The gr 11 was my first thru as well. Many years later I’m still hooked. TA, GR5, Kom Emine and next up PCT, thanks for the great content. Really enjoying the channel
Hey Chase ..great advise as always..Cicerone guide book a must ..i downloaded mine for the GR10..good to read at night to prepare for each stage..and so hard not to camp near beautiful lakes...condensation nightmare each morning..!!
Hey Chase, Couple weeks ago I did a 37 km loop hike in the Manistee River and part of the NCT trail in Michigan. Your UA-cam exercises truly help me before and after this hike. Thank you
That knee exercise you showed has absolutely saved me in the past! I had injured my knee running and it carried over to my next hiking trip, halfway through i found this exercise on youtube and it made it sooooo much better!!!
Wow.. I remember when I first read about the GR11. It made me laugh because I just couldn't wrap my head around a trail that long and arduous. Anyway, thanks for the insights and inspiration. I've got my sights on the GR20 for maybe 2021 or so, hope it'll be possible!
I would love to do this hike too. I would think perhaps breaking it down over time. However due to the current situation now who knows when the US citizens would be allowed to travel in certain countries or when a vaccine would be made.😢
Chase, thanks a lot for answering to my question on your video. Feels great you take your time in answering all our questions and doing a specific video about it. Wish more UA-cam channels on hiking were as considered as you are. Thanks once again and best wishes and hoping to see more interesting videos about the GR11!
I am very happy that you like the Spanish high mountains. If you like Spain, know that you have a lot to discover. I would recommend that you visit the mountains of Castellón and Teruel: "Serranía de Albarracín" (GR-10) "Sierra de Gúdar" and "Sierra de Javalambre" (GR-8), "Massís del Penyagolosa" (GR-7), " Serra d'Espadà" (GR-36 and GR-333), "Ports de Beseit" and "Tinença de Benifassà". You will find places full of history and nature, with very diverse fauna and vegetation, almost always facing the Mediterranean Sea, and many marked trails between mountains that are sometimes very demanding for your legs, but very generous for your spirit. Thanks for all your videos
mate ur a bloody legend, love your channel, super real, and knowlegeable. Do you have a gear breakdown video? I'll probably go look for it after this comment to be honest ahah. Peace out from australia
My mma traning routine proves sufficient enough for hiking. In general what people that are getting into endurance activities (cycling, hiking, mountaneering, expeditions) dont understand is that year round functional training of any kind (especially coordination, balance and movement range) is necessary. The guides i go with in autonomous expeditions never get new people in before they ensure a person have had at least 3 months of basic training before departure.
Sounds awesome. A dude named Lars Monsen walked/dog sled through Canada (west to east) for years. You should check out his work. He's done tons of these long distance arctic hikes for a long time. A book by him is worth it's weight in gold for people like me and you. A role model with a wealth of experience.
Great video - the most valuable part for me is to be OK with taking enough zero days for my body to be OK with thru hiking. 👌🏿😊 I'm preparing and training to do a thru hike of Te Araroa, NZ, when I retire in a couple of years. Plenty of multi day hikes in the meantime!
Great video! Congrats for yoour GR11! I did several sections of this route in the late 90´s beginning of 2000´s and it's beautiful but you really need to be fit. Specially knees and ankles. Regarding food protein is essencial in order to prevent injuries.I'm sure you were having it on your village meals. People can't focus just on calories or they will be in trouble. How many kg of cheese, chorizo and jamon serrano? How many steaks and cañas did you have along the way? :)
Camping in the pyrenees is forbidden. Some time ago you were able to byvouac from 20h to 6h above 1.200m above sea level, but I think it's nowadays also forbidden (the area became too popular).
M & M's for a sugar energy hit. My go to is Cadbury's dark chocolate fruit and nut bars. A problem is like most stimulus they lift you up for a while and let down down with a thud later on. Oats are the best carbs for extended energy and they keep you from feeling hungry longer. There seemed to be some taverns in those mountain villages. Did you imbibe the odd palate cleansing ale? I enjoyed the video. A new subscriber here. Safe travels.
To be more precise, the GR11 is one of the European true hikes, which crosses Europe from the Cape of São Vicente, in Portugal to St. Petersburg, in Russia. It is 5000 km. the crossing of the Pyrenees is only a small section of the GR11. But great adventure. When you will do the GR20, considered one of the most difficult in Europe?
Wow, the elevation gain comes out to 287'/mile (54m/km) on the Gr11 vs 236’/mile (44m/km) on the AT and 119’/mile (22m/km) on the PCT. That is no Joke and not a beginners Route. You probably also don't have many days getting some kind of Hiker Legs. The descents must be very taxing on the knees. Sounds like an ideal early Season Route to train for the Barkley.
@@TimYT-yyz Different hikes for sure, PCT is an absolute beast, no one's denying that. I appreciate someone diving into the numbers for the sake of curiosity.
@@TimYT-yyz Pls don't assume someone is comparing anything when all they did was posting straight facts. The comparison part was initiated and happend only in your brain. 221'/mile (40m/km) Nüümü Poyo (JMT)
I never knew of the trail before your vids, thanks for the info. Did you see any bikepackers on the trail? The worst part of any long trip for me is the phase after. When you sit home. It's hard to both adjust or relate to others. The good thing is that it's momentarily, not permanent. It's a test. A month or two, then I'm back to being Mr. Civilised again. xD Perhaps it's just me, but I go through these "withdrawals" every time.
Yeah man for sure. Post hike depression is real af. I didn't see any bike Packers on the trail, it's too vertical, but I know it's possible on other trails !
Same thing happened to me this summer after coming back from touring through the alps for four weeks (didn't thruhike though, just a couple of multiday treks). Took me 3-4 weeks getting back to a functioning rhythm. I feel like the best thing I can do to get rid of this passive after-phase is to prepare for the next trip. And that is kinda where videos like this one come into play ;)
I think every hiker I watch and listen to says the same thing about post hike blues. I found the same after two months in Kenya and Uganda in 2018, living with the locals for 9 weeks. I cried on the plane heading home to New Zealand!! ✈️😂First week back at work I was doing a task half heartedly while thinking silently that I would rather be back in Africa 🌍 👍🏿 😊 It took me a couple of weeks as well to reset my thinking back to daily life.
Great video and great inspiration, thanks for providing! Did you have any issues with ticks? And: Do you have experience with sleeping in a hammock on a long distance hike? Do you think this would be an option for the GR11?
Hey! So I've never had any problems with ticks in Spain but they certainly are around. I've only ever slept in a hammock once in the jungle in Cambodia and it will probably be the last time hahaha. I'm sure you could do it on the GR11 if you wanted to
Truly inspiring Chase! You really got me hooked on hiking I got one question regarding the shoes. I saw you other vid on barefoot shoes and it totally made sense On a hike like this do you recommend real hiking shoes as the ones you wear or does those barefoot style shoes would affect your performance on such a various terrain? Thx and keep up the good work! Hakim
nice trip! actually, do you know if (wild) camping is permitted in spain/france in the pyrenees? I've seen you also camped in front of a mountain hut. has it been, because of Corona or do they noramlly allow to camp free next to the hut and eat in the hut?
I really like your videos. Thanks for the information about eating on the trail. But what do you eat every day. You talk about fitness and attitude which are important, but so is diet. So keto or vegan, or something in between.
No I didn't come across any on my trip but I watched female a Spanish youtuber who did a the trip solo a few years back, she seemed to do fine! That's the beauty of the mountains, less people, less problems haha.
Hi Chase, I bought your 10$ Elements PDF yesterday but didn't receive anything yet, the contact link on basecamp web site does n't seem to work, how do I reach you?
Hey Alain, an automated email is sent out and its likely in your inbox under the spam or junk folder :/ this happens sometimes. My email is chase@basecampfit.com if you need me!
Good question. The mountains are higher through the central area so that naturally slowed me down. As the mountains flattened out I did more miles to make my 30 day deadline. I also hiked with a couple of other dudes for a few days, so I chilled a bit during week 2 and 3.
I’m a Melbournian, so no bush or hikes this year due to strict isolation measures. Have put on too many kgs., and motivation to do something about it is non existent. Please help, Chase.
Without wanting to stir a massive hornets nest, so please boys and girls don’t take this as an invite to debate, but why didn’t you consume more fat? I am not saying that you should have or would want to fuel yourself entirely on it, but it packs a pretty big punch and is satiating, therefore less need for junk food snacks.
![My Thru Hike Gear - What Worked, What Didn't [Post Trip Gear Review]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YfH0kCbAFwU/mqdefault.jpg)
![My Thru Hike Gear - What Worked, What Didn't [Post Trip Gear Review]](/img/tr.png)
![Watch this BEFORE you thru hike the Pyrenees [I answer your questions]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/F8DioaLd0tU/mqdefault.jpg)
![Making a Trail Family [Crossing the Pyrenees on the GR11: Chapter 2/5 ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/blNT_b-Txwg/mqdefault.jpg)
Great summary - I loved the LOTR snippet with “second breakfast”
Loved it too, it cracked me up haha
The gr 11 was my first thru as well. Many years later I’m still hooked. TA, GR5, Kom Emine and next up PCT, thanks for the great content. Really enjoying the channel
Would you say it's a feasible thru-hike for someone with only a couple overnights as experience? I'm considering it for coming summer.
Hey Joanna, Im checking out the GR11, could you give me a budget estimate?
"What about second breakfast?!" Excellent content sir. Thank you for the share. Safe trails!
Great tips for the GR11 love your honesty about the food!
Hey Chase ..great advise as always..Cicerone guide book a must ..i downloaded mine for the GR10..good to read at night to prepare for each stage..and so hard not to camp near beautiful lakes...condensation nightmare each morning..!!
Hey Chase, Couple weeks ago I did a 37 km loop hike in the Manistee River and part of the NCT trail in Michigan. Your UA-cam exercises truly help me before and after this hike. Thank you
That knee exercise you showed has absolutely saved me in the past! I had injured my knee running and it carried over to my next hiking trip, halfway through i found this exercise on youtube and it made it sooooo much better!!!
Genuine content. Nice editing. Soothing voice. Honest. No wonder you don't have any dislikes.
Wow.. I remember when I first read about the GR11. It made me laugh because I just couldn't wrap my head around a trail that long and arduous.
Anyway, thanks for the insights and inspiration. I've got my sights on the GR20 for maybe 2021 or so, hope it'll be possible!
I would love to do this hike too. I would think perhaps breaking it down over time. However due to the current situation now who knows when the US citizens would be allowed to travel in certain countries or when a vaccine would be made.😢
I would also love to do the GR20 next year, looks so good!
@@tdhaarp the GR11 is great but you guys have soooo many good thru hikes in the USA.
@@ChaseMountains Hah, would be fun to meet you there! :D
Chase, thanks a lot for answering to my question on your video. Feels great you take your time in answering all our questions and doing a specific video about it. Wish more UA-cam channels on hiking were as considered as you are. Thanks once again and best wishes and hoping to see more interesting videos about the GR11!
I am very happy that you like the Spanish high mountains. If you like Spain, know that you have a lot to discover. I would recommend that you visit the mountains of Castellón and Teruel: "Serranía de Albarracín" (GR-10) "Sierra de Gúdar" and "Sierra de Javalambre" (GR-8), "Massís del Penyagolosa" (GR-7), " Serra d'Espadà" (GR-36 and GR-333), "Ports de Beseit" and "Tinença de Benifassà". You will find places full of history and nature, with very diverse fauna and vegetation, almost always facing the Mediterranean Sea, and many marked trails between mountains that are sometimes very demanding for your legs, but very generous for your spirit.
Thanks for all your videos
Awesome work, Chase. Truly inspiring! 🙏
So cool, thanks for answering all these questions and giving us even more inspiration to give it a try!
Just did the 60+ mile highline/Fremont trail in the Wind River range in Wyoming. It's no GR11 but it was a cool experience
Tks a lot, you seem a really nice guy, great tips. I live in Toulouse, so I can't wait to hit the trail and build up my form to do some of that !
Cool video! Really inspiring me to get out there!
Loved the GR11 series, i gained a little knowledge and it was very peaceful to watch ;) Thank u
mate ur a bloody legend, love your channel, super real, and knowlegeable. Do you have a gear breakdown video? I'll probably go look for it after this comment to be honest ahah. Peace out from australia
You do such amazing videos mate! appreciate your content, so interesting! And loved the second breakfast scene questions haha 😂👌🏽
My mma traning routine proves sufficient enough for hiking.
In general what people that are getting into endurance activities (cycling, hiking, mountaneering, expeditions) dont understand is that year round functional training of any kind (especially coordination, balance and movement range) is necessary. The guides i go with in autonomous expeditions never get new people in before they ensure a person have had at least 3 months of basic training before departure.
Super cool man . I hope one day I can do a through hike here in Canada. Have a good one.
You got plenty of options! GDT?!
Sounds awesome.
A dude named Lars Monsen walked/dog sled through Canada (west to east) for years. You should check out his work. He's done tons of these long distance arctic hikes for a long time. A book by him is worth it's weight in gold for people like me and you. A role model with a wealth of experience.
@@willek1335 indeed, he's super famous in Norway. I've seen one of his docos. What a beast!
I really love your videos. you inspire me a lot. thanks for all the great videos and please keep going.
Great video
Great video - the most valuable part for me is to be OK with taking enough zero days for my body to be OK with thru hiking. 👌🏿😊
I'm preparing and training to do a thru hike of Te Araroa, NZ, when I retire in a couple of years. Plenty of multi day hikes in the meantime!
tks so much Chase, your counsel and experience so valuable, and I do like your humble attitude ;) I'm using the same pack
"I was snacking like a motherf**ker" 😂
The AT is calling.
Gran video Chase!! Algún día yo también haré esa ruta. Muy inspirador!
Thank you man!
Can’t wait for your video on knee pain! I love thru hiking but I have to restrict myself to about 3 days because my knees are gone by day 4.
1.3K likes against 3 thumbs down is impressive, and thoroughly deserved
Nice Chase. Loving your stuff. Starting to sign post people to you both professionally as a Podiatrist and on my channel
Great video! Congrats for yoour GR11! I did several sections of this route in the late 90´s beginning of 2000´s and it's beautiful but you really need to be fit. Specially knees and ankles.
Regarding food protein is essencial in order to prevent injuries.I'm sure you were having it on your village meals. People can't focus just on calories or they will be in trouble.
How many kg of cheese, chorizo and jamon serrano? How many steaks and cañas did you have along the way? :)
“Snacking like a...” 🤣👍🏻
Great vid! Love your work
Camping in the pyrenees is forbidden. Some time ago you were able to byvouac from 20h to 6h above 1.200m above sea level, but I think it's nowadays also forbidden (the area became too popular).
Wow amazing view, I really appreciate n enjoyed watching your video sir,, ALWAYS take care n GOD BLESS YOU
Chase,
Have you ever seen videos by Darwin on the Trail? He is an AT and PCT through hiker here in the states. Might be worth a watch.
Of course. He's the original isn't he?
M & M's for a sugar energy hit.
My go to is Cadbury's dark chocolate fruit and nut bars.
A problem is like most stimulus they lift you up for a while and let down down with a thud later on.
Oats are the best carbs for extended energy and they keep you from feeling hungry longer.
There seemed to be some taverns in those mountain villages. Did you imbibe the odd palate cleansing ale?
I enjoyed the video. A new subscriber here.
Safe travels.
Nice set up mate 👌
Did part of HRP, highly recommended
Nive...Next summer for me maybe! Probably won't do coast to coast tho, just the high bits!!
@@ChaseMountains You can start from Aragon and than to the east. There are the real high peaks. Really enjoying your video’s
Really nice! Keep up your awesome work!
To be more precise, the GR11 is one of the European true hikes, which crosses Europe from the Cape of São Vicente, in Portugal to St. Petersburg, in Russia. It is 5000 km. the crossing of the Pyrenees is only a small section of the GR11. But great adventure. When you will do the GR20, considered one of the most difficult in Europe?
Wow, the elevation gain comes out to
287'/mile (54m/km) on the Gr11 vs
236’/mile (44m/km) on the AT and
119’/mile (22m/km) on the PCT.
That is no Joke and not a beginners Route. You probably also don't have many days getting some kind of Hiker Legs. The descents must be very taxing on the knees.
Sounds like an ideal early Season Route to train for the Barkley.
I would love to to the Barkleys. And I'd also love to run this without a pack!
@@TimYT-yyz Different hikes for sure, PCT is an absolute beast, no one's denying that. I appreciate someone diving into the numbers for the sake of curiosity.
@@TimYT-yyz Pls don't assume someone is comparing anything when all they did was posting straight facts. The comparison part was initiated and happend only in your brain.
221'/mile (40m/km) Nüümü Poyo (JMT)
@@TimYT-yyz No it does not, only if you choose to read it as that, which again YOU did.
Great content! Did you need reservations in advance a the mountain huts along the way or were you just able to show up and get a bunk and meal?
I never knew of the trail before your vids, thanks for the info. Did you see any bikepackers on the trail?
The worst part of any long trip for me is the phase after. When you sit home. It's hard to both adjust or relate to others. The good thing is that it's momentarily, not permanent. It's a test. A month or two, then I'm back to being Mr. Civilised again. xD Perhaps it's just me, but I go through these "withdrawals" every time.
Yeah man for sure. Post hike depression is real af. I didn't see any bike Packers on the trail, it's too vertical, but I know it's possible on other trails !
Same thing happened to me this summer after coming back from touring through the alps for four weeks (didn't thruhike though, just a couple of multiday treks). Took me 3-4 weeks getting back to a functioning rhythm. I feel like the best thing I can do to get rid of this passive after-phase is to prepare for the next trip. And that is kinda where videos like this one come into play ;)
I think every hiker I watch and listen to says the same thing about post hike blues.
I found the same after two months in Kenya and Uganda in 2018, living with the locals for 9 weeks.
I cried on the plane heading home to New Zealand!! ✈️😂First week back at work I was doing a task half heartedly while thinking silently that I would rather be back in Africa 🌍 👍🏿 😊
It took me a couple of weeks as well to reset my thinking back to daily life.
It's incredible how your video production had improved. Keep on going, maybe a mountain come some day😆
Bought a new camera :) I'll keep upping the quality as long as people keep watching! 👊🏼
Hi Chase,I know there is s small number of black bears in the Pyrenees. Any worries?
It just puts me off hiking in Europe sometimes.
You'll never see them, there's literally only about 8-12 of them. Wolves too now, but very few of them. You'll be fine!
Great video and great inspiration, thanks for providing! Did you have any issues with ticks?
And: Do you have experience with sleeping in a hammock on a long distance hike? Do you think this would be an option for the GR11?
Hey! So I've never had any problems with ticks in Spain but they certainly are around. I've only ever slept in a hammock once in the jungle in Cambodia and it will probably be the last time hahaha. I'm sure you could do it on the GR11 if you wanted to
Hi Chase...if you are not in to wildcamping is it possible to sleep in a hut or something else to be booked every night?
Truly inspiring Chase!
You really got me hooked on hiking
I got one question regarding the shoes.
I saw you other vid on barefoot shoes and it totally made sense
On a hike like this do you recommend real hiking shoes as the ones you wear or does those barefoot style shoes would affect your performance on such a various terrain?
Thx and keep up the good work!
Hakim
I didn't want to dive right into a barefoot style shoe for such a big trip. This was the safe option!
nice trip! actually, do you know if (wild) camping is permitted in spain/france in the pyrenees? I've seen you also camped in front of a mountain hut. has it been, because of Corona or do they noramlly allow to camp free next to the hut and eat in the hut?
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing :) I'm new in youtube and you have a good tips in here that I can use in the future for my travel vlogs :)
I really like your videos. Thanks for the information about eating on the trail. But what do you eat every day. You talk about fitness and attitude which are important, but so is diet. So keto or vegan, or something in between.
Hey bud! So I'm posting a video this Wednesday which goes into diet, keto, intermittent fasting etc. so your question is well timed!
Did you see many/any solo female hikers/campers on your trip? Any safety concerns? Thanks a lot!
No I didn't come across any on my trip but I watched female a Spanish youtuber who did a the trip solo a few years back, she seemed to do fine! That's the beauty of the mountains, less people, less problems haha.
@@ChaseMountains Thank you!
Hey, Ive been wanting to thru hike in Spain but I heard its illegal to wild camp. Is that truth?
"Elements" is out of stock, and not $10 as you keep saying in your vids. Congrats on your epic journey. I'm enjoying your vids.
Tha is john. PDF version is $10, $29 for the app version. And it's back in stock!
Hi Chase, I bought your 10$ Elements PDF yesterday but didn't receive anything yet, the contact link on basecamp web site does
n't seem to work, how do I reach you?
Hey Alain, an automated email is sent out and its likely in your inbox under the spam or junk folder :/ this happens sometimes. My email is chase@basecampfit.com if you need me!
Second breakfast ❤😆
Elevensies?
Why so many miles per day towards the end of the trip? Were you not pacing yourself correctly earlier and had to make up for it?
Good question. The mountains are higher through the central area so that naturally slowed me down. As the mountains flattened out I did more miles to make my 30 day deadline.
I also hiked with a couple of other dudes for a few days, so I chilled a bit during week 2 and 3.
Watch out for those forward folds, mate. Hope you added in back bends and some child's pose. 😉
Dood that was hilarious.
I’m a Melbournian, so no bush or hikes this year due to strict isolation measures. Have put on too many kgs., and motivation to do something about it is non existent. Please help, Chase.
Hit me up on the links below man!
Looking slim fam
Gloon
Without wanting to stir a massive hornets nest, so please boys and girls don’t take this as an invite to debate, but why didn’t you consume more fat? I am not saying that you should have or would want to fuel yourself entirely on it, but it packs a pretty big punch and is satiating, therefore less need for junk food snacks.
I was eating a reasonable about of fat from olive oil and peanut butter, but I'm open to ideas!