Hey there man. I’m an above knee amputee after getting bone cancer last year, and in my early 40’s... Watching your trekking with poles video last year was an absolute life changer for me. I bought a pair, and am now walking off tarmac on countryside hikes. Today I set a new personal best and managed 3 kilometres, and am looking forward to the future with positive vibes - thank you, Ben 🙏
This actually brought a tear to my eye. I had s long conversation with a friend yesterday about purpose and 'making a difference' which is starting to become cliché. But this made me feel very good about what I do. I feel like framing this comment on my wall. As we say in Australia...this is going straight to the pool room.
I am full of admiration for you. My daughter is also an above knee amputee as a result of cancer so I know the difficulties you experience. I admire your determination and grit.
@@sharkmentality9717 thanks for messaging - I am 15 months post amputation and 5 months since receiving my first leg which is basic training leg with elastic waist belt. I am waiting for a C leg4 hopefully later this year! Watching this channel helps me dream about more adventurous hikes that I may be able to do when I get a microchip knee leg.. especially now due to our lockdown in the U.K. with COVID, we all need to watch this guy’s content to allow us to remember the wilderness... 🙏
Hi Chasse, thanks for the comment about your sensitivity to overweight hikers/folks in general. As a person who is over weight I appreciate your being thoughtful. One of the main ways I am losing weight is walking & hiking (so far 15 pounds!). I really appreciate it when people do show modifications/alternate ways to do exercises that take into mind level of ability. So I hope you keep showing modifications according to skill level/flexibility etc as its extremely helpful for those of us working our way to improve our bodies strength & health. Cheers!
Often people are over weight because they have been injured. Doing more of the same isn’t the solution to injury. Often the intensity lowered to heal is not the intensity the person wants to be at either and going after some ones weight as the issue is ridiculous to their achievements. Thank you for just teaching everyone how to use their bodies better.
Hi Chase, just finished watching your video and I am grateful for your response to the weight loss comment at 7:35. I am a 51 year old woman who has lost 100 pounds over a 2 year period. I am still technically overweight but I am very, happy, healthy and enjoy, kettlebells, hiking, rollerskating and other outdoor activities. I appreciate that you are not willing to fat shame and support fitness at every size. This is deeply meaningful to me because I want to enjoy my body and my life without feeling ashamed of who I am. Thank you. I will continue to watch your videos and learn from you as you share your journey. Warmly, Lisa
My sweetheart is a Health Coach and also runs a walking group. Staying mobile is a major contributor to a wide variety of health benefits. Keep moving, and as you age you may benefit from a wider and more demanding range of walking/hiking/trekking/tramping with assistance from walking poles. I am 68, tramp demanding routes in NZs alpine environment, and yet to have a tumble that resulted in injury, in spite of bilateral club feet and crappy balance. You're a good man Chase.
Fat vegan hiker here! I love hiking and I'm not doing it to lose weight, I'm happy with my body as is. Do love hiking though and I have a knee injury from lifting so I appreciate your knee pain video! 🤗
I am not a "professional" and I would say I am an inspired walker and with your videos I felt more encouraged to go higher lately. Most of your tips really helped walking with more ease and made me laugh from a point of joy. I really apreciate your warmth and your honesty, not pretending to be someone else, than that, that you simply are. I just wanted to say: Thank you for that (too).
Hey, thank you for this channel. It's been lovely to have such a chill, humble, high quality information source as I start doing longer and heavier-laden hikes. Much appreciated!
Thanks Chase! I just finished four days on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve been walking 2+ miles a day for 30+ years and I felt great. It was challenging but I used a lot of the moves you’ve shown and I’m happy. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness by going through some of the questions brought up in the comments. I agree with much of what you are covering in your videos. Trekking poles are so important in the brush especially in high brush where we were trying to control a descent and cannot quite see the ground below the brush etc, so I have been using them up here in Alaska for many years. They have saved my knees, my hips my arms and have been useful in a number of important ways, crossing rivers here, where we cannot see the bottom from the glacial silt, and tapping them loudly over a hill to let a bear know we are coming. Thanks again.
This guy is my favorite hiker UA-camr. He's confident, humble, and just all around way more legit than most others in this area of interest. Sad he's replacing his Cortazu though. I got one on his recommendation and I love mine!
Thanks a lot for your videos, they do a lot to spread good information to hikers. I started watching your videos because I wanted positive reinforcement for why I use trekking poles. I have not been able to persuade anybody about the benefits of using poles. It was difficult to maintain my conviction in the face of so much indifference. So, your excellent videos buoy my spirit. I wish more hikers would listen to what you have to say, they would get more out of their experience. March on and enlighten the world.
What makes your channel positively different is value of your expertise in regard to physiotherapy. I love watching trail videos but I like to learn something, too. 😁 I'd welcome any plant based meals suggestions. Also I like your style, honest, not pushy, calm. Wish you second 50k subs soon. Thanks for your work. Cheers, Seb
So glad I found this channel. I'm 42 female, I have various issues including acraphobia which at times can be severe. So naturally every so often I take on a mountain challenge to try to combat it all. I'm struggling with fitness & in particular severe breathlessness when ascending. I live in a flat area & cannot easily train on real hills. You may have already covered this but a video for people like me would be great... I really think more women of my age should do mountain hiking. I just got back from Mt Snowdon, we ascended via the South Ridge & descended via the Rhyd Ddu my breathing issues held the whole group up. I have spoken to a doctor they've run tests & couldn't find anything wrong and I only have issues on ascending but I literally feel like I cannot breathe. I think it's my general fitness level...anyway please could you do some videos for ordinary older people who's lives and locations make mountain training difficult.
Hi Chase, I have been lured to the mountains for the last 40 years, for both hiking and mountaineering. Loving your informative videos and now about to try trekking poles for the first time. Hoping to retire soon at 57 and looking to do some long distance through hikes which will be a first for me. It’s never too late to be open to new experiences and ideas. Keep up the great work. All the best from the UK.
Hey Chase! Just watched that video, another good one ! I love your loose attitude to haters :D Just to not attract more haters I have sent you some DM on IG. I do some of your routines and I feel the difference when hiking or cycling. Thanks a lot !!!
Recently found your videos and really benefitted from your knee pain video, I've been in pain since last summer and your tips are already helping me improve (DR took an x-ray and told me to strengthen the knee and nothing more). I subscribed and shared your channel with our Boy Scouts training for our 50 miler this coming summer. (FWIW, you look a lot like one of our former scouts, it's almost creepy). Keep it up! (PS - don't worry about the pack strap, I know plenty of people who leave it off to help with breathing.)
So after about a week using the stretches and exercises you mentioned to combat the knee pain i was having, I can report pretty amazing results. Did a 2.5 mile 3000’ hike yesterday and No Pain! Short, I know. But definitely steep.
Hey man, happy for you to crack the 50k subscriber mark! Anytime the topic comes up, i post your content to friends to share it. Especially the excercise videos are a premium for me, since they are all very well explained and relate to what I am doing. I think that just might be why your training advice works better for me than anything else out there.. just knowing that it comes from a fellow hiker ;) Now that I have started training before a hike, it feels foolish having done some major treks in the past without any previous training at all. Thanks for the heads up, mate!
I’ve been meaning to try trekking poles.. been sick & weak for 10 years from tick disease & mold which has affected every tissue & body system in me. Definitely have joint damage and pain and anything over 8 miles really affects my hips & knees more than anything. Even with little to no weight. Somehow I have two pair of poles so I plan to try them out this week. Better watch your how-to video first otherwise I’ll probably do it not quite right lol. Thanks so much for all the free info you share regarding training.. I have found it immensely helpful as I try to slowly increase my strength & stamina. I lost so much muscle back in 2016/2017 (rhabdomyolysis) and just haven’t been able to get it back. Strenuous activity tends to wipe me out for days except walking and light to moderate hiking. I like in your videos you do the set then rest to bring the HR back down.. this is crucial for me as high intensity training affects my body terribly and sometimes dangerously. I refuse to sit around tho and I’m thankful to be able to slowly increase my hiking load and distance and look forward to doing my first overnight this fall.
I've been exploring you channel for the past week or so, and I think you do some amazing job! Your exercises are great, and I think any viewer can say they get a great value from your content. Keep it up :)
I found your channel a couple of months ago trying to fix knee pain. As I am a relatively new hiker and sit at a desk all day, I definitely was not in as good of shape as I should have been before hitting the trail this past summer. I have some lofty goals for this year and already feel a difference. Thank you so much! Some of these comments were pretty funny too! -Lynnette
Chase that was a good feedback video! Thanks for sharing. I have recommended your videos to some friends. As you know “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink it.”
Love your channel! Congratulations on 50k I love trekking poles in mountains, its support for my back, footing and so on... One time I had a cow with a baby, she wouldn't budge but the pole was able to keep her at bay. For me My poles help on flat, incline, decline on every level. #HikeYourOwnHike
My first pair of trackers died after 6 months (upper and sole began to come apart) and luckily I got another pair under warranty - I absolutely love the boot though and regular hiking boots feel like wearing platform shoes compared to the tracker. Hopefully the second pair holds up
Lot of fun watching this video! I am building a training routine just with your videos and it's working so well. As somebody who has experienced cancer in his thirties with a reasonably healthy lifestyle, one thing I know is that the secret to a well-balanced life is not out there on the Internet. But you have the power to motivate and to inform without claiming that you know it better, so thank you Chase. Will you tell us how to build confidence walking on ice and snow?
I recently subscribed, the knee pain videos caught my attention. I look forward to checking out your videos and trying some of the techniques. I'm definitely a trekking pole fan, they help me out a lot. I also recently tried the rubber tips and I liked it but mine wore out kinda fast on the terrain in my area. Thanks for sharing
Welcome vince! There's a lot of back catalogue. Some of the camera work is pretty bad but the info is there. Also I share a lot of old content with some context on my newsletter!
I gave you grief about the knee video bc it looked to me that you created the feel that you were giving medical advice and clickbaiting that people would learn from a youtuber how to get rid of chronic knee pain, which can have tons of diff sources. I appreciate the way you phrased it today, well done.
Chase, great, entertaining vid. You get it right where so many get it wrong! - recommended your channel to many on some of the blogs I’m on, people love your training vids so keep up the fantastic content. You’re making a difference! -I did something for the first time as a result of faithfully watching your channel, that is becoming a Patreon subscriber! -If/When you are able to come to California would love to show you some trails! Desert Trails, Mountain Trails, Redwood Trails. Think about it! -Not a vegan myself, but great lentil recipe and since I make all my own meals it was a real nugget of gold for my next extended hike. Most of all-THANKS!
I really enjoyed watching this! Felt like we got to know you and connect to you better. Thanks also for all the great advice 👍 I realized I was already doing the stretches from the last video but am now trying to make a practice out of them.
Just found your channel a couple months ago. great stuff. I was having some knee pain issues and changing up my exercise routine with some ideas from your videos really helped. Don't have the cash for poles at the moment but I made a walking stick out of a tree that fell down in my yard last winter, it's been a big help. I too thought hiking poles and walking sticks were hype until I used one. If you ever get the chance you should hike Alaska, lots of mountain trails here.
oh my god, was that you doing that tracking poles video, I remember watching it, so entertaining, Bought some great poles. Enjoying your videos, great content.
Thanks for all your videos and advice, I just invested in the elements package as I really value your advice and experience on preparing the body for the hike, and injury prevention. I subscribe to many different UA-cam hiking channels but your is truly unique and covers important but often overlooked topics. Thank you for helping me realise my hiking potential and ensuring I can hike further for longer. Much love.
Your comment about overweight hikers made me laugh. I arrived at a local trail about the same time as a much older heavier person. Let me tell you he smoked me on the trail. That dude and his gut beat me to the top by miles... ha ha.. very humbling experience 😁
Hey man! I just wanted to say thanks a lot for your videos. As someone who's getting back into hiking after a few knee surgeries, I really appreciate the overlap between hiking videos and physical training, from someone with both experience and expertise. It's something that a lot of the other hiking channels don't / can't focus on, and instead they tend towards gear reviews. I think that's why you get some backlash when you dabble in that area (ehem... socks). So as long as you stay general when talking about gear (gear 101 stuff, looking at fads or trends, etc), I think you're good :) Also for a future Q&A (or video): What can people do to prep for higher altitude (3-4000+ meters, not necessarily Everest) if they live at sea level? I see breathing exercises and such and am curious if this holds any water.
I have plantar fasciitis and switching to minimalist/barefoot footwear really helped my feet stretch out. I had no idea I was basically binding my feet my whole life by wearing the improper size and improper shape shoes. I would definitely ease into the barefoot stuff though. Can't stress that enough. You will feel some plantar fascia pain, but that's when you know to rest more and so stretched and exercises. Barefooting encourages your body to move the way it's supposed to. That doesn't necessarily mean you will move faster or painless all the time
I had to laugh at the losing the weight of a rucksack comment. I trecked for 2 months in Nepal a few years ago with a 17kg pack. After the trip, (including 3 bouts of food poisoning) I had lost 17kg. Best 'diet program' ever.
Mate, it was because of your video that i got trekking poles! I used them for the first time doing the Steamers climb from the Emuvale end, and they paid for themselves on the first trip. Not only did they make climbing the first section a lot easier, but also stopped me from a pretty bad fall on the way down. I always have them with me on my big hikes now!
Trekking Poles have saved my ass so many times in the mountains. Having 2 additional points of contact to dig into the ground and stop you from falling forward or off a mountain is so important to me
I also discovered your channel while looking into trekking poles . Thank you ! Changed my life hiking ! Also the knee band video was extremely helpful on a recent hike while descending 3000 ft in 2 miles no switchbacks my wife started having pain in both knees so I found a flat Boulder and worked that area and she was able to get relief to make it the last 2 miles . Check out my episode 1 on how I hiked off 185 lbs . Thank you again !
I really love and enjoy your videos. I am planning a trans-alp hike from Munich to Venice in 2022 and I found you while doing some research. Looking forward to every new video. Great Job, keep it up 👍👍👍
@@ChaseMountains oh yeah, I am really looking forward to it. 😊 Did you walk the dreamline hike already? It will be my first big thru-hike. This year I am going to train a lot. And I am doing your knee pain training, as I always have quite strong pain in my knees, especially when descending.
Hi, I'm late to the party.... But did you already publish on your pateon that podcast about Mt Blanc you talked about? I'm interested in hiking in general, but I'm also a lover of mountains and I'd like to climb Mt Blanc in the future...so you may have some experience to share, whether it's positive or negative, from you it'd be useful.
Lol. Funny how people's opinions differ so much. I saw the trekking pole video and found it helpful to learn about using them for more than just crossing a stream. Such as life. 😉🌲🐻
Hey Chase & community I plan a long walk/ride from Brisbane to Thredbo Ski Resort in NSW, about 1300kms. We don’t have a hiking trail that suits so I’ll be following the coast mostly, hiking trails where I can, however, there will be a lot of road travel. I’m looking into The National Trail, previously The Bicentennial National Trail, a multi-use long trail designed mainly for horses & bikes from what I can tell. Any info on this would be useful too. With the idea of preparing for skiing our three month ski season, what would be the best preparation, hike or bike?
I prefer barefoot running and hiking with minimalist shoes, like Merrell vapor gloves. I tried poles and invested in a good pair, but I got to wonder if hiking without them would be more efficient. For me it was more efficient because of the freedom of natural body movement, the hips and arms movement is more free. So I tried them and liked them but also discovered that I can hike long distances without them and I prefer without unless I find a nice stick and they are quieter. I think poles are good if you use a tarp tent set up. I tried a few possibilities and bring a lightweight tent. Once I forgot my sleeping pad. It was really nice to be connected to the Earth without cushioning and the body adapts.
My body decided it didn't need to lose weight when I started hiking. It just redistributed all of it into my legs. Now I weigh the same but have tree trunks for legs...A lot less fat with a little more muscle = same weight. The human body is a crazy thing.
I wore moccasin for over a year (even through a Canadian winter). They stood up to everything, only needing the pad replaced once. What they did not stand up to was all of the road salt in the winter. - I would not recommend them to anyone who has not done a fair amount of barefoot walking, or did not have lots of callouses for other reasons (martial arts, etc).
Starting using adjustable trekking poles instead of hiking staff after watching your video about them; keeping hands below heart, etc....my hands were like shoulder level beforehand.
I never used walking poles but a few years ago I started using just the one. Because I only ever used it in my right hand I think this might of caused me to over use my left leg now I stuffer from pain in the left knee. Any thoughts on this ?
I was thinking of starting a UA-cam channel specifically to address issues faced by older hikers like myself (the 60+ crowd) but wow, I guess I'd have to develop a thicker skin after hearing some of the comments you've dealt with. :-(
Trekking poles: i am one of the starters! I am 65 now, and somewhere around 1990 climbed the Ortler...juli first..with 2 meters of snow. From Sulda to the hut a 3000 meters...all with poles. Later the Gran Paradiso...same, up to the point where the pickel was safer....
There is only one thing I TOTALLY HATE about trekkingpoles. The NOISE !!! When walking around (even far away from...) people with trekkingpoles, that tik-tik-tik-tik drives me crazy. Its intense sound polution. I use all my senses when walking, but all natural sound are ruined by those trekkingpoles.
Hi I am a long term cyclist and I have been attempting some of your stretches, as while cycling is a great exercise you do spend a long time in more or less the same position and the legs basically rotate in a restricted circle , I think I will get better with the leg stretches. But I cannot see any shoulder/ neck stretches ? which would be really greats once again you are spending a long time with your neck /shoulders in one position. Thankyou
True, yeah I mostly focus on the legs in the public videos. My Elements program had an excellent postural correction upper body workout in it, hike strong too. Also an old follow along video...this one ua-cam.com/video/QoWMpAIO6E0/v-deo.html
Brit backpacker Chris Townsend who did a number of firsts in the '90's was promoting use of trekking poles in trail magazine all those years ago. Hardly a new thing.
while I like the leave no trace philosophy, there is an argument to be made that mining and whatever industrial process is needed for making a carbon / aluminum pole leaves more trace than whacking a couple of saplings.
Lol. Knowing you can poke fun at yourself makes me respect you even more. Also I am American and have bear spray instead of carrying an AK 47 when hiking in case I run into a bear. Oh and dog and I wear bear bells.
Hahaha, mate, I had a good laugh at some of them. Anyway, I'll let you and your pansy hands go and get ready for your next casual walk... across the entire country of Spain.
The problem with a true "vegan" lifestyle is that you trade away products produced naturally for synthetics, which are produced with crude oil, and largely unrecyclable with a long biodegradation periods. Saying you dont want to eat beef, wear leather, wool, or silk, but your adjusted way of life just promotes the oil industry and dumps more plastic into the ground or ocean is pretty obtuse. Saying you wont eat the meat/dairy but you'll wear their skin/fur is merely hypocritical as the animal will be raised to slaughter just the same. Personally, I like my animal meats, dairy, and textiles. The latter is often found in higher quality products too. What I do is fight the abuse a different way by buying products from farms that raise their stock naturally as opposed to chaining them in feed stalls/rooms. As far as clothes produced with animal products go (wools, leathers, silks) I'd rather buy a nice high quality leather boot made in Europe that can be repaired and re-soled than support some far east sweatshop paying kids a nickel to make a shoe out of plastic and rubber thats going to rot in a landfill for 150 years after I wear it out in a mere 200 miles. In my opinion your better off being an informed consumer conscious of what they're buying as opposed to just rubber stamping yourself some arbitrary label and calling it good.
Love your videos. I came across them while searching for the best hikes around Europe. I'll be moving there soon (from Patagonia) and I wondered if you have an abolute preferred hike there to recommend?
Regenerative Ranching is the number one improvement for the planet. It actually builds soil like no other. Built soil, increases rapid diversity of ecosystem sequestering carbon like a mofo. Check out Allen Savory institute.
No, you don’t have to carry a gun in wolf and bear territory, even in the US. 😂 I’ve run into a dozen bear over the past 20 years in the Cascades and never had a problem. You don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. 👍
@@ChaseMountains well, Alaska is a little different. My youngest sister worked on a fish processing barge on a small island in Alaska for a few summers, and grizzlies outnumbered people, so many people carried rifles whenever they were in town.
Not an "experienced bushman" - probably some overweight offended 'bushcrafter' who's overly impressed with themselves for being able to build a long fire or a teepee shelter out of sticks and moss, and who carries gear that would be both heavy and useless in serious alpine hiking or alpinism.
Monocrops are also bad for the environment, they deplete soil of nutrients and destroy habitats simultaneously (ie soybeans, wheat, corn, palm oil, and every other crop). The real issue isn't whether or not you eat meat, being alive is bad for the environment. Overpopulation is the culprit for accelerated climate change. I understand that vegans are trying to do the right thing and I admire that, but the fact of the matter is that as long as we continue to breed and pollute, the Earth will deteriorate. From a biological standpoint, humans wouldn't be alive if it weren't for meat. Our ancestors would've died during the ice age. Being vegan is a modern-day privilege and phenomenon. Plus, there's plenty of people out there, including doctors and professional athletes who eat mostly meat, fewer grains and have less bodily complications.
Hey there man.
I’m an above knee amputee after getting bone cancer last year, and in my early 40’s...
Watching your trekking with poles video last year was an absolute life changer for me.
I bought a pair, and am now walking off tarmac on countryside hikes.
Today I set a new personal best and managed 3 kilometres, and am looking forward to the future with positive vibes - thank you, Ben 🙏
This actually brought a tear to my eye. I had s long conversation with a friend yesterday about purpose and 'making a difference' which is starting to become cliché. But this made me feel very good about what I do. I feel like framing this comment on my wall. As we say in Australia...this is going straight to the pool room.
I am full of admiration for you. My daughter is also an above knee amputee as a result of cancer so I know the difficulties you experience. I admire your determination and grit.
@@sharkmentality9717 thanks for messaging - I am 15 months post amputation and 5 months since receiving my first leg which is basic training leg with elastic waist belt.
I am waiting for a C leg4 hopefully later this year!
Watching this channel helps me dream about more adventurous hikes that I may be able to do when I get a microchip knee leg.. especially now due to our lockdown in the U.K. with COVID, we all need to watch this guy’s content to allow us to remember the wilderness... 🙏
Hi Chasse, thanks for the comment about your sensitivity to overweight hikers/folks in general. As a person who is over weight I appreciate your being thoughtful. One of the main ways I am losing weight is walking & hiking (so far 15 pounds!). I really appreciate it when people do show modifications/alternate ways to do exercises that take into mind level of ability. So I hope you keep showing modifications according to skill level/flexibility etc as its extremely helpful for those of us working our way to improve our bodies strength & health. Cheers!
Often people are over weight because they have been injured. Doing more of the same isn’t the solution to injury. Often the intensity lowered to heal is not the intensity the person wants to be at either and going after some ones weight as the issue is ridiculous to their achievements. Thank you for just teaching everyone how to use their bodies better.
Hi Chase, just finished watching your video and I am grateful for your response to the weight loss comment at 7:35. I am a 51 year old woman who has lost 100 pounds over a 2 year period. I am still technically overweight but I am very, happy, healthy and enjoy, kettlebells, hiking, rollerskating and other outdoor activities. I appreciate that you are not willing to fat shame and support fitness at every size. This is deeply meaningful to me because I want to enjoy my body and my life without feeling ashamed of who I am. Thank you. I will continue to watch your videos and learn from you as you share your journey. Warmly, Lisa
Congratulations on being a casual hiker! I love it!
See you on the weekends!
Oh my god, I totally forgot that I learnt how to use trekking poles properly from your channel. I never hike without them now. 🤘🏽
Hahaha throwback!
Me too 🤣
Me too!
Me!
@@ChaseMountains I actually used your channel to prep for GR20
My sweetheart is a Health Coach and also runs a walking group. Staying mobile is a major contributor to a wide variety of health benefits. Keep moving, and as you age you may benefit from a wider and more demanding range of walking/hiking/trekking/tramping with assistance from walking poles. I am 68, tramp demanding routes in NZs alpine environment, and yet to have a tumble that resulted in injury, in spite of bilateral club feet and crappy balance.
You're a good man Chase.
Fat vegan hiker here! I love hiking and I'm not doing it to lose weight, I'm happy with my body as is. Do love hiking though and I have a knee injury from lifting so I appreciate your knee pain video! 🤗
I am not a "professional" and I would say I am an inspired walker and with your videos I felt more encouraged to go higher lately.
Most of your tips really helped walking with more ease and made me laugh from a point of joy.
I really apreciate your warmth and your honesty, not pretending to be someone else, than that, that you simply are.
I just wanted to say: Thank you for that (too).
Thanks, Chase, for all your highly informative and helpful content. I'd love to see more vegan trail chef action in the future in particular.
Hey, thank you for this channel. It's been lovely to have such a chill, humble, high quality information source as I start doing longer and heavier-laden hikes. Much appreciated!
Thanks a lot Chase for sharing your vast knowledge of most of the hiking aspects.
Nos vemos en la cima!!
Thanks Chase! I just finished four days on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve been walking 2+ miles a day for 30+ years and I felt great. It was challenging but I used a lot of the moves you’ve shown and I’m happy. Thanks for what you do.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness by going through some of the questions brought up in the comments. I agree with much of what you are covering in your videos. Trekking poles are so important in the brush especially in high brush where we were trying to control a descent and cannot quite see the ground below the brush etc, so I have been using them up here in Alaska for many years. They have saved my knees, my hips my arms and have been useful in a number of important ways, crossing rivers here, where we cannot see the bottom from the glacial silt, and tapping them loudly over a hill to let a bear know we are coming. Thanks again.
This guy is my favorite hiker UA-camr. He's confident, humble, and just all around way more legit than most others in this area of interest. Sad he's replacing his Cortazu though. I got one on his recommendation and I love mine!
Thanks a lot for your videos, they do a lot to spread good information to hikers. I started watching your videos because I wanted positive reinforcement for why I use trekking poles. I have not been able to persuade anybody about the benefits of using poles. It was difficult to maintain my conviction in the face of so much indifference. So, your excellent videos buoy my spirit. I wish more hikers would listen to what you have to say, they would get more out of their experience. March on and enlighten the world.
What makes your channel positively different is value of your expertise in regard to physiotherapy. I love watching trail videos but I like to learn something, too. 😁 I'd welcome any plant based meals suggestions. Also I like your style, honest, not pushy, calm. Wish you second 50k subs soon. Thanks for your work. Cheers, Seb
So glad I found this channel. I'm 42 female, I have various issues including acraphobia which at times can be severe. So naturally every so often I take on a mountain challenge to try to combat it all. I'm struggling with fitness & in particular severe breathlessness when ascending. I live in a flat area & cannot easily train on real hills. You may have already covered this but a video for people like me would be great... I really think more women of my age should do mountain hiking. I just got back from Mt Snowdon, we ascended via the South Ridge & descended via the Rhyd Ddu my breathing issues held the whole group up. I have spoken to a doctor they've run tests & couldn't find anything wrong and I only have issues on ascending but I literally feel like I cannot breathe. I think it's my general fitness level...anyway please could you do some videos for ordinary older people who's lives and locations make mountain training difficult.
Well done Chase. Loving your approach. What a fantastic niche you are creating for yourself. Keep it up.......
Thank you! Digging out my own niche with my bare hands. (Tiny girl hands) it takes a long time.
Hi Chase, I have been lured to the mountains for the last 40 years, for both hiking and mountaineering. Loving your informative videos and now about to try trekking poles for the first time. Hoping to retire soon at 57 and looking to do some long distance through hikes which will be a first for me. It’s never too late to be open to new experiences and ideas. Keep up the great work. All the best from the UK.
Love that you`re vegan! Best decision of my life!
You sir are definitely NOT a casual walker. I appreciate your videos and thank you for sharing your experience.
Chase, you are honest and extremely helpful for many many of us...you always tell us consider what is best for us....totally enjoy your channel ❣
Congratulations! You have produced one of my favourite videos - what will be different. Well done!
Also one of my favourites! ❤️This week that mountain was covered in a foot of snow!
Hey Chase! Just watched that video, another good one ! I love your loose attitude to haters :D
Just to not attract more haters I have sent you some DM on IG.
I do some of your routines and I feel the difference when hiking or cycling. Thanks a lot !!!
Recently found your videos and really benefitted from your knee pain video, I've been in pain since last summer and your tips are already helping me improve (DR took an x-ray and told me to strengthen the knee and nothing more). I subscribed and shared your channel with our Boy Scouts training for our 50 miler this coming summer. (FWIW, you look a lot like one of our former scouts, it's almost creepy). Keep it up! (PS - don't worry about the pack strap, I know plenty of people who leave it off to help with breathing.)
So after about a week using the stretches and exercises you mentioned to combat the knee pain i was having, I can report pretty amazing results. Did a 2.5 mile 3000’ hike yesterday and No Pain! Short, I know. But definitely steep.
Awesome! Seems like you're on the right track my man 👊🏼
Hey man, happy for you to crack the 50k subscriber mark! Anytime the topic comes up, i post your content to friends to share it.
Especially the excercise videos are a premium for me, since they are all very well explained and relate to what I am doing. I think that just might be why your training advice works better for me than anything else out there.. just knowing that it comes from a fellow hiker ;) Now that I have started training before a hike, it feels foolish having done some major treks in the past without any previous training at all. Thanks for the heads up, mate!
I’ve been meaning to try trekking poles.. been sick & weak for 10 years from tick disease & mold which has affected every tissue & body system in me.
Definitely have joint damage and pain and anything over 8 miles really affects my hips & knees more than anything. Even with little to no weight. Somehow I have two pair of poles so I plan to try them out this week. Better watch your how-to video first otherwise I’ll probably do it not quite right lol.
Thanks so much for all the free info you share regarding training.. I have found it immensely helpful as I try to slowly increase my strength & stamina. I lost so much muscle back in 2016/2017 (rhabdomyolysis) and just haven’t been able to get it back. Strenuous activity tends to wipe me out for days except walking and light to moderate hiking.
I like in your videos you do the set then rest to bring the HR back down.. this is crucial for me as high intensity training affects my body terribly and sometimes dangerously.
I refuse to sit around tho and I’m thankful to be able to slowly increase my hiking load and distance and look forward to doing my first overnight this fall.
I've been exploring you channel for the past week or so, and I think you do some amazing job! Your exercises are great, and I think any viewer can say they get a great value from your content. Keep it up :)
Yep I agree! Getting so much out of it!
I found your channel a couple of months ago trying to fix knee pain. As I am a relatively new hiker and sit at a desk all day, I definitely was not in as good of shape as I should have been before hitting the trail this past summer. I have some lofty goals for this year and already feel a difference. Thank you so much! Some of these comments were pretty funny too! -Lynnette
Chase that was a good feedback video! Thanks for sharing.
I have recommended your videos to some friends. As you know “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink it.”
Love your channel!
Congratulations on 50k
I love trekking poles in mountains, its support for my back, footing and so on... One time I had a cow with a baby, she wouldn't budge but the pole was able to keep her at bay. For me My poles help on flat, incline, decline on every level.
#HikeYourOwnHike
My first pair of trackers died after 6 months (upper and sole began to come apart) and luckily I got another pair under warranty - I absolutely love the boot though and regular hiking boots feel like wearing platform shoes compared to the tracker. Hopefully the second pair holds up
Lot of fun watching this video!
I am building a training routine just with your videos and it's working so well. As somebody who has experienced cancer in his thirties with a reasonably healthy lifestyle, one thing I know is that the secret to a well-balanced life is not out there on the Internet. But you have the power to motivate and to inform without claiming that you know it better, so thank you Chase.
Will you tell us how to build confidence walking on ice and snow?
I recently subscribed, the knee pain videos caught my attention. I look forward to checking out your videos and trying some of the techniques. I'm definitely a trekking pole fan, they help me out a lot. I also recently tried the rubber tips and I liked it but mine wore out kinda fast on the terrain in my area. Thanks for sharing
Welcome vince! There's a lot of back catalogue. Some of the camera work is pretty bad but the info is there. Also I share a lot of old content with some context on my newsletter!
Well done Chase. Started the elements program this week and so far so good 👌
I gave you grief about the knee video bc it looked to me that you created the feel that you were giving medical advice and clickbaiting that people would learn from a youtuber how to get rid of chronic knee pain, which can have tons of diff sources. I appreciate the way you phrased it today, well done.
Thank-you. Nice easy watching. Good responses. I appreciate it.
CONGRATS 50k subs Chase! Love your channel!
1;25 "in case u gotta draw your gun" your comeback cracked me up ;)
Chase, great, entertaining vid. You get it right where so many get it wrong!
- recommended your channel to many on some of the blogs I’m on, people love your training vids so keep up the fantastic content. You’re making a difference!
-I did something for the first time as a result of faithfully watching your channel, that is becoming a Patreon subscriber!
-If/When you are able to come to California would love to show you some trails! Desert Trails, Mountain Trails, Redwood Trails. Think about it!
-Not a vegan myself, but great lentil recipe and since I make all my own meals it was a real nugget of gold for my next extended hike.
Most of all-THANKS!
This video was throughly entertaining. Thanks mate. Knee video is magic!
Love the channel dude! Keep up the great work 👍
Thoroughly enjoying your channel, keep well and keep safe fella!
You're such a great guy Chase! Fun video this one!
I really enjoyed watching this! Felt like we got to know you and connect to you better. Thanks also for all the great advice 👍 I realized I was already doing the stretches from the last video but am now trying to make a practice out of them.
Just found your channel a couple months ago. great stuff. I was having some knee pain issues and changing up my exercise routine with some ideas from your videos really helped. Don't have the cash for poles at the moment but I made a walking stick out of a tree that fell down in my yard last winter, it's been a big help. I too thought hiking poles and walking sticks were hype until I used one. If you ever get the chance you should hike Alaska, lots of mountain trails here.
oh my god, was that you doing that tracking poles video, I remember watching it, so entertaining, Bought some great poles. Enjoying your videos, great content.
Haha yep that was me! Quite a while back, I'm glad you rediscovered my channel! Welcome back!
Thanks for all your videos and advice, I just invested in the elements package as I really value your advice and experience on preparing the body for the hike, and injury prevention. I subscribe to many different UA-cam hiking channels but your is truly unique and covers important but often overlooked topics. Thank you for helping me realise my hiking potential and ensuring I can hike further for longer. Much love.
Congrats on reaching 50k!
Love your vids! Keep going mate!
I'm glad you can laugh at the haters. There are so many idiots on line. Love your videos!!
now that I know you read the comments, I'm commenting. BTW, not all Americans are gun crazy.... just the trumpers/conspiracy/ qanon peeps...
Your comment about overweight hikers made me laugh. I arrived at a local trail about the same time as a much older heavier person. Let me tell you he smoked me on the trail. That dude and his gut beat me to the top by miles... ha ha.. very humbling experience 😁
Hey Chase pretty cool information. Best to you moving forward ✨️
Cheers man!
Congrats man, great channel!
I just found your channel and love it! Well done and unique helpful information. I like your personality and attitude!;)
Hey man! I just wanted to say thanks a lot for your videos. As someone who's getting back into hiking after a few knee surgeries, I really appreciate the overlap between hiking videos and physical training, from someone with both experience and expertise. It's something that a lot of the other hiking channels don't / can't focus on, and instead they tend towards gear reviews. I think that's why you get some backlash when you dabble in that area (ehem... socks). So as long as you stay general when talking about gear (gear 101 stuff, looking at fads or trends, etc), I think you're good :)
Also for a future Q&A (or video): What can people do to prep for higher altitude (3-4000+ meters, not necessarily Everest) if they live at sea level? I see breathing exercises and such and am curious if this holds any water.
I have plantar fasciitis and switching to minimalist/barefoot footwear really helped my feet stretch out. I had no idea I was basically binding my feet my whole life by wearing the improper size and improper shape shoes. I would definitely ease into the barefoot stuff though. Can't stress that enough. You will feel some plantar fascia pain, but that's when you know to rest more and so stretched and exercises. Barefooting encourages your body to move the way it's supposed to. That doesn't necessarily mean you will move faster or painless all the time
I had to laugh at the losing the weight of a rucksack comment. I trecked for 2 months in Nepal a few years ago with a 17kg pack. After the trip, (including 3 bouts of food poisoning) I had lost 17kg. Best 'diet program' ever.
Mate, it was because of your video that i got trekking poles! I used them for the first time doing the Steamers climb from the Emuvale end, and they paid for themselves on the first trip. Not only did they make climbing the first section a lot easier, but also stopped me from a pretty bad fall on the way down. I always have them with me on my big hikes now!
Heeeey! That's cool. I shared a comment of yours on another video but I can't remember which one it was
@@ChaseMountains Cool stuff!! I'll have to go through them and check hahaha. Thanks man!
Trekking Poles have saved my ass so many times in the mountains. Having 2 additional points of contact to dig into the ground and stop you from falling forward or off a mountain is so important to me
I also discovered your channel while looking into trekking poles . Thank you ! Changed my life hiking ! Also the knee band video was extremely helpful on a recent hike while descending 3000 ft in 2 miles no switchbacks my wife started having pain in both knees so I found a flat Boulder and worked that area and she was able to get relief to make it the last 2 miles . Check out my episode 1 on how I hiked off 185 lbs . Thank you again !
Lol. I live in Switzerland and trekking poles have been around forever 😆
I did the Via Alpina and felt like such a fool for not carrying poles 🙈
No! It started around the nineties...but i am 65, my first mountain course was in 1983.. œav... Nobody had that ! Pictures enough of these years..
@@gertvanpeet3120 I guess it came with the “Nordic Walking.”
Right?!? People have used hiking sticks since we’ve been walking upright
Congratulations on the big 50K son!!!!
Thanks Mum :)
I really love and enjoy your videos. I am planning a trans-alp hike from Munich to Venice in 2022 and I found you while doing some research. Looking forward to every new video. Great Job, keep it up 👍👍👍
Ohh the dreamline! Nice
@@ChaseMountains oh yeah, I am really looking forward to it. 😊 Did you walk the dreamline hike already? It will be my first big thru-hike. This year I am going to train a lot. And I am doing your knee pain training, as I always have quite strong pain in my knees, especially when descending.
@@tobiaslot AHH nice! Hit reply on an email tell me the plans/dates etc.!
Bro, love what you do! So many haters in this 🌏! I wish people would just be supportive for once.
Hahaha Yin and Yang! All good 👍
Hi, I'm late to the party.... But did you already publish on your pateon that podcast about Mt Blanc you talked about?
I'm interested in hiking in general, but I'm also a lover of mountains and I'd like to climb Mt Blanc in the future...so you may have some experience to share, whether it's positive or negative, from you it'd be useful.
Lol. Funny how people's opinions differ so much. I saw the trekking pole video and found it helpful to learn about using them for more than just crossing a stream. Such as life. 😉🌲🐻
50,000 subs👍and you deserve every last one of em, all the best and stay safe,it’s a jungle out there😂
Hey Chase & community
I plan a long walk/ride from Brisbane to Thredbo Ski Resort in NSW, about 1300kms. We don’t have a hiking trail that suits so I’ll be following the coast mostly, hiking trails where I can, however, there will be a lot of road travel. I’m looking into The National Trail, previously The Bicentennial National Trail, a multi-use long trail designed mainly for horses & bikes from what I can tell. Any info on this would be useful too.
With the idea of preparing for skiing our three month ski season, what would be the best preparation, hike or bike?
I prefer barefoot running and hiking with minimalist shoes, like Merrell vapor gloves.
I tried poles and invested in a good pair, but I got to wonder if hiking without them would be more efficient. For me it was more efficient because of the freedom of natural body movement, the hips and arms movement is more free. So I tried them and liked them but also discovered that I can hike long distances without them and I prefer without unless I find a nice stick and they are quieter.
I think poles are good if you use a tarp tent set up. I tried a few possibilities and bring a lightweight tent. Once I forgot my sleeping pad. It was really nice to be connected to the Earth without cushioning and the body adapts.
My body decided it didn't need to lose weight when I started hiking. It just redistributed all of it into my legs. Now I weigh the same but have tree trunks for legs...A lot less fat with a little more muscle = same weight. The human body is a crazy thing.
I wore moccasin for over a year (even through a Canadian winter). They stood up to everything, only needing the pad replaced once. What they did not stand up to was all of the road salt in the winter. - I would not recommend them to anyone who has not done a fair amount of barefoot walking, or did not have lots of callouses for other reasons (martial arts, etc).
Starting using adjustable trekking poles instead of hiking staff after watching your video about them; keeping hands below heart, etc....my hands were like shoulder level beforehand.
Great, did you notice any difference?
Fuck the haters, I have a thru hike in 2 months your videos have saves my knees and hike and dream :*)
Hey ! looking to buy the same elementum liteway backpack. Would you say you had enough room in there ? thanks for your videos
Yeah it's huge. I was never lacking space
I never used walking poles but a few years ago I started using just the one. Because I only ever used it in my right hand I think this might of caused me to over use my left leg now I stuffer from pain in the left knee. Any thoughts on this ?
Poles, totally necessary in the Pacific Northwest in a wet temperate rainforest scramble,...mud, roots, ups and downs,... prevents so many injuries
I was thinking of starting a UA-cam channel specifically to address issues faced by older hikers like myself (the 60+ crowd) but wow, I guess I'd have to develop a thicker skin after hearing some of the comments you've dealt with. :-(
You get used to it. You should do it!!
Best plaudit for treking poles came from Rheinhold Messner "they upgrade man into a four-legged animal" - eg inherently stable and more efficient.
Trekking poles: i am one of the starters! I am 65 now, and somewhere around 1990 climbed the Ortler...juli first..with 2 meters of snow. From Sulda to the hut a 3000 meters...all with poles. Later the Gran Paradiso...same, up to the point where the pickel was safer....
Would love to have a hiking nutrition video at some point :)
I do already have a couple just Q&As with friends, but looking to write and fil something more structured this year
There is only one thing I TOTALLY HATE about trekkingpoles.
The NOISE !!!
When walking around (even far away from...) people with trekkingpoles, that tik-tik-tik-tik drives me crazy.
Its intense sound polution.
I use all my senses when walking, but all natural sound are ruined by those trekkingpoles.
Noise pollution is one of my pet peeves! I totally feel you.
Hi I am a long term cyclist and I have been attempting some of your stretches, as while cycling is a great exercise you do spend a long time in more or less the same position and the legs basically rotate in a restricted circle , I think I will get better with the leg stretches. But I cannot see any shoulder/ neck stretches ? which would be really greats once again you are spending a long time with your neck /shoulders in one position. Thankyou
True, yeah I mostly focus on the legs in the public videos. My Elements program had an excellent postural correction upper body workout in it, hike strong too. Also an old follow along video...this one ua-cam.com/video/QoWMpAIO6E0/v-deo.html
If anyone can keep the man bun in style it's you!
Have you tried Pacer Poles? I don't know why they are not more popular. Much more effective than any other poles that I have tried.
Brit backpacker Chris Townsend who did a number of firsts in the '90's was promoting use of trekking poles in trail magazine all those years ago. Hardly a new thing.
while I like the leave no trace philosophy, there is an argument to be made that mining and whatever industrial process is needed for making a carbon / aluminum pole leaves more trace than whacking a couple of saplings.
Lol. Knowing you can poke fun at yourself makes me respect you even more. Also I am American and have bear spray instead of carrying an AK 47 when hiking in case I run into a bear. Oh and dog and I wear bear bells.
The haters are ALL professional couch potatoes mate, don't worry about them!!
Hahaha, mate, I had a good laugh at some of them. Anyway, I'll let you and your pansy hands go and get ready for your next casual walk... across the entire country of Spain.
One question I always have in my head. Do you dream about climbing K2?
Nah not at all. Kanchenjunga solo tho 👌that's the high altitude dream.
@@ChaseMountains Wow, solo Kanchenjinga. That's really something. Wish your dream will happen someday.
The problem with a true "vegan" lifestyle is that you trade away products produced naturally for synthetics, which are produced with crude oil, and largely unrecyclable with a long biodegradation periods. Saying you dont want to eat beef, wear leather, wool, or silk, but your adjusted way of life just promotes the oil industry and dumps more plastic into the ground or ocean is pretty obtuse. Saying you wont eat the meat/dairy but you'll wear their skin/fur is merely hypocritical as the animal will be raised to slaughter just the same.
Personally, I like my animal meats, dairy, and textiles. The latter is often found in higher quality products too. What I do is fight the abuse a different way by buying products from farms that raise their stock naturally as opposed to chaining them in feed stalls/rooms.
As far as clothes produced with animal products go (wools, leathers, silks) I'd rather buy a nice high quality leather boot made in Europe that can be repaired and re-soled than support some far east sweatshop paying kids a nickel to make a shoe out of plastic and rubber thats going to rot in a landfill for 150 years after I wear it out in a mere 200 miles. In my opinion your better off being an informed consumer conscious of what they're buying as opposed to just rubber stamping yourself some arbitrary label and calling it good.
Well put, I couldn't agree more.
Love your videos. I came across them while searching for the best hikes around Europe. I'll be moving there soon (from Patagonia) and I wondered if you have an abolute preferred hike there to recommend?
I haven't done it yet but the GR20 in Corsica. Looks epic!
Really..the man bun is Way Cool
Regenerative Ranching is the number one improvement for the planet. It actually builds soil like no other. Built soil, increases rapid diversity of ecosystem sequestering carbon like a mofo. Check out Allen Savory institute.
No, you don’t have to carry a gun in wolf and bear territory, even in the US. 😂
I’ve run into a dozen bear over the past 20 years in the Cascades and never had a problem. You don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. 👍
I figured as much. I read a book about a woman who crossed Alaska without a gun. She did have a moment where she regretted it.
@@ChaseMountains well, Alaska is a little different. My youngest sister worked on a fish processing barge on a small island in Alaska for a few summers, and grizzlies outnumbered people, so many people carried rifles whenever they were in town.
You are swoll :)
Not an "experienced bushman" - probably some overweight offended 'bushcrafter' who's overly impressed with themselves for being able to build a long fire or a teepee shelter out of sticks and moss, and who carries gear that would be both heavy and useless in serious alpine hiking or alpinism.
Good stuf
Monocrops are also bad for the environment, they deplete soil of nutrients and destroy habitats simultaneously (ie soybeans, wheat, corn, palm oil, and every other crop). The real issue isn't whether or not you eat meat, being alive is bad for the environment. Overpopulation is the culprit for accelerated climate change. I understand that vegans are trying to do the right thing and I admire that, but the fact of the matter is that as long as we continue to breed and pollute, the Earth will deteriorate. From a biological standpoint, humans wouldn't be alive if it weren't for meat. Our ancestors would've died during the ice age. Being vegan is a modern-day privilege and phenomenon. Plus, there's plenty of people out there, including doctors and professional athletes who eat mostly meat, fewer grains and have less bodily complications.