How People Take Time Off To Thru-hike Long Distance Trails
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- 00:39 Thru-hiking in a Transitional Period in Life
02:37 Seasonal Work
03:39 Leave of Absence
04:46 Examples
06:41 Teachers
08:00 Working From The Trail
10:32 Working Extra To Save Money
11:32 One Girl Auctioned off Her Eggs
12:07 Downsizing Possessions/Housing
12:45 Thru-hiking With Kids
15:29 Triple Tiara
16:27 Section Hiking
CDT Gear List: lighterpack.co...
Camera Gear Used: lighterpack.co...
PCT Gear Lists: Desert - lighterpack.co...
Sierra Nevada - lighterpack.co...
Cascade Range - lighterpack.co...
AT Gear List: homemadewanderl...
Homemade Wanderlust Merch: shop.spreadshi...
I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in my gear lists and possibly in product links in this video description. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon Affiliate Page: www.DixieAZ.com
WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL & MY 2019 Adventures (Fill-In of Fire Closures on the PCT & Hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain):
*Patreon: / homemadewanderlust
(You can pledge as low as a $1/month to support my upcoming hike.)
*Gear Wish List: a.co/cVZeFo3
(Purchase an item from my gear wish list. Some of the items may require contacting me for shipping details. See address below.)
*Buy My Book
Take A Thru-Hike: Dixie's How-To Guide for Hiking the Appalachian Trail (ebook): amzn.to/2e7GK0l
*ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION:
-PayPal: homemadewanderlust@gmail.com
-Bitcoin (BTC) Wallet: 1PLcRstR4bamTYKpwd9Nzus75WjfjMY6gG
Contact information:
Blog: www.homemadewanderlust.com
twitter: @homemadeWL
Instagram: homemadewanderlust
facebook: www.facebook.com
PO Box 4192 Opelika, AL 36803
For business/interview inquiries only: homemadewanderlust@gmail.com
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.82[1/2] แก๊ง 3 สาวเพื่อนซี้บุก CAMPปลิ้นครั้งนี้ห้ามเสียอาการ](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_6WUjXHe1TM/mqdefault.jpg)
Here are time stamps to skip around and see the different ways people make it happen! Let me know if you have any other ideas!
00:39 Thru-hiking in a Transitional Period in Life
02:37 Seasonal Work
03:39 Leave of Absence
04:46 Examples
06:41 Teachers
08:00 Working From The Trail
10:32 Working Extra To Save Money
11:32 One Girl Auctioned off Her Eggs
12:07 Downsizing Possessions/Housing
12:45 Thru-hiking With Kids
15:29 Triple Tiara
16:27 Section Hiking
Is there a service and I smiled when I thought about it that follows a hiker or a group of hikers and provides them with much healthier food than what you and other hikers could get? I know about assisted hikes but what about actually paying for that?
Email me please! You have been so inspirational thoughout your journeys! Im so blessed to have run into this channel 5-6 years ago! I have a good quote for you. Redheron@hotmail.com
"You're never too old to start something new and you're never too young to plan something for the future." You inspire/encourage me. Thank you!
I'm 65 and I'm just now getting around to it
I was going to respond with just that. There’s a lot to her statement AND your reply! Inspiring!
Just started a new job, the first thing I told my boss. I'm planning to do the AT next year. He said send video, I have a job when I get back.
"There's something dangerous about the word 'someday'. This is a Dixie quote I will try to remember today and everyday. Thanks Dixie!
Wonderful video Dixie! As always. I am currently thru-hiking the FDT (F'ing Debt Trail), trying to get out of debt in order to save money to thru-hike the AT. It is going to take me 3 years, but I've already managed to pay off $13,120 of debt in the last 9 months. I've got another $13,000 to go but nothing is going to stop me! I intend to have a fully packed backpack, two strong legs and loads of adrenaline on March of 2022 when I make my attempt to Katahdin!
Keep at it! I'm the same way as well! Trying to rid the debt to save and go out again!
Best of luck to you and your future endeavors!
Hey! Right back at ya! We got this!
Respect!! People often give up on dreams when they take real commitment and planning but that is the only way to get things done. Will you filming your journey in 2022?
Yuuuuup! Filming now. Documenting the debt free journey. Should have my camera skills up to par come 2022. 😊
March of 2022 is my start date too! Maybe we'll cross paths :)
I am a teacher, but I plan to make an AT thru hike happen in the next four years 🙌🏻 The world will always need teachers so if the old job isn’t available, there will be a new door open somewhere else. Great vid, Dixie!!
Jeremiah Stringer teaches?? You can do it! I am a teacher too and the timing makes it perfect to do a Sobo thru hike this year and take a much needed year off especially after this one. There will always be more teaching jobs. There won’t always be opportunities like this. Good luck to you! When you make it happen, I’d love to watch along.
Hi Dixie, I'm a section hiker. I have never had the motivation to be on trail for 5 or 6 months. I enjoy a section on so, and then take a break. I have completed a section in California already, several other trail hikes. Heading to Oregon and Washington to do a PCT section in each state. Then in September when most of the snow is gone in the Sierra, I will do the JMT. I'm quite satisfied with section hiking. It gets you out to enjoy it without killing myself for 6 months
Thank you as always.
Ps, I'm 67yo now and have been hiking and camping for 59 years. Maybe a thru hike is in my future? I retire this year!!!
@Dan Ryan yeah! I feel good. It has been the logistics of family, work, and a home to care for.
I love the motto “If not now ,then when?” Thankyou Dixie for another inspirational thought provoking session.
Hey Dixie I’m currently only 13 and not old enough to do a thru hike I want to do the AT but I will most likely start on the PCT because I live at the north end of it anyway I’m joining my local search and rescue team!
You go man! That's the ticket. I hope you do join search and rescue. They need more volunteers. Good for you and good luck!
@@kdavis4910 well I’m 15 now and totally want to join SAR but my dad said no...
One family who hiked the AT rented out their house thru Airbnb.
We recently sold our house and bought a small condo in a resort that allows it to be rented out thru the resort. We get 60%, they get 40% of the revenue. We pay strata costs regardless if we live there or not. This will allow us to travel in our motorhome next year for about 9 months. We will also be retired. If you live in resort area check to see if you can live there full time and this could allow for supplemental income whilst travelling or hiking.
My Grand-daughter has always wanted to thru hike the AT with me, so I am looking at another 4 years of school before she will be able. However, if it does indeed happen, I know it will be the greatest time of my life. So it's worth the wait and it's extra time to plan.
So now that I'm retired and still have the drive to do a thru hike, I should have no excuse. Unfortunately my wife recently became disabled and I need to be around to take care of her. I may get to do an occasional section hike, but in the meantime I will have to live vicariously through your videos. Thanks so much. Keep hiking and keep posting, please.
I'm about in the same boat raising my grandchildren. I'd take them with me but 3 of them have cystic fibrosis and one of them also has complications from cerebral palsy. But I'm trying! Thank you Jessica!
Hey Dixie im going on my first thru hike on the a.t.
Good luck, man
I guarantee she makes more from this channel than she ever did from a a job
also she has patreon
AND she posts a gear wish list so people buy stuff for her
so good for her - she's got it figured out and has turned her passion into a career
wouldn't be so sure tutoring is good money utube is not good money unless you have a million subscribers and a lot of videos
The sad thing is, in her videos, she says that she has lots of student loan debt from some sort of engineering school. So that was wasted time money on a degree. To compound the offense there are limited spaces in engineering schools, so she took a spot from someone else who actually wanted to put the degree to use.
At this point, Dixie is really just a marketing person for a specific niche of products and is mostly a consumer, relying on companies to buy her things and people to give her money to support her choice in lifestyle.
I find it hard to believe that youtube money, growing herbs to sell, and begging for patreon money, results in a higher salary/benefit package than a 4 year engineering degree does. If it is true, the world is truly a skewed place.
She might be making some money now, but what about when she is too old to hike, how will she live? If she falls on the AT and breaks hip [fill in any type of injury or disease here], how will she pay for the medical care on top of not being able to post videos to make youtube money?
It would be really be impressive if she designs some new type of great hiking gear and starts a company to manufacture and sell it.
@@HansZarkovPhD May I just ask a few questions?
When did she beg for people to pay for Patreon? Setting it up and saying it's an option for those whom wish to do so is not begging.
Do you think she went out of her way to spend that time and money to get a degree and to not use it? She actually did work in her field. Who knows if she will go back to it or not. And to imply that she maliciously took another person's spot in the program... I doubt she would have done it on purpose. She clearly had a different goal in mind while attending school and when the opportunity came to follow through with another goal, she did.
Has she ever mentioned being sponsored or receiving goods for free?
I do agree it would be impressive/cool if she designed some great gear or anything related to her current passion.
@@rtmigneron To my way of thinking, anyone who asks for people to give them money, through whatever means, is the definition of begging. You may disagree. That's fine and dandy.
I have never seen where she has said she has done work in her field. If that is true, I withdraw the comment.
I never said she took the spot maliciously, that is your word. I stated that it is a consequence of her decision and I think it is a waste.
@@HansZarkovPhD Thank you for replying. I'd like to apologize if it seemed I was putting words in your mouth. Regarding the "malicious" part, I did say it IMPLIED she did it purposely and meanly to take a spot away. That's how I partially took your original comment. Again, misunderstanding on my part and I hope you know I did not intend to put words down pretending they were yours. Thank you for keeping this discussion civilized and I do hope you have a wonderful weekend.
My trouble is, most people I feel like either have their parents money. I'm living below my means already so this seems impossible. I'm working at a plan but I feel most people already have money or are supported by parents.
One day i’d like to have a job that gets me out into the wilderness for work.
Start volunteering with your nearest state or national Park and get your foot in the door while you work on getting the needed education!
AudieJane that’s a good idea!
Geology has been a pretty big interest of mine. I’m currently a mechanic, so it’s a whole different world. I’m still going to learn more about it. If nothing else it’ll be good knowledge to have. The geologists that i’ve met have seemed pretty down to earth (pun intended) and generally happy people. I live near the denali area in AK, so there is a never-ending supply of geology to study where I most enjoy spending time.
I've been trying to figure out how i can retire early to make this happen lol. Probably just going to take it a week at a time until then.
Another great video! I've got a job that doesn't understand and a family so I'm section hiking the Ice Age Trail getting out when ever i can, i appreciate it when people acknowledge section hikers.
How do you do it? . . . you S A C R I F I C E and dedicate yourself to it. I plan on trying it next year after section hiking the PCT two weeks a month this year. My sister is going to retire next year so she can mail me packages and house sit for me. And cover any other matters that needs covering. If not for Dixie I doubt I would be so dedicated to trying it even though I've wanted to since my dad loaned me his William Gray PCT book written in 1975 when I was 20 years old. Sometimes I tell my self I'm doing it for both me and my dad that always wanted to but never had the time.
Hi there. Great vid and lots of creative ideas. Is it possible to do a vid about how people from other countries can prepare, organise and manage to do the trail? I am from Australia.
Thank you for mentioning section hiking, as that is the only way I can do the AT.
Since I’m in high school and wanting to do the AT this is a very helpful vid. Thanks Dixie!
If you have not watched Dixie's videos, you are in for a treat.
AMAZING video Dixie. I section hike because my job wouldn't let me take a large chunk of time off. I have plans on putting my house on the market next year and I already have an RV to use as my home base. Keeping my daydream. I maybe doing small steps BUT..."NO matter how slow you go ALL that matters is you don't stop."
Q: How many nights can you sleep in a shelter before they declare you as homeless?
5-6 months when you miraculously transform into hiker trash, not trashy hikers.
"They" who?
Another amazing video, I have to wait until my boys are older so I’m not sure when. I would also have to pack a lot of medication :( Still my dream to hike the PCT..
So when are you going to hike the wonderland trail...? Washington state needs you back... hee!
Good luck on the permits for that. We just got ours denied. Hope they revamp that system soon! Decided to hike the three sisters loop instead.
Please help define thru hike I know you have. Here is what I think. A thru hike is walking every open trail part of an official long trail within one calendar year. This includes flip flopping skiping partd of the trail for what ever reason and then going back to said skipped section to to that section. Thanks for clarification.
One thing I'm doing to prepare for my TH.....is watching ALOT of Through hiker videos, see what's working for them gear wise and make a chart, then go price the items I decide on and start buying 1 piece at a time...this way your not out a chunk of mo ey for gear all at once.
I am saving up the majority of money needed and then will buy my big 3 at one time. Ultra light is ultra necessary for me unfortunately.
Another very nice and informative video. BTW, Garrett Hikes just started from Springer with a 100 day schedule so that he can get back on time for his sophomore year at the Citadel. "If not now, then when?" is so very true. Thanks. Good Luck, Rick
truck driver it pays really well work during the winter, then use the money saved up quit your job thru hike when done apply for another truck driving job
This is a really good video. Especially for people who are not sure if they can do a through hike. I am planning an AT through hike for 2024. I have been delivering pizzas for 17 years and I am pretty sure they will let me take time off. I put $35 in a savings account every week and should have almost $10,000 saved by then to cover my hike and lost wages. By then my youngest kid will be old enough to take care of himself with help from friends and family. It's not going to be easy to pull this off but I am going to make it work
Quote of the day. "I have been delivering Pizzas for 17 years" OMG Do you think they might let you have the time off? It must be hard to find a replacement with that skill set.
Savings account? What are you getting .01% interest? Take what you have in the savings account now and get a 13 month CD and get 100x the return at 1%. Come on man think this through a little.
$10,000 dollars covers your hike and lost wages? So, If the hike costs you $4000 [average costs rounded to the low side], that leaves $6000 in lost wages over five months of a hike? You make $11,000 a year?
Youngest kid? You have more than one kid and work delivering pizzas for $11,000 a year?????? Only in America folks. Lets give Rob a hand.........
@@HansZarkovPhD There goes that idea. I guess I will give up before I even start. Thanks for your input my friend. Maybe I could get a real job one day and be more like you, because it is obvious you are happy and live an ideal life.
@@MARLEYFANcbr Hike your hike man. Enjoy your delivery job.
@@HansZarkovPhD Thank you, I will. Enjoy your job enforcing the law.
@@MARLEYFANcbr I used to, but now I am old. The hours are too erratic, meal times vary too much, and I am on call 24\7, so there is never really any rest.
26 years is enough. I need some trail time to gather my thoughts and go on to the next stage.
Hello Dixie, thank you for sharing this information. Over the years I have hiked many sections of the PCT. I consider doing another section this year. Please take good care of yourself. I always look forward to your informative videos. 🤗
thanks Dixie. love your channel.
some very good ideas and very motivational. As always thanks Dixie
Is it considered cheating to hire someone to carry your stuff, similar to sherpas.
That way someone young and strong can get paid to do a thru hike and someone old and with a few bucks could do a through hike without the burden of carrying gear.
Has that ever been done before?
I've wondered the same thing and think it is a great idea. It would benefit both parties.
There are people who have speed goals who complete the thru hike "supported" meaning they have people along the way who pass around their gear, supplies, etc. But there are separate speed records for supported vs unsupported
@@TXMEDRGR I'm retired and have a steady non-working income so I could probably afford to pay someone to carry some of my gear. I have a medical issue which would require extra gear and disposal. So it would help to offload some. 2nd chance hiker has shown that anyone can do a through hike. Even a guy who has a bladder that leaks.
mattcolver1 take me, take me!! JK
Great perspective! Looking forward to videos from you summer hikes. Be safe. Be strong. Hike On!
So happy I watched this! Thanks for all the tips.. I'm gonna do the triple tiara 😁
dixie, I dreamed about you the other day - you came to my area to talk about your thru-hikes.
you came with rigga, like on a tour, and you told your stories and exposed people to thru-hikes.
I was so excited to meet you, but I was very disappointed that I didn't get the chance to invite you to my "different" thru-hike this winter
I'm at work right now so young lady so I shall watch this later on tonight have yourself a good day
There is also the Sheltowee Trail in Kentucky that JupiterHikes just trekked and posted about.
I would think that most folks can either through hike while they’re young and before establishing a career or having a family. Or they wait until they’ve retired and have less family obligations. The rest of us get to section hike when we can and enjoy watching TH-camrs do their through hikes.
Great, informative video Dixie, as always. You are such an inspiration! I am 61 and have done a lot of camping in my life but very little hiking. I have recently been going through some kind of inner life changes and recently pursuing some kayak fishing and hammock camping. In my internet and TH-cam researching to learn more about camping/hiking gear and such, a few months back I stumbled upon your CDT documentary. I couldn't stop watching. I've been following your vlogs and posts ever since. It transformed my whole perspective of hiking, and now I seem to have caught the bug to do some hiking myself. I plan to start out small and do some short hikes (still working also) to build up my strength and skills for hiking, and to see if I really enjoy it. If so, I could be in a position both physically and financially to do a thru-hike when I retire in a couple (maybe 3) years. I want you know you are changing peoples lives and if I do actually make a thru-hike it will be because of you! Thank you and keep up the awesome work!
First steps on the CDT yesterday just so I wasn't saying "Some day." I envision many, many more through section hiking in 2020 after I am able to equip properly, a process I have started.
Thank you! The two car leap frog is an awesome idea!!!! That is perfect for me!
Super good info & inspiration vid Dixie.
I drastically downsized my material possessions, bills & got out of debt a few years ago to live more. It was the smartest thing that I've done, & has really reduced my stress! ( No monthly rent payments for a roof over my head, while continuing to work was the key to saving $$ quick!)
I'm not a hiker, but I like to travel. Once I had enough funds squirreled away, I took a leap of faith & quit my job. I traveled & relaxed for 1.5 years just living off my savings. When I was satisfied, I reapplied for my old job & thankfully, I was able to get my good old job back.
**My moto: find your passion, plan, prepare & take a leap of faith that it'll all work out,... because it usually does 😉.
Thank you Dixie very much I’ve been wanting to do a hike through and now I am definitely going to start saving so I can get it done thank you so much for your information I love all your videos CK
Thru hike costs about $6,000-7000. Average annual return on the S&P is 7%. Make your hike in 6 Months. If you have $200,000 invested you will make $6-7,000 passively during that time. Probably not realistic for some of you guys right now, but if you work at it for a few years you can do it.
Love your videos! After 3 years of living in the PNW I'm finally moving back home to DFW. I'm finally starting to realize what I want out of life and I have decided to do a thru hike. I will be in between jobs. I honestly think this is the perfect opportunity for me. Thinking about starting on the AT, covid permitted. I've decided to drive for uber for 4-5 months while backpacking on the weekends and running in the mornings. Lets hope I can do it!
I am retiring May 24th and starting at springer mtn on September 1st. Can't wait
Wayne Boyd Just curious: Are you planning a thru hike and summitting Katahdin as a winter hike or just getting as far as you can stopping when the snow starts and just sectioning ? Or sectioning as far as you can this fall and starting next winter/spring to finish the whole trail within a year's time frame ? I'm curious about your plans and if your plans is to complete it why you don't start at Katahdin in Sept. and SOBO ?
Dixie, I have a question for you. 1) I live about 30 miles from Columbus,. N M. so I know the area. What month did you start?
I said before I am a retired Soldier and I have been on the desert year round, I have a good feeling for that part of the desert.
Probably one of the better non trail videos you’ve put out. Really inspiring to hear the stories of what has worked for other people! With a career, wife, kids, etc. six months off at this point is unrealistic but we have other
Thanks for the great video, Dixie! I don't hike at all, and I don't know anyone who does. I've always wanted to go, but I won't go alone. So I really appreciate your videos, and I'm so happy to see that you are so successfully living the dream, and other people too! I have a lot of supplies and food(MH, etc.)set aside for a rainy day...you never know!
I am a Long-Ass Section Hiker (LASHer). It makes going to the bathroom very time consuming... just kidding! Last year I only had a 3 month visa waiver which ran out in June last year and hiked over 900 miles and this year headed back with a 6 month visa in June to finish. So I’ll be half a thru hiker? I guess 😂
Hello Miss Dixie
Thank you for your ongoing videos. I live vicariously through you & your fellow hikers. I'm to old & broken down to join you on the trail, but I can be there in spirit. Best wishes to you.
Thanks for all this info. It has given me lots to think about.
Dixie! Awesome topic and great content. I found it very interesting and loved hearing the stories of how people prepared for the time off of a thru hike. Thanks🙏 great video!
I did 10 months of 'urban thru-hike' across a few European cities and towns. I combined a few of what you mentioned - working along the way, volunteering in exchange for free room and board, and being smart with money (one of the ways is eating and drinking the popular local stuff since they are often very cheap so that everyone can afford, e.g. I ate lots of baguette during the legs in France). I came out a much better person at the end of it, even though I had to sweat so much in those 10 months due to the tight budget. I did it, like you said, when I was in a transitioning phase, between exiting a job I loved and a grant application that required me to wait for a year to get the final result. What was difficult was the temptation to stick to the life I was having (because it felt safe) and maintain as much saving as I could during that one year of waiting just in case I wouldn't get the grant in the end. Eventually, however, I decided to just put all my saving into that trip, as somewhere in my heart I knew the temptation to stay in the 'safe zone' will always be there regardless of the circumstances and I recognised that the limbo I was in doesn't happen too often in life, i.e. I was presented with a rare wonderful opportunity to see the world in a way that would transform myself as a person as well, so why miss it.
Your most inspirational video yet. Thank you Dixie!
I'm starting to save up right now for a thru hike on the At, my job pretty sux, don't make a lot of money an it's probably gonna be a battle just getting enough money to do it, not to mention the grocery list of stupid painful ailments my body already has at only 46 years, one of them being a deteriorating spine, but hey, I'm gonna do it, ain't nothing gonna stop me, I will not let anybody or anything make me quit, this adventure is my dream and I shall make it a reality
Just wanna say thank you for the advice and to everyone else, always do what makes you happy in the end, may be hell getting there but make it happen, dreams are only dreams till the day you wake up with sore muscles n joints, stretch, unzip your tent, make some coffee and get those feet moving down the path.
I want to thru hike the AT so bad. I feel that the only thing holding me back is my fear of bears lol. Can you shed some light on this please? I’d like to hear about it from someone who thru hiked the AT. Thank you for your time Dixie.
OMG I have been struggling with the whole transportation thing. That two car leapfrogging might be an option. HMMM.
DIxie you have such a beautiful soul
Can you make more playlists please, especially one with your non-hiking videos please!
Nice to see you again Dixie, always enjoy your posts as well as reviewing your spectacular hiking videos.
Excellent video, Ms. Dixie! Thanks for sharing!! :-)
where do you see yourself at mile 10,000...or have you ever given that any thought...
Dixie, I've heard you reference various extra jobs, but do you have an actual day job or career as it were?
Thanks for all this years of videos and discovery ! today I have discover the triple Tiara !! Thanks a lot
The risk that comes with a leave of absence isn’t that the request will be denied, it’s that by leaving for 6 months your company might realize that you aren’t as irreplaceable and indispensable as they thought. There’s also the possibility that by having someone else handle your responsibilities, they might question why they’re paying you $X a year to do something your coworker could do in addition to their own job, which could affect future pay increases and bonuses. Everyone’s situation is different, these are just things to consider.
SlyGuy Definitely some good points!
There's also the other side. You only live once and you never know what might happen. There just might not be a later. No guarantees.
Thank you so much for this video. It was very inspiring!
Thank you so much for doing this video it actually was very helpful and encouraging
I have always loved the video clip of the Dragonfly on the water.💕 😎⚓️
You didn't mention the Sheltowee Trace! 😃
Wonderful stories and great ideas. Yes, as always, where there’s a will, there’s a way. 👍
you are awesome
My favorite side hustles are gig work, UberEats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Amazon Flex, and Shipt! It has allowed us to by a teardrop camper and take several trips!
Brian Hildebrand Yesss! Good suggestions :)
I am just now getting into side hustles. Useful little devils.
" she auctioned them off " oh my goodness what a story that is lmao
I know right? That shocked me
Hey Dixie that's a very informative video thanks for the talk
Thanks for the great video it has given me some ideas for possibly making the AT a reality for me
You rock, same as always
Great Video and Topic! Was looking fwd to watching and learning how other made there thru-Hike happen. Didn't know that if you section hiked the AT over yrs Your a Thru-hiker. I thought y'all had to do it in one calender yrs. Another wonderful family that hiked AT Together was the crawford family and they hiked some with Amanda Bess Pee Wee Trail Name! TH-cam Vloger!
I would like to Hike the New 50 States Trail. Connects all the Major and minor trail in Continental USA.
I'm going to start the Penn/Del Trail this yr.
The whole 50 States Trail is 20,000 miles
You’re not a thru-hiker unless you do it in a 12 month period, but whether you thru-hike or section hike it you are a 2,000 miler :)
@@HomemadeWanderlust Oh Very Cool! Thanks Dixie! For clearing that up for me. ! I'll take either. I thought it was both or nothing! Hopefully both at some point. Thanks for mentioning Dixie 😀! I'm going to try and do most of Pennsylvania this Summer on AT.
What I have been waiting for!!! Thank you!!
Oh my goodness! 200k is in sight! So awesome!
I have dreamed of hiking the AT since I was 16. This year I am finally making it happen! SOBO 2019! I leave June 20th for Katahdin. I started dancing to pay for my thru hike because I was to broke for 5 years in a row to hike. After exotic dancing for 1 month I have enough to hike now. 🤣 thank you for your inspiration
i may need to look into exotic dancing....
Logistics, the unfortunate but necessary part of every hiker's life
Love your vids Dixie. 😊
I thru hiked just after high school and just before college. [1988 no cell phones, debit cards, shuttle service, gps, or lightweight gear] But then I became an adult and had to get a career.
Transitional or seasonal jobs are just metaphors for minimum wage burger flipper with zero benefits and not putting anything away for retirement.
Leave of absences exist, but the problem with that is: all the people who are not taking the leave are surpassing you in salary, training, and promotional opportunities, so when you come back, you wind up working for the guy they hired after you left.
In some of Dixie's examples, the person had a job to go back to, but had retarded their careers by that amount of time. In non-hourly, salary-with-benefits type jobs, that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars at the end of your career by missing a few percent raise at the beginning, multiplied by 30 years in the work force. Hefty decision with life altering consequences.
I will be thru hiking in 2 years, after I retire, as sort of a mid life crisis me-time kind of thing after 26 years in law enforcement. Luckily, time and money will not be an issue the second time around. I can take as many zeros as I want and stay in as many hotels as I want. Buy the best equipment as often as I want. Sheer luxury. Despite my sheer hatred of cell phones, I might take one with me.
Yup, well said. I'm really happy for those who can find a way, but very few in their prime working years in the real world can afford to take that much time off of their jobs/careers. I also mentioned in another reply, health insurance is almost ALWAYS tied to your job, so if you quit your job to hike, chances are good you lose your health insurance. How many people are hiking for months w/o health insurance? Not many, I guess.
I don't... I so wish so... But family, work etc makes it impossible for me (like many others) BUT... I will one day.
I dream about it soooo bad! Thanks for posting amazing videos. I recently started my outdoor channel and I have lots to learn. Keep posting super vids... Take care ;)
hi dixie!! are you the most beautiful thru hiker?
buenti Nope! Not even close.
Married, Father of 4 kids in school , mortgage and in my 50’s. I’m screwed. 🤣 squeezing the hell out of weekends...!!!
Any suggestions for someone who doesn’t want to spend that much time away from their spouse but whose spouse doesn’t want to do a thru hike themselves?
Have you ever spent "that much time away" from your spouse? Two possible things that can happen from my experience.
1. You two drift apart
2. The time away strengthens your relationship
Try it, it wont be the end of the world.
When I retire. 2022, unless I decide to retire first. And my ambition is the Long Path, including the never-built Adirondack section. That would be the I'm a good enough bushwhacker to pull it off, I think. I'm a NYC boy, and I just think it'd be cool to hike from Manhattan to the High Peaks. And I could stop home midway, since I'm an Upstater now.
It's a small thru-hike: 358 miles for the official section, 75 more for the Northern Excursion, and then about 150 to the High Peaks and Lake Placid. It'll be an adventure - the longest hike I've done so far is the (138-mile) Northville-Placid. In the 'Daks, I'll be working from someone else's 80-year-old field notes, and carrying 1930s topos as well as modern.
In the meantime, I'm champing at the bit to get on trail, any trail! (And I *can't* - I'm recovering from surgery!) But I've got a specific date and a specific plan and that's a lot better than 'maybe someday.'
Ok did anyone else have a "good that you like your job; now, how do you feel about your wife?" reaction, or am I the asshole?
We “need” so much less than many of us have. Backpacking is life-changing. There are so many ways to generate cash for a thru hike by changing your lifestyle *before* going out on a hike of a lifetime. Go through all your possessions, services, and housing. You will find so many areas, things and ways that your money goes to stuff you just don’t need because it doesn’t enrich you actual LIFE! #HYOH Your *real* life is waiting for you!🌿
My daughter got us into backpacking and we have been saving all sorts of ways to make it happen 4 years later. We cut a lot of expenses and made sure to squirrel away what we could. We cash in recycling and have had friends, family, and both our jobs contribute through giving us their trash. This alone has led us to over $300 in just under a year. My daughter does cake pops and is selling them to contribute as well. We invested in a 9 month CD that will bring around $250 before we leave. We will be selling quite a bit of stuff and renting the house out as we plan to move to WA after. When you really want something and work together you can find a way.
I'm not sure if you'll see this being that this is an older video I'm commenting on, but I started watching your videos to prepare for a section hike of the AT that I'm going to do in a couple of weeks and possibly the wonderland trail next fall and just hiking information in general. I just want you to know that you're so inspirational! I really want to thru-hike the AT now. I graduate next December, so I'm thinking during that transitional time before I switch careers I'm going to hike it. Honestly, even if I don't hike it, this mindset of not buying anything I do not need in order to save for my bills and on trail costs is life-changing, but I'm confident I'll do it! Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I love your videos and you're awesome!
Do thru-hikers, section, day etc. hang out together if they meet, or do thru hikers not want to chill with other types of hikers? I've always wondered, I would hate to be a section/day hiker and be snubbed by thru-hikers :(
I'm section hiking the Arizona Trail. I do one or two long hikes a year, averaging 30 to 70 miles at a time. It's taken me about 12 years to go from the border with Mexico to the south rim of the Grand Canyon a total of about 726 miles. To keep my "trail legs" I bicycle in town commuting to work and events downtown. Bicycling exercises your heart, legs and lungs which are the same physical systems used on backpacking. The way I look at it is that I get to do new trails every year. My philosophy is, There is no hurry". Thanks for this series of basic information, Dixie. It never hurts for experienced hikers to review. And, your attitude and how you explain things, encourages new hikers to make that first step towards an overnight.
To do my two 3 month hikes of the PCT I quit my job. I had a lot of money saved up and I had a supportive person at home to keep paying the rent and to pay my own bills for me. I got a part-time job in between the two summers that I worked on the trail. Three months was about all I could stand before I wanted to go home. These days I save up my vacation time from work and do 2-week adventures. Frankly, I love the 2-week trips. I never get to the point where I want to quit. I always go home wanting for more. I really enjoy the months of planning in advance and then the time going through my pictures and thinking about my adventure after. I make up my own trips, I don't just slave over some established big thru-hiking trail. For instance, I just returned from a trip that I invented where I connected some trails together to get to the PCT. The trails I connected together blew away the PCT as far as beauty.
I’m hiking the AT after leaving my job and seeing if early retirement is for me. I wasn’t sufficiently prepared to hike this year, but next year for sure! Tips for older people considering funding a hike: You get 18 months of health care benefits at COBRA rates even if you quit which is usually cheaper than ACA rates. If you leave your company after age 55, you can cash out part or all of your 401K without tax penalty as long as you DON’T rollover your account to another 401K or IRA. Otherwise you have to wait until you are 59 and a half.