AMA: My worst injury on trail, backpacking with an autoimmune disease, thru-hiking plans, and more!

[@Taich0u]

HUGE respect for not geotagging or publicly sharing trail names. I live in the Appalachian mountains and we have a TON of access issues that come up specifically because a trail gets popular on social media. My favorite hikes of all time are in areas that are only open because they are not widely known. Private landowners have a bit of an unspoken rule with hikers- you can only use their land if it’s kept off the internet. I don’t think people realize the impact social media can have on trails.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for saying so! Couldn't agree more - cool spots around here blow up all the time because they show up on an Instagram reel haha. I understand why people want to share the cool places that they find, but personally I like to be a bit more discrete about it.

[@MissNikkor]

It's always interesting to get to know the person a little bit better. And you always have very interesting topics. A pleasure to watch your videos as soon as they come out.

[@timbschwartz]

Thank you so much for watching! I really appreciate the kind words :)

[@RedSonya4]

I am 58 and have RA plus 2 other autoimmune disorders. My advice to anyone with an auto immune disease is to listen to your doctors, take your meds and push yourself to be fit before you get out there. My condition is painful sometimes, but I have learned to live with the pain and push past it and I am now in the best shape I have ever been in my life. My little dog is a cancer survivor and the two of us backpack the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail this year. Thanks for the video, this is actually the first video of yours that I've ever seen. Well done!

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for watching, and it's inspiring to hear that you're able to get out there and continue to backback! I really appreciate you sharing.

[@andymytys]

LOVE your response to favorite response of places to hike in Washington. Every time Backpacker Mag lists an area that you must backpack in, for the next couple of seasons it has a noticeable increase in visitation and, unfortunately, trash.

[@timbschwartz]

Yeah, that's definitely a thing that happens, so I try my best not to contribute to overuse. Thanks for the comment!

[@spencerdavis3995]

I’ve never watched Joe Robinet but the way you described what his channel provided for you is what your channel does for me. A relaxing voice about things I’m very interested in. Thank you!

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for saying so! That really means a lot :)

[@andymytys]

Assuming you get snow, for off trail navigation in brushy areas, just wait until winter hits. The leaves have fallen and often a blanket of snow holds a lot of brush out of the way. If there’s snow present, winter also has the advantage of being able to confidently retrace your steps, if necessary. Honestly though, once you have mastered basic map and compass skills, you’ll be able to hike for miles without a noticeable level of error in your targeted destination. It’s actually sort of cool to be able to do that off trail without the use of electronics.

[@markheming3507]

Couldn’t agree more

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the tip! This is a wonderful excuse to buy snowshoes, which has been on the list.

[@andymytys]

@@timbschwartz check out Northern Lites. But, depending on your terrain, you might be better off with a snowshoe / x-country ski hybrid like the Altai Hoks.

[@nekogirl2009]

definitely interested in healthier food ideas. i think all autoimmune people end up having limited diets. hikers seem to have a very loose definition of healthy, it seems like its considered healthy as long as its not a snickers lol. ive had "arthritis" since i was thirteen, am gluten intolerant, and a t1d so food choices are very important to me. i struggle with the idea that carrying healthy food means greatly increasing pack weight and the trade off of the impact of the poor food on your joints vs the excessive weight being carried by them.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the comment! Out of curiosity, have you tried dehydrating your own food? I've found it works really well with limited diets, since you can basically take whatever you eat at home. It's not super practical for thru hikes (although people do it) but great for trips of a week or less. I'll keep working on food ideas!

[@RAINSMAN79]

I made it in the video! Thanks man, nothing but good wishes bro

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for asking a question!

[@wolfeadventures]

Great video! Very insightful. Thank you for answering my question.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for having questions to answer!

[@andymytys]

What happened that caused you to break a leg on trail? Also, if you had an InReach at the time, would you have pressed “the button?”

[@timbschwartz]

I'll probably make a video about it at some point, but very long story short: We stepped on a bee's nest, ran away, I jumped a switchback and landed on a rock - the rock rolled and my leg went underneath. Probably not, I didn't really feel like I was in any sort of danger at any point. It was just unpleasant. Thanks for the question!

[@SuperdutyExplorer]

Thanks for sharing I got diagnosed with CRPS ( Complex regional pain syndrome) in 2015 after breaking my right foot... also broke my left phemor in 2007, it didn't get put on straight. Left Foot is about 10-15 degrees outward... after 2015 I wasn't able to walk much till 2018... didnt start hiking till 2019, I basically became 1 with the pain and deal with it everyday since... I started working again in 2020, I'm even even sure how I make it through work... I do asphalt road construction, think My adrenaline is just pegged all the time... I somehow just push everything out of my mind when hiking/working.... it does all catch up with me when trying to sleep though, that's my biggest struggle but take medication to fall asleep and deal with the nerve pain...

[@timbschwartz]

I appreciate you sharing this! I'm glad to here that you're able to tough it out and get outside anyway. Hopefully you're able to get it sorted out :)

[@zinguliwa]

Thank you so much for responding! Really value hearing your experience. I’ve gotta look what “rucking” is. As for the mental stuff, I’m a fan of Ryan Holiday too, his book Stillness Is The Key is always close at hand.

[@timbschwartz]

Thank you for the question! That's one of his that I haven't read yet - I'll be sure to pick it up in my next book order!

[@KathyColorado1]

Great video. I have autoimmune disease as well. I will be attempting The Colorado Trail this summer and finding the training slow going. Waiting for a flare up to cease so I can go out again is an issue but this isn't new to me yet still frustrating. When I come up with some decent food for trail, l will let you know. I am dialing that in now. Thank you for the video. Colorado Girl

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for sharing and good luck with your training! If it makes you feel better, I'm very much in the same boat with trying to get in shape for my thru. Just trying to be patient with it. Yes, let me know what food you come up with please!

[@stuartb9194]

I almost skipped this as the title suggests the topic was one specific issue about auto imune disease. If I'd seen it was an AMA I would have been on it faster. Happy I trusted to what whatever you put out and enjoyed all the questions. Cheers

[@timbschwartz]

Glad you enjoyed it, Stuart! This is great feedback - I had a really hard time titling it for the ol' algorithm. I added and "AMA" in there based on this comment. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!

[@lolobeans]

Love this content, thank you! Hammock camping is great, I'd love to see you journey with that as a new shelter type. İt's hard to be truly UL with a hammock set up but it's certainly worth the little extra weight for the great comfort. Also, while canoe/kayak tripping is amazing, i will advise that portaging is not actually a fun part of those adventures (not up here in Manitoba Canada with all the bugs anyhow!!). That said, I'm about 50/50 on hiking & kayaking trips. Love both!!!

[@andymytys]

I use a Hummingbird Hammock (1+) and DCF tarp. A 1/8” pad as an underlayer takes me down to 55 F. I add four sections of Zrest pad to go down to 45. I’ve got a 6 oz bug nest. The whole setup including guyline and stakes is less than two pounds.

[@timbschwartz]

@lolobeans So glad that you enjoyed the video! Let me rephrase, portaging seems like type 2 fun haha. I'll continue to work on the hammock setup once I'm back from my trip!

[@timbschwartz]

@andymytys Thanks for sharing your kit! I'll put one together some day.

[@Mwilke3789]

A note on auto immune issues: I walked with a limp and had constant inflammation in my hip, knee, shoulder and elbow (I'm only in my early 30's). Had Raynaud's syndrome too, was so bad I had to blow dry my feet getting out the shower or they'd be swollen and painful all day. However, I've been Carnivore 🥩 for 2 years and almost every symptom I have has gone away. I can run, teach ballet, and walk barefoot regardless of temperature. Plus, my gut has healed enough that I can eat small amounts of plants without flare ups. I just think it's important for people to know, even though it sounds crazy, Beef, butter, bacon and eggs can do wonders for autoimmune diseases. Not to mention being fat adapted feels like a super power.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for sharing! I haven't gone full carnivore, but have been paleo for more than a year and, yes, diet makes a huge difference. Fat adaptation is amaaaaaazing - I love being able to go out for a long run or hike without having to think too much about food.

[@JustinColavita]

Great to hear you answer the questions and even nicer to see your channel grow man. I still reference your knot tying videos. Ironic that soon you will tie the knot ;) Keep trekking!

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Justin! Glad to hear that video still comes in handy - can't believe it's been like a year since I made it!

[@jayv.8298]

Loved the video. Thx for answering my questions. Cool to know a bit more about you. Take care 🤙🏾

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for watching, and for the kinds words!

[@markheming3507]

Great video! Loved it

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much, Mark! I appreciate you watching :)

[@andymytys]

I think emotional difficulties surrounding being alone in the wilderness go away with frequent repetition, and may be overcome even faster if the repetition involves visiting the same area, to develop familiarity. I remember one time when I was sleeping in a tent in the Sierra. My wife woke me up in a panic, as the black bear walking outside our tent was so close you could feel the vibration on the ground as it moved about. I asked her if we had any food or scented items in the tent. She replied there were none, so I just said to go back to bed, because the bear was just looking for food and wouldn’t waste energy on us. Apparently I started snoring again after I finished this statement. I’ve never had any issues camping out, whether alone or with others. While I may prefer hiking alone, I definitely prefer camping with others. It’s nothing to do with anxiety, but just a preference to spend time in camp with others, trading stories about our day on the trail. While I have no mental hesitations with being in the out-of-doors, I do have issues in other environments, such as going up to the podium at a city planning meeting and sharing my thoughts. I think the solution to this is the same as mentioned above - repetition to build familiarity and ultimately confidence. Thus, I continue to walk up to the podium. Being alone in the woods is often harder for family, as they l worry about those things non-backpackers tend to worry about (being eaten by a bear comes to mind). For their peace of mind, I carry an InReach and send an “In camp” message at the end of each day, so they know I’m OK and can see my location online. If there was some sort of a family emergency that needed my involvement, they could also send me a message. Beyond a daily ping though, I try to avoid making phone calls and the like because I truly enjoy my time in nature. The more I do routine front-country things that involve technology, the more I feel like I have one foot still in the city. I sincerely wish that those who are less than at home in the out-of-doors find their comfort zone in time. It’s a wonderful thing to move through the natural world feeling as if you are at home.

[@timbschwartz]

Couldn't agree more!

[@tkemp4184]

Great job.

[@timbschwartz]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@foreverirish132]

Would love a video on autoimmune disease 😊 what you eat? What helps? Any information really that you’d like to share 😊

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for watching! I can work on a video on that at some point. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you have questions :)

[@Rydoge7]

I’ve got an interesting product that would make for an interesting video. It’s a multi purpose shelter that is a hammock that doubles as a tarp. It’s called the “MOAB All-In-One” by Grand Truck. I just saw it browsing sales on backcountry. Currently $70 One of the weirdest shelters I’ve seen. Probably won’t try but thought it would make for a fun video.

[@timbschwartz]

First time I've seen this - it looks pretty cool! Thanks for sending it my way and for the suggestion - I'm always looking for good content ideas :)

[@KevinRStrauss]

Enjoyed the video and learning more about your perspective. The mention of collaboration and connecting with your audience more caught my attention. What's a good way to reach out? I'll check for an email. Keep on, keepin' on! ☮️❤️🤝

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the comment, Kevin! I'm a little behind on email (and comments for that matter) but I'll respond shortly!

[@Alex_Coolen]

Ah damn I wish you had explained how you broke your leg, great video either way thanks!

[@timbschwartz]

That's a story for another time, my friend!

[@andymytys]

Maybe flip the cooking question on its side. Give your viewers a list of limitations due to your diet and solicit recipes. Make a video where you try a few out and give us your thoughts. Gives everyone more recipes and you might get some good meals that you would have never come to on your own.

[@timbschwartz]

Good idea!

[@andymytys]

I have nothing against KZbin authors having sponsors. I do think the caveats you’ve outlined are important, as well as being transparent on who your sponsors are. You also need to maintain freedom to be critical of the sponsor’s gear. If I had a channel and GossamerGear wanted to sponsor me, for example, I’d agree, but I’d still want to say that I don’t like their top flap closure and would be much, much happier with a roll top and top-Y strap design.

[@timbschwartz]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Mike_Blanda]

Awesome Video Tim! Glade I found ya man and you definitely help inspire me to keep my channel going BUT if you ever want to collaborate PLEASE connect with me man 🙌 I’d love to collaborate on a trip.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks so much for the kind words! Shoot me an email - would love to chat more!

[@Advokat_]

Bushcraft videos make me super stressed. So much destruction of the environment. Just camping is awesome. Leave no trace. That guy leaves a huge trace and it's gross. T1D (autoimmune diabetes) here. :) Stepped on the AT yesterday in Shenandoah. Woo! Not through hiking yet.

[@andymytys]

IMO, good Bushcrafting videos are almost LNT. Bad Bushcrafting videos cut down the woods to make shelters and camp furniture. One could argue that all Bushcrafting is environmentally destructive, at least when a knife, axe, or saw comes out, and as fires are built. My feeling is that if downed or dead standing wood is used, it’s usually fair game, especially when one considers forest duff contributing to wildfires. I do understand that some birds require dead standing trees to nest in. In the grand scheme of things, I feel that there just aren’t enough bushcrafters out there to matter. If you’re looking for a Bushcraft channel that may be more ASMR than stressful for you, check out Kettle Camping.

[@timbschwartz]

Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your time on the AT!