River to River Thru Hike | Part 5
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- The last of my River to River Trail thru-hike across Illinois in mid-September.
What I used for navigation:
Avenza App - River to River Bundle (Free)
River to River Trail Guide 2018 pdf: www.rivertoriv...
You can change playback settings to HD if video appears blurry.
I’m an amateur backpacker and have been making plans to do this trail in a couple years. My eight year old daughter started watching your R2R videos with me and for the first time ever said “daddy I want to go backpacking with you.” No doubt you inspired her. So thanks for the great videos and thanks for getting a little girl interested in backpacking with her dad.
This is so sweet! Thank you for sharing :) I hope you and your daughter have many adventures!
You're the Best Hiking Vlogger, hands down! April 2022
I admired your courage, you are brave, and determine. You dint not fail the AT, circumstances set you up, and you completed 500 miles on the AT, another day will come to finish. Once again I enjoy your video. Thank you for sharing and you have a good husband that supports you, he is there for you any giving time. I did only 3 days on the AT when I was young, IM 63 now I’m planning to do it with my lovely wife one day. Hope is in the hearth. I wish all the best to you thank once again for sharing
Thank you for doing this. It is great to see such a wonderful trail in the Midwest!
A buddy and I are thinking of doing the River to River. Thank you so much for documenting it! Great job!
Glad you made it because this trail is a road less traveled. Not a lot of people blazing a strong trail for you!
"I took the path of least resistance and it was not the right path." Congratulations and thank you for sharing.
Your vlogs have everything a viewer could ask for: views, great editing, great mood sound tracks, great commentary, and most importantly, unguarded reality. People really get invested in your journey because you keep it real. Thanks for sharing and I hope you get your chance to try another AT thru hike. I am looking forward to 2025 when I retire to make my attempt. Stay well and thank you.
Congratulations from Chicago!
Amazing hike
Way to represent solo female hikers -- great videos! So much good info shared for others to follow in your footsteps. Congratulations! Those trail markers suck -- no wonder you struggled.
Congrats on the great accomplishment. It looks like it was a difficult trail, but you made it!
Great series! I’m considering doing this hike in the Spring 2024. Hopefully, the water situation will be a bit better! I did a four day hike around the Garden of the Gods area the end of October 2023. The water situation was horrible! That said, I really enjoyed your journey! Thanks for blazing the trail!
I hope your videos will move the people who proclaim that trail a trail will bring attention to the ugly spots. Great going. You are now a thru hiker to self. To us you always were!
I'm hopeful there will be better maintenance. It seems more people are starting to hike it, so hopefully their volunteer situation grows. And thank you :)
Martin Fontes reported on his channel (while in Maine) that a cohiker and friend he greatly respected left his quest for Katahdin after 2000 miles of his hike while also in Maine. For medical reasons.
Many are finishing but he also reported that two people died in one week on Katahdin itself finishing the AT. I don’t want to be maudlin, I rather want to encourage you that your result was a good one! “The Invisible Hand,” the one you mentioned at the graveyard, is on you.
Also btw Jupiter and a hiker I’ve forgotten his name, did a dialogue on TH-cam about a thru hike of the entire USA East. Name also forgotten just now. That trail is poorly marked or unmarked and has long road treks. They laughed together about the number of dogs on the road sections between the Florida Trail in the Panhandle, in portions of the Pinhoti Trail once reached etc. The point was important. I own a small tea farm along that route but don’t live in Alabama. Everyone living outside cities with police have dogs and most are free range. They are useful to alert owners and to warn trespassers. Sounds like IL is similar. It takes a county sheriff up to 45 minutes to appear before an emergency call.
The guys never got bit but had some follow along for distance as if they were lonely! Another good reason to pray for the River to River and the Pinhoti and others to find off road footpaths. Blessings
Fantastic job! Impressed. Based on your experience, I’ll skip that trail!! The spiders! Yuck!
Awesome video and congrats to you "thru hiker"!
Well done on the hike and the videos!
Thanks for sharing! I went to SIU between '15 & '18 and have hiked many of those areas multiple times. I always saw the River To River on other trailheads but never seriously considered thru-hiking it until recently. Your series gave me the information I was looking for outside the guide so thank again! I'm currently planning on going this upcoming April, can't wait!
Nice! I hope you have a great trip!!
Very cool. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing!
thanks for taking the time to vlog your thru hike. it gave great info as I5 5'm set to do the R2R this winter. it to will be my first thru hike but I'm a avid backpacker and have the Ouachita Trail (4 sections 12 days total) and the Ozark Highlands Trail (5 section 17 daythis 300 miles side note 1st sec started May 2020 after 5 day rain event so shuttle had to drop me off 10 miles in to avoid flood stage water crossings so instead of just doing the 10 miles this past April. I re-did 40 something miles. OHT is 254 mi).Again cant thank you enough for doing these videos they'll definately come in handy as i start preparing for my trip and also re-assuring im definately doing my trip in colder weather
Oh yes, and I meant to tell you that I really enjoyed your comment in the videos about courage being like a muscle that needs to be exercised!
Happy for you. Hopefully, I can have this morning someday, soon, too. Thanks for sharing your journey. It helps a lot for me facing my own fears.
Moment not morning** (darned auto correct)
Congrats! Your play by play commentary was entertaining and informative. 10/10 series for a 3/10 trail! Ha!
Ha, thanks Ben!
Good job! Way to grind it out! I hike all over Shawnee and that time of year is my least favorite. I like it better in early spring and late fall. I'm heading back down in a few weeks for the Iron furnace to hitching post section. Good editing too! 👍
Yes I would definitely do an alternate time of year. Have a fun trip!
Smiles, Lazy is a through hiker now! That was some trail.
I enjoyed these videos so much!! You inspired me to get out there by myself!
Thank you! Solo women are definitely increasing in confidence and I saw so many on the Colorado Trail! It's great to see.
Excellent job, well done. I was raised in Southern Illinois. Retired now and hiking in Southern Arizona. Proud of you young lady.
Very cool!
I just came across your channel. looking for videos and information for an AT thru hike. I watched all of your videos with in the last 12 hours lol!! You have a great editing style! your videos are amazing and very entertaining! No matter what you say i wouldn't call your AT thru hike a failure! you never failed! Your head never left the game! Your heart was still in it! You just had a misfortune stop.... not a failure!! Just my thought tho. Anyway you have another SUB because i cant wait to see more of your videos!!!!
Your comment made my morning! Thank you :)
Great job. So inspiring!
Very fun video series. Best wishes for future hikes!
I have finished binge watching your hiking videos, going back to the start of the AT. You are a gifted story teller, and your videos are some of the most entertaining and well done I have watched. I do hope you continue to make videos. Many blessings to you and your family. Happy Hiking!
Thank you for such a kind comment. I'll be doing more videos this year with The Colorado Trail and some other things. Happy New Year.
I watched it all the way thru. You did it your very strong and brave. I'm mixed on anyone doing that alone seems kinda dum(sorry) dangerous. Congrats. I did enjoy seeing the R/R Trail. If I could even do that it would take me twice as long.Favorite line you would have a front row seat when Jesus rose the dead.
Great job , Karl
Just found your videos...congratulations! This a super accomplishment. As a resident of Illinois, I wish the trail was in better shape. It could be so great. As it is, it’s more of a suggestion than a trail.
More of a suggestion than trail - absolutely felt like it at times! Ha! But to be fair, I hear it is a better trail for post-foliage seasons.
Beautifully made video from a Thru Hiker.
That was so awesome! Thanks
I am in Southern IL. I have been sectioning hiking the trail, skipping the road walking. I was at Panther Den last week. Cool to see you walking the same area.
I loved Panther Den!
Love your videos! You're a great story teller and it's appreciated. Great job on the hike, especially liked your comments on courage. You are definitely a warrior. Don't worry too much about the "lone female hiker " concern comments, it's simply a sign of the challenging time we're currently living. As you know from your AT and now your R2R hikes, the hiking community is filled with good people. Really appreciate you sharing your journey, take care and happy trails in all your future endeavors.
Thank you! I am looking forward to hiking in years that better reflect the typical hiking community. 2020 was a doozy, which is why I appreciate kind comments like yours so much!
It’s a total shame that the trail was not maintained better along with marked better with signs. I feel bad after watching this video that it might deter people from trying the River to River Trail. I thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos. Your editing is precise. I enjoy seeing your emotions good and bad. Thanks for sharing.
I wanted to give a realistic view of the trail, but I do think it is starting to grow in popularity. So hopefully the maintenance will improve as well.
@@lazyextremist3119 I live near Tampa Florida... I am planning a trip to hike the AT (well at least the Georgia portion) I watched all your AT videos. Loved them! What are your thoughts would January or February be to cold to hike the GA section? I think it's only 73miles so 5-6 days?
I’m no winter hiking expert. My immediate questions would be if water sources freeze (I mean it’s GA so maybe not?) and if you have the winter gear. The SOBOs should have better insights, as some finish around Christmas time.
GA is deceptively challenging.
@@lazyextremist3119 wow see I'm glad I asked and I'm glad you spoke. Never even considered thinking about whether water source would freeze or not. I am confident I have the winter gear. But thank you for the heads-up about possible water freezing.
I watched all five parts today. Fantastic! I’ve grown up in Southern Illinois but have only visited Shawnee National Forest a few times. Garden of the Gods and a few others places. It was nice to see familiar places in your videos. Thank you for making this video. It has inspired me. As soon as I can I hope to do an overnight hike/camp. Maybe that will help me decide if I could ever do a through hike of a major trail. You rock!!!!
Shawnee has some hidden gems! I hope you get out there!
Your videos deserve tons and tons more views!! Realistic expectations of hiking but also realistic beauty :) thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing! Disabled by long haul covid for 13 month seeing this is my best way to be ‘out there’. You’re a brave woman! Good storytelling and nice editing, by the way. I wish you a better trail next time!
A job well done. That trail is definitely a challenge physically and mentally. What an accomplishment.
great job. Congratulations!
Thanks for the info! Gonna be attempting it in the summer. Congrats on the ct thru hike too!
Amazing job, put a tear in my eye! You had it much harder than I did. Congratulations
Just stumbled across this series. You are a straight up warrior for plowing through that schmutz! Well done~thx for sharing
Dear Lazy, your Primal Videos are Inspiring and very good. ever hear of the north country trail?
let it be drawn to you.
I have not heard of North Country Trail. I'll look it up!
Congratulations
Unfortunately it's true the trail can get overgrown in places. Water can become a problem during parts of the year. There's very few people that volunteer to keep up with the trail. Last year was especially hard for a lot of folks I was doing some trail maintenance unfortunately I ended up with a heart attack and had to step off the trail. I'm going to do my best this year to get back doing trail maintenance and water caches for through hikers. Most of all I'd like to congratulate you on your through hike
Thank you for doing trail maintenance! And of course, I hope you recovered well!
Well done you! Awesome hike, thanks for sharing it with us!
Beautiful video, well made. Congratulations again!
Thanks for sharing, congrats for completing the trail. Glad to see you had the garmin inreach with you, look forward to your next trip - all the best!
Hello....I finally found you,you hiked up springer with Walden and firefly from ohio,we wondered about you,your videos are awesome,sorry to hear you were sick...I'm sure it was a amazing hike,glad your ok...I'm back this year 2021....good luck to ya...hike on...👍
Yes I remember you guys! I'm wishing you luck for 2021!
What a great set of videos...enjoyed this very much. I also get fed up of the "solo female backpacker" assumptions and concerns...you're right, a man wouldn't be on the receiving end of those comments. It does get old. I did a UK trail in August that I had sinilar issues with in regards to constantly losing the trail (currently on my channel if you want to watch someone else get lost instead)...it's so frustrating and can really dampen the spirits. Take care and God bless
I thoroughly enjoyed following along on your thru-hike. You have a wonderful ability to tell a story. Your narration and editing are superb. Congratulations to you and if you choose to do another thru-hike, I'll be following along on that one as well.
Thank you. I'm working out the logistics for a short thru next summer. I'm thinking Colorado Trail if I can get away from my work for a month.
Congrats and well done! Didn't look like your favorite hike but you got it done. You referred to your AT hike as a failed attempt. I disagree. You did more than a lot of people ever will, faced many obstacles and stopped only due to illness. You should be proud and not call it a failed hike, but an interrupted hike that you may finish someday. Thanks for letting us come along with you on your River to River hike. Looking forward to your next adventure. Now soak those feet!
Thank you for your kind words. I still have unfinished business with the AT, but the R2R was a helpful step for me.
Enjoyed this series and your channel. Well done on completing this thru-hike.
Last day of my spring 2020 hike, we hiked from cedar lake to grand tower the last day. Congrats!!!
Really enjoyed you letting us join you through these videos on the R2R. Now I have to start on your AT trip. Thankyou for these.
Ya done good Salty! Congratulations! Thank you for these wonderfully entertaining glimpses into your hike. I will be awaiting more.
Congrats. Next come on down to do the 223 mile Ouachita Trail in E. Oklahoma and Central Arkansas. Almost no road walks.
WOOHOO!!! And good for you !!! Plus you are still a bad ass thru hiker in my book!!!
Epic journey, but seemed to be though on you. Next time try to be less negative :D
I hope it is one of these things that suck while doing but will be epic once you are done!
That was great. Now I'll go watch 1-4.
Thanks for sharing youe adventure.
I thoroughly enjoyed your videos! I watched your AT videos and just had to watch this series. I do hope you get back to the AT someday. I only backpack 3-4 day trips although I would love to try the AT if I only could break away for that amount of time. I am stuck doing sections, a little here and there. Best of luck to you! I will anxiously await your next adventure!
Thank you! I understand the time sacrifice - I hope you take the chance to do it someday! Next up for me is the Colorado Trail this summer :)
@@lazyextremist3119 Best of luck with the Colorado Trail. I was wondering if you experience training conflicts between hiking , biking and running? For me it seems like hiking screws up my running and biking screws up the other two! I can’t swim to save my butt so I do duathlons( run,bike,run). It almost feels like different muscle groups for me. Just curious if you ever experienced that and if so how did you solve the problem. Hoping the events happen again this year but so far they are all moving to the fall. I can just see it where I have back to back to back marathons and halves!
@@paulslagle1800 Yes, it can be tricky. I find triathlon is a good way to get in shape for backpacking, and I'm fairly confident last year's 800 backpacking miles helped my lower leg bone density (no shin splints since which was a chronic problem). But I do lose triathlon fitness when out backpacking. I try to balance them out by seasons. I've been tri training through winter, and would like to do a race or two before CT thru in July. I'll probably be able to bounce back quickly and do another tri race in the late fall. It's a give and take for sure.
@@lazyextremist3119 thanks for your input! I appreciate you taking the time to answer! Best of luck with the CT and all your events this year! We just got word that Pa. is going to start allowing larger events including running so hopefully it will be kicking off soon. I look forward to your videos from the CT! Thanks
I liked the part where you were not afraid to meet God if the resurrection was to take place the night you set your tent up in the cemetery.
Thanks for sharing! Enjoyed watching your AT hike, glad you got to do this. Quite a finish!
Very Inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey. Thank you for pressing through and showing the world that woman can do this, too. Those overgrown trails would have been mentally exhausting for me. I'm planning a backpacking birthday trip as well and your video just gave me a motivational boost. 💗
it is what it is...
Good Job! If you are out here in the Midwest now, you should check out the Ozark Trail here on the Missouri side of the river. Definitely a fun thru hike, not as overgrown as the R to R.
Yes that is what I hear!
Congratulations! Really like the way you share your emotions. Very real.
Great video, i enjoy all you videos, congratulation on your thru hike, your determination and fortitude on this hike is an inspiration
Congrats on your hike! I know the miles were not easy but being on a trail with very few hikers would be very tough as well. It is the people you meet along the way which makes them friends forever. The AT will always be there for you. Congrats again!
It was a lonely experience at times, but I think it was what I needed. I am hopeful I'll be able to get back on the AT sometime in the next few years to give it another shot.
Congrats on your finish! Your videos are very informative and entertaining.
Good job! Thanks for showing the trail and being an inspiration!
Thank you so much for the summary wrap up. NOW I see your desire to complete a THRU hike! Doodlebug's (AT 2001 & 2010) Dad.
Thank you!
Amazing accomplishment!! You are very inspirational!!
C-o-n-g-r-a-t-u-l-a-t-i-o-n-s! You are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure!
Congratulations you did it. Awesome to see you hiking again. Look forward to more in the future.
I honestly love your videos. I found your CT video series first (I'm doing the CT this August) and then watched this series. I live outside of Chicago and use the Lusk Creek Wilderness area of Shawnee for shakedown trips - but honestly, the River-to-River trail is relatively unknown for a reason - it kind of sucks especially compared to the CT (or any trail in Colorado), the AT, etc. Have you thought of doing the John Muir Trail? That was my first solo backpacking experience and it was a life-changer for me in 2020 (I'm old enough to be your dad). Regarding solo female safety, I definitely recognize the issue as I know several female hikers who wouldn't consider doing it solo. It really pisses me off that there are creeps out there that make you feel unsafe. I've met several solo females along my hikes and I try to go out of my way to make sure they feel safe and comfortable. Definitely a bigger deal in towns and near trailheads - once you get into the wilderness, 99.9% of the people are awesome. Hike on!
well done, certainly a lot of mental challenges along the way
I enjoy your videos, they are well done. Would like to see you get back out on the AT next year!
I wish, but I just can't swing six months off work two years in a row. But I am hopeful I can take another shot at the AT again in the upcoming years. And trying to make the Colorado Trail happen next year.
@@lazyextremist3119 that’s understandable, wish you all the best and success in future endeavours!
Congratulations on completing the R2R, that road walk at the end was a tough one!
Thanks! This was a great series to watch.
So I was in Shawnee backpacking last year. Tried getting to inspiration point and the water was up clisr to that road. Snake road parking area was flooded. Yeh fun times!!! Glad you got to see it! Looks great
congratulations! I love your videos, they are amazing and inspiring!
Nice job, and can't wait for your next adventure! It's keeping me motivated for my AT thru hike in 16 months.
Congratulations! I really enjoyed following this journey.
Congrats on finishing the r2r. Inspiration Point is an amazing view!! If you hike in Illinois more often, you'll see how extremely rare it is to find a clean water source. Illinois has lots of weirdos and crazy people, however old people are some of the nicest people you'll meet. Ps: Just don't drink from the Ohio or Mississippi, atleast I personally wouldn't.
Congratulations!! This was fun to watch!
Congrats on finishing! I'm just getting into through hiking and live in IL so I've been looking for trails to check out. Thanks for the in-depth look at what the R2R is like!
Hey Thanks! You're right there isn't a lot of info out there about the R2R.
I grew up in southern IL and plan to complete the hike soon! I appreciate it!!
Thank you for sharing! I’m “excited to get back on trail this weekend. I did Elizabethtown to Garden of the Gods the same weekend you finished! We are now able to get back on trail for another section tomorrow (October 30) I can’t wait to have the opportunity to do a thru hike some day. You are such an inspiration!
Congrats on completing and in good time as well. I grew up in Ill and never knew the trail existed so thanks for bringing it exposure. Don't worry about the AT. It will be there in the future for you to hike again and complete!
Congrats, I knew you could do it, maybe in a year or two time will soften your memory of how bad the trail was, and you'll remember the better parts of it.
Gutsy hike and even gutsier finish! Thanks for the overlooks and the sunsets. I hope there will be many more for you. Well, I know there will be many more. Now go celebrate your birthday with something tastier and more intoxicating than pond water!
Anything is tastier than pond water! I definitely had something more intoxicating a well lol
OH! CONGRATS! :)
You made it in 10 days! Impressive that you got that 25 miles done on the last day! Congratulation! 😁 All the best!