Just got back from an overnight in the Zaleski state forest where I had probably the best fire starter one could have. Over the past year I have planed out my hike to the point of making spreadsheets for each month I would be on the trail. 15 pages of stats, miles, cash, even down to the food I would buy each week. Another 8 pages with hotel and hostel plans. I don't think I ever really planed to stick to any of it. But it helped on long days when I could not get outside. Was the best feeling to burn them. I told myself then and there that I was just going to go with the flow. I still have all the info I collected for my mom. She is my support at home. But now my only plan is to get on the trail and see what trouble I can get myself into..
+Littlefoot On the trail NICE!!!!!! that is awesome you will never regret it and even though you burnt them you will remember the important info and be able to use it to make the decisions on the trail. Happy Trails "Trouble Maker"
Great series of videos. In my experience of hiking many trails i think this one nails it. I think it takes time and experience to let go of the planning urge but we all get there in the end! Good job!
That is exactly what I needed to hear. Because I have done a lot of hiking and camping I was having a really hard time figuring out how I would know that far ahead of time. I have a great support person at home and can call as I need things. Thanks again! See Ya!
+A “Blueizz” Pulley You are ready right now! this is the time that most thru-hikers are just waiting to hit the trail and to keep from going crazy they continue to nit pick every detail. If you want some more info and haven't checked out my wife's blog about mail drops here it s appalachiantrials.com/our-mail-drops-for-our-2015-at-thru-hike/ Happy Trails
Good Luck AT Hikers! We have a hard time to plan any trip over 2 days because of work. I watched one of my videos last night. It looked in the video all fun and easy. Nope we hiked through, around, jumped over mud, fallen trees, quick downpours of rain. One trail was used very little and had very few markers. That made us stop and look around. Very true a video is nothing like 10 + hours a day on the trail. Good Luck to You & Sharon on your future hiking partner! Bob
+uptrail71 ahhh you get what I mean if you put the hard depressing parts in the videos who would want to watch them! But a lot of people base there hike off of the videos that they see and when they get on the tail they cant deal with it.
this is great advice. i had a whole set up and thought it was good to go then i did a local 3 day hike and almost instantly decided i needed to make a lot of changes. if i had just gone straight to the AT with what i had i would have been stuck with ill suited equipment and forced to deal with it for the whole trip.
Great video. A summer packed with section hikes and then thru-hiking in '17!! I am going to keep watching the videos tho, as long as I have cell service....
I live vicariously through the videos I watch until I can get on the trail lol.. Hopefully I'll be able to do a section in the Max Patch, NC area in two weeks!
Awesome video, and I completely agree. I'm currently planning for a thru hike in 2019 (and by planning I mean acquiring gear and slowly testing when I have the chance) and I have read far too many tales of people getting in over their heads, and not meeting their requirements. I thought that I was a bit too lighthearted, but your video has helped me. Thank you very much!
+DisturbedB3ast your welcome! You are doing it the right way and given yourself plenty of time...Smart! Any Ideas for the topic of the next Tips From The Trial??
for some folks this is very true. There is a training time that is needed. work with your gear get to know it. put some weight on your back and walk to get the feel. Do some gym time on the stairmaster. every bit helps. It will not get all folks ready, it will give most an idea of what they can see and feel when they trully get out and hike.
+hikehunter agreed and that is the main idea that everyone is different and what may work for some may not work for others. I have heard stories of people quitting there jobs and hitting the trail the next day and then hiking all the way to Katahdin! I just don't think that will work for most people.
Great information brah! I concur, though videos are helpful, getting out on the trail is much more necessary and helpful than solely watching hiking videos.
+freakmessiah The best thing my wife and I did to prepare for the thru-hike was 115 miles on the north country trail. You get on the trail for a week and you will learn more than you ever could from your couch! Enjoy the adventures and happy trails
Loved your words. I'm afraid to attempt the trail due to some physical problems and the idea of all the complexities is overwhelming so I appreciated your thoughts. The trail is halfway across the us from me so it's not easy to try it. The only trails here are rails to trail which have no camping for the most part. I don't think I will ever get to AT but it is nice to see the tough things to deal with dealt with. Thanks
Great video! I agree with you 100%. Although, I haven't done a thru-hike, I believe that planning is important, but you must be prepared to change those plans in a moments notice. Things change on the trail and you must learn to adapt.
many years ago my car broke down in that same area you where strolling in. Long story, but 2 weeks and a whole lotta walkin in all them there parks. Good tip: if you want to be prepared for backpacking, go backpacking. unfortunately the same can't be said for marriage!
Good tips. I think part of the planning problem has too do with there being so much gear out there to choose. Things can be pretty expensive and people, I, worry I'll make the wrong choice. Have you found that there is much of a difference between brands when it comes to things like clothes or tents or sleeping bags. Ideally we'd be able to take several of each item with us to test. For example rain gear, it can range from pretty cheap to many hundreds of dollars. Was there anything you really didn't like or that could have caused you to stop the hike ?
+Dirt&Smiles I have a tips from the trail about dealing with rain and we used $1.00 plastic ponchos! Getting right into it I think there are times that get what you pay for and other times you are paying for the brand. OK deep breath.... there is a lot of gear that we didn't spend the big bucks on for ex. are gloves were dollar general gloves yeah we went through a few pairs but at least we didn't spend $50 or $100 on them. I started with a $60 pair of DeWalt insulated waterproof gloves and the first time I wore them they got wet and my hands froze so I sent them home. Wait you didn't ask about gloves. As far as clothes you are paying for brands in my opinion. One thing that the high end brand offer is that for the most part they are made to last but the AT is going to destroy them anyways. So when it comes to your puffer jacket a $50-$100s will do the trick you don't need a $300 ultra light puffer. Hiking shorts and pants can be any athletic were NO cotton you want them to dry quick and breath. Tents on the other hand you may want to go mid grade cheap WILL break mid way $200ish will do fine our REI passage two worked great and still is in ok shape. After that you pay more the lighter they get. Sleeping bags are another I would not go cheap but go midgrade $100-$200 should get you something that works this will land you with a synthetic witch on the AT I think is smart due to the wet. The only piece of gear that I when top tier for is my pack the Osprey Aether 60. Main reason was that they have a lifetime warranty and there customer servies is top notch. Also your pack gets abused the most and if you go cheep you may have problems. GASP!! ok theres my two cents let me know if you have any other questions. Happy trails
+Roger Smith Hiking the AT was my adventure and when we finished I told Sharon that It was her turn to choose the next adventure. She chose a baby! Asher Thomas was born 6 weeks ago. So now the PCT will have to wait until I hear those words" Dad will you hike the PCT with me!!" Happy Trails
Thank you for the advice. I agree - I need to get off my fat ass and get out there and hike and camp. Let me just watch a few more videos first......... :)
+BetweenTheBlazes Well I just got out of a meeting with my boss. He's a politician and up for reelection. He asked if I would stay on. I agreed. There's a chance his opponent won't qualify. I would then be able to retire in June. That's not enough time. It looks like 2017. Disappointed
I will give my .02 people in the videos I see "not sure if I need this-- going to take it anyway--- I will just throw it in a hiker box". that thought process is what needs changing. If you think it "might" be needed better to leave off and have sent to you then to carry in the beginning. Within 2 weeks you will know what the heck is going on it took me 3 months to figure it out -didn't have the wealth of info we do these days- and by that time; it was too late! started June 14 ended second week of December I was afraid to go through the smokies that late in the year. I did walk through 2 weeks of rifle season in Virginia that was insane. I want to go again 25 years later and start from the south! Right in the beginning you find out its a run in the woods from town to town with as little as possible on your back. The more you carry the more you work! the more food you have the more energy needed to carry that food! its a crazy balance act all the way to the next town! Be prepared to be mentally broken lol wet from head to toe with no end in site no matter how much money you spent on gear it all gets damp/wet sometimes days on end! every bone in the body bitching at you! feet so sore that once the endorphin's kick in and you don't feel your feet life is good. '91 ME-VA/TN border
+Bob I agree with you there is no need to take something you might use. You should take the things you will use and with technology these days if you need it you can have it sent to you. Thanks for the input and Happy Trails
I definitely feed off the videos right now. Still trying to convince my husband and family to let me take time away and do this FOR ME. It's so hard that I finally have the time, but can't do it because I'm needed as a wife and "mom" to my dogs. I have everything but my sleeping bag and tent--just waiting for the ok and I'll pull the trigger and buy them and get out on the trail. It's hard when your spouse is your partner in crime and joined at the hip to go on a huge adventure without them, but I want this for me, one selfish thing.
+iamfirelust You are in a really hard position but hang in there. My one bit of advice is you never know when life is going to throw you a curve ball it might not be this year or in ten years but don't give up. I had planned to do the hike 2 times before and the plans fell through it just wasn't the right time. From the moment at the age of 15 I dreamed that I would hike the AT it was 16 years before I took my first step on the trail. Don't give up on your dream and one day you will be standing on Katahdin. Happy Trails
It varies up the trail. Verizon is over all better. We had AT&T and the coverage was quite pore in the south but got better north of Virginia. This was also in 2015 so I’m sure it has change some
There have been some thu-hikers lately hat have been able to update there Video logs daily. Which would take good service through out the whole trail. If you are wondering if you will be able to make a phone call. If you are on top of a mountain you should almost always have service. You spend lots of time on top of mountains..😉
You should be on constant lookout for rattlers on the trail. Though we never saw one and as for bears I don't think that they are as big an issue as people think as long as you take the proper precautions with your food. Towards the end we were hiking from sunup to sundown and sometimes into the night 16 hours or more! It because a way of life. Thanks for watching
Good advice, STOP watching my video! Sorry, that's some advice I won't take until you get boring. I am listening to all your other sage advice, however.
So what you are saying is what the Marines teach you, Adapt, Improvise and overcome.
Good video, Helpful and Thanks
+Chuck McMenamy Exactly!! you smell what I'm stepping in.
Just got back from an overnight in the Zaleski state forest where I had probably the best fire starter one could have. Over the past year I have planed out my hike to the point of making spreadsheets for each month I would be on the trail. 15 pages of stats, miles, cash, even down to the food I would buy each week. Another 8 pages with hotel and hostel plans. I don't think I ever really planed to stick to any of it. But it helped on long days when I could not get outside. Was the best feeling to burn them. I told myself then and there that I was just going to go with the flow. I still have all the info I collected for my mom. She is my support at home. But now my only plan is to get on the trail and see what trouble I can get myself into..
+Littlefoot On the trail NICE!!!!!! that is awesome you will never regret it and even though you burnt them you will remember the important info and be able to use it to make the decisions on the trail. Happy Trails "Trouble Maker"
Great series of videos. In my experience of hiking many trails i think this one nails it. I think it takes time and experience to let go of the planning urge but we all get there in the end! Good job!
That is exactly what I needed to hear. Because I have done a lot of hiking and camping I was having a really hard time figuring out how I would know that far ahead of time. I have a great support person at home and can call as I need things. Thanks again! See Ya!
+A “Blueizz” Pulley You are ready right now! this is the time that most thru-hikers are just waiting to hit the trail and to keep from going crazy they continue to nit pick every detail. If you want some more info and haven't checked out my wife's blog about mail drops here it s appalachiantrials.com/our-mail-drops-for-our-2015-at-thru-hike/ Happy Trails
Good Luck AT Hikers! We have a hard time to plan any trip over 2 days because of work. I watched one of my videos last night. It looked in the video all fun and easy. Nope we hiked through, around, jumped over mud, fallen trees, quick downpours of rain. One trail was used very little and had very few markers. That made us stop and look around. Very true a video is nothing like 10 + hours a day on the trail. Good Luck to You & Sharon on your future hiking partner! Bob
+uptrail71 ahhh you get what I mean if you put the hard depressing parts in the videos who would want to watch them! But a lot of people base there hike off of the videos that they see and when they get on the tail they cant deal with it.
Wicked video...thank you for sharing. Look forward to watching more!
+Tabatha Williams Thank you for watching!
Nicely done! This perspective is a comfort being only four weeks away from a northbound AT section starting in Pawling, NY. Thanks
Thanks for another great video.
+hikehunter Thank you kind sir.
this is great advice. i had a whole set up and thought it was good to go then i did a local 3 day hike and almost instantly decided i needed to make a lot of changes. if i had just gone straight to the AT with what i had i would have been stuck with ill suited equipment and forced to deal with it for the whole trip.
Great video. A summer packed with section hikes and then thru-hiking in '17!! I am going to keep watching the videos tho, as long as I have cell service....
I live vicariously through the videos I watch until I can get on the trail lol.. Hopefully I'll be able to do a section in the Max Patch, NC area in two weeks!
+Kyle Hanson Max patch is pretty awesome I'm hoping to give the 4 state challenge a try in a few weeks myself!thanks for watching happy trails
+BetweenTheBlazes Wow, that's some serious mileage! Good luck with that
Awesome video, and I completely agree. I'm currently planning for a thru hike in 2019 (and by planning I mean acquiring gear and slowly testing when I have the chance) and I have read far too many tales of people getting in over their heads, and not meeting their requirements. I thought that I was a bit too lighthearted, but your video has helped me. Thank you very much!
+DisturbedB3ast your welcome! You are doing it the right way and given yourself plenty of time...Smart! Any Ideas for the topic of the next Tips From The Trial??
for some folks this is very true. There is a training time that is needed. work with your gear get to know it. put some weight on your back and walk to get the feel. Do some gym time on the stairmaster. every bit helps. It will not get all folks ready, it will give most an idea of what they can see and feel when they trully get out and hike.
+hikehunter agreed and that is the main idea that everyone is different and what may work for some may not work for others. I have heard stories of people quitting there jobs and hitting the trail the next day and then hiking all the way to Katahdin! I just don't think that will work for most people.
Great information brah! I concur, though videos are helpful, getting out on the trail is much more necessary and helpful than solely watching hiking videos.
And it is much more fun! I would much rather hike than sit at a screen... that's why I hiked the trail in the first place! Happy Trails
Thanks again sir......gracias!!
il vostro benvenuto
the first book I read about thru hiking the AT was about 6 years ago. I plan on smaller hikes before I do it. Tahoe Rim Trail and the John Muir Trail.
+freakmessiah The best thing my wife and I did to prepare for the thru-hike was 115 miles on the north country trail. You get on the trail for a week and you will learn more than you ever could from your couch! Enjoy the adventures and happy trails
Loved your words. I'm afraid to attempt the trail due to some physical problems and the idea of all the complexities is overwhelming so I appreciated your thoughts. The trail is halfway across the us from me so it's not easy to try it. The only trails here are rails to trail which have no camping for the most part. I don't think I will ever get to AT but it is nice to see the tough things to deal with dealt with. Thanks
Love it. New subscriber. We've been spending our time on the trail in New England. Always nice to get the perspective of others.
+Just Go Backpacking Thanks for watching its awesome the people that have enjoyed our videos we never expected it!
Great video! I agree with you 100%. Although, I haven't done a thru-hike, I believe that planning is important, but you must be prepared to change those plans in a moments notice. Things change on the trail and you must learn to adapt.
+TheWalkingJerbear Edd Zackary
many years ago my car broke down in that same area you where strolling in. Long story, but 2 weeks and a whole lotta walkin in all them there parks.
Good tip: if you want to be prepared for backpacking, go backpacking.
unfortunately the same can't be said for marriage!
+Reverse Jinx Its pretty nice out there. Much better than walking around center city for miles.
Good tips. I think part of the planning problem has too do with there being so much gear out there to choose. Things can be pretty expensive and people, I, worry I'll make the wrong choice. Have you found that there is much of a difference between brands when it comes to things like clothes or tents or sleeping bags. Ideally we'd be able to take several of each item with us to test. For example rain gear, it can range from pretty cheap to many hundreds of dollars.
Was there anything you really didn't like or that could have caused you to stop the hike ?
+Dirt&Smiles I have a tips from the trail about dealing with rain and we used $1.00 plastic ponchos! Getting right into it I think there are times that get what you pay for and other times you are paying for the brand. OK deep breath.... there is a lot of gear that we didn't spend the big bucks on for ex. are gloves were dollar general gloves yeah we went through a few pairs but at least we didn't spend $50 or $100 on them. I started with a $60 pair of DeWalt insulated waterproof gloves and the first time I wore them they got wet and my hands froze so I sent them home. Wait you didn't ask about gloves. As far as clothes you are paying for brands in my opinion. One thing that the high end brand offer is that for the most part they are made to last but the AT is going to destroy them anyways. So when it comes to your puffer jacket a $50-$100s will do the trick you don't need a $300 ultra light puffer. Hiking shorts and pants can be any athletic were NO cotton you want them to dry quick and breath. Tents on the other hand you may want to go mid grade cheap WILL break mid way $200ish will do fine our REI passage two worked great and still is in ok shape. After that you pay more the lighter they get. Sleeping bags are another I would not go cheap but go midgrade $100-$200 should get you something that works this will land you with a synthetic witch on the AT I think is smart due to the wet. The only piece of gear that I when top tier for is my pack the Osprey Aether 60. Main reason was that they have a lifetime warranty and there customer servies is top notch. Also your pack gets abused the most and if you go cheep you may have problems. GASP!! ok theres my two cents let me know if you have any other questions. Happy trails
great videos..have you guys thought of hiking the pct?..
+Roger Smith Hiking the AT was my adventure and when we finished I told Sharon that It was her turn to choose the next adventure. She chose a baby! Asher Thomas was born 6 weeks ago. So now the PCT will have to wait until I hear those words" Dad will you hike the PCT with me!!" Happy Trails
Thank you for the advice. I agree - I need to get off my fat ass and get out there and hike and camp. Let me just watch a few more videos first......... :)
+John Mosher Oh all right as long as there my videos! ;)
I'm sure once I start my through hike this year I will have more than an ample supply of complaining in my trail Vlogs. 52 years old with bad knees.
+Hiker63 I'm excited for you and your pain... wow that sounds awful!
+BetweenTheBlazes Well I just got out of a meeting with my boss. He's a politician and up for reelection. He asked if I would stay on. I agreed. There's a chance his opponent won't qualify. I would then be able to retire in June. That's not enough time. It looks like 2017. Disappointed
+Hiker63 Wow that's a hard hit my friend. Keep the head up and just know that you will get there.
I will give my .02 people in the videos I see "not sure if I need this-- going to take it anyway--- I will just throw it in a hiker box".
that thought process is what needs changing. If you think it "might" be needed better to leave off and have sent to you then to carry in the beginning. Within 2 weeks you will know what the heck is going on it took me 3 months to figure it out -didn't have the wealth of info we do these days- and by that time; it was too late! started June 14 ended second week of December I was afraid to go through the smokies that late in the year. I did walk through 2 weeks of rifle season in Virginia that was insane. I want to go again 25 years later and start from the south!
Right in the beginning you find out its a run in the woods from town to town with as little as possible on your back.
The more you carry the more you work! the more food you have the more energy needed to carry that food! its a crazy balance act all the way to the next town!
Be prepared to be mentally broken lol wet from head to toe with no end in site no matter how much money you spent on gear it all gets damp/wet sometimes days on end! every bone in the body bitching at you! feet so sore that once the endorphin's kick in and you don't feel your feet life is good. '91 ME-VA/TN border
+Bob I agree with you there is no need to take something you might use. You should take the things you will use and with technology these days if you need it you can have it sent to you. Thanks for the input and Happy Trails
I definitely feed off the videos right now. Still trying to convince my husband and family to let me take time away and do this FOR ME. It's so hard that I finally have the time, but can't do it because I'm needed as a wife and "mom" to my dogs. I have everything but my sleeping bag and tent--just waiting for the ok and I'll pull the trigger and buy them and get out on the trail. It's hard when your spouse is your partner in crime and joined at the hip to go on a huge adventure without them, but I want this for me, one selfish thing.
Can't husband do it too?
+Dirt&Smiles maybe a section here and there, with his vacation time. He's a Longshoreman so it's not a job you just quit. Lol
+iamfirelust You are in a really hard position but hang in there. My one bit of advice is you never know when life is going to throw you a curve ball it might not be this year or in ten years but don't give up. I had planned to do the hike 2 times before and the plans fell through it just wasn't the right time. From the moment at the age of 15 I dreamed that I would hike the AT it was 16 years before I took my first step on the trail. Don't give up on your dream and one day you will be standing on Katahdin. Happy Trails
Just how GOOD is the cell reception?
It varies up the trail. Verizon is over all better. We had AT&T and the coverage was quite pore in the south but got better north of Virginia. This was also in 2015 so I’m sure it has change some
There have been some thu-hikers lately hat have been able to update there Video logs daily. Which would take good service through out the whole trail. If you are wondering if you will be able to make a phone call. If you are on top of a mountain you should almost always have service. You spend lots of time on top of mountains..😉
oh this burning beard I have come undone...it's just as I feared I have come undone...😉😉😉😉😉
How about snakes?.....bears?.....I do walk average 4hrs a day....urban walk......I do not think I cn take 8-10-12 hrs a day.....cot a clubfoot.....
You should be on constant lookout for rattlers on the trail. Though we never saw one and as for bears I don't think that they are as big an issue as people think as long as you take the proper precautions with your food. Towards the end we were hiking from sunup to sundown and sometimes into the night 16 hours or more! It because a way of life. Thanks for watching
hey i would love to meet up with you
+MrCarzyboy21 where? when?
Chads ford ???
I don't know where that is?
Do you know where Claymont delawere
You can contact my channels number that i have set up and i will give you my personal number you can text me at 518-318-1339
@ 4:10 you are walking on asphalt, that is a path not a trail....lol still you are out and about....
+hikehunter In Philly I don't have much choice and to make it worse I walked 7.5 miles to get to that path in the woods!!
Good advice, STOP watching my video! Sorry, that's some advice I won't take until you get boring. I am listening to all your other sage advice, however.
+Stephen Wright Thanks I keep coming up with more and more topics and ideas for videos so they wont stop anytime soon.
Hope not to step in it! Ha