikers. Blowing off 100 miles to re-engage and meet your tie line is ok! It was your trip and you met your needs.... enough said! Can't believe the energy you still have reflecting upon the trek and being back to work! Kudos to you guys and good luck with your marriage!
Thank you so much for sharing....I'm envious...don't worry about the few miles, you've got to hike your own hike and don't worry about what anyone else thinks! Best, ljh
need more people in the world like you great job great video
Thanks so much for being honest about the trail. Followed you the whole way. Really good to hear a woman's point of view. You did a great job the whole way. Congrats.
What a terrific attitude! Good luck to the happy couple!
Your videos were very uplifting to watch. Now I really want to hike the trail, I just do small trails around where I live. I really appreciated your comments about privilege, it really shows your depth of character. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Thanks Crystal. You and Hummer, plus Will Wood, Ken Lambdin, Kyle Barry, Jessica Mills and Joe Brewer all helped get me through a hike-less summer.
See you on the PCT!
Nice video thanks for sharing your after thoughts...Glad to hear Mike is doing well.
I started watching this with a lot of skepticism, but I was hooked after hearing you talk about needs v. wants and your relationship with your spouse. My husband and I are in our 50's and we are just starting to figure those things out now. We hike a lot, but are feeling hesitant about a long trek. This made me feel hopeful that it could happen despite the pain involved. Thanks for your insight.
Great update and cool to hear your thoughts. We do take a lot of things in "real life" for granted. Best of luck to you and Ryan and hope to hear from you'all in the future. Really enjoyed your video series and following along.
thanks for the update, miss your vids. you are a hero!!
Started in Ga - check
Made it thru the Smokies - check
Survived VA - check
Gutted it thru Pa and the rocks - check
Moved thru Nj, NY, Conn, Ma, Vt, Nh - check
Survived the Whites and the Hardest Mile - check
Walked thru Me and made it to the Sign - check
Hike your own hike. You made it, The trail adjusts, moves, and even re-routes often. Your stress, pains, and desire cover the 100 - pay it back by a 'donation', 'trail angel', or by encouraging the next class moving along the trail - and it balances out. You. Did. Good!
Thanks for sharing both your hike and your feelings about it.
You have a great perspective on life, and I suspect some of it was gained on the AT. Good luck in your next adventure.
Fellow RN! I am in CRNA school and haven't been able to hike since before school (in glorious Colorado). Your videos were really nice to watch as they reminded me why I'm doing what I'm doing. Cheers
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in on the trail and in filming and sharing your journey. I loved each video. Your gear videos will help many people. I'm in NH and hope to do at least the NH part of the AT. And I consider you a thru hiker and totally understand your decision to skip a tiny section. I appreciate the fact that you shared your feelings about the journey. I think it will help a lot of hikers through whatever troubles they may encounter. I'm glad to see your feet looking better. They looked SO BAD in some of those early videos. You are "True Grit Weaver" in my book!
The only thing that would have made your story better, is to have listened to it in person around a campfire. Awesome!
I was wondering the other day how your transition back to the world had went . Now I guess I don't have to wonder anymore. Thanks for taking time to document your trip it was really entertaining for me . Good luck in life and maybe go on a couple of overnight trips to put the fun back in backpacking.
You are a thru hiker! Living in NE Tennessee, I've hiked quite a few miles in TN, NC and VA, but my dream is thru hike someday once the kids are old enough. I've got the fever again after watching your videos. Thanks for posting your adventure and allowing me to tag along!
Congratulations on the miles hiked! I enjoyed your videos. I'm thinking that you will one day wish you had completed the 100 miles. Everyone, at some point in their life, reflects back on their life and wishes they had done something different in their lives. So consider knocking those miles off at some point - you have the rest of your life! Sincerely.
It is neat to know you all live where I grew up..
I think this is the first time I seen you with your hair down(miss that topknot lol). you did right in cutting a few miles and finishing on time.; I hope you keep the channel active, I miss your regular posts. best wishes to both of you, and the dogs.
I thought you had the best AT videos this year, and not just because you're pretty and wear pigtails Congrats again, you are an inspiration.
+Im Brad Thanks : ) I appreciate that
Hey , Just hike little parts of the trail on weekends here and there. And make up the 100 miles . It shouldn't be that big of a deal. Yeah! some people are going to say you did not complete it. But I bet it's people that haven't hike it that are saying that. I look at this way if you walked that far on the trail than you finished it. Because you'll had to hike into some of the towns . So I'd call that part of the it so those made up the miles you'll did not finish. Great videos and good job. Be proud of yourselves. You always have jerks out there that are going to give you crap about it. Ryan's is a lucky man. Let's us know when you''ll get married . Congrats !
Great videos, great effort, congratulation. Also I like your frank and funny final analysis. Wishing you all the best...
You guys did great! I followed along.
Awesome videos of your entire hike of the AT experience. I know its nice to be home but I'm sure you still wish you were still on the trail at times. Speaking of Waynesville, we were up at Caesars Creek State Park last week, what a beautiful park! Well hope you and Ryan keep making videos and whats on your next agenda trail wise??? The Buckeye Trail?
Great Job Crystal! Thank You, whats next? PCT or Continental Divide? lol
Just absolutely right about needs vs wants. Stuff can own you rather than the other way around. Incidentally, I wonder if some of your joint problems couldn't be traced to a diet typical of thru-hikers that focuses on calories rather than one based upon the real nutritional needs of such a physically challenging undertaking. Of course a more rounded diet would weigh more but, I wonder if the typical hiker diet couldn't be improved but still be portable enough. Anyway, love these videos. I followed along with you the entire trail and appreciate your updates during your re-orientation to a normal life.
Hi Crystal.
Been following your hike and loved the journey you took us on. Im from the UK and planning on a pct thru hike in 2018. Logistics will be huge and lots of money to save but i cannot wait. I sent a message to your fb while you were on trail for some advice, but since we are not 'friends' i dont think you received it. Would be good to have someone to give me a few pointers regarding a thru hike.
Take care and best wishes, Rob
As a former thru-hiker I'm loving your videos (I've many more to view yet) and I've told a few other former thrus about your channel and they are onto it also. A suggestion... Somehting I did a good while after returning from my hike was to compile my "AT highlights", that is the things that really stuck in my mind 12 months later. Some of these were the not-so-good-at-the-time-events, what I call the war stories. but mostly is was about things that happened to our around me and memorable people I'd met, specific hikers, towns people and or trail angels etc.
Maybe you could do a video for us along similar lines?
Regards Downunda (AT 2000-2002)
158 days with your husband > 2189 miles.
I enjoyed the update now on to the dog video ;)
Whoever planned the AT through PA had a twisted sense of humor I think. The state itself is probably innocent, lol. Thanks for the nice follow up videos!
how many miles is the AT?? health or a 100 miles? i would chose health! you guys are good to go in my book.
love your video's. .have you thought about other long term hiking...would love to see more hiking videos from you guys...great content...
Hope you guys are doing well, maybe you could give us a short update video on how everyone is doing......this year I've been following six different hikers on UA-cam with only two left, most have dropped out for physical issues, it just puts in perspective what you accomplished last year
PS: Proud of you both!
Loved the videos, Super congrads on finishing the AT. Your videos helped inspire me to start planning my own trip. btw, you look so different with darker hair, I had to take a moment to make sure I was watching the right person. :)
Really enjoyed watching your journey. Loved all your posts and the different topics you discussed: weather, resupply, travel, trail magic, etc. I'm curious...What guide book did you follow? What were those detailed papers with graphs and information about elevation over distance? You and Ryan have inspired many people to get out there and challenge yourself and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you.
Great job! You could technically still call yourself a thru hiker. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago the AT was probably 100 miles less. Those hikers still consider themselves thru hikers. BTW, I just met a SOBO last weekend in Grayson Highlands, he said he was in the first group of SOBO's. So hitting the smokies in a month should put you right in the middle of SOBOs.
Awesome! I wasn't sure of their timing. I hope we get to meet some, if not we'll leave them some goodies
would love to see you guys do the pct..
Crystal - I've started watching ALL of your AT videos again, in preparing for our thru-hike for next year (2017), just love you and your videos! You are very no-nonsense, and I really like that about you. I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind - what did you do for training in OH before you started the AT? (We will be in Wisconsin before starting).... Also - where did you keep your phone when you weren't using it? Like a the side-waist pocket, so you had it at the ready if you needed to do a video? Just curious. I have the Osprey Exos 48L, but my iPhone 5S doesn't fit in there with the case on.... THANK YOU!! Really appreciate your help. :)
Did you make any notes along the way or was it all video? Are you thinking about a book if even just for yourself and friends? I live in Pennsylvania. :-)
We didn't get to see the dog :-( Great adventure Crystal! You looked totally different with darker hair haha. You were my favorite NOBO this year on UA-cam (except for Will Wood on the PCT -- I guess you could technically call him a NOBO?). I'm hiking the AT in sections and I'm very excited and a little nervous to hit the PA section haha. Take care and see you on the PCT next year right?
~Ridgewalker
Posted another video that has my dogs! Don't be nervous about Pennsylvania, it's more annoying and boring than actually hard. I thought Maine and New Hampshire were the hardest states. May need a year to recover from the AT! Lol will probably hit the PcT in a few years
Another thoughtful video. Well done. What's next? How about the PCT? Tons fewer states.
+Sinfonian Barelytone Maybe in a few years, Ryan is going to take alot of convincing to do a thru hike again. We will probably just end up doing it in sections.
I am so impressed by your work as an RN. Incredible young woman.
Hi -- I just watched all your videos last night and this morning -- Very well done and inspiring. I am a novice hiker. Why did you go south to north? Is there an advantage over north to south? Also, did you use an app on your phone for the trail map?
Good to figure out needs and wants in life at an early age. Older people, like me, start realizing the burden of having "stuff". I don't really want anything much beyond my needs now. A little more is OK but I'm OK not having extra "stuff" in my life. Now my wife needs to get there.
Hey Crystal, with the benefit of hindsight, would you do anything different ?
+David Holland Id of switched shoes a lot sooner than I did! I went monthes with awful feet that cleared up as soon as I got different shoes. Also I probably would have pushed bigger miles in the beginning. We could have easily finished in 5 months. Id also probably visit more hostels and camp in wierder places just for the experience.
Would you hike it by yourself?
hey there! making decisions regarding my 2016 thru-hike and I'm looking for some advice regarding how you shot all of your video. Did you use a go-pro? phone camera? Would love to know more about your methods!
Hello I used my iPhone 6 to film everything and the iMovie app to edit my videos. It works really well because I was able to use my phone as a book, music player, phone and videotaper. Go pros are nice because you can hold them out and get better views and you can hike and film at the same time better. But the components are extra weight
being a nh resident....yes the whites will beat you up....then beat you down.epic videos.
Hey Crystal! Did you have a phone case of any kind for your iPhone while on the trail? Thanks!
Hey, I'm on my husbands account right now but this is Crystal. We used the lifeproof cases and they worked great! I definitely dropped my phone a lot and it was handy for when my pack got wet because it's waterproof. I'm even still using the same case now.
Thanks so much!
Did you hang a bear bag every night or keep food in your tent?
Yes we hung a bear bag every night except obviously when in towns or if there is a bear box. Didn't want to risk having any critters get into our tent. Mice will chew threw it
+Crystal Weaver Good! I was sure that would be your answer. Smart lady!
Did you keep a trail journal?
+Katelyn Farley No I didn't keep a trail journal. Thats why I video' my adventure then upon returning home, made them into a DVD. Trail journal just wasnt for me
I wonder what's happened to Crystal since this video has been put up?
Hemmorage
Okay so you are not a thru-hiker but only by a minimal margin. You can still say you are a done-a-whole-heckuva-lot-more-than-most-hiker.
Would you do again
+Charlie Wood Not any time soon. At least not as a thru hike, id do some sections. Im more interested in hiking other places now
Yo yo yo my name is Joe, I have. I brain? I'm am insane I am insane and carry a cane lol
Diarreah
so the real deal is about 5 grand. a year ago.
Vasectomy
Pus
Crystal, please do not dye your hair! Its getting in your face, and distracting your speech. Your braids or ponytail were terrific.
Pee
Poop