Don't be disappointed about the clouds blocking your view , last year when I watch honey bee her whole time in Georgia and part of Tennessee was cloudy I love walking through a spooky forest thanks for the tip as to wear to look for trail markers ,saw some rocks behind you that look good for shelter if you didn't make it down before dark
In September Chris and Brent said the hostel was closed due to drain issues with the plumbing. Glad to see they got over that issue. That’s a wonderful place to visit. Keep moving forward.
Mountain crossing is a great 1st or last resupply, great selection of gear and knowledgeable staff... Plus the wood burning stove is a welcomed sight on a cold day. Your videos are making us all feel as if we're right there with you on every step... Would you have donated your trail runners to the tree, if you had changed them out??? HYOH and keep tracking...
@@TrackingHopper Gotta' love REI, you can have your shoes for 11 months, 400 miles in them, covered in mud and bear saliva and they'll take them back no questions asked... I wouldn't do it, but I've seen others do it and not a word from REI other then "Thank you"
@@TrackingHopper for the longest time I would only wear Salomon speedcross trail runners, reluctantly I went to loan peaks (But do love the wide toe box)... My wife swears by Hoka speed 🐐, but I can't get on board with the way ANY Hoka looks... But that's the beauty of hiking, there's all kinds of gear out there...
Im a section hiker that has done from Amicalola falls to the first half of the smokies (just got off the trail doing the smokies section) Blood was easy for me compared to the smokies. Hope you are able to go back some day to finish your hike.
Congrats on finishing up the Smokies section! Life keeps throwing me curveballs but I hope to go back one day as well. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!!
Low and slow is my way to go, too! Pick up your mileage when your body is ready and you’ll go all the way to Katahdin! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Congrats on Neels Gap! Great Idea to try insoles. If you can get to mile 110 and Franklin, Outdoor 76 is great for feet! The hostel there is a great stop! Hike away from that tree though!! Keep the Faith and Keep HikN^!
For a noob you are doing just fine. Daily distance will come later as you get more comfortable with the daily routine. Your mental focus seems to be great!
The bushes are Mountain Laurels. I love following your trek because so far you have been on the exact schedule I have planned for myself. I’m S-L-O-W! (I think the snails will be passing me too 😂).
Too bad the fog did not allow you to see you a wonderful view at the top of Blood Mtn. I have heard the trail down to Neels gap is in bad shape due to the recent rains and foot traffic! Be careful, it looks pretty wicked out there with the wind gusts. Be glad you are not doing it in the dark!
I love it. In 2019 my wife and I always seemed to be the last out of camp the first 3 weeks. How has the first 5 days lived up to your expectations? It is different for everybody but I think the reality of it really didn't set in for us until day 8. We had rain 7 of the first 9 days so that might have been part of it 🤣 You got this man 👍👊 smiles over miles and enjoy every mile.
The 1st five were great. My body (minus the feet) has responded well and feels good. The feet on the other hand are killing me but I’m still on the hunt for a solution. I love seeing something new everyday and having that time to just think. It’s peaceful.
I can see how easily you could lose the trail. You’ll have to use Far Out app in the snow for sure. Good call on the Hostel for the night, did you have a frozen pizza?
I love the misty trail footage. Very moody and atmospheric. Also, I hate hiking in the heat, so give me a good overcast day any day over bright and sunny, though that does tend to ruin amazing views. Others have chimed in and I agree it's Mountain Laurel. A lot of the green shrubs along the trail until Pennsylvania-ish are Rhododendron, with laurel mixed in. Where I am in NW Connecticut, we have tons of Mountain Laurel (blooms in mid June up here), but no rhododendron. Once you get halfway through Massachusetts there's no more Laurel, as it's too cold in the winter for it.
I was wondering if it was a laurel and that seems to be the consensus. They’re very cool. I like a cool day for hiking too. The heat over the summer is going to be roughly for me.
Awesome update! Love how you kinda “explain” the trail!! Definitely remember being there!🥾🥾❤️
Thanks Whiskers!
Don't be disappointed about the clouds blocking your view , last year when I watch honey bee her whole time in Georgia and part of Tennessee was cloudy I love walking through a spooky forest thanks for the tip as to wear to look for trail markers ,saw some rocks behind you that look good for shelter if you didn't make it down before dark
I think the mix of the cloudy and foggy days with some sunny ones makes for a better trip.
In September Chris and Brent said the hostel was closed due to drain issues with the plumbing. Glad to see they got over that issue. That’s a wonderful place to visit. Keep moving forward.
It was a neat hostel. They just redid a bunch on it so they have less beds but it was still great.
I love the combination of fog and Mountain Laurel. Ya, it’s a little breezy on the North side there, lol.
I’m digging the cooler weather and the fog. It helps when you’re trying to get your trail legs.
Mountain crossing is a great 1st or last resupply, great selection of gear and knowledgeable staff... Plus the wood burning stove is a welcomed sight on a cold day.
Your videos are making us all feel as if we're right there with you on every step... Would you have donated your trail runners to the tree, if you had changed them out???
HYOH and keep tracking...
I would have shipped them back home for REI. I ended up doing that a few days later from Helen.
@@TrackingHopper Gotta' love REI, you can have your shoes for 11 months, 400 miles in them, covered in mud and bear saliva and they'll take them back no questions asked... I wouldn't do it, but I've seen others do it and not a word from REI other then "Thank you"
I have 4 pairs of lone peaks that will be going back. Totally worth the $20 REI membership!!
@@TrackingHopper for the longest time I would only wear Salomon speedcross trail runners, reluctantly I went to loan peaks (But do love the wide toe box)... My wife swears by Hoka speed 🐐, but I can't get on board with the way ANY Hoka looks... But that's the beauty of hiking, there's all kinds of gear out there...
Doing GREAT Hopper!! Press on be safe and thanks for sharing
Thank you! Will do!
You are doing great. Look forward to seeing your videos. Stay safe. 😊
Thank you!
I think the shrub you asked about is mountain laurel.
Thank you. I thought it was a laurel but I’m terrible with plants. Obviously
@@TrackingHopper it’s Mountain Laurel, and it’s toxic, so don’t eat it. Even honey made from it is toxic.
I try not to touch plants because I can’t identify any of them. 🤣🤣
Im a section hiker that has done from Amicalola falls to the first half of the smokies (just got off the trail doing the smokies section) Blood was easy for me compared to the smokies. Hope you are able to go back some day to finish your hike.
Congrats on finishing up the Smokies section!
Life keeps throwing me curveballs but I hope to go back one day as well. Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!!
Low and slow is my way to go, too! Pick up your mileage when your body is ready and you’ll go all the way to Katahdin! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thank you!
Nice video. Good idea to take advantage of the hostel opportunity. Good Luck, Rick
Thank you. The hostel was a great place to hide out the storm.
I know coming over Blood Mt when it wet sucks.
Good pace.
It was tough but also a very cool experience.
That’s definitely 7ft werewolf country. Heard it on TH-cam so must be true 😂
🤣🤣
Enjoying your vlog! Where do you get all of your weather forecasts? They seem fairly accurate and are, I imagine, very helpful.
I have a few weather apps but a great source is atweather.org. You can input the shelter you’ll be near and it gives you pretty accurate info.
Congrats on Neels Gap! Great Idea to try insoles. If you can get to mile 110 and Franklin, Outdoor 76 is great for feet! The hostel there is a great stop! Hike away from that tree though!! Keep the Faith and Keep HikN^!
I’m going there in about 45 minutes!!! Ha ha
For a noob you are doing just fine. Daily distance will come later as you get more comfortable with the daily routine. Your mental focus seems to be great!
Thank you. If I could get the feet to stop hurting I’d be doing much longer days. Hopefully they improve.
Hey bro ur doin great!!!
Wat r u using to hold ur cell while ur hands free?
Have a terrific adventure
The Lost Sloth 4/11/23🔥💪🥾❤️✌️
I am filming with a GoPro Hero 10 and have a PGYTech clip on my shoulder strap. Just snap it on and go.
The bushes are Mountain Laurels. I love following your trek because so far you have been on the exact schedule I have planned for myself. I’m S-L-O-W! (I think the snails will be passing me too 😂).
I’m learning that it’s not slow, it’s methodical. 🤣🤣
@@TrackingHopper I like it! 😂
Hiram hikes is also methodical
@@MizSazz I follow Hiram too!
The shoe tree is insane. I would love to photograph some of the trail with the fog you had in this one. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Safe Travel
Plan a trip!!!
@@TrackingHopper, I am. I am just not sure if it will happen this year.
Thanks for the great video; I know it’s extra work.
Jay would have filmed the fungi for hours but that’s why he is such a fun guy!
Fun guy🤣🤣🤣
Too bad the fog did not allow you to see you a wonderful view at the top of Blood Mtn. I have heard the trail down to Neels gap is in bad shape due to the recent rains and foot traffic! Be careful, it looks pretty wicked out there with the wind gusts. Be glad you are not doing it in the dark!
The trails up there were pretty slick and yes, wish I’d been able to get a good view. It was still pretty though.
I love it. In 2019 my wife and I always seemed to be the last out of camp the first 3 weeks.
How has the first 5 days lived up to your expectations?
It is different for everybody but I think the reality of it really didn't set in for us until day 8.
We had rain 7 of the first 9 days so that might have been part of it 🤣
You got this man 👍👊 smiles over miles and enjoy every mile.
The 1st five were great. My body (minus the feet) has responded well and feels good. The feet on the other hand are killing me but I’m still on the hunt for a solution.
I love seeing something new everyday and having that time to just think. It’s peaceful.
Great updates and trail perspective. Well done sir. Have fun.
Thanks 👍
I can see how easily you could lose the trail. You’ll have to use Far Out app in the snow for sure.
Good call on the Hostel for the night, did you have a frozen pizza?
Of course I had a frozen pizza. 🤣🤣
I love the misty trail footage. Very moody and atmospheric. Also, I hate hiking in the heat, so give me a good overcast day any day over bright and sunny, though that does tend to ruin amazing views. Others have chimed in and I agree it's Mountain Laurel. A lot of the green shrubs along the trail until Pennsylvania-ish are Rhododendron, with laurel mixed in. Where I am in NW Connecticut, we have tons of Mountain Laurel (blooms in mid June up here), but no rhododendron. Once you get halfway through Massachusetts there's no more Laurel, as it's too cold in the winter for it.
I was wondering if it was a laurel and that seems to be the consensus. They’re very cool.
I like a cool day for hiking too. The heat over the summer is going to be roughly for me.