Appalachian Trail Thru Hike: Your questions answered!
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- Hey friends! Many of you have questions about our thru hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail in just a few months, and we are pleased to answer them! Our hope is that through this and other videos, you all will get to know us a little bit more. Thank you for all of your support!
*Sorry the audio isn’t the best. We’ll work on that aspect of filming. Thanks for being patient. 🙏🏼
Baby Bear’s channel: Hooked by Jael
youtube.com/@h...
A couple of years ago, I followed Supergirl’s AT journey. She turned 7 on trail and she did an amazing job! There are many and varied reasons someone doesn’t finish an AT thru hike. But if Baby Bear doesn’t finish, it won’t be because she’s too young to meet the challenge.
But it might be because of the eggs. That face was PRICELESS!
I remember her…and her mom, right? Very cool. I’ve loved watching so many people go before us and it’s been amazing to watch their journeys.
Baby Bear is a beast! I think she will do very well….but the choice is always hers and hers alone. No pressure from me or the rest of the family. She’s as stoked about this as I am. 😊
And yeah, her face!! 🤣🤣🤣 She was not a fan of those eggs!
So happy you’ll follow our journey! 🙏🏼
Looking forward to following you all on here❤
Thanks! We’re glad you’re here.
I like Baby Bear's self confidence. No matter what distance you get to on the trail, it will be a learning experience.
My niece did a six week long trek with her mum when she was nine. That was the most time she could get out of school, it being the summer break. She suffered in the wet conditions due to having cold feet until she got 'dry socks', the brand Sealskins. They kept her feet warm no matter how wet the trail was.
Thank you! She is so confident and positive. I love hiking with her. We have such a good time. And she’s so easy to hike with. She takes care of herself and makes things fun! 🤩
8:00 you can tell how much baby bear adores you, when you grabbed your drink, she noticed and grabbed hers too to be just like mama, what a beautiful family, may God keep you and bless you on your journey! 😊
🥹 I love her so much! So proud of her and I’m glad she’s my partner. We have so much to look forward to. 💙
Loved Baby Bear’s eye roll on that sticky rice w/ mango chunks & you saying how delish it was. 😂
Y’all are so cute & wholesome. Wish I could see you on hike but put mine off to 2025 to better prepare. I’ll be following you two here & pulling for you.
Hahaha, she’s not shy about sharing her true feelings. 🤣 I think we’re going to have a great time! We make a good team. 🤗
Thank you for following along and your support! We’ll cheer you on in 2025! 💙
I'm so excited for you! You are both an inspiration! Can't wait to follow along!
Thank you!! 🙏🏼 We appreciate your support more than we can even describe in words!
I admire you both for doing this video and for you both planning this adventure. I hope to see you on trail next year.
Thank you! The planning and preparing part of this journey has been a lot of fun! We’re excited and ready! Hope to see ya! 😊
Enjoyed getting to know you guys a little more!
Thank you! 🙏🏼
Soooo sorry about the audio friends!! We were sad to hear it turn out so poorly, but we didn’t want to scrap the whole video. Or redo it with more food. 😂 Thanks for your patience. I promise we’re learning and will get better. 😊
Also, here’s Baby Bear’s crochet channel:
youtube.com/@hookedbyJael?si=f8fbmakEk2qyRzJi
No worries, I'm not sure what highway y'all were close to but I'm sure glad I don't have to drive it everyday going to work. 😃
Hahaha, luckily it’s not too bad. I just didn’t realize how loud it was because it didn’t feel that close to the park. And the thought of redoing this video seemed crazy. 🤪
Great video. Love the fact you’re hiking with the inReach Mini 2. If you guys are sharing a single device, I suggest having the Garmin Messenger App loaded to Little Bear’s phone and paired to the Mini 2. That way if you fall/slip off trail and get hurt/unresponsive in an area without cell service and Little Bear can’t reach you then she can use the Garmin Messenger App to initiate an SOS. I only make this suggestion because this happened to me as a kid on a ski trip with my father and you both should have a way to get emergency help if needed.
Thank you! We have discussed at length the different scenarios and what she would need to do in case of an emergency. But, I didn’t even think to have her phone linked to the Garmin. (She currently doesn’t have a phone but will once we’re on trail.)
I’ll have to check into that and see how to do it. Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate it!
Excellent advice! ❤
Awesome video! I'm psyched. Can't wait for yall to hit the trail.
Love the profile pic, baby Bear
Thank you! We’re so excited!
Baby Bear & Ellie cat…best friends forever!
Ladies probably the most important thing to remember is that the trail is 10% physical and 90% mental. Yes, the terrain will be hard, but you can do it. You will have to accept the way things happen and change and adapt to it. If you can keep your heads together throughout this journey, you won't have many problems.
The trail is actually safer than most hometowns. You will find that it is one big family out there and MANY people will watch over you.
Good to see that you like cats! In 1990 I hiked, and my cat Ziggy rode on top of my pack. He only walked about 9miles of the trail, and he couldn't go into the Smokies or Katahdin but as far as I know, he is the only cat to have done the trail. Please don't try to take your cat on the trail. Ziggy was born, and raised in the outdoors and he didn't know any other way. Most cats won't do well on a backpacking trip.
Hike safe, Hike strong, Have fun!
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Solid advice for sure! Mental preparedness will be what gets us through! Pain is temporary!
I bet you and Ziggy had the time of your lives! I love it. I’ll be sure and tell Little Bear. No way we would take our cat or dog. It’s going to be hard enough without having something else to tend to. We’re trying our best to stack the odds in our favor. 😊
I’ve been watching for a couple of months…. I’m looking to take my oldest (she’s 9) on a backpacking trip this summer. Only a week, but it’s our first ever trip. As a mom, I just want to say it’s silly how emotional I’ve been watching this and so I want to just comment on how amazing of a mother/family support it seems you have. I’m so touched and will be watching until summit day!
However, I had a suggestion. If you pack a travel squeeze bottle of Taco Bell’s Queso sauce (they sell it as the grocery store), you can make those egg burritos extra wonderful! 🎉😂😊 Good luck!!
Oh wow, thank you so much! 🙏🏼 I’m humbled by your kind words and support. Thank you!!! 🥹
How exciting for you and your daughter! Where do you guys plan to backpack for your trip this summer? You guys are going to have an amazing time!
Oh yeah!!! Love your suggestion! We have some leftover from the last time we went to TB. My middle daughter, Moonpie (she did the FHT with us back in April) LOVES the TB sauce. I agree, it’s delicious!!
@@wildflowersadventures We are from MN, so we will be doing the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trail. Well, part of it. 😜
Best of luck, will be watching🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Just found you guys❣️You two have it together, BRAVO👏👏Thanks for hiking the Ap so I don’t have to go 😍😍
Thanks! We’re glad you’re here. We’re happy to share our journey with you! March will be here soon!
Thanks for the recommendation about PEAK REFUEL!! I have been dialing in my nutrition and have not decided yet. This helps a lot and I will try this one on my late December/January shakedown!!
You’re welcome! I like Peak Refuel a lot because it takes less water, has the highest calories and is tasty! We’ve tried about 6 or 7 brands now and prefer this one. It’s expensive but worth it! Packit Gourmet is probably our second fav!
@@wildflowersadventures I wrote both of those down in my notes and will be trying both. Thank you again!!
Such a fun video! Love the combination of meal tasting and Q&A. I'll give you a few more meal suggestions ... PackIt Gourmet - their chicken salads and texas state fair chili, Bushka's Kitchen (Zesty Zoodle, Unstuffed Pepper), Sails & Trails (all of them - but currently out of stock), Stowaway Gourmet (Shrimp Curry and Wild Boar Bean Stew), Peak Refuel (sweet pork & rice), Outdoor Herbivore (Mojo Mango Bowl, Open Sky Yasi, and Coconut Chia Peel). I'll note - all of these are gluten/dairy free due to personal allergies - but these companies make other meals that are probably super delicious too! ☺
Thank you! 😊 We had fun doing it.
Thanks for the suggestions! Other than Packit Gournet, I haven’t heard of any of those, so we have to check them out.
Awe. Just realized this was 6 months ago. Definitely missing your daily videos now that you are off trail ❤
I'm leaving my compass at home - if I get lost, that was sorta the point anyway. If there is raw emotion at the thought of "touching the sign", I don't think there's a choice in making the attempt. Have fun. I will enjoy watching and learning.
Thanks for being here. We’re happy to share our journey with you. We’re ready!
You guys should aqua blaze! Obviously it's important to hike your own hike, but there are 2 aqua blazes on the trail, one out of Boots Off Hostel in Tenessee, and one in the Shenendoahs. I did them both, and they were some of the best side quests of the whole trail experience for me. Think about it, and don't decide for sure until you get there. But if you're worried about still being considered a thru hiker, the ATC considers aqua blazing a legit alternate to the trail. I highly, highly reccomend it :)
Thank you! I’d love to consider it! I’m open to side quests! Little Bear is more of the purist mindset, so she isn’t a fan. But, I did convince her to just take each day as it comes. 😊
@@wildflowersadventures I totally get the purist mindset. It completely went out the window for me when I skipped a section of trail in order to stick with my tramily, and then realized that no one judged me, and the universe didn't implode... haha. Definitely take each day as it comes and don't pass up awesome opportunities for trail memories! Loving the videos!
Loved it!
Thank you! 🙏🏼 Wish the audio was better. Bad place to video. It didn’t sound that loud while we were there. 😕 And thank you for your question!
I could hear it fine. Good info on the food. Loved Baby Bears expression when she tasted the one she didn’t like.😂
I’m the same way. I don’t have to say anything because you can tell by my facial expression.
I hope to get myself together and UA-cam my hike. We’ll see. I’ll probably have to get my granddaughter to show me how.😂
Plus home schooling will work also
Yes! We’ve been homeschooling for over 8 years now. 🙂 It’s been so great!
Great video!
Thank you! Sorry about the background noise. It didn’t sound nearly as loud whilst we were filming.
What application do you use to edit your videos? I want to learn how to do videos to record my journey for my family and friends.
I’m still very much an amateur, and learning everyday. I use Splice. It’s easy and didn’t have a huge learning curve.
@@wildflowersadventures is splice an App for the phone?
@ivanjosiervjourney4920 Yep, Splice is an app I’ve downloaded on my phone.
@@wildflowersadventures awesome I’m going to download it and start practicing. I want to make sure I record as much as possible for my kids, grandkids, Josie, and extended family. I’m really excited and your enthusiasm and of little bear keeps me going to gym and working out. Keep it up I truly appreciate it!
Everything tastes good on trail. Something taste better.
That is so true!!
And tastes can change.
I loved eating tortillas with summer sausage and cheese (and other things) for the first month but then couldn't stomach tortillas after that. Gag reflex if I even put one near my mouth. Only on trail though, still loved burritos off trail. Couldn't eat them on trail for the rest of my thru. Glad I hadn't forward resupplied with tortillas!
Hahaha, yeah, I can certainly see that happening. We will have to get very creative at times. We’ll have fun with it!
One of the fun things about a thru is hitting the packet food aisle of the store conjuring up you next week's meals. And seeing what other hikers come up with.@@wildflowersadventures
My absolute favorites are peak Refuel pasta alfredo and backpackers pantry lasagna. Actually, I even order them from the states to the Netherlands as I love them so much and they are a 1000 times better than the Dutch backpacking meals 😅
I think next time a more remote place to film would be a better idea 😉
They are sooo good, right?! Another brand is Packit Gourmet that is supposed to be even better. We bought several for our resupply boxes, so we’ll let you know. 😊
And yeah, I’m sooo sorry about the audio! It didn’t sound that loud whilst we were there. I regret that it is though. We’ll do better next time!
@@wildflowersadventures yeah I would love to try packit gourmet as well but unfortunately their international shipping is very expensive.
@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl Ahh, that’s a shame! 😕 Hopefully they find a way to reduce the shipping costs.
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💙💙💙 i love you!
Just found your channel and subscribed. You guys seem very well informed and your learning curve should be minimal. I'm looking forward to following your journey come March. Best of luck!
Thank you so much! We’re glad you’re here!
This is our third shake down and on every single one, we’ve learned valuable lessons. Hopefully our learning curve won’t be too steep once we’re on the AT, but if it is, luckily, we’re quick learners. 😂
Looking forward to sharing our journey with you!
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I worry about how to deal with snakes and bears..
... salt , pepper and a little Slap-ya-Mamma seasoning ... 10 min. per side ......... maybe BBQ sauce for the bear .....
Hahaha! That’s definitely one way!
Honestly, snake and bears are the least of our worries. We have still never seen a bear. We’re hoping to see one from a safe distance. As far as snakes go, I used to be more fearful of them. Over the last year, I’ve immersed myself in a few Facebook Snake ID groups so that I can learn as much as I can about them. That has resulted in reduced fear and more knowledge. We’ve encountered quite a few on trail…mostly nonvenomous black racers, corn snakes, etc, but on one of our hikes at Black Bear Wilderness, we ran across 2-3 Diamondback Rattlesnakes and a few Pygmy Rattlers. We just gave them a wide berth and were careful. Just keep your head up and look for them. Watch carefully around rocks, logs, etc and use your trekking poles to test surfaces. 😊
@@rockytopwrangler2069😂😋🍽️
No doubt you two will succede with such pos attitude 🙂
Thank you for your kind words and support! We sure hope we succeed! We’re gonna give it our best shot!
@@wildflowersadventures sent PM instagram.
Enjoyed this video, my son recommended some dehydrated food. I will share it when I get the names and brands. Are you using the AT Guide for planning?
Hi there! Thank you!
Yes, we just got the new 2024 AWOL guide (pdf version…paper version should be here in a week or two) that we will use to plan. We also use FarOut as well.
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Awesome you guys! I have 2 daughters 9 and 12 and would love to do something like this. We will be following your adventure. I think you all will do great. You obviously have done your research and seem very competent.
Thank you so much! We appreciate your support and kind words. We are so happy to do this adventure together. I hope you get to do one with your girls one day.
Great video!!!
Thanks! 😊 We appreciate you!
Momma Bear, your hair looks really pretty pulled up
Thank you! 😊
Oh my goodness, I watched all your AT videos when you were still on trail and just came across this video. My oldest daughter just graduated with Acellus and my youngest daughter just started her senior year with Acellus! How cool is it that little bear is a fellow student! Can’t wait for an update on how y’all are doing back home.
Very cool! We’ve loved Acellus! It’s been great!
Thank you for sharing our journey! We’re grateful for our time on the AT. It was awesome!
First Q&A video was just released this morning. Family adventures coming soon! Love and light to you! 💙☀️✨🙏🏼
Great video guys. My sister and I will be doing some trail magic and slack packing of hikers in the PA area. In addition I’ll be down south doing same probably In March and April so hopefully I can help you guys out at some point 😊. I received much during my 2022 hike and love to give back !!
Thank you! I wish the background noise wasn’t so terrible 😣
We’re learning! 🤣
Thank you for doing some trial magic and hiker support! That’s awesome! Hope to run into you guys! 🙏🏼
You have a beautiful family and a tremendous support system. That tough love you mentioned they are giving you guys is such a great gift! Selfless on their parts to help you guys realize this dream! Incredible. I'm a section hiker and I love watching thru hiker videos to help keep me connected and your hike is going to be epic. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you! 🙏🏼
Our family is truly incredible. We are so grateful to have each other. Supporting one another in all that we do has always been an important core value for us. They will surely be keys to our success.
Thanks for your support, too! It’s wonderful to share our journey with you!
Happy trails!
Its looks like everything is good on a trail. Thank you for answering honestly all the fans asking about you connected
Thank you! We’re happy to answer questions and for our friends to get to know us a bit better. We have a journey to go on together! 🙏🏼
Sounds like y'all are ready for this hike, loved seeing the reactions to the different meals.
Thanks! It was delicious and fun! 🤣
Yeah, we feel ready! And excited!
Outstanding
Thanks! 😊
Is your family going to do a video or segments about what life is like at home with a family member on trail?
Hmmm, that’s an interesting idea! I would love to see that! I’ll ask my older daughters. If anyone would do something like that, it would be them. Thanks! 🙏🏼 😊
You two are the coolest people whoever lived.
Hahaha, thanks! We’re doing our best! 😊
... Loved this ,, great insights for what's to come ... You are both going to have a blast !! .... Baby Bear's not really a baby anymore ,, but we all know Mamma's have a hard time letting their babies grow up .. Noticed in another comment maybe consider "Little Bear" as adjusted trail name ..... Love her confidence ,, but as you mentioned ,, hiking and backpacking is not new to your family ,, just a longer trail and trail time ... Love the personality of this strong girl ,, i.e. ... the flex pose and the seated dance move near the end ..... I can see the fun is about to happen ...
... ??Q?? :: Will you remain as a duo team or will you be looking for a tramily to join on the trail ??
.. Look forward to the docudrama and laughter along the trail ,, I think this team will be the one for all to watch and cheer ,, (no pressure,lol ),, ..You got This !! .... Stay Safe and God Bless ...
Thank you so much! We are so excited ready!
Baby Bear just got a new trail name, given by a famous trail angel, Fresh Ground. He renamed her and she happily accepted ‘Little Bear.’ This girl is genuinely remarkable and one of the toughest people I know. I’m so glad she’s my partner! We will cherish our time together!
We are open to jumping in with a tramily and really look forward to all the wonderful people we will meet. God puts the best people in our paths, so we’re eager to make new friends! We will be careful to protect our goals and not get swept up by the group’s goals though.
What a refreshing video! You’re both amazing and Mama Bear what a great example of calmness, capability and confidence you exude, must be wonderful for all your children and your spouse.
I am curious if you e done something special like this with your other children, or if any of them wanted to tag along. Baby Bear seems so well grounded, I’m excited to go along for the hike!
Wishing you all the best!
Hi there! Thanks for being here! We’re excited to share our journey with you.
Thank you for your kind words! 🙏🏼
So my husband and I have 4 children (18 yo son, and 3 daughters, from 15 to 11yo).
All 4 were invited to go with me. My son isn’t able to join us as he is working and building his business. My oldest 2 daughters love camping and hiking, but not long distance backpacking….so the AT was a no thank you for them. 😂 My husband would like to go, but can’t take 6 months off of work.
We have done lots of trips and adventures as a family. We homeschool and prioritize experiential learning, along with academics. Each child has gotten to plan a mama and me 12th (or 13th) birthday trip. None were 6 months long, but they’d all tell you they were memorable! 💙
84.5 marathon’s woo hoo !
Looking forward to following your journey. I thru hiked NOBO in 2021. I vlogged my hike primarily for friends and family and to have a reminder of this epic experience. I wanted to post a video every day but found that signal strength was often an issue so I found myself posting every town stop, which was usually every 3 days or so. Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to meet a deadline. Just enjoy the ride and let everything happen organically!! Good luck and God bless!
Thank you so much for your support and advice! And congratulations on your thru hike! I hope it was epic!
Yeah, I can already see how taxing it’ll be to get a daily video out, but like you said, I want it for my family and also to give back to the hiking community. We’ve learned so much over the years from all the vloggers/hikers that have gone before us. They’ve taught us and inspired us and for that, I’m grateful!
I hope we’ll come up with a system that works for us sooner than later. We plan to take a nero or zero about once per week, so as long as we have signal, I’ll upload and schedule posts ahead of time. God bless you! Thank you! 🙏🏼 😊
Great video. You forgot Baby Bear’s channel link!
Ahhh, thank you!! I just added it in the description and in the pinned comment. 🙏🏼
All food is good when you’re on trail. 😎 also you can make your own foods give it a try.
There’s definitely truth in that! 🤣 Hiker hunger is real!
We’ve dehydrated food before, but it was just easier to buy these meals little by little over the past 2 years.
Do u or can u do a short video on vlogging and editing process etc
Purist decision rocks
Ok, will do! We can get that done soon. I’m definitely a novice, but I’m happy to share what I do know. 🙏🏼
Baby Bear has spoken on the purist decision! 🤣💙
... Great trail dehydrated food review ,, I think they all should sponsor you for the AT ... including LMNT ..What better representative than an eleven year old ?? .... I have hiked and backpack for over 50+ years and tried many ,, but Peak Refuel is my primary go to for store bought ,,, over the years , I purchased a dehydrator and make many of my trail meals ,,or cook fresh .. and certainly carry plenty of the Knorrs Sides and Idahoan potatoes and Ramen ... can cook as is only or mix and match for the perfect "Ramen Bomb"..... on a trail of this time and distance ,, changing things up is absolutely necessary ...
Thanks! 😊 I’d love to be sponsored! It would definitely help defray costs! 🤣
LMNT, hands down, is the best! Highest performance value and tastes the best! And Peak Refuel is expensive, but our favorite, too. It’s worth it for the taste as well as the smaller amount of water needed to rehydrate!
One day, we’ll invest in a freeze dryer! That would be so much fun!
@@wildflowersadventures ... Don't really need a freeze dryer ,, a dehydrator and a vacuum sealer does the job ... just make an extra helping of favorite dinner meals and save for the trails ... I'm sure with the active family it should be fun to pick and pack a freezer ... dehydrated and vac. sealed will easily last a couple months in a freezer ... saves money as well ..
@rockytopwrangler2069 yeah, we’ve used our dehydrator quite a bit. It really is fun! I enjoy it.
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You mentioned watching past hikes. Who were you have hikers to watch?
Oh so many! Let me see who I can recall straight away: Hawk (Craig Mains), Quadzilla (CYTC The Healthy Gamer), Dixie, Kelly Hays, Nahamsha, Playground Earth TV (Mushroom & Pink Hotdog), Beer in Beautiful Places, Kyle Hates Hiking, Bad Bat, Hiking Dancer, Pack and Soul, Nonnie, Tara Treks, Stella, Jay Wonders Out, Hiking with Braids, Dan Becker, IB TAT, That’s Amazing Grace, Kara Kirtley, Alicia in the Mountains, Scott Benerofe, Chase Mountains, Dirtbag Family Hikers, 32 Feet Up. Many more from years ago, but these are the ones I could recall.
@@wildflowersadventures you mentioned some of my fave hikers from this year Badbat,Nahamsha,Beer in beautiful places will go back and look at some of the others
@MizSazz definitely lots of good ones! So thankful for all of them and how much we’ve learned. 🙏🏼💙
I’m a hammock camper, and in looking up hammock videos several years ago I ran across Frozen’s Outdoor Adventures channel. His vlog of hiking the AT with a hammock got me hooked on AT vlogs. I can’t recommend his AT series highly enough.
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New Subbie here! I am excited for both of you. I look forward to following your journey. 🌲🐻🐿🦝🦊🌳🌲 Have Fun!! 👍
Hey!! Thanks for subscribing! We can’t wait to share our journey with you! 🙏🏼😊