7 Things That Surprised Me on my Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
- During my thru-hike, I always kept a note on my phone of things that surprised me out on trail. These points I mention in this video are fun and random little facts that I didn't expect!
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About 50 yrs ago l lived in a "commune" called Free State. This was in VA right near/part of the Shenandoah National Park & Old Rag MT. lt was the best time of my life - except for my children but this was years before they were born. l still pine for the location it was so peaceful. lt was near "the trail" but far enough away we didn't get many wanderers. Park Service knew of us & even hired us to plant trees. A-frames, yurts, cabins, etc. No running water except for the brook and it was cold & delicious. People don't drink from a stream any longer w/o filtering it 1st. We had a sweat lodge for bathing times - what a hoot! lt was very primitive but that's what kept it so beautiful. The closest town had one General store that sold, among so many items, a nickel a scoop of homemade ice cream! Haircuts in the back by the wood store, wheels of cheese, bait, the Post office was in a small corner, and there were chairs on the porch. Etlan VA. l looked it up on google earth and it's hard to tell if it's still there. Conspiracy people might wonder what a - new to me- building with a large parking lot is hidden in the middle of nowhere but it looks much the same - too many trees to see. l want to go back soon as l can. l found a perfect place with a little waterfall with a small cave behind it. l'd like it to be my final resting place but...l'm impressed you did the whole trail. Part of it goes thru a nearby MT range in MA and l'd take my kids on it but only as far as kids put up with it. Sigh, hopefully soon.☮
What really surprised me the most about your adventure is the way that you always seemed to keep that smile on your face. I know that your videos didn't include every moment, but as a viewer, it just seemed that your spirit got you through so many obstacles. Blessings to you in all that the future holds for you and thank you for packing us along!
So glad you are getting back on the trail cause I loved following you, Taylor! These extra videos are great.
I know I snore sometimes, but I never know when until it happens. So I carry disposable ear plugs and leave them out for other people with a note apologizing and for them to take a pair. I've never gotten complaints since I started doing that.
Good job Taylor. Before you started we talked about questions that you had and some concerns but you overcame your fears and your courage answered a lot of questions. Very proud of you and, as well those who accomplished the same
Awesome thanks. Look forward to the adventures.
Virginia is a really fun state. I lived in Winchester, Va which is on the I81 corridor near Front Royal. I had so much fun doing road trips there. And, it's close to D.C. Really loved it there.
So good to see you Taylor good to see you’re doing well
Interesting and thank you very much!
My wife and I enjoyed your hiking. Great tips, even the shoe laces
I needed a good laugh tonight this video was hilarious I laughed all the way through.Glad you had a great time. Proud of you.Love your videos my Friend
Snoring is a real issue 😭
I have camped lots and only been in one backpacking trip, the light from the moon and little wilderness noises are enough for me to only sleep a few hours. Light sleeper here.
Congratulations and thank you for sharing
Another solid knowledge sharing informational video ... thanks
In retrospect, we should not be too surprised that you finished the AT as an elite backpacker. First of all, you have an athletic background as a runner (I think?) skier, etc. Plus, your training ground was the Whites in NH, perhaps the most challenging collection of mountains in the East (or one of them, for sure). Plus, you put in a couple hundred miles in 2020 as a warm-up. Finally, we could all see from your pre-hike videos that you were methodical and thoughtful about gear choices, etc. The final ingredient was your can-do attitude. So, once you got going, yeah, it was going to go well. That said, wow, congrats on really bringing it home well!
Thanks, Taylor. I like random things. Learning equips people to succeed in the future. 👍✌
I live in Maryland and I agree Virginia is cool 💪. You have great info on this channel. I’m setting up for a 2022 through hike, it really helps to hear from people who have recently completed their hike and everything is still fresh in their mind about what would have been better in certain instances
Virginia is SO underrated. A beautiful state.
Frozen shoe laces, never would I have seen that one coming but it makes sense now that you mentioned it. Glad you enjoyed VA, my home state. I've only section hike a small part of it, which is sad considering how close I live to different parts of it. Thanks for sharing.
7 neat things and you are an amazing hiker - you and Cody flew
I had foot pain for 30 years until 4 years ago when I've pretty much went minimalist.
Something think about maybe.
Great job on the AT by the way 👏
We watched every episode
I loved Virginia.. We were moving fairly quick. Finished in 28 days. And VA is NOT FLAT.... At least in the south. Also snoring was awful. I only sleep in tents and some hostels
I've watched AT hike vlogs every years since 2009 and never got the "Virginia is boring" vibe. "The Virginia blues" is named that way because if you start at Springer, you may get to feeling homesick by the time they reach around Virginia. Nothing more really.
Yes, I grew up and continue to live in the Mid-Atlantic region. Virginia IS and always was the Appalachian Trail state we would go to. There is a ton of variety, great ridge-walking with views, and some pretty challenging climbs. It's just a pretty state.
Frozen shoelaces! I never would have imagined that one. I'll file that one away for my own future reference. Thanks for sharing.
Nice video. I did not follow you but saw when you started. Next thing I knew you were finished! Pretty Amazing! 20th nobo to finish is very much something to be proud of!
You are an amazing young lady!!!! You brag all you want girl!!!! Congratulations 🎈🍾
Enjoyed your video! Cool to see plaque behind you.
You're so cool, such an inspiration!!! Congrats on your achievement(:
I watch a few of your prep hikes and the one you did with 'Kyle hates hiking'. I very much got the impression your a motivated high mile hiker. As a guy who see's 40, Im more willing to slow my pace and do a sunlight to sundown rather then push to injury. good on you for the same style/120 days to AT is powerful result.
Great info. Thanks
Thank you Taylor
EAR brand yellow foam earplugs would be perfect to sleep around snoring people. I used to sleep in them every day when I was working midnights.
Jamaican people know the magic of drooth nanooth
The goal was a “stretch” - that’s awesome you were able to complete your goal.. and with stretch :D
Awesome video! Keep it up!
Hey, you are young and in good shape. That is reason enough, but then in your back yard are 4000ers that you have done more than once. So, I am not surprised. In addition you are a successful business owner and used to meeting goals and carry responsibility. All of which help you in accomplishing your goal. So, those of us that you took along with you are indeed proud of you.
That wood etching is sick!
Good one about the shoelace.
I've observed that a fast hike is more from long days than a fast pace. You and Cody seemed to get up early almost every morning and hiked into the evening most days. You did lots of miles each day, Your pace seemed kind of normal. Well done.
And I think not taking many days off set us ahead too
@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker you did well thought u starter earlier. Sorry I was not being funny just I see all these other staying off trail say how main mile they did well your 120 day was great
@S M yes one of the great one brag how main mile he did but stay off trail over 30% of the time
@S M nothing
Wow! 20th?! That’s awesome 👏. You should be proud of yourself!
You are soooo modest!😊
I absolutely loved Virginia ❤️. I totally enjoyed the AT with everything to see. I never knew about the free-slave village in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When growing up my family and I spent many vacations in the Shenandoah National Park hiking all over it. You talked about frozen shoes and shoe strings. My sons and family members have done numerous below zero winter hikes. 12 hr. hand warmers work great. You put them in your footwear with your socks stuffed on top with just a little breathing room at night and in the morning you have warm socks and footwear. The hand warmers are usually still warm so you can use them for keeping your hands warm while packing up and walking. They're also great to put in your sleeping bag at your footbed. Their cheep, lightweight and make great fire-starters. I never really wanted to see a bear. I picked berries where there was bear skat. I miss the community. Glad you're doing well.
Virginia is my favorite state on the AT. It's got so many diverse landscapes and landmarks, great, accessible towns and lovely hostels. I don't know where the idea of the Virginia Blues came from, but I bet it has something to do with people realizing they don't actually want to hike the whole trail, so when they find themselves still in the same state after hiking hundreds and hundreds of miles, they get blue about it and quit. I personally got the PA blues thanks to a bad combination of all of the rocks and constant rain.
Great video. Try Lock Laces. They really work well for me. 🤗
Cool Video, Thanks
You’re amazing 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks!
Taylor… completely off topic here- is that shirt you are wearing in this video available in your store? I love it and I want one. I lived in MA for 4 years and visit the cape every summer, and that phrase is one of absolute FAVORITES!
VA was totally my favorite! OMG! I had to take a double zero that I couldn't afford in Pawling just to get away from a couple that snored!
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. You may have a heel spur for I have been dealing with it for 7 months now.
Sorry to hear about your condition.
Great points to share, Taylor! You and Cody did a great job throughout the hike and a lot of it was due to your positive attitudes. I never saw a time when you were down for more than a few minutes and then you picked yourself up and moved on. People can learn a lot by looking at your vlogs.
T OK Miss Record Holder, try to do the trail in the 120 days with no brakes for showers or hotels or friends sleepovers any other kind of break from staying on the trail. I will respect the person where does the trail without taking breaks that are physically related. Also I made one hike of one segment of the whole trail out to see a rocky arch and when I woke up that first morning my feet hurt so bad and they never stopped hurting during the whole walk back to the car or for several days after that. Yes I chose the wrong boot but no it was not a junker or an excuse. But, there is no taking away anything from a person's direct experience however they got it with rest breaks or not, with correct shoe choices or not, and yes I believe in the problem of frozen shoelaces. Direct experience that teaches the individual something that remains individual or not are important.
I'm a heavy sleeper too, but I can't sleep in the shelters because of the snoring and the vermin. My thing is stealth camping with a hammock.
In an ideal world snorers would be shaken awake by other hikers or even ganged up on. The snoring itself can be modified in most people by changing their position like by becoming side or stomach sleepers.
You're a smart man. I spent most of my hike in shelters and hostels and I regret it in retrospect. Yes , mice is an issue, but man I was so tired the snoring was not an issue. I did sleep next to a fella one night, who was an extreme bruxer.(Gnashing of teeth). He woke me up. I am a dentist so I knew what he was doing, but had I not known it would have scared the hell out of me. It was simply awful. It is an extremely destructive habit. For those of you who are bruxers or sleep with one then rush them to their dentist and get a night guard. It is money well spent. There are cheap drug store brands that work well but are not tolerated by some people. A custom fitted appliance is needed in these cases.
Yay Virginia, my home!
I snore too and quite loudly. A good way to get perfect sleep around someone who snores is being exhausted after a long day hiking.
The best sleep I ever got when hiking was next to a waterfall. The next morning I was amazed how I could ever sleep with that tremendous noice, but the recipe was that I had hiked around 50km the day before.
Taylor--good candid video. Congrats--and now get some REM sleep...away from irritating snores. Those shelters become echo chambers for snoring.
Snoring , whippoorwills , insects chirping, traffic noise all can be solved with soft earplugs…. Correctly inserted they cut out all but the worst sounds …. Now some folks say they “find the pressure irritating” but honestly after just 30 mins or so you won’t even notice it and if you use them regularly you will get completely used to them and sleep soundly every night …. Lovely series of videos Taylor … thank you for sharing your adventure 👍👍
Whippoorwills are the worst I think. One came into camp one night about 15 ft. from the shelter. We tried to run it off without success. 2 guys actually packed up and left.
@@williambranham6249 …. I know right!! … I had one parked nearby my camp whippoorwilling it’s brains out on a backpack trip I did up northern Michigan …. They are sooo loud and they just don’t give up for hours !! … I had earplugs in and a woolly hat over my ears which was enough to take the edge off to get to sleep but if I didn’t it would have been miserable…. I always take a couple of sets of earplugs on backpacking trips… I find the green ones from Kroger’s are the most comfortable and effective… ATB Dave Mc
“I’m not trying to brag”. Well, I’ll brag for you. You’re amazing!
I just met a guy at my job that works at shendoahs at a hotel he showed me pictures of him on his breaks with beautiful sunsets
I gave AT hikers homemade bread from my work today and might not have thought to do it if I didn't watch your hike. :-p I think I still would have but yeah. And it was so good I had to share the loaf.
In my running days I had p.f. it hurts. Have to stretch your calf. My shoes froze before. I have had approximately 40 bear encounters, but that is out of hundreds plus nights in the mountains. You are lucky to see a bear. You are a beast on the trail. I mean that good. You earned the right to brag 👏.
I had foot pain upon waking up every morning same as you. Once I started hiking pain would subside.
#1. I live close to SNP and day hike there half dozen times a year. I’ve never seen a bear there.
I usually hike with my 11yo who rarely stops talking, so I’m guessing there’s a correlation.
Had to chuckle on that one. The child is just continuously saying "Hey bear" from the bear's POV. Human backpacking bells.
I came through the SNP in September 2018 on my SOBO hike and a ranger told me to look up into the trees. I saw 13 bears in the park. The mother bear climbs the trees and shakes them some the nuts fall to the ground for the cubs to eat. Next time you are in the park try looking up into the trees.
#2 reason that I love taking my kiddos out! Heaps cuter than bear bells and much less annoying.
yippee - ATT - don't have to change phone service ... good to know - thanks. Always untie shoes - another great tidbit. very helpful - thanks.
Thankyou
For me it helps to sleep with my shoes on for plantar fasciitis. It’s a problem to point your toes when you sleep , the bottom of your foot contracts then it takes a while to straighten back out every morning.
Interesting. I watched a video the other day on that very idea. The shoe idea is interesting. I think if you have a beefy foot board on your bed , then sleeping with your feet against the board might help as well.
Hiked the AT more than 20 years ago. Still remember the stiffness and pain in the feet every morning. Particularly when staying inside with a hard floor, but it went away in a couple of minutes. All in my group felt it, but probably not as severely as you.
Many got pointy toes too. Most likely because of too narrow toeboxes. Is that still a thing? Many current trail runners/shoes seem to be really wide in the front.
For those who want to know, I found the silicone, moldable ear plugs work as well, and in my opinion better than foam. I am curious if it is any way harmful to block the ear for extended periods of time by plugging. I've never had an issue, except in the situation below, but it seems for some people it could lead to an imbalance of pressures between the external, middle, and inner ear and Eustachian tube and sinuses. I was stuck in a lodge in Maine with 7 guys some of whom snored mercilessly. I had no access to plugs so I stuffed my ears with bits of toilet paper. Without realizing it, I left a piece in that had lodged deep within the canal. After two days, I developed, pain, vertigo and nausea not to mention a loss of hearing with ringing. I figured it out but it was a bit scary.
Youre so awesome taylor and so incredibly/gorgeous
I have the same foot issue lol… never heard anyone talk about this before. And I understand the shoe lace freeze 🥶. Now let me say that you kicked but on the time … congrats and now go for the triple crown while you have youth and time is on your side .oh ya … and you do have bragging rights 👍
just got up, grabbed some earplugs, and put them in my toiletries bag. you might have saved me from some bad nights sleep
There are a lot of snorers out there, but I think that more people snore on the trail than they do at home. On the trail, on an air mattress, you get "trapped" on your back more than at home since (depending on the underlying surface) side sleeping can be difficult and episodic and stomach sleeping even harder. Restless sleep leads to more back-time and on your back you are more likely to snore. Tenting helps and so do ear plugs, but remember to be kind: they don't know they are snoring and are snoring more than at home. Forgive them/me!
When I was a Marine I stashed my boots in my sleeping bag, along with my rifle. If they were muddy I would wrap them in something. Warm-ish boots were preferable to a clean sleeping bag.
Did you use custom insoles? If so...which ones?
Hey I don’t know if you will read this or not, but, I was up in New Hampshire this summer to do Eisenhower via the Crawford hitch was great but I want to see the white during fall. My question is when do you think would be a good bet to see some foliage, last weekend of September, 1st weekend in October? Thanks if you see this, read this and respond. Oh and my plan would be doing the loop on moosilauke loop I think, if that would be a good one, thoughts😳?
Great Pro Tip about the shoe laces! I'll definitely have to change my ways because I always take mine off without untying them LOL. In another one of your videos, you mentioned how much pain your feet were in even after you were off trail for a while. Did you do anything to address that or did you just have to wait it out and let it work itself out? Thanks again.
The water you drinking with filter is that ok to drink?
120 days is really good
Skyland hotel in Shenandoah National Park part of my job so if I ever want to transfer there I can
First
Happy tuesday 😎
Curse you! I would've made it if it weren't for those pesky kids!
@@freeheel748 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I still got it
@@ononewheel7, I'm looking around for mine. I hope I still have it.
@@freeheel748 🤣🤣🤣
The snoring is one reason that I would not do that trail, that and the rain 🌧
Duuuuude it's been more than a month since I stopped hiking and my feet are STILL suuuuper stiff and sore in the mornings!!!
Where can I buy that 48 great poster?
Lol @ snoring! My mother snores like a freight train. I can’t share a hotel room with her
Shoe laces freeze -- WHO KNEW !!!
Oh that’s very much a real thing, shoes should always be aired out as much as possible after any hike as this also is a hedge against odor buildup. In terms of neutralizing odor the consensus is to spray the innards with Lysol, let them dry and then sprinkle with baby powder.
Ibanez. Good choice, though I prefer Ovation.
try getting an Amateur Radio License and take a ham radio with you for a backup communication
Plantar fasciitis : here is what it is and my experience treating it. It is a pain in the bottom heel Area of the foot. It can last for weeks or months and treatment is often gradual and slow. The pain is typically worse in the morning. Often the first step out of bed is the most painful. For treatment stretch the foot and calf including the Achilles tendon several times a day. When resting takeoff your shoe and roll your foot over a tennis ball. And most importantly get padded insoles for your shoes. If that doesn’t work add a second insole to each shoe.. You can get decent insoles at Walmart for $15.
Carrying extra weight like a backpack or being overweight put you at risk for this as does increased activity and rocky surfaces.
I would think 2300 miles on the AT would be a good test for your feet I am curious if there has been a survey by medical people to see if there is an increase in PF in AT hiker than the average population. I developed PF 20 years after my hike. I suffered on the AT because my left foot is wider than my right. I had not paid much attention to that until I started backpacking. Of course the hiking made it worse with swelling. After I figured out what was going on, and buying 2 different width shoes my problem was solved. Even 20 years later my feet are a full size larger in length and width than before my hike.
Yes…what’s up with all the snorers? Does hiking make you snore more? I’ve never stayed in a hit with more than 3-4 people and not had a snorer…crazy!
Lol quick heads up, you were snoring too! When ground sleeping you cannot shift to your side which relives pressure on the soft tissues at the back of your throat. Set a camera up on yourself all night while ground sleeping, you might be suprised!"
Wait are you saying you can’t sleep on your side when sleeping in a tent? Cause that’s not true at all I always side sleep
That's confusing. I can only sleep on my side.
@@williambranham6249 I may just be guilty of seeing things from only my perspective in that comment. I am unable to side sleep on a sleeping pad and never have been able to.
@@thomasschimmeyer8715 interesting our bodies will only accept a certain sleeping position. it would be fun to video our sleep to watch what happens.
how are the feet/knees doing?
NEVER forget to pack ear plugs!
I take earplugs for anytime I'm sleeping away from a loud stream just because I lay awake hearing every twig break and tiny little critter. In the deep dark woods alone a chipmunk sounds like a bloodthirsty man eating bear
I’m planning a long section hike of the Cohos trail. There are lots of bears and moose up North if you’d like to join. Most bears runs away, and you only have a second or so to spot them.
I’m dreading sleeping at shelters because of snorers. It just grates on my nerves.
Don't!!!!! Take a tent or hammock.
Virginia is a beautiful stste.
I was BLM camping where we drove out pretty deep. We get out of the car to set up camp and I saw the butt end of a huge black animal in some bushes. At first I thought it was a black bear and was like oooh! Then I realized it was a moose and was like "get in the car! get in the car!" lol Mad respect for those big boys lol
Trust me, having been stuck in billeting situations with 50+ guys…the snoring is real. Bring hearing protection.
At 72 what you are describing about your feet I feel with my entire body, especially in the morning…..after a few minutes I’m fine but at first get up I’m in total pain
At 74 I felt the same. I quit eating very tasty but crap food. Every morning I went to Biscuitville for 2 ham and sausage biscuits, hash browns and for lunch to Wendys. Other days I went to the bakery for 2 bagels and cream cheese. I switched to whole, unprocessed foods, nothing special: no foods with added sugar, no refined carbohydrates, fried foods or cured meats. . Lots of leafy greens, fruit and fish. I'm not trying to open a can of worms because diet is heavily debated online, but good food can be all the difference for some.
@@williambranham6249 do you feel better now that you have changed your diet
@@tippersteffi1 Are you kidding? Of course I do! I have no joint pain. It's easy to get up in the mornings, (before I didn't want to get out of bed) , no cravings, and I started riding my bike 8 miles a day. Weight loss is just one of the excellent benefits.
Coulda' sworn you posted your reaction to seeing a bear at one point. Was it another hike then?
I've seen bears in NH. I just never saw any when thru-hiking the AT
Just brag … amazing… I hike in pa and get snore knees at 65 .. so my knees ached just watching u … bad ass ….
👋
Did you worry about bears/moose when you camped at night?
Do you think that the company you kept on the trail helped you on the trail?