How The Continental Divide Trail Ruined my Life
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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Nick, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am so thankful to Darwin. He encouraged my passion to get outdoors again. I am excited to see what you decide to share. Thank you for your body of work and I look forward to experience the new levels of creativity that you have in you.
Perspective... what a great gift the CDT has given you. Something we often lack. I'm glad you got to reconnect with your wife, your friends, and yourself. All the best to you!
The Trail is always good for it! ❤️
I used to hike when I joined the Boy Scouts and stopped when I left. You reignited my taste for wilderness. I can’t go often but I hike a few times a year after seeing you. Thanks for all of it!😊
Right on! Keep getting out there! ❤️
As a former Scout I feel the same way you do. Thanks for the insperation!
Darwin, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos over the years.
Thank you for being THE guy that really inspired me.
Your channel blew up because of your infectious energy, and it’s great to see you back. My biggest thank you to you.. introducing me to Altra! ✌️
Thanks so much for your recent videos sharing both struggles and the excitement of what's ahead. I have really appreciated your story of the past few years.
You are so welcome! Thank You!
I love how you "keep it real". Your sincerity and vulnerability are inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing.
Thank goodness!! I am so glad you are finally going to finish the CDT video series! I was so looking forward to seeing your amazing videos and was so disappointed when you bailed. I subscribed to your channel, I purchased your Arizona Trail documentary, I reshaped my hiking gear based on your advise... and I felt abandoned and betrayed a little bit. Your videos kept me sane in this tiny office I practically live in and I'm so glad to see you again...like a long lost friend. I am happy that you have found some peace again and new things to be excited about. And happy that you have found joy in bringing your fans some more great stuff to watch! CHEERS!
Very happy you are going to finish the CDT videos. Understand you needing to take time to do you. Your videos have inspired and educated me on the world of thru hiking from your very first video you posted to UA-cam. Thanks.
Thank you so much!
I haven't backpacked in almost 3 years, because I was tired of it. I'm OK with that. Life changes, and I joke that I'm now in my "all-inclusive resort" phase. I love that as a major figure in backpacking, you give voice to stepping back. I love that you don't commit to never backpacking, or to taking it up in the future. Life is an unknown adventure and we don't have to continue on a path if it no longer serves us. Thank you for letting us into your thought process.
For me it's the opposite, now that I hike and backpack regularly, any vacation that doesn't involve that is disappointing. Last year we went to Mexico at a fancy all inclusive and I regret how much $$ I spent on it. I keep thinking on where I could have gone instead. But perhaps I'll change my mind in 10 years when my knees are even more busted.
Hello Darwin , from Switzerland, I follow you since 2019 . Thank you for sharing this experience. Sometime pictures are like a coin there is always to faces on it. A bright one that most of the time is published on UA-cam and a darker one that people keep more secret. I am happy that you are going to share the last videos about the CDT. The content that you publish is very good and probably one of the best on this channel . Anyway most important I can see that you are still full of energy and projects. Wish you the best
Everyone definitely curates their life to a point... It's good to share the other side every once in a while. ❤️
Thank you so much for this recap - I hope you, your wife and your friends are in a good place now. You are missed on UA-cam but friends and family always come FIRST!!
Followed you since the beginning, from France. I love what you have done, even surprising me when I was not expecting it. I discovered you in my worst moment in life and you are part of the beautiful things that allowed me to bounce back. You were therapeutical to me.
Hey Darwin... Love this video and just want to send you some props. Maybe this has eluded you, maybe it hasn't... but this video underscores something important. Your channel is about hiking, but your channel is popular because you are extremely relatable. I came for the hiking and stayed for Darwin... just keep being yourself, no matter what you do. Thanks for the insight, once again!
Thank You for the kind words! All I can do is try to be myself... every part of it. 😉
glad you're back happy and motivated again, I loved your PCT videos so much, hope the content here returns, I will watch the lot.
Well said. You know, in a way you ruined my life too. You are the bookend that got me back into backpacking since falling in love with it in Boy Scouts doing a fifty mile hike in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in the 1970's. I thank you for that. I look forward to the next chapter in your videos as I look forward to the next chapter in my life as well.
it is so good to see you happy and i unsub to some old channels and stop to say hay !
i have put the bell on to here more from you !
stay safe darwin !
Yay! Welcome back Darwin… Much appreciate your honesty and transparency.
❤ Thank you for your always authentic vlogs. You owe your fans nothing, you have given and shared so much. Your photography and content is of such high quality, it’s been outstanding. I knew that you struggled during your time on the CDT. I felt that our watching you and the process of creating for us was distracting from your experience in a negative way. The CDT is closer to me (Colorado) and I’m thrilled to have the rest of the hike to anticipate watching.
Darwin watching this video out a smile on my face. So happy to see you've found a balance in your life 👍👍👍👍 I am looking forward to your upcoming videos.
Was so hoping you’d finish those someday, and glad that day is here! Thanks, Darwin. You do inspire. 🥾
So glad to have you back Darwin.
Thank You! ❤️
This was a great video! I’m happy to see this new type of Darwin content. Also psyched to see the finished CDT videos!
Glad you're digging it! More to come! ❤️
I watched some of your videos before my AT 2017 thru. And I followed you post holing on the PCT. I haved listened to both of your podcasts on Backpacker Radio about who you are and how you feel. Between the biking and hiking I have grown to respect you and the things you guys do! I think some of the things you say and do really make sense. About gear and hiking and things you learned. Keep growing and sharing. I appreciate your honesty and evolution. Life is long!
Best wishes Darwin!
Love to hear the passion is back for you, your the reason I decided to hike the AT when I turn 50! Love your advice and perspective please keep up the hard work.
🎉 Can't wait to see more CDT videos! 🥾🤩
Dude!!! This is great news I've been a huge fan of yours since I watched your PCT through hike. I guess I was always hoping you'd release the rest of your CDT through hike videos, glad you're back 👊
I appreciate that! CDT Videos coming very soon!
I moved to Wyoming on a whim to take a new job and get closer to more Outdoor Opportunities. So glad I did! Been here two months and really loving it!
My man, that was awesome. More than anything in life, I love when people just give it you you straight. And, you are a great "story-teller" which is so important. Thank you.
That was great. Appreciate your insights and perspective.
Very cool. Can't wait to see new Darwin content! You were a huge inspiration to me when I was getting ready for my first bikepacking trip. Here's to the future!
Amen Darwin (Nick). I can see why you named your company Outdoor Evolution. Watching this made me realise that I've been going through this same thought process too. I went to hike a long distance trail in Cyprus and only did about two thirds of it as I was so distracted by the phenomenal amount of historical, archeolological and cultural sights in that country. I felt afterwards as if I had 'failed' but now I realise that it was a natural reaction or 'evolution' to my highly focused backpacking life over the last ten years. Like you say about the CDT, those negative feelings gave way to a realisation that this 'distraction' I experienced in Cyprus was a green light to embrace other experiences; not to necessarily replace hiking but a wonderfully rich addition to the hiking experience. All of my next three long distance hikes are based around the trail for sure, but the historical aspects will probably occupy 75% of my time in those regions and I've never felt so excited about upcoming hiking trips as I am with these. I reckon if I'd tried to stay 'pure' to the hike above all else I'd start resenting hiking and eventually hating it.
Big respect for your honesty and for listening to the trail to help you continue on your evolution in all aspects of your life and relationships.
You are an inspiration. There are many kinds of journeys. Thanks for sharing.
Obsessively living your passions is dangerous, even more so if it becomes your job, dangerous for your passion, your mental and physical well-being, and quite possibly your surroundings. I did it for 13 years, in a completely unrelated field, burned out completely, left, and never looked back. Its nice to have weekends, normal workdays, vacations, a slower pace, no stress...and time for other pursuits, but keeping them below passion-level.
I love your hiking videos. Can hardly wait for the CDT videos!!!
Are your hands okay?
Great video! I'll make sure to keep doing things that are uncomfortable
Was waiting for this....hard to stay married when you have to travel constantly...you did great to make a change and do the right thing.....getting wiser in your old age...
after hiking the AT i moved to the philippines, talk about an eye opener...
NICE! Definitely a Huge Change!
Eating cold cous cous for months on end probably loses its appeal in the end. Glad your back on you tube,your content is very good. Do justice to your CDT videos,amazing achievement. Hope all good now. Cheers.
😂 Well... You're not wrong
Hiking is a hell of a drug I went through the same thing only without youtube videos so I had to work long hours when not hiking and lost a few friends I was lucky to have a very understanding wife.
“I have gotten back to being Nick, again”
Shit yeah, dude.
This is why I like you, you take notice when you were wrong and hone in on it.
Thank you
Good for you man. Balance, sounds like a lot of working on finding balance to help make the things you love work within your life cohesively, without burnout, without stress. Really stoked for you. And I will always remember your PCT trip via being excited to catch your newest video each week during my lunch break. Take care of yourself man, looking forward to whatever you got going on next and watching those CDT videos. Cheers.
I appreciate it!
Good to see Darwin enjoying life agin. You could tell he was starting to get burnt out on live streams before he paused the channel.
Awesome, and welcome back.
I appreciate your frankness and introspection. Those CDT vids weren't bad and it looked like you were having some fun at least. Honestly CDT vids are a little boring to me sometimes - I also need to take a break LOL!!!
This video makes it clear that we've got two very different views on backpacking. I can hike the same stretch of trail 10 times and have 10 completely different experiences. Time on the trail doesn't humble me, it heals me. I guess in that way I'm glad to be a weekend warrior instead of a full time hiker. I'd still like to section or through hike a trail or two someday. But that will have to wait, and that's okay. Some things are more important than our own desires, and that is what humbles me.
Good for you.
Please, what is the name of your gear company again? The sun hoodie looked perfect!
I wish I could do any other long trails like in USA but Im in UK and have a small baby so balance is the key, as you said. I love outdoors etc but 2 weeks was enough for me to reset and to West Highland Way and Great Glen Way here in Scotland, you been here and know how super stunning it was but also challenging.
Anyway nice to see you ok and happy.
I hope I do PCT one day when Im old with my daughter or something like that.
I was also wondering about John Muir Way in USA, but never see any videos about it or anything. He was a father of parks and saved them and I also done his trail here in Scotland coast to coast.
Regards.
Looking forward to seeing more videos. Like I told you at PCT days, your videos helped me a lot. You ever find someone deserving of that sun hoody?
~S
I hope you're enjoying getting out on the trail with friends and family without the pressure to create content. Being on the trail is a way to relieve pressure for me, and I hope it is for you as well now.
Im still with you bro.
Such an amazing person you are…in a good way !
You're so kind. Thank You ❤️
Always enjoy your videos even though you're ruined. ❤
If you eat cake everyday .... you're going to get sick of cake.
It's important to recognize when it's time to mix things up. There's this concept of balance - which isn't about balance every day - it's about balance over time. So you can be intense for a few weeks on one topic, but then switch things up. Sounds like you are finding the right pace to match your desired life.
Hope you can take time for your wife ‘Mr Snuggles’. Bless you👍🙏❤️
Wait !! Back up a minute !! You're a Nick ???? Woo-hoo !!! #Namesake 😁
Never knew your name was Nic, you were always Darwin.
Nic, actually. 😉
@@DarwinOnthetrail fixed
It strikes me that you've grown up quite a bit; I watched your older videos. This is life experience which us older people pick up slowly. Take it from me (I know), don't work too hard.
Wait. Did you say your name is actually Nick?
😍
I enjoy being a "low key" east coast bee.
felt the stress and stopped watching awhile ago, i appreciate this clarity.
Don't blame you, honestly
Love your sincerity, like those short video format! You’re one the reason why I started to hike couple of years ago, thank you again! You ruined my life for the better 🤠
Glad to hear it!!! 😂
Glad to see you again.We have missed you.I am happy things are better with your friends and wife.
boy does this make sense. I always wondered how content creators deal with the constant "chore" of producing videos and what it feels like to them to go camping or hiking vs us who do it at our leisure. good call taking that break and changing how you do it.
I remember watching you on the pct. You were a big inspiration for me to start overnight hiking short lived because i lost control of a drug habit. Im now here trying to see if its something i may want to get back into. My mom saved my trekking poles while i was in the streets in case one day i got better and got back to hiking. Alot has changed in my life now but im also now clean for almost a year now. I miss being in nature and ive gained so much weight im kinda worried i dont have the energy for it all anymore but idk. Anyways just stopping by and subscribing since im back myself lol. Take care ✌️
Hiking and Jiu Jitsu.. js
Congratulations so much on your recovery! One day and one mile at a time.
@@rebeccawest8973 thank you 🙏🥲
I think the tour divide ruined my life this summer. As a guy with a day job I miss the autonomy of being able to move/eat/sleep whenever and wherever I wanted to.
Yeah... Adventures like that will definitely do it to ya!
The evolution continues. Looking forward to seeing the new adventures. So pumped you are finishing up the CDT videos. I had hoped there was going to be a time when you were ready to tell the rest of that story.
Can't wait to see all the new, and different content. Watching you "evolve" has been an inspiring journey!
I appreciate that!
My PCT hike this year may have ruined my life as well. It’s been a month since I touched the terminus. I’m still processing what happened on my 5-month journey and figuring out what my new post-trail life is going to be. Very confusing and humbling right now.
20 years in the military. Iraq. My late wife was healthy 8 years...then lupus, brutal car accident, & cancer that took her 8 years after that. Single parenting a daughter. Being an unemployed bread winner during the Great Recession. My own health challenges. & on & on. Life is often brutal.
I'm glad you're emerging from your encounter with darkness. :-) I'm glad your marriage is still intact & you still have friends. Keep laughing at yourself. Have thick skin when reading the comment sections some days. Be good to yourself - mind, body, & soul. Smile. :-)
Thank you for being an escape when I can't be out on a trail or in the outdoors myself...you've got a lot of artistic talent. Thanks, Darwin/Nick! :-)
What a beautiful post sorry for your loss.❤
Staying true to yourself is one of the most difficult things to do. So glad you are doing what is best for *you* and your family! ❤
It really is! Learning balance is a tough thing sometimes, but much needed
Great video. We’re all human, and we need to respect what you need to do to live your best life. That being said…I’m thrilled you’re back with whatever content you offer.
Props to you for honoring your wife 😊
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much. For being so consistently and rigorously honest with us all. Yours is a beautiful journey to witness.
We are all now looking forward to the remaining CDT footage, that is going to be a gift!appreciate you taking the time xxx
Can't wait to finally share the rest of the CDT with you guys! ❤️
Too much of a good thing, even your passion, is not good! I feel you so much. I'm passionate and love my job but I'm so burnt out on it. I'm quitting in April, and leaving to backpack in europe at 37.
WOW! Have an amazing journey!
Darwin : I got burnt out on hiking
Me in my Will Farrell voice : YOU DON'T SAY THAT !!!! 😂 lol....
ua-cam.com/video/C3LfkRzyLbU/v-deo.htmlsi=SBYxp22hCFRz8mH0
I’m down in Phoenix, not far away. You should get into Paramotoring. Great community from flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix and even southern Utah.
It would be a new challenge. Plus: Paracamping!
Really enjoyed this open honest format, and yes one can get burnout from anything great if you have it long enough. I always say at some point everyone will get sick or eating steak ( if their a meat eater lol ). Enjoyed seeing you again at PCT trail days and excited for you in terms of your new gear company and your current and future products. I’m also looking forward to watching the rest of your CDT hike. Cheers Marmalade
Seems like many of your videos lately are personal testimonials including burnout, with a lot of stress on your face. Screw the algorithm and UA-cam pressures, turn off monetization (?) and better enjoy your chosen lifestyle. So many UA-camrs come to the same realization. The viewers like me don't give a damn about missing gaps of time.
I love to share ALL of my outdoor & creative experiences here on the channel. We tend to live in a world where sharing deep thoughts about mental health is looked down on, but I think we all go through it & it's good to put it out there to let others know that they aren't alone in their struggles. 😉❤️
Nick, I so appreciate and admire the vulnerability of your offering here. This is rare on backpacking UA-cams! The subject of who we are as rising out of what we do, and also what we do rising out of who we are is of great interest to me. When I was in my late 20s, I made an enormous change in my life and hiked the Appalachian Trail as a way of leaving one thing behind and arriving in another whole season of my life. That was about 45 years ago and now I am preparing to hike the CDT in 2025 through New Mexico for my 70th birthday. Between those two hikes, I married, raised a family, gave my life away through volunteerism, and finally developed a professional life. Now I have retired from that and am so excited to get back to thru-hiking. But I have a very different body at age 70 than I did at age 28. And gear has changed a great deal. So I am determined not to hike the CDT the way I hiked the AT. It’s no longer about making miles. Now I hike as a pilgrim.
Thank you again for the vulnerability of your story. All the best to you, as you continue to become who you are at core. Canyon Elder
A long time ago I first heard you say "Embrace the suck"... that has stuck with me and I thank you for it.
It seems you have taken it to the next level. Best of luck!
I've definitely embraced the suck as best I can over the last few years. Thanks for the support!
Nick, good for you. You live and learn…
Always! That's the greatest thing about life!
Thanks for being real! You don’t see that often these days. I loved this ❤
I appreciate that.
Your honesty is what has kept me coming back to your channel. I’ve always struggled with trying to out do what I’ve already done. Lately it’s the question I’ve been asking myself the most while on trail. Why do I do this. Why is pushing further and bigger important to me. The answered I’ve recently reflected on is it’s not. It was about feeding my insecurity. What keeps me coming back are the people I’m with and the experiences I get to share with my wife and kids. Appreciate your vulnerability. Hope to see you on trail one day
Every man goes through at least one desert experience in their life. It's a season when they try to gain perspective, and many times, try to find oneself. I am glad to hear that you found perspective and what you find valuable in life. I too went through a period where I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue my life passion after some difficult experiences. I came around to it because I was finding that it was a benefit to others. Through that I rediscovered my passion in a new way. I have always appreciated your videos and am glad to hear you are finishing strong on the CDT videos.
Immediately remembered your "How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life". Great story 😎👍
😎
thanks nick(darwin)
Thank you for sharing your adventures through the years. Glad to hear you are taking time for your family, friends and yourself. The best of luck on the new journey.
Incredibly heartfelt and introspective description of what you have been going through on your personal journey. A journey that continues as you see yourself and who you are in the world in a new way. Look forward to seeing you experience this new life after the CDT.
Amazing story! Outdoor hiking experiences can definitely "ruin our lives for the better" in a lot of ways!
Love hearing these reflections from you. A lot of content creators stay on the rollercoaster of chasing engagement and likes for far too long in my opinion, and I admire your ability to step away when you needed to. Making videos can be great when it's coming from an authentic place, but when you're burnt out and/or searching for something to share just to keep the algorithm going, I can imagine it feels hollow. On my own thru hikes I often thought of how tedious and tough it must be to feel like you have to document every little moment perfectly! I hope you find lots of fulfillment in whatever adventures lay ahead for you - as Nick and Darwin.
It took me way too long in life to learn that one thing should not identify ones identity. It always leads to burnout and jadedness. I'm in such a better mindset in life having a variety of things and not focused on a chase.
You ruined my life but glad you did. Was doing running and mud runs but body was getting wrecked and burned out. Needed a release so started hiking. Just casually but after seeing you and many others do long trails Ive decided that I must atleast attempt 1 thru hike before life is to late. Im older married with adult kids and havent gotten that early life break as I went from high school to marriage and kids. Im burned out in life. In work. In society. I need a break Hopefully 6 months on trail will humble me and make me believe in society again. Thank you for all youve done for the community. For me.
I really appreciate your openness and sincerity. I have gotten so wrapped up in creating content that I too have neglected my own personal life and had to take a step back for a few months. It becomes very consuming and it's kind of like an addiction really. But I try to keep a good balance, and remember that creating adventures is just a hobby, and my faith, family and friends are more important than making UA-cam videos. Thanks for the video, it reminded me again to focus on keeping things in proper perspective. God bless!
Wow! You pretty much summed up my current mindset.
Early 2015, we were RWRing 50 miles a week and I was preparing for the World Handball Championships in Canada when I contracted a systemic MRSA infection that paralyzed my legs. After nearly death, and being told I might never fully recover I began counting aided steps, then miles, then completed the Triple Crown of thru-hikes and as of today have logged 19,350 miles.
I was hellbent on showing anyone and everyone that I could overcome the MRSA paralysis and the following year, esophageal cancer.
This year (age 76) I’ve slacked, lacking the enthusiasm of the past 8 years logging only 760 hiking/backpacking miles and 800 cycling miles. I’ve tried and succeeded at times this year to get back at it, but life seems to have gotten in the way.
Darwin what is the best date to start the CDT southbound? I will
be hiking it in 2024. And it was fun to meet you on the AT
in 2020, Even thou I bugged you too much get you picture, thank-you for being patient with all your fans.
Nick!? Never would have guessed that. Youth is for figuring out life. Kudos for being brave, taking chances and enjoying life to the fullest. In the end family, friends and experiences are what it is all about.
Good for you brother. Do what's right for you and your family. Love all your videos.
Mate, your gear company name & your trail name give it away. You have to evolve & if that means not doing what you have been doing, so be it. I’m loving the Ranger btw. Used it on the Camino this year, really great pack. Take care
I’m glad you’re back doing videos. I enjoy them. I humbled myself on Tuesday doing a hike. I fell and cracked 2 ribs. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to hike. I guess I need to stop admiring the trees in the forest and start paying attention to where I’m walking and bring my trekking poles.