Love it! Great to see that you are taking shakedowns and preparation so seriously. I thru hiked the AT in 2018, and you are doing what would benefit so many prospective thru hikers. Awesome that you guys got the full experience including trail magic from an AT icon. Little Bear is a tough gal! Cool to see her already getting to claim her own identity as a hiker. What an incredible bonding experience for you to share together. I will be watching you strong and capable ladies all the way to Katahdin!
Thank you so much! 🥹 We genuinely appreciate your kind words and support! Congratulations on your thru!! I hope it was epic! I agree! I can’t recommend shake downs enough! This is our third one (first was our FHT thru hike from Oconee to Table Rock in April, then there was the GA section in September, and now this one). Every time we have learned something of significant value. We feel confident and prepared, both with our gear and our bodies and minds! Can’t wait to get on the AT! Thanks for following along! 😊
I look forward to following you two on your adventures, I'm looking at doing a thru hike on the AT in March 2025 at the age of 70 under the trail name of Dasher. Have a great time out there :)
Love the new trail name Little Bear! Really enjoying watching your shakedown hike. Me and my husband thru hiked the foothills trail April 2021 and have been back for several sections as well. Great trail and especially great I’m sure with fresh ground there! Looking forward to following your adventure on the AT. You both are tough and will do great! God bless you both on your journey!
Thank you! Amen! He goes before us and with us on every step. 💙🙏🏼 Thank you for following along and supporting us. We’re so glad you’re here and happy to share our journey with you. The FHT really is magical!
IMO, Little Bear (really anyone) should have taken the time at 2:30 to stow those trekking poles in her pack, so she could focus on gripping onto that cable with both hands. The way she went across, if she would have unexpectedly slipped, she most likely would have lost that one-handed underhand grip. She could have lost her trekking poles while trying to keep herself from slipping further down the rock, or the water could have taken her further downslope. Shakedown hikes aren’t just for gear, but for techniques and skills. Not trying to be preachy, I just lead a lot of trips and this popped out at me as an elevated risk that could have been easily avoided, based on numerous issues I’ve witnessed in the past. I would have asked everyone in my group to stow their poles, for sure. Loose uncontrolled poles can actually be dangerous in their own right. On one of my hikes, a hiker tripped on the trail and when they landed the pole impaled their thigh. We had to call for outside help to get them into civilization.
Congrats, Little Bear! There is nothing like being given a Trail Name by someone you respect. I'm so impressed with you two. I love how hard you are preparing on all levels. I think you ladies are going to do GREAT! There WILL be surprises that you will not have expected, but you two seem to be prepared for any contingency. My vote on the footprint thing...I started with a Big Agnes with the footprint. My first night out with it, I had to set it up on very wet ground, and my tent floor was immediately saturated. I sent it back to REI and went with the Tyvek and never looked back. The Tyvek is also good to put under your sleeping pad in the shelters to protect it from getting holes and protect it from the dirty shelter floor. I hate the shelters...love my tent...but there were several times that I was forced into one by circumstances. I often used my Tyvek to lie down in the place where I wanted to set up my tent to see if it was level. It was the only way I could tell if a spot was truly level. You can also use it for a sit pad. There were some places where I had to camp that I would not have wanted to put my tent down without protection. Just my two cents. Everyone is different...but I did want to throw those things out for thought. I hope to meet you two out there, but if not, I'll be with you in spirit. Best wishes for a fun safe and successful thru hike! OH...I LOVE the teamwork on the water bottles! LOL. What a great idea! You two make a great team!
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! We appreciate the advice, too! We’re going to start off with no ground covering. If we change our mind, we’ll grab some Tyvek at Neel Gap. Seems like a good plan. 😂 We’ll see! We feel prepared and confident! Not only in our preparedness, and gear, but also our mindset. We’re solution focused and pretty smart together, so we are sure we’ll figure out any of the unknowns coming our way. That’s part of the fun, right? Rolling with it and thinking in the fly! What an adventure! We can’t wait!
Love the motto “Smiles over Miles”! I remember watching someone’s vlog about the PCT and the advice they got from a famous thru hiker. It basically was…if you’re so worried about finishing then just buy a plane ticket. So smiles over miles is such a great attitude. Focusing on the journey and memories made along the way and you’re already a winner. Enjoy the journey and you and Little Bear will have these memories for a lifetime regardless of the final destination.
Wow! I love that!! If you’re so worried about finishing, just buy a plane ticket. Sooo good! Thank you for sharing. We live our life intentionally, and we hope the trail is no different!
Congrats on the name change, Little Bear! When I went to Philmont (fantastic Boy Scout camp in the mountains of New Mexico) for two weeks with my boys, I took the Tiger Wall UL2 with a Tyvek footprint. We had 4 straight days of heavy rain and I camped on some pretty muddy sketchy sites. I was really glad that it kept my tent clean and dry so I could stuff it nicely inside my pack. The wet and dirty Tyvek and wet tarp stayed outside the pack. Never regretted the extra weight for a moment. Good luck on the hike! My wife and I are rooting for you two!
Thank you so much! Sounds like a great experience for you and your boys. Cherished times for sure! Yeah I think if anything, I’d lean towards the Tyvek over the BA foot print. Thanks for being here and cheering us on! It’s so wonderful and inspiring to read these comments. 😊
"I don't think it exists". That sums up Little Bear's positive attitude. She earns a high probability for success as a backpacker! Best wishes to both of you on your upcoming adventure!
Such a great shakedown hike! Between the challenges and the decisions made to remain flexible and get the most out of your experience, you'll both be so ready for the AT! Love the new trail name, Little Bear!
Thank you! 🙏🏼 We feel confident and ready! 😊 Flexibility is definitely the key. Just like in real life, we roll with whatever comes our way and we’re ok with changing our minds if the situation warrants a change. We can’t wait to begin our adventure!
What a fun day! To already meet and get a new trail name from Fresh Ground is so special! Yes, always your Baby Bear, but now Little Bear to us. Maybe today helped make up for Day 1. Your intro video was the best for class if 2024. You picked up lots of new followers. I think you are the most prepared of any 2024 hikers. Not only physically, but mentally. Hike on!
Wow! 🥹 Thank you! 🙏🏼 That means a lot to us. We have worked so hard over the past few years preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally! Doing all the gear research and shake down hikes to get it right. It’s been a journey already and we are ready! Our support team here at home has been phenomenally supportive, so that has helped a lot, too. Thank you for following along. We’re glad you’re here! 😊
I used my tyvek for shelters also. Saved my air mattress and stuff. Cold rain is the worst to hike and most dangerous for hyperthermia so good plan to avoid it on the AT when possible. My worst day was cold rain on the AT but fresh ground was at the road crossing to save the day. I will always remember and thank him for that hot spaghetti meal. Still smiling after the worst day, sound like you both will be great AT thru hikers. I miss every state (ever PA now) and wish I was doing the AT again this year. Take time every day to enjoy a moment no matter how much you may hate it that day;).
Thank you for your wise words! And congrats on your thru! It’s so wonderful hearing what all of you accomplished thru hikers have to say. The words definitely hold significant meaning for us. We can already imagine what our journey will be like. We feel confident and ready!
I love my umbrella in all day cold rain - it’s amazing what a big difference it makes for me to not have it falling on my head even in the hood. Makes temperature management much easier. Glad you had a much better day 2!
Thank you! 🙏🏼😊 Day 2 was definitely better! We love our umbrellas, too, especially when we can go hands free and put it on our shoulder straps. You’re right, it makes a huge difference. On day one, the climbs were so steep that I think it would’ve impeded our vision too much. Plus, we were already so wet after the water crossings! 😂 We muscled through it! 💪🏼
Y'all deserved day 2 after day 1. God watched over you the first day and rewarded you the second. On the AT, you will experience the same thing. Probably more day 2's than day 1's. And the water swap, that was awesome. I can tell y'all have done that a time or two. Little Bear, congrats on the well deserved trail name promotion. I'll bet there aren't too many people who have gotten their trail names from someone as iconic as Fresh Ground. You're in rare air, kiddo. Be safe. God bless.
Thank you! Most definitely! God’s always got our backs! It was so nice to have no rain on day 2! We’re thankful for every day of experience we get. So happy for Little Bear! 💙🙏🏼
Y'all are awesome and doing great! One small possible safety note. You should make sure that your new pants are waterproof over time or in heavy rain. You don't want them to soak through, and not be able to warm up if needed. Hypothermia sets in fast, like 30 minutes when you get too cold. You can become confused and unable to use your fingers well to set up your shelter to get warm. Just make sure you think of those situations too :)
Good advice for sure. Thank you! Our pants did well over the 5 days. It was pouring the first day, then just super wet everywhere for the next 2 days. By the time we got to our campsite on day one, it was still pouring, the temp had dropped into the 50’s, it was dark, our fingers were numb and it was very hard to set up the tent. I definitely see what you mean. We will do our very best to avoid that in the future as much as possible. Safety first for sure!
You guys are doing great! I love both of your attitudes and look forward to following your AT journey. Love Little Bear's comment when asked about the worst part of the day "I don't think it exists."
On the subject of a footprint: I bought a North Face tent in 1971 and always used some kind of ground cloth (we didn't have "footprints" back then) under the tent. That North Face tent went on a lot of major backpacking trips in a lot of very rough places. That tent, after 53 years, is still serving me well. I'd hate to think what the floor of that tent would look like today if it hadn't been protected over the years.
Part of the reason for a footprint or ground cloth of some kind is insulation. It helps to keep both water and cold from seeping into the tent from frozen or nearly frozen ground. It's all in what you choose, based on experience. It also depends on the tent -- some dyneema tents have a thicker floor. But with my nylon tent, I just consider the footprint part of the tent. In terms of cold and wet, you're going to get a bit of that in winter in the South. But I agree, if there is a big, two-day storm shrieking in, I would take at least one zero to warm up and dry out gear. Hypothermia is possible, particularly in the Smokies.
Yea, for sure. We’ll walk in it when we have to, but if we can avoid it, we have no issue popping into a hostel or hotel. I won’t take unnecessary risks with Little Bear. 🐻 I might bring Tyvek. The BA foot print seemed useless, to be honest.
I absolutely loved the bit with the water bottles ladies! That was great 😂 UA-cam suggested your channel to me after I saw you on Roadrunner's/Hiking Dancer's video. I'm looking forward to following your adventures 😊
It's such a great experience you're having my daughters and I are looking forward as the adventure continues. It's been quite some time since my AT thru-hike, and I'm thrilled that you two ladies are sharing an experience that will last a lifetime. And getting a trail name from a legend of the AT "Little Bear" is something to be proud of. Blessings Ladies and Happy Trails. "RADAR Class of 89"
Great video. So glad yall got better weather. Very pretty views an water crossings. Little Bear really suits her well. She is a strong young lady. So proud of you both, Happy Hiking.❤
Your on trail moments are fun to watch. Would have loved to see what the interaction with Leo and crew was like. I noticed the photos of them in there. Keep trekking. So glad you met Fresh Ground!!
Thank you! Yeah, I do wish I would have filmed more of our friends interactions….I’m getting used to it. It’s a balance between getting things on camera and just enjoying the moment. And trust me, you don’t want to be that person that always shoves a camera in everyone’s faces. We’ll get better with the balance with more practice! 😊
@@wildflowersadventures I completely agree that you do not want to be shoving a camera in everyone's faces. I also am getting used to it, and the one person who did appear briefly in my video, I first asked him, "Would you like to say hi to the vlog?" I would not want to just start filming without asking. I think that is part of the balance between including these moments and just enjoying the moments. You certainly should not feel obligated to film every moment of the conversation. Have a good conversation off camera, and then before you part, ask if you can film a brief hello with them. I don't know, I'm still learning the best approach too, but this is just what I'm thinking now. Who knows what I'll do in actuality. Always enjoy the journey and do not let the pressure to film take away from your enjoyment of the trail.
That is so cool that Baby bear got a trail name upgrade from Fresh Ground! And i agree with him, you are no baby. You are one tough cookie! Tougher than most adults.
Little Bear just makes me smile. You’re such a great mom & your spirit & love for all your family gives that wholesomeness to your videos. This was a great hike. I thought her trail name changed at her Birthday but this is cool that it’s from the trail. Thanks for the Duluth pants review. They are on sale now & I just got paid! Win win
Yeah! Win win!! I love these pants sooo much! I just need a belt for when my weight fluctuates on trail. They are so warm and I literally fell in several puddles 😂 and stayed completely dry! Thank you for your kind words. Little Bear is such an awesome human. I’m so glad she’s my partner! My family is everything to me! I love them all so very much! We appreciate you following along with us! 💙💙💙
Congratulations to Little Bear on the name change! She's a beast! I was actually up at Sassafras yesterday and will be posting a video from it next week. You are both true inspirations! Happy trails!
Thank you so much! She is an absolute beast! All 4 of my children are and she rounds out the tail end stronger than ever. I’m so proud of her and I’m so happy she’s my partner! 😊
Thank you! The community is always such a sweet part of trail life! So thankful for the many great people we met! I agree! Little Bear earned that name! 💙 🐻
I recommend taking a piece of Tyvek, not as a footprint, but for other uses. I wrapped my pack in it in my vestibule when I tented, and I also kneeled on it when I was laying all my stuff out in the tent. When I stayed in a shelter, I put it down to protect my sleeping pad. I'm looking forward to following your adventure.
Personally what I like under my tent when I use one instead of my normal hammock is a thin piece of plastic painter's drop cloth cut to size. It keeps the bottom of the tent from getting nasty when the ground is muddy, helps keep condensation from coming up and getting on the tent bottom, and is easy to throw away when it's too yucky. And it only weighs a couple of ounces.
Great seeing you two out on the trail! What a special treat to have so much trail magic and comradery on your journey. I am really looking forward to following your AT thru hike.
I almost threw up just seeing those wooden steps!! A small umbrella is a game changer. I was able to macgyver one onto my pack during two days of rain on that trail last year. It's nice to leave the rain jacket hood off and retain the use both trecking poles. I also reccomend Seal Skinz socks to keep your feet dry. Cheers, Shadow.
Hey Shadow! Yeah, those STAIRS! Hahahaha The Foothills Trail should be renamed as the Stairs Trail! 😂 We have a strap talk at secured our umbrellas to the shoulder strap. It just didn’t make sense for that day. We were already soaked from the creek crossings, but the elevation was so tough that it would’ve limited our views too much. Sometimes you just gotta embrace the suck! 😆 I bought some SealSkinz, but decided against taking them. I think I’ll have to try them though during wet weather because I learned that once my feet get wet, I become prone to blisters (which is odd because I don’t get blisters otherwise.) Thanks for reminding me! Cheers!
My vote is for the footprint. In all my years of camping, the footprint was helpful in protecting the tent from moisture intrusion and damage. The Tyvek is amazing, light and inexpensive. But, I find in more difficult to fold and store as compared to the nylon type footprint. The footprint won’t absorb water. Just shake it out. It will dry fast. As far as walking in cold wet weather, during my time in Iceland, my go to gear was the Buffalo Systems Gear from the UK. It worked great especially during a hike, on a dreary, cool, damp day to the Arctic Circle and Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Cheers to what makes you happy and secure. Wishing you warmth, peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!
Thank you so much for your kind words, support, and advice! I appreciate it! I’ll consider the Tyvek…maybe. So many thru hikers have advised against taking anything as it wasn’t necessary. I think I’ll start off with nothing for the first 40 miles and if I change my mind, I can grab some Tyvek at Neel Gap. I’ve never used a ground cover at all with the BA Copper Spur. Doesn’t feel like this one needs it either. Time will tell! Thanks again! 😊
Hate hiking in cold rain! Mylar emergency blankets are good to put down on wet ground to keep the moisture from soaking through. Cool you got trail magic from Fresh Ground. I'm enjoying your videos. You two make a good team.
Enjoying your videos, pretty cool getting a new trail name from Fresh Ground himself! You make a great team, looking forward to following your adventure on the AT👍🇬🇧
Thanks so much! We appreciate you and are glad you’re here! Yeah, how cool was that?! She was beaming with pride. I love this for her. She’s the best partner! 💙
Yall had a great day on trail. There is no way I would pass up Fresh Grounds hospitality. Have never met him, but I hope I do. Little Bear, I like it. Small but fiearce. Will be watching AT 2024. Keep the smiles going.
Fresh Ground’s trail magic is truly magical. He creates a beautiful rest stop and an environment where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and accepted. Plus the food!!!! Ooohhhh weeeeee! It’s absolutely delicious! Thanks! It was a great day! 😊
Nice job! My vote would be for a tyvek ground cloth. It is very lightweight and repels water. I carry an extra piece to unload my pack on at camp and then move it near the door of my tent to keep things cleaner and minimize tracking. I have a roll that I found on the side of the road and will be glad to cut to your tent dimensions and mail to you if you would like.
Thank you so much! How kind of you! 🙏🏼 We appreciate the offer. I think we’ll start out with no ground cover, then if we change our minds, we’ll grab a piece at Neel Gap. It’s a good 40 miles in (starting at Amicalola), so we’ll know better by then.
With your comments about the rain, I say either get small umbrellas or get rid of them all together. Change them out for ponchos. I use to backpack with a tarp as my first item in my bag already with cord and hooks attached to it. I could put it up in about 1 minute and would use that as an emergency shelter. It didn't have to look pretty, just get me out of the rain.
@@wildflowersadventures Embrace the suck! That's what the trail's all about. But honestly, there were very few times I hiked in the rain multiple days in a row on my hike last year. You get up and put on the wet clothes once, and then dry out the next day. If you're near a road, you can even go into town that next day and dry off. Always lots of options! But the rain pants in summer just make you sweat, so you're just as wet under the rain pants as you would be without them!
Thanks! We appreciate you being here! 😊 My children have been homeschooled for the past 7 years. Currently, Little Bear is an entire year ahead in school, so she may take the 6 months off if she’d like from the academic portion of schooling or she can choose to access her studies online whenever she would like. We focus a lot of experiential learning.
Movies and breakfast with Freshground and friends thats definitely worth cutting the day short. Congrats on the new trail name little bear. I have a duplex tent and after 1 week of using tyvek I got rid of it and didnt use anything the rest of the thru hike and didnt have any problems.
It was truly amazing! Yeah, it seems many people have very strong opinions on the subject of the footprint! Hahaha, who knew?! It’s clearly a very divided camp. But, the majority of people who said it’s not needed were all thru hikers or LASH’ers. I don’t think I’ll take anything. We’ve done about 30 nights total without one, including in the pouring rain, and it was fine.
most will say use a groundsheet, but I never do. Really easy to tape up a hole in the floor, no worries. If a tent lasts you both a thru hike then it's job done. Every single item should be essential otherwise it's just extra weight. I think you've preparing very well
That’s the camp I’m choosing! I don’t expect anything we have to last longer than 2,200 miles/6 months. If it does, then bonus, but many thru hikers said the same as you. Why pay so much for such a quality UL tent and then add weight to it. I guess we’ll see! 🤣 Thanks! We feel prepared! Mentally, physically, emotionally, and our gear is solid!
Wow you make a great team! How old is Little Bear (if I may ask). And I was wondering what happens with school during the A.T. hike? I wish you both a very nice hike. 😉✌
Thank you so much! She just turned 11 on trail a few days after this video! Stay tuned! She gets a special surprise! 🎂🥳 My children have been homeschooled for the past 7 years. She is already over an entire year ahead, so she can choose to take a break from her schoolwork or access it online whilst on trail. No pressure from us since she’s so far ahead. In addition to academics, I’m sure you can imagine, we focus a lot on experiential learning. 😊
Leaves are great to set your tent up on. They provide additional insulation. I don’t think I’d want to snuggle them though. I suppose in an emergency, you’d do what you have to do. 😬
@@wildflowersadventures ive got an army basha i preferd it to a tent its when you get told to move its quicker to pack up. It was black widow spiders i dnt know them
What ever you don’t take with you - you can buy later on the trail. What you don’t need - you mail back home. I’ll watch ya both in the AT. BearBait Slow section hiker
Hey Bearbait! Thanks for watching! 😊 Exactly our thoughts! No stress at all. We have what we need and we’re confident that if we change our minds about something, then we can sort it out. Like you said, if we don’t need it, we’ll send back home. If we need something, we’ll pick it up on trail.
I didn’t see which footprint you had, but Tyvek doesn’t absorb moisture. With that said, the prime reason I use one is to keep the bottom of my tents _clean_.
Love watching the 2 of you. You have a great relationship. How old is Little Bear? She is so tough and grown up. First met you when Roadrunner interviewed you on her video, Later that day, I ran across Day 1 of FHT video. Decided to subscribe at that point. This season, I'm only following ya'll and 1 other woman on the AT and one guy on the CDT. I do have a few other hikers that I watched a couple of years ago on the AT that I'll probably watch whatever they do in 2024. Glad you decided to enjoy the camaraderie of Ramdino's group. Are you registered with him so that others will know about you and can follow you? Looking forward to the next video on the FHT. I hear those pancakes are really good. Fresh Ground seems to be a neat person. Take care, stay safe, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Wow! Thank you so much! What a privilege it is that you’ve chosen to follow along with us. Thank you! We’re so glad you’re here! 😊 Little Bear turned 11 on the trail! Stay tuned for a big surprise she gets! 🎂🥳 We are registered with Ramdino. I’m so glad he puts together this EOD Hike every year. We met so many wonderful people. The trail community is the absolute best! And yes!!! Oh I hope one day you get to taste Fresh Ground’s blueberry pancakes! They are the best I’ve ever had! Thanks again for your kind works and encouragement! 💙
It was definitely cold!! I preferred this trail when we thru hiked it back in April. Much warmer and milder; however, it did still get down in the 30’s a few nights. The longer days allowed for more lingering at all the beautiful waterfalls!
Instead of nothing inder tent what about a big black trash bag if necessary when the ground is wet from rain.. i don't know the weight but as a backup if necessary
Not a bad idea. We camped on her ground and the water stayed out. It didn’t seep in at all. I may grab a piece of Tyvek, but so many have said it’s really not necessary. Seems like a very divided camp though! We’ll figure it out. 😊
When people ask me why the tie-dye, I will ask them what does seeing me wear it make them do? They usually say it makes them smile, then I tell them that is why I wear it. “A smile to help go the extra mile!”
Day zero on the AT? On accident! 😫 day one on the AT has been stuck in “uploading” mode for 2.5 days so I was trying to delete that video so it would stop eating my battery. I need to wait until we have stronger signal. I will upload it again, along with days 1-3, hopefully soon!! Fingers crossed! 🤞
I really, strongly advise your taking a Tyvek for your groundsheet. Every time you lay down on that tent floor, you tax the water-resistant quality. Multiple days of microscopic wear-and-tear will add up. And a soaked tent floor is something you really don't want to deal with. And it won't get better just because you dry it off. Try this: Load up your backpack. Walk around a little bit. Now add the Tyvek. If the weight difference slows you down, ditch it. My guess is that you won't be able to tell the difference. The other thing you could do, if you don't want to carry the weight, is to stick it in your daughter's pack. I can tell you from personal experience, one of the best things about having a daughter is playing a trick on her.
Thanks! It’s not the weight I’m concerned with because my base weight is pretty solid, it’s just that I’ve been advised by quite a few thru hikers that it really wasn’t needed. This subject is definitely a divided camp! I never knew! 😂 I’ll probably grab a piece and figure it out for myself.
We’ll see. As of right now, we’re leaving our rain pants. The pants we’ve chosen to walk in seem virtually indestructible, 😂! I sat on wet logs, on the wet ground and even fell in a few puddles and the pants repelled water like a charm! We do have our rain jacket and of course an umbrella. The terrain was just too difficult for the umbrellas on day 1. Plus we were already soaked from the creek crossings.
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Thank you so much! 🙏🏼 I sincerely appreciate the advice! I’m still learning about all of this. I don’t even know what half of that is, but I’ll do more research for sure. You’re awesome for sharing your knowledge with us! Thank you! 😊
Love it! Great to see that you are taking shakedowns and preparation so seriously. I thru hiked the AT in 2018, and you are doing what would benefit so many prospective thru hikers. Awesome that you guys got the full experience including trail magic from an AT icon. Little Bear is a tough gal! Cool to see her already getting to claim her own identity as a hiker. What an incredible bonding experience for you to share together. I will be watching you strong and capable ladies all the way to Katahdin!
Thank you so much! 🥹 We genuinely appreciate your kind words and support!
Congratulations on your thru!! I hope it was epic!
I agree! I can’t recommend shake downs enough! This is our third one (first was our FHT thru hike from Oconee to Table Rock in April, then there was the GA section in September, and now this one). Every time we have learned something of significant value.
We feel confident and prepared, both with our gear and our bodies and minds!
Can’t wait to get on the AT! Thanks for following along! 😊
Little bear is definitely no baby … lol. She is one tough cookie. She is definitely stronger than many adults … Love the trail name… AWESOME
VERY LOVELY!!!! Mother daughter hike. Just beautiful to see bond. I will follow you.
Thank you! 🙏🏼 We appreciate your support! Looking forward to March!
That’s exactly how my hiking buddy and I drink our water!! Congrats on Little Bear’s new trail name! “Smiles over miles!” I love it!
Hahaha it’s a great system! Thank you!
Smiles over miles all day! 🙏🏼
I look forward to following you two on your adventures, I'm looking at doing a thru hike on the AT in March 2025 at the age of 70 under the trail name of Dasher. Have a great time out there :)
That would be great, Dasher! We’ll be cheering you along! We’re so glad you’ll be a part of our journey! 🙏🏼
Love the new trail name Little Bear! Really enjoying watching your shakedown hike. Me and my husband thru hiked the foothills trail April 2021 and have been back for several sections as well. Great trail and especially great I’m sure with fresh ground there! Looking forward to following your adventure on the AT. You both are tough and will do great! God bless you both on your journey!
Thank you! Amen! He goes before us and with us on every step. 💙🙏🏼
Thank you for following along and supporting us. We’re so glad you’re here and happy to share our journey with you.
The FHT really is magical!
IMO, Little Bear (really anyone) should have taken the time at 2:30 to stow those trekking poles in her pack, so she could focus on gripping onto that cable with both hands. The way she went across, if she would have unexpectedly slipped, she most likely would have lost that one-handed underhand grip. She could have lost her trekking poles while trying to keep herself from slipping further down the rock, or the water could have taken her further downslope.
Shakedown hikes aren’t just for gear, but for techniques and skills.
Not trying to be preachy, I just lead a lot of trips and this popped out at me as an elevated risk that could have been easily avoided, based on numerous issues I’ve witnessed in the past. I would have asked everyone in my group to stow their poles, for sure. Loose uncontrolled poles can actually be dangerous in their own right. On one of my hikes, a hiker tripped on the trail and when they landed the pole impaled their thigh. We had to call for outside help to get them into civilization.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll pass it on. 😊
Congrats, Little Bear! There is nothing like being given a Trail Name by someone you respect. I'm so impressed with you two. I love how hard you are preparing on all levels. I think you ladies are going to do GREAT!
There WILL be surprises that you will not have expected, but you two seem to be prepared for any contingency. My vote on the footprint thing...I started with a Big Agnes with the footprint. My first night out with it, I had to set it up on very wet ground, and my tent floor was immediately saturated. I sent it back to REI and went with the Tyvek and never looked back. The Tyvek is also good to put under your sleeping pad in the shelters to protect it from getting holes and protect it from the dirty shelter floor. I hate the shelters...love my tent...but there were several times that I was forced into one by circumstances. I often used my Tyvek to lie down in the place where I wanted to set up my tent to see if it was level. It was the only way I could tell if a spot was truly level. You can also use it for a sit pad. There were some places where I had to camp that I would not have wanted to put my tent down without protection. Just my two cents. Everyone is different...but I did want to throw those things out for thought. I hope to meet you two out there, but if not, I'll be with you in spirit. Best wishes for a fun safe and successful thru hike! OH...I LOVE the teamwork on the water bottles! LOL. What a great idea! You two make a great team!
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! We appreciate the advice, too! We’re going to start off with no ground covering. If we change our mind, we’ll grab some Tyvek at Neel Gap. Seems like a good plan. 😂 We’ll see!
We feel prepared and confident! Not only in our preparedness, and gear, but also our mindset. We’re solution focused and pretty smart together, so we are sure we’ll figure out any of the unknowns coming our way. That’s part of the fun, right? Rolling with it and thinking in the fly! What an adventure! We can’t wait!
you guys are doing great! Tuff as nails too! Look forward to watching your journey!!
Thanks so much! It was a tough shake down for sure. We learned so much and are grateful!
Getting a trail name from Fresh Grounds means you have become an official member of the hiking community. Congrats! Hike on Little Bear!
So amazing!! She’s thrilled! 😊
Love the motto “Smiles over Miles”! I remember watching someone’s vlog about the PCT and the advice they got from a famous thru hiker. It basically was…if you’re so worried about finishing then just buy a plane ticket. So smiles over miles is such a great attitude. Focusing on the journey and memories made along the way and you’re already a winner. Enjoy the journey and you and Little Bear will have these memories for a lifetime regardless of the final destination.
Wow! I love that!! If you’re so worried about finishing, just buy a plane ticket. Sooo good!
Thank you for sharing. We live our life intentionally, and we hope the trail is no different!
Congrats on the name change, Little Bear!
When I went to Philmont (fantastic Boy Scout camp in the mountains of New Mexico) for two weeks with my boys, I took the Tiger Wall UL2 with a Tyvek footprint. We had 4 straight days of heavy rain and I camped on some pretty muddy sketchy sites. I was really glad that it kept my tent clean and dry so I could stuff it nicely inside my pack. The wet and dirty Tyvek and wet tarp stayed outside the pack. Never regretted the extra weight for a moment.
Good luck on the hike! My wife and I are rooting for you two!
Thank you so much! Sounds like a great experience for you and your boys. Cherished times for sure!
Yeah I think if anything, I’d lean towards the Tyvek over the BA foot print.
Thanks for being here and cheering us on! It’s so wonderful and inspiring to read these comments. 😊
"I don't think it exists". That sums up Little Bear's positive attitude. She earns a high probability for success as a backpacker!
Best wishes to both of you on your upcoming adventure!
Thank you! This kid is truly phenomenal. I know I’m biased, but she really is! 😊
Sure, you likely are biased, @@wildflowersadventures. But, I am not, and I see it too.
Be proud Mama Bear; you cultivated a terrific hiking partner!
@rolandpinette9946 Thank you! God has blessed me beyond measure! 🙏🏼💙
@@wildflowersadventures Amen!
Smiles before miles! Love it. Love the new trail name!
Thank you! 😊
Such a great shakedown hike! Between the challenges and the decisions made to remain flexible and get the most out of your experience, you'll both be so ready for the AT! Love the new trail name, Little Bear!
Thank you! 🙏🏼 We feel confident and ready! 😊
Flexibility is definitely the key. Just like in real life, we roll with whatever comes our way and we’re ok with changing our minds if the situation warrants a change. We can’t wait to begin our adventure!
What a fun day! To already meet and get a new trail name from Fresh Ground is so special! Yes, always your Baby Bear, but now Little Bear to us. Maybe today helped make up for Day 1. Your intro video was the best for class if 2024. You picked up lots of new followers. I think you are the most prepared of any 2024 hikers. Not only physically, but mentally. Hike on!
Wow! 🥹 Thank you! 🙏🏼
That means a lot to us. We have worked so hard over the past few years preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally! Doing all the gear research and shake down hikes to get it right. It’s been a journey already and we are ready! Our support team here at home has been phenomenally supportive, so that has helped a lot, too.
Thank you for following along. We’re glad you’re here! 😊
Love that Little Bear got her trail name by Fresh Grounds, love your videos already!
So cool, right?! She was thrilled!
Thank you so much! We’re glad you’re here. 😊
Mama Bear & Little Bear, you girls are AWESOME!!
Thank you so much! 😊 🙏🏼
I used my tyvek for shelters also. Saved my air mattress and stuff. Cold rain is the worst to hike and most dangerous for hyperthermia so good plan to avoid it on the AT when possible. My worst day was cold rain on the AT but fresh ground was at the road crossing to save the day. I will always remember and thank him for that hot spaghetti meal. Still smiling after the worst day, sound like you both will be great AT thru hikers. I miss every state (ever PA now) and wish I was doing the AT again this year. Take time every day to enjoy a moment no matter how much you may hate it that day;).
Thank you for your wise words! And congrats on your thru! It’s so wonderful hearing what all of you accomplished thru hikers have to say. The words definitely hold significant meaning for us. We can already imagine what our journey will be like. We feel confident and ready!
You two are amazing. What a great bonding experience.. love the trail magic
Thank you so much! We appreciate your kind words and support! 😊
I love my umbrella in all day cold rain - it’s amazing what a big difference it makes for me to not have it falling on my head even in the hood. Makes temperature management much easier. Glad you had a much better day 2!
Thank you! 🙏🏼😊 Day 2 was definitely better!
We love our umbrellas, too, especially when we can go hands free and put it on our shoulder straps. You’re right, it makes a huge difference. On day one, the climbs were so steep that I think it would’ve impeded our vision too much. Plus, we were already so wet after the water crossings! 😂 We muscled through it! 💪🏼
Good for you guys! At age 68, I finished the FHT last spring. Enjoy!
That’s awesome! So glad you could experience the FHT. It’s magical!
Y'all deserved day 2 after day 1. God watched over you the first day and rewarded you the second. On the AT, you will experience the same thing. Probably more day 2's than day 1's. And the water swap, that was awesome. I can tell y'all have done that a time or two. Little Bear, congrats on the well deserved trail name promotion. I'll bet there aren't too many people who have gotten their trail names from someone as iconic as Fresh Ground. You're in rare air, kiddo. Be safe. God bless.
Thank you! Most definitely! God’s always got our backs!
It was so nice to have no rain on day 2! We’re thankful for every day of experience we get.
So happy for Little Bear! 💙🙏🏼
Y'all are awesome and doing great! One small possible safety note. You should make sure that your new pants are waterproof over time or in heavy rain. You don't want them to soak through, and not be able to warm up if needed. Hypothermia sets in fast, like 30 minutes when you get too cold. You can become confused and unable to use your fingers well to set up your shelter to get warm. Just make sure you think of those situations too :)
Good advice for sure. Thank you! Our pants did well over the 5 days. It was pouring the first day, then just super wet everywhere for the next 2 days.
By the time we got to our campsite on day one, it was still pouring, the temp had dropped into the 50’s, it was dark, our fingers were numb and it was very hard to set up the tent. I definitely see what you mean. We will do our very best to avoid that in the future as much as possible. Safety first for sure!
You guys are doing great! I love both of your attitudes and look forward to following your AT journey. Love Little Bear's comment when asked about the worst part of the day "I don't think it exists."
Thank you! We are so happy to be hiking together. We make a great team! 💙🙏🏼
On the subject of a footprint: I bought a North Face tent in 1971 and always used some kind of ground cloth (we didn't have "footprints" back then) under the tent. That North Face tent went on a lot of major backpacking trips in a lot of very rough places. That tent, after 53 years, is still serving me well. I'd hate to think what the floor of that tent would look like today if it hadn't been protected over the years.
Wow! That’s awesome! What a great investment!
I absolutely love your videos. I'm on my holiday break and binge-watching you and Little Bear has really made this time special. Thank you both.
Wow, thank you so much! We’re so glad you’re here! Thank you for your support. We can’t wait to share our journey with you! 😊
Lovely video. Really enjoyed watchingThanks for sharing🐶❤❤☺👍👍
Thank you! We’re so glad you’re here! 😊 We can’t wait to share our journey with you.
Part of the reason for a footprint or ground cloth of some kind is insulation. It helps to keep both water and cold from seeping into the tent from frozen or nearly frozen ground. It's all in what you choose, based on experience. It also depends on the tent -- some dyneema tents have a thicker floor. But with my nylon tent, I just consider the footprint part of the tent. In terms of cold and wet, you're going to get a bit of that in winter in the South. But I agree, if there is a big, two-day storm shrieking in, I would take at least one zero to warm up and dry out gear. Hypothermia is possible, particularly in the Smokies.
Yea, for sure. We’ll walk in it when we have to, but if we can avoid it, we have no issue popping into a hostel or hotel. I won’t take unnecessary risks with Little Bear. 🐻
I might bring Tyvek. The BA foot print seemed useless, to be honest.
I absolutely loved the bit with the water bottles ladies! That was great 😂
UA-cam suggested your channel to me after I saw you on Roadrunner's/Hiking Dancer's video. I'm looking forward to following your adventures 😊
Teamwork makes the dream work! 😊
We’re so glad you’re here! We can’t wait to share our journey with you!
It's such a great experience you're having my daughters and I are looking forward as the adventure continues. It's been quite some time since my AT thru-hike, and I'm thrilled that you two ladies are sharing an experience that will last a lifetime. And getting a trail name from a legend of the AT "Little Bear" is something to be proud of. Blessings Ladies and Happy Trails. "RADAR Class of 89"
Hey Radar! Thank you! We have been preparing for 2 years! We feel confident and ready! Let’s go! 😊
Great video. So glad yall got better weather. Very pretty views an water crossings. Little Bear really suits her well. She is a strong young lady. So proud of you both, Happy Hiking.❤
Thank you so much! We’re sooo glad the weather improved! It was a great shake down! Now we wait for March! 😊
Your on trail moments are fun to watch. Would have loved to see what the interaction with Leo and crew was like. I noticed the photos of them in there. Keep trekking. So glad you met Fresh Ground!!
Thank you! Yeah, I do wish I would have filmed more of our friends interactions….I’m getting used to it. It’s a balance between getting things on camera and just enjoying the moment. And trust me, you don’t want to be that person that always shoves a camera in everyone’s faces. We’ll get better with the balance with more practice! 😊
@@wildflowersadventures I completely agree that you do not want to be shoving a camera in everyone's faces. I also am getting used to it, and the one person who did appear briefly in my video, I first asked him, "Would you like to say hi to the vlog?" I would not want to just start filming without asking.
I think that is part of the balance between including these moments and just enjoying the moments. You certainly should not feel obligated to film every moment of the conversation. Have a good conversation off camera, and then before you part, ask if you can film a brief hello with them. I don't know, I'm still learning the best approach too, but this is just what I'm thinking now. Who knows what I'll do in actuality. Always enjoy the journey and do not let the pressure to film take away from your enjoyment of the trail.
What a gift to give your daughter. She'll have the love of hiking and physical activity for the rest of her life.
Thank you! She’s giving me such a gift as well. We’ll cherish our time together for sure! 😊
Good video with lots of good beautiful views, so let's keep on hiking 😊
Thanks!! The FHT is magical! 🙏🏼
Loving your videos. Can't wait to see you crush the AT.
Love that Little Bear got her trail name from Fresh Grounds. Super cool!
Thank you so much! We appreciate your kindness and support! Little Bear is thrilled!! 😊
That is so cool that Baby bear got a trail name upgrade from Fresh Ground! And i agree with him, you are no baby. You are one tough cookie! Tougher than most adults.
Absolutely! I agree, too! She’s a beast and definitely tougher than most adults I know. 😊
Little Bear just makes me smile. You’re such a great mom & your spirit & love for all your family gives that wholesomeness to your videos. This was a great hike.
I thought her trail name changed at her Birthday but this is cool that it’s from the trail.
Thanks for the Duluth pants review. They are on sale now & I just got paid! Win win
Yeah! Win win!! I love these pants sooo much! I just need a belt for when my weight fluctuates on trail. They are so warm and I literally fell in several puddles 😂 and stayed completely dry!
Thank you for your kind words. Little Bear is such an awesome human. I’m so glad she’s my partner! My family is everything to me! I love them all so very much! We appreciate you following along with us! 💙💙💙
What fun - enjoy the moments, and thanks for sharing.
It was a great day! Thank you for watching! 😊
Congratulations to Little Bear on the name change! She's a beast! I was actually up at Sassafras yesterday and will be posting a video from it next week. You are both true inspirations! Happy trails!
Thank you so much! She is an absolute beast! All 4 of my children are and she rounds out the tail end stronger than ever. I’m so proud of her and I’m so happy she’s my partner! 😊
Sounds like a fun day enjoying the social part of the trail, and making a few miles also. Congrats on the new trail name, Little Bear, it fits !
Thank you! The community is always such a sweet part of trail life! So thankful for the many great people we met!
I agree! Little Bear earned that name! 💙 🐻
I recommend taking a piece of Tyvek, not as a footprint, but for other uses. I wrapped my pack in it in my vestibule when I tented, and I also kneeled on it when I was laying all my stuff out in the tent. When I stayed in a shelter, I put it down to protect my sleeping pad. I'm looking forward to following your adventure.
Great idea. We will probably grab a piece before we leave. Everyone says to wash it so it reduces the noise.
Great new name and glad you met Roadrunner!
Thanks! It was a great day! 😊
I love the new trail name! She's amazing!
Thank you! 🥹 She really is!! We adore her! 🙏🏼💙
Personally what I like under my tent when I use one instead of my normal hammock is a thin piece of plastic painter's drop cloth cut to size. It keeps the bottom of the tent from getting nasty when the ground is muddy, helps keep condensation from coming up and getting on the tent bottom, and is easy to throw away when it's too yucky. And it only weighs a couple of ounces.
Not a bad idea!!! Thanks! 🙏🏼
Waking up to Fresh Grounds coffee and food is my dream. Enjoy.
His coffee, food and company are so wonderful! Such a treat and blessing. 🙏🏼
Using a toilet! 🤣🤣🤣 We started rating the shelters based off the privies. We even bought a AT Privy jigsaw puzzle. 😅
Hahahaha! It’s the little things!! 🤣😂
Both you gals are inspirational. You got this! How do you attach your Garmin InReach Mini to your backpack?
Thank you so much! I just attach it with a carabiner. 😊
It looked so snug against your strap.
Great seeing you two out on the trail! What a special treat to have so much trail magic and comradery on your journey. I am really looking forward to following your AT thru hike.
Thank you so much! We’re ready to go! The trail magic and meeting all of you was the absolute BEST part of the trail! 😊
Best of Luck, Looking foward to following your journey !
Thank you so much! We’re glad you’re here and we can share our journey with you! 😊
You guys are listed in the top 10 to follow ! Congrats !!@@wildflowersadventures
I almost threw up just seeing those wooden steps!! A small umbrella is a game changer. I was able to macgyver one onto my pack during two days of rain on that trail last year. It's nice to leave the rain jacket hood off and retain the use both trecking poles. I also reccomend Seal Skinz socks to keep your feet dry. Cheers, Shadow.
Hey Shadow! Yeah, those STAIRS! Hahahaha
The Foothills Trail should be renamed as the Stairs Trail! 😂
We have a strap talk at secured our umbrellas to the shoulder strap. It just didn’t make sense for that day. We were already soaked from the creek crossings, but the elevation was so tough that it would’ve limited our views too much. Sometimes you just gotta embrace the suck! 😆
I bought some SealSkinz, but decided against taking them. I think I’ll have to try them though during wet weather because I learned that once my feet get wet, I become prone to blisters (which is odd because I don’t get blisters otherwise.)
Thanks for reminding me! Cheers!
My vote is for the footprint. In all my years of camping, the footprint was helpful in protecting the tent from moisture intrusion and damage. The Tyvek is amazing, light and inexpensive. But, I find in more difficult to fold and store as compared to the nylon type footprint. The footprint won’t absorb water. Just shake it out. It will dry fast. As far as walking in cold wet weather, during my time in Iceland, my go to gear was the Buffalo Systems Gear from the UK. It worked great especially during a hike, on a dreary, cool, damp day to the Arctic Circle and Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Cheers to what makes you happy and secure. Wishing you warmth, peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!
Thank you so much for your kind words, support, and advice! I appreciate it! I’ll consider the Tyvek…maybe. So many thru hikers have advised against taking anything as it wasn’t necessary. I think I’ll start off with nothing for the first 40 miles and if I change my mind, I can grab some Tyvek at Neel Gap. I’ve never used a ground cover at all with the BA Copper Spur. Doesn’t feel like this one needs it either. Time will tell! Thanks again! 😊
@@wildflowersadventures Best wishes!
What an awesome view from top of Sassafras! Congrats on the new trail name.
Thank you! Love that view! 😊
Fresh ground is right. Any kid that's attempting the AT is not a baby! Love the new trail name!
Absolutely! She’s a beast! Tougher than most adults I know! 💪🏼 I’m so glad she’s my partner! 💙
Hate hiking in cold rain! Mylar emergency blankets are good to put down on wet ground to keep the moisture from soaking through. Cool you got trail magic from Fresh Ground. I'm enjoying your videos. You two make a good team.
Thank you! We’re having fun! We’re confident and ready! 😊
Enjoying your videos, pretty cool getting a new trail name from Fresh Ground himself! You make a great team, looking forward to following your adventure on the AT👍🇬🇧
Thanks so much! We appreciate you and are glad you’re here!
Yeah, how cool was that?! She was beaming with pride. I love this for her. She’s the best partner! 💙
Yall had a great day on trail. There is no way I would pass up Fresh Grounds hospitality. Have never met him, but I hope I do. Little Bear, I like it. Small but fiearce. Will be watching AT 2024. Keep the smiles going.
Fresh Ground’s trail magic is truly magical. He creates a beautiful rest stop and an environment where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and accepted. Plus the food!!!! Ooohhhh weeeeee! It’s absolutely delicious!
Thanks! It was a great day! 😊
You lady's do so good
Thank you! We’re trying and giving it our best! 😊
Looks like it went well. Take care.
Great day! Much better than the first! Thank you! Best wishes! 😊
Take care, enjoy your. day. @@wildflowersadventures
Nice job! My vote would be for a tyvek ground cloth. It is very lightweight and repels water. I carry an extra piece to unload my pack on at camp and then move it near the door of my tent to keep things cleaner and minimize tracking.
I have a roll that I found on the side of the road and will be glad to cut to your tent dimensions and mail to you if you would like.
Thank you so much! How kind of you! 🙏🏼 We appreciate the offer. I think we’ll start out with no ground cover, then if we change our minds, we’ll grab a piece at Neel Gap. It’s a good 40 miles in (starting at Amicalola), so we’ll know better by then.
Great job ladies. Congrats on getting your new trail name from such an icon. You're doing great.
Thank you! 🙏🏼
We appreciate you and we’re glad you’re here! 😊
hahahhahahahaHAAAAA YOUR 2 IN MY HOME YARD CHEROKEE -- NORTH CAROLINA .. DOING GREAT.... MEGA PERFECT VIDEO MOMBEAR LITTLEBEAR-
Thank you so much! 😊
With your comments about the rain, I say either get small umbrellas or get rid of them all together. Change them out for ponchos. I use to backpack with a tarp as my first item in my bag already with cord and hooks attached to it. I could put it up in about 1 minute and would use that as an emergency shelter. It didn't have to look pretty, just get me out of the rain.
Thanks! Appreciate your advice!
We love our umbrellas but this day was just one of those days where getting wet was pretty much unavoidable. 😂
The name change seems appropriate 😊
I agree!! Well earned! 💜
Little Bear must be strong. She's carrying Her full share in Her pack.
She is incredibly strong. We’ve been strength training for over a year. She’s a tough cookie!
Congrats on the new name ! Those pants sound awesome. What brand were they again?
Little Bear said thanks!
My pants are the fleece lined Duluth Trading Flexpedition pants. They’re great!
I would advise against the rain pants for summer! If it's warm rain, it's usually fine to just get wet!
Yes! That’s so true! Good thinking! Thank you. We’ll just have to suck it up and learn to embrace starting cold! 🤣
@@wildflowersadventures Embrace the suck! That's what the trail's all about. But honestly, there were very few times I hiked in the rain multiple days in a row on my hike last year. You get up and put on the wet clothes once, and then dry out the next day. If you're near a road, you can even go into town that next day and dry off. Always lots of options! But the rain pants in summer just make you sweat, so you're just as wet under the rain pants as you would be without them!
Great change to the name. Cold rain makes for bad days and bad days make the OK days great.
Agree on all! Thank you for coming on our adventures with us! 😊
Can't wait to watch you guys on the trail. Did she get off school to do it??
Thanks! We appreciate you being here! 😊
My children have been homeschooled for the past 7 years. Currently, Little Bear is an entire year ahead in school, so she may take the 6 months off if she’d like from the academic portion of schooling or she can choose to access her studies online whenever she would like. We focus a lot of experiential learning.
@@wildflowersadventures Excellent, waiting for the start. If you happen to stop at Upper Goose Pond cabin you'll find it a great place. In MA
I’ll write that down! So many places we want to visit! 😊
Movies and breakfast with Freshground and friends thats definitely worth cutting the day short. Congrats on the new trail name little bear. I have a duplex tent and after 1 week of using tyvek I got rid of it and didnt use anything the rest of the thru hike and didnt have any problems.
It was truly amazing!
Yeah, it seems many people have very strong opinions on the subject of the footprint! Hahaha, who knew?! It’s clearly a very divided camp. But, the majority of people who said it’s not needed were all thru hikers or LASH’ers. I don’t think I’ll take anything. We’ve done about 30 nights total without one, including in the pouring rain, and it was fine.
@@wildflowersadventures Yea I think the two of you will be fine!!
Thanks! Me too! 😊
most will say use a groundsheet, but I never do. Really easy to tape up a hole in the floor, no worries. If a tent lasts you both a thru hike then it's job done. Every single item should be essential otherwise it's just extra weight. I think you've preparing very well
That’s the camp I’m choosing! I don’t expect anything we have to last longer than 2,200 miles/6 months. If it does, then bonus, but many thru hikers said the same as you. Why pay so much for such a quality UL tent and then add weight to it. I guess we’ll see! 🤣
Thanks! We feel prepared! Mentally, physically, emotionally, and our gear is solid!
Cold rain is my nemesis!
Saaaaaame 😩
Wow you make a great team! How old is Little Bear (if I may ask). And I was wondering what happens with school during the A.T. hike?
I wish you both a very nice hike. 😉✌
Thank you so much! She just turned 11 on trail a few days after this video! Stay tuned! She gets a special surprise! 🎂🥳
My children have been homeschooled for the past 7 years. She is already over an entire year ahead, so she can choose to take a break from her schoolwork or access it online whilst on trail. No pressure from us since she’s so far ahead. In addition to academics, I’m sure you can imagine, we focus a lot on experiential learning. 😊
Leaves are great for warmth do you have to worry about snakes/spiders if you snuggle in them?
Leaves are great to set your tent up on. They provide additional insulation. I don’t think I’d want to snuggle them though. I suppose in an emergency, you’d do what you have to do. 😬
@@wildflowersadventures ive got an army basha i preferd it to a tent its when you get told to move its quicker to pack up. It was black widow spiders i dnt know them
What ever you don’t take with you - you can buy later on the trail.
What you don’t need - you mail back home.
I’ll watch ya both in the AT.
BearBait
Slow section hiker
Hey Bearbait! Thanks for watching! 😊
Exactly our thoughts! No stress at all. We have what we need and we’re confident that if we change our minds about something, then we can sort it out. Like you said, if we don’t need it, we’ll send back home. If we need something, we’ll pick it up on trail.
I didn’t see which footprint you had, but Tyvek doesn’t absorb moisture. With that said, the prime reason I use one is to keep the bottom of my tents _clean_.
It’s the foot print made by BA for the Tiger Wall.
Love watching the 2 of you. You have a great relationship. How old is Little Bear? She is so tough and grown up. First met you when Roadrunner interviewed you on her video, Later that day, I ran across Day 1 of FHT video. Decided to subscribe at that point. This season, I'm only following ya'll and 1 other woman on the AT and one guy on the CDT. I do have a few other hikers that I watched a couple of years ago on the AT that I'll probably watch whatever they do in 2024. Glad you decided to enjoy the camaraderie of Ramdino's group. Are you registered with him so that others will know about you and can follow you? Looking forward to the next video on the FHT. I hear those pancakes are really good. Fresh Ground seems to be a neat person. Take care, stay safe, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Wow! Thank you so much! What a privilege it is that you’ve chosen to follow along with us. Thank you! We’re so glad you’re here! 😊
Little Bear turned 11 on the trail! Stay tuned for a big surprise she gets! 🎂🥳
We are registered with Ramdino. I’m so glad he puts together this EOD Hike every year. We met so many wonderful people. The trail community is the absolute best!
And yes!!! Oh I hope one day you get to taste Fresh Ground’s blueberry pancakes! They are the best I’ve ever had!
Thanks again for your kind works and encouragement! 💙
Got a invite to hike the foot Hills trail but tun it down so to cold weather and saving for spring trip on the AT
It was definitely cold!! I preferred this trail when we thru hiked it back in April. Much warmer and milder; however, it did still get down in the 30’s a few nights. The longer days allowed for more lingering at all the beautiful waterfalls!
I thought watching me in the mud slide might be a highlight 😂😂😂!
Hahahahaha!!! If only I could’ve had my camera out!!! 😂😂😂
Instead of nothing inder tent what about a big black trash bag if necessary when the ground is wet from rain.. i don't know the weight but as a backup if necessary
Not a bad idea. We camped on her ground and the water stayed out. It didn’t seep in at all. I may grab a piece of Tyvek, but so many have said it’s really not necessary. Seems like a very divided camp though! We’ll figure it out. 😊
What watch are you using in the first few secs? I must have it lol
Hey! It’s the Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamomix version. I love it!
@@wildflowersadventures Thanks!
I love the kisses bye!!
😊😊😊
When people ask me why the tie-dye, I will ask them what does seeing me wear it make them do? They usually say it makes them smile, then I tell them that is why I wear it. “A smile to help go the extra mile!”
Awww, yes! I love that! Smiles over miles! And encouragement goes such a long way on trail. 💙 Hikers helping Hikers! 💙
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Why did you remove the first video?
Day zero on the AT? On accident! 😫 day one on the AT has been stuck in “uploading” mode for 2.5 days so I was trying to delete that video so it would stop eating my battery. I need to wait until we have stronger signal. I will upload it again, along with days 1-3, hopefully soon!! Fingers crossed! 🤞
I really, strongly advise your taking a Tyvek for your groundsheet. Every time you lay down on that tent floor, you tax the water-resistant quality. Multiple days of microscopic wear-and-tear will add up. And a soaked tent floor is something you really don't want to deal with. And it won't get better just because you dry it off. Try this: Load up your backpack. Walk around a little bit. Now add the Tyvek. If the weight difference slows you down, ditch it. My guess is that you won't be able to tell the difference. The other thing you could do, if you don't want to carry the weight, is to stick it in your daughter's pack. I can tell you from personal experience, one of the best things about having a daughter is playing a trick on her.
Thanks! It’s not the weight I’m concerned with because my base weight is pretty solid, it’s just that I’ve been advised by quite a few thru hikers that it really wasn’t needed. This subject is definitely a divided camp! I never knew! 😂 I’ll probably grab a piece and figure it out for myself.
What’s the thing on your shoulder? Walkie talkie?
Hi there! It’s a Garmin inReach Mini2…an emergency satellite communication device.
You are going to embrace the cold rain and keep your rain pants or at least get a poncho.
We’ll see. As of right now, we’re leaving our rain pants. The pants we’ve chosen to walk in seem virtually indestructible, 😂! I sat on wet logs, on the wet ground and even fell in a few puddles and the pants repelled water like a charm! We do have our rain jacket and of course an umbrella. The terrain was just too difficult for the umbrellas on day 1. Plus we were already soaked from the creek crossings.
Tyvek will extend the life of your tent and you can’t afford to puncture your tent floor. Money and weight worth it.
Thanks!
"Happy New Year my friend Wild Flowers Adventures"
I am a new friend of your UA-cam channel. I have watched your videos your video quality is very good so I want to give some suggestions about your channel.
For example:
1. Do Video SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
2. Upload the video according to a specific time
3. Add the last screen
4. Add video card
5. Hashtags and high-quality keywords
6. SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and tags
7. Social media link building
If you can do these things, hopefully, your channel and videos will go viral"
Thank you so much! 🙏🏼 I sincerely appreciate the advice! I’m still learning about all of this. I don’t even know what half of that is, but I’ll do more research for sure. You’re awesome for sharing your knowledge with us! Thank you! 😊
Little bear 👍 like it better
Definitely more fitting! She’s so tough!
@@wildflowersadventures Rrrrrrr 🐻 rrrrrr does a little bear 🐻 run in the woods ???? She does 🐻 she does!
🐻💙🙏🏼
Let’s see - 5 miles of progress or dinner/movie/breakfast with FreshGround? That’s about a no-brainer..!!
Hahahaha! Yes! And it was so worth it! 😊
HOME TO HOME MY HOME NORTH CAROLINA
Love North Carolina!! 🤩
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LIKED WATCHED COMMENTED SUBSCRIBED
KEEP ON --- KEEPING ON
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Thanks!
I hate cold wet feet, think about taking 6 pair of socks. Socks not that heavy, feet are your foundation.
Thanks! We do take 3 pairs. 😊