APPALACHIAN TRAIL DAYS 2024 • PLUS VINTAGE TENT CITY & PARADE PHOTOS

[@danielstoddart]

The legendary thru-hiker Baltimore Jack at 11:09, I'd never seen that photo before. Unsurprisingly for someone with Jack's knack for misadventure, *of course* he's standing right next to the woman who got busted for public indecency. I'd know those bandaged knees anywhere. I sure do miss that guy. I consider him right up there in the top 10 American outdoorsmen of all time.

[@BruceEllmaker]

It's just wonderful to see and hear you back on the screen again. Every time we get over to Damascus to hike and bike, we enjoy seeing the legacy that you have left behind. You did a lot and I learned a lot from you. God Bless You from Bristol!

[@mystrugglebuslife]

Yay! Looks like you had a great spot! Love the history and really enjoyed the time lapse at the end❤

[@BrantHikes]

Thanks, Chaaa!!

[@sulj3373]

This popped up and really enjoyed it. Love your narration. 😊❤

[@jasonaustin1038]

This is great stuff! Thanks for the honesty and pictures! Good to see Mala in a few of these! R.I.P

[@BrantHikes]

Thanks Jason!

[@johnwilson6954]

What a GREAT video, Brant! This is one of your best, by far, perhaps because it brings back some personal memories of the good-old-days (My first TD's was 1993. I am one of those who remember the "Blue Blaze Hobos"; beer drinking at Quincy's (you didn't mention that!); the origin of the drum circle; and camping on the grass by the river and old mill. I also camped down on "The Island" behind the swimming pool in 2000, following a section hike into town from Erwin. I say "camped", because I got NO sleep there that weekend. And when I left, I discovered I had set my tent up on a patch of Poison Ivy...Ahh, the memories!😂

[@BrantHikes]

Thanks, John. I didn't camp, but I definitely spent time on the island in 2000. I had a feeling that you might enjoy this video

[@MetroOnTheMove]

You had a great set up at Trail Days! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!

[@BrantHikes]

👊

[@tobitalor]

Great vid!! Great to see you on the you tubes!!

[@rebeccarossi4012]

So awesome - i hiked in 2000 and 2003 -

[@ashleyhoward8926]

To me, a tent means avoiding situations just like that. However my minipeak xl is pitched at home & about to be tested with a downpour this afternoon. Tomorrow, I'll try your tent/tarp combo. Thanks for posting.

[@thenaturemanadventures]

Hey Brother 😊 WOW! Incredible experience and sooo many tents, people and moments to remember. So cool to see the past and how things are today. Thank you for sharing the moments from the past and today. Good to see you my friend, enjoy every moment of life 🤠🌲☕

[@BrantHikes]

It was a fun time! Thanks for stopping by 👊

[@bradhassler1]

I was there in 1992, a lot different then. Stayed at "The Place" tented on the lawn. Great times !!!

[@BrantHikes]

You pre-date my first TD's by six years. It must have been way different then

[@CraigMains]

Great way to do this video…Thanks man! 👊

[@BrantHikes]

Thanks! Sorry I missed ya. I didn't venture too far from the campground!

[@KrizAkoni]

Cool history and photos from Trail Days past. The secret privy…ooo, I’m liking that one. 👊👊

[@BrantHikes]

I didn't review the Privy since it's been decommissioned 😐

[@KrizAkoni]

@@BrantHikes It’s a piece of history

[@BrantHikes]

Pretty much a museum piece at this point

[@bessiemann7468]

This popped up Glad you made it to KZbin

[@hikerbikerclutz8377]

Loved this video, the pics from 25 years ago really shows the growth and changes. Best trail days video out there right now. Just found your channel and subbed 🤘🤘

[@BrantHikes]

Thank you!

[@lexs821]

Loved seeing this personal look at some of the history of Trail Days. I also appreciate you approaching it as not better or worse but different. Such a nice and generous perspective too on the increase of backpacking/usage. I know it's not actually practical or achievable, but I really believe if everyone could truly experience this community, it would change the world for the better. Those mountains and the people I know from being out there and from TD are where my soul truly dwells. Also: "And usually when the problems occur...they come from outside of the hiking community." Well put.

[@BrantHikes]

Thanks for taking the time to leave this comment. It was a chore to edit this one, so it's nice to know that people are enjoying it. This community really is the best! Were you at TD's this year?

[@lexs821]

@@BrantHikes hanging with the standing bear folks in a prime spot aka close to the other portos/dumpster but not toooo close 😂

[@lynlandham3779]

So good to see you again! Thanks for this video. I know what you mean. Things are different. I bet I've watched 5,000 trail videos over the years, and I'm seeing things I don't remember seeing before! Maybe I just wasn't paying a lot of attention in the past. Couldn't have anything to do with getting older!! lol And I don't watch as much as I used to, so of course the trail could have some changes. My memory takes me to Dixie and her tramily. And Early Riser. And Hawk! Many more. But I'm watching three or four this year that I'm really enjoying. Are you still at Mountain Crossings?

[@BrantHikes]

I'm still at Mountain Crossings and loving being a part of the history this place!

[@susankaempfer8427]

Looks like the sun at least came out long enough to dry the tents in the end. Cool to see the old pictures! Take care ☺️

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

Brant! That's a great video. Love the info & pics from the past. Interesting that the Old Mill was the original tent city. This was my 3rd time going & as you said "God Willing" i'll be there in 2025. Take care. 👍

[@thegoodwaymatador]

Thank you for sharing! -Matador

[@Mdbogard]

Good to see ya! Love the painting of Garvey.

[@davidblair7361]

i seen me. chaaa!!

[@BrantHikes]

Chaaa!!

[@primesspct2]

Thankfully that looks nothing like "the gathering", and the people I see, are nothing like the " rainbow family"! lol I trust this crowd will leave behind a much cleaner scene. It sure looks like a good time!

[@kylethyden8708]

The rainbow weirdos are just street people and run aways. They usually turn up here around February hitchhiking.