Thru-Hiking the Sheltowee Trace Ep. 6: Through the Red River Gorge
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Part 6 of my northbound solo thru-hike of the Sheltowee Trace in May, 2017.
The Sheltowee Trace is a 324-mile trail that runs (in the direction I'm hiking) from the Southern Terminus at the Burnt Mill Bridge Trail Head in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, through Cumberland Falls and the Red River Gorge, then eventually to the Northern Terminus beyond Morehead, Kentucky.
For the previous episodes, see this playlist: bit.ly/2rvAZA0
My hiking philosophy: When backpacking alone, I often view long-distance hiking as a fitness challenge, just as I view running marathons. I am not concerned with running or hiking faster than other people. Rather, I am focused on exceeding my personal best performances or challenging myself in new ways.
That's certainly true of my Sheltowee Trace thru-hike. It is also true of the videos I made about the hike. While I brought all of my outdoor backpacking skills to bear in trying to finish the hike safely, my focus in preparing this series of videos was less outdoor backpacking skills than the physical challenges presented by hiking long distances each day. I talk much more about the condition of my feet than what backpack I'm using.
For those interested in my personal backpacking techniques, I'd recommend my series of videos about my thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail in 2016. See bit.ly/29391VX. In that series, I tried to focus on a different aspect of my personal technique in each video, e.g., water purification, navigation, my sleep system, foot care, etc.
To prepare for my Sheltowee Trace thru-hike, I hiked on trails and ran on roads. I also lifted weights and regularly attended yoga classes. In the months leading up to the hike, I worked up to running consecutive 10-mile days, then tapered to 6 miles daily. I also ran the Fiery Gizzard Trail for 20 miles (10 miles out and back and using the Dog Hole detour around the rockiest portions of the trail).
At the start of my Sheltowee Trace hike, I was 20 pounds lighter than I was the year before when I started my thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Last year, I took more than a month to complete the Benton MacKaye Trail. My personal challenge was to do the Sheltowee Trace (a comparable distance) in 17 days.
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I'm so glad you took the time to check out the Bridge.
There are over 100 of them in the Gorge.
My wife and I have seen ALMOST all of them.
One of our favorite places!
this series has been awesome
Thanks a lot, appreciate it!
Thanks for commenting!
Thanks again for sharing what you are walking through, it's like being there with you.
Glad you like the videos, thanks!
Great job hanging in there! Great accomplishment!
Thanks, appreciate it!
Very much enjoying your hike, thanks for sharing. My daughter lives in Ohio and we have visited the Red River Gorge, where I found out about the Sheltowee Trace. Since I have done the PCT two times and the CDT I look forward to exploring the Sheltowee Trace in the future....lots more water on that trail than I am used to! Hope your shin healed up, been there, done that one!
Thanks for the comment! I'm back now and my shin is back to normal -- I'm running again in the afternoon. It took a week for the swelling and pain to go away, which was a lot longer than I expected. That's awesome about the PCT and CDT. I checked your channel to see if you did any videos--looks like the answer is no. I'm planning to do the AT next year. I can't decide whether to make videos or not. Everyone is doing it now--it seems like there isn't much to add. But maybe I'm just burnt out on videos at the moment . . .
I'm watching out of sequence, but enjoying them just the same.
It looks like a lovely place to hike. Those arches are spectacular.
Really great video Evan....love it :-))
Thanks, appreciate it!
You are amazing!! This is one tough adventure! The issue with your shin makes it a lot more difficult. Then add the wet weather and soggy trails to it all... Good Luck completing the thru-hike.
Thanks! This trail really through a lot at me, that's for sure . . .
I was about to turn the computer off when this popped up, so coffee made I feel I made the right decision to not run my errands right away.
I really admire your courage and stamina to fight through the pain barrier, when I know so many including myself that would say enough was enough.
The Kentucky farmland you were passing through looks a lot like my area of the UK, I can see why so many left and settled there from here. :)
Thanks, nice comment! Interesting point about the settlers--that's definitely Scots-Irish settlement territory where I was hiking, at least very long ago . . .
I'm kind of disappointed that you didn't show more of the forrest before rt15 in between whittleton. That's been my favorite part so far. It's completely different from the rest of the surrounding forest. Great job on finishing! I hope to do a through hike someday. I love this trail!
Thomas Sizemore Thanks for the comment! I definitely couldn’t include everything in these short videos. Good luck on your own thru-hiking ambitions and if you do it, please try to make videos!
Tough break about your shin. Glad your feet are healing up. Red River gorge is beautiful, from the videos I've seen of Tim's. I hope to hike it some day. Looking forward to seeing the epic conclusion. I appreciate you sharing your journey with us. Take care bro. -ATB Adam 🐢
I appreciate your watching! Yeah, the shin was tough. Much harder to walk through shin pain than blister pain . . .
fist off that sign for "warning dangerous cliffs" was awesome, just looked funny to me. How many people have to be told NOT to fall off a cliff ? Fantastic area and I have to say what a trooper.
My wife laughed at that sign too. As always, thanks for watching and commenting!
This thru hike was really great to watch!! I haven't watched all of your AT one, but this one seems way more personal and a lot more unique. The AT has a lot of youtubers/hikers that do it or at least try. This path also looked a lot more fun and interesting IMO.
Oh yea! looks like you're getting right with the trail now buddy, looking forward to the wet and sloppy finish.
Glad you watched and commented on this series, Jaxx--thanks much!
Evan I section hiked the Trace last year and the brutal road walks on either side of the KY River gave me anterior tibial tendonitits too. I could take a couple of weeks off though! Ice and ibuprofen. And bourbon. Props and thanks for making videos of your trip.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope to never get tendonitis again!
You are hanging tough Evan, keep up the good work.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Even with the shin problems I think your more happy and enjoying the trail more after getting a zero. Of course your feet feeling better helps. Great job so far. 😆
Thanks so much! As always, thanks also for watching and commenting . . .
You are one Tough Hombre!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I've been up to Natural Bridge before but not on top (time constraints). Also to the Red River Gorge. Think I hiked part of the Sheltowee Trace w/o realizing it. That bridge over the Red River looked familiar in any case. Every time I've been in that area the Red River has looked muddy. My Dad lives close to the southern end of the parkway so I often go to the Gorge when I'm visiting him, or stop in there on my way to/from (hence, the time constraints). As usual, great video. Tough hiking that far with your shin the way it was. Looking forward to the rest...
I definitely want to go back to the Red River Gorge area. There were trails everywhere and it looks like a fun place to explore. It's a drive from Nashville, but not any farther than the Smoky Mountains . . .
Tons of trails there for sure. Some lead to fantastic overlooks, others to more arches and bridges, some just pleasant walks in the woods or along streams and the river. Really fun place to explore.
I can't even imagine....
you're doing an incredible job! I'd of quit by now. Good for you!
Crappy trails!!! Sure are spoiled here in smokies. Wonder if they just aren't used a lot (except for atv s!!! Ugh)
Loved the beautiful fields and farmland! Wow! Quilt square on barn and the wild rose was gorgeous! Mountain laurel...
Have you seen much wildlife? I see the bear sign and I know the snakes from previous videos, just wonder. Wonder what you hear at night if you hear coyotes etc
Proud of you. Take care. Thanks for sharing
I usually talk about wildlife in my videos but didn't this time. I saw a lot of very skittish deer and turkey. Snakes and turtles, of course. I didn't hear any coyotes. I didn't see any bears or even any signs of bears.
If you are even a little unsure of heights, definitely start it at 2:49 for an OH-SHIT!! moment. ;)
Excellent video. Take care, Al
Thanks, appreciate it!
I've had shin splints before and I know that 22 miles was painful, I couldn't have done it. Glad your blisters are better, it looked like someone else's feet. I've watched all your videos and don't remember you ever looking so emotionally and physically drained. I know walking in pain can do that to a person but from the start you never looked like you were enjoying the trail. In hindsight was that to many miles a day for your 53 year old body? I've not been to impressed with the Sheltowee Trace but the Red River Gorge was nice, looking forward to your final thoughts on it. Thanks for sharing trip, your videos are getter better and better.
You're right, I was pretty drained at times. Too many miles -- probably, for 19 days. Or perhaps another rest day in the middle? Not sure. I'm thinking about it. I also lost four pounds so I probably wasn't eating enough, even though in the two lodges I stuffed myself. I didn't share too many thoughts on the trail itself in a "review" sense in these videos, just showed some highlights. I might do a follow up but I'm very unlikely to criticize the trail. I just don't feel right doing, when so many in Kentucky are counting on it to bring people to their town (judging from all the news signs on the interstate highways). Also, a different time of year, different weather, different mileage--all contribute to one's enjoyment of a trail.
Evan, I didn't like all those road walks ,walking past people's houses, and barking dogs. If Kentucky wants more tourist they need to fix this, I know you talked briefly about it in one of your videos. Thanks for responding.
You're exactly right. Those are the three big problems with the trail. Before I started, I was really worried about walking past houses in the country and encountering people who didn't want me there. To be honest, I never got comfortable with that, even though I think people are accustomed to hikers by now. The trail has been there a long time. I didn't like the dogs either, although I never had any large ones come at me. Maybe that was just luck. And the road walks . . . There is something about hot roads with a backpack that my body doesn't like. Not to mention that's its very, very dangerous.
"nossir, i aint never been lost. but i was a might bewildered for a few weeks one time." --Daniel Boone
That's a good quote! I was just reading a book about Native Americans in the east and there were a few pages on Daniel Boone. His story is very interesting. Of course, I should know it already, as I lived most of my life in St. Louis and as kids, we'd take school field trips to the "Daniel Boone House," where he lived in his later years. Maybe you've got to be older to appreciate certain things . . .
that's right, I recall when reading Stephen ambrose's book on lewis and clark he mentioned that an elderly Daniel boone was there in the st. Louis area and was among the people to see them off on their adventure. I imagine he wished he was young enough to go with them.
I have been enjoying your Sheltowee trip. I understand you are going back to the GSMNP soon. Have fun and say hi to Mr. Taylor.
I certainly will! Thanks for watching.
Just started watching your videos a couple of days ago and I'm hooked. I like your transparent, straightforward approach. My wife and I plan to section Hike this trail SOBO. Keep up the great work! We also hike the RR Gorge regularly.
Great, hope you enjoy the thru-hike! And consider the Benton MacKaye Trail for a thru-hike too. It's a comparable distance and a really great trail.
Looking forward to seeing you make it to the finish line :) How were the spider webs on the trail that time of year? I hate spiders!
You know, there really weren't a lot of spider webs hanging across the trail. I mean the kind that get in your face when you pass. The ticks were awful though--even falling out of the trees.
You are a BEAST!!!
On this trail, I often wished I was more of a best, but thanks!
@ 9:58: trail tebowing; weightless shin therapy; brilliant.
Funny comment, thanks . . .
Great video. I still don't see how you sleep on the ground with no cover like you do. You da man. You need some water shoes to take with you. You haven't said anything on the phone with me about your shin, so I'm assuming it's much better. I like how you used the water to ice it. Pretty cool. Can't wait to see you wet and sloppy. (Did that sounds okay)? Lol
Lol, that's funny. My shin took a week to get back to normal (a long time, actually, what if I'd had to continue on this trail?) but now it's fine. I'm running again . . .
I feel the same way about road hiking. It can be painful for too long. It seems like on a longer hike like this one you don't go through water with your shoes like you usually do. Is this because your shoes wouldn't dry out?
I changed my crossing methods throughout. When my feet had open sores, I was trying to keep my shoes dry. Sometimes I crossed in wet socks, sometimes barefoot. But on the last day, coming up, my blisters were healed and my shoes and feet were wet all day because of the rain . . I hiked 22 miles that day and didn't get any blisters. I generally have one round early if I'm doing a lot of miles, then when those heal, that's it.
I love your INNER COACH. I need to find mine. I also need him to help spot snakes. I am color blind so it's hard to spot.
Seems the trail passed the highlights of the Red River Gorge.
Have you tried compression socks or sleeves? I know a few prominent bloggers who are similar age and frequently wear compression socks. I also have a few friends who are hardcore trail runners, 20+ mile types, and they almost always wear lower leg compression sleeves. Might be something to consider in the future.
I saw the Superfeet comment below. I've been using blue for a few months, and honestly haven't noticed that much of a difference. I'm not sure they're worth $50, but maybe I got the wrong color or the shoe I'm wearing doesn't benefit much from an insert upgrade.
I got a compression sock for my right leg after I returned. So now I have one. I'm not sure if I'll wear it or not. I'm hoping the shin splint (which was anterior tibial tendonitis) was a fluke caused by the two 23-mile days on roads -- that's not a situation I'm likely to encounter again . . .
Dang I didn't know it was that many miles on the road, that is tough. I stopped road running because of shin splints, it is annoying.
You have to go back it’s my favorite place to go
Michelle Wells Thanks, I’m sure I will!
Hey Evan, You planning another run through Sheltowee anytime soon?
I'm hoping to hit the south terminus in about a month and hike NoBo to Morehead.
If you'd like to perhaps meet up somewhere along the way, or come with, bud... Just say the words!
I'd love to come and meet ya! Seen all your vids, kinda feel like I know you a bit already anyhow. :)
Thanks! Not up for the Sheltowee right now, but good luck with it!
@@EvansBackpackingVideosI had to ask regardless! Thank you for the well wishes though my friend, I shall think of you and the Daniel Boone story as I plod along through the muck... I'm expecting things to be a mess down that way for a good long while from all of the rain and flooding going on this year. I say bring it on! ;)
I like how you have your tarp since it’s light but what about bugs ? Don’t you get eaten alive at night ?
I use a bivy sack that zips up if I want.
Evan I know you said you're not making videos anymore, but if you ever need a hiking friend in the cohuttas, let me know.
Great, thanks!
killer scenery in this one/ sorry you are hurting but i guess it's not too bad if you could make 22 miles.
I was a little worried about doing permanent damage but my shin eventually healed up. It was anterior tibial tendonitis (my self-diagnosis).
glad it healed!
Do you use any stiffeners in your shoes? Superfeet or such?
No, I've never tried them. I have a pair of Merrell Ventilators and their hard soles tear up my feet. So I'm not sure about stiffeners . . . I know Superfeet are popular on the AT. Do you recommend them?
Late on the comments,just found you,I live in the areas you were hiking,you were in more danger out on the road than in the woods,lol copper heads are serious business,not to be taken lightly.
Thanks for the comment!