I’m with you. My scariest time on trail was in Virginia. 3 of us were hiking along a ridge during a lightning storm and I was praying more fervently than ever before in my life. I was also running as fast as I could given the terrain. Which wasn’t very fast! Lol. I saw a lightning strike about a 100 yards away and my fear meter went through the roof! My feet went faster! We made it over the ridge and went down to the next shelter and a section hiker had a fire going!God Bless Him! For I don’t know how he was able to keep it going. To go from total fright night to a comforting fire… my prayers were answered!
Yeah no joke being outside, let alone up high during a storm. It was a miracle I didn't get hurt that day with everything happening. After I finally made it through two scary river crossings after that and finally to the shelter, I was still in shock by how terrified I was up there.
not a scared question but there are several sections where the trail is super sketchy that I've seen on video. When you summited Katahdin how did you get back down? did you lug that full pack back over the borders on Hunt trail or did you take an alternative? Were there alternative routes to take over the super sketchy parts? I've realized the older Ive gotten the more fear of heights i have.
Appreciate the questions. After summiting we hiked down Abol trail and we did not carry all our gear. The Baxter State Park Rangers have small packs you can borrow and only bring what you need for a day hike while leaving the rest of your gear in a marked trash bag at a lean to across from the Ranger Station at Katahdin Stream Campground. Unfortunately there is no alternate route up the Hunt Trail which is the Appalachian Trail. However, if you take your time and are careful, by the time you've hiked from Georgia to Katahdin, you can do this too.
For Bearded Frog, you mentioned when your water bottle froze in extreme conditions. One of the things they taught us in the BSA was to sleep with your water bottle and fuel canister in the sleeping bag so that they wouldn't freeze.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was at Philmont in '88 climbing Mt. Baldy (12,441'). There aren't any trees above 9000'. I was small rocks. I looked to the north and saw a line of t-storms approx. 35 miles away. I'm at 10k' and 2 miles from the top. I continued climbing, and noticing the line of t-storms approaching. As I reached the top so did the line. All 9 of us had aluminum frames at the time. I told everyone to drop their gear and grab their ponchos. We made a quick pile of the gear. Then I told them to get 100' from the gear and lay flat on the ground as the storm passed directly over us. I told them DON'T stick your head up or out - lay perfectly flush to the ground. The storms passed passed and no one thankfully was hurt. The gear survived. BTW, the winds approached 40 mph or above. We still had 7 miles to climb down to the campsite.
Interesting situations that were different for each of you, but all of you conquered your fears and hike on !
Yes! Thank you!
I’m with you. My scariest time on trail was in Virginia. 3 of us were hiking along a ridge during a lightning storm and I was praying more fervently than ever before in my life. I was also running as fast as I could given the terrain. Which wasn’t very fast! Lol. I saw a lightning strike about a 100 yards away and my fear meter went through the roof! My feet went faster! We made it over the ridge and went down to the next shelter and a section hiker had a fire going!God Bless Him! For I don’t know how he was able to keep it going. To go from total fright night to a comforting fire… my prayers were answered!
Yeah no joke being outside, let alone up high during a storm. It was a miracle I didn't get hurt that day with everything happening. After I finally made it through two scary river crossings after that and finally to the shelter, I was still in shock by how terrified I was up there.
Very important information. Thank you for sharing your experiences of scary moments.
Appreciate your comments. Thank you for joining the journey!
not a scared question but there are several sections where the trail is super sketchy that I've seen on video. When you summited Katahdin how did you get back down? did you lug that full pack back over the borders on Hunt trail or did you take an alternative? Were there alternative routes to take over the super sketchy parts? I've realized the older Ive gotten the more fear of heights i have.
Appreciate the questions.
After summiting we hiked down Abol trail and we did not carry all our gear. The Baxter State Park Rangers have small packs you can borrow and only bring what you need for a day hike while leaving the rest of your gear in a marked trash bag at a lean to across from the Ranger Station at Katahdin Stream Campground. Unfortunately there is no alternate route up the Hunt Trail which is the Appalachian Trail. However, if you take your time and are careful, by the time you've hiked from Georgia to Katahdin, you can do this too.
Best video you have done.
Thanks!
This series is fantastic. I appreciate everyone's unique perspective and honesty. Also enjoyed the 🐇🐇 bunny story.
Ha ha thank you!!
For Bearded Frog, you mentioned when your water bottle froze in extreme conditions. One of the things they taught us in the BSA was to sleep with your water bottle and fuel canister in the sleeping bag so that they wouldn't freeze.
Great points! Thank you!
Thank you so much for doing these questions after the hike. I have really enjoyed hearing all the different perspectives of each person's journey.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was at Philmont in '88 climbing Mt. Baldy (12,441'). There aren't any trees above 9000'. I was small rocks. I looked to the north and saw a line of t-storms approx. 35 miles away. I'm at 10k' and 2 miles from the top. I continued climbing, and noticing the line of t-storms approaching. As I reached the top so did the line. All 9 of us had aluminum frames at the time. I told everyone to drop their gear and grab their ponchos. We made a quick pile of the gear. Then I told them to get 100' from the gear and lay flat on the ground as the storm passed directly over us. I told them DON'T stick your head up or out - lay perfectly flush to the ground. The storms passed passed and no one thankfully was hurt. The gear survived. BTW, the winds approached 40 mph or above. We still had 7 miles to climb down to the campsite.
WOW! What a story and you get to be here to tell us about it! Thank you for sharing!