STUMBLE - Northbound On The Appalachian Trail
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Bad words warning!!! Okay now that that’s aside, join me on my journey of 2,198.4 miles from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. In this documentary I capture the goods, the bads & some of the uglies that come with a thru hike of this magnitude. If you would like to keep up with my current adventures and see where in the world I am, follow my socials!
Instagram: @jakemsca
Facebook: Jake Mosca
Website: www.jakemosca.com
I am almost finished now. The hiker who talked about his emergency surgery to remove the tumor in his brain really struck me personally. His words along the lines of "I felt like if I just stayed there/laid there it was going to get me. I was going to die." I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease last year that was also sudden vision loss and at first thought to be a tumor. What I have is so rare there are no cures or true treatments so they give us what they can. Medicines used for cancer patients and such. They have to weaken your body to stop it from self harm. I am attempting my through hike 2025. My attacks have been monthly for all of 2023 but this year we are hoping for a reprieve, and I am training my weak body all year to get as close to physically prepared as I can be. Anyway, I have really enjoyed this journey through your eyes and the people you cross paths with along the way.
I am in remission from a slew of autoimmune disorders and losing my eyesight as well. Not taking any prescriptions. Started with keto diet, moved to carnivore and feel better than I have in the past twenty years. Just some food for thought.
I felt the same way watching the whole video! I’d love to hike the AT as well!
Jesus is the way the truth and the life pray to him for healing Jesus will hear you if you call upon is name 🙏✝️❤️🕊️ repent and put your faith in Jesus John 3:16 John 14:6 John 3:3 Roman’s 10:9
Amen.
I hope you make your goal. That man touched my heart too!
Wow, nice job Slim Pickenz...That was fun to see..I did the trail in 1994--2004--2014--And I start this year in April, every ten years, and I highly recommend that schedule..It's a different experience every time, in a different phase of life...Great vlog...
Thanks for that comment
Wow! That’s so awesome that you have gone every 10 years. You could make a really great vlog!
He looked like he was lying honestly lol
The upbeat vibe of the video, the guitar playing, the flutes, the views, all of the little cool places no one shows, man what a documentary. By far my favorite. I'll be watching this to amp me up for my 2025 NOBO. Nicely done.
You got this. Feel free to send me a message anywhere with any questions leading up to your hike.
This is definitely one of the best trail docs on TH-cam. Great job!
Your videos like going home :-)
This is easily a top 5 AT video. A mix of truth, humor and pain. Nice job Sir.
Thank you Doug! Really nice of you.
Yes it is ~ cave man
Listened to your podcast episode and now im back to watch again! Still the best Ive seen, Walking Home was my fave and now it takes second! ~Queen of ❤s nobo23
Your attitude immediately changed when you decided to hike without Jeremy. Isn’t it interesting that bad influences are still prevalent when we are adults and we have to make the decision to stay away from them.
By the way, thank you for making this film. I absolutely loved it! And congratulations on your achievement!
Thanks for the comment and yes, I agree!
I can totally see your transformation over the journey. Super incredible and thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks so much!
1:27 Mahoosuc notch was the hardest mile for me. Almost fell many times when navigating between boulders and 20ft caves between them with a support of a small root.
Excellent coverage of the whole hike. Made me relive my 2023 Thruhike experience
Outstanding video brother. I live in flat ass 🌽 field Indiana. I’m lucky enough to travel to the Smokies twice a year and love to hike. I’ve hiked very small sections of the AT to see Charlie’s Bunion and Mt. Cammerer. To have hiked the whole AT from Georgia to Maine is quite the accomplishment. 🫡 You’ve already accomplished probably the most physically and mentally demanding thing you will face your entire life. And you’ve joined a brotherhood that I doubt hands out ‘participation trophies’. You’ve earned it! Congrats.
Thank you for the kind words!
One of the best AT docs ive seen! Loved your music and humor, thanks for taking us along on the adventure!
Yes, one of the best. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! I hung out with Campfire Pete around Neels Gap and Danny Boy in the Mollie Ridge shelter area and off and on other places along the miles I made which was only into Pearisburg. Heading back to Springer in 11 days to try again. - Movin’ On
One of the best AT videos I’ve seen! Great job!!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for bringing me back!
I don’t backpack but this video makes me want to try it out! Sick shovelhead tattoo aswell!
thank you! It was done by Dave Borjes
Thankyou for creating this beautiful documentary! It was such a true depiction of all the beautful misery and joy we went through!! #atclassof2023
One of the best documentaries I’ve seen. I liked that you were so authentic. Whatever you end up doing next in life, I hope it includes your skills in documentaries and music. You have real talent with both. God Bless
as a pa local, to hear you say that pa is testing your limit to insanity, brings me immense amounts of pride.
Hey man ! Great documentary!! I feel this is the most realist view from a hiker . You didn’t make it look east . You showed us the “ suck “ , you cussed, no filter , the good and not so good parts of what it’s like to be solo hiking . The best part was sprinkling in comic relief when you got down .
Question for a noob . Could you do a real life cost breakdown video ?
How much you spend on food , logging, entry fees, passes , gear and all that ? Would be nice to know and great content. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me !
I can totally do that. I’ve been thinking of doing a gear video so I can probably add that in there at the end. Thanks for watching & commenting! A quick cost idea would be to plan to spend 1k$ per month. Gear can be expensive depending on how comfortable you want to be.
Love it my dude! It was a pleasure to cross paths with you during this incredible adventure. -Mountain Crusher
Congratulations on a superb accomplishment. I was glued to my tablet for the entire hike. Well done.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for shearing Jake. This is absolutly in my top 5 favorit hiking videos! Just awesome
Jaaaake!
Fortune Cookie here! So awesome to see this video - hope you are well. I think I last saw you in Franklin and then you turned on the speed. I summited on September 23. I often wondered if the guitar made it all the way.
Oh my!!!! What a sweet comment to find! Definitely get in touch with me on social media would love to see that summit pic! Send me a message!
1:39:39 THE MOUSE PEED ALL OVER MY TENT, TOO!!! Love ya slim! Happy we got to share to misery together.
22:25 This was the funniest shit ever😂 I had the same feeling about Jeremy.. almost having too much fun, glad it worked itself out😂🙏🏼
I’m only 30 minutes in and I feel like I’m on that trail with you. When you are elated, I feel your happiness. I’m breathing heavy when you’re on a steep or skinny trail almost as if I’m afraid for your safety. However, I just met you yesterday and I know you made it through.
So far, this is an exciting documentation of your experience! Your music really compliments the atmosphere, I loved the one song in the cave early on.
Okay, back to watching…
Thanks so much for checking it out! Was great meeting you!
Nope here. I was Nobo and a few days ahead of you. I hike a lot with Danny Boy and Lucky Colleague. I had met full milk early on as well. I was even given trail magic by bagel and her family at their home. Great watching and reminiscing you film. What a trail. It'll forever be a part of us
Dang! Would’ve been cool to meet ya! Look me up on Instagram let’s chat!
Watching from Florence S.C. Great job. I really admire you and great job on the trail.
Hi neighbor, fellow Sumterite here!
Loved your video. That guy you met early on and gave you tips for begging for food, he's a known resident, as in he lives along that section of trail (I'm sure you know that now, LOL) But, you must have missed the spring at Whitetop Mnt in VA. We camped by that spring and it is a 2" diameter pipe that looks like an open fire hydrant, it blew water downhill for about 15' at it's peak. All night long, I kept wanting to go out there and cut if off. Me(61) and my friend (81) and our female hiking partner (58) will complete the trail next year as section hikers (8years in the making). At this point we are in NH and will finish that and a good part of Maine this year. We are shooting for a June '24 summit of Katahdin. Cheers, and I hope you have recovered, mentally and physically
Congratulations on your thru hike!! I think I met you in Pennsylvania. I’m the one that left the trail magic beers at 1:06:51 😂 Excellent video, I’m glad I watched the whole thing! Brought back wonderful memories from my thru hike. Congrats again!
Mongo AT class of 2021
No way!!! Those were the BEST beers I found on the whole trail! So needed right then & there! You brought me so much joy in a time of rock hell. Are you on Instagram? Hit me up @jakemsca would love to hear from u.
Loved your video! I hiked with StrangeBird a lot of the trail, and just thought the world of him. Glad you included him. 💙🐦
I enjoyed every minute of this film! From my living room here in Australia 😬 Great soundtrack too. What an absolutely incredible, unforgettable experience that must have been. Thank you for sharing it 🙏 All the best to you!
Hey Slim Pickens, Awesome job on the doc. We crossed paths just outside off Pearisburg at some Trail Magic for a few minutes before my shuttle picked me up. - Machéte
Hey bud! Thanks for tuning it! It was great meeting you 😁
wow! this was fantastic! you capture the trail in such a real way. I'm sorry for all your foot pain. You had to have passed me at some point as I was hiker number 767 in the beginning haha. Met Seaweed down at Standing Bear! Also met Hydrator! and I appreciated your bear box joke :)
Currently watching this, on the PA part and I agree 100% with you about the rock hell. I’m a day hiker and I’ve been on some trails that could get f*cked. 😂 but I still did them. Great video bro. Comical and entertaining.
Hey thanks so much! Right on!
I thru-hiked in 2016 and this brought back sooo many memories... you really captured the essence of the trail. Made me cry. Amazing video.
Wow! Don’t know what to say….. You’re bad ass! What an adventure! 😊 Happy Trails Bud….. 🍻
excellent thanks for sharing your adventure with us
Great video, awesome adventure. Thanks for sharing. 😎
Glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks!
That was awesome! My favorite bit was the segue of the stream crossing and the rain drops on the water.
I fed quite a few of the hikers from your video, but somehow missed you in PA at my weekly trail magic. Can't catch them all. :D
Incredible job! Such a unique perspective and approach to documenting your journey. Thank you for sharing. 2023 thru hikers are amazing and faced so many challenges: smoke from wildfires and torrential downpours in New England. Well done. May the experiences and wisdom of the trail carry you a lifetime.
Wow this was an amazing adventure! Thankful you shared it with us!
Love the videos
One of my favorite AT documentaries that’s for sure
This was hilarious and heart warming and lovely to watch!! This brought back so many great memories! It was great meeting you on trail! Keep making beautiful videos, dude! 😊
Oh man what a great video! WOW you’re a great singer too… kinda blew me away honestly! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Great editing job of a damn long walk. Although I started to worry for your liver, lol. Congrats on completing the journey.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing and for the hard work of production.
Means a lot, glad you enjoyed it!
I LOVE this video!!!!!!! Best full length doc I’ve seen! I’m a LASHER from Wildwood NJ !!!! Wish I had run into you out there because you are real AF and hilarious!!!!!! the best part was when you met your mom on the other side of the bridge at the Delaware water gap. I actually cried lol.
Aw thanks! We were all crying in that moment when they picked me up. I was so happy to see them! We live in NJ too! I play music almost every weekend somewhere nearby me. My Instagram is @jakemsca where I post shows. We’re playing in Middlesex this weekend, would be great to meet you!
I work in the nightclub industry in North Wildwood, and have for 30 years. Maybe one day your bands will make it down this way.
The only thing hikes I had ever done, Mt. Kadahdin and Mt Washington when I was in high school (53 years ago). I wish now I had the fortitude to complete that dream of completing the Appalachian Trail! The beauty of nature and the connection with life, that's what Appalachian means and hiking, is a test of patience and observations. Thanks, Slim Pickins ,enjoy loved the hike with you!
My absolute pleasure! so happy you enjoyed it
Thanks for this! Great work, and good humor. I section hiked Georgia in March of 2023. Was awesome seeing some familiar places in the beginning. Can’t wait to get back out there.
Hey...I was watching your vid on TH-cam this morning and when you found trail magic in NJ I was floored when I saw my (and my son's) friend flipping burgers. He sent me this pic.
That’s so cool! Thanks to them bigtime!
The whippoorwills woke me up in VA too. Gotta love em.
Mourning Doves in Europe.
Absolutely loved this.
Great Documentary! Thanks for sharing your AT experience.
Excellent video! One of the best I’ve seen. I thru hiked in 2005 and this brought back so many memories. My favorite part was the PA “rock fuck!” Thank you for sharing!
Hahaha! So glad that you enjoyed that little blurb of rock hate lol
Thanks for sharing. We could use more people with your attitude and outlook on life in the world.
👏 awesome ! Thank you for sharing your journey and feelings. Congratulations 🍾🎈🎉🎊 great job!
Jake I SO loved your taking us along with you on the AT! I got to walk part of the trail up by Blairsville in 2007. Your wit, your smile, and the upbeat of everyday on the trail with you is just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!
Amazing video and love how you carried your acoustic guitar along the way and played Dueling Banjos for the cows. I live in NC and what an epic journey!
Stuck inside on a cold winter day in Wyoming and watched this. Freaking awesome! Thanks for sharing your journey and keeping it raw and real! Need more of that in this world of glitter glam, sponsored influencer hikers. I enjoyed every minute of this film.
That was an awesome video mate. Congratulations xx
Wow this is really good. Brought back many great memories. Wombie '21
Great job! Thank you for sharing the laughs, the struggles and the realness. What an amazing accomplishment. I think the struggle and stumble is part of the journey and definitely life changing.
I watched the full video and enjoyed the whole thing. At first, I thought just guy doing a thru hike. Then I found the video of why you did it. I lost my great grandfather to alzheimer's. Thank for all that you did.
Thank you for mentioning that. I left it out of this video for my own reasons but I raised almost $9,000 dollars for the Alzheimer’s Association. I’m sorry for your loss.
Pretty cool video Slim. Great job! It’s crazy how we were all so close (distance wise) on trail but have total different experiences and stories.
-Blue
Hey blue! Thanks for the comment bud! I appreciate it!
Nice documentary. I love watching people's adventures on the A.T., as I will never be able to do this myself. 🌄
Amazing video man! So happy to have been apart of eachothers journey
Thank you for sharing your journey.
Love your personality, thru the good and bad. You kept it real. Congratulations slim Pickens. Hope to see more from you in the future.
Welcome to your new life Slim. Catfish AT 2022 here, and I’m so grateful to reminisce this wonderful journey that I had a few years ago through you! Save some money and get on the next one bubba. Come to CDT 2025 SB !!!!
Thinking of possibly a CDT SoBo this year in June but music has been going really well here in NJ so it’s a tough call.
It was great hiking with you man. I remember that moment and trying to get that photo. You stay easy
Good luck getting back out there Smoke!
Amazing documentary! I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing ❤
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. It was great!
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Brought back a lot of great memories of my thru hike in ‘05 and long section (GA-PA) in ‘00. Especially that little part where you talked about Baltimore Jack (RIP). I hiked a bunch with him in 2000, absolute legend.
Wow that’s so cool! Wish I could have met him. Saw a few interviews & he seemed really cool & introspective. If you’re on Instagram get in touch with me there! My handle is in the description 😁😁
This trail doc is the best one by far! You actually seemed to enjoy yourself.
Haha sometimes! It was definitely tough. Thanks for watching!
Great documentary! Brought back so many memories and I enjoyed seeing many of the folks I met along the trail.
Good for you man what an adventure you inspire me !
Great video! Looking forward to hitting the trail in March
Enjoyed going along! I admire your courage. I’m curious as to start date and finish.
Be well
March 23 - August 14th
Great job. Of all the videos I’ve seen of the through trail, this was shown in its truest form and brutally honest. Highly inspirational.
Wow, that was one the very best videos that I have seen. Thank you
Fantastic video. By turn it's heartwarming, funny, engaging, really interesting - great mix of lovely scenery, inspiring committment, insight into the "mechanics" of your epic hike. Thanks for sharing this.
So glad I stumbled across this video, thank you for capturing it what an awesome accomplishment.
Btw ive watched a bunch of AT thru hike videos and vlogs. Im sort of obsessed. I enjoyed yours so much. I liked all of it. I section hike and completely relate to flipping off a section or in your case a state.
I like your language too you didbt hold back. The raw and realness of this was refreshing. I can see by rhe comments many didnt like thw language but um glad you didnt bleep it out or sensor it. Your video is def in my top three favorites of a documented thru hike
That’s so thoughtful and kind of you to say! Leaving the bad words in was a tough call but I’m glad I did it. It who I am and I’m not sorry for it. Thanks again!
Great video! I really enjoyed every minute of it! Thank you for sharing your journey.
❤️
Great video! I hope to do it one day.
We have a produce stand in our city called “Fresh Pickins.” My grandfather always called it “slim pickins” and laugh when he said it.
Powerful! Watched it all. Very inspiring!! Thank you. What an accomplishment. Cheers to you brother. I’m 51. Considering doing this….your “movie” has been a large motivator. Thank you
You have an incredible singing voice...and thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you so much!
@@jakemosca6587I was born in Trenton NJ...spent many summers with cousins in Tom's River, Seaside Heights and Island Beach State Park. The best memories of my life.
At 7:20 that guy good for him man you can just tell he's out there living his best till he can't
Absolutely my favorite AT ThruHike video. Superb. Fun, amazing music, humor and honesty. Thank You.
Wow, thank you! The music was brought to you by myself & other 2023 thru hikers 😁
Thank you for sharing with us your adventure on the trail absolutely beautiful
Glad you enjoyed it
Just heard you on 101.5 tonight and plugged this in. Looking forward to watching it
Planning my trip for this spring. Thank you for the video.
Good luck Eric! I have my gear video uploaded if that interests you. I cover everything I brought & give a couple extra tips… it’s on my channel. Shoot me any questions you may have as well!
Great video.
Thanks for a dose of reality.
A brand new unused day awaits all the
Strange and interesting people you shared with us.
Nailed it. Best single video summary I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing and happy trails,where ever they may lead you ✌️.
My family and I just met you and your family on the trail in Maine, congratulations to you all! ❤
So cool! Thanks for watching the video and it was great meeting you guys!
What an amazing journey!!
Most Incredible AT I’ve ever seen…thank you for sharing this and being the bright light that you are….🫶😊🙏
Thank you, Margaret!
Great video. Great sense of humor. Prayers for everyone.
Thank you!
Watching this masterpiece again
Great job and thanks for sharing! Hope to have my own story to tell in a few more years!