Walking Home (Full Documentary Parts 1 & 2) - Appalachian Trail Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- The long awaited full-length Appalachian Trail documentary is finally here! Walking Home, Appalachian Trail Documentary Part 1 and Walking Home Appalachian Trail Documentary Part 2 as 1 Full length Thru-Hiking Documentary.
What begins as a father and son's thru-hike from Georgia to Maine, grows into a story of self discovery and epic adventure on the Appalachian Trail. Walking Home follows several Maine hikers as they attempt to complete 2,200 miles through the world's oldest mountain chain. The journey is an ultimate test of endurance and will to find freedom in five million steps.
A film by Ryan Leighton.
A wondrous documentary. My brother hiked this. He was a section hiker, hiking his favorite sections over again. True nature lover. Less than a 100 miles to complete the trail, he ended his life’s trail fighting cancer instead. So much respect for him and love. His favorite phrase, Take me to the mountains”.
I am sorry about your brother. But it is beautiful to hear you speak of him doing what he loved. Now he is hiking mountains more beautiful than we can even begin to imagine while we are still here on this earth. God bless
Very sorry for your loss of your brother. I lost mine in 2010. We hiked together all the time. I miss him so much.
So thankful your brother was able to fulfill his dream, hiking in the mountains! It was only a short distance from the mountains to Heaven's trail!
@@aarongrabowski3775I’m so sorry for your loss, you must miss him terribly. I hope you feel close to him when you’re hiking, I’m sure he’ll be with you ❤
Life can be so unfair. I’m so sorry for your loss ❤
Somebody's gotta tell On Purpose "thank you" for me. His quote of "quit on a good day" has helped me through my mental health struggles and soon it will help me on my journey.
If you're struggling with your mental health, thinking about cutting things short, just remember: "Quit on a good day, or don't quit at all".
That mantra has already made a massive impact on my mental health.
Thank you On Purpose.
Watching this for the I don’t know time on a ridge in VA just passed 600 miles today! Reinforcing the dream
I've watched this documentary about 50 times. It just gets me excited to try again
I thru hiked the AT this year, NOBO February 13 to July 26. I watched this documentary several times to get psyched up for the trail. Having completed my thru hike, I just went back and watched this as it’s the holidays and I am missing the trail a ton. I figured it would be a fun walk down memory lane. After rewatching this post-trail, I think this is 100% the best AT documentary out there. The scenes of seeing Katahdin from Abol Bridge just took me back to those last few days of my hike, exhausted, sore, burned out and beyond grateful to have walked from Georgia to Maine. I had tears in my eyes. Huge props to the filmmakers, this is such a realistic portrait of what a thru hike is like!
Man, I LOVE this documentary. Here I am, watching for the 7th or 8th time, keeping the dream alive until I get my chance at a thru-hike in 2021!
Ryan J. You still thru hiking this year 2021?
End of march, I start mine. Hope to see ya on trail...
A.T., here I come..
Randy "wingertops" S.
What date are you jumping on? April 3rd I'm starting my thru-hike with a friend and my nephew, I'm so excited. Wingertops... I'll be sure to remember. I'll be going by "Hoss." Hope to see you on the trail.
@@Marshall__Arts how was the first day?
@@spencerpaul3083, we've changed our start date to April 11th. Things got in the way. Still very excited, can't wait to start.
@@Marshall__Arts haha, that’s still cool. Good luck man, I hope to be doing it some day
On Purpose is the kind of guy you want to hike with. His positive attitude is contagious. I hope to meet him on the trail someday.
On Purpose has such a wonderful presence & huge heart. Can't help thinking his Ex must have been a fool.
Thank you. Loved the way the three stories were entwined, the honesty they shared and the music.
Watched this documentary years ago, and was trying to remember it the other day. Found it again, and i must say when a documentary gives you the feels you know it's good.
You always know it's a special video when you cry at the end. =) Thanks for the journey and the great music you picked to make it.
I think I’m going to just drop everything and go start to finish. My life has been a chaotic mess. The last 15 years has just been me trying to organize or make sense of this life and the world around me. I think I need this
Same. Maybe we'll see each other out there
Did you do it?
Walking man sure looks like ( Jim Croce ) - I'm in my 60's and walking man gives me hope that i can walk the entire trail - I sure hope him and his son continue to understand each other more as life goes on - ROCK ON ! - Steve & Karl - ROCK ON !
Wow. Truly, all I can say is wow. Beautiful film full of beautiful souls
Prolly the best AT video I’ve seen
Love this is the best hiking video ever seen. Father & Son and others. On Purpose, dude you blow me away with your words and your tears...
This seriously made me cry at points.
Im glad this Father and Son made an effort to do this....My Father died and we were just casual friends...We should have tried harder...RIP Dad....
As a soon to be father, this video hits a little differently than it did the first time I watched it. I hope that I can develop as strong of a relationship that GQ and WM have. Thank you for documenting your journey, all of you, and I hope the adventure keeps going!
Prayers for a healthy baby and for your wife as she delivers. I am sure that you will be an amazing father
In 2014 I hiked the AT with my son. This documentary brought back so many memories. Great film, thank you for reminding me of the best time of my life!
Thank you for watching and commenting!
Thank you Ryan, Cody, Andy and John I miss the trail but this is great Big Smile Inside! On Purpose
Eagle at the end is magic!
I am so happy to see your comment. It gives me the chance to tell you how much your story and your words inspired me. You are such a good man and it was truly a pleasure to hear your story. Thank you so much for being willing to tell it. xo
Ryan Leighton and Cody Mitchell, you two are true craftsmen and artists. Well well done gentlemen.
Thank you sir!
I've been watching to videos on gear, missing the point of the hike. This is what i should've been watching, this is a PHENOMENAL documentary! This is what every hiker should be watching....
AJ Usog I get that. We get caught up in the gear and forget why we want the gear.
My dad passed Nov 11, 2020
Someone asked me if i was ok.
I wasn't but I lied
I'll be ok. Unfortunately, I learned to live without him years ago.
Why he rejected me in my teens, I'll never know.
I tried many times to fix us and he played along but always slipped back into not liking me.
Today, that's my only solace. I tried.
Folks, this isn't just about a hike up the AT, It's about how we pull away from one another usually over something childishly ridiculous.
NOT SAYING this was the case here.
I would give all I own for just one more chance to make things better between us.
Fix it. Whatever it may be. Fix it.
Forgive one another and move into life as we were meant to face it, together.
Thank you for this wonderful film that goes way deeper than just walking in the woods.
blackbear when you were crying on top of bald mountain.. I can completely relate... its an overwhelming feeling of joy and thankfulness no one could ever understand without experiencing it themselves. EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY!!!!!!
What a beautiful film and story. One of the best AT docs I’ve ever seen. I wish I could’ve experienced such a trip with my dad before he passed away.
I totally understand you. My son is a lt commander in the navy almost 35 yrars old and he can retire from the navy in about 8 more years. Then I will be about 66. I hope I can talk him into doing an AT thru hike with his old man.
About 3/4 of the way through the film and I realized something. There are life lessons to be learned here.. not just hiking the AT lessons. My current difficult journey is one of weight loss and trying to regain as much health as I can at my age. So many of the things these people talked about can be directly applied to my own journey, and I suspect really to any difficult journey one is embarking on. Fabulous film, stunning imagery .. Invaluable lessons for anyone regardless of circumstance.
It struck me that way too at my age. I sure hope you make it on your journey. Lots of lessons here. Make the best of the days to come, that are left. God bless you.
@@Highlander9740 What a lovely comment ! Thank you ... and blessings to you as well... : )
I hope you both found success in your journey and are thriving ❤️. I’m 48, about to be an empty nester and I’m ready to make my journey too. To health and self discovery !
Sharon i can relate. I am now in my late 50's and have been doing with diabetes and excessive weight gain ever since my right knee cap came completely out of socjwt in 2011 while hitting softball. The game I had loved since I was a young boy ended up leaving me with a bad injury and 3 months later a torn meniscus in that same right knee. My weight blew io ftom 265 to over 330 lbs. I got depressed and stopped trying to workout and take care of my health. Then in March of 2017 I about died when pulmonary emboliama filled my lungacand ended up coming out of my.lunga blocking my pulmonary artery. Thankfully I was already in the hospital on 3/16/2017. So I was taken into emergency blood or busting surgery. After that day I woke up the next day with a new outlook on life.
So now I am again wanting to take much better care of myself. Doctors have my diabetes back under control. I am beginning to go on power walks carrying either my 20 lb kettle bell or carrying 22 to 25 lbs in a backpack. My weight is back down from mid 360's to mid 330's. It is getting easier to hike carrying that extra weight. So my goal is to get back down to around 250 to 260 lbs which would be a good weight for my 6'1" frame by next spring or early summer.
Then I can begin going on sectional hikes on the AT up in blue ridge by aftonmountain,va or hikebtte AT from afton on northeast up towards harpers ferry in the Shenandoah mountains.
I would like to thank you for putting this together, what a beautiful story. I was on the fence about doing this and your stories have inspired me to take the journey. This is the 2nd time watching it and it's like throwing gas on this internal fire that has ignited. The pull of the AT is impossible to ignore any longer. I can't wait to get out there.
Going myself next February.
DO IT
@@pambrown6260 You should see all of the stuff all over my house (Putting it all together now), LOLOL!!! See you out there 🙂
I am going to start next March. Around the 20 th.@@lonleyndn
@@DouglasOatley My family lives in Cherokee, NC. My sister's birthday is March 19. I plan to be passing through Newfound Gap (Clingman's Dome) at that time. Hopefully she will pick me up and we will all go on in to Gatlinburg to celebrate and spend a zero there. Hope to see you on the trail friend!
This is without a doubt the best film I have seen in a VERY long time. I keep watching it over and over. Love, love, love everyone in it and would do anything to meet Blackbear and On Purpose. Someday I WILL be thru-hiking the trail....SOMEDAY!!! And it will be thanks to this film.
This is awesome. Great job. Carl is so lucky to have a dad like this.
This film did it right. The soft subtle mixed with the hard grit and full of heart. I've watched now a few times and the characters become like old friends. Great job. Thanks
I am disabled from failed back surgeries. A few weeks ago in the middle of the night a voice whispered, "Appalachian Trail." I knew nothing of this place. I got on TH-cam and found this amazing video. This video and the people in it have inspired me to the point of obsession. 2019 I will walk the path of the great unknown. I hope my faith in humanity will be restored along the way. My relationship with nature and animals has always been unwavering. My only fear without questions will be "ticks". Finding the right gear that works for me has been a bit challenging, but fun all in the same breath. With a new beginning and name (Trickster) I will hopefully see you on the flip side 2019. Thanks for making such a beautiful and heart warming documentary. I must have watched this 50 times already. God bless to all :)
Check in let us know
You still going ?
Just came across this ... how incredibly moving. I am sure there will be many awards but I think the best might be how many people this inspires to emotionally and spiritually get on the trail. Thank you.
That old hippy dude is pretty cool. He's like a kid at heart with a wise soul.
It's pretty cool at the end father and son looked so much alike! Like the same man at diff spots on the timeline
Very perceptive insight. I agree!
I had no interest in hiking. I sat down and watched this documentary which popped up in my feed. I took my first hike on the Appalachian Trail and found a new outlet. Thank you.
Over the years, I've seen numerous trail documentaries of the big 3 trails (AT, PCT, and CDT); what I call hiker porn when I want to be hiking but I'm not in a situation where I can head out again so watching helps me get through the itch. I think this movie has to be one of the best that I've ever seen. Good job!
Very moving documentary. The trail changes lives. Karl was such a wonderful young man & it hurt to see the fake friends pull that cruel stunt on him. Glad he got the added blessing of time alone w/ his father & healing from the mountains
It’s SO refreshing to see a young man who is mature enough to recognize the ignorance and immaturity of many in his generation and is fed up with it. This young man has real potential to be a great father, husband and citizen. I wish the country was FULL of men like you.
Can't blame the kids if the parents gave them whatever they wanted and let them do anything without consequences or teaching them about learning from experience.
There’s always no blame on parents 😂
People in general project a lot, universally, but this might be the hardest projection of personal insecurities I've ever seen.
I just listened to Mighty Blue's interview with you this afternoon while walking the dog and returned to watch the documentary. You've touched me. You have told one wonderful story of a trail with four different journeys. Well done.
Just completed a thru hike this summer and all everyone ever talked about (as far as documentaries are concerned) was I had to watch this video! You HAVE to watch the "Walking Home" video. So I did. This is fantastic and so realistic that I could imagine myself out there again. You have depicted every aspect that one will encounter on the trail. An excellent mix of footage and interviews keeps the documentary flowing. Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to make this happen. I wish you all well on your next adventures. Always giving back to the community and I will do the same in my own way.
Such a great film! I feel the AT calling out to me....I must experience this journey!
What an inspiration Steve Berger is! I'm now 62, and doing good to get in my 2-3 mile walk everyday. I want the "golden years" to be truly golden.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing this experience. Wow.
This one hit´s me!!!! A big hug from Germany 🤗
Hugs headed your way 🎉
I had watched this already and i am willing to watch it again.
Making me want to do the Appalachian trail hike.
Congratulations!! Not just to those who walked the whole trail but to all those who attempted and had a special time away from the daily commitments and complexities of life.
Life is beautiful if you live it....
I'm surprised at how much I'm like my dad....this got me.
This has got to be the most inspiring documentary I’ve ever seen. I’m preparing myself to do this hike and would love to do it with my mom but not sure if she will. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Did you go yet?
This film, the people and their stories are massively inspirational and this trail is the next big dream ......Thank you for that. I'v been going on trips alone with my son around the globe since he was 7yrs old, he's now 14yrs, I was petrified the night before we took our first little trip..... but no doubt time to start heading out alone soon for both of us, we have one further trip planned for Himalaya this coming October..... One thing I have learnt along the way and hope to have taught my son, is that life is to be lived
This is one of the best AT documentaries I have watched so far. What an amazing story, thank you for sharing it.
I don't usually comment on the videos I watch,but this is the Dad Gum best video i have ever seen. My wife and myself hike a lot in the Smokeys and we really enjoy the trails. I have been obsessed with the AT ever since my father passed,and watching this video has pushed me over the edge. I will be doing the At this coming spring. This video would win an academy award, WELL DONE...
Thank you and good luck out there!
james law i also just decided to walk the trail this spring, I hope will meet on the trail! good luck to you! prepare well!
Thanks Dawson,you do the same. Don't loose the Dream,see you this spring...
Hiking with Jimmy and Miss Deb i agree such an awesome documentary,people are amazing
Watch some David Paulides before you go, there are things out there taking people and the AT is one of the hot spots for this kind of activity. Be very careful, you have been warned.
This is without a doubt the best AT documentary I've ever seen! FANTASTIC score!!! Phenomenal!
The last 30 minutes... actually made me cry 😢...such a sweet journey ❤️
A few weeks after watching this, and I'm still thinking about it all the time. I especially liked Blackbear. She's awesome.
So stop thinking and do it. :-) Whats so important in the fish tank that's keep you there?
@@johntennery5304 2022 my man.
Wow what a wonderful journey you guys have I enjoy very much watching your documentary, thanks for sharing your experience and for sharing all the wonderfull people you meet on the trails.
This is the most in-depth and interesting documentary of hiking the AT from a thru-hikers perspective and experience that I've seen! I have no intention of thru-hiking but enjoy day-hiking and trail running so I watch a lot of trail related videos just to gain some perspective and listen to people's stories. Great job!
A great story of a father and son entering different phases of their lives yet still wanting to stay connected. A beautiful story well told. Congratulations and thank you.
Superb! Bravo! Such a fabulous vicarious journey of which I loved every minute. 🙏🏽
Man, this brought me close to tears at some points. I can’t wait for my thru hike. Very well made film. Thank you.
I loved your thru hike documentary and all the wiser people you hiked with. QC - loved your honesty and wisdom, Walking Man - loved your commitment to the Hike, Walking Bear - you were very kind, I hope that kindness is shown back to you many times, On-Purpose - loved your emotions, and spirit.
How wonderful to capture and share such an experience. Delighted, that even after you boys and Emily went your separate ways, you continued to include her journey in the 2nd half.
Thanks! Black Bear is certainly a character that many can relate to. I couldn't picture the second half without her.
I was wondering what happened to her! They said they parted ways and I haven't seen her since. Mid way in the second part
Absolutely beautiful! This was such a touching documentary. The individual, and shared experience, of all the hikers, was a treasure, and being along for the ride, felt like a gift.
I loved it!
💜💜💜
Finally a realistic review of just how hard the AT is. Putting on wet clothes, hiking days in the rain. Failed 2015 thru hiker here from a torn meniscus at Damascus, and still rebuilding my knee after 2 years. Longing to return and complete. Well done for creating such a wonderful and accurate film. Loggman
AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! I cried, laughed, smiled, and felt ALL the things as they experienced them. This piece of art is one of my new favorites. Thank you for sharing your creative talents and to everyone in this film for sharing your vulnerable selves to us all. WOW.
Good job folks! Enjoyed your hike and your production. Good work.
What a soul-nourishing, profound, and inspiring documentary. It was incredibly well filmed and I savoured every minute of it. I am from England but I absolutely love the State's (Colorado is my spiritual home). The beautiful heart's of these people were reflected in their adventurous and determined spirits and that, type of adventure is really were life is found in the present moment. I can't wait to return to the State's next year and live life's adventure again and Wishing all the participants in this film, the very same🌄❤🌠
Unbelievable journey. I enjoyed every minute of your documentary. I can't believe the transformation of Steve. Steve not only lost all of his excess weight but he changed in mind and spirit through the journey.
Beautiful story and film. Loved it. I watched in during shelter-in-place during COVID19 outbreak. It reminds me of all the great adventures in our future.
easily the longest video ive ever watched on youtube and probably one of the best, just finished reading a walk in the woods too, well done to all of you it looked like an amazing experience
What an inspiring documented journey! I cried. A LOT! Thank you all.
An absolute masterpiece ❤️ The shots, the music, the people… Thank you for this!!
Beautiful documentary in all aspects: the human side, the footage, the music. Congratulations and thank you for producing it and making it available!
I remember listening to that music bolero and I was 10 years old now I am 62 and that brought back many many many memories I told my wife we got to go down to the store and find this tape on DVD and we got to buy it thank you very much for taking me back way way back
Killer stash dude! 🥸Kudos for the accomplishment. As much as my story inspires others, yours inspires me. Many thanks👍🏼💪🏻
this is possibly the best documentary ive ever seen. well done.
Beautiful documentary! There were a few conversations in this video that really hit home for me. Was so attached to all the hikers I had gotten to know and I had tears in my eyes at the end of the trail. Thank you for sharing❤
fantastic trip thanks for taking me along. the music was right on point. congrats to you all.
Absolutely loved this. Could have watched for another six hours. Well done! I've done many weekend trips on the AT with the Boy Scouts but, at the young age of 50, I'm preparing for a thru hike. Thanks for sharing this!
I agree. Every single person is just so likeable. This is the best hiking documentary I have ever seen. I didn't want it to end.
I plan on doing my thru hike at 50 too in 2023. Just walked the Camino del Norte last year and have a taste to wander in the woods.
Morgan my son is almost 35 and a naval officer. He is also an old eagle scout. It would be cool to oneday go do the trail with him when he retires. Would also be cool if he became a scout master. Then he and I could take the scouts on lots of sectional hikes up in the smokey mountains and in the blue ridge in southwest virginia. Then maybe oneday take some scouts on a thru hike on the AT.
@@harolddenton6031, I am so grateful to the Boy Scouts for teaching me how to hike and camp. I still hike and camp at least once a month in Nor Cal where I live. I never had kids so I never became a Scout Master. I'll see you on the AT Harold! Oh, and @KristianTaylor, my wife and I really want to hike the Camino. We'll do it once COVID leaves us.
Beautiful, what "On Purpose" said about the beast, I need to rid myself of it. Let a lot of things go in my life, past hurts, regrets, forgive others, but mostly forgive myself!!! The AT can change a person!!! It's magical.
Yes he was my favorite of this film and to be honest with you I got the feeling he quit on a bad day and has regrets I loved watching him
Remember the fourth commandment KJV reminds us of Genesis 2:2&3. Jesus is our example.
Gorgeous! I saw the first half and was waiting to see the rest. Beautiful cinematography and well structured film. Thank you. I loved it.
I watched this many yrs ago and now found it again. But now having kids of my own it means so much more.
This is without a doubt the best film I have seen since the beginning of this pandemic. It is riveting. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Great soundtrack, too!
On Purpose’s trail name story is perfect.
GQ and Walking Man’s journey proves that love over powers all hardships and struggles through the rocky, cold, harsh path of life. Thank you for the inspirational story!
Love this, one of the best documentaries I've eve watched for a long time.
I’ve watched this documentary a couple of time. Such an inspirational and uplifting journey. Makes me wish i could drop everything and do it myself.
Seriously, one of the best documentaries made on the subject, the trail, hiking, and the hikers. VERY well done. Thank you.
I dont post comments on anything and this journey is the most well put together hiking adventure I have ever seen!!!!
Wow I'm not sure how I got this in my feed other than some trail magic. Provocative and beautiful in a soulful kinda way. I have a similar backround but three girls. Two of which love to hike the mts of Arizona after having been raised in Applachia. So glad these two men became one on this trail. Truly a remarkable and entertaining look into their experience. Maybe one day I will do the same with my young ladies! Bravo, well done as I clear my eyes of tears!!! Life is about finding out who you are!
Excellent. Everyone should have these magical times to reflect and reset.
I wish I could have done this with my own dad. God bless you fellas - well done.
I feel sure I have watched these several times. See something new every time!! Thanks!!
Great production!! Not many guys get to spend quality time together as adults, father and son...they will likely never have such an opportunity to do this again. The important issue that no one mentions is that they are lucky to be able to do this adventure together!! I wish my dad were around to hike with me on a journey like this. I'm hoping that they got along as well as the documentary indicated. At least they will in my book!! Best film I've seen on the hike, and I've seen a LOT!!
Oh this was lovely! I just found it, so I didn't have to wait for part two like a lot of viewers. The spirit expressed in this film is what makes me want to hike the AT someday. Beautifully produced - excellent!
Sakrysta
Yes absolutely the best video I have ever seen...I'm planning to hike the trail soon...
Pretty sure that is me @13:27 standing by the main door LOL. Was my first time on the trail! Briefly met GQ along the way and remembered this overwhelming feeling of joy when I heard he was hiking with his father. Was truly a beautiful moment. Happy I found this Documentary!
By far one of my favorite documentaries.
Great documentary, Congratulations, It was very emotional for me to watch it was beautiful, made me laugh and made me cry everyone seem so real with a great attitude. Hopefully I will be celebrating my 60th birthday halfway thru the AT. Thanks for taking the time make this film.
For whatever reason I enjoyed watching this documentary the second time EVEN more than I enjoyed it the first time. Maybe the COVID-19 interrupting my AT hike this year played a part in that. Outstanding production all the way around!
17 mins into the documentary, I realized I met these two in New Jersey at a church hostel
What a journey together. Truly one of the best trail films i have viewed ... Amazing look into life on the trail and bonds made ... fab 👌😊