To Flatbroke: I have enjoyed your TH-cam posts for quite a while. I’m old, 67 yo, and fat, 265 lbs., retired from the Army, 2006, and plan to retire, for good, this Dec, ‘23. I have wanted to hike the AT since college graduation, 1978. Life has gotten the way. Now, my retirement house and property is built and paid off, good cars, paid off. I will retire completely in a couple of months. I truly appreciate your straightforward honesty, something sorely needed, for TH-cam hiking videos. I’m a bit nervous about hiking the AT, Spring of ‘24. Your posts/lectures are the best. Thank you for sharing. Jeff from East Tennessee
Jeff, I hiked almost half of the total mileage of the Appalachian Trail this year, turning 70 in the process. I hover around 205 pounds, though being relatively hard working (landscaping), hiking, and bicycle commuting. You can probably do it. Get a thorough medical checkup, prepare yourself by taking short hikes near home in all sorts of weather. Start off slowly, and you will know, by the first few miles in North Carolina whether or not you want to continue. Take care, Tinker, AT halfway, 2023.
Reminds me of some of the mistakes I have made. I always carry two lights and two compasses. The reason is, that I have been in situations like those you described. Thank you for the great video. We all need reminders to be careful. I also appreciate your comments about “experience” and the attitude that “every thing will be just fine”. Thanks!!
Thank you for sharing, Sir !!! We all learn from mistakes....some of our own mistakes, and some from others'. Hopefully, this will help us avoid making the same mistakes. Thank you once again !!! Keep up the great work !!!
Always happy to receive notification of another of your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences. This may save someone a lot of trouble one day. Happy trails
another great narrative as always! this reminds me of the many dumb things I have done over the last 50 years of backpacking on the AT. Your videos should be required watching for all new aspiring backpackers!
I've had my fair share of screw ups as well. Luckily on the AT I was never too far away from civilization. Remember, when hiking the AT if you are lost or hurt just start traveling in one direction and don't stop until you reach a road or a farm, any sign of civilization. That's one of the nice things about the AT, you are never too far away. Don't be one of those poor hikers that lost their lives by holding up in a tent in the middle of the woods. After thru hiking the CDT I realized how safe the AT can be. Remember this and remember you can find your way out.
Thanks for sharing. I grew up in Ohio and was camping from 4 years old. Like you I lived outdoors and have spent over 4 years camping... well maybe 9 months as an infantryman but that ain't camping.... I have been injured, knocked out, nearly drowned, walked in snow without boots 7 miles at night, etc.
A nother great video I always learn more about hiking from you than any other hiker no hipe , no false happy, no bs plus you have more experience than anyone I've listened to , but as you said you can always make mistakes my 2 biggest was hiking unknown territory with out a map I had done this before I pa it wasn't a problem just come down the mountain and you hit a road and from there you can figure out where to go , this didn't work on a island in the st John's river as it turned out I was going in the right direction but I wasn't prepared for the terrain a series of hills and swamps one after another finally I fallowed the swamp down streem the river that was were the path was if I had done that sooner I could have gotten out sooner all the swamps run to the river second big mistake was jumping of a log I had jumped off of many times before so I wasn't paying attention to my feet and landed on the side of just one foot , I got out of there because I knew where I was at but it was difficult the mountain road was steep I had 2 beers before the hike and although I didn't feel drunk or even tipsy I now make sure I don't drink before a hike
When I was a kid out camping I ignored a blister. Another time we all thought the others had brought matches. No one had. In Scouts years ago, they taught us to no panic if lost. Some friends and I got lost. First thing I did was sit down and figure out where we were.
To Flatbroke: I have enjoyed your TH-cam posts for quite a while. I’m old, 67 yo, and fat, 265 lbs., retired from the Army, 2006, and plan to retire, for good, this Dec, ‘23. I have wanted to hike the AT since college graduation, 1978. Life has gotten the way. Now, my retirement house and property is built and paid off, good cars, paid off. I will retire completely in a couple of months. I truly appreciate your straightforward honesty, something sorely needed, for TH-cam hiking videos. I’m a bit nervous about hiking the AT, Spring of ‘24. Your posts/lectures are the best. Thank you for sharing. Jeff from East Tennessee
Jeff. I retired in 94. Maybe we can hike some TN/NC AT area
Jeff, I hiked almost half of the total mileage of the Appalachian Trail this year, turning 70 in the process. I hover around 205 pounds, though being relatively hard working (landscaping), hiking, and bicycle commuting.
You can probably do it. Get a thorough medical checkup, prepare yourself by taking short hikes near home in all sorts of weather. Start off slowly, and you will know, by the first few miles in North Carolina whether or not you want to continue. Take care,
Tinker, AT halfway, 2023.
Been looking forward to your next video! Thanks for sharing your mistakes with us so we can learn from them as well!
You're welcome and thanks a million for watching!
Now watched several of your videos, must say appreciate all of them. Many have high educational values.
Great stories, very sobering
Glad you liked the video and thanks a million for watching!
A good mix of knowledge and humor as always! Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for being a great viewer!
Always good to hear from you Flatbroke!
Thank you and thanks again for being a viewer!
Reminds me of some of the mistakes I have made. I always carry two lights and two compasses. The reason is, that I have been in situations like those you described. Thank you for the great video. We all need reminders to be careful. I also appreciate your comments about “experience” and the attitude that “every thing will be just fine”. Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing your experience and thanks for watching!
I always enjoy your videos! This was very impactful.
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
Enjoy your story of your adventures it been a good teaching source
Glad you liked the video and thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing, Sir !!!
We all learn from mistakes....some of our own mistakes, and some from others'.
Hopefully, this will help us avoid making the same mistakes.
Thank you once again !!!
Keep up the great work !!!
Glad you liked the video and thanks a million for watching!!!
I love this one! Have been watching several of your videos over and over. Thank you.
Glad you liked it and thanks for being a great viewer!
Your videos should be required watching for all new backpackers!!
Thanks for the endorsement and thanks a million for being a viewer!
Always happy to receive notification of another of your videos. Thanks for sharing your experiences. This may save someone a lot of trouble one day. Happy trails
And thanks to you for being a great viewer!
another great narrative as always! this reminds me of the many dumb things I have done over the last 50 years of backpacking on the AT. Your videos should be required watching for all new aspiring backpackers!
Thanks for your kind comments and thanks for being a great viewer!
I've had my fair share of screw ups as well. Luckily on the AT I was never too far away from civilization. Remember, when hiking the AT if you are lost or hurt just start traveling in one direction and don't stop until you reach a road or a farm, any sign of civilization. That's one of the nice things about the AT, you are never too far away. Don't be one of those poor hikers that lost their lives by holding up in a tent in the middle of the woods. After thru hiking the CDT I realized how safe the AT can be. Remember this and remember you can find your way out.
You make excellent points! Thanks for sharing and thanks again for watching!
FBO, I love your narrative style!
Keep it real and straightforward!
Tinker, halfway, AT '23.👍
Keep hiking, my friend, and thanks for being a great viewer!
Thanks for sharing. I grew up in Ohio and was camping from 4 years old. Like you I lived outdoors and have spent over 4 years camping... well maybe 9 months as an infantryman but that ain't camping....
I have been injured, knocked out, nearly drowned, walked in snow without boots 7 miles at night, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and glad you make it through them! And thanks a million for watching!
Another wonderful essay as always. Thanks for sharing your experiences !
Glad you liked it and thanks again for being a viewer!
A nother great video I always learn more about hiking from you than any other hiker no hipe , no false happy, no bs plus you have more experience than anyone I've listened to , but as you said you can always make mistakes my 2 biggest was hiking unknown territory with out a map I had done this before I pa it wasn't a problem just come down the mountain and you hit a road and from there you can figure out where to go , this didn't work on a island in the st John's river as it turned out I was going in the right direction but I wasn't prepared for the terrain a series of hills and swamps one after another finally I fallowed the swamp down streem the river that was were the path was if I had done that sooner I could have gotten out sooner all the swamps run to the river second big mistake was jumping of a log I had jumped off of many times before so I wasn't paying attention to my feet and landed on the side of just one foot , I got out of there because I knew where I was at but it was difficult the mountain road was steep I had 2 beers before the hike and although I didn't feel drunk or even tipsy I now make sure I don't drink before a hike
Thanks for sharing your experience; good lesson for the rest of us. And thanks again for being a great viewer!
When I was a kid out camping I ignored a blister. Another time we all thought the others had brought matches. No one had.
In Scouts years ago, they taught us to no panic if lost. Some friends and I got lost. First thing I did was sit down and figure out where we were.
Thanks for sharing your experience and thanks again for being a great viewer!