I’m so looking forward to your journey. This was a great video. Don’t ever say “I spent to much time” somewhere. Enjoy every single minute. Might be your one and only shot so take it all in. Prayers will follow from Dallas, Ga.
This is so exciting! I love the way you appreciate so many little things around you. I’m happy to see this adventure through your eyes. Beautiful woodpecker! Thanks for taking the extra time.
Thx so much for taking us along with u. I hope u realize how much u r helping the ones that wud luv to b out there doing what u r doing, but for whatever reason can’t fulfill their dreams at this time. Thx for again for doing this for us at home, I know it must b a lot more trouble filming as u go along. Just always remember it is always appreciated and we r always here rooting u on.
Your video had about three reminders for why I ditched one bottle for a CNOC bag. The snow and ice cycles will come and go for at least another six weeks. On 2/4, it's snowing and icing in the Smokeys. Not all of that was rhodo. Mountain laurel is similar but smaller. Those tunnels make great wind breaks. I really do appreciate your recording this. Seeing how you staged and set some of those shots just on the stairs shows how much more time and effort you're exerting compared to a basic hiker without the camera gear or need to constantly retrace steps. I've hiked that staircase several time. Duplicate steps drive me nuts. The umbrella holders are good. I usually make sure I'm hiking a few miles behind someone that started with one.
Wow- that’s right ! You planned for February to start your Appalachian Trail . Here it IS. February already ! Just goes to show me, I need to make a plan !! Hey, Good on You - you’re on your Way ! - I will be watching
I've been following you for awhile since you were traveling in your SUV and hiking the AZT. Every year I look for an AT vlog to follow to relive my 2006 thru hike. Love your laid back style . Looking forward to following you all the way to Katahdin.
Hey Jay! Thanks for being in the live chat! That was great! What an epic video. It never gets old seeing someone start an AT adventure. Trail looks great this year. I hope she treats you well. I am very much looking forward to seeing all of your on trail shenanigans! I will bring it up again as you get closer but it would be awesome to bring you some magic when you get up north. Enjoy your warm bed at the hostel and thanks again for the amazing content. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well. -Grateful
Great start. Damn #41. I don't think I have ever seen a TH-camr get a number that low. 40 hikers in front of you and 3000 plus behind you. I loved the views of the water falls. The time at the falls was well spent. 👣😎👍☮
Quite good of you to notice the various types of trees and which direction you should be going ! Have a safe, great hike. , good health, laughter on your journey 🧗
thanks for the videos. i am starting my thru-hike on february 26. it’s my first time doing anything like this and i get a lot out of watching ur channel.
Just wanted to thank you Jay for your excellent videos (I followed you on the PCT and then the AT) and learned SO MUCH! I am a rookie at backpacking and haven’t done any since my Marine Corps days in the early 1970’s but am heading for Atlanta in just over a month and will start the AT at Springer, NOBO, on about February 21, 2024. I hope to vlog my journey and upload to my TH-cam channel. If you happen to watch any of my videos, I apologize in advance as I have copied your gear almost 100%. I figured that if it worked for an expert like you, how is a rookie like me going to improve on your gear choices! If I don’t do well, it certainly won’t be because of my gear so thanks for tremendous guidance on that! I don’t know how far I will get but I hope to make it all the way to the top of Katahdin! I hope you and Tina are doing great. Thanks again for everything!
I am just now catching up on some of the earlier vids, as I didn't find your hike until a month or so in. It's interesting (and totally unsurprising LOL) how later in the hike, you stopped all the setting the camera and doing multiple shots of you walking by. It adds a lot to be sure, but SO MUCH WORK!!! I'm glad you slacked off on that later on and just hiked! Hiking the AT is enough work without adding so much more. 🙂
Love your music choices! We came out to help serve Thanksgiving to SOBO thru hikers in 2018 and made excursion to do Amicalola Falls! Love it! The trail down made the kids learn to appreciate using at least 1 treking pole on the downhill for sure! LOL! Two of our darlings mooched a pole each from myself and dear hubby.
Jay, Jay, Jay!!! This is such a great video. Thank you for taking us along. Best of luck, enjoy every step and we are right here if you want to share, chat, inquire, reminisce, complain, highlight or comment!
Jay, my wife and I went back and watched the Glacier hike; we were there last summer as well. Great video, and we look forward to the AT thru hike videos to come. We started watching Taylor the NaHamsha hiker; Quicksand; and Hawk videos of their AT thru hike. We are pulling and praying for you to make it all the way to Katahdin.
Great start Jay, So glad I've found your channel, I'm going to be watching you all the way through to the end, all the luck in the world, and stay safe on trail 👍
Enjoying the start of your AT hike. Hope to start in March or April. Had a rotator cuff tear while backpacking in NC-still recovering (Dec 27 surgery). As an ex-Marine you should have no problem physically or mentally. I'll be 74 when I start. Worried more about the physical than the mental. As a former forester like your observations of nature. The hike not the destination is the reason for being out there. Good luck (not that you'll need it.)
Just saw day 1 Jay!! 😊. Beautiful falls! Now you are in Maine!! I’ve enjoyed every minute of your hike! After you and Tina finish I’ll go back and catch up days I’m just seeing now!! Hike on!! 😊🥾🏕🇺🇸🧗♀️🐻.
Awesome Jay great job documenting the start and what it’s like. You probably already know this but I learned very quickly on the long trail when you hang your pack in the shelters to unzip your waist belt pouches and others so if the mice get to them they don’t chew through them. Tough but exciting first day! We need to get you a trail name. Should be something to do with always going the wrong way lol. Hike on my friend!
Very cool overview of the area. That bent tree is an Indian marker tree. That's a crazy amount of camera weight to carry. Love to see the results. Great video and God Bless.
Congratulations on the start of your journey! The filming was beautiful and there is a charm in your videos. Well done. You are the first person I followed that appreciates the beauty of the falls. I wish you the best as you travel forward.
Thanks for letting us join in the first day excitement! I've gotten to hike through beautiful tunnels of blooming rhododendrons in PA (and WV), you might hit them at the right time!
So nicely put together vlog. It's clear that you are no rookie but I like that you show your mistakes and mishaps - helps noobs like me. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Happy Trails, Jay!
One of the most interesting start videos I’ve seen. Great job, really appreciate the effort you put into this. Thanks for so many details on gear malfunctions and cooking, etc. beautiful pic of the Pileated Woodpecker! Will be following your journey. Best of luck🥾
I was cracking up when you demonstrated the sink...good stuff! It's always frustrating when filling up your water bottle is like trying to turn a screw with a wet noodle. I'm happy for you, Jay...looks like a great start to the hike. I think the burnt cozy and lost (poorly designed) clip were just an early purging of any bad juju...now you're clean and clear. Thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face.
So excited for you ! I can’t wait to watch every video this is so much fun to watch you and your excitement. Thank you for taking us along thank you for all the effort to make the videos. You’re terrific.
Awesome first day! Evertime I saw you walking up the stairs I would tell my wife - he has to go back for the 📷. Jay it was well worth the time and effort! I have never seen the approach trail filmed with such detail before today! Thank you Brother. I was out of breath watching you. No seriously THANK YOU!
Great to see another through hike from you! I did about 500 miles of the AT in pieces many decades ago, so will enjoy following along since my hiking days are over. I enjoyed all your Arizona Trail videos and look forward to these. Good luck!
I really enjoyed your 1st video. I think you spent more time on the Falls than any other video of the AT has. I really appreciate that. It was gorgeous.
Yay! Awesome first day! Very funny contrast in your accommodations. You woke up in a luxury hotel. At night you had to check for mice and squirrels in a drafty and cold shelter! Great video. I'm looking forward to following your adventures on the AT.
Hi Jay, just found your first video and it's wonderful! I'm looking forward to following your trip to Katahdin. Do your own thing, woodpeckers and all - hike your own hike!!
I know I’m a little late to the game here for these videos but my pop is a big fan and he put me onto your channel. He said he met some guy named Jay on a hiking trip a while back and that you posted a bunch of hiking videos so I’m looking forward to watching your AT trip as it unfolds. Side note: I just gotta say man, my old man said you were a super nice guy when he bumped into you and the others in the group ( I think he said some guy named badger and nuclear or something like that? I dunno) and he really enjoyed hearing your hiking stories. I don’t know what you guys said but whatever it was, I think it’s one of the things that finally pushed him to really buckle down and start preparing to take the AT trip himself. He’s planning on retiring from teaching after the 22/23 school year and is going to make the trip in the spring of 24 and I haven’t seen him as pumped and determined to take on a challenge as he is for this in a long long time, maybe ever. So thanks man for being kind to him out there, and for being a positive and motivational energy in the universe. One never knows when and how one might have a positive impact on another’s life. And also, thanks for giving he and my little sister a shout out in one of your videos. She doesn’t get out much bc of her disability so she sort of gets her outdoorsy/nature fix from guys like you and sintax and some of the other TH-cam camping community. She really got a kick out of it when she heard you say her name in the video, and it was like she almost felt famous or something for getting mentioned in a video with thousands of views and for days after that she was just all smiles ear to ear.. Man it just was a really stand up thing you did dude, thank you. Stay cool, stay safe out on the trail, and god bless dude.
What an awesome job you do with your videos. Much appreciated. Just wanted to mention that the smaller shrubs are mount laurel. Looking forward to seeing all of your videos. Best wishes. 🌄
Fantastic start jay I can't even guess how many extra steps you did for filming wow.
I’m so looking forward to your journey. This was a great video.
Don’t ever say “I spent to much time” somewhere. Enjoy every single minute. Might be your one and only shot so take it all in. Prayers will follow from Dallas, Ga.
Haha. I've said "I spent too much time" several times this week already! You're right though.
This is so exciting! I love the way you appreciate so many little things around you. I’m happy to see this adventure through your eyes.
Beautiful woodpecker! Thanks for taking the extra time.
Damn, I forgot how much I like Jay’s trail videos. Great job!
Thx so much for taking us along with u. I hope u realize how much u r helping the ones that wud luv to b out there doing what u r doing, but for whatever reason can’t fulfill their dreams at this time. Thx for again for doing this for us at home, I know it must b a lot more trouble filming as u go along. Just always remember it is always appreciated and we r always here rooting u on.
Your video had about three reminders for why I ditched one bottle for a CNOC bag.
The snow and ice cycles will come and go for at least another six weeks. On 2/4, it's snowing and icing in the Smokeys.
Not all of that was rhodo. Mountain laurel is similar but smaller. Those tunnels make great wind breaks.
I really do appreciate your recording this. Seeing how you staged and set some of those shots just on the stairs shows how much more time and effort you're exerting compared to a basic hiker without the camera gear or need to constantly retrace steps. I've hiked that staircase several time. Duplicate steps drive me nuts.
The umbrella holders are good. I usually make sure I'm hiking a few miles behind someone that started with one.
Great video, thanks for sharing. Happy trails..
And awaaaaaay we go!!!!
Busy week at work. Time to live vicariously through Jay's AT playlist
Nice camera work. Thanks for taking us with you.
Nice pileated woodpecker photo, that is a good sign. It makes up for the burnt hyperlite bag!
Wow- that’s right ! You planned for February to start your Appalachian Trail . Here it IS. February already ! Just goes to show me, I need to make a plan !!
Hey, Good on You - you’re on your Way ! - I will be watching
I've been following you for awhile since you were traveling in your SUV and hiking the AZT. Every year I look for an AT vlog to follow to relive my 2006 thru hike. Love your laid back style . Looking forward to following you all the way to Katahdin.
Woot woot! Day 1 in the books! Great video, looking forward to them all! Stay safe out there!
Hey Jay! Thanks for being in the live chat! That was great! What an epic video. It never gets old seeing someone start an AT adventure. Trail looks great this year. I hope she treats you well. I am very much looking forward to seeing all of your on trail shenanigans! I will bring it up again as you get closer but it would be awesome to bring you some magic when you get up north. Enjoy your warm bed at the hostel and thanks again for the amazing content. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well.
-Grateful
Great start. Damn #41. I don't think I have ever seen a TH-camr get a number that low. 40 hikers in front of you and 3000 plus behind you. I loved the views of the water falls. The time at the falls was well spent. 👣😎👍☮
Your approach to the adventure is endearingly realistic.
Thanks for the more detailed explanation of the visitor area, lodge and actual start of the southern terminus. Stay warm and safe. 🦋❤
What a great start, Jay! I'm jealous!
Wow, I can tell you are going to be fun to follow. Nice filming and editing.
GREAT VIDEO JAY ! thanks for sharing 😊🌲🥳
Yes! Need to catch up in your uploads. Be safe out there Jay. Bill and I are following you along and hope you have a good rest of the day today.
Beautiful music and wonderful pics. They brought back many feel good memories. Thanks for posting!
Congratulations on your official start!!!
Fresh start!
Super excited about your Thru Hike! God speed & thank you for letting us tag along!
Good luck, man! Watching AT thru hike trail in February has become a kind of ritual for me now!
Quite good of you to notice the various types of trees and which direction you should be going ! Have a safe, great hike. , good health, laughter on your
journey 🧗
Looking forward to watching your AT journey.
Thank you for taking us with you!
Loved watching your first day on Trail. Sorry about your bag! Good luck! 🥾
I'm glad you stopped to take bird pictures! They were beautiful! Great day one.
Gotta say, love that you take time to stop and admire the rhododendrons and other things in nature.
I didn't even know what rhododendrons were until maybe 2015. They're still amazing to me.
thanks for the videos. i am starting my thru-hike on february 26. it’s my first time doing anything like this and i get a lot out of watching ur channel.
Tip #1 is don't set your stuff on fire. 😄
Just wanted to thank you Jay for your excellent videos (I followed you on the PCT and then the AT) and learned SO MUCH! I am a rookie at backpacking and haven’t done any since my Marine Corps days in the early 1970’s but am heading for Atlanta in just over a month and will start the AT at Springer, NOBO, on about February 21, 2024. I hope to vlog my journey and upload to my TH-cam channel. If you happen to watch any of my videos, I apologize in advance as I have copied your gear almost 100%. I figured that if it worked for an expert like you, how is a rookie like me going to improve on your gear choices! If I don’t do well, it certainly won’t be because of my gear so thanks for tremendous guidance on that! I don’t know how far I will get but I hope to make it all the way to the top of Katahdin! I hope you and Tina are doing great. Thanks again for everything!
It’s so nice to take a deep breath, sit back and relax to a 30 minute video of yours. So great to see what you see.
Quite an eventful first day! Enjoy! It’s not just about the miles but about enjoying the trail and communities along the way!
Looking forward to your journey and seeing all the videos!!! Stay safe and warm!
How exciting!
I really enjoyed your video and the sound of excitement in your voice. Have a great walk!
Can not wait to follow along on your whole journey!
Good luck from the UK Jay, can't wait to follow along. Happy hiking.
I am just now catching up on some of the earlier vids, as I didn't find your hike until a month or so in. It's interesting (and totally unsurprising LOL) how later in the hike, you stopped all the setting the camera and doing multiple shots of you walking by. It adds a lot to be sure, but SO MUCH WORK!!! I'm glad you slacked off on that later on and just hiked! Hiking the AT is enough work without adding so much more. 🙂
I wish Larry was here to follow your trip. I also know he would wish you the very best
Love your music choices! We came out to help serve Thanksgiving to SOBO thru hikers in 2018 and made excursion to do Amicalola Falls! Love it! The trail down made the kids learn to appreciate using at least 1 treking pole on the downhill for sure! LOL! Two of our darlings mooched a pole each from myself and dear hubby.
Oh, sorry about you burnt hole in warming pouch. Glad your body is well fueled for the cold weather. Praying good things for tomorrow! Much Love!
Jay, Jay, Jay!!! This is such a great video. Thank you for taking us along. Best of luck, enjoy every step and we are right here if you want to share, chat, inquire, reminisce, complain, highlight or comment!
Jay, my wife and I went back and watched the Glacier hike; we were there last summer as well. Great video, and we look forward to the AT thru hike videos to come. We started watching Taylor the NaHamsha hiker; Quicksand; and Hawk videos of their AT thru hike. We are pulling and praying for you to make it all the way to Katahdin.
Great start Jay, So glad I've found your channel, I'm going to be watching you all the way through to the end, all the luck in the world, and stay safe on trail 👍
Enjoying the start of your AT hike. Hope to start in March or April. Had a rotator cuff tear while backpacking in NC-still recovering (Dec 27 surgery). As an ex-Marine you should have no problem physically or mentally. I'll be 74 when I start. Worried more about the physical than the mental. As a former forester like your observations of nature. The hike not the destination is the reason for being out there. Good luck (not that you'll need it.)
Oh no day 1 had a few road bumps!! Haha despite those it looks like it was a great day 1! Thanks for sharing!
YAY !!! Wishing you a great journey. I have a bit to catch up with so will be binge watching you haha.....Enjoy! So excited for you.
Just saw day 1 Jay!! 😊. Beautiful falls! Now you are in Maine!! I’ve enjoyed every minute of your hike! After you and Tina finish I’ll go back and catch up days I’m just seeing now!! Hike on!! 😊🥾🏕🇺🇸🧗♀️🐻.
Awesome Jay great job documenting the start and what it’s like. You probably already know this but I learned very quickly on the long trail when you hang your pack in the shelters to unzip your waist belt pouches and others so if the mice get to them they don’t chew through them. Tough but exciting first day! We need to get you a trail name. Should be something to do with always going the wrong way lol. Hike on my friend!
On the Wonderland Trail mice got inside an open hip pocket and popped loke crazy in it. Little jerks
Very cool overview of the area. That bent tree is an Indian marker tree. That's a crazy amount of camera weight to carry. Love to see the results. Great video and God Bless.
Congratulations on the start of your journey! The filming was beautiful and there is a charm in your videos. Well done. You are the first person I followed that appreciates the beauty of the falls. I wish you the best as you travel forward.
Wow! What a beautiful day! Best of luck on your thru hike. 😊
Woo - finally getting to start your AT series! Nice to see you out on another long trail. :)
Congrats on your ‘Rookie’ first day. What can go wrong will go wrong. Things will get better tomorrow. Hike on.
Exciting stuff man! Sorry to hear you fried your cook bag. Nothing duct tape can't fix. I wish I could be out there with ya. Happy hiking
I so can relate, the excitement and trepidation at the same time of the first day into an expedition! Awesomeness!!
I got a good feeling watching this. Thanks!
Yay Jay is finally back on the trail!! Good luck and I am looking forward to your new adventure!
Thanks for letting us join in the first day excitement! I've gotten to hike through beautiful tunnels of blooming rhododendrons in PA (and WV), you might hit them at the right time!
Safe journeys! Thanks for taking us along!
Ah, interesting, the lodge, the arch, visiting center at Amicalola Falls all were put in after I came thru there in early 70s. Looks good.
Awesome start Jay!!! Thank you for sharing!🥾🥾⛺️
So nicely put together vlog. It's clear that you are no rookie but I like that you show your mistakes and mishaps - helps noobs like me. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Happy Trails, Jay!
Great start Jay. I day hiked the approach last April and it’s funny that I still remember the views you showed. I could picture myself on the trail. 😁
Great first day. It’s going to be fun following you. Enjoy the journey!
Great start, Jay! You got in a lot of extra steps on you walk bys … even on the steps! Thanks for taking us along.
One of the most interesting start videos I’ve seen. Great job, really appreciate the effort you put into this. Thanks for so many details on gear malfunctions and cooking, etc. beautiful pic of the Pileated Woodpecker! Will be following your journey. Best of luck🥾
I was cracking up when you demonstrated the sink...good stuff! It's always frustrating when filling up your water bottle is like trying to turn a screw with a wet noodle. I'm happy for you, Jay...looks like a great start to the hike. I think the burnt cozy and lost (poorly designed) clip were just an early purging of any bad juju...now you're clean and clear. Thanks for sharing and putting a smile on my face.
Very cold start for thru hike. Prob least month before you see anything bloom. Hope you keep warm. Great footage.
Nice to be following you back on the trail again.
Hey Jay! I'm really looking forward to watching this hike. Hope you have a great time.
And so it begins. Really nice opening video, well done. Cheering for your success. 🍺☮️
So excited for you ! I can’t wait to watch every video this is so much fun to watch you and your excitement. Thank you for taking us along thank you for all the effort to make the videos. You’re terrific.
Great video Jay - I am really enjoying watching your hike!
Awesome first day! Evertime I saw you walking up the stairs I would tell my wife - he has to go back for the 📷. Jay it was well worth the time and effort! I have never seen the approach trail filmed with such detail before today! Thank you Brother. I was out of breath watching you. No seriously THANK YOU!
You certainly put a lot of effort in your video...makes for a very entertaining viewing...thanks and wishing you best...safe hiking !!!
Stunning footage of the falls. Great first day!
Great start Jay, thanks for sharing your journey!
Welcome back! I missed you. Look forward to following your hike. Stay safe.
Great to see another through hike from you! I did about 500 miles of the AT in pieces many decades ago, so will enjoy following along since my hiking days are over. I enjoyed all your Arizona Trail videos and look forward to these. Good luck!
Catching up with current videos. I thought I see where you came from. It's nice to see snow and cold, my favorite season.
Hey there, glad to have stumbled upon your thru hike. Subscribed. Can’t wait to see the AT through a photographer’s eye. Hike on! Cheers!
Finally someone worth while to watch! Good luck!
I really enjoyed your 1st video. I think you spent more time on the Falls than any other video of the AT has. I really appreciate that. It was gorgeous.
Looks about right!!!! Great seeing you out there Jay!
Yay! Awesome first day! Very funny contrast in your accommodations. You woke up in a luxury hotel. At night you had to check for mice and squirrels in a drafty and cold shelter!
Great video. I'm looking forward to following your adventures on the AT.
So cool to see this trail in February, thanks for taking us along!
Great first Day !!! Looking forward to following along this wonderful adventure
Great story telling. Love your trail footage.
I will be watching and cheer you on. I am disabled but love the beauty of the hike. Stay safe ND enjoy.
I enjoyed your first video and will be looking forward to following your journey to Katahdin.
Enjoyed the Video Jay, Great job, I'll look for the Umbrella clip early April when I start!!!! see you down the Trail
Hi Jay, just found your first video and it's wonderful! I'm looking forward to following your trip to Katahdin. Do your own thing, woodpeckers and all - hike your own hike!!
I know I’m a little late to the game here for these videos but my pop is a big fan and he put me onto your channel. He said he met some guy named Jay on a hiking trip a while back and that you posted a bunch of hiking videos so I’m looking forward to watching your AT trip as it unfolds.
Side note: I just gotta say man, my old man said you were a super nice guy when he bumped into you and the others in the group ( I think he said some guy named badger and nuclear or something like that? I dunno) and he really enjoyed hearing your hiking stories. I don’t know what you guys said but whatever it was, I think it’s one of the things that finally pushed him to really buckle down and start preparing to take the AT trip himself. He’s planning on retiring from teaching after the 22/23 school year and is going to make the trip in the spring of 24 and I haven’t seen him as pumped and determined to take on a challenge as he is for this in a long long time, maybe ever. So thanks man for being kind to him out there, and for being a positive and motivational energy in the universe. One never knows when and how one might have a positive impact on another’s life. And also, thanks for giving he and my little sister a shout out in one of your videos. She doesn’t get out much bc of her disability so she sort of gets her outdoorsy/nature fix from guys like you and sintax and some of the other TH-cam camping community. She really got a kick out of it when she heard you say her name in the video, and it was like she almost felt famous or something for getting mentioned in a video with thousands of views and for days after that she was just all smiles ear to ear.. Man it just was a really stand up thing you did dude, thank you. Stay cool, stay safe out on the trail, and god bless dude.
What an awesome job you do with your videos. Much appreciated. Just wanted to mention that the smaller shrubs are mount laurel. Looking forward to seeing all of your videos. Best wishes. 🌄
Great start brother! Loved every minute of it and the music too! Be safe