Awesome spot. I went to Penn State and somehow never did this but was back in PA for a game and made a point of it. Man those trails in the PA Appalachians have uneven surfaces...Totally worth going out of your way for this trail either way. Thanks for posting.
I finally got to watch. There's no shame in 400 steps. I didn't want to say this before you did the climb, the Thousand Steps will kick most anyone's ass! I'm sure you already knew that by doing them before. To me that didn't take anything away from this adventure. For me this is one of your best vids. The drone footage at the end is spectacular! The shots of the piers in the river and the scenery are just beautiful. Very interesting historical narrative. Keep the adventures coming.
A couple of months ago I did the 1,000+ step climb with my 6 year old grandson. My wife stopped after a couple of hundred feet I believe. I didn't know what the building at the top was but I now I know. Thanks for the further research information.
It is a killer, Jim. Imagine doing the 5th street steps in Pitt, but skipping a step for every 2 steps you take. Then do it until you have hit 1,047 steps. It is just crazy what it does to your legs.
Oddly enough, my knees and lungs were handling it quite well. My anticipation (from memory) of the pain my legs were going to feel was not there (can't say that for Leslie, she was sore). But I did feel the stress in my chest... it was undeniable. When I reached bottom, my blood sugars had risen by 300 points. So my body, although I did not feel it, was feeling some serious pain or issues.
@@zzzzipy12 I had my pen with me, but wanted to settle down so I did not do a bad juju while still up there. I figure the chest tightness kicked off an adrenaline boost... and my liver said "digest the fat now...its an emergency"... so yeah, I expected it to do that. When I started I was at 126 and kept checking my CGM every 15 mins or so. When I stopped at step 450, I watched it rocket up.
I truly appreciate you calling it dedication. My wife, who is probably correct, calls it obstreperousness. (well, she actually says I'm pig headed, but it means the same)
Scott, thanks for the courage to attempt that with your health issues. I guess an older overweight, out of shape man (me) with bad knees really shouldn't attempt this trail. I'll bet in the days when the miners walked this trail daily there weren't many of them overweight or out of shape. As the saying goes "when men were real men". I grew up exploring Sproul mountain which there was also a trail leading up to an old quarry, my father told me the same story of men walking the trail daily to go to work. Even as a young, fit, full of energy boy I had trouble imagining drudging that trail daily. Keep the great video coming, love learning the local history.
I am trying to get as many of these sites in before my body just totally quits. If your knees are weak (like they give out every once in a while while walking house steps kinda weak) then you "might" be able to get away with knee braces (I had mine on). BUT... it really is difficult coming back down when the drop is 18 inches per step. Its like jumping down off of rocks for every step you took going up.
I have to figure out how to get to Cpt. Jack. Gotta get to the top and go about 1-2 miles back on the trail to the standing rocks that look out over Mapleton. Ugh... I dread thinking about it.
The most important thing is to enjoy the time you do spend along 1000 steps, not how far up. Looks like you both enjoyed the day out. Thanks to listening to your body also. You shared a lot of history in this video plus remembering family memories. Almost 500 up then down and some in between, I call it a Win for Scott and his wife.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy learning the fascinating stories hidden in these mountains. The incredible toil of our forebears is largely lost on people today; it’s so easy to complain about how hard life is… we have no idea! Oh, what was that lizard? Native species? And your drone footage at the end is exceptionally beautiful- the leaves floating on the river… 💕
The lizard is a native one to PA and is called a Skink. That one was "sunning" and also spread him/herself out to catch radiant heat from the step on his/her belly. They are wickedly fast little buggers and absolutely harmless. Very uncommon to see, but they are everywhere. And yes, people today have no idea how easy it is for them... and the leaves on the river was something I wanted to catch in that shot, so thanks for noticing :D
Limestone... but specifically not for the lime this time. They were going for the sandstone/quartzite combination in order to extract the pure silica. Mount Union Bricktown manufactured bricks... but the bricks were high heat silica for use in even higher heat furnaces and later nuclear power plants. :)
I watched that video on Devils Den, I didn't realize that's what happened! I thought you just hurt your ankle. I'm glad you are ok! I'm sorry you didn't quite make it to 500; but you got a lot farther than I would have!
You have to be very aware when doing those steps now. There is rattlesnakes along the trail. I don't like going up there anymore after having a close encounter myself.
There have ALWAYS been rattlesnakes along the trail. I have photos going all the way back to the 1990s of the rattlesnakes we use to find. Not to mention the fence lizards (Skinks) as well as the numerous Hornets and Wasps that hive within the rocks. The only reason to be aware on the steps, imho, is the increase of unaware people who think it is an amusement park. (I remember reading someone complain that a field along one of the trails was un-mowed and caused them to get wet pants... I mean, it is a "nature" trail, not a suburban walking path)
It is not the calves that get you. It is the top of the thighs right behind the knee caps. When you go back down they just do not work and create extreme imbalance. That is what the steps are famous for... creating "Jelly Legs" on the way down.
Not Yet. I need to work past the "health" issues so I can take you to where he was finally found (and tell the ghost story of HOW he was found, which is an great story)
![ค้าง (STILL) - GEMINI [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ftxx3hk5vkU/mqdefault.jpg)
Awesome spot. I went to Penn State and somehow never did this but was back in PA for a game and made a point of it. Man those trails in the PA Appalachians have uneven surfaces...Totally worth going out of your way for this trail either way. Thanks for posting.
Out trails and paths are the TRUE definition of HIKING. ;)
I finally got to watch. There's no shame in 400 steps. I didn't want to say this before you did the climb, the Thousand Steps will kick most anyone's ass! I'm sure you already knew that by doing them before. To me that didn't take anything away from this adventure. For me this is one of your best vids. The drone footage at the end is spectacular! The shots of the piers in the river and the scenery are just beautiful. Very interesting historical narrative. Keep the adventures coming.
Too kind my friend :D
A couple of months ago I did the 1,000+ step climb with my 6 year old grandson. My wife stopped after a couple of hundred feet I believe. I didn't know what the building at the top was but I now I know. Thanks for the further research information.
So you well know the hard part is not going up. ;)
@@ODDySEEy Yep! Especially at 62 years old, and 240 lbs., 6'6" tall, while holding the hand of a six year old afraid of going down.
@@sfink16 so the picture of me and Logan Two Guns White Calf... that is EXACTLY what it was like. I totally relate (minus 10 years of age)
@@ODDySEEy Yes and yes.
Yup!! Definitely need to check this out!! Thanks for making and sharing!!
It is a killer, Jim. Imagine doing the 5th street steps in Pitt, but skipping a step for every 2 steps you take. Then do it until you have hit 1,047 steps. It is just crazy what it does to your legs.
@@ODDySEEy yea sounds like it burns already!!! lol
Always learning, always enjoying. Thanks for the effort. 👍
I am just glad I had been up and down it many times before in order to give other photos.
Yes, that’s quite a hike, my old knees & lungs woukd be screaming! Great pics of the kids!
Oddly enough, my knees and lungs were handling it quite well. My anticipation (from memory) of the pain my legs were going to feel was not there (can't say that for Leslie, she was sore). But I did feel the stress in my chest... it was undeniable. When I reached bottom, my blood sugars had risen by 300 points. So my body, although I did not feel it, was feeling some serious pain or issues.
@@ODDySEEy WOW! That’s a huge BS jump! You better not go there again & climb.
@@zzzzipy12 I had my pen with me, but wanted to settle down so I did not do a bad juju while still up there. I figure the chest tightness kicked off an adrenaline boost... and my liver said "digest the fat now...its an emergency"... so yeah, I expected it to do that. When I started I was at 126 and kept checking my CGM every 15 mins or so. When I stopped at step 450, I watched it rocket up.
@@ODDySEEy I’m glad you were prepared to evaluate yourself !!!
Thanks for your dedication ! I’ve learned so much watching your videos .
I truly appreciate you calling it dedication. My wife, who is probably correct, calls it obstreperousness. (well, she actually says I'm pig headed, but it means the same)
@@ODDySEEy 😂
Scott, thanks for the courage to attempt that with your health issues. I guess an older overweight, out of shape man (me) with bad knees really shouldn't attempt this trail. I'll bet in the days when the miners walked this trail daily there weren't many of them overweight or out of shape. As the saying goes "when men were real men". I grew up exploring Sproul mountain which there was also a trail leading up to an old quarry, my father told me the same story of men walking the trail daily to go to work. Even as a young, fit, full of energy boy I had trouble imagining drudging that trail daily. Keep the great video coming, love learning the local history.
I am trying to get as many of these sites in before my body just totally quits. If your knees are weak (like they give out every once in a while while walking house steps kinda weak) then you "might" be able to get away with knee braces (I had mine on). BUT... it really is difficult coming back down when the drop is 18 inches per step. Its like jumping down off of rocks for every step you took going up.
Awesome been wanting to do that walk for years. Great Video
Do it before you can't. This video was a wake up call for me. I thought I would have made it to at least 800 before stopping.
Nice video scott, 1000 steps are very challenging....I'm sure you made captain jack proud..looking forward to next adventure
I have to figure out how to get to Cpt. Jack. Gotta get to the top and go about 1-2 miles back on the trail to the standing rocks that look out over Mapleton. Ugh... I dread thinking about it.
I would love to go see some of the places you film. But like you. It sucks to get old. Thank God you have the drone.
LOL... I am gonna start telling people that, "I caught the OLDE"
Great work as always Scott. I'm glad you know your limitations. Not knowing them can put anyone in an awful situation. Keep up the Great Work!!!
Had to try... now I have to get to a point where I can beat it. LOL (limitations... what are they... I am too obstreperous for limitations)
The most important thing is to enjoy the time you do spend along 1000 steps, not how far up. Looks like you both enjoyed the day out. Thanks to listening to your body also. You shared a lot of history in this video plus remembering family memories.
Almost 500 up then down and some in between, I call it a Win for Scott and his wife.
You know... sharing the family memories made the editing easier. :D
Interesting video. I've never been there even though I live not far from there.
Get it on your bucket list and do it at least ONCE in your lifetime... before you can only watch it on videos ;)
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy learning the fascinating stories hidden in these mountains. The incredible toil of our forebears is largely lost on people today; it’s so easy to complain about how hard life is… we have no idea!
Oh, what was that lizard? Native species?
And your drone footage at the end is exceptionally beautiful- the leaves floating on the river… 💕
The lizard is a native one to PA and is called a Skink. That one was "sunning" and also spread him/herself out to catch radiant heat from the step on his/her belly. They are wickedly fast little buggers and absolutely harmless. Very uncommon to see, but they are everywhere. And yes, people today have no idea how easy it is for them... and the leaves on the river was something I wanted to catch in that shot, so thanks for noticing :D
What were they actually mining up in the mountains? And where was the rail bed for the cars coming down? Watched video again. Very interesting. 👍
Limestone... but specifically not for the lime this time. They were going for the sandstone/quartzite combination in order to extract the pure silica. Mount Union Bricktown manufactured bricks... but the bricks were high heat silica for use in even higher heat furnaces and later nuclear power plants. :)
I watched that video on Devils Den, I didn't realize that's what happened! I thought you just hurt your ankle. I'm glad you are ok! I'm sorry you didn't quite make it to 500; but you got a lot farther than I would have!
"Devils Den, I didn't realize that's what happened!"
You have to be very aware when doing those steps now. There is rattlesnakes along the trail. I don't like going up there anymore after having a close encounter myself.
There have ALWAYS been rattlesnakes along the trail. I have photos going all the way back to the 1990s of the rattlesnakes we use to find. Not to mention the fence lizards (Skinks) as well as the numerous Hornets and Wasps that hive within the rocks. The only reason to be aware on the steps, imho, is the increase of unaware people who think it is an amusement park. (I remember reading someone complain that a field along one of the trails was un-mowed and caused them to get wet pants... I mean, it is a "nature" trail, not a suburban walking path)
Good attempt! You got this we have faith in you! Take your time slowly!
*evil eye* "I'll get you next time 1k... next time!"
Most enjoyable.
I have to build up my stamina to get to the top again.
I’ll wait till they install the cog railroad to the top
LOL... that would be great.
I did this in 2017
I did it in 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012... and probably about 3-5 other times. I was soooo sad that I can no longer make it with the way my heart is.
Just got done watching.. man my calves hurt..😂.. great vid as usual.. have a great day..
It is not the calves that get you. It is the top of the thighs right behind the knee caps. When you go back down they just do not work and create extreme imbalance. That is what the steps are famous for... creating "Jelly Legs" on the way down.
Did you ever come back to 'Captain Jack' in a different episode?
Not Yet. I need to work past the "health" issues so I can take you to where he was finally found (and tell the ghost story of HOW he was found, which is an great story)
@@ODDySEEy itll be worth the patience. Former Indentured servant cant do it the same alone...
Keep doing what you love, till the boy upstairs calls.
Made that decision about 3 years ago and haven't looked back.
holy crap,,, sorry you couldn't make it... Better safe, than sorry,,,
There may be a next time.
@@ODDySEEy Take care of yourself. Looking forward to it.
See I knew you'd eventually be doing an episode about captain jack.
It will come... hopefully when I get to his "burial" site I won't end up in it.
It is 2000 steps. 1000 up and 1000 down. 😜😜😜😜😜
Don't kill yourself. We we believe you. Great video.
Did the dead once... didn't like it. Working on the doing it without the dead part. :D