Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Announcement: Class of 2025

[@bethmarkert]

I'm really excited for you two. Good luck and have fun!!

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you, Beth!

[@journeytoliving7344]

Excited to follow you on your journey. Wishing you the best. As always , Journey On.

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you!

[@AbsoluteTruthMatters]

Ya'll are adorable! It WIIL be tough! You WILL be challenged! But I know you knew that! What a fantastic mother daughter experience. Enjoy the journey! When you make it to Watauga Lake (or the dam) in Tennessee, give me a hollar and I will pick you up and buy you (or bring you) a hot meal. Your FOOD moments will be the BEST!

[@leslieontheat]

Yum! Thanks for your support!

[@preacher1511]

Hey you two! Preacher here. Just found your channel and looking forward to following you on your NB AT adventure. Seems like you are getting a lot of good advice in these comments below. I would echo the "starting slow" comments. Don't overestimate your preparedness or lack thereof. Best advice I have ever heard is to keep it in single digits for the first week or so, gradually increasing. Big mile days will come. This is a marathon, not a sprint. 8 mile days will blend with 20 mile days later on, and you will end up averaging around 13-15 mile days and that will make for a nice 6-7 month hike. You may surprise yourselves and end up going faster, and that's fine, just listen to your bodies. Looking forward to following along. God bless.

[@dougwoods9885]

I've been dreaming of hiking the AT for almost 60 years. I plan on trying it February 1 2026 at the age of 70. Good luck I'll be watching

[@KelseyontheAT]

Wow! Good for you for making it happen! Best of luck!! -Leslie

[@trishag7559]

Just found your channel this morning. Good luck to you both. Hiking the AT is something I can only enjoy by watching other's at this time in life, but I am looking forward to your adventures and following along on your hike! Great idea to start out slowly and build up, don't get re injured right out the gate! Build up your endurance! And don't forget to enjoy this time and make the memories! 😊

[@suehancock5573]

Good luck ! think positive! and I am looking forward to following you both on your journey! 😊Hike On! 🥾🏕️💪🙏

[@tailgunnerhikes4703]

You're the second mother/daughter team I have found announcements for. Given that I follow several thru-hikers every year, thinking I may alternate between the two of you and watch every other video.

[@elizabethbennettstudio]

my daughter is currently 7.5 years old - to do this with her one day would be the ultimate dream!! so excited to follow along with you both on this journey :)

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Good luck to the two of you I look forward to following along. I thru hiked and vlogged in 2022. Don’t worry after a couple of weeks it will all seem natural 😊

[@NantucketByWater]

Hi Leslie and Kelsey, So excited for you! What a great opportunity to spend cool time together as mother and daughter! I'll be watching! After walking 500 miles across Spain, I can say that the first week was the hardest getting used to the terrain and the backpack. U will do great!

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks! Great to have you along for the ride!

[@youngAThart]

Looking forward to following this mother/daughter journey. Rooting for you both. Prayers for an injury free hike. 🥾⛰️

[@tammiemutert8002]

Team Mutert (Bryce and Tammie and Fam) are all in to support you all! I would love to see how the different communities support you through the adventure and the new discoveries! Please let us know of any future stopping grounds that we can support and send supplies or needed items that we can send! We would love to support you anyway we can!! I’m so happy and excited for you Leslie!

[@leslieontheat]

You all are amazing! Thank you for your support. I greatly appreciate it! Maybe you can be my sherpa when school is out. 😂

[@mudhens4ever]

I’m no longer able to hike, but I intend to enjoy the AT through you two.

[@eleanorguerin798]

great first video, you two. You betcha I'll be following along.

[@freedomforaging]

Starting on the 13th and you guys seem super chill so it’d be cool if we end up crossing paths!

[@tomellis3218]

Looking forward to following you and possible seeing you on trail in. ❤😊

[@jhayft0703]

New subscriber!! Looking forward to following along!!!

[@apen2152]

Go for it gang🥰Fun! Food, clothing, Prep, gear etc

[@hadleyduncan5087]

I’m so excited for you! What a great adventure for a mother and daughter! I’m dreaming of doing the trail but for now I’ll have to live vicariously through you! Stay safe and have fun!

[@KellyCooper0803]

You can do this! I can’t wait to watch your journey together, as a mother/ daughter team. Can’t wait to watch your videos!

[@KnittyMatcha]

Looking forward to watching y’all! You have a nice camera presence and I look forward to hearing your narration, what you eat, what’s on your mind, etc. also I love that you didn’t use background music, I can’t watch hiking vlogs with excessive background music!

[@KelseyontheAT]

@@KnittyMatcha thanks! I am the same way with music. It’s also just another thing to add while making the videos and the goal is to live in the moment as much as possible :)

[@sixpackhikers]

Best of luck and happy trails to you both! Hope to see you out there. My husband and I and our 4 kids are departing from Springer in February ❤️🥾

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you! I saw your intro video too. Hopefully we’ll see you out there. You’ll be easy to spot! 😂

[@sixpackhikers]

@ true story! 😆

[@mccarthympma]

My daughter and I did it in 2014, she was 23 & I was 50. Look forward to following you two!!!

[@leslieontheat]

Congratulations to you and your daughter! I wish I did it when I was 50! 😂

[@andrekoehsel71]

Good luck! Just subscribed and looking forward to follow.

[@JulieJordanScott]

New subscriber = happy to see your trials, tribulations and joy along the way. I also love seeing town visits and daily vlogs are my favorite.

[@KVee12311]

How exciting for you both. My mom died in 2023 but I think she would have been up for such a mother daughter adventure. May you make beautiful memories and have a wonderful adventure together.

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you for your kind support. 😊

[@missmoo2904]

Looking forward to following you two mashuganas from the comfort of my home! Can't wait to hear the stories! All the best ❤💌❤

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks, miss moo! 😂

[@Jay388]

Good luck to you both ! Don't push too hard in the beginning. This is a bucket list thing for me that I'll have to wait til retirement to attempt. Excited to tag along. I love following people's hikes. Happy trails! 🥾🥾🧦🧦🏕🏔🌄😎👍👍👋

[@SheGoneAgain]

Congratulations you two! I will be following you two! I would love to give it another try (class of 2021). Biggest thing I learned was that I was not physically or mentally as prepared as I should have been! Do those shakedowns. Enjoy every moment you are out there! Food is a great thing to think about! You gotta try a ‘Ramen Bomb’….tasty!

[@trevorwarren7984]

Good luck ladies!!! I cannot wait to see your travels!!

[@tammylee6342]

It's my dream too! and HEY! I'm a trail angel in Maine so WHEN you get here, I'd love to meet you both and provide trail magic for you two! :)

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you for your positivity! :-) See you in Maine!

[@TrailoFire]

Just found y'all through an introduction video posted by Mama Bear. It's so cool to see mother and daughter hiking together. I subscribed and will follow yall on your adventure and cheer y'all on. Happy Trails

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you!

[@sueinlondon]

Wow, dreaming for 'almost' 50 years. It's your time to shine. Have fun!

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks, Sue!

[@lynetetreault3799]

Have a nice start! Wish you well and excited to fallow your adventures. Talk about who you are, age, what you do for living, what are your whys, ...well...what you accept to talk about 😉 so we can get to know you a bit 🙂 Have a Happy New Year 🥳

[@aimeebethine]

So happy for you both… my son and I will be doing the trail SoBo 2028. Best of luck to both of you. Can’t wait to see how you both accomplish this trail. My son and I will be hiking MA, CT into NY in 2025 hopefully we cross paths.

[@sandyleach4587]

Sounds exciting! Happy for you! Would you include all the rules of the Smokies and show us how to get the permits. I like that you are including your food choices.

[@KelseyontheAT]

I will do my best! There is 50/50 chance I might forget haha but I’m going to try and mention all of the technicalities :)

[@lisegautreau3911]

Congrats on your AT adventure decision, cant wait to follow you guys!! :)

[@lucypelleriti9400]

Good luck! looking forward to following your journey!

[@KelseyontheAT]

Thanks so much!

[@Lifesvagabond]

Very cool! I am headed north in Feb! Happy trails and hope to see yall out there! Best of luck you two!

[@KelseyontheAT]

Best of luck to you as well! Hopefully we will see you out there :)

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you! See you on the trail!

[@amerphoto1]

I wish you the best on your adventure of the Appalachian Tral, the trail of trial and tribulations for sure. I am sure you will be fine as you have each other to lean on and support each other. I will follow and support you the best I can as part of your virtual family. Good Luck my friends! 😊

[@sandrazern649]

Looking forward to following your journey!

[@robertschillo1952]

Best of luck. You are so lucky to have each other to do this. You have said the magic words go slow. Take a zero when your body tells you to.

[@KelseyontheAT]

Thanks so much! And yes, we will probably be going so slowly we are annoyed in the beginning. :)

[@charlenee1776]

Good luck and blessings! I'll be watching from western NY

[@lisaschrenk453]

I'm rooting for you and will be watching from Virginia! I love the mother/daughter team, it would be my dream to do this with my mom.

[@outsideupside]

Best of luck to you both! I'm hoping to do this with my son(s) someday soon.

[@sallys2423]

As far as "doing it while it's fun," thru hiking is type 2 fun. (Really hard and sometimes miserable while you're doing it and awesome after.) A large percentage of being successful is the mental challenge, to have the determination to get up and hike day after day for months. As they say, Embrace the Suck and continue to walk minute by minute. Ramp up your mental game as well as getting your gear and physical training in order. Good luck to both of you!

[@JonsDadHikes]

I’m looking forward to following your hike! My son and I do a lot of backpacking together. It’s forming great memories for both of us. @JonsDadHikes

[@Go-With-Mo]

You guys are amazing. Looking forward to following you two. I also found the fun of following folks hike at AT during covid, and may have aspirations of getting out there in about three years. It will be fun to see what adventures you get in to. Blessings, and safe travels!

[@KelseyontheAT]

Thanks so much! Hopefully our journey will keep you entertained until you get out there yourself if you chose to :)

[@lindasimmons-pe9ew]

Just found your video. I am so excited I always watch people hiking the AT. It’s a dream of mine that maybe one day I’ll get the section hike it a little bit. I am subscribing to your channel now so I don’t miss your exciting journey. I will be with you cheering you on as I have several other hikers for many years. I live in Virginia, not too far from the trail so when you make it that far, maybe I can reach out for trail magic. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your journey. But like you said, start slow as to get a custom to the trail and not injure yourself. Remember, it’s not how fast you hike it is the beauty, adventure, and an experience that you gain doing it. Don’t burn yourself out with the videos because we know it’s a lot to do. So do what you can. I am so excited for you.❤

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you for your kind support!

[@lark518Photo]

I am a new subscriber. Good luck and have fun. I'm a RV camper and love watching AT hikers. Small RV channel here also.

[@brandoninworld]

Alright! Lets do this!! Rooting for you both!

[@markviers998]

Have a great hike! Start off slow, don't worry about the big miles, once you get your trail legs those big mile days will come. Thanks for sharing y'all's journey, looking forward to seeing y'all standing in front of the sign!

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks! And please keep that beautiful vision in your mind! 😁

[@laurihawley]

What a way to make memories together ❤️ I'll enjoy getting a peek into your journey!

[@KelseyontheAT]

We are really looking forward to it :)

[@joankline343]

Good luck to you both! I saw you on Mama Bear's introduction video. I'm not a through hiker by follow hikers for inspiration. I just subscribed and I'm looking forward to following you. Happy Trails! 🙏

[@KelseyontheAT]

Thanks so much!

[@cozytrails17]

You've got this. Hope you have many, happy trails ahead.

[@JohnPaynekj4wzo]

Good Luck and God Bless you on your journey. We are in Franklin, NC, so give us a yell if you need us in that area!

[@KelseyontheAT]

Thank you so much!

[@catblue6393]

Sending you both positive energy and well wishes. 👍

[@nancysatori4744]

Subscribed. I might be out there with you this year, I live about 30 minutes from the southern terminus/start.

[@KyleCleary-j9n]

Good luck you two! I met Leslie today on a day hike. She was looking strong and excited to hit the trail. - Spoons

[@richardfioravanti4914]

Good luck to you both.lo9k forward to following you hike.all the best from saugus mass.

[@1024Pete]

May your equipment provide you comfort and safety. May you achieve the success you desire. Wishing you peace, good health, and good fortune. Happy Trails!

[@lobstahgirl]

Yay food! Show all of it. Looking forward to following your journey.

[@christyjohnson4563]

Looking forward to following along!! Exciting!!

[@barbararall5498]

Looking forward to watching your journey.

[@heather__hikes]

YAAAAAY!! Just subscribed so fast!! Can’t wait to watch your journey!

[@KelseyontheAT]

@@heather__hikes Yayyy! Hopefully we get to see you when we pass through your neck of the woods :)

[@leslieontheat]

You found us!!! Yay!!!

[@thegoodwaymatador]

Cheering you guys on! -Matador

[@brg1965]

I'm excited for you, and will be rooting for mom, since I'm of a similar age!

[@leslieontheat]

Thank you for the rooting! 😊

[@MamaPat202]

Love following the hikers on the AT and very excited to follow you both! Best wishes!,

[@jeannenimmo5]

"Little do ye know your own blessedness; for to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour."(Robert Louis Stevenson). Be well, stay safe. 🥾

[@leslieontheat]

Yes. Best to enjoy the journey!

[@nanabd]

Ohhh this is so sweet!! Can't wait to watch your journey🎉❤

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks! I hope it’s enjoyable for both of us. 😁

[@thundergaming515]

I’m hiking the trail starting march of 2026

[@annfurlough5729]

I’m looking forward to following both of you on your adventure!

[@OG-PapaDude]

I hope to see y'all out there. I'm starting this week or next. Just wingin it.

[@leslieontheat]

Good luck!!

[@ashleyevans2090]

I am planning on doing NOBO AT in 2042, for my 50th birthday and that is when my youngest baby graduates HS. I have 9 kids, and it would be incredible if any of them decided they wanted to join me. I plan to spend the next 18 years training and making sure my body is healthy and fit so that I can make it. I cant wait to follow your journey.

[@williamyoung3121]

Best of luck to you both. I will be starting in February also. I hope to see you out there. 😅

[@leslieontheat]

Good luck to you too!!

[@MrMountaincycle]

Best of luck to you both!

[@nanabd]

Just take it slow 🎉❤ You've got this 😊

[@rogerkelly5976]

My wife and I wish you well!

[@myleahluffman829]

Excited to watch your adventures!

[@leslieontheat]

Thanks! I’m excited too. 😁

[@groemer9913]

Good luck!!!

[@RedStickHistorian]

Good luck!

[@BIMbear]

i am excited about your journey. enjoy every mile !

[@lynelljansen8057]

good luck. 🎉

[@davidkendall6801]

Just keep it real. Share the good and bad. Make it fun. You seem realistic without rah rah. Flip flop if you want. Be safe.

[@leslieontheat]

Yeah, there’ll undoubtedly be more huffing and puffing than rah rah. 😂

[@TheChantybb]

Can’t wait! ❤

[@matches5182]

Cool!

[@allergictolandcharters2939]

That's awesome! My sister just moved close to Front Royal, VA which is close to the AT! When do you plan to be going through that area? It would be awesome to see you! Talk soon

[@KelseyontheAT]

We honestly have no idea haha we probably won’t know until much further down the road. I would say check in down the road :)

[@dennislavelle6909]

You'll do fine. . .what is your start date?

[@leslieontheat]

Starting in February

[@MizSazz]

Gday from Australia

[@leslieontheat]

And gday to you too! 😁

[@chalampakala9788]

Good luck. Planning in 2026. Please let me know your camera and software you use to upload my videos

[@KelseyontheAT]

I’m doing things super low tech. I’m just using my phone, an iPhone 16 pro and using CapCut or iMovies to put things together

[@crocketthikes7717]

Legally blind hiker mid February

[@leslieontheat]

Good luck!

[@debbieperry6124]

Have a wonderful adventure!

[@SparkyOne549]

I look forward to your hike! Delay your uploads by a week or two, or even longer, so people with bad intentions don’t know where you are and don’t mention how many miles you’re hiking per day.

[@Beertownbill]

Why start so early if coming off a foot injury?

[@KelseyontheAT]

@@Beertownbill it’s definitely not ideal, both of us are recovering from injuries but we both have things to get back to that start in July/August and we want to give ourselves the best chance of being able to complete the trail. On a side note I have been cleared by multiple doctors and so the boot was more of a precautionary measure to make sure I could hike so soon. Hope that answers your question!

[@rogerpumalexander]

Do you need permits for the trail or can you just wake up and go

[@KelseyontheAT]

For most of the trail you can just wake up and go! There are certain sections that do require a permit though. It is recommended that you register with the ATC though just so they can keep track of hikers and they will also send out emails with safety alerts from active bear zones, norovirus alerts, to weather notifications.

[@rogerpumalexander]

@ thanks for the info, if I don’t get permit for pct I’m doing the Appalachian trail then. Maybe See you out there

[@hikingwithbinerman]

What is a gap year? What state are you from?

[@KelseyontheAT]

We are from California, and a gap year is a year between two types of schooling typically. For me it’s between college and medical school.

[@Rkolb2798]

Do you have a projected start date yet ?

[@KelseyontheAT]

@@Rkolb2798 we do but we aren’t announcing it for safety reasons. We are so excited though!

[@Rkolb2798]

@ makes sense , will wait for your videos. Buen Camino

[@RobynSnellgrove-ww3yp]

Good luck! I will be following along. Be safe. 🥾

[@lorrainesherred6458]

Just a suggestion You will be better off with boots rather than shoes Boots will give you so much more support I know they will add a bit more weight but they will save you from injury I sprained my angle was able to finish the trail. If I would have had shoes on I would need to get rescued . Looking forward to watching My days of long distance hiking is over I’ll be walking with you in my heart

[@ElPiedro80]

Shoes are a personal thing, most (thru-)hikers get away by using trail-runners, if you have weak ankles than (high-)boots might be an alternative, but as you said they have the disadvantage that they are a bit heavier and they have the disadvantage that they usually take longer to dry if you experience wet conditions.