Hey Justin I’ve been watching from the beginning of your thru hike. I then went back and watched all of your other videos leading up to the AT, and I have to say I would love to see you standing on the summit in Maine, but if the trail no longer makes you happy, if your mental health is being severely affected it’s not worth it. Not that I know from personal experience but I can only imagine that something like this - attempting to hike the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail will have ups and downs in both the terrain and emotions, aches, pains, and everything else. I’ve said so many times in other comments on other videos how much I appreciate you sharing your journey with me and everyone else. Yes, 100% filming and editing that is an added stressor to an already stressful thing you’re doing. Film more, film less, film nothing. Do what feels right to you. I am invested in your journey no matter what you decide. Quit, don’t quit, doesn’t matter to me. I want a happy, healthy Justin and you’ve struggled for so long to try making it what you want it to be, and it’s just not happening. So, while yes, you’ve gone so far, like you said you still have so far to go, and every day you get closer and closer, but at what cost? Don’t sacrifice “Justin” (the core of who you are) just to tick this trail off your list of things to do. The trail isn’t going anywhere!
I hope you keep on all the way to Maine, Justin. You have already gone so far. I think a lot of people think hiking the AT is just a casual stroll through the woods, when it is really more like a job, one that you really love and want to do, but a job none the less. You have to get up every day and do the miles, day in and day out. A lot of the AT youtubers just show the fun part of the trail, and not the difficult parts of it. I am glad you are keeping it real. Good luck and I hope to see you on top of Katahdin in the near future.
The trail is looking so green and lush now! (Obviously I'm still behind on your episodes 😅) I think it's so interesting that the way you describe struggling here is how I've heard people talk about being stuck at a bad job, and yet they still keep going for years. Really shows how even though your body might be able to keep going through the motions, it doesn't mean that your mind is at all okay with it.
My comment for you Justin is to follow your instincts. Only you know what’s best for you and I think all your followers want what’s best for you as you decide what’s best for you. For me, you’re already a hero and what you do from this point forward is not gonna change that. Go with God buddy.
An inspirational journey for sure and the journey is wherever one's footsteps lead. Appreciate the perspectives shared. And just wow for all the miles on the trail that you've completed!
I can totally relate to needing to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and music to help get through the last part of the trail. Just to get out of my own head helped. And this is where I started hiking around my friends more often. They definitely helped get me through the last few states. One day at a time.
Well I am a old white male and I hike and if you passed me saying hello, I would be happy to say hello back. Love seeing everyone hiking. We are all hikers….. and keep walking forward your very close to the end. Just try to keep positive. It makes the hike easier when you stay positive. I seen people really lose it when deployed in the army more from mental negativity than any of the horrible conditions we found ourselves in.
Wow, you have the doldrums bad. I hope Vermont brought back some of your joy. From there north I thought things just got better and better - if harder and harder. I feel like some of your fatigue and ennui might be resolved with calories. Everything feels better when you have energy.
I hope you finish because you have come so far & have overcame a lot. I know the ultimate decision is yours. I have been in that “place” and truly understand. I am grateful that you shared your journey. My prayers to you to make the best decision for yourself. Congratulations on 1600 miles & 12 states.
Great job Justin. I know it’s challenging times but you got it. Btw, those caramels yu carry in your shoulder sack wouldn’t last 5 min with me. 😂…my favorite. I live in Mass and hope the best for you going forward. You are not far from the end line.
I know people keep saying keep at it. But this is a totally want to activity. If you don't want to do it man, then don't waste your life doing something that makes you miserable when you don't have to. Do what you want. Another option is to come back and do the rest another time IF YOU WANT TO. I HAD TO PUSH THROUGH COLLEGE AND STAY ON SCHOLARSHIP TO SUPPORT 4 KIDS. THE ONLY reason I kept my grades high was financial. If I didn't need the scholarships that pressure for the pure accomplishment wouldn't have been worth it. I would much rather had gotten OK grades and had some life. Life is short, if you have choices, make the choices you want.
If it's any help to you, I was following someone vlogging on the Camino a couple years ago who kept filming the things she wanted as she went along, but stopped editing and posting videos until after she was done. Then she edited and posted the rest after she got home, as she got around to it. Maybe that would be something to consider if the editing and uploading is causing a lot of the pressure? I would love to see you continue, but you of course have to do what is right for you.
just got done with your video, I loosely followed other AT hikers, but you're the only one that I've stuck with. Your transparency and honesty regarding this journey is what is inspiring.. I think vloggers want to show the pretty parts of it, but the brutal down and dirty of the mental toll is something not too many people talk about so openly. Hike your own hike, I know it's much more fun with other people, you gone 1600 mi at this video!! I know you're excited to get done, but your followers will be sad. you bring such joy to so many. we're hoping you'll tackle another hike so we can continue following your journey's. be safe
Do whatcha gotta do Darling! If you don’t feel like recording, we understand! But just know we are rooting for you! But we are not out there doing it. Do your best babe!
💚 I appreciate you. What is the alternative? If you are not in the woods will you want to be in the woods? Can you BE where you are? In that moment, at that place, at this time? Can you appreciate you? For this able body, for this space you created for yourself, for this aceptansce of those who love you, or friend you and follow you? For this moment in time you've made for yourself to just exist in this space and time? Forget the heat, the rain, the cold, move beyond it and exist as a being in nature. Can you Be this? Be present in the present moment? Not worrying about what others think of how your smell, or what they think of your hair? You are not looking at you, you're looking out from you. Be present in the feeling of foot falling, ground meeting it, the support of the earth, the freshness of the air with rain, or mother earth with her warmth for you like a hug, like a creature among creatures moving together. .... whatever you choose, I appreciate you and the inspiration you have given me. 💚
You do you, New Shoes! No worries if you decide vlogging isn't your deal this far into the trail. You've shared an incredible amount already. I do want to thank you for introducing me to Topo Athletic shoes. I purchased a pair soon after you posted about your switch. I've tried a lot of trail runners this past year without complete satisfaction. My Topos have been a perfect match! Take care out there!
Justin, you are always inspirational to me and that will continue whether you on the trail or not. I appreciate your honesty and now I am interested in going to Vermont.
This could be completely wrong but just out of my curiosity do you think it's possible that you're pushing yourself to go further than you really want to everyday not just to get the hike over with but also to keep yourself at a distance from the friends you've met on trail who really might be there for you, and maybe doing this all unconsciously to make it more likely that you'll quit your hike? In other words, what would happen if you really allowed yourself to slow down instead of trying to rush through it and hiked with a tramily, do you think that might make you want to stay and that on some level you might be afraid of finishing this (or the risks joining a tramily might require on a relational level?) And also could that be a pattern that parallels your life? I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you or overstep, but just out of deep respect for your openness, resilience, determination, vulnerability and insistance on living the life you want simply asking. Please tell me if I'm way wrong. Regardless, this is your hike, your life, your decision to make, and you are so inspiring to me regardless of what you decide to do New Shoes.
Hmm. At a certain point I was just trying to hike as fast as possible to get it over with. Then I hit a wall where I was ready to quit. I don’t think I’ve been running from people, nor from the possibility of meeting people. I’ve wanted a tramily, or at least 1-2 people to hike with who I could form a bond with & count on. But I was feeling like the trail is full of cliques, and I felt left out of all of them. As recently as a few weeks ago I did start hiking with a small tramily, and I have also slowed my daily mileage. But you’ll see all of that when those episodes come out.
@@TrailheadJustin thank you for even considering my questions. That sounds so frustrating that there have been so many cliques on the trail that haven't accepted you, either subtly or overtly like the a**hol*s on the trail that wouldn't even say hi. I'm a White straight passing woman. My girlfriend is a woman of color who reads very gay and is always telling me how she so often doesn't feel included in ways I just don't experience myself. The experiences you describe remind me of hers. I'm so happy that you did slow down and find a little tramily after this episode though. I can't wait to see it. We're watching you here and pulling for you like we are pulling for our favorite team in the Super Bowl, except we don't care about football and love thru hiking. But please know you've inspired so many people watching and sharing your journey.
I love your vlogs, but it seems your a month behind. Maybe you would have enjoyed the trail more if you weren’t dealing with a camera and editing and you can focus on the beauty around you and perhaps journaling your adventure would have been better for you. That way you don’t have to worry about editing and shooting. After the trail, you can turn it into a book. I don’t know if you were going to finish or not but I have a good guess in my mind of what you’re going to do. Whatever it is, you’ve got a hell of a lot more than most human beings. I would like to see you in The Whites and all that Rock scrambling. I hope you got to enjoy that.
The feeling of having completed a challenge is incredible and it carries you through life even in difficult times. Leaving something big without trying your best weighs on your mind for the rest of your life. 🇺🇦💛💙. 💙🤍🇫🇮 🙏🙏🙏
Hey Justin I’ve been watching from the beginning of your thru hike. I then went back and watched all of your other videos leading up to the AT, and I have to say I would love to see you standing on the summit in Maine, but if the trail no longer makes you happy, if your mental health is being severely affected it’s not worth it. Not that I know from personal experience but I can only imagine that something like this - attempting to hike the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail will have ups and downs in both the terrain and emotions, aches, pains, and everything else. I’ve said so many times in other comments on other videos how much I appreciate you sharing your journey with me and everyone else. Yes, 100% filming and editing that is an added stressor to an already stressful thing you’re doing. Film more, film less, film nothing. Do what feels right to you. I am invested in your journey no matter what you decide. Quit, don’t quit, doesn’t matter to me. I want a happy, healthy Justin and you’ve struggled for so long to try making it what you want it to be, and it’s just not happening. So, while yes, you’ve gone so far, like you said you still have so far to go, and every day you get closer and closer, but at what cost? Don’t sacrifice “Justin” (the core of who you are) just to tick this trail off your list of things to do. The trail isn’t going anywhere!
I hope you keep on all the way to Maine, Justin. You have already gone so far. I think a lot of people think hiking the AT is just a casual stroll through the woods, when it is really more like a job, one that you really love and want to do, but a job none the less. You have to get up every day and do the miles, day in and day out. A lot of the AT youtubers just show the fun part of the trail, and not the difficult parts of it. I am glad you are keeping it real. Good luck and I hope to see you on top of Katahdin in the near future.
The trail is looking so green and lush now! (Obviously I'm still behind on your episodes 😅) I think it's so interesting that the way you describe struggling here is how I've heard people talk about being stuck at a bad job, and yet they still keep going for years. Really shows how even though your body might be able to keep going through the motions, it doesn't mean that your mind is at all okay with it.
My comment for you Justin is to follow your instincts. Only you know what’s best for you and I think all your followers want what’s best for you as you decide what’s best for you. For me, you’re already a hero and what you do from this point forward is not gonna change that. Go with God buddy.
An inspirational journey for sure and the journey is wherever one's footsteps lead. Appreciate the perspectives shared. And just wow for all the miles on the trail that you've completed!
I can totally relate to needing to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, and music to help get through the last part of the trail. Just to get out of my own head helped. And this is where I started hiking around my friends more often. They definitely helped get me through the last few states. One day at a time.
I have really enjoyed following your journey......be safe!
Well I am a old white male and I hike and if you passed me saying hello, I would be happy to say hello back. Love seeing everyone hiking. We are all hikers….. and keep walking forward your very close to the end. Just try to keep positive. It makes the hike easier when you stay positive. I seen people really lose it when deployed in the army more from mental negativity than any of the horrible conditions we found ourselves in.
Congratulations on 1,600 miles! Thanks for the gorgeous views!
Wow, you have the best matched gear. Travel trek in style dude.
Wow, you have the doldrums bad. I hope Vermont brought back some of your joy. From there north I thought things just got better and better - if harder and harder. I feel like some of your fatigue and ennui might be resolved with calories. Everything feels better when you have energy.
I hope you finish because you have come so far & have overcame a lot. I know the ultimate decision is yours. I have been in that “place” and truly understand. I am grateful that you shared your journey. My prayers to you to make the best decision for yourself. Congratulations on 1600 miles & 12 states.
Congratulations! Vermont!
Keep up the trip yo! Again, still loving the content. Reminds me I need to hike some more.
Great job Justin. I know it’s challenging times but you got it.
Btw, those caramels yu carry in your shoulder sack wouldn’t last 5 min with me. 😂…my favorite. I live in Mass and hope the best for you going forward. You are not far from the end line.
I know people keep saying keep at it. But this is a totally want to activity. If you don't want to do it man, then don't waste your life doing something that makes you miserable when you don't have to. Do what you want. Another option is to come back and do the rest another time IF YOU WANT TO. I HAD TO PUSH THROUGH COLLEGE AND STAY ON SCHOLARSHIP TO SUPPORT 4 KIDS. THE ONLY reason I kept my grades high was financial. If I didn't need the scholarships that pressure for the pure accomplishment wouldn't have been worth it. I would much rather had gotten OK grades and had some life. Life is short, if you have choices, make the choices you want.
If it's any help to you, I was following someone vlogging on the Camino a couple years ago who kept filming the things she wanted as she went along, but stopped editing and posting videos until after she was done. Then she edited and posted the rest after she got home, as she got around to it.
Maybe that would be something to consider if the editing and uploading is causing a lot of the pressure?
I would love to see you continue, but you of course have to do what is right for you.
New sub ! Liked
The presidential will make you feel better with great views
just got done with your video, I loosely followed other AT hikers, but you're the only one that I've stuck with. Your transparency and honesty regarding this journey is what is inspiring.. I think vloggers want to show the pretty parts of it, but the brutal down and dirty of the mental toll is something not too many people talk about so openly. Hike your own hike, I know it's much more fun with other people, you gone 1600 mi at this video!! I know you're excited to get done, but your followers will be sad. you bring such joy to so many. we're hoping you'll tackle another hike so we can continue following your journey's. be safe
Jay Wonders Out has amazing content. He shows a lot of really cool spots along the trail. Check him out. He has mentioned Justin before.
Do whatcha gotta do Darling! If you don’t feel like recording, we understand! But just know we are rooting for you! But we are not out there doing it. Do your best babe!
💚 I appreciate you. What is the alternative? If you are not in the woods will you want to be in the woods? Can you BE where you are? In that moment, at that place, at this time? Can you appreciate you? For this able body, for this space you created for yourself, for this aceptansce of those who love you, or friend you and follow you? For this moment in time you've made for yourself to just exist in this space and time? Forget the heat, the rain, the cold, move beyond it and exist as a being in nature. Can you Be this? Be present in the present moment? Not worrying about what others think of how your smell, or what they think of your hair? You are not looking at you, you're looking out from you. Be present in the feeling of foot falling, ground meeting it, the support of the earth, the freshness of the air with rain, or mother earth with her warmth for you like a hug, like a creature among creatures moving together. .... whatever you choose, I appreciate you and the inspiration you have given me. 💚
Love your videos. I usually watch and don't comment but had to let you know you rock!
You do you, New Shoes! No worries if you decide vlogging isn't your deal this far into the trail. You've shared an incredible amount already.
I do want to thank you for introducing me to Topo Athletic shoes. I purchased a pair soon after you posted about your switch. I've tried a lot of trail runners this past year without complete satisfaction. My Topos have been a perfect match!
Take care out there!
Justin, you are always inspirational to me and that will continue whether you on the trail or not. I appreciate your honesty and now I am interested in going to Vermont.
if you dont feel like keep going just get off the trail and never get back on the trail again
Love your videos, and your unique point of view. Hope you make it to the end, but, make no mistake, you've accomplished a lot!
👋🏻
This could be completely wrong but just out of my curiosity do you think it's possible that you're pushing yourself to go further than you really want to everyday not just to get the hike over with but also to keep yourself at a distance from the friends you've met on trail who really might be there for you, and maybe doing this all unconsciously to make it more likely that you'll quit your hike? In other words, what would happen if you really allowed yourself to slow down instead of trying to rush through it and hiked with a tramily, do you think that might make you want to stay and that on some level you might be afraid of finishing this (or the risks joining a tramily might require on a relational level?) And also could that be a pattern that parallels your life? I'm not trying to psychoanalyze you or overstep, but just out of deep respect for your openness, resilience, determination, vulnerability and insistance on living the life you want simply asking. Please tell me if I'm way wrong. Regardless, this is your hike, your life, your decision to make, and you are so inspiring to me regardless of what you decide to do New Shoes.
Hmm. At a certain point I was just trying to hike as fast as possible to get it over with. Then I hit a wall where I was ready to quit. I don’t think I’ve been running from people, nor from the possibility of meeting people. I’ve wanted a tramily, or at least 1-2 people to hike with who I could form a bond with & count on. But I was feeling like the trail is full of cliques, and I felt left out of all of them. As recently as a few weeks ago I did start hiking with a small tramily, and I have also slowed my daily mileage. But you’ll see all of that when those episodes come out.
@@TrailheadJustin thank you for even considering my questions. That sounds so frustrating that there have been so many cliques on the trail that haven't accepted you, either subtly or overtly like the a**hol*s on the trail that wouldn't even say hi. I'm a White straight passing woman. My girlfriend is a woman of color who reads very gay and is always telling me how she so often doesn't feel included in ways I just don't experience myself. The experiences you describe remind me of hers. I'm so happy that you did slow down and find a little tramily after this episode though. I can't wait to see it. We're watching you here and pulling for you like we are pulling for our favorite team in the Super Bowl, except we don't care about football and love thru hiking. But please know you've inspired so many people watching and sharing your journey.
If its inspiring and motivating maybe you can reach out to more followers and ask to meet up with them if they are near by your location.
Awwww great video , even if your struggling, YOU ARE JUST KEEPING IT REAL 🍒🍄😎😎💕💕😎🍄🍒🍒🍒😎😎💕💕😎🍄
I love your vlogs, but it seems your a month behind. Maybe you would have enjoyed the trail more if you weren’t dealing with a camera and editing and you can focus on the beauty around you and perhaps journaling your adventure would have been better for you. That way you don’t have to worry about editing and shooting. After the trail, you can turn it into a book. I don’t know if you were going to finish or not but I have a good guess in my mind of what you’re going to do. Whatever it is, you’ve got a hell of a lot more than most human beings. I would like to see you in The Whites and all that Rock scrambling. I hope you got to enjoy that.
The feeling of having completed a challenge is incredible and it carries you through life even in difficult times. Leaving something big without trying your best weighs on your mind for the rest of your life. 🇺🇦💛💙. 💙🤍🇫🇮 🙏🙏🙏