Great video! Who cares if you’re an ultralighter, glamper, car camper, thru hiker, or even a weirdo like Kyle Hates Hiking 😉.. I’m just glad you got out to experience the outdoors!
hey hey hey....can't we all just get along and hate on the car camper together. or the chair guys. gotta hate on somthin or the internet breaks. Love u Dan
I don’t think thruhikers look down on weekend warriors. I DO think that the weekend warriors may feel self conscious about not thru hiking. FYI, I’m a proud weekend warrior.
I’ve been out for five months straight and the only thing that brought me home was running out of money. Countless weekenders told me they would love to thru hike if they didn’t have “life’s responsibilities” holding them back. It seemed like a cliché back then but now, I cherish any and all trail time. You don’t have to live out there to appreciate it. In fact, I appreciate it even more now.
Too funny - - your closing comments hit "close to home" - - I am 55 and now an empty nester. I am a backpacking enthusiast (basically a weekend warrior). I am going to do the Colorado Trail this summer. I will section hike the first couple segments as part of my gear shake-down and then complete sections 9-28 as a through hike (lasting about 3 weeks). Its a far cry from the AT/PCT/CDT, but its a start.......I am blessed to have this opportunity. Thanks for the video and your prior content as well - - as I have started to create some dehydrated meals for the upcoming thru-hike. I must admit the refried beans, buffalo chicken and chilli mac will definitely be in my pack. Take care and keep the content coming - - always appreciated!!!!
You guys are exactly correct. Thru-hikers are true experts, but their passion is not most peoples’ reality. However, the weekend warriors can learn much from the thru-hikers, especially regarding lighting one’s pack through gear choice. Thanks for your insight.
Avid outdoors people make & take opportunities when they can! We're all legitimate outdoor fun lovers. I own various backpacks, kayaks, a canoe, and a garage full of everything that entails, and that is really all that matters. We hike our own hike, or make our own adventure. Cheers!
You guys hit it in the head. Through hiking is like a job that doesn’t pay. There aren’t many pro through hikers. A lot of people through hike once or twice then cruise on it like the lords of the hiking world. The weekend warrior are just people getting out when they can and dropping money on gear cause we internet surf hike more then we get to hike.
You hit the nail on the head: you think thru hiking is hard, how about the effort and commitment to a family and a career - both can really suck at times. Backpacking/weekenders try to have a little fun but really sacrifice their prime hiking years for the betterment of their family. The difference between the hiking and backpacking is trivial with that perspective.
This is a fun topic and you make some great points. Personally I think the only difference between a weekend warrior and a through hiker is opportunity. Most people that are weekend warriors like myself would do a through hike if they could get the time off work and from family. I'm the same as you guys I'm going to do the Appalachian Trail when I retire in 7 years. I've wanted to do it since I was 18 years old and could never afford it when I was younger and now have to wait until I retire like most people.
The Ocean to Lake Trail is 63 miles long and could be done in a weekend. This creates the possibility of being a weekend warrior and a thru hiker AT THE SAME TIME! Whoa 😳 🤯
Thanks for the valuable information about how to backpack camp. I've been an over the top car glamper for years, and have always wanted to backpack, but was afraid to. I even lived in Montana for two years, and never went backpacking. Went hiking and fishing all the time, but never backpacking. But two weeks ago I went on my first solo backpacking overnight at a little park in Toledo... at your suggestion to start small, short distance, close to home, to test things out. For years I thought there was nowhere to backpack in Ohio, and now thanks to your channel, I have a long list of places to explore in the Buckeye state! Cheers to PTO from the home office!
There are a lot more of us who can only hike on the weekends to wait until we have the time to do longer trails. But I like to watch also some of the AT hikers and hope someday my turn will come.
I used to work in art supply stores. of course all who worked there were "serious artists" and we all sneered at the hobbyists who came in for their water-colour palettes for their plein air clubs and the parents who just wanted to get an all in one kit for their kid's birthday. Until it occurred to me that the retiree picking up a new hobby and spending $1500 per year on supplies probably does a lot more to make it possible for me to get affordable exotic pigments and fund research into medium development than I do with my purchases of raw materials and my "real art". We all enjoy the technology, development, and availability of goods that are funded not by the "pros" but by the dozens of hobbyists that make the companies able to produce the goods at an affordable price.
Embrace it all! Stay in that cubicle only long enough to day hike, weekend hike, thru-hike, car camp, van camp, RV camp, canoe camp, cruise on your sailboat... Get out an breath the air! Newton's first law. Fair winds.
You recorded this in March?? Should have released it a month ago before all us Weekend Warriors started watching all the Thru Hiker vlogs start on the AT, CDT, and PCT and thought that's what we were supposed to be doing 😂
If I was in the position to thru-hike...I would totally do it. I’m absolutely jealous of those that have the freedom to do so (sometimes regularly). Those stories are amazing to follow. That said, Weekend Warriors FTW.
For a long time I've been thinking about doing a video along these lines, but it's got a different view than yours on several points. You'll enjoy it, I'm sure!
Recently went to San Jacinto hiked only 3 miles even with the help of the tram and couldn't go the rest of the way to the peak. Weekend warrioring rules!!
Interesting video and I completely agree. The reason why a lot of “weekend warrior” channels are bigger is because there is more interest in it than thru hiking. Although finishing a thru hike is a very impressive accomplishment (mentally mostly) I am also getting a bit sick of the whole “if you didnt hike the AT you’re not cool enough” attitude some youtubers have. All the while the AT is corrupt, probably the least interesting thru hike in the world (pretty much same views the whole way) and most of the youtubers hiked the AT and years later it is still the only thing they talk about in their videos. Personally I have gotten really bored with all the AT videos. Weekend warriors seem to be sharing a lot more interesting knowledge on different places, perspectives and gear etc. For thru hiking I want to see more PCT, CDT, GDT and TA. Then we’ll talk 😜
I’m all set on the family end. My wife did an Ironman a while back and I was basically a single father through that stage…and the kids were young. On my through hike I will be retired, my kids will be adults, and my wife will be happy to have me out of her hair for awhile. 🤪
@@DadsBackpackTrip Damn you are set....who knew that "a while back" you were saving get out of jail free cards. Good on you. Now all you have to do is screw things up a bit so you can go find yourself LOL.
So I thru-hiked the AT right after college when the opportunity presented itself in 2002. I don’t even think youtube was around. Now I do a lot of multi-day trips(weekend warrior) and mix in smaller, week or two thru-hikes(thru-hiker). Am I like a hybrid of some sorts?😂
So if yo thru hike a 48 mile trail on a long weekend does it make you a thru hiker? What if you did it on weekdays? What if you brought a camp chair? My son and I just completed our first ever trip. The Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana. Epic trip....60s and snow! We completed it in 3 1/4 days....weekdays. No camp chairs....Are we thru hikers?
They are all intertwined. A weekend warrior is a two night, probably lower mile hiking, in which gear selection and weight can be a variable for testing and fun. Most weekend warriors move on to hike a 3-5 day section of trail, where more planning and finesse is required. The negative is that they don’t have trail legs and it is harder to embrace the suck if weather is bad. A Thru Hike is simply a 3-5 Day section hike repeated for 4-6 months where your baseline starting point must be well planned and adjustments must be done quickly and on the fly. It starts as a physical challenge, becomes mental, nutritional and then emotional at the end. It is hard to mix all those together in one weekend or section and thus, a few Thru Hikers feel they are some how more entitled. That can be a negative, but I must admit, when I was on Trail, I never witness any behaviors or conflict with those on trail or around shelters. My hike was improved with the friendship and bonuses that section hikers provided me. I am no longer looking to Thru Hike, One was enough to teach me why I was compelled to attempt this endurance ac tI it’s. I am now really looking forward to smaller under 250 mile section hikes while still enjoying any overnighted that gives me a chance to escape into the woods. I just hope everyone realizes that it is all part of the same whole and we need every aspect to make the hiking community successful and sustainable. Sorry for the length but I didn’t even touch on my SUV camping at Trailheads before a hike! 🤣 Great Video, you bashed Kyle and Dan Becker in one conversation!
I love all the “Kyle” comments!! 😂😂😂 I cannot wait to be retired hiking the AT in 50 years! 😂 thru hiking the long trail (VT) this summer will be the closest thing to a thru hike I will probably ever do
Yep, no time for thru hikes, yet. However, being employed full time gives me the luxury of buying whatever piece of gear I want or, like you two, take a backpacking vacation in another state. In the meantime I'll continue to backpack and day hike.
I'm thru hiking right now and I watch weekend warriors more often than thru hiker channels! Y'all are awesome! But I will say it is a lot of walking but damn it's hard some days. Still better than working for the man but some days it is close lol.
Tru hike its fun and cool but it has to be also noted that those trails are not as secluded. They are kept and the trails are well known. Animals are used to humans walking those paths for the most part. There are many trails in the US that weekend warriors use because it doesnt take that long to hike 30 miles. But the wildlife around it is more active, in some case more dangerous too because isnt as well kept or the water accessibility is even less than on major trails. Weekend warriors usually go to more secluded places and need to carry stuff to deal with unknown things. Thru hikers need things to make it to the next campsite or shelter. Everything is mapped on thru hikes. There is a difference in set of skills for both type of backpacking, case in point. tru hikers don’t do winter, because of weight saving purposes while “weekend warriors do all seasons”
Hey. I'm from NE Ohio myself and now live in SW New Mexico. I have backpacked since I was 13 and did the AT in 1980 and the CDT in 2003. I have that thruhiker perspective. After the CDT I came back here to the Gila National forest and Wilderness. I have this theory that when you're doing a long trail you're 'macrohiking', seeing a little bit of a LOT. I decided that this area, one of the first places on the CDT NOBO where there's running permanent water was the place I wanted to live out my days. I have been doing a thing here 'microhiking' where you see basically everything in a smaller defined area. (The Gila) I contend that they are equally valid ways to backpack. There should be no contention between flavors of backpacker. We should all be actively trying to get more people out at any level of skill. Like any other athlete promotes their sport. Anyway... my 2 cents. :-)
Taking three weeks to do a small thru-hike has made piloting my desk even more difficult 😅 Pretty sure my coworkers can't stand me constantly talking about hiking 😂. But since we're on the topic... does thru-hiking and being a weekend warrior, make you Superior over both groups 🤔🤣🤣🤣
of course....the only way to be more superior is to be impossibly good looking as well as a current warrior and former thru hiker. Im not even gonna go further but yeah....that guy sucks!
I disagree that they know backpacking. They know long distance backpacking. I would never use Darwins setup for my weekend 20km trips in the Canadian rockies. Thru hiking and backpacking are not the same sport. Its like comparing hockey to lacrosse. Similar but different
I want to be warm and comfortable when hanging out with my friends in the evening. Not hike until late everyday and go straight to bed. I bet if the YouTubing thru hikers looked at their subscribers it would be us weekend warriors supporting them.
Great video guys, enjoyed it! Dan‘s comment below was good. Hey guess what, I’m a fourth grader and proud of it. I completed fourth grade one time back in the 80s. >packman A true fourth grader
somewhat true - an argument can be made and a large percentage need the superiority because they got nothin else. If you have 5 months you got something weird going on - or your between things - or you want to be a youtube star for 5 months. Backpacking is weekend warriors. also - youtubers and intimidated newbys make more of this than is real. Whos ever run into someone in the back country that would somehow look down on you...except gear, that shit should always be compared...and argued about. damn chair people
I'm right with you guys 65 and Thru hiking will be me. At least we can get to do some longer section hiking and even the TRT you guys are planning, Just a few month's and I'll be hiking the Colorado trail to Breckenridge. Next year the JMT baby!
You didn't mention the longest trail in North America. The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest in the National Trails System, stretching 4,700 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont, traversing forests and farmlands, remote terrain, and nearby communities.
I’ve learned from thru hikers and from people who have been backpacking for 40+ years. They both have valuable perspectives. Then there is the Johnny-come-lately whose entire camping and backpacking experience consists of one thru hike, and now they’re self-appointed experts with a dogmatic approach to everything. They accumulated a lot of experience in a short amount of time, and I’m not discounting that entirely, but it isn’t a replacement for experience generated over time. Anyone who has had a career understands this. As someone else mentioned in the comments, the two hobbies are as different as they are similar - so anyone looking down their nose at backpackers is probably in no position to do so.
Excellent points. I've noticed this as well. My backing years began in 1986 and have continued until today. Almost all of my experience has been in Central and South America. When I watch some of those "self-appointed experts" I sometimes break out laughing. Thru-hiking the AT is one thing; spending 14 days solo hiking across the Andes or crossing the Darien Gap, is another thing entirely.
LOL 😂 really though, a "backpacker" is someone who stuffs a bunch of shit in a backpack, straps it on and then goes for a walk, pitches a tent for the night. Doesn't matter if it's one night or 200. Of course I may feel differently after I do a long distance hike 😉 The Great Trail/Trans-Canada Trail is waiting!
I just watched the video on "Weekend Warriors" and "Thru-Hikers". I must say for the most part we agree. So this is not to debate the points made in the video. What I would like to ask is where do you slot someone such as Joey Coconato? From the video he does not fit as a "Weekend Warrior", nor as a "Thru-Hiker". Does this make him some type of Hybrid?
We are w/e warriors.....no apologies. Five month thru hike would be a great adventure for sure....it is for people with lots of disposable income and no employment requirements. Who gets five months off with pay.? Not us.
In Kyle’s defense, he recommended your channel. Biggest difference I see is thru hikers hate chairs. Lol. I’m more of an older version of y’all and would also like to thru hike somewhere when I retire.
Where does a backpacker like Joey Coconato fit in? He's not a thru-hiker and more than a week-end weenie ...sorry...can't really call you warriors :) As far as Thru-hikers claiming the experience and expertise mantels, I'd put Joey's experience up against most any AT/PCT hiker. And just so I don't come off as sounding like I have a man-crush on Joey, I'm asking because I'm in his same category. Most of my trips are a week or more and tend to cover less traveled trails and X-country routes. And occasionally toss in some trips that involve putting in 16-22 mile days.
I hate elitism from any quadrant of society. Plain and simple, the trails belong to all of us! I wish I had the resources to thru hike. Not really! Thru hiking is not on the bucket list. A friend and I are going to section hike on the AT this summer. That's good enough. I respect everyone that gets out and enjoys nature.
I feel like there were some very specific details / names left out of this video...?? In my opinion the REAL winners are the ones who figured out a way to make actual money from backpacking. Who cares if your a weekend warrior or thru- hiker, anyone can do that. But can you make money doing it? That is the hard part haha! Let the PROFESSIONALS give the advice! j/k 😉
Of the TH-cam AT thru hikers this year it seems they are going from hostel to hostel. They very seldom set up their tent. They even get the hostel to give them a ride back and forth where they slack pack between road crossings and spend up to 3 nights at the same hostel. How about a rant about this.
Shug hasn't thru-hiked a multi-month long trail. Enough said. Okay besides, someone has to work to support the trail associations, restaurants, and gear companies.
Great video! Who cares if you’re an ultralighter, glamper, car camper, thru hiker, or even a weirdo like Kyle Hates Hiking 😉.. I’m just glad you got out to experience the outdoors!
I agree. I’d like to be any of those people as long as I get some dirt time in. Except maybe Kyle, he just seems miserable.
hey hey hey....can't we all just get along and hate on the car camper together. or the chair guys. gotta hate on somthin or the internet breaks. Love u Dan
I don’t think thruhikers look down on weekend warriors. I DO think that the weekend warriors may feel self conscious about not thru hiking. FYI, I’m a proud weekend warrior.
I’ve been out for five months straight and the only thing that brought me home was running out of money. Countless weekenders told me they would love to thru hike if they didn’t have “life’s responsibilities” holding them back. It seemed like a cliché back then but now, I cherish any and all trail time. You don’t have to live out there to appreciate it. In fact, I appreciate it even more now.
Weird thing is that most of us are weekend warriors who love watching and dreaming about Dixie, Darwin, IBtat and Hawk.
A thru hike is just 5 months worth of weekend-length trips, so they're basically the same anyways
There he is
Hold still! He can't see you if you don't move!
“Kyle, If you’re watching, suck it!” 🤣 Weekend Warriors rule!
Too funny - - your closing comments hit "close to home" - - I am 55 and now an empty nester. I am a backpacking enthusiast (basically a weekend warrior). I am going to do the Colorado Trail this summer. I will section hike the first couple segments as part of my gear shake-down and then complete sections 9-28 as a through hike (lasting about 3 weeks). Its a far cry from the AT/PCT/CDT, but its a start.......I am blessed to have this opportunity. Thanks for the video and your prior content as well - - as I have started to create some dehydrated meals for the upcoming thru-hike. I must admit the refried beans, buffalo chicken and chilli mac will definitely be in my pack. Take care and keep the content coming - - always appreciated!!!!
You guys are exactly correct. Thru-hikers are true experts, but their passion is not most peoples’ reality. However, the weekend warriors can learn much from the thru-hikers, especially regarding lighting one’s pack through gear choice. Thanks for your insight.
Avid outdoors people make & take opportunities when they can! We're all legitimate outdoor fun lovers. I own various backpacks, kayaks, a canoe, and a garage full of everything that entails, and that is really all that matters. We hike our own hike, or make our own adventure. Cheers!
You guys hit it in the head. Through hiking is like a job that doesn’t pay. There aren’t many pro through hikers. A lot of people through hike once or twice then cruise on it like the lords of the hiking world. The weekend warrior are just people getting out when they can and dropping money on gear cause we internet surf hike more then we get to hike.
You hit the nail on the head: you think thru hiking is hard, how about the effort and commitment to a family and a career - both can really suck at times. Backpacking/weekenders try to have a little fun but really sacrifice their prime hiking years for the betterment of their family. The difference between the hiking and backpacking is trivial with that perspective.
This is a fun topic and you make some great points. Personally I think the only difference between a weekend warrior and a through hiker is opportunity. Most people that are weekend warriors like myself would do a through hike if they could get the time off work and from family. I'm the same as you guys I'm going to do the Appalachian Trail when I retire in 7 years. I've wanted to do it since I was 18 years old and could never afford it when I was younger and now have to wait until I retire like most people.
The Ocean to Lake Trail is 63 miles long and could be done in a weekend. This creates the possibility of being a weekend warrior and a thru hiker AT THE SAME TIME! Whoa 😳 🤯
No matter which hiking trail we all may choose...it’s all about the outdoors, the sunsets, the sunrises, and enjoying the adventure!
I asked my manager if I could take five months off to hike the AT. He said yes...but you won't have a job when you return.
Thanks for the valuable information about how to backpack camp. I've been an over the top car glamper for years, and have always wanted to backpack, but was afraid to.
I even lived in Montana for two years, and never went backpacking. Went hiking and fishing all the time, but never backpacking.
But two weeks ago I went on my first solo backpacking overnight at a little park in Toledo... at your suggestion to start small, short distance, close to home, to test things out.
For years I thought there was nowhere to backpack in Ohio, and now thanks to your channel, I have a long list of places to explore in the Buckeye state!
Cheers to PTO from the home office!
I agree with every thing you said. As a through hiker of the TA, I love being a weekend worrier as well. Cheers from Australia.
There are a lot more of us who can only hike on the weekends to wait until we have the time to do longer trails. But I like to watch also some of the AT hikers and hope someday my turn will come.
Great video. We are all getting out there and live to do it again.
I used to work in art supply stores. of course all who worked there were "serious artists" and we all sneered at the hobbyists who came in for their water-colour palettes for their plein air clubs and the parents who just wanted to get an all in one kit for their kid's birthday. Until it occurred to me that the retiree picking up a new hobby and spending $1500 per year on supplies probably does a lot more to make it possible for me to get affordable exotic pigments and fund research into medium development than I do with my purchases of raw materials and my "real art". We all enjoy the technology, development, and availability of goods that are funded not by the "pros" but by the dozens of hobbyists that make the companies able to produce the goods at an affordable price.
Embrace it all! Stay in that cubicle only long enough to day hike, weekend hike, thru-hike, car camp, van camp, RV camp, canoe camp, cruise on your sailboat... Get out an breath the air! Newton's first law. Fair winds.
I'm a thru-hiker, weekend warrior, and a day-hiker. Life is good.
Jack of all hiking trades. 😎
You recorded this in March?? Should have released it a month ago before all us Weekend Warriors started watching all the Thru Hiker vlogs start on the AT, CDT, and PCT and thought that's what we were supposed to be doing 😂
If I was in the position to thru-hike...I would totally do it. I’m absolutely jealous of those that have the freedom to do so (sometimes regularly). Those stories are amazing to follow. That said, Weekend Warriors FTW.
For a long time I've been thinking about doing a video along these lines, but it's got a different view than yours on several points. You'll enjoy it, I'm sure!
Recently went to San Jacinto hiked only 3 miles even with the help of the tram and couldn't go the rest of the way to the peak. Weekend warrioring rules!!
Interesting video and I completely agree. The reason why a lot of “weekend warrior” channels are bigger is because there is more interest in it than thru hiking. Although finishing a thru hike is a very impressive accomplishment (mentally mostly) I am also getting a bit sick of the whole “if you didnt hike the AT you’re not cool enough” attitude some youtubers have.
All the while the AT is corrupt, probably the least interesting thru hike in the world (pretty much same views the whole way) and most of the youtubers hiked the AT and years later it is still the only thing they talk about in their videos.
Personally I have gotten really bored with all the AT videos. Weekend warriors seem to be sharing a lot more interesting knowledge on different places, perspectives and gear etc.
For thru hiking I want to see more PCT, CDT, GDT and TA. Then we’ll talk 😜
The virgin weekend warrior vs. the giga-chad thru hiker.
I'm still trying to get my gear together to go for the first time! Lol I'm just happy to be outside in general so I'm excited even for 1 night trips 😄
Right on. Just working to keep my knees in shape until I'm 60 and can through hike.haha
My plan exactly!
I don't recommend being happily married....kids are grown I have the time but my wife loves me too much. Bummer huh?
I’m all set on the family end. My wife did an Ironman a while back and I was basically a single father through that stage…and the kids were young. On my through hike I will be retired, my kids will be adults, and my wife will be happy to have me out of her hair for awhile. 🤪
@@DadsBackpackTrip Damn you are set....who knew that "a while back" you were saving get out of jail free cards. Good on you. Now all you have to do is screw things up a bit so you can go find yourself LOL.
So I thru-hiked the AT right after college when the opportunity presented itself in 2002. I don’t even think youtube was around. Now I do a lot of multi-day trips(weekend warrior) and mix in smaller, week or two thru-hikes(thru-hiker). Am I like a hybrid of some sorts?😂
I can’t wait for the day that my job is to get up and walk all day. Until then, I’ll push the week+ trip when I can, and weekend warrior when I can’t…
So if yo thru hike a 48 mile trail on a long weekend does it make you a thru hiker? What if you did it on weekdays? What if you brought a camp chair?
My son and I just completed our first ever trip. The Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana. Epic trip....60s and snow! We completed it in 3 1/4 days....weekdays. No camp chairs....Are we thru hikers?
They are all intertwined. A weekend warrior is a two night, probably lower mile hiking, in which gear selection and weight can be a variable for testing and fun. Most weekend warriors move on to hike a 3-5 day section of trail, where more planning and finesse is required. The negative is that they don’t have trail legs and it is harder to embrace the suck if weather is bad. A Thru Hike is simply a 3-5 Day section hike repeated for 4-6 months where your baseline starting point must be well planned and adjustments must be done quickly and on the fly. It starts as a physical challenge, becomes mental, nutritional and then emotional at the end. It is hard to mix all those together in one weekend or section and thus, a few Thru Hikers feel they are some how more entitled. That can be a negative, but I must admit, when I was on Trail, I never witness any behaviors or conflict with those on trail or around shelters. My hike was improved with the friendship and bonuses that section hikers provided me. I am no longer looking to Thru Hike, One was enough to teach me why I was compelled to attempt this endurance ac tI it’s. I am now really looking forward to smaller under 250 mile section hikes while still enjoying any overnighted that gives me a chance to escape into the woods. I just hope everyone realizes that it is all part of the same whole and we need every aspect to make the hiking community successful and sustainable. Sorry for the length but I didn’t even touch on my SUV camping at Trailheads before a hike! 🤣 Great Video, you bashed Kyle and Dan Becker in one conversation!
I love all the “Kyle” comments!! 😂😂😂 I cannot wait to be retired hiking the AT in 50 years! 😂 thru hiking the long trail (VT) this summer will be the closest thing to a thru hike I will probably ever do
Yep, no time for thru hikes, yet. However, being employed full time gives me the luxury of buying whatever piece of gear I want or, like you two, take a backpacking vacation in another state. In the meantime I'll continue to backpack and day hike.
I'm thru hiking right now and I watch weekend warriors more often than thru hiker channels! Y'all are awesome!
But I will say it is a lot of walking but damn it's hard some days. Still better than working for the man but some days it is close lol.
Tru hike its fun and cool but it has to be also noted that those trails are not as secluded. They are kept and the trails are well known. Animals are used to humans walking those paths for the most part.
There are many trails in the US that weekend warriors use because it doesnt take that long to hike 30 miles. But the wildlife around it is more active, in some case more dangerous too because isnt as well kept or the water accessibility is even less than on major trails.
Weekend warriors usually go to more secluded places and need to carry stuff to deal with unknown things. Thru hikers need things to make it to the next campsite or shelter. Everything is mapped on thru hikes.
There is a difference in set of skills for both type of backpacking, case in point. tru hikers don’t do winter, because of weight saving purposes while “weekend warriors do all seasons”
Hey. I'm from NE Ohio myself and now live in SW New Mexico. I have backpacked since I was 13 and did the AT in 1980 and the CDT in 2003. I have that thruhiker perspective. After the CDT I came back here to the Gila National forest and Wilderness. I have this theory that when you're doing a long trail you're 'macrohiking', seeing a little bit of a LOT. I decided that this area, one of the first places on the CDT NOBO where there's running permanent water was the place I wanted to live out my days. I have been doing a thing here 'microhiking' where you see basically everything in a smaller defined area. (The Gila) I contend that they are equally valid ways to backpack. There should be no contention between flavors of backpacker. We should all be actively trying to get more people out at any level of skill. Like any other athlete promotes their sport. Anyway... my 2 cents. :-)
Taking three weeks to do a small thru-hike has made piloting my desk even more difficult 😅 Pretty sure my coworkers can't stand me constantly talking about hiking 😂. But since we're on the topic... does thru-hiking and being a weekend warrior, make you Superior over both groups 🤔🤣🤣🤣
of course....the only way to be more superior is to be impossibly good looking as well as a current warrior and former thru hiker. Im not even gonna go further but yeah....that guy sucks!
@@nedanother9382 I'm pretty good looking soo... 🤣
@@Smokeybeesnatural 😂🤣
I'm akin to the Taco Girl meme saying "Why not both?" to each hiking methodology.
And I throw in a third: canoeing and portaging.
I disagree that they know backpacking. They know long distance backpacking. I would never use Darwins setup for my weekend 20km trips in the Canadian rockies. Thru hiking and backpacking are not the same sport. Its like comparing hockey to lacrosse. Similar but different
I have 3 to 5 pounds in fishing gear i have in my pack
I want to be warm and comfortable when hanging out with my friends in the evening. Not hike until late everyday and go straight to bed. I bet if the YouTubing thru hikers looked at their subscribers it would be us weekend warriors supporting them.
Great video guys, enjoyed it! Dan‘s comment below was good. Hey guess what, I’m a fourth grader and proud of it. I completed fourth grade one time back in the 80s.
>packman
A true fourth grader
Getting the time for me. I haven't even got the time spare to do the Dales Highway, and that's only 90 miles and I live at the start/end of it 😂
somewhat true - an argument can be made and a large percentage need the superiority because they got nothin else. If you have 5 months you got something weird going on - or your between things - or you want to be a youtube star for 5 months. Backpacking is weekend warriors. also - youtubers and intimidated newbys make more of this than is real. Whos ever run into someone in the back country that would somehow look down on you...except gear, that shit should always be compared...and argued about. damn chair people
I'm right with you guys 65 and Thru hiking will be me. At least we can get to do some longer section hiking and even the TRT you guys are planning, Just a few month's and I'll be hiking the Colorado trail to Breckenridge. Next year the JMT baby!
You didn't mention the longest trail in North America. The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest in the National Trails System, stretching 4,700 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont, traversing forests and farmlands, remote terrain, and nearby communities.
I’ve learned from thru hikers and from people who have been backpacking for 40+ years. They both have valuable perspectives. Then there is the Johnny-come-lately whose entire camping and backpacking experience consists of one thru hike, and now they’re self-appointed experts with a dogmatic approach to everything. They accumulated a lot of experience in a short amount of time, and I’m not discounting that entirely, but it isn’t a replacement for experience generated over time. Anyone who has had a career understands this. As someone else mentioned in the comments, the two hobbies are as different as they are similar - so anyone looking down their nose at backpackers is probably in no position to do so.
Excellent points. I've noticed this as well. My backing years began in 1986 and have continued until today. Almost all of my experience has been in Central and South America. When I watch some of those "self-appointed experts" I sometimes break out laughing. Thru-hiking the AT is one thing; spending 14 days solo hiking across the Andes or crossing the Darien Gap, is another thing entirely.
You go girl! I thru hike through LIFE and hike and camp once a month when time and marriage allow!!
We are bred to be tribal. And each of those designator like section hikers vs thru hikers vs weekend hikers makes up a tribe.
LOL 😂
really though, a "backpacker" is someone who stuffs a bunch of shit in a backpack, straps it on and then goes for a walk, pitches a tent for the night. Doesn't matter if it's one night or 200.
Of course I may feel differently after I do a long distance hike 😉 The Great Trail/Trans-Canada Trail is waiting!
All hikes are worthy. Thru hiking is a ton of rinse and repeat.
Northeast weekend warriors are superior to midwest weekend warriors :-)
Glad I watched that one until the end 😆 well said💀
Someone needs to raise the children and provide for them. Weekend warrior until they're grown.
I just watched the video on "Weekend Warriors" and "Thru-Hikers". I must say for the most part we agree. So this is not to debate the points made in the video. What I would like to ask is where do you slot someone such as Joey Coconato? From the video he does not fit as a "Weekend Warrior", nor as a "Thru-Hiker". Does this make him some type of Hybrid?
Future thru hiker here. It's not easy or everyone could do it. I like Dan Becker.
I'm a fat guy and a through hike to me is the short loop at wildcat hollow.
Love the honesty here! Sorry some of us have to wake up and go slave to the man and take care of our families....
Most thru-hikers are actually weekend warriors, let’s be real, here.
Where do us campers fall into all this?
Dan's weekend hiking?? Are you sure..?
We are w/e warriors.....no apologies. Five month thru hike would be a great adventure for sure....it is for people with lots of disposable income and no employment requirements. Who gets five months off with pay.? Not us.
In Kyle’s defense, he recommended your channel. Biggest difference I see is thru hikers hate chairs. Lol. I’m more of an older version of y’all and would also like to thru hike somewhere when I retire.
Funny thing...I hiked the AT in the Smokies a month ago and saw more thru-hikers than not with camp chairs!
Where does a backpacker like Joey Coconato fit in? He's not a thru-hiker and more than a week-end weenie ...sorry...can't really call you warriors :)
As far as Thru-hikers claiming the experience and expertise mantels, I'd put Joey's experience up against most any AT/PCT hiker. And just so I don't come off as sounding like I have a man-crush on Joey, I'm asking because I'm in his same category. Most of my trips are a week or more and tend to cover less traveled trails and X-country routes. And occasionally toss in some trips that involve putting in 16-22 mile days.
Thruhikers and Ultralight backpackers don't hate weekend warriors or their chairs, it's just Kyle's little childish gimmick. HYOH.
I hate elitism from any quadrant of society. Plain and simple, the trails belong to all of us! I wish I had the resources to thru hike. Not really! Thru hiking is not on the bucket list. A friend and I are going to section hike on the AT this summer. That's good enough. I respect everyone that gets out and enjoys nature.
I feel like there were some very specific details / names left out of this video...?? In my opinion the REAL winners are the ones who figured out a way to make actual money from backpacking. Who cares if your a weekend warrior or thru- hiker, anyone can do that. But can you make money doing it? That is the hard part haha! Let the PROFESSIONALS give the advice! j/k 😉
You guys are still walking??? Lulz #Riverkings #Kayakcamp
Of the TH-cam AT thru hikers this year it seems they are going from hostel to hostel. They very seldom set up their tent. They even get the hostel to give them a ride back and forth where they slack pack between road crossings and spend up to 3 nights at the same hostel.
How about a rant about this.
Shug hasn't thru-hiked a multi-month long trail. Enough said. Okay besides, someone has to work to support the trail associations, restaurants, and gear companies.
I already subscribed, and I'm your first like. Do I get a whistle button or something? Something free? 😂🤣☘️🍀