Heart attack? Carry aspirin and chew some tablets when symptoms occur. This has a high chance of saving your life.

Merry Christmas Rev! Good video, when l met you the JMT it was ‘because I can.’ I pushed on thru oak fire to finish. But my sobo attempt failed this year because since then asthma diagnosis and sleepless cold Aug nights had me bail at Reds. But, l wasn’t disappointed, actually l was relieved and gave me a chance to explore the hiker towns l’d so much about. It was easy for me to bail because l’d already been nobo. That first trip l was determined to finish, the second time l knew my limits and knew what was ahead, so l really savoured those days on trail. I’ll be back for section hikes, but might head the Portuguese Camino next summer and follow milder trails. Greetings from Scotland, and well done on the Ireland way!

73, cancer, kidney failure heart failure, the usual. My advice, flat hike, no inclines. Don't go alone. Short hike, ultra light gear, stop often. Stay out of hot sunny weather.

Humble apologies Rev. I made this ‘thank you’ contribution December 13 and was pleased to have done it. Yesterday (Dec 23) I received notice from Apple that I had just made a purchase. I contacted Apple and they only had a strange code and the agent said it looked as if I had bought a song. Bottom line that item was reversed. The agent then helped me change my password and access my account. It did not have any indication of who or what it was for but I realized it must have been my chipping in funds for you sharing. Bottom line an apology and I have reposted that sum. Sorry for the inconvenience and my confusion. I have noted this date and sum in a printed journal and won’t make that error again. HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) was added so the total was different than the one expected. Another learning experience for me. Again, my sincere apology.

Thank you!! I enjoyed every minute!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Get lots of rest as you recover.

Sending prayers 🙏

Wishing you a speedy recovery and take care.

After turning 50, I have started to ask "what's my why" in everything that I do. My writing, photography, starting my own KZbin channel and even in the daily steps I take in life. Maby I am becoming too introspective... but I am becoming more intentional and focused.

I did enjoy this vid. Merry Christmas, and Happy Trails in 2025!

Best wishes …

Sorry, Rev, I hike for the fun, altIhough there is a lot that isn't really fun. The fun is in the sights, sometimes the people, the way I feel stronger as I go along and the sense of exploration. I sure enjoy your take on things. Many more miles to you.

I did not get into backpacking until my late fifties. And at that time I was still a workaholic as a critical care nurse. I found hiking and backpacking solo to be meditative. And with groups I just loved it. I pretty much was never out on a backpacking trip for more than a week. But I wanted to become a triple crowner. Soooo badly. So at age 62 I had started noticing changes to my body as it aged. And knowing my own medical history and how my family members had all aged, I decided to retire early. This was in the fall of 2020. Which was a mess. Earlier that spring I purchased a campervan. But really had just driven it up and parked it at the trailheads of some of the PCT and hiked in , stayed overnight, and then come back out. But I developed a love for that trail itself. What a beautiful and pleasant creation from God!! Pre pandemic, I also did one thru hike in Scotland. It was a week, and very easy country ramble. Staying in small country inns. The great glen way. I did get a stress fracture in my foot. I did not realize what the problem was. I took one day off. Finished the hike limping and this as you can imagine was not smart. had made plans to hike the PCT in 2021. Well…..we all know what was going on about that time. So I held off. Thinking I could try the next year. I wanted to become compliant with everything and safe. So my family lived in Texas. And in an area with very very little hiking, much less backpacking. It’s farmland. And ranches. But I wanted to retire near family I decided to use the time to move. But my body continued to change as I had a physical diagnosis that is progressive. Family was adamant I not do the pct. I wish I had done it anyway. In sept of 2023 I went to Spain to do the Camino. Frances. Much more intense than I thought it was. I had been training because I had been spending summers working with the non profit in Yellowstone. But the Camino was almost constantly going uphill. Very steep uphills. I re injured my foot, but it did not feel too bad so I continued on. But something started happening to my Achilles tendons bilaterally. I made this situation much worse buying a different set of shoes while in Pamplona. Following advice of other hikers. Well…. Don’t ever do that. Everyone’s feet are different some people one type of shoes, others need another type. And I had shoes when I started that had moderate heel elevation. I bought shoes that had no heel rise. I compounded the situation by doing that and by about 150 miles into the hike I could no longer walk. My hiking buddy stayed with me. And we stopped for three days. Well. The situation not only got no better, it continued to get worse. I could not hardly bear weight on either side. I directed my friend to continue and I would rest 2 more days and catch up with her as possible. The people at the inn I was staying in brought meals to my room and literally cared for me. I ended up calling a taxi. The driver helped me to taxi. At airport I ended up in a wheelchair. Flew back home to Texas. Where I ended up with surgery on both of my Achilles tendons. Wearing orthopedic appliances on both legs. And here I am again at age 66.5. Finally cleared by the doctor to go back to Spain and start again and do the entire thing. I cannot yet give up on it. And still have hiking in there. It n myself. So will return to Spain again in mid September 2025. I will be planning on trails no longer than 6 to 8 weeks. And I am a slow hiker. Very slow hiker……so. Your question is why do we do this? I honestly don’t know. But it seems to be in answer to something inside me. The interaction with people as well as the time by myself. Even my run in with a bear. All of that is v part of it.

Explaining 'why' seems to leave me mentally exhausted and physically tired soon thereafter. Mallory's enigmatic answer to climbing Everest is my standard response: 'Because it's there.' Short and profound enough for most questioners to move on to other topics or move along...Noticed a number of 'ticking clock' comments herein, so I may just adopt 'Because I can' going forward lol. GK

For me it’s never been about the challenge. It’s all about being outdoors and enjoying it. I love the scenery, sounds and the feeling it gives me. I love the food and the sound of my stove. I love climbing into my sleeping bag at night. I plan on hiking the PCT someday but it will be sections over several years. I want to take it slow and enjoy it. I don’t want to be on a schedule. That sounds like a job.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice to know your why. I’m 76 and also want to challenge myself to hike sections of the AT. Hope you can get trail magic from Fresh Ground! Enjoy and learn much from your videos.

Have to get away from the horrible society humans have created!

I’m retiring a little early so I can attempt the PCT. (I’ve thru hiked all over the US and Europe.) The only “why” I’ve ever had was because I became addicted to the feeling of resilience and being able to take care of myself. I became addicted to seeing places most people never do. I became addicted to the solitude and peace I find out in the middle of “nowhere.” The gift I learned of never taking simple things for granted (like hot running water and ice cubes and a bar of soap and flush toilets) has served me well. I also have rocks in my head and enjoy sleeping in the dirt for months at a time.

Merry Christmas Rev, great video!

I like your answer - because I can. I'm the same age as you and I will be using this reply in the future