Appalachian Trail: REGRETS and LESSONS LEARNED

After hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2023, I’ve spent plenty of time reflecting on my journey and what I would do differently if I did it again. I hope this video will be helpful to current or future ATers, or any long distance hiker! Safety, mental strategies, and interpersonal strategies are all discussed. The main point of this video is it’s hard to know when you’re in the thick of an experience if a problem has a fix you just haven’t tried yet, or you just need to let it be and focus on other things, but I hope this gives you an idea of what you don’t have to live with!
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What is Beer in Beautiful Places?
Hi, I’m Maddie! Celebrating an outdoor adventure with a beer has been a long-time tradition for me, and I wanted to create a platform for like-minded folks to come together. In my videos, I cover all types of adventures and review beer! Topics include day hiking, kayaking, travel, thru-hiking, and life on the road. In short, if you would describe yourself as an outdoorist, outdoorsman, outdoorswoman, hiker trash, nomad, or dirtbag, come on along, this is the channel for you! Welcome and cheers!

[@lindaf6716]

THAT RIVER CROSSING! I remember how scared I was for you. Glad you reminded hikers to think carefully before taking chances.

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

You're such a relatable person, especially when you bring up difficult or awkward issues in a mature manner.

[@RickINFJ]

It's always good to look back and learn from yourself. 🙂 You made some very good points about shoes, stretching, and food. Regardless, you hiked your own hike to the best of your abilities and resources in that moment. 🤘 Can't wait for the kayak trip! ✌️

[@Get_Some_Nature]

I enjoyed following you on your 2023 AT thruhike! I thruhiked the AT successfully in 2022. I am now on my second leg of my triple crown. I've completed 200 miles of the PCT in 3 weeks and am continuing NOBO. We are currently waiting out a snow storm south of Big Bear, CA. I hope to make it to Canada by the fall. I am vlogging but saving all the videos until after my hike to post in my own channel. Good luck on your canoe trip. As always 💚🦵🦵👣🌲✌️

[@SunnyGoesHiking]

Great insights, Maddie!! "Hindsight is 20/20" doesn't refer to the year 2020, but to having 20/20 vision (which is perfect vision). In other words, looking back you can see things more clearly than in the moment.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Lol I know it’s 20/20 vision, just the year 2020 was such a general un-fun year, when I hear “twenty twenty” is hard to think of anything else!

[@HikingWithWhiskers]

Thank you so much for sharing this!🥾🥾😎🏕️

[@sabrinabelli7356]

I think i've said this on every one of your videos but here it is again - I love you guys, you guys are so adorable!!! I look forward to all of your videos and I can't wait to watch your next adventure!! Cheers!! 😊

[@edwardgwilcoxjr7232]

Tough to live in the roughness and budget out a six month thru hike. The views are well worth the journey. ✌️♥️💪🇺🇸

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

They sure were worth it!

[@jetv1471]

I watched a few other AT hiker YT channels because I was curious about some things I was looking for answers on. But boy oh boy I was SO happy to be back here and see and hear you again 😅. It’s your voice and your attitude are precious and SO easy to watch for long periods 👍👍👍. I liked hearing your perspectives on the hike. I do not hike, so saying this is silly … but I definitely would want to do it again. It seems like the AT is the perfect thing to do over ,,, because you change topography to such an extreme and it is such a long distance! There would be things you would see this time that you did not see before for sure! You would have all that first time stuff out of that way . And someone has a great thing they say about hiking . Every now and then turn around and look back to see the view from the other direction! Love you Maddie … although you gave me some heart failure watching that Peace River adventure as well 😂!

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Maddie 😊 Always great to hear from you 👍🏻 God Bless 🙏🏻 Appreciate you my friend!

[@michelleb1248]

Thank you Maddie for this video! Each video I watched I just could not believe you were wearing the ultra shoes! I kept hoping you would change your shoes during your hike. But, I’m so glad you made it thru and thankful for the videos!

[@doconawalk9367]

Thanks Maddie. I so enjoyed following your journey last year. It really helped me reflect on my 2022 AT thru hike. I like the DTR analogy when thinking of my hike. Did I get all that I could out of the experience? How would I relate to a hike next time? I’m also thinking of a SOBO hike. The trail is hard. Full stop. So next time I would be more intentional about defining my hard. Going fast is hard, going slow is hard…define your hard. Staying on trail is hard, taking too much time off trail is hard…define your hard. Preparing a good breakfast is hard, hiking miles first thing in the morning is hard…define your hard. Spending money is hard, scrimping on little indulgences is hard …define your hard. A purist hike is hard, missing the full experience of hiking every step is hard…define your hard. As I consider next time I will think more about what hard things are most important to me and review it often as the hike progresses. May your life continue to be an amazing journey full of wonderful experiences!

[@lauraevelynashley]

Loved watching this! 😂

[@garycondon7719]

Don't forget to hike the Old Man's Cave trail at Hocking Hills State Park . You'll be glad you did!! And while you're there , visit Rose Lake in the Old Man's Cave Campground 😁

[@28105wsking]

Yes, it was scary! Im glad you made it safely!

[@jackpine4347]

Great stuff. I don't think you are wrong in equating pain with soreness. Pain hurts, soreness hurts, and hurt = pain!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks, glad you get me

[@Kari-bb3rm]

Going south to north sounds challenging, but yes. You would definitely see it in a new way, and the beauty of it would be much more observable without the film of exhaustion... good to see you again!😊

[@Coletta123]

The red and white socks and the leg massager are a whole mood!! ☺️. Enjoy your well deserved recuperation and have fun on your next adventures!!

[@jeannenimmo5]

"Expect the best, but prepare for the worst."(Unknown). Your approach is good - you're not second-guessing yourself. You're using an eclectic and a la carte approach to learning from both your successes and your mistakes, never forgetting that there are some things that are not within your control or comfort zone(weather, terrain, gear disappointments, other people, etc.). Be well, stay safe. 🥾

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Well said! Thank you!

[@cls540]

All the things! :) Looking forward to your next adventure!

[@suemoore1965]

❤ LOVE THIS INFO ❤

[@pleok08]

Wednesday, March 13th: Putting camp stoves on the ground is usually a hindsight thought. IMHO. 'Hokas and Topos seem to have a little more cushion.' Thank-you for sharing. Happy Trails! Ross08

[@lindiemoon]

Can’t wait to see your next adventure!

[@BaltistaniBoys]

Absolutely amazing nice sound.thanks for sharing your journey.guys I recommended you visit the himalayan mountains k2 and Nangaparbat view point from one place moses peak.add this sound in your bucket list.

[@sarahsiskin6780]

Oh that burn and that river crossing. Scary stuff

[@girthakian]

Thanks for the great new vid Maddie! Love your positivity and the rundown of your mindset while you were on trail! Cool to hear the introspectives from you after the hike! :) Cheers and Beers!

[@brigettee]

The Altra Lone Peak does have less cushion, but those aren’t the only trail runners Altra makes. If you’re still willing to give Altras another chance you might try the Timp (mid cushion)or Olympus (high cushion). I like them because they’re wider than Topo. I haven’t tried Hokas yet.

[@jimmymalone3494]

Thank you Maddie For sharing your journey.have fun on your canoe trip and stay safe and God bless.

[@yellowfleece]

I just couldn't imagine the overhead in producing your videos... still amazed by it!

[@edwardgwilcoxjr7232]

It’s hard to adjust a good night or day sleep out in the wilderness. Great grammar. Where you all affected from the tornado if you don’t mind me asking.

[@tinyfairy2162]

Im learning new trail vocabulary! TY 😊 Ur kitty 🐈 is so cute 🥰!

[@jasonjones5213]

Great video Maddie, You should check out the PNT.

[@roberttrinies7698]

LOL 2020 vision, Instead of 20/20 vision ! 😂

[@michaelessig6376]

Race cars don't go backwards on pit row and they still call it the Daytona500. Same applies to shelter and viewpoint trails in my book

[@EnLightEnd1111]

I am preparing to do the trail next May.. And against the flow of traffic.. I've learned in my studies trying to prepare myself that most go northbound and end at katahdin.. and that katahdin is the hardest point of the journey.. i am not in best physical condition.. so i am not prepared for katahdin.. I've also learned that those who travel north take longer... Something about going south is like walking downhill lol 😅 ... But i get it... So my plan is to skip katahdin.. go at the rest of the trail southbound.. And then at the end, if i have time, hit katahdin or hit it the year after to get my certificate of completion.. .. i call this following my intuition.. Rather than the flow of traffick 😊

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I really enjoyed experiencing the trail with other hikers as company, but I understand how that wouldn't be as enjoyable for others!

[@EnLightEnd1111]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces oh I'd definitely welcome company and experience from other hikers.. just not as many travel southbound 😅

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

Nice work, Maddie. Hindsight is 20/20, eh? LOL.

[@SlickMaximus]

Cooked lentils have 3 times more protein than oatmeal. Soak lentils for 8 hours or more in cold soak jar reduces cook time to 5 minutes. Melatonin makes people sleep and is made from essential amino acid protein tryptophan. Diet low in protein is low in body healing regenerating sleep caused by melatonin.

[@todayslist37737]

So after dinner let the beans soak overnight or put them in a Ziploc bag while hiking. Good idea.

[@TheMrMaaaaa]

Hey Maddie! Do you have a Chart like the one where you list all the money you spent but then with the miles you walked on each day? Would be very interesting to know that!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yep, I recorded all that on the same google sheet! The video is called “HONESTY about my milage on the AT” or something like that!

[@donl1846]

You may to consider writing a book about your adventures etc ?!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Between my vlog series, documentary, and all the "looking back" videos, I don't have much else to say! Maybe some day!

[@bartcutler5195]

Try the CDT or PCT (:

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I definitely want to do the PCT! I’m not as interested in the CDT because it’s the most isolated out of the three, but we’ll see when the time comes. I didn’t think to mention that just because the video was about if I did the AT again

[@indiangum4691]

Love your accent. What accent is it called?

[@katarinasjoberg]

Instead of going AT one more time... possibly? You have other nice long trails in the USA, for example the PCT? Have you thought about trails abroad? Start with, for example, Canada, wich is reasonable close?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I definitely want to do the PCT and the Camino de Santiago, if not more! I didn’t think to mention that just because the video was about if I did the AT again

[@dougwoods9885]

How much water did you carry with you? I'm watching another hiker this year and she's carrying about 4 liters. I think that's way too much

[@todayslist37737]

On the AT or PCT?

[@dougwoods9885]

AT

[@todayslist37737]

I never hiked either but the AT videos they usually carry about 2. The PCT I've seen 3-4 liters.

[@MrPlumberguy23]

been some time. hope you are still getting stuff done!?!?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I’ve been posting a new video every week!