Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Day 49...We Bend, but Won't Break!

🥾 IN THIS EPISODE
No matter how many tears, we will not quit.
Day 49
Start - Moreland Gap Shelter, TN (mile 414.0)
End - Watauga Lake, TN (mile 429.6)
Miles walked for the day - 15.6
Total Ascent - 3,013.5 ft
Total Descent - 4,815.6 ft
Total Grade - 502.9 ft/mi
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#appalachiantrail2024 #appalachiantrail

[@FawnGermerAuthor]

What a cool kid. What a great mom. I love your relationship. How many teenagers want to spend that much time with their moms? This is beautiful. You WILL do this. You just will.

[@WorldTowning]

awh, thanks so much. He is a great kid.

[@sheenarader6495]

Lynn is your "trail angel" on a day when you really needed "trail magic!" God is good! Praying for your safety 🙏 as you "press on!" 🙏 Take care of your bodies! Love8

[@WorldTowning]

Thanks, yes, she was there to bring us some light at the end of a tough day.

[@lainy7740]

Jessica,I do not usually comment but I have been here from the beginning and watched as the kids grew up,you and Will continue to be the best parents,it's a pleasure watching you and Captain,I will remain as long as you have a channel,be safe out there❤

[@WorldTowning]

awh, thanks so much for your continued support

[@stephanieaston7178]

I love how brutally honest you are! How can anyone prepare for something hard without knowing what to expect, good and bad?! I will be better prepared, when it’s my turn to hike the Appalachian Trail, because of you! My back will probably be my issue! I need to strengthen it. Largo is such a sweetheart, by the way! I love what a loving son he is for you!🙂

[@WorldTowning]

so glad our vlogs have been useful. YOu got this.

[@mccarthympma]

I give you a 10 out of 10 for that fall! So glad you’re ok and could laugh it off. What a beautiful day on the trail. You really get my yearning to be back out there into high gear!

[@stephanieaston7178]

I swear, when I hike the Appalachian Trail, someday, I’m bringing wipes with me! They are so helpful for removing mud!

[@nancywittendorfer5982]

I wish I could show you some of my pics of me leaning my head against a tree because I was not doing well on the trail. It's great to have people with you who are so supportive, like you having Largo. That said, you guys got a long way to go. Be real, be vulnerable, be yourselves. It'll work out a lot better for you in the end. Love you both Sunshine and Captain

[@WorldTowning]

We will always keep it real.

[@bethhelfrich1227]

I cried with you... your trail angel was amazing and her timing was incredible. So glad you ended your day with a heaven sent reminder that you can do this!

[@Golfpt62]

Yalls video journey on the AT is by far my favorite that I have watched over the past 5ish years. I love how yall keep it real and say when it’s hard. Yalls just seems genuine and thank you for that. I am hiking right along with yall but from my couch in Arkansas lol

[@WorldTowning]

Awh, thanks so much. Happy to have you here.

[@jackiesiemens9112]

Oh my gosh Jessica!! I’m so sorry you are in pain! 😢 please take care of those feet, maybe more gentle stretching and possibly a shoe with a little more drop to give your achilles a break? Sending love and hugs to you both 🧡🧡

[@helenvwalker7919]

Oh Jessica. The pain!!! 😢And we were all wanting to be the Lynne who lifted you up at the end of the day.❤ Such kudos to you, this is a Major challenge. You will finish, we all know you're not a quitter.🏆 And Largo was so sweet And supportive. You have raised a fine young man there.❤

[@LJ-pp9wj]

Thank you for showing us the Reality of the trail. Hope your enjoying.

[@WorldTowning]

You bet!

[@hadleyduncan7971]

Your perspective of the AT is so refreshing and you keep me in stitches! You were explaining how your Vlog has evolved and I wondered how you and Largo decided that it would be the 2 of you to make the hike? I think it’s great, not sure I could keep up with my son on trail. Anyway, this is Hadley who spotted you fresh out of the car at Trail Days. Lol I just want to thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and ugly and how you handle it all with such grace. Stay safe!

[@WorldTowning]

HI!!!!! How are you? We would have all gone (well minus Avalon since she is in uni now), but financially we could not swing it and it made more sense for me to go with Largo because I can work from the trail a bit but Will cannot. However, Will might join us for the last month!!!

[@ajparks79]

I feel ya...I throughly enjoy your videos...

[@mccarthympma]

Hard to watch you in so much pain, I’m so sorry you had such a difficult time, I wanted to give you a hug🤗 . So glad you had such an amazing end to the day with that trail magic. And your partners in Will and Captain are the best support possible! BTW… Will needs a trail name!

[@WorldTowning]

Thank you so much! Virtual hug accepted. Yes, to Will needing a trail name.

[@lynneTesteman]

I enjoyed meeting up with you all at the end of your very long day. I loved hiking the last couple of miles with you and Captain, and especially feeding you guys. Keep walking and talking and I am and will continue being a loyal follower😊

[@WorldTowning]

Oh Lynne you were truly magic! We are still talking about our dinner with you. Thanks again.

[@beckyraver7959]

I found y'all because of the AT content... but I'm staying for whatever y'all desire ❤❤❤❤ I'm happy to come along for the ride! Thank you 😊

[@WorldTowning]

Big hug

[@sandrap3047]

Darn, you made me cry! Wish I was near you so I could bring you a big chocolate frosty! Ice cream makes everything better!

[@WorldTowning]

OMG I love those!

[@tinchina85]

That's so funny, what you said about the music, Jessica! When I heard the song about the guy missing his partner I thought, "Oh wow. I bet Will put that in there because he is really missing Jessica." But also you are missing Will! His music choices are excellent! As for your form of hiking.....it's YOUR hike. Do it your way! :) Cheers to you and Captain!

[@stephanieaston7178]

Wooden bridges over fast moving water are one of my favorite, most happy inducing things!❤️

[@laurenelisabethdooley6451]

I am currently watching 7 AT hiker KZbinrs this season and each one is totally different and I love them all.

[@WorldTowning]

Love this! Who are you watching? Just saw Sunny on the AT stopped. Bummer as I referred people to her for more history of the AT.

[@donnarocchio936]

My heart goes out to you with a prayer for strength and comfort knowing you are NOT alone. You and Captain are amazing and doing this together is something you will never forget, and eventually you will only remember the wonderful experience that it was and that you shared with him. Dig deep and carry on. I do appreciate you keeping it real, it is not always sunshine and Mountain Laurels.🥰

[@WorldTowning]

Awh, Thanks Donna. It takes a virtual Tramily to get through this.

[@barbararichards9735]

BIG hug from Maine for you and Captain.

[@laurienuhn5350]

Thank you for keeping it so real. How you keep your positivity and reaching out for reinforcements is a lesson for us all. Can’t wait to see your journey all the way! Keep on walking and talking. Hugs to you both!!

[@loririchardson3547]

Laural falls is beautiful and we are going back in August to see it with the grandbabies

[@lorrainesherred6458]

Love my knee high gators. They sure great in the rain at least if they are vortex. Good luck with them

[@ladidi5222]

Well done, but my heart was breaking when you were crying if you have to give up you have to give up, but I know you you’ll keep going as long as you can😊

[@Liz_0531]

I’m sorry you had such a tough day. Tomorrow will be a better day! Hugs to you. It’ll be ok. You are a warrior! ❤

[@stephanieaston7178]

So, my girls have comfort videos for when they are sad or depressed, and I recently realized that your channel is actually my comfort channel!

[@WorldTowning]

Awh, thanks. Happy to be that source for you.

[@attract1234]

Come on Jessica you got this, you feel alot worse if you give up.

[@cindyjohnson1456]

Been following you guys for years. Really enjoy your family and your adventures. Re: mountain laurel. I grew up in CT, and that was most definitely mountain laurel-the state flower. Wishing you happy, safe travels.

[@WorldTowning]

Thanks for watching! So happy you have stuck around.

[@suecox8355]

🦋blue butterfly is bringing lots of ❤ hugs and encouragements. 🦋❤️

[@sandrap3047]

That may be the best fall ever on the AT! I’ve been following you all since your RV days in Europe. Will still follow you when you finish the AT! I was super excited when I found you guys were hiking the AT! Started watching AT hikers a few yrs ago because my Dad lives near Neel Gap. Usually pick out 2/3 every spring to follow. Never had any idea that World Towning wanted to hike the AT even though you’ve hiked the Camino! Love your AT videos!

[@WorldTowning]

Yeah, glad we got to cross over to the AT world and see you over here too.

[@lamiyayamal]

تحية كبيرة من المغرب،انتم راءعون و نحبكم🇲🇦♥

[@marilynm5024]

I definitely like and enjoy how your videos are different. I am going to follow all your vlog adventures even when your AT adventure finishes. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. A highlight for me would be to get to meet you. You guys just keep things real. My heart skipped when you fell. Don't want any hiker hurt. Trail Angels are wonderful. Astronaut food funny but does describe hiker food. You inspire me to keep going.

[@WorldTowning]

Awesome! Thank you for being here with us.

[@LJ-pp9wj]

We have had many strong wind storms going up the coast, may be why trees down. Like unusually cold strong wind/rain storms. Be careful. Also tick population is higher than normal.

[@stephanieaston7178]

Mountain Laurel is the state flower of Pennsylvania.🙂

[@lindablack7438]

Real life Thank you

[@toomuchgarden6898]

Your feet will take you to Katahdin so you must take care of them. I have never been one to skimp on socks. I carry enough yo have clean socks every morning plus one emergency pair. As a section hiker that usually means five pairs. Thank you for sharing your journey!

[@WorldTowning]

Love it. Socks make a huge difference.

[@LJ-pp9wj]

Went down a very tall water slide in Adirondack mountains and broke my butt. Thought I was young. Had to stay 3 extra days to be able to tolerate driving home.

[@WorldTowning]

oh that sounds awful. Sorry

[@colleenhikes]

Hugs! I would suggest upping your protein when having days you feel exhausted. One thing i had every day was a chocolate breakfast essentials with a packet of coffee, on low energy days i had two packets of breakfast essentials. I had a dedicated small nalagene just for them. And yes i was UL lol it was a luxery item 😅 also sandwiches for lunch just made me happy. Real food! Tough days are real! And ok!

[@WorldTowning]

Thanks for the tips! We have since upped our protein and are trying to do it even more.

[@YTusercomment]

Regarding your slip and fall on the wet boulder...I will share some insight with you. This is not based on opinion, but real-world experience. I Fly fish regularly and am on the stream wading among stream boulders and rocky stream bottoms often. I could see the appearance of that boulder and "cringed" when I saw you step on its wet surface with rubber soled shoes; the result was not a surprise for me. Glad to see you were not seriously injured. When it comes to wet stream boulders / rocks...you will sometimes see rocks with a film over them...may appear a bit "mossy" or just a slightly thick film...a wet, black or black-greenish tint film over the rocks or boulder. Can be soaked wet or just dampened. NEVER...NEVER step onto these boulder surfaces with rubber soled shoes. That film is the same as if a layer of grease had been spread over the surface...more often than not, you will slip down...and it happens sudden and fast. The only thing that grips well on that stuff are felt soled wading boots, like fishermen wear. Not long ago, I watched a very popular KZbin Backpacker standing at the top of a waterfall and stepped onto a boulder containing the previously described film and immediately his foot slipped...he stumbled a bit and fortunately his foot slipped back away from the edge of the waterfall. Had his foot slipped the other way, there was good potential he would have stumbled over the Falls. There is a Video of a girl hiker who was standing at the edge of a Waterfall, filming her feet at the time, and she steps on that same wet, black patch of gunk on a large rock surface. Immediately, her foot slipped and she DID fall and go over the falls...all caught on film. She was injured, but fortunately not killed. I don't mean to scare you, but this is a real thing...something to know and respect. To ignore it guarantees more slip and falls among wet stream boulders.

[@WorldTowning]

Thanks for sharing. I will keep my eyes on high alert.

[@Flipperwi715]

Life outside of the bubble. It's the best way to be. Also, a personal goal - not easy to break out of it. An amazing family. P.s. I think you're in a zero drop shoe, while people use those, they may cause mis alignment with your leg and foot when leaning forward with a pack. Possibly it's time to get into a shoe that has some heal lift to balance the leg/foot angle. Just my thoughts on shoes not full facts.

[@WorldTowning]

Yes! Thank you! I have lived a zero drop life for 10 years with no shoes on because I work from home and have lived on a boat barefoot. I think I might have messed them up by going into drop shoes and now I need to recover, but who knows. Time will tell. Thanks

[@OG-PapaDude]

"With every tear you shed, whether good or bad, you make your load a little bit lighter". -Papa Dude

[@WorldTowning]

Love it.

[@Golfpt62]

Well you made my eyes leak. So sorry you are hurting.

[@suemoore1965]

💋 BIG HUGS

[@sheenarader6495]

❤

[@johnmaliskey7951]

I got a rude reminder of just how bad the bugs can be here at the house. You two are at the mercy of the biting kind there in the mountains. Mosquito's and deer flies are there in force and the Deer (Horse) Flies do smart to the point of profanity laced reactions when they bite. 100% DEET is the only effective method to keep them at bay. No mercy is usually shown day or night for these buggers so just be aware. To keep your feet dryer try a waterproof foot covering that goes over a thick pair of socks and under a thin pair. They are available in some outdoor stores (REI used to be one) We used them with leather boots in the changing springtime in the real mountains (Eastern Sierra), slushy snow and heavy runoff from the snow pack. They do work but some used plastic bags doubled up as a temp stopgap. I take it that you didn't read the part about crossing swift streams as you lucked up on a stream with passable areas. I feel for you with the tendonitis............... Sometimes a cortisone shot helps but your choice..... Your pushing thru problems is commendable and yer lucky to have such friends to bring LASAGNA ....Shheeessshhh .............. The luck you incurred is holding out ................................ enjoy

[@WorldTowning]

Can't do deet at it kills my allergies, but do have some natural stuff that has worked before. Fingers crossed.

[@deannnerem6589]

Sunshine, there is a trail physical therapist you can consult with on trail who is excellent. Her name is Morgan and her business is Blaze Physio. She treats injuries on the PCT. I have been in several of her classes, and she can help with any physical issues.

[@WorldTowning]

Now this is interesting. Thanks. I did see one in Damascus in person which was so helpful.

[@abroadwandering]

Oh Jess! Hugging the crap out of you.

[@WorldTowning]

Dreaming of donuts. We are coming for you! Thanks.

[@julianlord5366]

Delayed effects of even a mild fall can be nasty.

[@lets_go_see_]

PS, doing great though for 49days

[@attract1234]

Tracking boots/ shoes,not as good as they where years ago, they slip on all sorts of surfaces.

[@lorrainesherred6458]

Sounds that you may need more support for your feet. I know it’s the thing to were shoes but hiking boots give more support

[@WorldTowning]

I can't do them as they bother my feet, however, you never know. I might give them another try.

[@karens6053]

Change shoes go back to the other brand, you got this

[@WorldTowning]

I can't do the drop in them.

[@julietdenhollander5959]

I think you are slowing down. Showing signs of aging sadly. Lovely son to join you. You try too hard to be a story. Just relax.

[@lets_go_see_]

using plastic bags over your feet before putting them into youe shoe does help but only for say 4 hours at a time then stop to allow your feet to breathe. What did i say, all those videos bck about hiking shoes / boots ??????🧐🧐🚶🚶🚶🚶🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♀. Now will you listen? i am not plugging brands here however my merryll hiking "boots" have lasted me over 15 years and 1,000(s) of hiked Km. i knew your footwear was wrong from the start !!!! Don't justify yourselves because the proof is on your feet!

[@WorldTowning]

The boots bother my feet and are way to heavy for 2100 miles. However, you never know might give them a try again.

[@lets_go_see_]

@@WorldTowning better foot support. More water resistant, better endurance. Your hiking shoes are for those doing a one or two day trek. The both of you are doing serious stuff and years from now, when you say,(i shoulda listened to that guy) because you now have walking problems!!!! As for heavu; after some 0 miles or so, you won't even notice it cause of you leg muscles. As it is, Largo looks like he has lost weight however his muscle strength is noticeable.

[@jackiesiemens9112]

Oh my gosh Jessica!! I’m so sorry you are in pain! 😢 please take care of those feet, maybe more gentle stretching and possibly a shoe with a little more drop to give your achilles a break? Sending love and hugs to you both 🧡🧡

[@WorldTowning]

Thanks Jackie, I know you get this.

[@sharriwash-ty5zr]

❤