3 Mistakes to Avoid Thru Hiking the Long Trail | Tips

[@swiftyblueredblue715]

Imagine saying don't take a tent....

[@PInk77W1]

He said he only used it once

[@SP_A_C_E_D]

He's right that there are plenty of shelters on the LT. Lean-tos, lodges, etc. Though you don't know if they'll be full, or if you get lost. If youre experienced backpacker tarping is totally viable in the right weather, but not great for beginners.

[@natehikes]

All valid points here. Thank you for sharing!

[@PInk77W1]

Let’s say it takes 120 days to walk the trial. Let’s say it rains 33% of the time That means u need to get inside 40 nites 20 shelter 20 hotels No tent needed

[@elynnm3016]

Yeah I'm glad that he did say bring a tarp however. Heading into the woods with no shelter is stupid. Heck i even take tyvek (my groundsheet) and Paracord on day hikes. You never know what could happen and to be completely ill prepared is irresponsible. I will ALWAYS take my tent on multi-day hikes shelters or not.

[@dbstewart4496]

Well there is some good advise. But I would definitely carry a tent. The first 100 miles runs concurrently with the AT and my experience has been that the shelters w/i that 100 miles usually fill up, are noisy and sometimes have inconsiderate campers there. Plus those AT thruhikers act like the shelters belong to AT thruhikers

[@natehikes]

You’re quite right about crowded shelters! I had to squeeze into a few of them bc if all the AT plus LT hikers.

[@Mordfustang847]

Agreed on all points. Just got off trail at fontana dam. Gear malfunctions and money...ill be back

[@rocklobster2929]

What is AT?

[@natehikes]

@@rocklobster2929 it’s stands for the Appalachian Trail

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍🤩💝Good tips 👍🤩I hiked 500 miles with no foot issues at all. 💡Here’s what I did: 1. As a preventative measure, I put fabric non latex band aides on my heel, side of my big toe and baby toe every day from day 1 just in case there was rubbing that I was previously unaware of 2. I put vaseline on my feet every day before putting on my socks 3. I wore clean wicking socks every day 4. At the end of every day I washed my feet, cleaned them with isopropyl alcohol wipes and wore flip flops to air out / dry out my feet 5. I wore my Brooks running shoes (that I had already broken in) instead of hiking shoes / boots - they worked out so well that I mailed my hiking boots back home

[@natehikes]

Unhealthy feet = no hiking. Thank you for sharing these great tips!

[@LovingAtlanta]

@@natehikes 👍😂🤩💝

[@scotmandel6699]

Keep toe nails trimmed

[@LovingAtlanta]

@@scotmandel6699 - ‼️👍Absolutely 💯

[@dolcevita713]

I agree with everything except the brooks shoes…not enough support for my feet! Good quality Hiking boots for your feet is the way to go for backpacking and long hikes!

[@davidpringle7262]

Most of the path shelters are full of lice and mice so I would bring a tent that weighs only 5 pounds.

[@natehikes]

I did see mice. Thankfully missed the lice!

[@juliandaminelli4098]

5 pounds for a tent sir you are out of your mind

[@chewielewis4002]

Foot care is important!! Make sure to try out your hiking shoes to know where the hotspots are. And don't wait too long to apply bandaids or moleskin on those hotspots. Once a blister forms its too late and will slow you down.

[@natehikes]

Wise words and advice that should definitely be heeded. Thank you for sharing!

[@thecatatemyhomework]

Sometimes the shelters have psycho people there, or annoying people. It's always good to have an alternative.

[@natehikes]

I truly think one of the most dangerous things on trail are people. Good point 👍

[@patkelly5910]

Bad advice.....always carry a tent

[@bren4061]

Thanks for making these mistakes so we don't have to But really great advice

[@natehikes]

Thanks for watching!

[@scottieeasley4907]

I would bring a tent. Better to have it & not need it than to need it & not have it. Knats & mosquitoes R brutal

[@natehikes]

I didn’t experience many bug issues, but I did bring a bug net for the first 1/3 of the trail. Just never used it so I sent it home.

[@stephenimsong3462]

Tarps in general are more versatile, they do ofc make ultralight tents, there pricey though

[@natehikes]

I have moved to a Zpacks flat tarp since. Best move I’ve ever made!

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

I love my Aquaquest 10x10 - so many configurations, including tent-like ones, and only 1 lbs. But yeah... bugs.

[@lt35phila]

LT Dan firmly believes that socks are the one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt, and instructs them to change their socks whenever they stop, "cause the Mekong will blow a grunt's feet right off his legs." Forrest feels fortunate to have Lt. Dan

[@natehikes]

I don’t know. Lt Dan still lost his legs even though he took care of his feet 😆

[@alecbaker13]

Lol

[@leeholly1011]

I am so scared to do it. I just did Mount carleton, and now, I want to train and do this.

[@natehikes]

I think being partially scared is good! It means you’re thinking everything thru (pun intended)

[@alecbaker13]

Do it, i want to do it so bad but i’m scared honestly never been hiking for more than a couple days by myself

[@natehikes]

@@alecbaker13 I think the fear will leave you once you get on trail and start meeting the amazing people who are out there. You’ll feel right at home

[@alecbaker13]

@@natehikes Thanks ❤️

[@aquicktake]

What shoes were those?

[@natehikes]

Altra Lone Peak 4

[@demo3456]

I learned proper foot care on my first cross country bus trip. Always take off your shoes at night. Your feet need to breathe and to be dry.

[@natehikes]

Dry socks and feet every night but it was in between the toes that I neglected!

[@demo3456]

@@natehikes I remember that first time I literally peeled my sock and like 2 layers of skin off my foot after 3 days of wearing socks and sneakers traveling brutal haha I know the pain man we learn quick though haha

[@natehikes]

Bet you’ll never do that again 😆

[@joshuataft5541]

Thats my area..people dnt get how wet and hot and cold it can get. Be prepared and take your time and know your skillset

[@natehikes]

Know your environment and know yourself. Fantastic tips!

[@joshuataft5541]

@@natehikes tthanx bro I'm a vermonter..and I used to be super active til a motorcycle crash that made my legs all messed up and now I have no stamina ..thanx for the reply. Blessings to you brother..if ypur ever around and need so.thing I'll help if I can I can't hike far but I can drive if ypu get stranded

[@natehikes]

@@joshuataft5541 your comment exemplifies why I love the hiking community. Thank you for your kindness. My best to you and your family

[@joshuataft5541]

@@natehikes thank you..I'm no angel but I love people..❤️🫂👍🤤I dnt get treated well by most..it feels they think I'm a thug..but I love God in my own way and life is hard and a journey like a trail we havnt been on yet..I always forgive but don't forget ..we live and we learn and most people are great or on their way to being so..I've lost slot of family and anyone who us Lind to. Me I am As well..thanx for the reply brother

[@keithfaulk1354]

My tip is! If you’re in bear country don’t sleep in a flimsy tent!! And keep your firearm with you at all times!!

[@natehikes]

You can’t ever be too careful!

[@federalreservewolflegend3523]

My tip is; If your in bear country make sure going in that you can run faster than your hiking partner. My other tip is; Always carry a slice of ham to place by the furthest tent away from you at night. My last tip is; Always spray everyones shoes but yours with beef bouillon so it follows them before you. Well, you COULD just carry Bear Spray, but that dont let you take many two handed pictures of your friends running for their lives.😊😊😊 Hope I helped!😇 (*Parody, btw kids. Dont do this stuff.)

[@natehikes]

They always say to work smarter, not harder 😆

[@joel.ha.]

​@@federalreservewolflegend3523 i know you're joking, but carrying ham is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. All your stuff would smell like ham

[@dolcevita713]

Hell yeah…I carry my weapon even when hiking with a group of men…

[@joehenry1934]

the most important thing is good boots and spare socks and you should get a water purity, if you're not sure what boots too get go for military gear

[@natehikes]

I always say that you have to wear what is comfortable for you. Boots, trail runners, it’s all a very personal preference. Whatever gets you on trail and enjoying nature!

[@mr.halloween87]

Was that Mt Horrid?

[@natehikes]

Not quite sure. Sorry!

[@mr.halloween87]

@@natehikes camped there and it was a horrid night! But got a great picture at sunset. Back in the 80s.

[@pedroclaro7822]

A tarp is so much of a better option than a tent in my opinion, especially if paired with a hammock 😂

[@natehikes]

Switching to just a tarp has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

[@wolfeadventures]

Shelters = mice, noise and noro.

[@natehikes]

Oh the negatives go beyond just those three 😆

[@wolfeadventures]

@@natehikes 😂👍🏻👍🏻

[@PInk77W1]

So 272 miles between towns ?

[@natehikes]

I got off trail twice during the entire 272 miles of the Long Trail, but that is not the distance between the two towns

[@PInk77W1]

@@natehikes is it part of the AT ? Pardon my ignorance

[@natehikes]

Don’t be sorry at all! The AT and LT share about 100 miles of trail until the AT dips east towards NH

[@PInk77W1]

@@natehikes ok cool. I heard of the 100mi wilderness. Never heard of the 272 long trail. I’m a cyclist. I’ve cycled across the USA 4 times. Never done any long hikes. I want to try the AT next year. Thx much

[@natehikes]

100 mile wilderness is in Maine and if you hike the AT you’ll get to experience it. I hope you get to do the AT next year and best of luck if you do!!

[@mytreesloth]

I let my friends know that if I ever mention about wanting to thru-hike the Long Trail again, that they are allowed to punch me in the face. I promised myself I would never again self-expose to that wet brutality 😂😂

[@natehikes]

SO WET! that was the biggest problem for me. So much mud and rain, it was relentless

[@halaugsburger908]

Tip number 4. You should have shown your gorgeous blue eyes more than once!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@natehikes]

You’re too kind lol! Thank you!

[@sprite478]

Oh u would of enjoyed it so much with ur tips. Looked wet

[@natehikes]

So much rain that year 🌧️ But I had GREAT time and would do it again in a heartbeat!

[@alecbaker13]

You got lucky not to get bed bugs from them shelters

[@natehikes]

There is only so much you can worry about and my main goal was to worry about things that could cause great harm.

[@1024Pete]

Carry a tent! Shelters can full. Sharing space with smelly hikers is not healthy.

[@natehikes]

Carry a shelter - Tent, tarp, bivy or whatever. I would NEVER recommend someone to not bring a shelter

[@dolcevita713]

What piece of crap shoe is that? So I don’t make the same mistake!

[@natehikes]

Altra. Great shoes other than the durability, which for the cost is unacceptable.

[@dolcevita713]

Thanks for replying. I was looking at those so glad I watched your video. Please post a video if you found yourself a good pair of hiking boots and durable! ❤️

[@toejamr1]

Did you not do any research at all? Some People don’t like shelters so a tent is fine. Never carry more than 4-5 days of food max if you can help it. Finally, bring a couple pairs of socks. Rotate them every day so you can start with a dry-ish pair. If it’s wet a lot you should stop and dry your feet out at least a couple times a day. Clean your feet daily! And a big one…..don’t wear boots. That’s old tech that should be saved for your grandpa.

[@natehikes]

I did all kinds of research!

[@dolcevita713]

What are you talking not wearing hiking boots?

[@kwokau6610]

Yes, your socks are dry, but not your shoes.

[@natehikes]

@Kwokau6610 right? It rained the majority of my hike and it was nearly impossible by the end to not have some ramifications - even with dry socks at night.

[@dalevodden1359]

Well you can always count on the shelter's being empty and you wear hiking boots not shoe's and a hammock you can hang anywhere damn near and the food yes supply Frequently 25-30 lb is what your package should normally weigh you don't need to be lugging 50 to 100 pounds around

[@natehikes]

Empty shelters was not my experience 80% of the time