I would die! Lol I’d have to eat my own Arm. Years ago, I backpacked the Wonderland Trail Mt Rainier, with my 2 teenage children. The very last day I was in tears, from pain. So Hats Off to you, for not giving up. I hope that you can get a real couple of days off, at a lovely quiet Cabin somewhere., and get well rested up. Sleep is the best medicine. And I’m going to say it too…. Yellowstone Wyoming is way over rated. Nothing but rich snobs in that entire area! I stay clear away. Every word you say, is Valid! I reckon you have many friends to support you, and would gladly welcome you into their homes, to rest up, and have a good meal, and a bath. So folks, please reach out to this lovely young man, if you can. Welcome him into your home and show him some kindness. Because if WE were the ones at a Low point, you can guarantee that Al would be there for you. He's that kind of human being.
Thank you for the validation 🙏 This comment is an example of the positivity and support that I love from this community. I'm so grateful to everyone who leaves such wonderful messages of inspiration on these videos. It's such a heartwarming and comforting thing to come online and read them.
Im not a through hiker. I section hike and provided trail support for 2024 CDT NM NOBO hikers.. I want to do a through hike. Hell I want toi at least hike some of the famous hikes like I did this summer RIM 2 RIM, Franconia Ridge etc.. I have shitty days... I mis judge the time and effort. for a trail. I fall... I get lost.... I curse hiking .. but I keep doing it.. I want to tell you this is one of my all time favorite hiking vlogs I have ever watched... THIS IS REALITY... PPL need this.. People need to know the truth, or know they are not alone .. Please never feel ashamed to keep being you...
Libraries are good places to use wifi & charge up. Also try asking churches/clergy for help finding a place to sleep, getting cleaned up & getting some food from food banks.
I greatly enjoyed your silent blog with the approaching thunderstorm. Excellent photography and editing. I hope you can get your spirits up for the final push to the border.
What I appreciate about the blog is hearing your adventure, worts and all. As an aspiring thru hiker I appreciates hearing what folks doing it REALLY go through, especially the mental hurdles.
One of the things I love about your vlog is the juxtaposition of the beauty of nature and reality of the dangers and difficulties. Your photography, as evidenced in the opening sequence here, brings the beauty onto our screens. You have a wonderful eye for capturing the beauty, drama, and playfulness that is the natural world. Your commentaries illustrate what is happening in the background, the emotional impact of this experience, and the realities of long distance hiking. The contrast of these two is dramatic and well done! Rest, heal, and, when you can, continue to bring us your view of the world. Thank you.
All makes perfect sense Lookout. Nothing is easy about achieving your amazing accomplishments. Your our hero. Based on your report I for one will be avoiding Yellowstone and environs. I have no patience for inconsiderate people and price gouging.
Watch the video of "Old man and the CDT" episode 128. On the GDMBR there is a place you can stay free, and they even have food and beverages. Best wishes!
Ok to vent. Everything is expensive. I haven’t been to these tourist traps. Having dietary limitations can suck.I Think you are tired. And scary storm. Rest!! As best you can! Thanks for sharing.
The thunder does sound scary and the consecutive days of horrible weather, the injuries you got, tired body, no proper food, mixing all of those together would totally wear one down! I hope you would have a nicer trail and experience ahead.
Al, thanks for doing this. I appreciate the honesty. I'm hope getting it out helped you, too. I've been vegan for 28 years, so I definitely understand the food situation. If I go to someone's house for dinner, I carry microwavable rice and channa masala so that I'll have something to eat. If you're in town and can't find restaurant food, get a can of beans and heat them up with your stove. It's not the same as a nice restaurant meal, but it's better than paying $$$ for pasta and canned tomatoes. Also be wary if the restaurant makes their own pasta, it may contain eggs.
Yes. Any housemade pasta at restaurants is a no-go. They almost always have eggs. Kudos to you for 28 years vegan. I say I went vegan in the Dark Ages because 2002 was a time when there weren't vegan restaurants or mock meats, and every salad came topped with parmesan, whether you asked for it or not. But 28 years ago, man, that must have been another level. Thank you for being part of the generation that walked so we could run.
Feeling like you are being taken advantage of, discriminated against, as well, like no one cares and not willing to offer some basic help, would deflate anyone. I know you are long past this video and I hope you are doing well and things have changed for the better. Your videos have been fantastic to watch. CHEERS!!
Al, that was an extremely valuable vlog because now I understand a little bit how much pressure you are under and it’s incredible how well you have held up. The constant threat of death from the dangerous animals and even from the nature around you. I could not bare to be treated like a homeless person when going into town. And on top of everything else you have to shop for vegan foods and find restaurants willing to cook meatless and dairy free meals for you. Al, you are one incredibly strong man to be able to juggle all of what’s required of you. It will be over very soon and you can go back to “regular” living.
I'm sorry you're having these experiences. I've had such good times in Montana and have known some really great people there over the years, but finding them when passing through on a hike is another story. It's too bad there doesn't seem to be the friendly culture around through-hikers that you've had earlier on the trail and certainly I'm sure on the AT. The state is going thru a large influx of rich people, especially since the pandemic, who are driving up costs over all by buying up real estate and making it difficult for long-termers or life-longers to find places to live, and I guess it's not surprising that in areas with so many tourists they are taking advantage of the opportunity to get what they can out of them. Not right, but maybe understandable. I hope you have enough time to take a few days to rest (somewhere not too expensive...)
I heard those same complaints of people moving to those areas and the increase in property prices from locals as I was passing through. Gentrification seems to be happening in a lot of places, and causing a lot of problems for locals.
Hey there Lookout 😊 I agree, you have to talk about the bad sometimes too. You can't hold it in and you are just being real. Nothing wrong with that! I am sure you are far too exhausted at the end of the day to write in a journal but perhaps it would help some if you could log some of your days out there for numerous reasons. I think you are doing fantastic!! The reality is...sometimes we do feel negative, tired, frustrated and overwhelmed. That is life in general let alone your situation at the moment. I am sure it is rough out there along with all the beauty. We are human! Hang in there! Stay safe, look up and chin up while you lookout 😜 No apologies needed you are fine! 😁
I feel that the videos work as my journal. You're right, after everything, I'm always too tired to write a journal. I've tried, and I can't find time for it in the routine. My Patrons will be getting a journal when I am at home and can wrote it out on the computer, but doing the daily as I go is a little too much with camp set up, video editing, dinner, and other chores.
@@Adventure_Together Yes, that is a lot and would definitely be exhausting to fit in. Especially the way it sounds like you are booking it when you talk and walk 😁 I never thought of that but yes, the videos as a journal...that would work much the same or better actually 😊 The geysers in Yellowstone were really neat and those pools were absolutely stunning! 😍
You are also feeling the National Inflation Rate due to current events which is now over 30+ percent now. Everybody is feeling it. A family going grocery shopping is really being hit. So sorry you are having a really hard time but I have admired everything you do. I hope you find it possible to take a few days off and heal up. Thank you.
When you put it that way, my complaint seems so trivial. People out there are struggling to feed their families due to the cost of living crisis. I'm complaining about knorr sides and oat packs being expensive while they have to find the money to feed multiple people. I definitely don't have the worst of it.
In the future you should probably do all of your resupplies in advance where ever you can buy everything cheapest. Box it all up and then have somebody you trust send your boxes out to you as you need them. Maybe even make your own dehydrated meals in advance, to fit your dietary needs. 👍
Al, since following you for the last three years I’ve started adding more plant based meals to my diet. Would you be willing to talk about how/why you became vegan?
You need a break dude! I hope you can take 3-4 days off. I would guess that the accumulation of injuries takes the biggest mental toll of all. I’ve dealt with chronic pain, and that will get even the most positive and optimistic person down. You’ve got this, but pressuring yourself is not worth it. You’ll still be relying on that knee in 20, 30, and 40 years, so I hope you didn’t end up pushing it too much…
I think a fault of mine is the stubbornness. It's short-sighted, I know, but I push myself because I always want to follow my plan, for better or worse.
Al, as a non hiking older American I’m sure that I speak on behalf of decent people in all 50 states including the small Idaho towns that are so expensive; I’m sorry that you were treated poorly. Yes, you are dealing with a cascade of unfortunate circumstances, money issues, time constraints, health and mental health problems that would force anyone off the trail. Clearly the towns near the CDT aren’t vegan friendly and being malnourished isn’t helping. I know that your vlogs are very delayed and perhaps by now you are either done or off trail recovering. Please put self care first. I know that thru hiking isn’t easy but these accumulations of glitches are well past annoying and are quite serious. Be safe and well!
Thank you for such a caring response. I very much appreciate you leaving this comment. I am trying to relax more now. Hopefully, I'll get my body into good shape again soon.
You are overreacting and making this personal at times. It is not. Pricing is NOT directed at hikers. It is supply/demand with huge numbers of captive tourists. The shock of cost, pressure to move on, physical drain, mental stress - all is working against you. As to vegan eating it must be a tough trail and the US West is not understanding as it is pretty rare. Can't fix the natives, most are good, hope for the best. Your current stressed perspective on bear, moose, mountain lion, and weather is also concerning when knowing your extensive prior hiking experience. I believe where you are at is not good. I hope that talking it out, resting, and somehow finding internal or external support will help. Good luck ahead you have done an amazing lot so far. (and please excuse me as I am just watching then blabbing from the bleachers).
Thanks for the message. I'm not sure I'd agree that it's an overreaction, but hey, I may be wrong. I think it's an emotional reaction to a lot of stress stimuli. It was a build-up of a lot of different factors, all colliding at the wrong time. It felt so much better to be back on trail, as it was a way to put all of that behind me and concentrate on the comfort of being in nature. The appreciation for the quiet wild was accentuated by its consolation and reassurance that everything was going to be ok.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton are very expensive because they are in the mountains in the center of the country and it is costly to bring food and goods in there. I once paid $19 in Jackson for one scoop of handmade ice cream. Plus logistical backups and inflations have caused prices to rise in the USA over the past 4 years so that everyone is paying about 30% more for goods and we all are hurting. I imagine the small towns have a similar problem and some may not have that many chances to make much of a profit. One hiker in Washington State said a store was charging $70 for a sawyer squeeze. That's a ripoff for sure. But what you ae doing is a privilege. You are not working for a living right now. Some people aren't nice. Boo hoo. Get over it. You aren't owed anything. I appreciate your honesty but tough titty.
That is correct, for sure. The last few years have made it extremely tough for everyone on the lower and mid levels of society. Everyone is paying the price. As another commenter said, some people are struggling to feed their families. It's a tragic time at the moment. I haven't shared much, if anything about my life pre-UA-cam, so no one knows, but this is definitely not a privilege. This is the result of a decade of dedication and hard work. I haven't asked anyone for anything or received a handout in order to get me to the start point. There's a long story that I won't go into, but this definitely isn't down to having an easy way in. I gave up more than you can imagine to be here.
I would die! Lol
I’d have to eat my own Arm.
Years ago, I backpacked the Wonderland Trail Mt Rainier, with my 2 teenage children. The very last day I was in tears, from pain.
So Hats Off to you, for not giving up. I hope that you can get a real couple of days off, at a lovely quiet Cabin somewhere., and get well rested up.
Sleep is the best medicine.
And I’m going to say it too…. Yellowstone Wyoming is way over rated. Nothing but rich snobs in that entire area! I stay clear away. Every word you say, is Valid!
I reckon you have many friends to support you, and would gladly welcome you into their homes, to rest up, and have a good meal, and a bath. So folks, please reach out to this lovely young man, if you can. Welcome him into your home and show him some kindness. Because if WE were the ones at a Low point, you can guarantee that Al would be there for you. He's that kind of human being.
Thank you for the validation 🙏
This comment is an example of the positivity and support that I love from this community. I'm so grateful to everyone who leaves such wonderful messages of inspiration on these videos. It's such a heartwarming and comforting thing to come online and read them.
Im not a through hiker. I section hike and provided trail support for 2024 CDT NM NOBO hikers.. I want to do a through hike. Hell I want toi at least hike some of the famous hikes like I did this summer RIM 2 RIM, Franconia Ridge etc.. I have shitty days... I mis judge the time and effort. for a trail. I fall... I get lost.... I curse hiking .. but I keep doing it.. I want to tell you this is one of my all time favorite hiking vlogs I have ever watched... THIS IS REALITY... PPL need this.. People need to know the truth, or know they are not alone .. Please never feel ashamed to keep being you...
Get out there. You can do it! Don't wait for the perfect time, because there is no perfect time. I hope that you can make it happen.
Hang in there and get some rest!
I will 😊
Libraries are good places to use wifi & charge up. Also try asking churches/clergy for help finding a place to sleep, getting cleaned up & getting some food from food banks.
Thanks for the tips 😊
Hang in there man, it has to get better, highs and lows, well you should be past the lows, good luck, stay strong, we’re pulling for you!
Thank you 🙏
The beautiful nature shots at the beginning were another matter
It's such a lovely part of the world.
I greatly enjoyed your silent blog with the approaching thunderstorm. Excellent photography and editing. I hope you can get your spirits up for the final push to the border.
Maybe I should have done more of these. I might edit a few of the vlogs together and make one long silent vlog for the whole trail
Beautiful!
I agree.
What I appreciate about the blog is hearing your adventure, worts and all. As an aspiring thru hiker I appreciates hearing what folks doing it REALLY go through, especially the mental hurdles.
This issue has divided people. Most are supportive, which is great to see. Thank you 😊
One of the things I love about your vlog is the juxtaposition of the beauty of nature and reality of the dangers and difficulties. Your photography, as evidenced in the opening sequence here, brings the beauty onto our screens. You have a wonderful eye for capturing the beauty, drama, and playfulness that is the natural world. Your commentaries illustrate what is happening in the background, the emotional impact of this experience, and the realities of long distance hiking. The contrast of these two is dramatic and well done! Rest, heal, and, when you can, continue to bring us your view of the world. Thank you.
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I appreciate all of your support.
You certainly have my greatest respect...and lots of prayers!
Thank you 😊
No need to apologize. You are human! ❤🌸🐝🦌🌲🏔️🏕️🙏
Thank you 😊
❤
💚
All makes perfect sense Lookout. Nothing is easy about achieving your amazing accomplishments. Your our hero. Based on your report I for one will be avoiding Yellowstone and environs. I have no patience for inconsiderate people and price gouging.
Yellowstone itself is an outstanding National Park. Don't miss out on it, just come prepared with your own supplies.
Watch the video of "Old man and the CDT" episode 128. On the GDMBR there is a place you can stay free, and they even have food and beverages. Best wishes!
Thanks for the tips!
Ok to vent. Everything is expensive. I haven’t been to these tourist traps. Having dietary limitations can suck.I Think you are tired. And scary storm. Rest!! As best you can! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I'm definitely tired. I'm surviving on caffeine and ambition at this stage 😅
Thanks!
You are entitled to feel any way you like, good or bad, and frustration is understood. I enjoy all your videos. Keep trekking hiking man!
Thank you! You didn't need to give anything. I appreciate you so much.
@@Adventure_Together my pleasure, I enjoy your videos 🩷
The thunder does sound scary and the consecutive days of horrible weather, the injuries you got, tired body, no proper food, mixing all of those together would totally wear one down! I hope you would have a nicer trail and experience ahead.
Yes. There is more beauty to come, and things can always get better.
Al, thanks for doing this. I appreciate the honesty. I'm hope getting it out helped you, too.
I've been vegan for 28 years, so I definitely understand the food situation. If I go to someone's house for dinner, I carry microwavable rice and channa masala so that I'll have something to eat. If you're in town and can't find restaurant food, get a can of beans and heat them up with your stove. It's not the same as a nice restaurant meal, but it's better than paying $$$ for pasta and canned tomatoes. Also be wary if the restaurant makes their own pasta, it may contain eggs.
Yes. Any housemade pasta at restaurants is a no-go. They almost always have eggs. Kudos to you for 28 years vegan. I say I went vegan in the Dark Ages because 2002 was a time when there weren't vegan restaurants or mock meats, and every salad came topped with parmesan, whether you asked for it or not. But 28 years ago, man, that must have been another level. Thank you for being part of the generation that walked so we could run.
Feeling like you are being taken advantage of, discriminated against, as well, like no one cares and not willing to offer some basic help, would deflate anyone. I know you are long past this video and I hope you are doing well and things have changed for the better. Your videos have been fantastic to watch. CHEERS!!
Thank you so much for your generosity! This is incredible 🙏
Thank you for such a supportive message as well.
Al, that was an extremely valuable vlog because now I understand a little bit how much pressure you are under and it’s incredible how well you have held up. The constant threat of death from the dangerous animals and even from the nature around you. I could not bare to be treated like a homeless person when going into town. And on top of everything else you have to shop for vegan foods and find restaurants willing to cook meatless and dairy free meals for you.
Al, you are one incredibly strong man to be able to juggle all of what’s required of you. It will be over very soon and you can go back to “regular” living.
I think a lot of what thru hiking is is the logistical side. It's the hidden part that people don't really think about.
I'm sorry you're having these experiences. I've had such good times in Montana and have known some really great people there over the years, but finding them when passing through on a hike is another story. It's too bad there doesn't seem to be the friendly culture around through-hikers that you've had earlier on the trail and certainly I'm sure on the AT. The state is going thru a large influx of rich people, especially since the pandemic, who are driving up costs over all by buying up real estate and making it difficult for long-termers or life-longers to find places to live, and I guess it's not surprising that in areas with so many tourists they are taking advantage of the opportunity to get what they can out of them. Not right, but maybe understandable. I hope you have enough time to take a few days to rest (somewhere not too expensive...)
I heard those same complaints of people moving to those areas and the increase in property prices from locals as I was passing through. Gentrification seems to be happening in a lot of places, and causing a lot of problems for locals.
Hey there Lookout 😊 I agree, you have to talk about the bad sometimes too. You can't hold it in and you are just being real. Nothing wrong with that! I am sure you are far too exhausted at the end of the day to write in a journal but perhaps it would help some if you could log some of your days out there for numerous reasons. I think you are doing fantastic!! The reality is...sometimes we do feel negative, tired, frustrated and overwhelmed. That is life in general let alone your situation at the moment. I am sure it is rough out there along with all the beauty. We are human! Hang in there! Stay safe, look up and chin up while you lookout 😜 No apologies needed you are fine! 😁
I feel that the videos work as my journal. You're right, after everything, I'm always too tired to write a journal. I've tried, and I can't find time for it in the routine. My Patrons will be getting a journal when I am at home and can wrote it out on the computer, but doing the daily as I go is a little too much with camp set up, video editing, dinner, and other chores.
@@Adventure_Together Yes, that is a lot and would definitely be exhausting to fit in. Especially the way it sounds like you are booking it when you talk and walk 😁 I never thought of that but yes, the videos as a journal...that would work much the same or better actually 😊 The geysers in Yellowstone were really neat and those pools were absolutely stunning! 😍
You are also feeling the National Inflation Rate due to current events which is now over 30+ percent now. Everybody is feeling it. A family going grocery shopping is really being hit. So sorry you are having a really hard time but I have admired everything you do. I hope you find it possible to take a few days off and heal up. Thank you.
When you put it that way, my complaint seems so trivial. People out there are struggling to feed their families due to the cost of living crisis. I'm complaining about knorr sides and oat packs being expensive while they have to find the money to feed multiple people. I definitely don't have the worst of it.
In the future you should probably do all of your resupplies in advance where ever you can buy everything cheapest. Box it all up and then have somebody you trust send your boxes out to you as you need them. Maybe even make your own dehydrated meals in advance, to fit your dietary needs. 👍
Most people with dietary concerns should. Unfortunately, being self-supported and from overseas, it isn't possible for me.
Al, since following you for the last three years I’ve started adding more plant based meals to my diet. Would you be willing to talk about how/why you became vegan?
For sure. I already have a couple of videos on trail food. I'll make a new one after I return from this expedition.
You need a break dude! I hope you can take 3-4 days off. I would guess that the accumulation of injuries takes the biggest mental toll of all. I’ve dealt with chronic pain, and that will get even the most positive and optimistic person down. You’ve got this, but pressuring yourself is not worth it. You’ll still be relying on that knee in 20, 30, and 40 years, so I hope you didn’t end up pushing it too much…
I think a fault of mine is the stubbornness. It's short-sighted, I know, but I push myself because I always want to follow my plan, for better or worse.
Al, as a non hiking older American I’m sure that I speak on behalf of decent people in all 50 states including the small Idaho towns that are so expensive; I’m sorry that you were treated poorly. Yes, you are dealing with a cascade of unfortunate circumstances, money issues, time constraints, health and mental health problems that would force anyone off the trail. Clearly the towns near the CDT aren’t vegan friendly and being malnourished isn’t helping. I know that your vlogs are very delayed and perhaps by now you are either done or off trail recovering. Please put self care first. I know that thru hiking isn’t easy but these accumulations of glitches are well past annoying and are quite serious. Be safe and well!
Thank you for such a caring response. I very much appreciate you leaving this comment. I am trying to relax more now. Hopefully, I'll get my body into good shape again soon.
You are overreacting and making this personal at times. It is not. Pricing is NOT directed at hikers. It is supply/demand with huge numbers of captive tourists. The shock of cost, pressure to move on, physical drain, mental
stress - all is working against you. As to vegan eating it must be a tough trail and the US West is not understanding as it is pretty rare. Can't fix the natives, most are good, hope for the best. Your current stressed perspective on bear, moose, mountain lion, and weather is also concerning when knowing your extensive prior hiking experience.
I believe where you are at is not good. I hope that talking it out, resting, and somehow finding internal or external support will help. Good luck ahead you have done an amazing lot so far. (and please excuse me as I am just watching then blabbing from the bleachers).
Thanks for the message. I'm not sure I'd agree that it's an overreaction, but hey, I may be wrong. I think it's an emotional reaction to a lot of stress stimuli. It was a build-up of a lot of different factors, all colliding at the wrong time. It felt so much better to be back on trail, as it was a way to put all of that behind me and concentrate on the comfort of being in nature. The appreciation for the quiet wild was accentuated by its consolation and reassurance that everything was going to be ok.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton are very expensive because they are in the mountains in the center of the country and it is costly to bring food and goods in there. I once paid $19 in Jackson for one scoop of handmade ice cream. Plus logistical backups and inflations have caused prices to rise in the USA over the past 4 years so that everyone is paying about 30% more for goods and we all are hurting. I imagine the small towns have a similar problem and some may not have that many chances to make much of a profit. One hiker in Washington State said a store was charging $70 for a sawyer squeeze. That's a ripoff for sure. But what you ae doing is a privilege. You are not working for a living right now. Some people aren't nice. Boo hoo. Get over it. You aren't owed anything. I appreciate your honesty but tough titty.
That is correct, for sure. The last few years have made it extremely tough for everyone on the lower and mid levels of society. Everyone is paying the price. As another commenter said, some people are struggling to feed their families. It's a tragic time at the moment.
I haven't shared much, if anything about my life pre-UA-cam, so no one knows, but this is definitely not a privilege. This is the result of a decade of dedication and hard work. I haven't asked anyone for anything or received a handout in order to get me to the start point. There's a long story that I won't go into, but this definitely isn't down to having an easy way in. I gave up more than you can imagine to be here.
@@Adventure_Together Maybe I was a little harsh. Conditions are mentally tough during a long haul.