10 Things I Learned From My AT Shakedown Hike

Hello! My name is Bad Bat, and I will be attempting a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2023. In this video I discuss 10 things that I learned while on my shakedown hike in Land Between the Lakes. If you want to follow along on my AT journey, don't forget to subscribe!
Instagram: @badbathikes
Lighter Pack: lighterpack.co...
#filmora #appalachiantrail #thruhike

[@gaylewalker4239]

Great shake down. Thank you. Keep trekking. 😀

[@vaseklepic12]

Injinji socks help a lot with blisters on toes

[@Wondering_Fireball]

That’s a great comfortable pillow.

[@edwardgwilcoxjr7232]

Great info for thru hikers.

[@spuriouseffect]

I found that using one of those extra large ziplocks wrapped in my fleece jacket made the best camp pillow, and it weighs less than a half ounce. Crazy. Yeah, the worst thing about buying gear is when you buy the best and then find something cheaper and lighter that works better at some ridiculous place like Dollar Tree or Walmart. Replaced my MH Ghost whisperer for a Walmart puffy jacket that was twice as warm for 1 ounce more and 1/10th the price.

[@KatieValleyBourdeau]

I had the same issue with my first poles. They would always slide down. It was a pain. I ended up getting Black Diamonds, which just clips. I don't have to worry about tightening a knob.

[@RC-qf3mp]

The sandals should be fastened so you never adjust the heel after the first time. Ponchos trump umbrellas. In a downpour, esp with wind, the umbrella won’t help. Consider a hat with a bigger flap for more head/face coverage.

[@hikingdancer]

I’m not sure this is what you used but Leuko tape helps with blisters. Happy trails. I think you are awesome

[@badbathikes]

I've gotten some Mole Skin and it seems to be doing the trick! I'll have to check out Leuko tape as well. Thanks so much for watching! I loved following your AT journey 🦇

[@danielstoddart]

For blisters: yes, you will need moleskin. Another small, light item that is extremely useful is a large safety pin. The "safety" part of the pin keeps the tip clean, and when you get a blister you can use your lighter to sterilize it and then pop the blister by going in one side and out the other, then cleaning it and patching up with the moleskin.

[@markallamong]

Good luck on your thru hike! I use a umbrella holster. It attaches to my shoulder strap and keeps the umbrella right at your fingertips. If I could figure out how to put a picture in the comments I’d show it to you

[@tvtoms]

You can put up a photo on your own channel with a message on the Community tab, then direct people to your channel for the pic.

[@johnmys5am]

Black Diamond carbon cork trekking poles are the only ones I know of with metal clamps. 4,000 miles with zero fails so far. And I lean on them HARD......And in all those miles I had no blisters. One pair of injinji sock liners, and darn tough socks over them!

[@tearoha.hohaia]

Great learnings. For your umbrella, consider making it part of your trekking pole when not in use held in place with two lengths of velcro. Then when it rains you can whip off the velcro, stow those in a pocket and deploy the umbrella.

[@KrizAkoni]

I have a love hate relationship with my umbrella… I’m still undecided on whether I’ll take it or not.

[@josephbrown-ut9ty]

Some Good lessons learned sounds like. Hers a tip on the pillow situation , take a shirt and put it over the end of your sleeping pad , then you can slide the pillow inside that and it wont wander around NEAR as much. Im a side sleeper and that helps me immensly. Good Luck on your Hike.

[@robertdesrosiers4743]

saw you summit and beyond go bad bat

[@hikingmovie]

If you end up liking a pillow without straps, just put a buff on the pillow and run a cord or piece of elastic through the buff and around your pad. Keeps pillows without straps in place.

[@gabbette999]

I have a Packa too but haven’t needed it yet- I’ll be curious to see if you love it.

[@badbathikes]

I'm liking it so far! 🦇

[@ChrisfromFL]

Besides the issue with your umbella, how did you like your Packa? Are you considering a rain suit or sticking with the Packa? I've got a Packa but never had to use it on any of my trips.

[@badbathikes]

Sticking with the Packa! Keeping my shoulder straps covered is a must for me 🦇

[@Ottawa9one9]

The 2.0 pillow is great. It rarely moves and has good thickness. For extra comfort, I fold up my fleece a few time and kinda crumple it up over the pillow. For your trekking pole: You shouldn't need a screwdriver, unless it's not like most. You should be able to spin tighten the adjuster leaver when it is in the fully extended, unlocked position. Sometimes you have to hold your finger over the screw to keep it from turning. I look forward to your hike. I haven't found anyone vlogging on the AT this year that have clicked. Good luck!

[@carmenwilliams-omotv5421]

Great video! If I may... Pillow...consider the Sea to Summit Aeros Large or the Hikenture Large. The Hikenture weighs a little more but very comfortable and has a pillow case and strap so it doesn't slide off your pad. Next, blisters...may want to consider: Be sure your shoes are large enough. I wear Hoka Speedgoats that are 1.5 to 2 sizes larger with Injinji Toe sock liners with Darn Tough Hiker sock over those. No blisters after 1000s of miles. A perfect combination...my wife uses the same setup with the same results. These are only suggestions...please take no offense. Take care

[@richardross7219]

Looks like you're getting a lot of magic from Fresh Ground. Enjoy eating well. Good Luck, Rick

[@jonklein9309]

I saw you in some of Fresh Grounds’ photos today. It’s good to know you’re already out on trail. I’m looking forward to watching your videos.

[@badbathikes]

They'll be starting Feb 20th! I have them delayed a few weeks 🦇

[@theresalibby3787]

You should take that quilt back. That is a defect. You will be very upset dealing with this coming apart on the AT.

[@Bluehathiker]

I’ve had numerous problems with pillows. The trekology is good, just heavy. For me. It’s been my go to though when my lighter ones have failed. I definitely have a different hiking style and I’m not going to force that on you. I will say though, you’re getting there and time on the trail will help so much! You’ve got this. Another thing to remember, you may be alone now, but soon you will be surrounded by people who will help and need your help too! We’re all together in this! I start feb23 and hope to see you! If not I’ll be following along! Good luck!

[@lizzaangelis3308]

Your usual case plus a ziplock bag should work fine

[@CharmingGecko]

I have a pair of the zero shoes and I am able to use them without unstrapping completely. Might want to give it a try.

[@icequeen8504]

I have the trekology pillow. It’s ok. I put a buff over it and stuff a shirt or puffy in there too.

[@maubeecat2910]

If that’s a snap on your quilt it’s easy to repair. You could even replace it with a metal one. Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or JoAnns will have them. PS, my cats love my quilt too!

[@kerrir1955]

I have the trekkology aluft which has a felt like side that’s really nice and it’s still light inexpensive and has the strap for your pad.

[@mystrugglebuslife]

Injinji socks and Leuko tape👊

[@dustythomas2598]

I had the same feeling about the Fillo. Spent big money and it took up lots of space….and still sucked for me. I have finally just gone to a memory foam based pillow that is working great - but a little small.

[@JaredandTasha]

My wife and I went thru all the pillows on the market. Finally landed on the nemo fillo luxury ELITE pillow. Everything else was borderline unbearable. This is the closest to home and the backside comes with cords to add extra unused layers for fluff. I always feel like im sleeping on a balloon. Its WAY better than your current nemo fillo. I hate to say it but your trekology 2.0 pillow wont be better (I have all three of the mentioned pillows lol) Trust, its worth!!!! Good sleep is so key to being durable

[@sandrazern649]

Sounds like you learned a great deal on your shakedown! As for pillows - my husband and I use the Nemo Fillo luxury model which has shock cord zigzagged across the bottom so you can stuff clothes or your puffy in the cord if you need more height. I am going to rig something up to keep it from sliding around my pad though as that has been an issue for me. I've tried the Trekology 2.0 and it worked ok but I find the Nemo more comfy and give me a better sleep. May I ask, how was your SMD backpack with the vest harness? Comfy? Any issues? TIA

[@carolperry7695]

i use a sitting doughnut inflatable as my pillow🤣

[@Treyamigos]

I think that cat doesn’t want you to leave.

[@fluffbigrollingmarshmallow]

I'd love to hear how your new camp shoes are working. I get the hassle that straps may cause, but I'm considering camp shoes with straps so I can use them for water crossings as well - and I feel that shoes with straps would be a much better option. For shoes without straps though, the ones you got are much better than crocs, I think. I know I don't want clunky crocs hanging off the back of my pack... 🤣

[@danielstoddart]

I have Crocs that I wear indoors, but I'd never take them on a hiking trip for that reason...they don't collapse.

[@danielfegley2735]

You should probably bring a real screwdriver hiker dancer said she wished she brought one along with a sewing kit hope the sandals work out for you I need something that wraps around my heil to stay on found a nice pair at Walmart

[@ChristopherMarshburn]

Saw you are already on trail and getting the Fresh Ground treatment.

[@tc556guy]

You fail to understand that your cat is being generous in allowing you to live with them. Clearly you need to be re-educated in the hierarchy of the cat world.

[@HikingWithWhiskers]

New subscriber! We hiked 274.1 on the AT last year! Very good tips! Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to following your adventures! Also following you on Instagram!!🥾🥾❤️