Appalachian Trail 2024 - Why Are You Hiking the AT? Emilia Grunden

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Thank you for liking this video and subscribing to the channel. Also, Emilia Grunden is a blogger for Trek and you can find her blogposts here -> thetrek.co/author/emilia-grunden/

[@Kitkatbreak3]

It’s so true about the churches always being locked here in America. It’s a newer thing, I think, because I used to be able to go into mine as a kid. But, now, when I go back home to visit, it’s always locked up. I ask everyone in this beautiful community for their blessings as I prepare to move to Ireland this fall! I’m wrapping up my final work days here in America before I set sail on my greatest adventure yet. Thanks for inspiring us, Derek! ❤

[@kathleeneverson]

You know what I hate about these videos? I hate it when they end! Thanks for sharing your story and meeting all your friends on the trail. It's a wonderful journey for the soul.

[@buanobas9122]

Alright Derek,Tallaght head here sippin a vodka at 3 in the morning,your videos are having a strangely calming effect on me🙂Keep them coming pal,good for the soul👍

[@anniedavis4569]

Absolutely mesmerizing the waterfall the people and the good nature of everyone. It’s like watching an exciting movie just pure world class. I love listening to each and every one of you.

[@collegedad8656]

The fact you found each other is quite a journey. Hike on👍

[@jessebailey5885]

I just adore Emilia!

[@robsmithadventures1537]

Such a lovely bunch of people you are walking with. Seem like a jovial lot.

[@barbaragallagher4540]

I "walked" Ireland with you and loved it as we spent a month in Inistioge on the Nore in March 2023. Now I am "hiking" the AT with you...we live in the North Georgia Mountains not far from Amicalola Falls and the start of your journey. Thank you Derek...it is all so lovely and a constant reminder of the beauty of our planet and the love we can share with our fellow humans. Keep trekking!

[@GrahamOCheallaigh]

Great that you've found your tribe. Don't count the days, make the days count

[@sassipantsyoga5868]

I loved that churches were always open in Ireland. You are so right! Lovely video!

[@jezcullen9100]

Made my soul smile a bit watching this. I doubt I'm alone mate 🌄

[@deannalagroix4415]

This was a wonderful episode of your journey; the people, the stories and the life/landscape along the trail was a gift to my day. Be well! Be at peace!

[@decels]

You're doing great buddy. Love everyone's stories and reasons for being there. Great bunch !

[@thecrankyyankee5114]

Sometimes the path is alone and solitude. Sometimes it’s sharing and learning from others and yourself - remember it only takes a word to another to become a blessing.

[@rondawil2845]

Very nice. Following along,, enjoying your insights as well as the others... Blessings and safe trails

[@dawnseely1013]

so glad to see you all back together for a second😊 Missed that in the last one 😔 I get it though. WATCHING to the end - THRILLED to have your small group thriving together. I hope that thrives to Katahdin and beyond. shhhhhh I agree ☀️☺️

[@angelacronin184]

Wow! A feast! Happy birthday to all! Awesome experiences! So uplifting/spiritual, even as a spectator! Showing us nature in all its glory! Water so inviting! Wonderful! ❤ it. Love ❤ to all! Thank u 4 the video, Derek.

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

Yes Emilia made all them cakes!! Thanks so much

[@angelacronin184]

@DerekCullen Oh my Gosh! Great work, Emilia!

[@Sdal2593]

Angela, you have said it so well. " So uplifting/spiritual, even as a spectator." That's what I was trying to get across in my comment.

[@nancylw]

So much peace there. Love the beautiful camaraderie amongst all of you. Happy Birthdays to all -much reason to celebrate. Made me happy to see the joy. I agree it’s sad about churches being closed. It seems in these times many of us here live with an underlying fear of harm.

[@WorldTowning]

I am super grateful for your vlogs. Your storytelling is go great. I hope to see you guys on the trail.

[@michaelnejdl8245]

Your best trail vlogs yet. Thank you.

[@stevenhamilton1933]

Another epic episode Derek love all you guys openess and honesty. 🙏 ❤

[@rondangerlewis]

Hi Derek, I'm hiking The Colorado Trail in July and thought I had burned myself out on hiking videos. Didn't feel like there was much more I could learn from them. I was wrong, I wasn't expecting such a thoughtful and inspired perspective. Hope you don't mind but I'm borrowing your signature mantra, checking in with yourself daily is really good advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

I don’t want this trip to end either… Pringle’s in the creek eating his chips . I love the way you capture moments that speak volumes. Isn’t it amazing how quickly it becomes green, lush, flowers. It’s quite the micro climate. The smokies here can become a jungle, especially by end of summer.

[@kathleeneverson]

I was in Ireland once and found a beautiful little church that was open to go in. I think it was in Connemara. It was absolutely lovely! I wished they all could be open here in Canada too.

[@sheenarader6495]

It is so refreshing and encouraging to find a group of young people on the AT who love God and are enjoying His creation in Christian harmony! 😊 ❤

[@erikabusser]

Another fantastic episode! Thank you for sharing your journey. I can absolutely relate to what Emilia is saying about how she feels closer to God on trail. It’s why I like hiking so much as well. Praying you all continue to have an amazing journey!

[@erikaressl8115]

Thank you Derek for letting live the Crayfish, I find it important to make as little impact on nature as possible, I shall sponsor a meal, love to follow you and your group🙏❣️🕊️🎂

[@annemariecollins6388]

I'm enjoying your journey on the AP trail and the friendships that are developing. That's what's life's about I think helping each other out and as you say walking each other home.

[@paulinerichardson138]

Morning from rainy England! The rhododendrons will be spectacular.

[@nancybishop4888]

❤This is so beautiful on so many levels.

[@marydoyle7350]

I'd say that fresh mountain river felt so soothing on your legs. Your backpack looks heavy. Another fantastic video. Thanks Derek

[@jimrubyhike]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@shannondenny3259]

What a story it is already! Happy birthday to all. Have a good night

[@jenellewatts8129]

Beautiful journey of life we are all on! Nature is a beautiful way to connect with God. Love following your AT trails.

[@joannthomas1911]

Another inspiring video. What a wonderful group of people God has gathered together. Can’t wait for the next episode. 😊

[@valeriegillespie8425]

Soul Good Derek just love love your videos you inspire me to sell up and move ❤❤❤

[@auburn200011]

Once again, another great video, Derek! Such awesome videography. Love your travels and thanks for taking us along! Looking forward to the next one!

[@daggy1778]

HELLO,YOU,dear Derek...................always the churches are open in Ireland.........and thats good...............now I am back in Germany,and it was an very peaceful holiday up in Donegal...................your videos are very good,thanks for sharing...............Blessings and Greetings from Daggy,Kiel,Germany☘☘☘

[@JenAnnS]

Such a great video! Nice job!!!!

[@sabrinasturgill4244]

God is right in the midst of this. So beautiful and wonderful to see it unfold.

[@lindamalcovsky]

Your videos always bring me to tears..happy joyful tears..thank you ❤❤❤

[@DaleRogers-zi2vz]

I am soooo happy to see these videos! Thank you, Derek! - Magpie's Mom

[@ritazimmermann2918]

I live in Virginia very close to the AT and the only church open out of many in our small town is the Catholic Church. I totally agree with you!

[@cmcmke1]

Another exceptional effort and end result. I’m in awe of your ability to walk multiple miles per day, film, edit and post these consistently fantastic stories!

[@vinneyH]

Worst part of your videos derek are the outro's because there so damn good. You know the end of the video is near. Great being on this journey with you

[@paulsmakingmovies1451]

The waterfall reminded me of the film the mission

[@deeh5048]

Lovely job you did there, Derek. Keep on trekkin’!

[@robertbates6057]

Derek, love your videos. Good group of people. God may be walking with you!

[@angelacronin184]

God is!!

[@dorotheaholder2370]

Beautiful ✌️♥️🙏

[@mickcollins2746]

I read every comment to see if anyone mentioned your fall in the water"fall". Not 1!!! So in true irish spirit Derek, I laughed my tits off watching you slip, save and eventually fall. Glad you didn't hurt yourself though. Great video again Derek, there's something so comforting and spiritual about your videos of the trail. But this one was even more than the others. Stay safe and best of luck to you all. ❤🇨🇮

[@DELBOY1919]

Loving this ❤

[@maryannpotter]

Thank you for sharing these wonderful videos, Derek.

[@PatriciaGrealy-Wagner]

Oh Derek ❤ this episode Soul good !!!

[@JohnSmith-ef2sp]

Only 1,768 miles to go, piece of cake!!!

[@77maryk]

Another fantastic video Derek. I really enjoyed it. I think Birdy is my favourite....apart from you. Loved it

[@helenaylward5703]

They actually did break into my childhood church in Maine and stole gold candle sticks plus stole money out of the donation box. They started locking it after the theft. Also other churches are regularly broken into sadly (in Maine) and vandalized badly.. You may see some that are left open but not many.

[@olearysteve04005]

Great video!

[@diannew6066]

Our churches used to be open when I was a kid. I'm 70 now and I don't think they've been open for 25-30 years, which is unfortunate. But then again, those Baptist churches of the South are very, very spare. Our Catholic Churches have chalices and candles, statues etc. but the southern protestant churches (more more right wing than northern protestant churches) have nothing in them to steal. So I can't imagine why they are closed up so tight.

[@jj2536]

seem like a good bunch to be travelling with. i thought the trail had camping spots at fixed distances so you basically hiked from site to site each day and so would always catch up with those you were travelling with at the end of the day?

[@juliektomlinson2584]

Love “our” Emelia once again. She’s loved God as long as I’ve known her and definitely sings like a birdy. Great idea to make cake for everyone too Em. Great job Derek on todays broadcast.

[@FJohnson001]

As a pastor in America, the sad reality is that churches are a particular hot zone for vandalism. In the tiny town I served for a decade, most churches had some kind of vandalism at some point. But I don't think that's really the reason the doors are locked. For us, it was insurance. They told us that if we don't lock, they don't cover. Kind of a rough spot to be in for a church that wants to be open.

[@YTusercomment]

There was a time in America when Churches were left open...I remember that in my earlier life. And I know there were problems with theft and / or vandalism that lead to more of them closing apart from Service hours. That is a fact...there was a theft at the Church in my town. Some people have no morals and will steal from anyone or anywhere...a sad fact of life.

[@EddieJoe55]

arís, thar barr, Derek! (Once again, surperb, Derek!)

[@Pj.explores]

Awwwww…. Be like the ancestors… Appalachia seeps into your blood and you will be forever changed. ❤

[@diannew6066]

Thank you Derek. I really enjoyed this segment alot. You're not getting chiggers are you?

[@musingwithreba9667]

You have such a unique way of showing trail life.

[@gwendolynmacaluso775]

What did you get that quota from about the other side of life

[@goodwaterhikes]

😎✌

[@TheBridgeToYou]

Pringles in the river 😂 what’s your trail name Derek? 🤠

[@LisaBrown-p5k]

“The ultimate purpose of the Appalachian Trail? To walk. To see. And to see what you see.” Benton MacKaye

[@Sasha-r8n6v]

It’s cake time 😂

[@Sdal2593]

I'm the first comment? Wow.

[@Sdal2593]

These videos...... it's hard to explain, but they make me feel like I'm on the journey with you, just from the sensation and emotion that I get when watching them. I feel like they are transformative for your viewers as well, even though most of us are probably watching from our couches and not partaking in any of the physical part. Does that make sense? You have the true Irish gift for storytelling Derek. Thank you for sharing it with us. What a privilege. Oh, and happy group birthday to you all. Love from Australia. Nearly forgot, one question: Does the trail go through private property, or is it all national parks? Reallllly hoping for a bear sighting. A safe one, of course.

[@paulinerichardson138]

Maybe I'm first from the UK.

[@rosiemcminn7578]

Thank you Derek, your videos are so special ❤

[@JamieMacNeil]

I watched all your AT videos. You have great camera presence but religious videos aren’t my thing. Best of luck the rest of the way.