Appalachian Trail 2024 - THIS is What I Fear the Most on Trail …

We are now in the state of Virginia on the Appalachian Trail and more than 500 miles into the journey. In this video, I talk about some of my fears and the reason I choose to keep taking these adventures in spite of the. Thank you for watching and if you’d like to show some more support my videos, I have a Kofi page on which viewers can “buy me a coffee” as encouragement for the time and effort I put into making these videos 🙏 ko-fi.com/derekcullen

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thank you for watching and if you’d like to show some more support my videos, I have a Kofi page on which viewers can “buy me a coffee” as encouragement for the time and effort I put into making these videos 🙏 ko-fi.com/derekcullen

[@ThomasFoy-qe7bd]

Keep going pal,congrats on first 500. Tommy( Argos)👍

[@Wisegirl357]

Glad your better

[@kmichaelp4508]

Not only are you an inspiration, your videotography top notch! You capture frames that none other captures. Not to speak of your editing.🙏

[@soggybottomhikes6915]

Here is what I took away from your video - Keep on getting on. Life is a process. Don't waste it. Very well done video!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thank you for your thoughts and take away ❤

[@Pj.explores]

I'm an Irish descendant living in Appalachia, watching an Irishman hiking through Appalachia. 😀 I KNEW you were going to sing the song! You had to do it. I'm loving your journey. Thank you for sharing it with us. ❤

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much Pj ☘️

[@brendanhayes4472]

Fear can blind us and hold us back- once we accept and understand that we have very little (or no) control over things outside of ourselves we can start to step away from fear. Thank you for sharing about your life journey Derek. Welcome to VA!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much Brendan and it is also my pleasure 🙏

[@tamzcountrylife]

I am trying so hard to overcome my fears, I was attacked before and ever since I have major fears that I have never had before. It is hard, but one day, I will be ok. Thank you for this! ☺

[@cherylbryant3125]

I am speechless! Amazing young man with an amazing heart warming story. So happy to have found you.

[@LomanB]

Getting better and better with every film you publish Derek. How the heck you are managing to produce such thought, beautifully crated storytelling and film on the fly is mesmerizing to me. Stay safe. Enjoy

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

This is a great compliment. Thank you. It does take a lot of effort to put them together (and hike lol) but I truly love the process and the comments/encouragement I receive from viewers is enough motivation by itself!

[@LomanB]

Good! Glad the splinter never materialised too. Don’t forget what Dory would say!

[@CabOnTarget]

Dereks real name is Hank Scorpio. This means Derek can manage several things at the one time not a bother on him 😂

[@claret4381]

LOVE you Derek. GOD KEEP you safe on your journey. YOU ARE THE BEST LAD EVER LOVE FROM KILKENNY EIRE❤❤❤

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much for the kind words 🙏

[@cbolife]

You are my favorite AT hiker this year. I only wish you produced more videos. Wishing you healthier days so your head, body, feet, and heart will be all good. I’m using those words in my life now.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thank you so much. I used to produce videos every day on trail but it’s not conducive to having an immersive experience. Check out my Facebook page for more short updates which I post more often :)

[@bruceosborn744]

My wife and I are addicted to your videos. We look forward to each episode. And the words of wisdom weaved into each one are encouraging. Keep going, my friend.

[@rosekelleher1094]

Beautiful video Derek.Its so inspiring to watch you on the trail,day after day. Life is amazing and God is so faithful to us all.Blessings Derek and trail friends.

[@melodyhenry500]

Glad Katie Sutherland tagged you! Great video! I hope you are having the time of your life!

[@MaineUSA]

I love your words ❤ you helped me with something and so glad I found your channel. 🙏 Happy Trails.

[@troyjenkins3886]

Its like you had to go through the down to get to the up.I for one am glad you are here sharing your journey with us.

[@shelliebrassler4430]

Thank you for sharing your amazing videography but also your inspirational words of wisdom.

[@krisday9250]

Was looking forward to this segment because we live in Virginia and also have a home in West Virginia. We have bear, coyote, bobcat and feral pigs on our property. Oh, and plenty of deer! Enjoying your walk through Appalachia, especially when you talk to locals.

[@BernardDuffy-mo9ep]

Love and respect yer honesty in this vid,you keep on keeping on man!!!!

[@daggy1778]

HELLO YOU.....................dear Derek..................take care of you..........good,that you feel better...........you can be proud......wow.....500 miles..........Blessings and Greetings from Daggy,Kiel,Germany☘☘☘

[@blloodstone8762]

Ur an inspiration derek.

[@zblog68]

A trained mind is your best friend , an untrained mind is your worst enemy . Never say what if And with every kick in the face and every hurdle you pass the rewards get greater .

[@toddjohnston4788]

Great story!! Thanks for sharing Derek

[@tammylee6342]

Such an inspiration! Thank you for this video!

[@nicolewuestenberg3239]

Glad you are feeling better! You are truly an inspiration 😊

[@Raykenn1]

Enjoyed your video, thanks for posting

[@tamzcountrylife]

Love your content. Stay safe. ☺

[@randycarter5410]

Keep on keeping on friend, Glad you decided to really live, and you are getting to see God's great creation rite before your eyes, 😎😎👍👍

[@vinneyH]

Wow wow wow . What an episode very powerful and heartfelt message. Absolutely loved this . Thank you derek

[@dawnburke2756]

You are amazing Derek 👏 so brave & an inspiration to us all , remember that . Be safe & well . God Bless you 🙏 from Co.Kildare 🇮🇪

[@marylynch951]

Derek you are an inspiration May God continue protecting you

[@Carolsite]

Fear is THE great enemy! Good for you to keep going! You inspire others!❤

[@annemariewharton2797]

Love listening to your thoughts, your philosophy and humour. You’ve learnt so much through tough times and it’s great to watch you enjoying this immense pilgrimage. You’re a great traveller an£ story teller 🙏🏻💚.

[@CabOnTarget]

Great stuff Derek

[@christinabourke4854]

Amazing video Derek. What a fabulous place! So beautiful. It's hard to talk yourself out of worrying over things we can't control but we all need to do that more. Great saying about TV. So true!! Passing the 500 mile mark is some achievement! Well done to you and your crew.

[@tomhayes7134]

Another incredible video, thank you for allowing us to join you. God bless and happy trails!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

My pleasure Tom 🙏

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

This is an exceptional channel featuring an exceptional guy!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Ah thank you!!!!

[@angelacronin184]

❤❤. Great episode, Derek. Amazing terrain! Awesome! Thank u❤!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed the episode Angela 🙏

[@BruceEllmaker]

Great Episode.. Meaningful for everyone 💞

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Happy to hear this from you Bruce. Cheers 🙏

[@auburn200011]

Another great video Derek! Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you brother! God bless you on your adventure!!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

My pleasure and thank you for watching 🙏

[@sassipantsyoga5868]

You have a courageous heart and inspire. Blessings to you.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thank you !

[@pshearduk]

All the best amigo! what an adventure you are on... all the best x

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much. Always nice to see you here Paul 🙏

[@sonnywhelan9928]

Excellent video

[@anniedavis4569]

You’re a pure genius Derek and whatever issues we have Tis best if we deal with them head on rather than letting them fester. Thank you for your words of wisdom always and hope you and your friends continue to feel better ❤️‍🩹

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Lovely comment. Thank you for the kind words !

[@rondawil2845]

Still here.. still following... loving your insights.. Blessings and safe trails 😊

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@leo1977usa]

You are a light in the dark💯 You’ve come so far you should be so proud 🤩 You are such an inspiration❤

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

I really appreciate this comment Leo. Thank you for this 🙏

[@tonyharding28]

We met on trail briefly the other day. Your videos make sense and capture the spirit out here which is so difficult to do. Proud of you! Soapyjoe 🤙

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Ah lovely to see you and thanks so much for saying hello on trail. Enjoy trail days, soapy Joe 🙏

[@aidanm4211]

Brave man!

[@of6204]

Legend Derek. Moving soon Spain back to Ireland. Can't wait to explore and camp with my little son, we watch all your videos. Onwards and upwards to you

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Hello to you both and Bon voyage to Ireland 🙏

[@Maureen.walkdontrun]

Hi Derek, I just discovered your channel by accident. Your Irish accent could place you in many communities in Newfoundland, Canada where I live. Look forward to catching up. Rock on! My son is a ginger as well.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Lovely to have you here. Thanks Maureen and yes, I spent time in Newfoundland some years ago on the East coast trail 🙏

[@ericrowan]

Another great video, sir! I just got back from your home country. Hiked in County Wicklow, The Cliffs of Moher, Diamond Hill, and other fine places. Loved it all!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Nice. Glad you hear you enjoyed !!

[@Zapruderfilm1963]

You were singing AH Ha’s “ The sun always shines on TV “ Fantastic song!😀👍

[@robertbates6057]

Derek, another great video! I hope Emelia catches up to you guys. I would miss her amazing brilliant smile.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much Robert!

[@sherryzee2634]

You are so worth watching

[@DELBOY1919]

Love it ❤

[@Tzippi]

It looks as if you’re in some fairytale land! The Highlands are my favorite. Thank you for another wonderful vlog. 😊

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

My pleasure and yes it was very beautiful :)

[@musingwithreba9667]

Another YT hiker channel that I watch just posted a video today about fear, and it creeps into the everyday decisions on trail, and in life. She's on the PCT right now. She decided to let fear know that she's not afraid 😁 As always Derrek, a brilliantly told story, with some gorgeous videography, and masterful editing. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm more cautious of the copperhead snakes. They are very well camouflaged, and they don't warn you with a rattle when you het too close! 😲

[@AdamStevens-wi6ss]

Derek, you are an inspiration. Keep on keeping on. You are coming through my backyard. Be sure to check out dragons tooth on your way through

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much

[@ijblessjourney]

That will be me tomorrow, crossing to VA.

[@thomasshafe]

Wry true what you say about people. You have to focus on the good. I like to say if we only ever focused on “what if” Nothing would ever happen and nothing would be done.

[@walkandtalkinnaturefordepr3357]

Good one❤

[@ritazimmermann2918]

Just some info: Given the tenor of the times, the roll-out of “Virginia is For Lovers” appealed to younger consumers who were the market of the future. The phrase came from a creative team headed by George Woltz of Martin & Woltz Inc., the Richmond advertising agency that won the Virginia State Travel Service (VTC) account in 1968

[@maureenp7082]

I would be more worried about rattle snakes vs. bears. You should write a book. I would buy it!😊❤

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much! Think I might like to write one day - perhaps when I am no longer interested in walking and making videos 😜

[@von269]

Don't worry too much about bears, if they see or hear you first they will hide from you and you will never see them. Hikers wear little bells on their clothes to forewarn the bears, watch out for bear shyte too so you know they are around. It is easy to know bear scat. It's full of little bells.

[@lauraestes9304]

Wish I had the courage to walk a trail alone. I’m in Las Vegas and I been sitting in this room bored…cities don’t do it for me anymore

[@decels]

Bye Bye Emilia. Hopefully y'all meet up again very soon. Congratulations on the 500 mile mark!

[@charliem5332]

You're a real inspiration man. And not just by what you're doing but mostly by your way of expressing and articulating your feelings and emotions. Thank you 🙏

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much Charlie. This is a lovely compliment 🙏

[@100Noddy]

💜

[@unnamedpodcast603]

Hello you!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Hello you

[@collegedad8656]

Almost all good is better than nothing. Hike on👍

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

That’s true !

[@dj-kz5gh]

hey friend you know your body tc ok keep on trucking😚

[@valeriecarter836]

We were all afraid when you headed to Africa Derek, it seemed a crazy risk at the time. But oh my god look at how far you have come, and I agree with lots of coments, your video productions are fantastic. But for feck sake stay safe xx

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much Val. You can’t stay safe and have an adventure…you need to pick between the two 😜

[@Tzippi]

Virginia is for lovers of everything in Virginia!

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

I hope that we get to see everything !!

[@MachasDaughter]

I believe Virginia’s tourist board coined the phrase because in the 70’s newlyweds would visit Virginia’s beaches. 500, what a milestone! 🎉

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Damn, I was hoping to find love here. Thanks for the explaination!

[@MachasDaughter]

@@DerekCullenOutdoors There’s still time! 😉

[@kathrynrose5241]

🖐🏻

[@fior2373]

Made me think, Virginia..., I'm a lover not a fighter.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Ireland has more rhododendron than you'd want to see. Appalachia looks to have more than you'd see in the Himalaya. There's probably not enough wildlife variety there in Appalachia now for the bears to survive.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Well there’s lots of bears, we are just not seeing them 😊

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@DerekCullenOutdoors Hope to luck you've not just put the mockers on it. A hundred miles wouldn't feel far enough away from one. For me anyway.

[@WPA33SC]

@@DerekCullenOutdoors Just found your videos, enjoying them, and subscribed. Most times the bears will see you long before you see them and they will scoot away and you never know they were there. Only time to be concerned would be if you see bear cubs on the trail in the spring. Mama bear not far away. Then be cautious and let them move away on their own time. Be safe out there.

[@robertbates6057]

There are THOUSANDS of bear in Appalachia. They've been growing in numbers for years. When wild, Black Bear normally avoid people but increasingly associate people with food and that's what's making them more dangerous.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@robertbates6057 What flora & fauna was there before the rhododendron took over I wonder.

[@mushercdn]

I hear what you are saying and agree BUT, just because you're not paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't out to get you! Don't worry about the bears. I live in bear country and you do not see them often. Years of selective breeding, due to humans hunting them, have diluted the bolder/curious ones genetic pool. The trouble makers are often the 2.5 year olds that don't know whether you are predator or prey. It's more of a wilderness problem than where you are. I know nothing about snakes.Thanks for the video.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Cheers musher. It’s the same in Africa where the animals are everywhere…except for wherever you might find us humans 😋

[@Pippasaurus]

Did I pass you in Damascus? You look so familiar

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Perhaps! 😋

[@user-ib2wl4jv8g]

Raffles the Amateur Cracksman (safecracker) said: "Money lost, little lost; Honour lost, much lost; Pluck lost, all lost."

[@zftransmax1]

I just cant like these videos enough..

[@mattjosh69]

All the bears I’ve see in over peoples videos on trail this year have been running away, it’s the rattel snakes you should probably should be looking out for. Stay save an enjoy the journey.🇬🇧🙏🏻

[@jbarnes1250]

Satan is the one who brings fear because He roams about looking to kill and destroy; in Jesus is life abundant and free. If you are among the chosen, He is with you before you accept Him, He loves us before we love Him. All that comes before meeting Him is testimony, all that comes after is walking out the Gospel with Him along as friend, Savior and Lord. Keep walking, keep seeking, all who seek Him will be found by Him. Head good, body good, heart good, feet good, spirit good… all good. Thank you for your openness! Godspeed.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thanks so much and god bless. Head good body good feet good heart good 🙏

[@yvonneglay1084]

Did you have to sleep with the rat snake in your tent?

[@themichaelfindling]

Whatever you love to do on vacation , you can do that in Virginia. Virginia loves Love , but tickling a women in Virginia is illegal.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Haha I have a feeling that is true about the tickling :)

[@paddyo3841]

Have to say I was a bit concerned for you brother… got to get more real Irish food in you…beef potatoes cabbage eggs butter salmon and wash it down with some Guinness

[@paddyo3841]

Look up the ancient meaning of Apalachia… u will be shocked