Wow Brother. I’ve been there….and I feel your pain. Two years ago I attempted a thru hike. I’m 66, in great shape, but a bout of norovirus, (I was laid up for three days in a Days Inn in PA!). and an old Navy back injury….took its toll. I had to “call it”. Broke my heart for a while….as I had been planning that hike for a few years! I’m now a committed section hiker…..doing Connecticut next week, if I can get the right 0 degree sleeping bag. You two made a good team….no judgement on calling it a day by either of you, except maybe you being a bit hard on yourself. But a wise man knows when to “call it”, and live to fight another day. I admire your father-in-law, too. He seems a regular trooper! My best to you both…..great video!
Glad you enjoyed this! I have a few different hiking videos you might like. This was a tough hike for me, I'm not conditioned too well for longer distances, my father in law though has incredible endurance and could have lasted a few more days I think. We had talked about having a plan to bail if we felt the need prior to heading out, its important to know your limits and have a backup plan, all ended well. We had talked about getting back out to finish before the year end, but I've been so busy with other hobbies. Definitely adding this to next years itinerary to finish it! thanks again for watching, ill pass on your kind words to my father in law.
Your feeling sick near the end are symptoms of dehydration, been there done that! I hike alot.. before beating yourself up make sure you have enough magnesium, potassium and sodium to use everyday, either in pill form or powder that you can add into your water. also bring some copper and zinc tablets.
Ahh man, sucks you had to cut it short but it takes a whole bunch of experience to call it quits when you know you gotta. I just did the CT Section myself and it is one tough hike, thanks for sharing your trip. I'll be watching to see you finish! ATB, Gary.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed this. Cutting this trip short was a good decision. We were hoping to finish it either this weekend or last weekend but it did not work out. Gonna have to get back on it next season. I just hiked Mt Ascutney today with a buddy in VT.
When I saw you licking your pants I thought Hopefully they aren't sprayed with Permethrin or you are going to get sick! This was a helpful video as I will be doing Connecticut solo in the spring. Im particularly nervous about St Johns Ledges coming down. Like you said though, know your limits and don't push it. Thanks for taking us along and best of luck on the second half.
I think I may have caught some sort of infection on this attempt... we just recently went back and completed the trip. On our second outing I had no issues at all and the hike went nice and smooth and I felt really good the entire time.
@@ChrisGranata if you are otherwise normally in decent shape, it appears you caught some kind of bug. I think you already know that you set yourself mileage gosls that were too long. If you have not been hiking a lot regularly, backpacking with 30 or more pounds on your back when you're not used to it is very strenuous. 5 to 10 mi a day should have been your max at the beginning.
@@ChrisGranata I'm assuming what you put into the water was either iodine or bleach. Sorry to break it to you but what you did doesn't actually purify the water as a whole. You need something like the Grayl geopress to literally filter the viruses out.
Feel bad that you had to cut it short. I am trying the same thing in the spring. Planning a thru hike in a few years. Where did you get the map you used? Appreciate the info.
We had made copies out of book of the trail. The "Connecticut forest and park association, Connecticut walk book, 20th edition", they proved to be very helpful. The paper maps were easier to keep referecing rather than an electronic device.
How many ticks did you encounter on this trip? Just got bit by one and I don’t want it to scare me from doing what I love. Also did you use and bug spray or permethrin?
surprisingly we did not deal with any ticks on this trip. we did use bug spray, no permethrin. But it would still be a good idea to check yourself every night.
AT AMC ridge runner here. Spent 6 months on in MA/CT. Northern part of CT much nicer. Middle parts a little wet enjoy the four Mile river walk along the housatonic. Be aware that there are some bougie towns. Stop in Cornwall at the general store for food and a sandwich..
I think the water I drank that morning may not have been the cleanest, and all the effort I put in the day before had me exhausted. I hope to get back on this trail next season and get it finished.
I suffered that in Middle Virginia. We stopped at a shelter and I ate and drank all the electrolytes I could, 3 miles to the car. It took me 4 hours to get to the road (2.2miles) and my hiking partners went to get the car. At this point I had hiked 700+ miles of the AT, but every little incline, I had to stop and rest after 20-30 steps. The toughest thing I have ever had to do in my life, and I raced triathlons for 20 years.
My wife and I will be attempting this same hike over the long weekend for the Fourth of July, hoping to make the complete trip from the NY border to the MA border. It appears you went North bound, which is our plan. Can I ask where you parked to start and finish? Looks like there is a parking lot to start at Hoyt road, but we are still debating on our end point. Thinking of back tracking from the MA line down to the Mt Frissel Trailhead parking or the other option would be a bit further into MA up at the Mt Everett State Forest. Thank you again for answering my first question, much appreciated.
@Kurt Frank Start point was the Hoyt Rd parking area off of route 55 in NY End point was Mt Riga State Park parking area, right next to 'Foothills Rd' on route 41 in CT. After passing the CT/MA boarder continue straight (North) twords Sages Ravine and look for a sign marking 'Undermountain Trail' on the right side. This trail leads right to the end parking lot without having to turn around and backtrack over the Bear Mountain peak again. Pace yourselves and enjoy the hike. You can find a video of our return trip in 2022 in the description of this video.
Chris, can I contact you? I want to day hike CT. I understand there is a handicapped accessible portion. I'm hoping to push my 85 year old Aunt along that portion
My Instagram is HomegrownGrizz if you want to send me a direct message. I did a quick Google search and saw that there is a section of the Appalachian Trail that is handicap accessible in the Northwest corner of CT near Falls Village.
It was an awesome time! I should've looked into bringing lighter gear, and definitely should have paced myself from the beginning. At the start of the hike I was hopping over rocks and jumping off bridges cause I was feeling good and fresh, I should've moved slower and more efficiently on the first two days. Cause day 3 my legs were DONE!
nothing too exciting, saw a big black racer snake, lots of ticks and spiders, heard a lot of birds and owls. Something BIG passed through our camp the first night, prolly a deer, I hope.
Wow Brother. I’ve been there….and I feel your pain. Two years ago I attempted a thru hike. I’m 66, in great shape, but a bout of norovirus, (I was laid up for three days in a Days Inn in PA!). and an old Navy back injury….took its toll. I had to “call it”. Broke my heart for a while….as I had been planning that hike for a few years! I’m now a committed section hiker…..doing Connecticut next week, if I can get the right 0 degree sleeping bag. You two made a good team….no judgement on calling it a day by either of you, except maybe you being a bit hard on yourself. But a wise man knows when to “call it”, and live to fight another day. I admire your father-in-law, too. He seems a regular trooper! My best to you both…..great video!
Glad you enjoyed this! I have a few different hiking videos you might like. This was a tough hike for me, I'm not conditioned too well for longer distances, my father in law though has incredible endurance and could have lasted a few more days I think. We had talked about having a plan to bail if we felt the need prior to heading out, its important to know your limits and have a backup plan, all ended well. We had talked about getting back out to finish before the year end, but I've been so busy with other hobbies. Definitely adding this to next years itinerary to finish it! thanks again for watching, ill pass on your kind words to my father in law.
Your feeling sick near the end are symptoms of dehydration, been there done that! I hike alot.. before beating yourself up make sure you have enough magnesium, potassium and sodium to use everyday, either in pill form or powder that you can add into your water. also bring some copper and zinc tablets.
That's great advice! i learned a lot of lessons from this outing...
Can you tell me what road you started at? Looking forward to section hiking CT
maps.app.goo.gl/355tx1AGqQsVWaCa9
Started here, on Hoyt Rd in Sherman CT. There a small parking lot right on the trail.
Ahh man, sucks you had to cut it short but it takes a whole bunch of experience to call it quits when you know you gotta. I just did the CT Section myself and it is one tough hike, thanks for sharing your trip. I'll be watching to see you finish! ATB, Gary.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed this. Cutting this trip short was a good decision. We were hoping to finish it either this weekend or last weekend but it did not work out. Gonna have to get back on it next season. I just hiked Mt Ascutney today with a buddy in VT.
When I saw you licking your pants I thought Hopefully they aren't sprayed with Permethrin or you are going to get sick! This was a helpful video as I will be doing Connecticut solo in the spring. Im particularly nervous about St Johns Ledges coming down. Like you said though, know your limits and don't push it. Thanks for taking us along and best of luck on the second half.
Coming down St John's ledges was tough. There was alot of really big downsteps, had to sit on my butt a few times to get down.
Good morning, nothing like mom to the rescue! Were you exhausted or did you catch a virus / bacterial infection to cause the “sickness?
I think I may have caught some sort of infection on this attempt... we just recently went back and completed the trip. On our second outing I had no issues at all and the hike went nice and smooth and I felt really good the entire time.
@@ChrisGranata if you are otherwise normally in decent shape, it appears you caught some kind of bug. I think you already know that you set yourself mileage gosls that were too long. If you have not been hiking a lot regularly, backpacking with 30 or more pounds on your back when you're not used to it is very strenuous. 5 to 10 mi a day should have been your max at the beginning.
This is why purifying water is crucial
at 4:51 you can see the drops that we were using to purify our water. I'm not sure why I got so sick on day 3.
@@ChrisGranata I'm assuming what you put into the water was either iodine or bleach.
Sorry to break it to you but what you did doesn't actually purify the water as a whole.
You need something like the Grayl geopress to literally filter the viruses out.
Where was the actual start point ? Did you go to the Appalachian trail Metro north stop? Thanks
maps.app.goo.gl/355tx1AGqQsVWaCa9
Started here, on Hoyt Rd in Sherman CT. There a small parking lot right on the trail.
Feel bad that you had to cut it short. I am trying the same thing in the spring. Planning a thru hike in a few years. Where did you get the map you used? Appreciate the info.
We had made copies out of book of the trail. The "Connecticut forest and park association, Connecticut walk book, 20th edition", they proved to be very helpful. The paper maps were easier to keep referecing rather than an electronic device.
How many ticks did you encounter on this trip? Just got bit by one and I don’t want it to scare me from doing what I love. Also did you use and bug spray or permethrin?
surprisingly we did not deal with any ticks on this trip. we did use bug spray, no permethrin. But it would still be a good idea to check yourself every night.
AT AMC ridge runner here. Spent 6 months on in MA/CT. Northern part of CT much nicer. Middle parts a little wet enjoy the four Mile river walk along the housatonic. Be aware that there are some bougie towns. Stop in Cornwall at the general store for food and a sandwich..
I plan on finishing this section next season with my father in law. Good to know the north section isn't too bad.
Do you think it was heat exhaustion or stomach bug from water?
I think the water I drank that morning may not have been the cleanest, and all the effort I put in the day before had me exhausted. I hope to get back on this trail next season and get it finished.
I suffered that in Middle Virginia. We stopped at a shelter and I ate and drank all the electrolytes I could, 3 miles to the car. It took me 4 hours to get to the road (2.2miles) and my hiking partners went to get the car. At this point I had hiked 700+ miles of the AT, but every little incline, I had to stop and rest after 20-30 steps. The toughest thing I have ever had to do in my life, and I raced triathlons for 20 years.
Nice to see someone using an actual map👍
That true, alot of people are using electronic maps now. But its always good to have a physical print version just in case.
Always start at a nice pace. You should have kept your first plan and camp.
You're absolutely right.
What time of year did you do this hike?
We hiked May 6th thru the 9th. 2021
And then we went back in 2022 May 26 thru the 30th.
My wife and I will be attempting this same hike over the long weekend for the Fourth of July, hoping to make the complete trip from the NY border to the MA border. It appears you went North bound, which is our plan. Can I ask where you parked to start and finish? Looks like there is a parking lot to start at Hoyt road, but we are still debating on our end point. Thinking of back tracking from the MA line down to the Mt Frissel Trailhead parking or the other option would be a bit further into MA up at the Mt Everett State Forest. Thank you again for answering my first question, much appreciated.
@Kurt Frank
Start point was the Hoyt Rd parking area off of route 55 in NY
End point was Mt Riga State Park parking area, right next to 'Foothills Rd' on route 41 in CT. After passing the CT/MA boarder continue straight (North) twords Sages Ravine and look for a sign marking 'Undermountain Trail' on the right side. This trail leads right to the end parking lot without having to turn around and backtrack over the Bear Mountain peak again.
Pace yourselves and enjoy the hike.
You can find a video of our return trip in 2022 in the description of this video.
Connecticut is an often overlooked spot on the Appalachian Trail.
I haven't seen other states sections. But Connecticut was beautiful.
Chris, can I contact you? I want to day hike CT. I understand there is a handicapped accessible portion. I'm hoping to push my 85 year old Aunt along that portion
My Instagram is HomegrownGrizz if you want to send me a direct message.
I did a quick Google search and saw that there is a section of the Appalachian Trail that is handicap accessible in the Northwest corner of CT near Falls Village.
You guys rock.
Thanks!
Great content man
Thank you, Glad you enjoyed it. I have a few other fun Hiking videos where I'm with a bunch of friends.
i was just thinking about doing something similar with my buddy lol
It was an awesome time! I should've looked into bringing lighter gear, and definitely should have paced myself from the beginning. At the start of the hike I was hopping over rocks and jumping off bridges cause I was feeling good and fresh, I should've moved slower and more efficiently on the first two days. Cause day 3 my legs were DONE!
Encounter any cool wildlife?
nothing too exciting, saw a big black racer snake, lots of ticks and spiders, heard a lot of birds and owls. Something BIG passed through our camp the first night, prolly a deer, I hope.
Hey guys.what size is your pack.i want to do conn.im from ny
I had a 58L pack on. My father in law i think had a 65L.
I'm a native of this area. I have always heard it pronounced Scat-a-cook.
Good to know, thanks for adding that.
Cool
Thanks dude, this was quite the experience.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
Dirty Harry
Great quote.