Tips For A Successful Thru hike
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- I talked to some of my fellow thru-hikers to come up with the top 10 tips for making it all the way through a thru-hike.
00:51 Start Early
01:48 Money
02:54 Overplanning
05:27 Listen to Your Body
06:52 Feet
10:25 Embrace the Suck
12:00 Test Run
14:38 Overpacking
16:14 Mental Challenge vs Physical Challenge
17:46 HYOH
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Dixie, Sweet JM, you’re a blessed, wonderful ambassador and teacher for hiking. You have found your niche. Thank you. I learned in the Army, all plans change upon execution. Your perspective is earned and we respect you. Being wet, cold, hungry and extremely tired/sleepy is sooo miserable, been there, done that, for weeks, without interruption. Learning to ignore comfort complaints is a fine line that separates want and need. The hike will help. Thanks to you and many others I will hike the PCT, Spring, ‘23, finally. Have already given work notice. Getting ready is truly exciting. Sending you a virtual hug of thanks. Kentucky
Hey Dixie,
Thanks for brightening another Wednesday, and for your common-sense and
helpful advice, delivered with your Alabama charm that we've come to love. Take
care and Blessings to your and your family....ATB...CHEERS !!
Love that you help others learn from your mistakes. It takes a lot of courage to step out and admit times when you have done something wrong. Love that about you. Great video Dixie! Enjoyed 🙌🏻
I thru-hiked southbound in 1981, long before there was ever such thing as a "personal computer" never mind the internet. I climbed Katahdin on August 1, 1981 and we reached Springer on January 1, 1982. While we saw a lot of thru-hikers our first month while we were in Maine, we really had the trail to ourselves after that, only really seeing other hikers on weekends. We did not experience the walking social experience that I have come to understand many northbound thru-hikers experience these days. I'm always an advocate for folks to consider hiking south if they want a more private experience with cooler weather.
Sounds like a good idea. I'd like less bugs and don't like all the rain in the spring that is always the case NOBO. Seen enough black flies in May and June in the woods in NH to last me a lifetime. Could totally skip those two months (and July's mosquitoes).
Hey Dixie, I really value your unbiased and straight-to-the-point info. Thank you for putting your top tips in one video. I am hiking PCT in 2020 and I'm planning/ saving for it now. Cheers!
Exalent Dixie you covered a lot of important things and I am sure you are helping many people. Thanks for putting the info out there.
Hi Dixie...I am planning a through hike of the Colorado Trail this summer. I am completely overwhelmed with the amount of information available and what/who to follow for insight and advice. I have made you my #1 source for information on my hike. I love your delivery and "down to earthness." Ironic, you just mentioned "paralysis of analysis" this is how I have become! My background is as a golf instructor and we used this term quite frequently. I can relate the fact that not everything (usually nothing) is going to go the way you plan and this has to be the case on a through hike, so flexibility and preparation is key. I appreciate your work and your passion!
Always great!
Thanks for the information again.
150k plus subscribers. Way to go Dixie!
a few tips on fitting shoes from a guy who sells hiking shoes:
1. take out the insole and stand on it with your hiking socks on, you'll want to make sure they're the right width. if sides of the insole follow the edge of your feet, great! if the have a bunch of spare room to the sides, try a narrower shoe, if your feet fall over the sides, try a broader shoe.
by standing on the insole it also becomes a lot easier to see if you have the thumb's breadth left in front of your toes.
2. most hiking stores will allow you to try the shoes on inside (your home/work place for example) for a day and return them if they turn out not to fit. this allows you more time to get to know the shoe, and allows you to try the shoes with your feet to swollen up like they do during the day. I highly recommend sing this option.
3. if you are going to hike on trail runners, make sure you are well trained (hiking wise) before going into the mountains, otherwise your muscles and tendons will not be strong enough to handle the stress and you will injure yourself. If you are not going to be trained up before you hit the mountains, consider going for a hiking boot instead, as the added stability of these boots will take a lot of stress of the tendons and muscles. (which is why most casual hikers still prefer boots)
Ha ha if only there was a shoe broad enough that my feet don't fall over the sides of the insole. Even men's Altras are not that broad.
@@dianesoini a meindl comfort fit men's might be though, in a nut shell it's pretty much the widest line of hiking shoes around in europe. not sure if they're available where you're from though, as they are a german company.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this great content! I’ve been watching your videos these past 2 weeks, and it’s great to see someone put everything in such a relatable way! I still am doing day hikes at Oak Mountain State Park, but I bought a sawyer squeeze this week as my first piece of hiking gear! I’m hoping I can do a short thru hike this summer. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experiences. You’ve inspired me! 😊
Love this channel!! They're all slap full of good information!!
I bloody well love your videos. Thank you.
I absolutely love your videos and highly value your opinions! Thank you for sharing all the hiking experiences you've had :)
I'll admit, knowing a person can start at 8 miles and still get thru....makes me feel way more confident about my PCT thru this April lol. Thanks Dix!
Really excellent as always.
I'm planning my first ever weekend backpacking trip in Texas and have just been devouring your videos, Dixie. Thanks so much for all the helpful tips and advice you give. I'm hoping I can do a shorter thru-hike someday (student loan debt is holding me back from a 6-month journey), and I feel like I'll be as prepared as I can be for such a journey thanks to these videos.
Thanks for the great videos. There is a fine line between not overpacking and being someone who always needs to relay on the kindness of others. Medical items are a good example. Several trips I have carried what I thought would be an excessive amount of Imodium and ended up using and giving away every last tablet. I have patched others scrapes and gash wound from falls that typical boo boo kit band aids don’t cover. While many sections of trail are well traveled you also traversed some rather desolate sections as well. For those areas rules like if you have one you have none, if you have two you have one, certainly apply. There are mini ferro rod and tinder kits, tiny but bright led lights, and thin mylar emergency blankets for backups. With dedicated groups one can split up gear that covers contingencies. The hike your own hike philosophy combined with ultra light competitiveness could leave someone alone and unprepared. This is in contrast to a leave no man / woman behind ethos practiced by the military or organized groups like Scouts. It will be interesting to see your experiences hiking with your mom this year. Finding common schedules and adjusting pace will be key. Your gear load will certainly increase as you seek to make the trail easier for your mother. Thanks again for your efforts.
I made a double noobie mistake when I overpacked for 40+ days hiking the PCT using military experiece and methods. The experience really helped; the methods were not always so good.
Combined with age, my overload seriously humbled me. My large MOLLE Ruck with extra pouch was about 9 lbs empty just by itself. My food, estimated for 14 days (planned resupply 10 days out) was too much. 14 days in and still had over half my food :o
I dont fear over-compensating bc I dont have funds for UL gear plus, but I'm making big strides in that direction.
One exception: wool wool wool. I tried going with hardly any and regretted it bigtime. The Northwest where I do most of my hiking is wet wet wet. My comercially laminated map even got soaked through.
I'll still use a lot of synthetics to save weight, but for life-saving warmth my choice is wool (or silk/wool blend - $10 new shirt from Goodwill :)
I was just having some withdraw. Thanks for the video! ♡
150K! Congratulations Dixie. Well played.
That was a great batch of information thanks
Absolutely sound advise on all counts! For example I had been a 'barefoot" runner so started with an extremely minimal shoe. With even every ounce counted in my pack, weight together with daily miles I damaged my feet so embrace the cush. Personal preference altras -- zero drop and toe splay. Another example was spending so much time and money ounce counting then I started out with way too much food. Really silly. Also, I'd also planned ahead and sent bounce boxes of food then later tired of the flavors and just wanted to buy different food along the way. ... but I did appreciate my veggie organic food. I started late and was overseas and pressured by the return ticket and didn't allow extra time. I really appreciated extra money because the showers and bed, restaurant stops are so wonderful here and there. So this video is spot on!
Hi Dixie, I adore your vids! Just an idea but could you do an international visitors video? That covers what phone plans work well ie amount of data and best service and easy to cancel at the end. American accommodation prices to expect, food prices to expect for a resupply, a bear can rental rather than purchase options, do pharmacies accept international scripts for medicine, how to do tipping ... etc, im sure you know plenty of internationals that could give you some added tips :) Just an idea thanks!
YES I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THIS TOO!!
Maybe I can get with some of my fellow hikers who live in different countries and do some kind of Q&A with them for this kind of thing!
I have talked about bear can rentals on the PCT in a video, though ;)
@@HomemadeWanderlust That would be amazing, what a great idea!
@@theapetrass2253 I'm just gonna throw out a few crazy ideas - some that I practice regularly, so not just hypothetical.
I use a few devices (like the one I'm typing on) but I have no active phone service. I use WiFi almost daily. I have a free text service which actually provides some free phone minutes. On trail I'm virtually unplugged, but reconnect when I resupply.
I'm an American, but I have travelled internationally both on my own and with the US military. I actually seemed to connect better with internatiinal hikers than with most 'local' hikers. Unlike me, most hikers these days do have some kind of phone service (if in range mind you*) If hiker tips can include hitching into town (sometimes questionable imo) why not be able to ask for some phone time from fellow hikers? (just friendly imo)
Now for the more hazardous/remote stretches a spot device/message/call device (satellite based) is probably the way to go. *No range or region issues. Dixie did a good video on this topic - well worth checking out.
Happy hiking.
Hey dixie thanks to you me and my best friend are starting the appalachian trial in march we are 2 tex-mex mid term high school grads and are so excited and all i know now is because of you thanks a lot!! wish us luck! And also im planning to document for people but in spanish 🤩🤟🏻
Adrian Garcia That’s so cool! Wishing you both the best 😃😃😃
Hike your own hike, everything you said there, I feel it to my core.
Great suggestions.
Great video, thanks
Some great advice!
Quite possibly the very best hiker help video I have ever watched - which is a lot. One or two dozen a week maybe for about 6 months (when I'm not on a trail)
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you for the sound advice. As a former care taker on the AT. There are a LOT of hikers that have no idea what they are up against or doing on the trail even some thru hikers. Small mini hikes for shake down are very important to check gear, food and most importantly for physical conditioning. The first couple weeks can make or break you.
I love the fact that you acknowledge that “overpacking” means different things for different people. There are definitely things that are ridiculous by most people’s standards though! A 3 man tent, 5 shirts and a belt that doesn’t fit you yet springs to mind 😂
the bel that doesn't fit you yet, can still be useful as an additional strap for securing your external gear.
Great video!! 👍
Another great talk
Thx Dixie - Great advice! I hope to successfully complete my PCT thru hike this year and advice like this can really help. I also plan on vlogging here on UA-cam...not as polished as you, but something that'll be awesome to look back on when I'm in my 80s and can barely shuffle around. lol
Thanks Dixie!
great interpretation of "hike your own hike"!
Well said!
Thanks again Dixie. I have handled pain over the years, especially repetitive. I have slept in horrible places with cold extremes and so on. Your video as usually is very detailed with information (thanks again). The one thing you mentioned that I know I will have issues with is the mental aspect. Not sure how to prepare for that one. I am good at bad days, but I ALWAYS have 4 projects on the go at once. I need to be doing things, therefore just walking for 5-6 months in 2021, I know I have to prepare my mind for doing nothing. It is the boredom that will worry me for the first 1-2 months. lol
Great topic! Tip 1... Don't romanticize the trail! Goes along with embrace the suck.
I would rather romanticize it and then embrace the suck. If it wasn’t a dream for me, I wouldn’t even think about a thru hike.
Dreaming about a thru-hike and romanticizing about it are 2 different things. Even Dixie touched on it in this video. Thinking that the trail is all rainbows, warm fires, star gazing, and wonderful scenery, when in fact it's more mosquitoes, hunger, loneliness, blisters, and uncomfortable weather. Kinda like marriage, if you romanticize it you will think it's The Notebook, when the reality is more like Shawshank Redemption. 😎😂
Rob Figulski, hahaha. In that case I fully agree with you. By the way: a marriage like Shawshank Redemption would be a good motivation to do a thru-hike. 😜
I wonder how many people who experience post-hike depression are proportionately guilty of over romanticising it?
Loosely related is the situational awareness (or lack thereof) I noticed with some PCT hikers I met this last Fall. Those who rellied on a phone app for their navigation seemed to be somewhat lost in a fantasy zone, going along with virtual blinders on. Yes there are plenty of wide and wild streches of trail, but a good old school topographic map reveals so much more including lots of civilization often in close proximity to the trail.
Makes me wonder sometimes if there is a subconcious desire by some ppl to put themselves more dangerously 'out there' than they need to.
I find it ironic. The illusion of extreme isolation while holding firmly to the electronic gadget addiction doesn't appeal to me. Maybe I'm the odd one, but I find it more appealing to unplug and become more aware of what's actually around me good or bad, helpful or hazardous, wild or civilized.
Your good! Very well done.
Taking lots of notes for my 2019 AT thru hike! And I can't stand a cold rain but I'm working on it lol.
Always enjoy hearing what you have to say.
Joe Jansen Thank you!
Love your pullover sweater!👍Lamplighter 2019 out! Cheers, 😉
Honestly, how could anyone "dislike" this video? I don't get it. Dixie, you are an inspiration, and such a positive role model. Thanks for this channel.
I flippin love your videos! I watched all three of your through hikes! I want to get out there!!! I have a legit excuse though.... i have two small kids and am 3 1/2 months pregnant with a third! I’m hoping this summer though I can get my hubby to go on a couple day hikes with the kiddos! You are inspiring darlin! Be blessed!!
Analysis paralysis! You are talking to me and I will do my best to “just let it go.” Thanks for your top 10
If you're like me and hate mosquitoes and are going to be going through areas with heavy mosquitoes then I highly recommend a head net. Nobody will think you look dumb and it will make your life VASTLY better. It may trap in a little heat but it beats having them constantly buzz into your eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Also umbrellas are pretty great for both rain and the sun.
Sometimes your videos make me cry. Definitely something I need to do for me. Thank you for your videos. They always inspire me and brighten my day.
All good advice. Though I've never done a through hike, I have done many multi day backpack/hunting/ fishing trips usually with a small group, and have witnessed the unnecessary suffering some folks endure due to poor planning, or ignoring advice. Number 1 on my list is proper foot care, and well broken in footwear for hiking...must be quite unpleasant to have to walk miles over rough ground on blistered feet with a heavy pack.
To elaborate on your first (excellent) tips: The, woods, the weather, injuries, and all things unexpected DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR SCHEDULE.
Pretty much every life threatening situation I've researched re the PCT was NOT so much based on a single stupid decision, but rather a series of bad decisions beginning with overprioritization of a schedule.
Time for you to check out the Te Aroara in New Zealand!
I would add for even a short thru hike such as section hiking the PCT or doing the JMT recognize the difference between suck to be embraced and a situation that needs to end or delay the hike.
This is good advice for life in general. Are you going to record the talk at the school? Good Luck, Rick
Thanks for another amazing video on a great topic. You have certainly inspired me to finally do a thru hike. I live in Utah and love our Rocky Mountains. What trail would you suggest for my first long distance hike? AT , CDT or PCT. Thanks
Hi Dixie love your videos chic lol
Where are you from /live (AZ)?
It be cool if you made a video of a smaller how to hike such as a 2-4 day hike ! :-)
And if from AZ suggestions/options for trails ! Beginners, intermediate, Experienced ?scale 1-10 trail rate maybe
How do you motivate yourself to get out and hike in between hikes or to fit it in in between life
LOL. When I first saw the notification I thought it said '10 Tips For a Successful Life' and thought oh Dixie is branching out to lifestyle advice. I guess 'Thru Hike' == 'Life'
She has some cool post-AT videos not related to backpacking about microgreens and homemade wine. ♡ I love that aspect of her life.
I like it.
Dixie can i ask how you keep your thermarest sleeping pad from sliding to the bottom of your duplex when you have to set up on a slope. Thanks dixie
Yay!
Dixie, Love your Videos I have just started watching and learning a lot.
Speaking of early starts and be snowed out. Why is it that a majority of thru-hikers start in the south and go north. It seems that by hiking south you would not be taking as big a risk of bad weather.
I do realize that you may risk hot weather but that seems better than very cold weather.
Thanks for posting. Forgot... Did Perk provide a loaner green moomoo while you were laid up and recovering on the PCT at first?! PS Millhouse Micro Greens and Love your own Love!!!
Go Sea to Summit!! I love my cup too. Best piece of my cook kit. I just can’t enjoy my java without a separate cup.
I did the AT...half way thru the Aliens picked me up.....time travelled me back......and I finished a year earlier.
Yes Dixie, Please upload a video on designing your own life pleeeeeeeeease
Tea Tree oil for your feet. I use at the end of day to clean. Awesome stuff
I thought I was the only one! It's great for bug bites, cleaning, and smells better than me at the end of 10 or 20 miles!
I'm thru hiking the USA from coast to coast starting in March and will be vlogging it. Also, to expand on what you said about the mental challenge, I've found that not drinking enough liquids and running myself down with little rest seriously intensifies the mental challenge and makes it a lot harder.
Is that going to be on UA-cam?
@@alexriddles492 Yes, just click over to my channel and subscribe. I already have a video posted.
I really need to know where you got that pullover. I love all your videos and I'm amazed at what you've accomplished so far. Can't wait to see what you do in the future!
cici starrz they’re Mexican
cici starrz look up on Amazon “cleverbrand unisex Mexican Jerga hoodie”
As a floridian I have NO IDEA what to pack to prepare for the cold weather. I get cold easily but I don't know whats "over-packing" as far as clothes.
Hey Dixie, what size do you wear in the Showa gloves?
Hahha “ high on the hog “ 🤣👍🏾
Idea: Interview “Nimblewill Nomad” a hiking legend. He is the official care taker at the CCC camp atop Flagg Mountain in Weogufka, AL in Rural Coosa County.
Hey Dixie! I've been binge watching your hikes while planning out my hiking for the year and I have a question about your amazon affiliate links.
I'm European based and so I use amazon.co.uk or amazon.de to shop with - is there a way to use those domains and still use your affiliate links? You're videos have been super enjoyable so I wanted to help out a little where I can, if I can!
Hi Dixie,
As someone who walks every day (the dogs demand it) I love cold weather, I enjoy snow and ice; but cold wet rain should be banned; it makes walking miserable. I blame the weather forecasters they predict it and then it happens ;->
Iain
Already more views than my channel got this week lol. I hope to start posting my CDT video series in a few days. Don't forget to bring the thru hiker's best friend, a fly swatter... maybe a yellow one ;)
Hi Seeking, I subscribed to your channel. Keep them coming 😀
@@dx5018 me too
@@dx5018 Thank you so much! I hope to start posting my CDT video series in the next two weeks, almost there!
@@JayWandersOut oh hi Jay! How are you adapting back into civilisation? Everything worked out good?
I subbed, too 😃 Yes, thanks for the reminder-a yellow fly swatter is definitely a necessity! Bahaha
Thanks Dixie! This helps a lot for my planed 2021 AT through-hike after I turn 66! I hope to have the chance to meet you some day. Have you considered the America's Trail from DE to CA?
robert jeffery I will be 70. Hope to see you out there!
That really would be awesome Cathy!
Hey, dixie quick question for you, what replacemeny insoles did you find to fit your altras best. im starting my AT thru hike in march and am trying to figure that out?
Good question. I'm using superfeet but they don't fit amazingly. Any other suggestions?
Ask Altra if you can buy new ones. They're great folks,
@@lyfandeth ISENT THEM A QUESTION ASKING IF THEY DID OR WOULD NO REPLY YET
I think the part on footwear was the most important. My strategy is to tape up BEFORE starting to hiking.
👍
Hi Dixie, someone already said it but please could you do an international hikers video about things that people overseas might like to know? I'm planning to hike one day and would love to be able to know things that could help. (Visas, airport security, car rental, accommodation, phone plans, medical things etc) And to see if people from overseas who have hiked would have recommendations or tips. It seems like the biggest barrier to me hiking at the moment as I know America is quite strict and it's scary :(
Yahoo for Wednesday videos!!
I recently looked over my gear list after hearing "You pack your fears" a few times. I guess I'm not afraid or just really weird because the only thing I could find that I didn't need was chapstick.
If you SOBO the PCT, starting in mid July is the way to go. Only about 10% of thru hikers SOBO this trail, but it has a lot of benefits over the NOBOO hikers, no many to mane here.
On footwear: don't just try shoes on in the morning and rely on their fit then to buy them - your feet swell up during the day so try shoes on in the afternoon!
What did you use on the trail for your videos? Cell phone, gopro, etc?
You should make a separate video concerning designing your life.
BackCountry Runaway what’s that even mean
@@420BLUNTLEY she mentions designing her own life in the video. So I said she should make a video about designing your life.
very good advice from Dixie again who has done this and knows what works and what does not.
Purposefully wearing too small of shoes and losing toenails is UL to the max
ZOMGwtfLMAOfail 🤣
That's what she was going for, LOL ! Now it can be her excuse. She meant it to happen, ha ha ha ! Every quarter ounce lost is a gain.
Great tips and I have watch all ur thru hikes and you motivated me but unfortunately/well not unfortunately I’m so happy and blessed bc me and wife will be having a bby boy named billy RIDGE and hopefully if I play my cards right I’ll be able to finish the AT with my son ...but thanks for the videos helpful tips u rock Dixie
Sometimes I sleep better in my computer chair than my bed, so if I ever go on a thru-hike I'm taking my computer chair. :D
....nice hoodie! :)
We call that a Baja
Shawn Brodrick
Ok! :)
...thnx!
Thank you!
What are your tips on choosing where to camp on the AT, PCT AND CDT?
Mordrid Stone Get Guthooks app! It is very helpful for this type of info :)
Thank you! Heard of it but still learning it all lol 😁
@@RickStoneTravels dont dismiss the tried and true old school stuff (map & compass + working knowledge how to use them)
A device is a fine tool, but if your hike depends on it, then something is just not right imo. If you must rely on a device, a ruggedized GPS receiver, like a Garmin etrex or something, is a compromise step in the right direction, just take lots of batteries. (No batteries for map and compass)
For some of us, the beauty of the PCT is the absence of turn-by-turn type directions.
When I'm on the trail and see hikers who are still more connected to a device than to the surroundings, it just makes me sad.
Which pack you think is best. Will last
Does anyone know when Dixie is going to speak at Woffard College?
You have to write a book,please!
Thanks for sharing! It was an extra pleasure to see a video where the person talks without an accent. John in Georgia.
Hayk yerr owun Hayaak😁😍
Joseph Troyer pp
✌️👍
So sorry to hear about your dog passing. :-(
On a video a year ago, you said you didn't care about base weight. Your CDT base weight has decreased by 5-9 lbs compared to your PCT sections. Have you come to the conclusion that base weight does matter? On a thru-hike, you would be carrying and extra 5-9 lbs for more than 2500+ miles. That weight transfers to all your joints & hiking form. Otherwise, I like watching your videos & you offer a great perspective.
Tip number #1 don’t bring a drug rug as your main winter jacket. It’s super heavy, at least 1lb and cotton!! I did this and immediately changed it the first week ✌🏻
When people say a thru hike costs 1k a month, do they include all the gear?