I'm from the Netherlands, so I'll probably never be able to hike the AT or any other trail for that matter, but I subscribed anyway. I love all the stories!
Yes you will! Get a plane ticket and come on over! It’s just a little bit more expensive then all inclusive two week vacation to some commercialized island.
True, everyone says that New York was hard! Maybe because people get accustomed to the relatively easier trail before New York. But everyone is surprised by how worked they feel going through New York. Another good one, Big Foot! Thanks for your contribution.
I bet the ones who kept their stoves the longest were the coffee addicts. I'd probably go with one of those little fold out stands that just use the fuel cubes, less weight, less hassle but you still boil some water when you need to, and it fits in your pocket.
Oh god I used to be a hopeless coffee addict most of my adult life but it was making me feel shit so I ended up stopping all coffee a few years ago. It's POISON!!! It's literally an addiction, like literally, there's no positive reason to consume it other than you want to get a buzz. And it's amazing how much it lessens your general energy as after the buzz you are down further than you'd normally be and eventually just to feel a shit kind of normal you have to have it otherwise going without it de-mans you. Coffee gets too much of a pass as a politically socially acceptable addiction. I believe in free choice of every drug but it still is what it is, POISON!
OmG. Loved hiker boxes. They can save you SO much money if you are diligent. I even found an unused sports bra I wore that came from a hiker box in VA. It lasted the entire rest of the trail!
0. Yep, several times I FULLY resupplied from a hiker box. 5. VA not easier, but definitely more varied and more interesting. Which made the pain more rewarding. And FINALLY getting some flat sections of more than 1/4 mile. 4. Stoveless. Would definitely consider if I did it again. Hot meals 1 or 2 times a week at resupply probably enough. 3. Bears. Lose fear but keep respect. Mom & Cubs out of Pearisburg...15 minute stare-off until she finally followed her cubs down the ridge. 2. Quitters. Saw most cut out at Hot Springs (also most gear changes). All from pre-existing injury pain finally taking its toll. 1. NY...peak-envy...no big mtns so make up for it with cliff climbs at every op...and dancing boulder scrambles along peaks. Especially dangerous when wet.
Great vid! My husband and I hike in Harriman, South of Bear Mountain, a lot. Ha-ha, yes it kicks your butt. Constant ups and downs. Very rocky too. And fahgetabout the mosquitoes in the summer.. argh
I definitely agree with you for sure! I'm surprised we never met. Well, I was behind you the entire time so I guess it's not surprising haha but I met Bullet too! That kid was insane! I wonder how he's doing now, and when he finished last year. - Stellar
@@FollowBigfoot 70 days, so wow someone did pass you on the trail! That's hilarious his trail name is Bullet, so fitting XD. Have you seen the video of the chap that did the AT unsupported in 45 days in about 2017, beating the supported record? He averaged about 50 miles a day and was carrying a backpack. Apparently the official Fastest Possible Times people didn't really sign off on it though as at one point he got battery support for his headlamp as it was playing up. But still, virtually unsupported and beat the 100% supported record.
I know I am WAY late to this, but I think this shows a difference in mindset. In the Army a single hot meal in the field was a damn priviledge. So I will always have an alcohol stove, even if with just a small bottle of fuel so I can have that hot meal. Maybe it's mindset? You never knew when deployed when the cold meals will end, on the trail you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Great video. I'm from the NYC metro area and have only day hiked / overnight hiked the AT in the NJ and NY area so I found it quite interesting to hear that the southern NY portion of the AT is one of the more challenging portions for NOBO's. To repeat what Stanley Sutter mentioned, there are plenty of good views along the Harriman/Bear Mountain portion of the trail even if you don't really ever get above elevation 1,300. For one, the view from West Mountain shelter all the down the Hudson River is a great view of the NYC skyline on a clear day.
+Roger I wanted to stay at the west mtn shelter but the mileage just didn't work out for me, but heard it was beautiful. It would be interesting for me to go back there and see what I think now. At the time though, I just didn't expect it and it took me by surprise which is why I think I thought it was tough.
If you think NY is all lower elevation, you’re in for another surprise. Northern NY in the Adirondack Mts. has 46 mountains over 4,000 ft in elevation. Southern NY is a piece of cake compared to the ADK area. Beautiful views but some tough climbs.
Love your videos, appreciate your insight and experience. I've noticed that you say "difficult" a lot. Would you consider rating what it is you mean by difficult? You could even break it down on a scale of 1-10 for terrain, weather, your condition at the time (fed, hydrated, dry, sweaty).
Without context I'd say difficult normally means anything from 8 - 10, although contextually difficult can also mean less than 8/10 because we're talking in relation to something else. For example southern NY might be 7/10, it was more 'difficult' than expected and more difficult than the previous sections. But putting a specific rating on this can be informative too, it would be interesting to have some of these sections rated like you said.
I don't blame you one bit for initially being paranoid of bears. I live in Australia and couldn't imagine how much I'd shit my pants coming across a predator of that size while hiking, especially on the trail in front of you, especially a night when it's spooky enough in the forest without them. I'm scared when I hear the possums moving at night while hiking? "What was that!?" XD My biggest fear is snakes which is why I now wear gaiters and leather shoes, I'm irrationally afraid of snakes on the trail. I'm also afraid of sasquatch during night hiking, or as we call them, yowie, I've recently listened to too damn many sasquatch/yowie testimonials XD I'd have an absolute fucking heart attack if I happened across a sasquatch while forest night hiking.
Good info. Thanks. I've got an off topic question: regarding the byproduct of your impressive Connecticut Challenge success, do you have a desire and/or plans to go back there and hike in daylight hours the 11ish or so hours of views that you missed due to darkness?
+Birdman and Friends Outdoor Adventures It probably wouldn't be on top of my list. There are a couple of spots I would go first like the smokies when it is a little nicer weather. I would love to do Bear mountain again in the daylight. When I hit Bear though it was the most amazing part of the day with the clear sky, open views and seeing every star in the galaxy
Hi Bigfoot. Great videos on through hiking. I was curious which hoody model you are wearing? The grid fleece makes me think of a base/mid layer like the R1 but yours is full zip and has hand pockets. Looking on Patagonia's web site I'm not seeing something that looks like it.
Thanks tornadokat. My hoody is the Dual Aspect Hoody. Here is a link to it: Women's: www.patagonia.com/product/womens-dual-aspect-hoody/83205.html?dwvar_83205_color=EPCB&cgid=root#tile-51=&q=hoody&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=72 Men's: www.patagonia.com/product/mens-dual-aspect-hoody/83200.html?dwvar_83200_color=FGE&cgid=root#tile-54=&q=hoody&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=72
I wouldn't say Eating Ramen noodles dry and oatmeal dry is lazy. I survived on this when I was homeless,and to this day,not homeless,I do this when I don't want to eat much.just enough to satisfy a little hunger.just saying,because I want to do this trip,and I already have an idea of taking both along .They're lighter and my body is used to it.
...and perhaps no "grand views" in New York because of lower elevations...and hence no "mountain top reward" for the climbs? Recently I've watched a bunch of AT thru hikes...and there's really no visual image in my head of NY. No body seems to take much video there. Everyone's looking ahead to the New England states.
The Adirondack Mts in northern NY at much higher elevations certainly have the “mountain top reward” with 46 mountains over 4,000 ft. You should look up some videos of the ADK mountains in the higher elevations and it will will be an eye opener. It’s too bad the AT doesn’t go through the Adirondack Wilderness. Some people only think of urban, Southern NY if they’ve never experienced the wilderness areas and beauty of northern NY. It’s too bad..
Uninspiring... Dixie will continue to make me do it before I am 60. You will never do it again. Your video doesn't suck, but it doesn't even get a nomination. You focus on so much negative aspects of approaching the endeavor... like you're trying to fucking scare people out of attempting to complete a totally achievable task as long as they're at least averagely physically capable of doing.
I'm from the Netherlands, so I'll probably never be able to hike the AT or any other trail for that matter, but I subscribed anyway. I love all the stories!
+Milse v Thank you. Hopefully there will be many more to cone
Yes you will! Get a plane ticket and come on over! It’s just a little bit more expensive then all inclusive two week vacation to some commercialized island.
Never say never
Loads of Europeans come to the US to hike the AT!
True, everyone says that New York was hard! Maybe because people get accustomed to the relatively easier trail before New York. But everyone is surprised by how worked they feel going through New York. Another good one, Big Foot! Thanks for your contribution.
If the weather forecast was better for this weekend, I’d been planning on hiking the first half of the AT in New York! Next weekend, inshallah!
Thank you SO much for this wisdom. Starting my thru-hike in 2 weeks.
I bet the ones who kept their stoves the longest were the coffee addicts. I'd probably go with one of those little fold out stands that just use the fuel cubes, less weight, less hassle but you still boil some water when you need to, and it fits in your pocket.
+Diana Hammond Yes, the coffee addicts never sent them home, which I totally don't blame them
Oh god I used to be a hopeless coffee addict most of my adult life but it was making me feel shit so I ended up stopping all coffee a few years ago. It's POISON!!! It's literally an addiction, like literally, there's no positive reason to consume it other than you want to get a buzz. And it's amazing how much it lessens your general energy as after the buzz you are down further than you'd normally be and eventually just to feel a shit kind of normal you have to have it otherwise going without it de-mans you. Coffee gets too much of a pass as a politically socially acceptable addiction. I believe in free choice of every drug but it still is what it is, POISON!
OmG. Loved hiker boxes. They can save you SO much money if you are diligent. I even found an unused sports bra I wore that came from a hiker box in VA. It lasted the entire rest of the trail!
+Madalyn Clark they are like the thrift store of the Trail, except everything is FREE!!!!
0. Yep, several times I FULLY resupplied from a hiker box.
5. VA not easier, but definitely more varied and more interesting. Which made the pain more rewarding. And FINALLY getting some flat sections of more than 1/4 mile.
4. Stoveless. Would definitely consider if I did it again. Hot meals 1 or 2 times a week at resupply probably enough.
3. Bears. Lose fear but keep respect. Mom & Cubs out of Pearisburg...15 minute stare-off until she finally followed her cubs down the ridge.
2. Quitters. Saw most cut out at Hot Springs (also most gear changes). All from pre-existing injury pain finally taking its toll.
1. NY...peak-envy...no big mtns so make up for it with cliff climbs at every op...and dancing boulder scrambles along peaks. Especially dangerous when wet.
I love bears - thanks Ben East and Outdoor Life Magazine.
Great vid! My husband and I hike in Harriman, South of Bear Mountain, a lot. Ha-ha, yes it kicks your butt. Constant ups and downs. Very rocky too. And fahgetabout the mosquitoes in the summer.. argh
Learning so much from you . My biggest thing is trying to go as lite as possible.
Thanks for the info on the A.T. Good stuff!
I definitely agree with you for sure! I'm surprised we never met. Well, I was behind you the entire time so I guess it's not surprising haha but I met Bullet too! That kid was insane! I wonder how he's doing now, and when he finished last year. - Stellar
+Joey Ulseth Bullet finished around July 20th I think last year, about 10 days before me. He finished in 70 days!
@@FollowBigfoot 70 days, so wow someone did pass you on the trail! That's hilarious his trail name is Bullet, so fitting XD. Have you seen the video of the chap that did the AT unsupported in 45 days in about 2017, beating the supported record? He averaged about 50 miles a day and was carrying a backpack. Apparently the official Fastest Possible Times people didn't really sign off on it though as at one point he got battery support for his headlamp as it was playing up. But still, virtually unsupported and beat the 100% supported record.
I know I am WAY late to this, but I think this shows a difference in mindset. In the Army a single hot meal in the field was a damn priviledge. So I will always have an alcohol stove, even if with just a small bottle of fuel so I can have that hot meal. Maybe it's mindset? You never knew when deployed when the cold meals will end, on the trail you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I wonder what they do with all the stuff in the hiker boxes at the end of the season? Bullet is a great name for a fast hiker. Good tips.
Excellent tips! Thank you!
another gem!
Great video. I'm from the NYC metro area and have only day hiked / overnight hiked the AT in the NJ and NY area so I found it quite interesting to hear that the southern NY portion of the AT is one of the more challenging portions for NOBO's. To repeat what Stanley Sutter mentioned, there are plenty of good views along the Harriman/Bear Mountain portion of the trail even if you don't really ever get above elevation 1,300. For one, the view from West Mountain shelter all the down the Hudson River is a great view of the NYC skyline on a clear day.
+Roger I wanted to stay at the west mtn shelter but the mileage just didn't work out for me, but heard it was beautiful.
It would be interesting for me to go back there and see what I think now. At the time though, I just didn't expect it and it took me by surprise which is why I think I thought it was tough.
If you think NY is all lower elevation, you’re in for another surprise. Northern NY in the Adirondack Mts. has 46 mountains over 4,000 ft in elevation. Southern NY is a piece of cake compared to the ADK area. Beautiful views but some tough climbs.
The Adirondacks are completely irrelevant to the AT. They aren't even the same geologic mountain range as the Appalachians are.
As a fellow 2016 NOBO, 3/28 - 10/4. I agree with all five points !!! - Brother Blood
+Alec Kohut Awesome Brother! You going to be at Trail Days this year?
Love your videos, appreciate your insight and experience. I've noticed that you say "difficult" a lot. Would you consider rating what it is you mean by difficult? You could even break it down on a scale of 1-10 for terrain, weather, your condition at the time (fed, hydrated, dry, sweaty).
Without context I'd say difficult normally means anything from 8 - 10, although contextually difficult can also mean less than 8/10 because we're talking in relation to something else. For example southern NY might be 7/10, it was more 'difficult' than expected and more difficult than the previous sections. But putting a specific rating on this can be informative too, it would be interesting to have some of these sections rated like you said.
Much better Sound Levels on the new video's Bigfoot. Enjoy your content!... Keep the video's coming.
Thank you. I am starting to figure out all the other elements to this whole thing. Thanks for noticing!
Hey Bigfoot, great videos!! Are you plan on hiking the AT again? If not, would you, given the chance? Thanks.
What you are saying is the A.T. is not easy all the way!
I don't blame you one bit for initially being paranoid of bears. I live in Australia and couldn't imagine how much I'd shit my pants coming across a predator of that size while hiking, especially on the trail in front of you, especially a night when it's spooky enough in the forest without them. I'm scared when I hear the possums moving at night while hiking? "What was that!?" XD My biggest fear is snakes which is why I now wear gaiters and leather shoes, I'm irrationally afraid of snakes on the trail. I'm also afraid of sasquatch during night hiking, or as we call them, yowie, I've recently listened to too damn many sasquatch/yowie testimonials XD I'd have an absolute fucking heart attack if I happened across a sasquatch while forest night hiking.
Hey Bigfoot. Don't be too surprised by New York. We like to pride ourselves in being tough LOL!
+Stanley Sutter 😊
You commented : to check hiker boxes before heading into town...Where are they located on the trail...shelters?
Good thing the AT doesn’t go thru the Catskills in NY. Lots of elevation there
Good info. Thanks. I've got an off topic question: regarding the byproduct of your impressive Connecticut Challenge success, do you have a desire and/or plans to go back there and hike in daylight hours the 11ish or so hours of views that you missed due to darkness?
+Birdman and Friends Outdoor Adventures It probably wouldn't be on top of my list. There are a couple of spots I would go first like the smokies when it is a little nicer weather. I would love to do Bear mountain again in the daylight. When I hit Bear though it was the most amazing part of the day with the clear sky, open views and seeing every star in the galaxy
Follow Bigfoot the Smokies are amazing! Definitely go back sometime, and pray for good weather!!!
have you touched on the difference between hiking nobo and sobo? pros and con's?
Hi Bigfoot. Great videos on through hiking. I was curious which hoody model you are wearing? The grid fleece makes me think of a base/mid layer like the R1 but yours is full zip and has hand pockets. Looking on Patagonia's web site I'm not seeing something that looks like it.
Thanks tornadokat. My hoody is the Dual Aspect Hoody. Here is a link to it:
Women's:
www.patagonia.com/product/womens-dual-aspect-hoody/83205.html?dwvar_83205_color=EPCB&cgid=root#tile-51=&q=hoody&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=72
Men's:
www.patagonia.com/product/mens-dual-aspect-hoody/83200.html?dwvar_83200_color=FGE&cgid=root#tile-54=&q=hoody&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=72
Man, you stay in a lot of hotels!
+Francis Kemp Yes, part of the job. I would rather be home, but it's not that bad. Gives me a lot of time to make my videos
Glad this got cleared up because I have wondered about this couch in other videos lol. “Who would put that in their house?” “Looks so hotel-ish”
@@Emisea23 Haha!
What’s that blue jacket with the pink zippers in the bear clip?
Good.
we hike ga and nc and see bears all the time. some get way too close, close enough to smell
+Russ Cherry most of the bears I saw where when I got into Virginia. The bad parts are the areas where they have been conditioned to food
Would you say that bears are generally through hikers, or section hikers?
+Joel Mckee thru hikers
Maybe NY is spoken about in coded language: "you'll be going up and down....a LOT"
Are you going hike the AT again at a slower more relaxed pace?
+SMITTEN politexchangeofbullets KITTEN if I do it would be after the PCT and CDT
What's the brand and model of the water bottle holder on your backpack strap?
+Robert Knowlton Its the shoulder pouch attachment from Zpacks.
Oh man, #4, I drink coffee and need hot food. My stove is as vital as my puffy coat.
I wouldn't say Eating Ramen noodles dry and oatmeal dry is lazy.
I survived on this when I was homeless,and to this day,not homeless,I do this when I don't want to eat much.just enough to satisfy a little hunger.just saying,because I want to do this trip,and I already have an idea of taking both along .They're lighter and my body is used to it.
Big Foot rules
Except that he's afraid of bears.
...and perhaps no "grand views" in New York because of lower elevations...and hence no "mountain top reward" for the climbs? Recently I've watched a bunch of AT thru hikes...and there's really no visual image in my head of NY. No body seems to take much video there. Everyone's looking ahead to the New England states.
There are some nice views in the Bear Mountain/Harriman State Park Area
+Ken Kauffman possible. I remember it being really hot and humid too.
The Adirondack Mts in northern NY at much higher elevations certainly have the “mountain top reward” with 46 mountains over 4,000 ft. You should look up some videos of the ADK mountains in the higher elevations and it will will be an eye opener. It’s too bad the AT doesn’t go through the Adirondack Wilderness. Some people only think of urban, Southern NY if they’ve never experienced the wilderness areas and beauty of northern NY. It’s too bad..
Great job, you're an inspiration. I believe in bigfoot!
Note to self: NEVER wear a cap backwards.
🤦
50 pounds 😳 75 pounds 🙀
That is correct. hehe
Wq
Uninspiring... Dixie will continue to make me do it before I am 60. You will never do it again. Your video doesn't suck, but it doesn't even get a nomination. You focus on so much negative aspects of approaching the endeavor... like you're trying to fucking scare people out of attempting to complete a totally achievable task as long as they're at least averagely physically capable of doing.
I’d nominate Dixie as well! Thanks for taking a moment to give your feedback