Honestly I just finished my thru hike 12 days ago and I'd say any 100 miles in Maine were the most beautiful especially in fall but every part of that trail is beautiful in its own way every state feels different especially when you watch the seasons change as you hike
If you would have kept going on through Va. you would have some crazy elevations and if you go all the way to Maine then you would say AT was a hard trail to do.
I have hiked Grayson Highlands for 25 years, because I can't stand the long green tunnel. Navigating off trail there, and choosing my own campsites away from the shelters are the only reason I still hike and camp. Have to go out west for anything comparable.
100x more respect to you for coming to the east coast, I never really connected with your west coast hikes. This video is awesome, I live in Rocksylvania (Pennsylvania) on the AT.
We live 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail in PA. It's our favorite to section hike especially with friends or family. The Quarry Gap Shelter is gorgeous and one of our favorites to stay at. Loved hearing your observations on the differences of west coast vs east coast hiking. We've done a lot of east coast hiking and are looking forward to making out west at some point!
I’d be less freaked up about with people quietly setting up their tent at 11 pm then hearing people hiking through the camp. Because people setting up a tent makes sense, maybe slightly annoying but not threatening, walking through a campsite that long after hiker bedtime could be trouble. A woman’s perspective.
Great vid, I liked the format. Questions: What type of poles did you use? Explain use of folded green may on top of packs? Why no pack cover in pouring rain? Where can I get the water holder on your left front strap? Keep up the great work!
The fabric of our backpacks is water resistant plus we use either pack liners or dry bags inside. The mats on top are just 1/8th inch close cell foam pads that work great as sit pads, help prevent our inflatable sleeping pads from sliding in our tents, and are great for laying or stretching on! They only weigh about 2 oz or less, so definitely worth bringing for some extra comfort. We use Komperdell trekking poles.
Really enjoyed this. I'm thinking the AT will be my first thru hike. I'll section it immediately following Trail Days. Will vlog it like you did and shout out your video
You would be surprised at some deer along hiking trails. I walked by one so close I could have reached out and touched it. Guess they get so used to seeing people they are not afraid of us.
Cool video. I can definitely relate to the knee pain on the down hills. I'm scheduled for double knee replacements in the next month and can't wait to get back on the trail. The training will be important!
If you guy's like east coast hiking y'all should check out some Kentucky trails. The Red River Gorge is amazing and any section of the Sheltowee Trace is beautiful. There's decent elevation gains and losses, overlooks, waterfalls, old growth forest, and arches. Oh yeah..,some very unique sandstone geographical rock formations that attract some of the worlds best climbers. Plus if you ever want the grand tour hit up Backpacking with Jason and Jeremiah Stringer. Plus I have some plans myself to test out some of you guy's gear on our trail systems.
The gummy worm vs gel thing was funny, but 35:40 seemed pretty judgmental. Or it's a miscalculation of the AT culture. There are a lot of people starting out with minimal backpacking experience who slowly get their trail legs. For those taking shorter trips like myself, I do think that it greatly helps to prep. Like I work my way up to a 25-30lb pack climbing the hills of San Francisco and the Presidio. Altitude acclimation is hard to mimic, but all those leftover medical masks help with that.
To help reduce the strain on my knees, I had to adopt the "old man walk." When traversing inclines and declines, take smaller steps and be mindful of how you are centering the weight of your pack (with trekking poles of course). Don't take large, hurried steps uphill and definitely not downhill. I'll have to chip away the AT in section due to my work, but it is my major bucket list item. Y'all be safe, and God bless.
Oh come on, relying on your cell phones, you guys should know better. Why not keep a compass handy to see what direction your going? And Dude, that beard must have itched like mad on hot humid days. I had a beard once but shaved it off in the summer. Plus as a biker it was a pain to wear a helmet and attach the chin strap.
I enjoyed hearing about your adventure!! I always wanted to walk the AT but health is a problem! I got a kick out of the part about the eyes 👀 and trying to find a campsite. Poor guys!! I bet it Sasquatch.
The AT, if you haven't figured it out. Is a Hikers Highway. So yeah, around shelters you will have groups. If you want wilderness hiking the CDT or the PCT is the way to go.
So great to see your hike. I live in Abingdon at the northern end of the Creeper Trail, so this is my area of the AT. the two sections where the AT and the VCT are the same have this oddity. When you were going NOBO on the AT, you are going SOBO on the VCT. Although, most of us think of the Virginia Creeper more in terms of uphill (south) and downhill (north). As far as setting up a tent late at night where other people are, that is so common on the AT. You would have been welcome. I was at trail days and would have loved to say hi. I just got back from Europe where I put the ventus hoodie and satu pants to work. And they were perfect.
Good to see you on the AT 👍👍 I met Gandalf the Gray on my thru hike don't know if he is the same Gandalf you mentioned. The AT is rough on the knees and ankles I had several minor injuries before a bad ankle sprain took me off the trail in Vermont 1,650 milers into my thru hike. Hope to see you back on the AT some day.
Guys, y'all should've done the NC highlands and Tennessee. Not that the part you did wasn't amazing, it's one of my favorite sections to hike and we do it every other year but south bound into trail days. Just something about those NC highlands and Tn section that blows you away with the views. As a matter of fact, if you guys did this section this past May during trail days, I'm sure we passed y'all coming down into trail days as this was our year to hike south bound. Next year will be north bound out of Tennessee into Damascus
Nice that you made it over this way to learn what Eastern backpackers experience. It's a different kind of grind. As a TN resident, it made me laugh to see y'all keep noticing how big the creepy crawlies are over here near the beginning and how much you didn't want them to be near you. Thanks for the chuckle.
I heard about this "Gandalf" guy while I was on the AT, earlier this year, too! That was funny to hear. Your videos are very well made. Thanks for sharing!
Nice video guys. It’s a bit different wanting to camp away from others when your hiking 100 miles as opposed to hiking 2,200 miles. Looking at the OV Down Quilt for 2023 Coast 2 Coast. Cheers!
I love the Mt Rogers , Grayson Highlands area . I live 10 minutes from McAfee Knob, that is my most favorite place to go ! Glad you enjoyed your trip ! Thanks for sharing.
Coming from Florida where hiking is such a small community, camping around the shelters on the AT were the icing on the cake for me. It's so cool to be hiking all day solo and then you make new friends at camp every night
I really enjoyed this video because it hit home. I live in Maryland and am section hiking the AT. The next section next year hopefully will be Pearisburg, VA to Damascus.
Doing only 100 miles and then calling those the “best” 100 miles of the AT is like the MLB calling it’s championship the World Series when only one team isn’t in the US.
Honestly I just finished my thru hike 12 days ago and I'd say any 100 miles in Maine were the most beautiful especially in fall but every part of that trail is beautiful in its own way every state feels different especially when you watch the seasons change as you hike
Congratulaions on your thru hike
"You're climbing, but you're not going straight up and down"...true, but only because you were in Virginia on the A.T., not New England. 🤣🤣
I would have died laughing if it was two small reflectors stuck to a tree. Actually that might be a fun little trick for the trail.
The 75 mile stretch of the AT thru the Smokies is the best in my opinion.
If you guys plan that trip it won’t disappoint.
Great video,but the most I liked how you guys kept your friendship together in difficult times! Keep it together, and safe travels!
Always!
If you would have kept going on through Va. you would have some crazy elevations and if you go all the way to Maine then you would say AT was a hard trail to do.
Now you know why we stop early and find a good camp! Great job guys
Got my Vario today! Its effing awesome!!! I dont understand how it feels so puffy but it isnt. I can't wait to take in on the trails!
What is with the giant beard? OMG, the Feral Hipster affectation is not a good look for ANYONE.
Welcome to the Beast Coast!
We will need to get back!
A flame so close to leaves? @8:34 Shelters are about 8 miles apart. What time of year did you hike. Summer?
Trail Days at Damascus, VA is always middle of May.
I have hiked Grayson Highlands for 25 years, because I can't stand the long green tunnel. Navigating off trail there, and choosing my own campsites away from the shelters are the only reason I still hike and camp. Have to go out west for anything comparable.
100x more respect to you for coming to the east coast, I never really connected with your west coast hikes. This video is awesome, I live in Rocksylvania (Pennsylvania) on the AT.
Where in PA? One of our team members moved to PA.
Hey, this is Turtle. Thanks for putting me in your documentary! It was fun to watch and remember, and it got some laughs out of my family and friends.
Turtle!!! So glad you were able to see the doc! It was awesome to share miles with you and get to know you out there! - Tayson
How long is the doc?
About an hour
That was a raccoon. Bears don't freeze like that. Coons do. Silly westerners!
OV are southwesterners like Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.
We live 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail in PA. It's our favorite to section hike especially with friends or family. The Quarry Gap Shelter is gorgeous and one of our favorites to stay at. Loved hearing your observations on the differences of west coast vs east coast hiking. We've done a lot of east coast hiking and are looking forward to making out west at some point!
Other than the pace, this looked like a great trip thorough the woods - Definitely different than hiking in the west!
It really is!
I can't wait !!!
I'll be there
I’d be less freaked up about with people quietly setting up their tent at 11 pm then hearing people hiking through the camp. Because people setting up a tent makes sense, maybe slightly annoying but not threatening, walking through a campsite that long after hiker bedtime could be trouble. A woman’s perspective.
One of the best videos you guys have done!!
Thank you!
The White Mountains in NH are waiting...
It's on the list.
Keep on keeping on!
Great vid, I liked the format.
Questions: What type of poles did you use? Explain use of folded green may on top of packs? Why no pack cover in pouring rain? Where can I get the water holder on your left front strap?
Keep up the great work!
The fabric of our backpacks is water resistant plus we use either pack liners or dry bags inside. The mats on top are just 1/8th inch close cell foam pads that work great as sit pads, help prevent our inflatable sleeping pads from sliding in our tents, and are great for laying or stretching on! They only weigh about 2 oz or less, so definitely worth bringing for some extra comfort.
We use Komperdell trekking poles.
Really enjoyed this. I'm thinking the AT will be my first thru hike. I'll section it immediately following Trail Days. Will vlog it like you did and shout out your video
Agreed. Even though it’s 62 miles. It’s still the best section. Come by Marion Outdoors next time!
Oh I see, you went past Marion!
I Like To Go On That Mountain Trail And The Rocky Mountain Trail. That's Nice. I Love To Hike In Both Places.
May advocate for slow backpacking? Why is everything a challenge?
Enjoyed the video. I really like the Virginia Triple Crown section as well. BTW, what cameras/devices do you guys use for filming?
We've got an iPhone, Google Pixel phone, & a GoPro camera for this trip.
You would be surprised at some deer along hiking trails. I walked by one so close I could have reached out and touched it. Guess they get so used to seeing people they are not afraid of us.
Does anybody in the comments know if it’s a deer or a bear?
It's called "silk blazing"! I had to do this all the time on my thru hike as I was usually the first on trail in the morning 😅
Do y'all carry every OV option for gear? What's in your pack?
Cool video. I can definitely relate to the knee pain on the down hills. I'm scheduled for double knee replacements in the next month and can't wait to get back on the trail. The training will be important!
Good Luck!
Howdy WPO..!
What waterproof jackets are use wearing in this video?
If you guy's like east coast hiking y'all should check out some Kentucky trails. The Red River Gorge is amazing and any section of the Sheltowee Trace is beautiful. There's decent elevation gains and losses, overlooks, waterfalls, old growth forest, and arches. Oh yeah..,some very unique sandstone geographical rock formations that attract some of the worlds best climbers. Plus if you ever want the grand tour hit up Backpacking with Jason and Jeremiah Stringer. Plus I have some plans myself to test out some of you guy's gear on our trail systems.
Thanks
The first thing you need to be able to do is pronounce the name correctly….
If I found myself doing the AT (even a section of it) as a BUSINESS trip... I'd be LAUGHING😃 and absolutely loving life❤️💛💚!
Maybe someday!
looking frd to watching this
You should
45:30 could this animal have been an owl?
Nice cameo with Dutch
Way to go Tyson!
anyone else sensing the sexual tension here?
That was a Sasquatch!! not a bear!!
Nice video 👍
Thanks 👍
Next time out east for a hundred miler, you should just do the 100+ mile section of the AT through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Good idea
Day 4. Mistakes were made.
agree with trying to get away
What's the best rain gear you've found?
Our Tushar jacket!
Thanks, it it available in stock now?
You should check out the Allegheny forest 100 mile challenge hike,on the North Country trail.
will do
It’s not called the Appa-lay…..it is correctly pronounced Appa-latch.
Thanks for the comment.
The gummy worm vs gel thing was funny, but 35:40 seemed pretty judgmental. Or it's a miscalculation of the AT culture. There are a lot of people starting out with minimal backpacking experience who slowly get their trail legs.
For those taking shorter trips like myself, I do think that it greatly helps to prep. Like I work my way up to a 25-30lb pack climbing the hills of San Francisco and the Presidio. Altitude acclimation is hard to mimic, but all those leftover medical masks help with that.
To help reduce the strain on my knees, I had to adopt the "old man walk." When traversing inclines and declines, take smaller steps and be mindful of how you are centering the weight of your pack (with trekking poles of course). Don't take large, hurried steps uphill and definitely not downhill. I'll have to chip away the AT in section due to my work, but it is my major bucket list item. Y'all be safe, and God bless.
Hey guys! Or Wizard!!! What are the hiking shorts you are wearing?
Our Satu and a Prototype short.
Oh come on, relying on your cell phones, you guys should know better. Why not keep a compass handy to see what direction your going? And Dude, that beard must have itched like mad on hot humid days. I had a beard once but shaved it off in the summer. Plus as a biker it was a pain to wear a helmet and attach the chin strap.
I enjoyed hearing about your adventure!! I always wanted to walk the AT but health is a problem! I got a kick out of the part about the eyes 👀 and trying to find a campsite. Poor guys!! I bet it Sasquatch.
Loved this
Thanks
Amazing hike!!!
Thanks for watching!
MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. What a great book. By Jean Craighead George.
The AT, if you haven't figured it out. Is a Hikers Highway. So yeah, around shelters you will have groups. If you want wilderness hiking the CDT or the PCT is the way to go.
Me and my wife are threw hiking the AT in Feb. Of 2023.. whoop whoop...
So great to see your hike. I live in Abingdon at the northern end of the Creeper Trail, so this is my area of the AT. the two sections where the AT and the VCT are the same have this oddity. When you were going NOBO on the AT, you are going SOBO on the VCT. Although, most of us think of the Virginia Creeper more in terms of uphill (south) and downhill (north). As far as setting up a tent late at night where other people are, that is so common on the AT. You would have been welcome.
I was at trail days and would have loved to say hi. I just got back from Europe where I put the ventus hoodie and satu pants to work. And they were perfect.
NO Jacket Kids> Your gonna get wet no matter what! Might as well embrace rain aka Sweat!
Good to see you on the AT 👍👍 I met Gandalf the Gray on my thru hike don't know if he is the same Gandalf you mentioned. The AT is rough on the knees and ankles I had several minor injuries before a bad ankle sprain took me off the trail in Vermont 1,650 milers into my thru hike. Hope to see you back on the AT some day.
Guys, y'all should've done the NC highlands and Tennessee. Not that the part you did wasn't amazing, it's one of my favorite sections to hike and we do it every other year but south bound into trail days. Just something about those NC highlands and Tn section that blows you away with the views. As a matter of fact, if you guys did this section this past May during trail days, I'm sure we passed y'all coming down into trail days as this was our year to hike south bound. Next year will be north bound out of Tennessee into Damascus
I read that book “my side of the mountain” when I was a kid! My first kindling of self reliance and camping/outdoors interest.
Did hiking some east coast inspire any gear changes you would have made? Or considerations for future designs?
Nice that you made it over this way to learn what Eastern backpackers experience. It's a different kind of grind. As a TN resident, it made me laugh to see y'all keep noticing how big the creepy crawlies are over here near the beginning and how much you didn't want them to be near you. Thanks for the chuckle.
Loved this video esp Grayson highlands. I’ve done this same section only took me longer than 4 days. What a sweet spot for church….best part♥️🥾🥾✝️
Glad you enjoyed it
Btw…I’m pretty sure that was a possum😀 harmless, cute and beneficial critters. You guys are great. Hike on!
Man I love my cascade mountain trekking poles , they’ve got me thru some sketchy areas! Mine are white as well!
Did you say "our 1984 Lindamood School" ??? LOL
Really interesting. I appreciate that you even came back east to hike and you're welcome to return any time!
What a wonderful experience. The ups and downs definitely leave their mark.
Nate
What time of year did you guys do this trip ❤️
Mid May
🍌
I heard about this "Gandalf" guy while I was on the AT, earlier this year, too! That was funny to hear. Your videos are very well made. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like them!
Come back and hit up PA!
Random Question... Why are you wearing an OR (Outdoor Research) Hat at the end of this video? When this is the Outdoor Vitals Channel?
We don't discriminate. OR makes some great stuff.
Nice video guys. It’s a bit different wanting to camp away from others when your hiking 100 miles as opposed to hiking 2,200 miles. Looking at the OV Down Quilt for 2023 Coast 2 Coast. Cheers!
Very true!
I love the Mt Rogers , Grayson Highlands area . I live 10 minutes from McAfee Knob, that is my most favorite place to go ! Glad you enjoyed your trip ! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Coming from Florida where hiking is such a small community, camping around the shelters on the AT were the icing on the cake for me. It's so cool to be hiking all day solo and then you make new friends at camp every night
So true!
I really enjoyed this video because it hit home. I live in Maryland and am section hiking the AT. The next section next year hopefully will be Pearisburg, VA to Damascus.
Glad you enjoyed it.
This is an awesome video!
Glad you think so!
My hats off to you guys love the video
Thanks!
Great job, guys!
Thanks
premium content! 👍
Enjoy!
Doing only 100 miles and then calling those the “best” 100 miles of the AT is like the MLB calling it’s championship the World Series when only one team isn’t in the US.
Awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed it