Looking forward to following your family adventure! I section hiked from 2004 to 2012, introduced my great nephew to backpacking-he did thru hiked last year. I'm a believer and will definitely be praying for you all. Loved your son's comment- I love sleeping in a tent!! God bless as you prepare!
@@diannemccormick1650 thanks for joining our digital trail family and for your prayers! Any advice as we set out since you’ve sectioned a bunch of the trail? ❤️🥾
2023 AT NOBO here. I am so excited for you! I met three family groups on my thru hike and they were just so inspiring. What a wonderful thing you are attempting -- good luck. Your kids show wisdom: Cold rainy days ARE the worst. Solitude IS definitely possible and my favorite thing about the Trail. Injuries ARE the most likely thing to halt your adventure. I broke my leg in 2022 and stopped just short of Damascus. But restarted in 2023 and finished. Just be vigilant - it's a "million steps to finish but only one misstep to end." I hope to see you out there as I plan to be out starting in February as well.
@@fizzix6401 what great wisdom and insight! Thanks so much for your encouragement and for sharing your thoughts. We’d love to have you along for the journey in our digital trail fam! ❤️🥾
Kudos! I’m very excited for you. My three kids are now in college and the opportunity for such a family memory and adventure is now gone. I’m happy to see you all “hiking your own hike” in life as a family. I’m routing for you! Please tell your girls that I can already see from this video that they have the strength for this. Please tell your son that he looks to be an absolute beast, ready to handle everything! Best wishes!
@@MatthewStinchcomb-q2t Thank you for that encouragement! I just shared your kind words with the kids. Gideon absolutely beamed at being called a beast 💪🏻
@@diannathurlo543 I love that! Thanks so much for sharing and for following our journey. Best of luck as you prepare for 2026! I hope some of our content is helpful as your date draws closer ❤️🥾
I'm so excited I can't wait to see how crazy this gets this is going to be so much fun I always choose a family to follow for every year for the Appalachian trail I'm so excited for you guys
Good luck and safe travels on this upcoming journey. You are in for the adventure of a lifetime! My son and I thruhiked in 2022; greatest and hardest thing we’ve ever done. God bless you!
@@markbeno5452 thank you for that e encouragement and support! How incredible that you completed it with your son. The fact you called it the greatest (and hardest) thing you’d ever done is exactly what we are hoping to experience for ourselves. ❤️🥾
@@KellyCooper0803 thank you so much for your support and encouragement. The prayers are much appreciated too! We have faith God will guide us through the highs and lows along the way ❤️
You have an amazing adventure ahead of you and we are looking forward to going along on it with you. My husband and I live just 10 minutes from the trail in Caledonia state Park in PA and would love to offer your family trail magic as you go through our area, including an overnight or two in our home. 🥾 ⛰️ 🤗🙏
@@susanbrenneman8583 thanks so much for joining our digital trail family! We are eager to get going. How cool that you guys live so close to the trail! We would love to meet y’all once we get to Pennsylvania if the timing works out. Would you mind putting your information on our Trail Angel form so we can get in touch easily? ❤️🥾 forms.gle/1EyUwk4CpA5rZGfu7
Look forward to following your family AT hike. My wife and I are avid day hikers and have taken our kids (grown now) and grandkids on various hikes. Seeing and experiencing God's creation as a family is amazing. Take time to enjoy each moment.
How awesome that you're bringing your kids and grandkids into your adventures! We hope to have the same opportunity one day. Thank you for the encouragement, and I agree, experiencing God's creation with the whole family is a true blessing. ❤🥾
So excited to follow your family on your adventure! I attempted a thru hike in 2022 but unfortunately a stress fracture ended my trip in Virginia. I did a bunch of resupply boxes and highly recommend Backcountry Foodie and Andrew Skurka recipes if you are looking for ideas. Hit me up if you have any questions and enjoy the prep process!
@@dresadventures8862 Oo! Thank you for the recipe suggestions. We plan to prep some backpacking meals ahead of time and dehydrate them-along with dehydrating elements to add to meals (ie spinach, beans, peppers, etc). Thanks for the support! ❤️🥾
I’m so excited for you guys to start your hike! Loved watching the Crawford family hike the trail a few years ago. Good luck and looking forward to your videos.
@@ValsLife1 way to go! It’s always great to hear from folks who have done the whole thing successfully 🙌🏻🎉 Thanks for the encouragement and support! ❤️🥾
@@tommckinney1489 thanks for that encouragement. We’ve got a great church community here in WNC. And while we are so excited to get on trail, missing friends is a concern our kids have. We plan to keep them in touch as we are able ❤️
@@fizzix6401 The part of the Foothills Trail we were able to hike in November was so beautiful. I’ve heard we *have* to go back once it’s fully opened to do the remainder up to Table Rock State Park. I hope we can! 😍
@@paulmarshall7328 thanks for the good luck wishes! Yes, we are prepared to skip any closed sections but are hopeful most areas will be cleared before we get to them. The trail crews and sawyers are doing incredible work!
@@byronspicer9649 thank you for the encouragement and positive vibes! One of the many reasons we are pursuing this goal is to have focused time with the kids. I agree that they grow far too quickly!
My husband and I usually pick three groups or individuals to follow on Utube. We added you to our short list. We would love to try the hike, but he has Parkinson’s so we limit our hikes to little trips to the AT towns and to day hikes. good luck.
@@lynelljansen8057 We are honored to be included on your short list! It’s inspiring that y’all are still hiking as much as you’re able. Incredible! ❤️🥾
I will be watching. I wish as a child I had parents like you. It will be a lifetime memory for sure. As I like to say Life's A Journey, Enjoy The Ride.🏞
Definitely following you guys. I live near Winston Salem, so we’re practically neighbors 😊. I hope to provide some sort of trail magic. I go up around Damascus-Marion a lot (favorite section), so maybe around there?
@@planner722 always good to meet another North Carolinian! We were out your way visiting family in Raleigh this past weekend. Trail magic would be such a blessing! Thanks for thinking of us 🥾❤️
@@dfinney14 glad you’ll be following along in our digital trail family! Time is definitely a difficult thing to set aside for such a big goal, but I hope you’re able to ❤️🥾
Hey guys and gals, we met you on trail last May near Clingman's Dome and received some wonderful trail magic from the Six Pack. We will be watching and rooting you on as you take the epic journey to Katahdin. We made it 1376.0 miles last year and plan to finish this coming season so maybe we will see y'all out there. Trickle and Flow
@@BrentJarrett oh my goodness! I am so glad that you found us on here. Thank you for cheering us on ❤️🥾 When do you guys plan to get back on trail-and where?
@@sixpackhikers We made it to Warwick, NY just 6 miles into NY. We are looking at getting back out there sometime in May. We might go to Trail Days on the way up. On our last LASH we were able to get 650 miles so we are hoping to finish the remaining 820 in one go...looking to hit Katahdin in mid August or so.
@@donaldtotten5102 thanks so much for the encouragement! We’d love it’s if we crossed paths. Could you email us at sixpackhikers@gmail.com with your contact info?
@@Two.gingers.adventures that’s incredible! We know so few people backpacking with kids. It’s so nice to meet anyone with that goal. How old is your daughter?
@sixpackhikers she's currently 8. Will be 11 when we do the pct. We are planning sobo 2027 after she's finished elementary school and plan to 'home/online' school at least 6th grade.
I'm also from Western North Carolina (Swannanoa), & will also be starting my NOBO AT thru-hike in late February 2025. Hope to see y'all sometime, somewhere on the trail. Have Avery Merry Christmas.
I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2016 and always loved coming across families with kids. What a great way to teach them valuable lessons. They’ll love it at times and be miserable at times, but they will all feel a deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment throughout the journey and when it’s complete. 500 parent points for each of you! Looking forward to following along.
@@davegleason8007 thanks for that encouragement! We are eager to see how this experience grows each of us. And hey, I’ll be sure to add those 500 points to my tally 🤣
Just came across the channel, We will be following the journey to Katahdin. If you can afford the expense, get you a small harvest right freeze dryer. At times, Costco has them for 1500. You could do a ton of backpacking meals before the trail
@@donledford1245 it’s in the works! Hopefully a week or so after the new year we can gather that content in earnest. We dehydrated items for the Foothills Trail and thoroughly enjoyed the extra flavor and texture they provided-plus the nutritional boost 💪🏻
I consider your plans amazing, a great family experience, and a hike I want to follow. This year I've been virtually hiking the AT counting the milage I walk, hike, and bike, and have made it to New York state on the trail. We've hiked in several states on the AT for real and I'm reading books and blogs from people's experiences hiking this trail. Blessings as you plan for setting off in February.
I'm looking forward to following your journey. I've watched several of your videos and just want to say you are doing a great job vlogging. Best of luck to you all!
@@celenasherrill1455 wow! Thank you so much for that encouragement. I’m trying to strike a balance between good quality videos and shorter editing times. I want to be able to document our adventure without taking away from it too much ❤️
I followed three people hiking the AT this past year and was wondering who I was going to watch in 2025. Then you guys popped up! Will be looking forward to all your adventures!
@@ricks-excellentadventure2878 thanks so much for the words of encouragement! We are eager to see the progress on trail post Helene as we were up close and personal with it near our home. How did you fare in the storm? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Looking forward to following your adventure. I have a 9-year old grandson and 12-year old granddaughter who are homeschooled. I'm going to encourage them to follow along with you as well. Safe travels!
@@Go-With-Mo how neat! Definitely have them follow along and drop comments/questions for my kids. They would love to correspond with kids their age while on trail!
Hey awesome channel. I just found yall through an introduction video posted by Mama Bear. I look forward to following yall on your new adventures. Happy Trails
@@TrailoFire welcome! We are hoping to cross paths with Mama and Baby Bear on the trail as we’re starting relatively close together. Thanks so much for the encouragement and support! ❤️🥾
@sixpackhikers you're very welcome. Watching hiking videos and coffees in the morning is my wake up medicine, and I enjoy watching new and different hikers each year I hope someday to be on the AT, but until then I'm backpacking local trails and gaining inspiration from people like you. Thanks for the content
@@TrailoFire thru hiking videos + coffee was my wake up in the 2023 and 2024 thru hiking seasons! I had never backpacked or even camped before April 2019, so I’ve come a long way. I have David to thank for that. He’s been working on me for a while now 😅
@sixpackhikers oh wow that's awesome. I love watching people in their progress and makes me happy seeing those starting new journey. For me being out in nature is very spiritual and personal.
Can’t wait to follow along! Saw you guys a while ago, just scrolling thru, than just saw on The wildflowers adventures channel with your announcement! Super excited to follow along!
Best wishes to you. I leap frogged with a family of six while hiking the John Muir trail in California’s Sierra this past summer. They were an amazing bunch. I’m sure you will all do well.
@@kristymoore7052 how awesome! It’s incredible what kids are capable of when they’re determined. And these 4 of mine are a determined crew 🥾🥾 thanks for the encouragement and support!
May your equipment provide you safety and comfort. May you achieve the success you desire. Wishing you peace, good health, good fortune, and good fortune. Happy Trails!
Evwry year I pick 2 or 3 hikers to follow on trail. I found your shake down hike and decided to subscribe and follow y'all's adventure. Can't wait to see the kids reaction to being on trail. Wishing y'all a very Merry Christmas and a safe , Happy New Year.
Hi, my name is Greyhound.a 2023 AT thru hiker. So excited for you and your family, I am from Waynesville NC and have had the opportunity to do trail magic multiple times last year and hosted multiple hikers over the last few years. I would love to support you in any way possible. I could host you guys anywhere from Franklin to Davenport-Gap. Again excited to follow your adventure. Please feel free to reach out to me, You can DM me if I can help in any way.
@@dixiestewart547 Wow! Thank you so much for that offer, Greyhound. Waynesville is so close to home for us ☺️ Could you email us at sixpackhikers@gmail.com so I have your info when we get to the range you mentioned? We would consider ourselves so blessed to be hosted by you! ❤️🥾
Former homeschooling mom here from PA! One of my kids got into backpacking as a teen and took me along. Now he doesn't backpack and I've been section hiking the trail since then. I do weekly trail magic in central Pennsylvania, so hoping I might get to meet you on your journey! Looking forward to following along!
@@jinxhikes3021 what a cool story about how your teen got you into backpacking! I do hope that our paths cross in PA. We would be so honored to receive trail magic from you ❤️
Congratulations on deciding to walk the AT. We have backpacked through sections. You came up as a suggested video and I’m glad you did. We’ll be following your adventure. Once you finish the AT, you should look at the Camino de Santiago. We have seen a lot of families on the Camino.
@@CruisinwiththeColemans thank you for the encouragement and support! We’re thrilled to have you in our digital trail family. The Camino de Santiago would be incredible!
This is going to be a challenge!!! Lord help you. But I’m rooting for ya! And I’ll be praying for you every step of the way. Yeah… you’re going to need it.
@@markviers998 none of them mentioned it here besides wanting to see a moose. Living in WNC, we’ve seen our fair share of black bears (though never while hiking, surprisingly) and other smaller mammals. They’re all excited to see any and all wildlife though-at a safe distance 😉
Awwww the kids are so cute 🥰 you’re all so blessed that the kids want to do this as a family. My son draws the line at very long day hikes, no backpacking for him ☹️ So I am going solo, also NOBO from Springer, so I hope to see you out there! Have fun!!
@@sandraKSA thanks for the encouragement, and happy trails to you! It’s been a gradual process over time for me and the kids to buy in to this idea, but we are all down for it now and eager to get started. Hope to see you out there! 🥾🥾
@@HikingWithCam welcome to our digital trail family! I completed a graduate degree at WCU in 2014. What did you study? I studied communication science and disorders (working as a medical SLP now).
@@sixpackhikersSmall world! I got my BFA (graphic design) in 2005. I’ve been working in the DC area ever since I graduated. i’m looking forward to following you guys. happy new year!
Looking forward to following your adventure. I was in the class of 2019 but was injured and had to come off trail. Be safe and have the adventure of a lifetime.
@ unfortunately,no. I wiped out my knee and had to have it replaced. Can’t climb with the knee since it will not bend to allow the rock climbing needed in the northern part of the trail. Btw, I am a home school dad too. I watched your Foot Hills video. Y’all are going to do great.
@@shakeymorris6008 I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're still able to hike here and there though! Thanks for the encouragement--and for being a homeschool dad. Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family!
We’re a homeschooling family of four kids and looking forward to following your journey! We plan to do a few sections along the AT; maybe we’ll run into you guys. I’ll be praying you through to Maine!
@@emilyb1286 we are working on a Q&A video this week and a Big 3 breakdown after that. Full gear breakdown may be the end of Jan once we are finished acquiring it all 😉
@@ISuckatHiking we followed your journey with Leo all early 2024 and truly enjoyed it. Excited to blaze our own adventure now! Thanks for digitally joining the trek!
@@AdventurewithCaboose amazing! How did you fare in the storm? David was out that way (works for the power company) to help get the solar field up and running.
@ I was hiking the Ice Age in Wisconsin when it happened so I missed it entirely, and was very lucky that there was no damage where I live. The water came right up to the front yard of the house but that’s it. How about yall?
@ we were very fortunate! Since we sustained no marked damage, we could immediately get out and help neighbors who had trees on and *through* their homes and cars. We live higher up, so no flooding, but the next neighborhood over had two huge sinkholes open up from what is typically a trickle of a “creek” that’s just a rain-fed situation. Unreal.
What an opportunity for a great physical and spiritual journey for your family, individually and as a unit. Looking forward to following your journey! Keep the Faith and Keep HikN^. gbolt AT 18’.
Our family would love to meet yall somewhere in N Ga as that’s where we are. Reach out, we would love to do some trail magic and help along the way with anything yall might need! Maybe your kiddos could encourage our 12 yr old to hike more!! 🤣
@@WanderingWilders that would be amazing! Can you email us so I have your contact info? sixpackhikers@gmail.com thanks for the encouragement and support! And we’d be happy to work on your 12 year old 😂 it’s been a gradual process for our kids (and me!) but they’ve really grown to love it.
@@jamesbonner5989 thanks for joining our digital trail family! No official trail names yet. Waiting to let the trial provide in that regard. We’ll be sure to share!
Love this introduction so much! Your kids are going in knowing things will be hard but also there will be fun. Definitely good training for life and so true that kids today don't always learn that. More similarities in our kids/grandkids. We have in one family 4 violinists (2 adults/2 kids and 1 cello kid). In the other family they do taekwondo as well as piano and band (flute, trumpet, and clarinet). Music is very much in our family as it seems to be in yours as well. Is anyone bringing an instrument on the trail? I've seen in other videos that they like to sing and we know y'all love music.
@@scr5boom how neat that there are so many similarities! No, not planning to bring any instruments unless Gideon wants to bring his harmonica. We’ll likely just stick to acapella singing 😉
Did you watch any of the wildflower adventures RUclips channel where Mama Bear and Little Bear were trying to hike it.? They are going to reattempt in 2025
I hiked the A.T. 2003, Georgia springer mtn (may1) to Maine katahdin (oct20) I heard that the trail was pretty messed up cause the hurricane that hit. Wishing you and your family safe travels and enjoy.
@@felipeblanco5143 that awesome! We’d love to have a similar pace. And yes, hurricane Helene definitely caused some damage. We plan to skip around any closed/impassable sections as needed 🥾❤️
Be safe,because the Appalachian trail has had numerous accidents and fatalities over the past several years. It's pretty hard to get an Ambulance in the back woods of West Virginia. Good luck with your hike.
@@debbieclinard7122 through all the hiking we’ve done, winter hiking and backpacking is our favorite. No ticks, mosquitoes, flies, snakes, or poison ivy-among other ills that don’t pop up til later. Also, it’s easier for us to stay comfortable in colder temps than when it’s hotter. We are aiming to avoid hiking for the whole summer 🙌🏻
Not sure if I should subscribe or not...last year of the five YT channels I followed doing the AT, only 1 finished don't want to jinx you...and that person who finished was unorthodox as she planned a lot of nights off trail instead of staying in a tent...she was quick enough during the day to make it to enough trail heads to get a ride into town sleep then get back on the trail in the morning.
@@RandyPollock let’s hope that we are a channel you’ll be able to follow all the way to Katahdin! We know we’ve got an epic journey ahead filled with challenges and triumphs. Eager to get started 🥾🥾
Looking forward to following your family adventure! I section hiked from 2004 to 2012, introduced my great nephew to backpacking-he did thru hiked last year. I'm a believer and will definitely be praying for you all. Loved your son's comment- I love sleeping in a tent!! God bless as you prepare!
@@diannemccormick1650 thanks for joining our digital trail family and for your prayers! Any advice as we set out since you’ve sectioned a bunch of the trail? ❤️🥾
2023 AT NOBO here. I am so excited for you! I met three family groups on my thru hike and they were just so inspiring. What a wonderful thing you are attempting -- good luck. Your kids show wisdom: Cold rainy days ARE the worst. Solitude IS definitely possible and my favorite thing about the Trail. Injuries ARE the most likely thing to halt your adventure. I broke my leg in 2022 and stopped just short of Damascus. But restarted in 2023 and finished. Just be vigilant - it's a "million steps to finish but only one misstep to end." I hope to see you out there as I plan to be out starting in February as well.
@@fizzix6401 what great wisdom and insight! Thanks so much for your encouragement and for sharing your thoughts. We’d love to have you along for the journey in our digital trail fam! ❤️🥾
You've got this. Hope you have many, happy trails ahead.
@@amynapier3551 I love that encouragement! Thanks so much ❤️🥾
Kudos! I’m very excited for you. My three kids are now in college and the opportunity for such a family memory and adventure is now gone. I’m happy to see you all “hiking your own hike” in life as a family. I’m routing for you! Please tell your girls that I can already see from this video that they have the strength for this. Please tell your son that he looks to be an absolute beast, ready to handle everything! Best wishes!
@@MatthewStinchcomb-q2t Thank you for that encouragement! I just shared your kind words with the kids. Gideon absolutely beamed at being called a beast 💪🏻
The best memories with my three sons were camping and hiking. So excited to follow your journey. I will be a 2026 northbounder.
@@diannathurlo543 I love that! Thanks so much for sharing and for following our journey. Best of luck as you prepare for 2026! I hope some of our content is helpful as your date draws closer ❤️🥾
I'm so excited I can't wait to see how crazy this gets this is going to be so much fun I always choose a family to follow for every year for the Appalachian trail I'm so excited for you guys
@michelleange-i7v honored that you are choosing to follow us! We are eager to get started ❤️🥾
Good luck and safe travels on this upcoming journey. You are in for the adventure of a lifetime! My son and I thruhiked in 2022; greatest and hardest thing we’ve ever done. God bless you!
@@markbeno5452 thank you for that e encouragement and support! How incredible that you completed it with your son. The fact you called it the greatest (and hardest) thing you’d ever done is exactly what we are hoping to experience for ourselves. ❤️🥾
I love watching families hike the AT! Good luck! I will be cheering g you on along the way! I pray for your safety and success!
@@KellyCooper0803 thank you so much for your support and encouragement. The prayers are much appreciated too! We have faith God will guide us through the highs and lows along the way ❤️
You have an amazing adventure ahead of you and we are looking forward to going along on it with you. My husband and I live just 10 minutes from the trail in Caledonia state Park in PA and would love to offer your family trail magic as you go through our area, including an overnight or two in our home. 🥾 ⛰️ 🤗🙏
@@susanbrenneman8583 thanks so much for joining our digital trail family! We are eager to get going. How cool that you guys live so close to the trail! We would love to meet y’all once we get to Pennsylvania if the timing works out. Would you mind putting your information on our Trail Angel form so we can get in touch easily? ❤️🥾
forms.gle/1EyUwk4CpA5rZGfu7
Look forward to following your family AT hike. My wife and I are avid day hikers and have taken our kids (grown now) and grandkids on various hikes. Seeing and experiencing God's creation as a family is amazing. Take time to enjoy each moment.
How awesome that you're bringing your kids and grandkids into your adventures! We hope to have the same opportunity one day. Thank you for the encouragement, and I agree, experiencing God's creation with the whole family is a true blessing. ❤🥾
So excited to follow your family on your adventure! I attempted a thru hike in 2022 but unfortunately a stress fracture ended my trip in Virginia. I did a bunch of resupply boxes and highly recommend Backcountry Foodie and Andrew Skurka recipes if you are looking for ideas. Hit me up if you have any questions and enjoy the prep process!
@@dresadventures8862 Oo! Thank you for the recipe suggestions. We plan to prep some backpacking meals ahead of time and dehydrate them-along with dehydrating elements to add to meals (ie spinach, beans, peppers, etc). Thanks for the support! ❤️🥾
I’m so excited for you guys to start your hike! Loved watching the Crawford family hike the trail a few years ago. Good luck and looking forward to your videos.
@@kathyhunt4989 thanks for the encouragement and for joining our digital trail family! ❤️🥾
Good luck!!! I hiked the AT in 2022 and like to follow people every year! Looking forward to watching your hike!
@@ValsLife1 way to go! It’s always great to hear from folks who have done the whole thing successfully 🙌🏻🎉
Thanks for the encouragement and support! ❤️🥾
@time 6:48 "I enjoy playing the guitar and having friends over from church"
My kind of people. Good luck on your hike. I'll be following along.
@@tommckinney1489 thanks for that encouragement. We’ve got a great church community here in WNC. And while we are so excited to get on trail, missing friends is a concern our kids have. We plan to keep them in touch as we are able ❤️
BTW - I live near the Foothills Trail and it is a super way to prep for the AT. Great choice!
@@fizzix6401 The part of the Foothills Trail we were able to hike in November was so beautiful. I’ve heard we *have* to go back once it’s fully opened to do the remainder up to Table Rock State Park. I hope we can! 😍
Good luck. Lots of trees still down. They are working on it.
@@paulmarshall7328 thanks for the good luck wishes! Yes, we are prepared to skip any closed sections but are hopeful most areas will be cleared before we get to them. The trail crews and sawyers are doing incredible work!
Can’t wait to follow your journey !😊
@@Khumist62 we are thrilled to have you in our digital trail family! ❤️🥾
Wishing you all the best. Cherish the time with your kids. They grow up so fast.
@@byronspicer9649 thank you for the encouragement and positive vibes! One of the many reasons we are pursuing this goal is to have focused time with the kids. I agree that they grow far too quickly!
Good luck and blessings to you! I'll be watching from western NY
@@charlenee1776 thanks for the encouragement and support! We are eager to get started ❤️🥾
My husband and I usually pick three groups or individuals to follow on Utube. We added you to our short list.
We would love to try the hike, but he has Parkinson’s so we limit our hikes to little trips to the AT towns and to day hikes.
good luck.
@@lynelljansen8057 We are honored to be included on your short list!
It’s inspiring that y’all are still hiking as much as you’re able. Incredible! ❤️🥾
Following you right back! Have fun!!
@@leslieontheat awesome! Happy trails ❤️🥾
I will be watching. I wish as a child I had parents like you. It will be a lifetime memory for sure. As I like to say Life's A Journey, Enjoy The Ride.🏞
@@denniscall2454 oh wow! We’re humbled by that encouragement. Thanks so much! ❤️🥾
Definitely following you guys. I live near Winston Salem, so we’re practically neighbors 😊. I hope to provide some sort of trail magic. I go up around Damascus-Marion a lot (favorite section), so maybe around there?
@@planner722 always good to meet another North Carolinian! We were out your way visiting family in Raleigh this past weekend. Trail magic would be such a blessing! Thanks for thinking of us 🥾❤️
If you can email us at sixpackhikers@gmail.com we can coordinate once we’ve made it that far if y’all are still interested in meeting up! ❤️
I'll be watching... It is on my bucket list - I just have to make time to do it
@@dfinney14 glad you’ll be following along in our digital trail family! Time is definitely a difficult thing to set aside for such a big goal, but I hope you’re able to ❤️🥾
Hey guys and gals, we met you on trail last May near Clingman's Dome and received some wonderful trail magic from the Six Pack. We will be watching and rooting you on as you take the epic journey to Katahdin. We made it 1376.0 miles last year and plan to finish this coming season so maybe we will see y'all out there. Trickle and Flow
@@BrentJarrett oh my goodness! I am so glad that you found us on here. Thank you for cheering us on ❤️🥾
When do you guys plan to get back on trail-and where?
@@sixpackhikers We made it to Warwick, NY just 6 miles into NY. We are looking at getting back out there sometime in May. We might go to Trail Days on the way up. On our last LASH we were able to get 650 miles so we are hoping to finish the remaining 820 in one go...looking to hit Katahdin in mid August or so.
@ that’s incredible! I truly hope we cross paths up there. We hope to summit by mid August too 🎉
@@sixpackhikers That would be incredible to cross paths...ya never know ... just gotta go with the Flow🥾
I’m looking forward to watching y’all’s journey. I hope to meet all of you here in SW Virginia. I’m a trail angel and shuttle driver. 🌻❤️🦆donnie duck
@@donaldtotten5102 thanks so much for the encouragement! We’d love it’s if we crossed paths. Could you email us at sixpackhikers@gmail.com with your contact info?
I am so glad I stumbled on this!! Love seeing young families adventuring together and looking forward to following along!
@@wendylee8755 I’m thrilled you found us as well! Thanks for the encouragement and support ❤️🥾
Looking forward to watching you all on your journey!!
@@myleahluffman829 Thank you! Thrilled you’ll be part of our digital trail family ❤️🥾
My daughter and I plan to do the pct in a couple years so it's fun to find other kids hiking long trails.
@@Two.gingers.adventures that’s incredible! We know so few people backpacking with kids. It’s so nice to meet anyone with that goal. How old is your daughter?
@sixpackhikers she's currently 8. Will be 11 when we do the pct. We are planning sobo 2027 after she's finished elementary school and plan to 'home/online' school at least 6th grade.
@ that’s such a great goal! Good luck in your preparations ❤️🥾
I'm also from Western North Carolina (Swannanoa), & will also be starting my NOBO AT thru-hike in late February 2025.
Hope to see y'all sometime, somewhere on the trail.
Have Avery Merry Christmas.
@@Taz90 oh wow! What part are you in? We are in Fletcher-just north of Hendersonville. Do you have a trail name? We will be looking out for you 🥾🥾
I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2016 and always loved coming across families with kids. What a great way to teach them valuable lessons. They’ll love it at times and be miserable at times, but they will all feel a deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment throughout the journey and when it’s complete. 500 parent points for each of you! Looking forward to following along.
@@davegleason8007 thanks for that encouragement! We are eager to see how this experience grows each of us. And hey, I’ll be sure to add those 500 points to my tally 🤣
Just came across the channel, We will be following the journey to Katahdin. If you can afford the expense, get you a small harvest right freeze dryer. At times, Costco has them for 1500. You could do a ton of backpacking meals before the trail
@@Jays579 thanks for the encouragement and the tip on the dehydrator!
Hope to see ya’ll out there!
@@WalkerWalks606 that would be so cool! Eager to get on trail and meet all the class of 2025’ers that we can. Happy trails to you!
Would love to see some videos of your food dehydrating, that would be helpful to me as I plan my own backpacking meals.
@@donledford1245 it’s in the works! Hopefully a week or so after the new year we can gather that content in earnest. We dehydrated items for the Foothills Trail and thoroughly enjoyed the extra flavor and texture they provided-plus the nutritional boost 💪🏻
Embrace the journey!! Looking forward to following you!
@@sticktheeagle planning on it! Thanks for your encouragement and support 🥾❤️
I consider your plans amazing, a great family experience, and a hike I want to follow. This year I've been virtually hiking the AT counting the milage I walk, hike, and bike, and have made it to New York state on the trail. We've hiked in several states on the AT for real and I'm reading books and blogs from people's experiences hiking this trail. Blessings as you plan for setting off in February.
@@barbarakay5082 your virtual hike sounds like such a neat way to get in the miles! Thank you for your encouragement and support ❤️🥾
I'm looking forward to following your journey. I've watched several of your videos and just want to say you are doing a great job vlogging. Best of luck to you all!
@@celenasherrill1455 wow! Thank you so much for that encouragement. I’m trying to strike a balance between good quality videos and shorter editing times. I want to be able to document our adventure without taking away from it too much ❤️
I followed three people hiking the AT this past year and was wondering who I was going to watch in 2025. Then you guys popped up! Will be looking forward to all your adventures!
@@jrsidebo oh wow! We are honored that you’re choosing to follow our journey. Really looking forward to getting on trail! 🥾🥾
Hope to see you out there! I’m starting mid February with my brother & SIL.
@@michsondrini that would be amazing! Definitely hope our paths cross. The AT community is something all 6 of us are really excited to experience ❤️🥾
I’ll be following you (virtually, not literally).
@@mudhens4ever awesome! Thanks for the clarification 😂
Also from WNC and starting in mid February
Awesome! Hope to see you out there 🥾
From another western North Carolina resident. Good luck and looking forward to following your adventures.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
@@ricks-excellentadventure2878 thanks so much for the words of encouragement! We are eager to see the progress on trail post Helene as we were up close and personal with it near our home. How did you fare in the storm?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Looking forward to following your adventure. I have a 9-year old grandson and 12-year old granddaughter who are homeschooled. I'm going to encourage them to follow along with you as well. Safe travels!
@@Go-With-Mo how neat! Definitely have them follow along and drop comments/questions for my kids. They would love to correspond with kids their age while on trail!
Excellent... I am heading out early March. Hope to see you guys out there. !
@@davesanti1 awesome! Happy trails to you. It would be really neat if our paths crossed. We won’t be moving super fast, so you may catch us. 🥾🥾
@@sixpackhikers I don't know how fast I will be moving but I hope to see you out there. . I am FreeBird on the trail
I’ll enjoy following you
@@sheilahenry7279 thanks for coming along for the journey! We are stoked to get on trail 🥾
We hope your quest is successful. We hope you have a bunch of fun adventures along the way!
@@ms7fam433 thank you so much! We are really excited to get on trail 🥾🥾
Hey awesome channel. I just found yall through an introduction video posted by Mama Bear. I look forward to following yall on your new adventures. Happy Trails
@@TrailoFire welcome! We are hoping to cross paths with Mama and Baby Bear on the trail as we’re starting relatively close together. Thanks so much for the encouragement and support! ❤️🥾
@sixpackhikers you're very welcome. Watching hiking videos and coffees in the morning is my wake up medicine, and I enjoy watching new and different hikers each year I hope someday to be on the AT, but until then I'm backpacking local trails and gaining inspiration from people like you. Thanks for the content
@@TrailoFire thru hiking videos + coffee was my wake up in the 2023 and 2024 thru hiking seasons! I had never backpacked or even camped before April 2019, so I’ve come a long way. I have David to thank for that. He’s been working on me for a while now 😅
@sixpackhikers oh wow that's awesome. I love watching people in their progress and makes me happy seeing those starting new journey. For me being out in nature is very spiritual and personal.
I love this family!
@@lobstahgirl thanks so much for the encouragement and support! 🥰
I’m looking forward to seeing your journey! How exciting to see a whole family hiking the AT together. You will be in my prayers!
Thanks for the encouragement and positive vibes! We are thrilled to have you in our trail family and truly appreciate the prayers. ♥🥾
Looking forward to following you this year. Praying for an amazing journey!
@@yonderplace314 thank you for the encouragement and the prayers! We have faith God will help us navigate the highs and the lows 🥾🥾
Yesss! Put Him first and everything else falls into place!!
@ amen!
Looking forward to following along and wish you all the best. You’re living my dream.
@@JOHNM-mi9wj thank you so much for your encouragement and support! We are thrilled to have you in our digital trail family ❤️🥾
Your kids seem like great people! Looking forward to following your journey!
@@sandrazern649 thanks so much! They’re pretty great 🥰
Wishing you and your family the very best as you face the AT journey.
@@highlandlakecottage4276 thank you so much for the encouragement! We are eager to get on trail and see how the experience grows each of us ❤️🥾
Excited to follow you!! 🎉🎉🎉
@@bjlafrance2977 thanks for joining our digital trail family! Eager to get going 🥾🥾
Good Luck and God Bless! My Wife and I are in Franklin. If you are in need give us a shout
@@JohnPaynekj4wzo we truly appreciate your encouragement and offer of support! ❤️🥾
So excited for you all! You are in my prayers and I look forward to following your journey. God's got you❤🙏🏻🙂
Thank you for the encouragement! We are thrilled to have you in our digital trail family ❤🥾
I can't wait to follow yalls journey. Happy trails 👣
@@RebeccaWBuras thanks so much for the support! We are eager to get started ❤️🥾
Can’t wait to follow along! Saw you guys a while ago, just scrolling thru, than just saw on The wildflowers adventures channel with your announcement! Super excited to follow along!
@@jhayft0703 so excited that you’re joining our digital trail family! Thanks for the encouragement and support 🥾❤️
Hi! Looking forward to following your journey!
@@karengriswold4537 welcome! Glad you’ll be digitally along for the adventure 🥾🥾
I followed 32 feet last year… mom and 15 kids… you can do this💪❤️
@@sandyhunt-hv2kb Thanks for the encouragement! Woah! 15 kids? That’s super impressive in multiple ways.
I look forward to following your journey on the trail.
@@Solitude75 thanks for joining our digital trail family! We are eager to get on trail ❤️🥾
Subscribed. Every year I pick a few RUclips hiking channels to follow. Looking forward to watching y'all. It should be a blast!
@@swilliams2575 thanks for the support! We are honored you chose to join our digital trail family ❤️🥾
Best wishes to you. I leap frogged with a family of six while hiking the John Muir trail in California’s Sierra this past summer. They were an amazing bunch. I’m sure you will all do well.
@@kristymoore7052 how awesome! It’s incredible what kids are capable of when they’re determined. And these 4 of mine are a determined crew 🥾🥾 thanks for the encouragement and support!
May your equipment provide you safety and comfort. May you achieve the success you desire. Wishing you peace, good health, good fortune, and good fortune. Happy Trails!
@@1024Pete thank you for all the encouraging words and well wishes! We are thrilled to have you in our digital trail family 🥾🥾
Evwry year I pick 2 or 3 hikers to follow on trail. I found your shake down hike and decided to subscribe and follow y'all's adventure. Can't wait to see the kids reaction to being on trail. Wishing y'all a very Merry Christmas and a safe , Happy New Year.
@@pawpawmike7372 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too! Honored you chose to follow our journey ❤️🥾
Hi, my name is Greyhound.a 2023 AT thru hiker. So excited for you and your family, I am from Waynesville NC and have had the opportunity to do trail magic multiple times last year and hosted multiple hikers over the last few years. I would love to support you in any way possible. I could host you guys anywhere from Franklin to Davenport-Gap. Again excited to follow your adventure. Please feel free to reach out to me, You can DM me if I can help in any way.
@@dixiestewart547 Wow! Thank you so much for that offer, Greyhound. Waynesville is so close to home for us ☺️ Could you email us at sixpackhikers@gmail.com so I have your info when we get to the range you mentioned? We would consider ourselves so blessed to be hosted by you! ❤️🥾
Looking forward to follow your journey! 🥾 Good luck I’ll see you in February! Stay warm out there! 🥶 🙏🥾🇺🇸
@@suehancock5573 thanks for the encouragement and support!
Suffering well. What a great thing to learn!
@@laurihawley ❤️
Former homeschooling mom here from PA! One of my kids got into backpacking as a teen and took me along. Now he doesn't backpack and I've been section hiking the trail since then. I do weekly trail magic in central Pennsylvania, so hoping I might get to meet you on your journey! Looking forward to following along!
@@jinxhikes3021 what a cool story about how your teen got you into backpacking! I do hope that our paths cross in PA. We would be so honored to receive trail magic from you ❤️
We're looking forward to following your hike! We've section hiked the AT and Foothills also. Too old to backpack now.
@@Gary-bp8si thanks for joining our digital trail family! It’s awesome you’re still getting out there and enjoying the trails 🥾🥾
Excited to follow your adventures in 2025! Good luck!🍀
@@MamaPat202 thrilled you’re in our digital trail family. Thanks for the encouragement and support! ❤️🥾
Congratulations on deciding to walk the AT. We have backpacked through sections. You came up as a suggested video and I’m glad you did. We’ll be following your adventure. Once you finish the AT, you should look at the Camino de Santiago. We have seen a lot of families on the Camino.
@@CruisinwiththeColemans thank you for the encouragement and support! We’re thrilled to have you in our digital trail family. The Camino de Santiago would be incredible!
@ we have walked several routes and it’s amazing!
This is going to be a challenge!!! Lord help you. But I’m rooting for ya! And I’ll be praying for you every step of the way. Yeah… you’re going to need it.
@@kmichaelp4508 grateful for any and all prayers! We know it’s going to be an epic challenge, but we are eager to give it our best effort 🥾❤️
@ , oh you can do it!
I am excited to keep up with you and your family on the trail. Thanks for sharing.
@@deborahfoster2850 we are thrilled to have you digitally along for the journey! Thanks for the support ❤️🥾
Maybe I missed it but it's interesting that none of them commented about seeing wildlife, pros or cons.
@@markviers998 none of them mentioned it here besides wanting to see a moose. Living in WNC, we’ve seen our fair share of black bears (though never while hiking, surprisingly) and other smaller mammals. They’re all excited to see any and all wildlife though-at a safe distance 😉
Thank you for inviting us along! Looking forward to it. 👏⛰️🏕️
Thanks for joining our digital trail family! We’re honored to have you along for the journey 🥾🥾
Awwww the kids are so cute 🥰 you’re all so blessed that the kids want to do this as a family. My son draws the line at very long day hikes, no backpacking for him ☹️ So I am going solo, also NOBO from Springer, so I hope to see you out there! Have fun!!
@@sandraKSA thanks for the encouragement, and happy trails to you! It’s been a gradual process over time for me and the kids to buy in to this idea, but we are all down for it now and eager to get started. Hope to see you out there! 🥾🥾
Looking forward to following your journey. I’m also from NC. I’m a WCU alumni . Good luck!
@@HikingWithCam welcome to our digital trail family! I completed a graduate degree at WCU in 2014. What did you study? I studied communication science and disorders (working as a medical SLP now).
@@sixpackhikersSmall world! I got my BFA (graphic design) in 2005. I’ve been working in the DC area ever since I graduated. i’m looking forward to following you guys. happy new year!
@ incredible! Happy new year to you too 🎉
Looking forward to following your adventure. I was in the class of 2019 but was injured and had to come off trail. Be safe and have the adventure of a lifetime.
@@shakeymorris6008 thanks for joining our digital trail family and for the encouragement! Too bad about the injury. Think you’ll give it another go?
@ unfortunately,no. I wiped out my knee and had to have it replaced. Can’t climb with the knee since it will not bend to allow the rock climbing needed in the northern part of the trail. Btw, I am a home school dad too. I watched your Foot Hills video. Y’all are going to do great.
@@shakeymorris6008 I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're still able to hike here and there though! Thanks for the encouragement--and for being a homeschool dad. Homeschooling has been such a blessing to our family!
We’re a homeschooling family of four kids and looking forward to following your journey! We plan to do a few sections along the AT; maybe we’ll run into you guys. I’ll be praying you through to Maine!
@@12foottribe that’s incredible! What age range are your kiddos? We would love to see you out on trail. And we truly appreciate the prayers ❤️
@@sixpackhikersours are 14, 10, 9, and 7…
@ similar to us! So cool. Keep at it for sure. Hope our paths cross!
Looking forward to following your journey!
@@stattravels8109 thank you for the support! We’d love to have you following along 🥾🥾
I hope you guys do a gear video!
@@emilyb1286 we are working on a Q&A video this week and a Big 3 breakdown after that. Full gear breakdown may be the end of Jan once we are finished acquiring it all 😉
Going to really enjoy following you guys
@@ISuckatHiking we followed your journey with Leo all early 2024 and truly enjoyed it. Excited to blaze our own adventure now! Thanks for digitally joining the trek!
@sixpackhikers well thank you for watching us!
@ of course! We all joyed cheering you on. And Leo is so sweet ❤️
@@sixpackhikers we will be up doing trail magic last weekend of February 1 year from my start date
@ where will you be? Not sure of our pace, but maybe we will cross paths!
Hello from Hot Springs NC! Hope to run into yall on trail!
@@AdventurewithCaboose amazing! How did you fare in the storm? David was out that way (works for the power company) to help get the solar field up and running.
@ I was hiking the Ice Age in Wisconsin when it happened so I missed it entirely, and was very lucky that there was no damage where I live. The water came right up to the front yard of the house but that’s it.
How about yall?
@ we were very fortunate! Since we sustained no marked damage, we could immediately get out and help neighbors who had trees on and *through* their homes and cars. We live higher up, so no flooding, but the next neighborhood over had two huge sinkholes open up from what is typically a trickle of a “creek” that’s just a rain-fed situation. Unreal.
What an opportunity for a great physical and spiritual journey for your family, individually and as a unit. Looking forward to following your journey! Keep the Faith and Keep HikN^. gbolt AT 18’.
@@gboltonatrail1099 I agree! We can’t wait to see how God grows and stretches us across this journey. Thank you for your encouragement and support!
To avoid mice sprinkle baby powder around your tent and they will stay away. I am starting Feb 16 on the approach trail at the falls.
@@davidcarroll6020 thanks for the tip! Maybe we will see you out on trail ❤️🥾
Our family would love to meet yall somewhere in N Ga as that’s where we are. Reach out, we would love to do some trail magic and help along the way with anything yall might need! Maybe your kiddos could encourage our 12 yr old to hike more!! 🤣
@@WanderingWilders that would be amazing! Can you email us so I have your contact info? sixpackhikers@gmail.com thanks for the encouragement and support! And we’d be happy to work on your 12 year old 😂 it’s been a gradual process for our kids (and me!) but they’ve really grown to love it.
Looking forward to following your hike, anyone have a trail name yet ?
@@jamesbonner5989 thanks for joining our digital trail family! No official trail names yet. Waiting to let the trial provide in that regard. We’ll be sure to share!
Love this introduction so much! Your kids are going in knowing things will be hard but also there will be fun. Definitely good training for life and so true that kids today don't always learn that. More similarities in our kids/grandkids. We have in one family 4 violinists (2 adults/2 kids and 1 cello kid). In the other family they do taekwondo as well as piano and band (flute, trumpet, and clarinet). Music is very much in our family as it seems to be in yours as well. Is anyone bringing an instrument on the trail? I've seen in other videos that they like to sing and we know y'all love music.
@@scr5boom how neat that there are so many similarities! No, not planning to bring any instruments unless Gideon wants to bring his harmonica. We’ll likely just stick to acapella singing 😉
Did you watch any of the wildflower adventures RUclips channel where Mama Bear and Little Bear were trying to hike it.? They are going to reattempt in 2025
@@jessicaw.6321 yes! They are so sweet ❤️ I’ve reached out to mama bear, and we are hoping to meet up on trail!
I hiked the A.T. 2003, Georgia springer mtn (may1) to Maine katahdin (oct20)
I heard that the trail was pretty messed up cause the hurricane that hit. Wishing you and your family safe travels and enjoy.
@@felipeblanco5143 that awesome! We’d love to have a similar pace.
And yes, hurricane Helene definitely caused some damage. We plan to skip around any closed/impassable sections as needed 🥾❤️
Be safe,because the Appalachian trail has had numerous accidents and fatalities over the past several years. It's pretty hard to get an Ambulance in the back woods of West Virginia. Good luck with your hike.
@@gerardcurry9122 thank you for your concern. We plan to take all necessary precautions to be as safe as possible ❤️🥾
Why start in February?
@@debbieclinard7122 through all the hiking we’ve done, winter hiking and backpacking is our favorite. No ticks, mosquitoes, flies, snakes, or poison ivy-among other ills that don’t pop up til later. Also, it’s easier for us to stay comfortable in colder temps than when it’s hotter. We are aiming to avoid hiking for the whole summer 🙌🏻
Not sure if I should subscribe or not...last year of the five YT channels I followed doing the AT, only 1 finished don't want to jinx you...and that person who finished was unorthodox as she planned a lot of nights off trail instead of staying in a tent...she was quick enough during the day to make it to enough trail heads to get a ride into town sleep then get back on the trail in the morning.
@@RandyPollock let’s hope that we are a channel you’ll be able to follow all the way to Katahdin! We know we’ve got an epic journey ahead filled with challenges and triumphs. Eager to get started 🥾🥾
Looking forward to following your journey!
@@williamcrounse2931 we are thrilled to have you in our digital trail family!