Growing up on a dairy farm I spent my childhood in to the woods. I was surprised when I saw how some people treat the trail. It just doesn't make sence to me. I believe that proper treatment of the trail is contagious. So I always try to lead by example. Happy Trails
swimming ear plugs FTW great noise blockers. Though I am the one snoring LOL FANTASTIC video!! I always add as many dead leaves as I can under the tent for insulation and take my heal and dig a small moat around me
+Twinville2 Thanks! I have noticed that I forgot a few thing but looking through the comments I see that people have started to fill in the gaps which is really cool.
Great tips....water is usually near the shelter too. I plan on staying in the vicinity of the shelters to be near water and the company I choose. Keep the information coming. Thanks
It is one of the best experiences I have ever had and I recommend it to everyone. If you haven't you may enjoy our Vlog of the trail ua-cam.com/video/0JJ8ptjd_jg/v-deo.html
Hey Viking! Thanks for another great video with lots of excellent advice and listen up all you folks planning to hike the AT this guy knows his stuff... he's been out there and knows. Thanks again and looking forward to more vids
Thank you! Coming from the west coast I have been reading about shelters, huts, and lean-tos my whole hiking life, but have never seen one. This video gives a great overview and settles in my mind that yes, I do want to use shelters if they're nice and uncrowded. If not nice or crowded (or crowded with not-nice mice) I definitely want to have a very comfortable backup plan (not just a bivy!)
My daughter recently read about the AT and wanted to know about the shelters. This was an excellent video and it answered all our questions. Thank you for sharing.
Humm, I did not hear why Nathan (?identity) has the angel, to identify as a trail angel perhaps? Or that he has earned his hiking wings (seems a pin of hiking boots or trail runners would be more appropriate)
Ahh, memories. I first visited the Rocky Run Shelter in the Fall of 1970 at age 21, fresh out of the army, full of vim and vinegar. It looks exactly the same. Says something for the hard work of the PATC volunteer who cares for this one. I took my girlfriend (now my wife of 43years!), on an overnighter to this shelter in 1971. Somewhere past the Rocky Run Shelter going up Lambs Knoll, in a constant steady downpour, she said, "Enough is enough!", and turned right (west) and walked off the mountain, over my protestations that it would be quicker to head back north. And that is how I was introduced to my wife's incredible willpower (stubbornness?smile).. Our 1st argument? (Smile). And will you look at that new shelter! Wowser! She would have been very happy in this new one! Over the decades I guess I have been in that shelter 15+ times. I used to stop on Reno Monument road on the way home from work, and run in and out for a short run on the way home. I took my boys onto the trail in the early 1980's and this was our destination a few times. I last was there in 2011 I believe. I'm retired in GA now, many leagues from MD. I am exploring new areas now. The Pinhoti Trail which was originally envisioned as being part of the AT. Great job on this shelter tutorial. Very insightful and educational. Wish I knew how to access your other AT tutorials. I am tech challenged to some degree. I have no facebook, nor twitter, but I am comfortable with Emails. If anyone know how to access more of these "Tips From The Trail", feel free to send me an email.Thanks. Greenbeany67
Wow thanks for the story! I love to hear stories form the trail and how It has changed peoples lives. I would love to tell you my thru- hike story and luckily I have a video series that will show you the whole thing. I know that you said that you are not that tech-savvy but you can find all my videos here ua-cam.com/channels/xjBOskEFXJ-TT3SnaV06Xg.html this is my UA-cam channel. If you look farther down the page you will see my playlist and that's where the videos are sorted so if you want the "Tips from the trail" or "To Katahdin" which was our thru-hike then you just click on the playlist you want. If you have any other questions please let me know or if you just want to swap stories you can email me at tokatahdin@gmail.com thanks again and Happy Trails
+David Nutty As far as I know these have all been taken down except the last one in the Smokey's. Some people thought that it allowed them to feed the bears through the fence and as you can imagine that created more problems!
When my grandpa and I thru hiked the AT in the late sixties, we avoided the shelters for the mice and virus' . Unless it was pouring rain when we wrapped up our day, we usually set up a tarp, got underneath it and then figured out how to set up our canvas tent. Can't believe the pack weights we endured back in those days! Thanks for sharing. Greg
+Greg Stritch Wow! Part of me would have loved to hike the trail years ago. But then I'm not sure I would have wanted any more pack weight than I had. How else do you thing the trail has changed? Has it gotten easier or harder?
+BetweenTheBlazes Thanks for the kind note. Except that I'm almost sixty now, the AT is much easier I think. Various guide books offer a detailed look at what to expect and where to find water and re-supply. Finished a 36 month sectioned hike last year and noted how many more friends there were on the trail to share the experience. It could have been many days I between seeing folks on the trail back in 1969. The equipment is so much better today as well. Carried Boy Scout equipment back then. Canvas tent, leather frame pack. Wool blanket and scout sleeping bag, metal canteens etc..base weight near 35 lbs. Now with Cuben fiber tarp and pack, ultra-light hammock and down quilts, nano tech clothing and light weight gas stove, base weight at 14 lbs! Yep, life is good on the AT these days, even for an old coot like me! So enjoyed your videos. Thanks for sharing. Greg
Good advice. 2018 NOBO, one of the first things after retirement. If you ever get a chance to come to the Oklahoma/Arkansas area and hike the northern Ozark Highlands Trail or the more southern Ouachita hiking trail you can see some scenic landscape. 100th like
Take a couple of light wooden, mouse traps for the shelter mice. Peanut butter is a great bait. My buddy had them run over his face and chew holes in his sleeping bag during his thru hike.
Great Tips Thank You :) Noticed that you had the Spot near your shoulder and I just wanted your advice on that and how it works and how much the months plan is?
I do the hammock thing. The hard boards can be bad for the back. The ninja mice can really get bad. I only do a shelter if the weather is bad and I need a little extra protection. Some of the shelters have a fire place and can make it a little bit homey. The picinc tables at shelters can make making meal time easyer.
Loved your video and Im wanting to do a section hike and would like to do the Smokies but they dont allow tents unless shelters are full so wonder if I went during March and April I could pitch a tent. I hate mice and I snore badly:)
You are aloud a tent at the first shelter but after that the strongly encourage the shelters because of bear. I don't think that March or April are going to be any different, now if you are thinking about going when there are a lot of people so that the shelters are full more often then you may want to wait a bit and go in May. the "bubble"(largest group of thru-hikers) leaves Springer mid March to mid April. It took us 20 days or so to reach the Smokey's So by waiting until May I think thats when they would be at the busiest and you would have a better chance for full shelters. You also could stealth camp (though this is fround opon and the smokey's is constantly patrolled by ridge runners who will tell you to get to a shelter) and we had a friend that did and he tells an exciting story about being circled by bear all night. As far as the mice, yeah they will be there but I would not worry about the snoring you wont be the only one and a lot of hikers carry ear plugs. If you want to be super nice bring some extra ear plugs with you. Hope this was helpful and let me know if you have any other questions Happy Trails
+Karen Moore Was just talking with my wife and she reminded me that it is ok to tent at the shelters if they are full IF you are a thru-hiker. Otherwise you have to reserve spots at shelters. You should check into this to make sure.
Lots of good points. Everything from no graffiti to the golden rule in hiking/camping etiquette. Do not agree with the pitching tents in shelters though, that is a no no.
I got a tickle out of your talk about the mice and an open pack and pockets. Yes , the open pack and pockets is the only way to go but there is one more thing to do. My buddy and I had our packs open for the nightly inspection and during the night you could hear the mice moving around. Morning arrived and we started packing the packs. WOW , Back Up , dump the stuff out of the bag. Out comes the stuff and in the bottom of my buddies pack is this small mouse that got in there during the night but did not leave. From then on if there was even a remote possibility of a mouse in the area we would turn the packs upside down to make sure there wasn't any small , fury , hitchhiker in there.
It did work well. There is a bit of a learning curve to set up and tracking. You also have to have a view of the sky witch is sometimes difficult in the woods. We did not use it to track our every step but as a way of sending messages home when there was no cell service. We would send a message every morning and night. These are marked on a map that people can follow.
Hello there! What a shame you haven't been around on the AT in 2007 and 2008 when I did my two thruhikes. God, I would have loved to meet you on the trail for your awesome humour and personality. I am enjoying your videos so much that I can't keep from bursting out with laughing. You are doing a great great job for the AT and I am so grateful that you do not only provide great and really valuable tips for everybody who wants to get on a extended hike there, you also have a very nice way to remind us hikers to preserve the trail, too, while we enjoy hiking it. So thanks a bunch for your great work in these videos! Happy Trails to you wherever you may venture in the future! Alpine Strider from Bavaria, Germany; GA-ME '07, ME-GA '08
Your welcome! I never imagined what would happen when I started putting these videos together. At first it was just for family and friend to follow us. It is amazing the following we have had and the people we have met. I love this community and making videos. I hope to keep making them for a long time. thank you for watching and Happy Trails
It all depends on the time of the year. Most of the time your odds are good that there will be room in the shelters but in the busiest part hiking season there is a good chance that a shelter will be full. I never count on the shelter and always carry a shelter just in case. As for potable water NO many shelter will have a spring near by but you should always filter your water before drinking. Hope this was helpful let me know if you have anymore questions. Happy Trails
I've only section hike ga i plan to thru hike in future but the worst shelter ever is blood mountian push on to the hostel I'm sure there others bad to
We used a Spot Gen 3 GPS and no we didn't have the trail programmed. We have a very basic plan we were able to send a generic message "We are in for the night and OK" to our families and had a emergency button but that was it.
In this video I was hiking from Pennmar park to Harpers ferry. Where I turned around and attempted to do a winter 4 state challenge. If you are not familiar it is from Virginia to Pa 4 states and 43 miles in under 24 hours. I have a 5 part video series of the attempt. Here is the link to the first video ua-cam.com/video/c11VJh6X9nE/v-deo.html
+Bill Frye We used AWOL's guide and it has a lot of info on the shelters. Location, how many the sleep, wether the have water/privy and anything else you need to now.
Just a reminder,as well as good people the trail is full of loud,obnoxious,jerks--When in doubt, use your tent--Hike your own hike --don't let it be ruined.
A tent or shelter should not be giving you warmth..that's what the sleeping bag is for..if you try to seal up your tent to "heat" it up..you will end up with a rain cloud of condensation inside your tent.. blocking wind is one thing,..but a tent or shelter is to keep you out of the weather NOT warm you up..thats the sleeping bags job..lol
What you say is generally true for warmer climates where moisture build up and condensation lower the insulative power of your sleepingbag. Although there are certainly situations where you do want to use your shelter for warmth, such as very cold situation. People do that sometimes by carrying along portable stoves for baker type tents or tipi tents. Besides that four season tents look great but are no fun in summer do to the total lack of ventilation. These tents sacrifice ventilation to trap air and therefore warmth for the user.
Haha! I have never camped with a hammock before but next week I'm going on a kayaking trip and testing a hammock from a new gear company for my gear raffle and review. So I hope that you are right! Happy Trails
+BetweenTheBlazes I'll be interested in your thoughts when done. once I figured out my hammock system, I rarely use my tent anymore. it's just a better sleep for me, and I've come to love sleeping off the ground. happy kayaking and thanks for posting this vid!
we started Feb 10th and to take 4 day off in Hyawasee due to below 0 temps. I would say that we were on trail for about 6 or so 0-5 degree nights. But I would prepare for plenty of nights in the teens
Though we did not see a rattle snake is it very common to see them on the trail but very uncommon to get bit. You basically have to step on them and if you are carful that should not happen. As for mice they just want your food and I really do not this anyone gets bit but they will chew holes in your gear! Happy Trails
Dawn Russo The Appalachian Trail is maintained by mainly volunteers but it is organized by the Appalachian Trail conservancy. There website is appalachiantrail.org . Each section of the trail is maintained by a different chapter I think there is 13 in all. So depending on the section of trail you hike you may want to try to contact that chapter. there is a donation option on the website appalachiantrail.org/home/ways-to-give/make-a-donation . I hope this was helpful and please feel free to as any other questions. Happy Trails
2022 update for "cons" part of the list. With people in shelters comes the increased chance of Covid and Norovirus exposure. We live in interesting times.
what a buzz kill...don't write on the shelters, don't feed the mice AND be respectful....those were some of the reasons I was going to hike the trail...😄😄😄😄😄😄😄...cheers.....hope you guys are doing well
I am not a fan of the shelters because I am a misanthropic punk rocker who doesn't rub elbows with pretentious wastoids making fools of themselves. I have no desire to share small spaces with the same idiots that are eventually going to have the trail shut down. Love your videos by the way.
Please Lookout for Brian Laundrie when any viewers are out there (warrant for his arrest- reward around $30,000) previously lived on the Appalachian Trail for 3 months!
No thanks! Save for extreme weather, even the best AT shelters are not for me. I lived the first years of my life in near third world conditions, so I have served my time. Give me a tarp and hammock away from the "Madding Crowd" any day. The same for those nasty privies. There are reasons that Norovirus and other maladies are rampant on the AT.
+COPPER_HEAD_ROAD Yeah the recording are not always the best but when you record on the trail and edit back home there are no chances for a retake so you use what you get. I will get better as time goes on. Thanks for watching and Happy Trails
Yeah made that mistake once and I may never live it down. It was first thing in the morning and I had just woke up. I won't be doing that again. thanks for watching and Happy Trails
Public Speaking Tips from Trail #7 ~ Don't make disgusting noises with your mouth while you are trying to talk. The chewing while talking ruined this. I stopped watching after the first 20 seconds because I was grossed out by dudes mouth noises.
+Danny Gentry I agree and yes there are snakes too. I don't know what would be worse a mice crawling over you at night or a snake slithering into you bag!!!
Im really enjoying your channel and learning a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience and allowing us to learn from you.
I'm glad you're one of the ones that actually respects the trail. That's so good to see nowadays.
Growing up on a dairy farm I spent my childhood in to the woods. I was surprised when I saw how some people treat the trail. It just doesn't make sence to me. I believe that proper treatment of the trail is contagious. So I always try to lead by example. Happy Trails
swimming ear plugs FTW great noise blockers. Though I am the one snoring LOL FANTASTIC video!! I always add as many dead leaves as I can under the tent for insulation and take my heal and dig a small moat around me
those are some good ideas! thanks for sharing I have never tried the moat. Happy Trails
Great Video, always enjoy your material. You guys make me laugh and that just increases the level of enjoyment.
+Jeremiah Erb Thanks its comments like these that reminds my how much I like making the videos! Happy Trails
Loved this video!! Great job! Of course all your videos rock!
+Twinville2 Thanks! I have noticed that I forgot a few thing but looking through the comments I see that people have started to fill in the gaps which is really cool.
Thanks for your video. Very informative and helpful.
Hard to believe I'm listening to all that NICE stuff these days!,.....thank you!!
Enjoyed the views of the variety of different shelters. Good video!
+Evan's Backpacking Videos thanks! We didn't use shelters that much on the trail so there are a lot more that I didn't have pictures of.
Great tips....water is usually near the shelter too. I plan on staying in the vicinity of the shelters to be near water and the company I choose. Keep the information coming. Thanks
+A “Blueizz” Pulley darn it I forgot about water too!! It never fails I always miss something! thanks!
water.....that is obvious. You talked about things people don't think of. You did a good job!
Another great video! Loving these! I hope I get to thru hike someday!!!
It is one of the best experiences I have ever had and I recommend it to everyone. If you haven't you may enjoy our Vlog of the trail ua-cam.com/video/0JJ8ptjd_jg/v-deo.html
Hey Viking! Thanks for another great video with lots of excellent advice and listen up all you folks planning to hike the AT this guy knows his stuff... he's been out there and knows. Thanks again and looking forward to more vids
I watched and enjoyed your video. Thanks.
Thank you! Coming from the west coast I have been reading about shelters, huts, and lean-tos my whole hiking life, but have never seen one. This video gives a great overview and settles in my mind that yes, I do want to use shelters if they're nice and uncrowded. If not nice or crowded (or crowded with not-nice mice) I definitely want to have a very comfortable backup plan (not just a bivy!)
nice and entertaining movies and practical Tipps looking forward to watch more of them!!
+Markus Wernli I'm looking forward to making more! thanks for watching and Happy Trails
VERY good point..thanks for posting........👌
My daughter recently read about the AT and wanted to know about the shelters. This was an excellent video and it answered all our questions. Thank you for sharing.
Good Video! It has nice to see all of the different types of shelters.
+uptrail71 and there are many many more.
from England !!! good review m8 !!!!
Thank you
Great video! Can't wait to start my hike next year!
Very nice! It's fun checking out all the different cool shelters. They seemed like club houses or forts for grown-ups. Keep doing what you're doing.
+Loner2012AT Edd Zackery! and I think the trail takes me back to my childhood when I would play in the woods. Thanks for watching
"Deal with people in the right way" That just about sums it up imo, great video with tons of info!
I like the angel pin you have. I carry a set of dog tags for the same teason
Humm, I did not hear why Nathan (?identity) has the angel, to identify as a trail angel perhaps? Or that he has earned his hiking wings (seems a pin of hiking boots or trail runners would be more appropriate)
Nice, good range of perspectives
Ahh, memories. I first visited the Rocky Run Shelter in the Fall of 1970 at age 21, fresh out of the army, full of vim and vinegar. It looks exactly the same. Says something for the hard work of the PATC volunteer who cares for this one. I took my girlfriend (now my wife of 43years!), on an overnighter to this shelter in 1971. Somewhere past the Rocky Run Shelter going up Lambs Knoll, in a constant steady downpour, she said, "Enough is enough!", and turned right (west) and walked off the mountain, over my protestations that it would be quicker to head back north. And that is how I was introduced to my wife's incredible willpower (stubbornness?smile).. Our 1st argument? (Smile). And will you look at that new shelter! Wowser! She would have been very happy in this new one! Over the decades I guess I have been in that shelter 15+ times. I used to stop on Reno Monument road on the way home from work, and run in and out for a short run on the way home. I took my boys onto the trail in the early 1980's and this was our destination a few times. I last was there in 2011 I believe. I'm retired in GA now, many leagues from MD. I am exploring new areas now. The Pinhoti Trail which was originally envisioned as being part of the AT. Great job on this shelter tutorial. Very insightful and educational. Wish I knew how to access your other AT tutorials. I am tech challenged to some degree. I have no facebook, nor twitter, but I am comfortable with Emails. If anyone know how to access more of these "Tips From The Trail", feel free to send me an email.Thanks. Greenbeany67
Wow thanks for the story! I love to hear stories form the trail and how It has changed peoples lives. I would love to tell you my thru- hike story and luckily I have a video series that will show you the whole thing. I know that you said that you are not that tech-savvy but you can find all my videos here ua-cam.com/channels/xjBOskEFXJ-TT3SnaV06Xg.html this is my UA-cam channel. If you look farther down the page you will see my playlist and that's where the videos are sorted so if you want the "Tips from the trail" or "To Katahdin" which was our thru-hike then you just click on the playlist you want. If you have any other questions please let me know or if you just want to swap stories you can email me at tokatahdin@gmail.com thanks again and Happy Trails
There are shelters that have a chain link fence covering the fourth wall, especially bear areas. You can drape a tarp on these to block wind.
+David Nutty As far as I know these have all been taken down except the last one in the Smokey's. Some people thought that it allowed them to feed the bears through the fence and as you can imagine that created more problems!
When my grandpa and I thru hiked the AT in the late sixties, we avoided the shelters for the mice and virus' . Unless it was pouring rain when we wrapped up our day, we usually set up a tarp, got underneath it and then figured out how to set up our canvas tent. Can't believe the pack weights we endured back in those days! Thanks for sharing.
Greg
+Greg Stritch Wow! Part of me would have loved to hike the trail years ago. But then I'm not sure I would have wanted any more pack weight than I had. How else do you thing the trail has changed? Has it gotten easier or harder?
+BetweenTheBlazes Thanks for the kind note. Except that I'm almost sixty now, the AT is much easier I think. Various guide books offer a detailed look at what to expect and where to find water and re-supply. Finished a 36 month sectioned hike last year and noted how many more friends there were on the trail to share the experience. It could have been many days I between seeing folks on the trail back in 1969.
The equipment is so much better today as well. Carried Boy Scout equipment back then. Canvas tent, leather frame pack. Wool blanket and scout sleeping bag, metal canteens etc..base weight near 35 lbs.
Now with Cuben fiber tarp and pack, ultra-light hammock and down quilts, nano tech clothing and light weight gas stove, base weight at 14 lbs! Yep, life is good on the AT these days, even for an old coot like me!
So enjoyed your videos. Thanks for sharing.
Greg
+Greg Stritch hand sanitizers were my best friends. But some funk you just cannot sanitize.
So true!
Super helpful, thanks
thanks for the info.
Good advice. 2018 NOBO, one of the first things after retirement. If you ever get a chance to come to the Oklahoma/Arkansas area and hike the northern Ozark Highlands Trail or the more southern Ouachita hiking trail you can see some scenic landscape. 100th like
Very informative video!
Thanks!
Take a couple of light wooden, mouse traps for the shelter mice. Peanut butter is a great bait. My buddy had them run over his face and chew holes in his sleeping bag during his thru hike.
So many words of wisdom. thank you for the info. PEACE!
Your welcome. Happy Trails
I like the fact that you are considerate of other people
Great Tips Thank You :) Noticed that you had the Spot near your shoulder and I just wanted your advice on that and how it works and how much the months plan is?
I do the hammock thing. The hard boards can be bad for the back. The ninja mice can really get bad. I only do a shelter if the weather is bad and I need a little extra protection. Some of the shelters have a fire place and can make it a little bit homey.
The picinc tables at shelters can make making meal time easyer.
We were the same. Used them for bad weather and when it was convenient but for the most part kept to our tent.
Thanks for another interesting video. I assume this was your southbound trip before you did the four state challenge?
+John Dean correct I wanted to put a video up while I edited the challenge videos.
Mice in the shelter equals protein for the trail...yuuummmmyyyyy!!!
Loved your video and Im wanting to do a section hike and would like to do the Smokies but they dont allow tents unless shelters are full so wonder if I went during March and April I could pitch a tent. I hate mice and I snore badly:)
You are aloud a tent at the first shelter but after that the strongly encourage the shelters because of bear. I don't think that March or April are going to be any different, now if you are thinking about going when there are a lot of people so that the shelters are full more often then you may want to wait a bit and go in May. the "bubble"(largest group of thru-hikers) leaves Springer mid March to mid April. It took us 20 days or so to reach the Smokey's So by waiting until May I think thats when they would be at the busiest and you would have a better chance for full shelters. You also could stealth camp (though this is fround opon and the smokey's is constantly patrolled by ridge runners who will tell you to get to a shelter) and we had a friend that did and he tells an exciting story about being circled by bear all night. As far as the mice, yeah they will be there but I would not worry about the snoring you wont be the only one and a lot of hikers carry ear plugs. If you want to be super nice bring some extra ear plugs with you. Hope this was helpful and let me know if you have any other questions Happy Trails
+Karen Moore Was just talking with my wife and she reminded me that it is ok to tent at the shelters if they are full IF you are a thru-hiker. Otherwise you have to reserve spots at shelters. You should check into this to make sure.
Lots of good points. Everything from no graffiti to the golden rule in hiking/camping etiquette. Do not agree with the pitching tents in shelters though, that is a no no.
I got a tickle out of your talk about the mice and an open pack and pockets. Yes , the open pack and pockets is the only way to go but there is one more thing to do. My buddy and I had our packs open for the nightly inspection and during the night you could hear the mice moving around. Morning arrived and we started packing the packs. WOW , Back Up , dump the stuff out of the bag. Out comes the stuff and in the bottom of my buddies pack is this small mouse that got in there during the night but did not leave. From then on if there was even a remote possibility of a mouse in the area we would turn the packs upside down to make sure there wasn't any small , fury , hitchhiker in there.
That's a great story! From now on o will remember to hang my pack upside down. Happy Trails
I see that you have a Spot hooked to your pack. Did it work well for you? Did it allow others to track your location easily?
It did work well. There is a bit of a learning curve to set up and tracking. You also have to have a view of the sky witch is sometimes difficult in the woods. We did not use it to track our every step but as a way of sending messages home when there was no cell service. We would send a message every morning and night. These are marked on a map that people can follow.
Hello there! What a shame you haven't been around on the AT in 2007 and 2008 when I did my two thruhikes. God, I would have loved to meet you on the trail for your awesome humour and personality. I am enjoying your videos so much that I can't keep from bursting out with laughing. You are doing a great great job for the AT and I am so grateful that you do not only provide great and really valuable tips for everybody who wants to get on a extended hike there, you also have a very nice way to remind us hikers to preserve the trail, too, while we enjoy hiking it. So thanks a bunch for your great work in these videos! Happy Trails to you wherever you may venture in the future! Alpine Strider from Bavaria, Germany; GA-ME '07, ME-GA '08
Your welcome! I never imagined what would happen when I started putting these videos together. At first it was just for family and friend to follow us. It is amazing the following we have had and the people we have met. I love this community and making videos. I hope to keep making them for a long time. thank you for watching and Happy Trails
What kind of guide book do you recommend for showing trail an water an shelters
We used AWOL's guide. This is the only one that I have experience with, and it worked very well.
Is it allowed to maybe string a tarp up to make a 4th wall if needed?
Yes for sure. This was common in the winter and there are some shelters that have tarps.
crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch
Ha! I love hiking in the winter
God I hate mice and chipmunks.... lots of good advice!
I have some chipmunks living in the ceiling of my house and they are driving me crazy!!! In the spring I will be waging war!
Is there usually space available or do they fill up to max capacity at night? Is there potable water at shelters on the AT?
It all depends on the time of the year. Most of the time your odds are good that there will be room in the shelters but in the busiest part hiking season there is a good chance that a shelter will be full. I never count on the shelter and always carry a shelter just in case. As for potable water NO many shelter will have a spring near by but you should always filter your water before drinking. Hope this was helpful let me know if you have anymore questions. Happy Trails
I've only section hike ga i plan to thru hike in future but the worst shelter ever is blood mountian push on to the hostel I'm sure there others bad to
Carry a wood mouse trap and take care of the problem. Got 9 in one night. If everyone did this ,the problem with mice would be less.
which GPS were you using? Did you have the trail preprogrammed?
We used a Spot Gen 3 GPS and no we didn't have the trail programmed. We have a very basic plan we were able to send a generic message "We are in for the night and OK" to our families and had a emergency button but that was it.
Where do u get drinking water at on the trial?
We filter water out of spring and streams to drink. here is a video that talks about water on the trail
ua-cam.com/video/Kl5IOxALh2E/v-deo.html
wait, are you really hiking in this video or just pace back and forth?
In this video I was hiking from Pennmar park to Harpers ferry. Where I turned around and attempted to do a winter 4 state challenge. If you are not familiar it is from Virginia to Pa 4 states and 43 miles in under 24 hours. I have a 5 part video series of the attempt. Here is the link to the first video ua-cam.com/video/c11VJh6X9nE/v-deo.html
Is chewing gum something done on the trail a lot? Does it cause litter problems?
What are a privy?
A privy is an outdoor toilet. Like an outhouse
great work putting yourself out there mate, ignore the trolls, those too lazy to anything but criticise
was that Alvin from Alvin and the chimpmunks doing the disclaimer? ;-)
Nope its actually Sharon's voice speed up.
do they AT maps tell you where the shelters are?
+Bill Frye We used AWOL's guide and it has a lot of info on the shelters. Location, how many the sleep, wether the have water/privy and anything else you need to now.
Dcon for peace offering
were theirs. mice snakes wont be far lol. i think tents are best choice.
Just a reminder,as well as good people the trail is full of loud,obnoxious,jerks--When in doubt, use your tent--Hike your own hike --don't let it be ruined.
+iceaxe56 You speak the truth!
A tent or shelter should not be giving you warmth..that's what the sleeping bag is for..if you try to seal up your tent to "heat" it up..you will end up with a rain cloud of condensation inside your tent.. blocking wind is one thing,..but a tent or shelter is to keep you out of the weather NOT warm you up..thats the sleeping bags job..lol
+matanuska high agreed good point.
What you say is generally true for warmer climates where moisture build up and condensation lower the insulative power of your sleepingbag. Although there are certainly situations where you do want to use your shelter for warmth, such as very cold situation. People do that sometimes by carrying along portable stoves for baker type tents or tipi tents. Besides that four season tents look great but are no fun in summer do to the total lack of ventilation. These tents sacrifice ventilation to trap air and therefore warmth for the user.
use a tent....the shelters are set up at strange distances, ergo to maximize your milage...pass them up and use your tent or shelter...
God made hammocks because the AT shelters are about one step up from sleeping in those privies :)
Haha! I have never camped with a hammock before but next week I'm going on a kayaking trip and testing a hammock from a new gear company for my gear raffle and review. So I hope that you are right! Happy Trails
+BetweenTheBlazes I'll be interested in your thoughts when done. once I figured out my hammock system, I rarely use my tent anymore. it's just a better sleep for me, and I've come to love sleeping off the ground. happy kayaking and thanks for posting this vid!
BetweenTheBlazes did you like it?
Spot on! One step above the privies is well said.
did you go nobo or sobo?
Nobo
@@BetweenTheBlazes how many times did you 0 degs nights Iam going start in 1/26/ 18 nobo
we started Feb 10th and to take 4 day off in Hyawasee due to below 0 temps. I would say that we were on trail for about 6 or so 0-5 degree nights. But I would prepare for plenty of nights in the teens
wait 1/26/18... You have a time machine!! Ha
@@BetweenTheBlazes opps 19
BBQ mice on your titanium Gen2 Firebox Nano..mmmm. Problem solved. :-D
+heirloomseeder You know I think on the trail I would have eaten a mouse... yep I would have!
Whenever are mice, rattlesnakes and vipers follows! Any one have bitten a hiker?
Though we did not see a rattle snake is it very common to see them on the trail but very uncommon to get bit. You basically have to step on them and if you are carful that should not happen. As for mice they just want your food and I really do not this anyone gets bit but they will chew holes in your gear! Happy Trails
are the shelters along the AT free?
yes. In the white mountain you have to pay to stay in the huts or do work for stay.
so if i needed to stay in one of the free shelters, is there a way to donate some money?
Dawn Russo The Appalachian Trail is maintained by mainly volunteers but it is organized by the Appalachian Trail conservancy. There website is appalachiantrail.org . Each section of the trail is maintained by a different chapter I think there is 13 in all. So depending on the section of trail you hike you may want to try to contact that chapter. there is a donation option on the website appalachiantrail.org/home/ways-to-give/make-a-donation . I hope this was helpful and please feel free to as any other questions. Happy Trails
+BetweenTheBlazes I'm planning an AT thru hike. I could ask a million questions. lol. Thanks for replying
Thanks for the video--real informative
+iceaxe56 Your welcome!
2022 update for "cons" part of the list. With people in shelters comes the increased chance of Covid and Norovirus exposure. We live in interesting times.
what a buzz kill...don't write on the shelters, don't feed the mice AND be respectful....those were some of the reasons I was going to hike the trail...😄😄😄😄😄😄😄...cheers.....hope you guys are doing well
+BurningBeard714 haha then looks like you will just have to stay home... Thanks for watching!
Good tips!
thanks!
I am not a fan of the shelters because I am a misanthropic punk rocker who doesn't rub elbows with pretentious wastoids making fools of themselves. I have no desire to share small spaces with the same idiots that are eventually going to have the trail shut down. Love your videos by the way.
jason stevens how are they going to get the trail shut down?
Jason's Out There lol. Pretentious.
There are a lot of diseases in shelters. I would never stay in one. Take a tent.
I agree that I'm much more comfortable in my tent. If it was going to rain for a few days we might have stayed in a shelter to help keep our gear dry.
For e, more shelters, less talk would have made his video more enjoyable.
Please Lookout for Brian Laundrie when any viewers are out there (warrant for his arrest- reward around $30,000) previously lived on the Appalachian Trail for 3 months!
No thanks! Save for extreme weather, even the best AT shelters are not for me. I lived the first years of my life in near third world conditions, so I have served my time. Give me a tarp and hammock away from the "Madding Crowd" any day. The same for those nasty privies. There are reasons that Norovirus and other maladies are rampant on the AT.
Good video minus you eating in the beginning. The sound alone almost made me turn it off.
+COPPER_HEAD_ROAD Yeah the recording are not always the best but when you record on the trail and edit back home there are no chances for a retake so you use what you get. I will get better as time goes on. Thanks for watching and Happy Trails
They probably built a new one because of that couple that was murdered there. Too many bad memories, I guess.
feed the damn mice : )
How about rats.....vermin....?
No rats but plenty of mice. A chip monk or two and some squirrels. As for anything else if you properly take care of your food you should be fine.
Unwatchable for the chewing.
Dude! Why eat and talk at the same time? Annoying.
Yeah made that mistake once and I may never live it down. It was first thing in the morning and I had just woke up. I won't be doing that again. thanks for watching and Happy Trails
Public Speaking Tips from Trail #7 ~ Don't make disgusting noises with your mouth while you are trying to talk. The chewing while talking ruined this. I stopped watching after the first 20 seconds because I was grossed out by dudes mouth noises.
What a wasted video..........
were theirs. mice snakes wont be far lol. i think tents are best choice.
were theirs. mice snakes wont be far lol. i think tents are best choice.
+Danny Gentry I agree and yes there are snakes too. I don't know what would be worse a mice crawling over you at night or a snake slithering into you bag!!!