From an old geezer with a lovely wife of 35yrs, I urge you to treasure the prize you have in Jen. Never take her for granted. Safe travels to you both.
Congratulations on making it to Moab from the Atlantic… very impressive! Now stay off your feet so they can get the long term healing they need. Enjoy your break and being back with Jen.
Excited for the Recap episode. My binge watching progress has you in the middle of Indiana at the moment. It’s a great series and you should be proud of it. I hope more people see it soon.
Good call, the trail will still be there waiting for ya. Your health is more important then anything. This is coming form a 66 year old that has to be much more careful. Enjoy your rest. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Awesome job self-assessing and adapting. Always a lot of good lessons learned in your videos and the importance of playing to win the long-game. You might be the world's most OKish through-hiker, but definitely smarter than your average bear. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures.
The decision to leave the trail is the wise one. Thank you so much for taking us along on all your adventures. I hope you know how much it means to so many of us. Best wishes to you and Jen.
It was great while it lasted - I'll watch the finish next year when you get back at it. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Can't wait for the Yukon trip - be sure to take a gold pan with you.
the 65 year old version of yourself will probably thank you - & IMO, this upcoming Yukon voyage is one of the coolest adventures anyone has ever tried to vlog. Good luck & heal up!
Thank you for stopping and taking care of yourself. I was sounding like my mother hollering at the screen for you to stop these last few vids. Many hugs and much healing to you and Jen.
My condolences on the problems. Life is too short to cause yourself pain. Preserving yourself is the smart thing to do. Happy Future Trails. Heal fast and completely. Good Luck, Rick
Though I feel terrible regarding your decision to end the trip for this year, you are wise. No sense in ruining your foot for life...Will anticipate a great 2025 season for you. Best wishes, rest, get foot-healthy, enjoy being back with Jen, and see you next season.👣
Hey Matt, sorry your pains became unmanagable. At least you have your mental pain/anguish to keep your masochistic soul warm, and Jen too.(Could have given us a giggle, maybe next vid.) In the real world of us average folks, you have done one hell of a stroll my friend!
Thank you for bringing us along on your epic adventure. Take care of yourself and Jen and we hope to see you again even if you’re talking about how you are doing and what you are planning next.
Matt you’ve accomplished an amazing journey! Understand your physical conditions are beyond what your mind can take. No need to despair! All of us enjoyed your efforts with regards to entertaining us couch potatoes. It was beautiful to see you and Jen together! She’s a beautiful person with a soul filled with beauty and love. Enjoy each other and can’t to see you both on Yukon River You both are enjoying this beautiful planet, Mother Earth…aka The Holyland! Peace,love, and happiness to you both! 👍👏🥾🏔️🍻❤️🙏
Sorry to hear of your feet issues and having to pull the plug. I've followed your journey from the time you rolled thru my town in WV at the Ohio border and enjoyed every video. Best wishes to you and Jen. Will be patiently awaiting for your next journey. 😊
I’m slowly catching up on watching the whole series. Well done! Looking forward to the finish line next year. You’ve inspired me to walk more, so I’ve been doing just that, one trail at a time. The ADT actually goes right by my apartment so I’ve been doing lot of the urban sections in Kansas City.
Congrats on making it as far as you did! I'm looking forward to the rest of the journey and the other trips you have planned. Best wishes for a quick and easy recovery.
Thank you so much. You are one of the few hiker creators I continue to follow. No drama other than what the trail throws at you. Don’t be bummed about making a good risk management decision. Best!
Well you made it through Kansas without poisoning yourself with the water or broiling in the sun so I think you can knock off the final miles next year. Enjoyed your posts as always and thanks for giving us a preview of next summer and please give us an update per your foot issues.
Totally support and understand your decision to get off trail now and not put your long term hiking goals in jeopardy. With hiking over 3500 miles this year, you accomplished so much. Thank you for putting in all that hard work as well in creating some amazing videos and sharing them with us. Hopefully resting your feet the remainder of the year will take care of the pain you’re experiencing. It has been said that “the body has a wonderful capacity for achieving balance and healing. Time truly is the greatest medicine”. Take care, -Geo
I'm very impressed you have chosen to take care of your health. You need to be proud of what you have accomplished, as well as proud of yourself for making the choice to nurture yourself. I'm sure you will have more amazing trail journey's in the future. Will be watching and waiting for future excitement. You rock!
The advantage: when you come back, you won't have to contend with Colorado. So a near-full year recovery will get you ready to knock out the final leg.
Matt, as a 60 year old who has been a top level athlete for much of my life, you are absolutely doing the right thing; your body absolutely NEEDS a brake! Good decision!
thanks for the adventure, you did well, I started watching when you were on the Katy Trail and followed you through to Moab. I will look forward to more adventures in the future.
Posting when I've been forced off trail is always a real bummer for me to get through. Normally I have a lot of enthusiasm for capturing the adventures. Coming off trail just feels overly dramatic and sad.
You got about 3500 miles more than me in backpacking this year… and I had what I consider a good year of backpacking. Your trips are an inspiration. Hope to see you out on the trail when your feet get better.
Looking forward to seeing you finish it next year. Would much rather see you finish it when you are enjoying it rather than fighting through constant pain.
Matt; i know you’re being hard on yourself but 100% you made the right decision and I hope you’ll spend the money and let a podiatrist evaluate your feet because the pain you’re been describing is very suspicious for a stress fracture which definitely requires rest. But 3600 amazing miles and memories enough for a lifetime:-) oh and what a special partner you have in Jen. Now, rest and relax and we’ll look forward to whatever comes next:-)
At least you do not need to worry about hauling enough water to make coffee. Thanks for the trek thus far. This was first of your trips I’ve watched and I quite enjoyed it.
I've been watching you & Jens Adventure since you two passed through Lawrence, KS, it's been a hell of a ride!! Your trek has been a massive accomplishment & we'll be here cheering you on when you come back next year.
Matt, have followed you since your trek down the Mississippi. You have provided a magnificent cinematic experiences and narrative of your travels. Something I could never dream about doing. Your travels have also reminded the kindness of individuals (trail angels). On a recent visit to Ely Mn, came across a person that completed the North Country Trail. Listening to his stories was really like watching your videos. Take care of yourself and rest up. Look forward to you next adventure
As the late, great Kenny Rogers once penned "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run...."
Well, as you always say, "It is what it is." This was a wise decision. The probability of getting into bad weather compounded by foot issues may have made it fery difficult and dangerous to bail out down the trail. We know that you are stubborn and goal oriented and if you have doubts that means that most folk would have made the decision well before you were forced to make it. And, frankly, pain is not fun and if it is not fun on some level why do it? I'm looking forward to the future adventures, particularly next summer's Yukon paddle. Best to you and Jen. speaking of Jen and I've said this before but you have a real keeper there.
Sorry you had to end sooner than you’d have liked, but still a great summer. Hope the feet and ribs heal up quickly for you. Looking forward to watching the Yukon adventures.
Matt I have enjoyed your journey this year, you did an amazing job as always. I’m so sorry about your foot problem but it is best to stop and heal your feet. I am looking forward to your next adventures with Jen and also when you finish the ADT. I’ve been following you ever since the ECT. You and Jen take care. Please say hi to her for me. You guys are the best. God bless you both ❤
I know it was a hard decision, and a bit of a disappointment, and yet prioritizing your long term health is the best decision. I look forward to your next adventures, and wish you a speedy recovery. ❤️🩹 BTW, Jen is a gem. Partner goals!
First of all : a big thank you for all the video work and taking us along on the ADT . Sadly i saw this coming (see my previous comments) : it's not normal to have sustained footpain for so long . Glad you made the decision to stop , like you said : it's not worth to compromise future plans . Hope you will get some medical advice and get better . Nice to see Jen back and i hope you guys will have a nice "off-season" without to much of a "trail-malaise. 🙂
A Moab to San Francisco hike would be a perfect hike with enough length and variety to make it a real adventure. Maybe that's something I will do someday. I'm not that interested in any of the rest of it, except maybe that cool day in Colorado where you were walking along that ridge.
Bummer man - was really looking forward to watching you in Canyonlands and into Western Utah. Let's do this again next year!!! Good luck with everything until we see you again! Look at the bright side, you get to see Tators very soon!!!
It's always a possibility. I will say personally the folks I've known who have had that diagnosis had some troubles getting a solid diagnosis and it seemed more like a catch all
Amazing trip, anyway! Maybe 'a Power greater than we can contradict has thwarted your intents' for a purpose ( from Romeo and Juliet). I've enjoyed 'walking' with you. Prayerful healing and blessings.
At least this way there is a much better chance that you will finish the remaining ADT miles much stronger and in better spirits. Until then, so many other adventures to enjoy!
You need to hit one of the craft breweries in town and practice gratitude for what you were able to accomplish and experience. I cant even imagine your mindset at the moment.
I noticed there were long stretches of concrete and roads on this hike. I wonder if that is what affected your feet. Anyway, good luck, looking forward to the next video! Have a good break...
I believe you are making the correct choice. Go to a foot doctor and find out what is causing the foot problem and get it taken care of. I am going to go to a Mexican restaurant and had a ice cold beer for yo
Matt, I'm going to tell you the way it was explained to me. When I was in my 30s and 40s. I did physically anything I wanted to do. hike, bike, exercises, long distance running,, triathlons etc. I was super active. When I turn 50 I started you have aches and pains, At some point like it or not your body will tell you to slow down or change your activities. Any medicines you put in your body (over the counter or from a Dr) has side effects that are not good for your body. If you don't change now when you get to be 65 or 70 you will probably not be able to walk or will have developed other crimpling body problems. I can hear you now saying I can power through it. But you can't. If you don't change you will pay for it in the future. You must think about what kind of life you want when you are 75. I had to change my life. Please just think about it.😆
could you have a fracture in a toe or foot bone? I heard others who walked in pain and found out later they had a broken foot. hope you can decide for sure what to do. pain is taking joy away then it is not worth it.
Still around! We used to go to the original in Austin when I was growing up and I’ve always loved their original sandwich. We make a priority to hit them whenever we can
From an old geezer with a lovely wife of 35yrs, I urge you to treasure the prize you have in Jen. Never take her for granted. Safe travels to you both.
Congratulations on making it to Moab from the Atlantic… very impressive! Now stay off your feet so they can get the long term healing they need. Enjoy your break and being back with Jen.
Excited for the Recap episode. My binge watching progress has you in the middle of Indiana at the moment. It’s a great series and you should be proud of it. I hope more people see it soon.
Good call, the trail will still be there waiting for ya. Your health is more important then anything. This is coming form a 66 year old that has to be much more careful. Enjoy your rest. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Thank you for the wonderful year of hiking!
Our pleasure!
Awesome job self-assessing and adapting. Always a lot of good lessons learned in your videos and the importance of playing to win the long-game. You might be the world's most OKish through-hiker, but definitely smarter than your average bear. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures.
The decision to leave the trail is the wise one. Thank you so much for taking us along on all your adventures. I hope you know how much it means to so many of us.
Best wishes to you and Jen.
Thanks for taking us along, always been a joy to watch, looking forward to the next adventure tag along.
It was great while it lasted - I'll watch the finish next year when you get back at it. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Can't wait for the Yukon trip - be sure to take a gold pan with you.
the 65 year old version of yourself will probably thank you - & IMO, this upcoming Yukon voyage is one of the coolest adventures anyone has ever tried to vlog. Good luck & heal up!
I wish you a speedy recovery. Enjoyed you taking me along (virtually).
Thank you for stopping and taking care of yourself. I was sounding like my mother hollering at the screen for you to stop these last few vids. Many hugs and much healing to you and Jen.
Good effort despite all the obstacles. Sounds like you might have a stress fracture and made the right decision. 😎👍☮
Congratulations on all you accomplished on this adventure. Thanks for taking us with you. Count your blessings, you have A LOT!
My condolences on the problems. Life is too short to cause yourself pain. Preserving yourself is the smart thing to do. Happy Future Trails. Heal fast and completely. Good Luck, Rick
A big part of being as tough as nails is knowing enough to make good decisions. Live to hike another day and keep looking forward to more adventures.
Sorry about the injury but good call. It's been an epic trip, thanks for bringing us along! Wishing you a speedy and full recovery!
Though I feel terrible regarding your decision to end the trip for this year, you are wise. No
sense in ruining your foot for life...Will anticipate a great 2025 season for you. Best wishes, rest, get foot-healthy, enjoy being back with Jen, and see you next season.👣
Sorry to see it end. But appreciate you taking a long for the hike. Looking forward to you finishing when you are ready.
Matt, thank you for showing us so much of this country. I'll be praying for your healing. But I'll sure miss the daily updates 🎉
Hey Matt, sorry your pains became unmanagable. At least you have your mental pain/anguish to keep your masochistic soul warm, and Jen too.(Could have given us a giggle, maybe next vid.) In the real world of us average folks, you have done one hell of a stroll my friend!
Thank you for bringing us along on your epic adventure. Take care of yourself and Jen and we hope to see you again even if you’re talking about how you are doing and what you are planning next.
Really enjoyed following this adventure and looking fwd to what comes next!
Matt you’ve accomplished an amazing journey! Understand your physical conditions are beyond what your mind can take. No need to despair! All of us enjoyed your efforts with regards to entertaining us couch potatoes. It was beautiful to see you and Jen together! She’s a beautiful person with a soul filled with beauty and love. Enjoy each other and can’t to see you both on Yukon River You both are enjoying this beautiful planet, Mother Earth…aka The Holyland! Peace,love, and happiness to you both! 👍👏🥾🏔️🍻❤️🙏
You and Jen are a hell of a team, whether you're both on a trail/river/dive together or not. Looking forward to the recap and next adventure.
Congratulations Matt! Huge accomplishment. Here's to a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear of your feet issues and having to pull the plug. I've followed your journey from the time you rolled thru my town in WV at the Ohio border and enjoyed every video. Best wishes to you and Jen. Will be patiently awaiting for your next journey. 😊
I’m slowly catching up on watching the whole series. Well done! Looking forward to the finish line next year. You’ve inspired me to walk more, so I’ve been doing just that, one trail at a time. The ADT actually goes right by my apartment so I’ve been doing lot of the urban sections in Kansas City.
Way to go. You did great!!!!! Knowing when to call while hard is super important. It has been great being along with you watching. Take care!!!!!
Congrats on making it as far as you did! I'm looking forward to the rest of the journey and the other trips you have planned. Best wishes for a quick and easy recovery.
I'm looking forward to what every you post over the time until Yukon paddles take over! This was an epic journey to be completed next year!
Thank you so much. You are one of the few hiker creators I continue to follow. No drama other than what the trail throws at you. Don’t be bummed about making a good risk management decision. Best!
Well you made it through Kansas without poisoning yourself with the water or broiling in the sun so I think you can knock off the final miles next year. Enjoyed your posts as always and thanks for giving us a preview of next summer and please give us an update per your foot issues.
Totally support and understand your decision to get off trail now and not put your long term hiking goals in jeopardy. With hiking over 3500 miles this year, you accomplished so much. Thank you for putting in all that hard work as well in creating some amazing videos and sharing them with us. Hopefully resting your feet the remainder of the year will take care of the pain you’re experiencing. It has been said that “the body has a wonderful capacity for achieving balance and healing. Time truly is the greatest medicine”.
Take care,
-Geo
I'm very impressed you have chosen to take care of your health. You need to be proud of what you have accomplished, as well as proud of yourself for making the choice to nurture yourself. I'm sure you will have more amazing trail journey's in the future. Will be watching and waiting for future excitement. You rock!
The advantage: when you come back, you won't have to contend with Colorado. So a near-full year recovery will get you ready to knock out the final leg.
Matt, as a 60 year old who has been a top level athlete for much of my life, you are absolutely doing the right thing; your body absolutely NEEDS a brake! Good decision!
thanks for the adventure, you did well, I started watching when you were on the Katy Trail and followed you through to Moab. I will look forward to more adventures in the future.
This hurts to see, but it sounds like the right decision. Trust your body, trust your instincts, make the call - you did everything right!
Hope you can find a good podiatrist to diagnose and treat your foot problem.
Day 176. Knew the day of termination via Instagram a few days ago. But still a semi sad episode. You’re the best sir!
Posting when I've been forced off trail is always a real bummer for me to get through. Normally I have a lot of enthusiasm for capturing the adventures. Coming off trail just feels overly dramatic and sad.
You got about 3500 miles more than me in backpacking this year… and I had what I consider a good year of backpacking. Your trips are an inspiration. Hope to see you out on the trail when your feet get better.
You’ll finish it next year. Great job pushing as hard as you did.
Looking forward to seeing you finish it next year. Would much rather see you finish it when you are enjoying it rather than fighting through constant pain.
Extraordinarily impressive amount of hiking! Have enjoyed your episodes and looking forward to next year. Get those feet healec!
Get well and finish when you are well. Enjoy all the videos and appreciate all the work that they require.
Thanks, you have to take care of yourself. ✌🏻👊🏼
Matt; i know you’re being hard on yourself but 100% you made the right decision and I hope you’ll spend the money and let a podiatrist evaluate your feet because the pain you’re been describing is very suspicious for a stress fracture which definitely requires rest. But 3600 amazing miles and memories enough for a lifetime:-) oh and what a special partner you have in Jen. Now, rest and relax and we’ll look forward to whatever comes next:-)
Oh, Matt. So sorry about your feet, but you are being smart. Love to Jen. See you on the Yukon!
At least you do not need to worry about hauling enough water to make coffee. Thanks for the trek thus far. This was first of your trips I’ve watched and I quite enjoyed it.
“Safety is first; fun is second; success is third.”
- Ed Viesturs
I've been watching you & Jens Adventure since you two passed through Lawrence, KS, it's been a hell of a ride!! Your trek has been a massive accomplishment & we'll be here cheering you on when you come back next year.
3600 miles is crazy, congrats!
Matt, have followed you since your trek down the Mississippi. You have provided a magnificent cinematic experiences and narrative of your travels. Something I could never dream about doing. Your travels have also reminded the kindness of individuals (trail angels). On a recent visit to Ely Mn, came across a person that completed the North Country Trail. Listening to his stories was really like watching your videos. Take care of yourself and rest up.
Look forward to you next adventure
Good luck. Hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.
The journey continues
3600 miles is nothing to be ashamed of. I enjoyed the adventure and can't wait until the next one!
Matt I am so pround of you for the distance and decision you've made.
It was a great adventure and I loved your Vlogs. You should be very proud and above else get healed up soon, take care!
As the late, great Kenny Rogers once penned "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run...."
Well, as you always say, "It is what it is." This was a wise decision. The probability of getting into bad weather compounded by foot issues may have made it fery difficult and dangerous to bail out down the trail. We know that you are stubborn and goal oriented and if you have doubts that means that most folk would have made the decision well before you were forced to make it. And, frankly, pain is not fun and if it is not fun on some level why do it?
I'm looking forward to the future adventures, particularly next summer's Yukon paddle.
Best to you and Jen. speaking of Jen and I've said this before but you have a real keeper there.
Good call! Take care of yourself! Can't wait to see you on new adventures and finishing the ADT next year!
Sorry you had to end sooner than you’d have liked, but still a great summer. Hope the feet and ribs heal up quickly for you. Looking forward to watching the Yukon adventures.
Oh man. I know you're disappointed but what an accomplishment!!!! Yiu should be proud of yourself!!!
Matt I have enjoyed your journey this year, you did an amazing job as always. I’m so sorry about your foot problem but it is best to stop and heal your feet. I am looking forward to your next adventures with Jen and also when you finish the ADT. I’ve been following you ever since the ECT. You and Jen take care. Please say hi to her for me. You guys are the best. God bless you both ❤
See ya later on down the trail. Thanks for a big adventure and kudos for knowing when to call it. ps Don't set any fires in the bathroom.
Civilization sucks yo ! Check in with us won't you? Can't wait for Yukon.
I know it was a hard decision, and a bit of a disappointment, and yet prioritizing your long term health is the best decision. I look forward to your next adventures, and wish you a speedy recovery. ❤️🩹 BTW, Jen is a gem. Partner goals!
Sorry to see It didn't end how you wanted Matt, still there are several silver linings in play.
Hope you heal up fast so you can enjoy your winter plans!
Jen is an angel. You are blessed.
Have they ever checked your foot for Morton’s Neuroma?
First of all : a big thank you for all the video work and taking us along on the ADT . Sadly i saw this coming (see my previous comments) : it's not normal to have sustained footpain for so long .
Glad you made the decision to stop , like you said : it's not worth to compromise future plans . Hope you will get some medical advice and get better . Nice to see Jen back and i hope you guys will have a nice "off-season" without to much of a "trail-malaise. 🙂
A Moab to San Francisco hike would be a perfect hike with enough length and variety to make it a real adventure. Maybe that's something I will do someday. I'm not that interested in any of the rest of it, except maybe that cool day in Colorado where you were walking along that ridge.
Bummer man - was really looking forward to watching you in Canyonlands and into Western Utah. Let's do this again next year!!! Good luck with everything until we see you again! Look at the bright side, you get to see Tators very soon!!!
Good luck to you both! Enjoy the holidays. See you on the next one. Be safe and enjoy your time together !!
Great journey be well
You had a good run.
I enjoyed your videos and look forward to whatever comes next. Please consider a visit to the doctor.
Oh man, that just sucks. I hope you have a speedy recovery!
Eat tacos until conditions improve. Nice run Matt!
I wish you all the best for your recovery. 👍
Have you thought you might have a stress fracture in your left foot?
It's always a possibility. I will say personally the folks I've known who have had that diagnosis had some troubles getting a solid diagnosis and it seemed more like a catch all
Amazing trip, anyway! Maybe 'a Power greater than we can contradict has thwarted your intents' for a purpose ( from Romeo and Juliet). I've enjoyed 'walking' with you. Prayerful healing and blessings.
good on ya...you'll be back at the right time.
At least this way there is a much better chance that you will finish the remaining ADT miles much stronger and in better spirits. Until then, so many other adventures to enjoy!
You need to hit one of the craft breweries in town and practice gratitude for what you were able to accomplish and experience. I cant even imagine your mindset at the moment.
Disappointing ending for sure, but the feet need the rest and you get more Jen time. I’ll be looking forward to the Raja Ampat videos.
I noticed there were long stretches of concrete and roads on this hike. I wonder if that is what affected your feet.
Anyway, good luck, looking forward to the next video! Have a good break...
Look forward to next season. Hope you can get your foot X-rayed or whatever and see what exactly is wrong with it.
I believe you are making the correct choice. Go to a foot doctor and find out what is causing the foot problem and get it taken care of. I am going to go to a Mexican restaurant and had a ice cold beer for yo
Best wishes!
Have enjoyed watching your journey, sorry to had to end this way.
Matt, I'm going to tell you the way it was explained to me. When I was in my 30s and 40s. I did physically anything I wanted to do. hike, bike, exercises, long distance running,, triathlons etc. I was super active. When I turn 50 I started you have aches and pains, At some point like it or not your body will tell you to slow down or change your activities. Any medicines you put in your body (over the counter or from a Dr) has side effects that are not good for your body. If you don't change now when you get to be 65 or 70 you will probably not be able to walk or will have developed other crimpling body problems. I can hear you now saying I can power through it. But you can't. If you don't change you will pay for it in the future. You must think about what kind of life you want when you are 75. I had to change my life. Please just think about it.😆
Sorry this happened, but look forward to watching you finish next year!
Sounds like it might be a good call. It'll be there next year, and wrecking your feet could blow a lot of plans ahead.
What about AI Jen and Matt? Can't they finish the hike for you?
so do u plan on finishing the last 3 states?
Yep. Coming back to Moab next year after the Yukon trip
could you have a fracture in a toe or foot bone? I heard others who walked in pain and found out later they had a broken foot. hope you can decide for sure what to do. pain is taking joy away then it is not worth it.
Holy cow is that a Schlotzsky's? I didn't know they were still around!
Still around! We used to go to the original in Austin when I was growing up and I’ve always loved their original sandwich. We make a priority to hit them whenever we can
Yeah, pretty sure it was right next to the Blockbuster video