Episode 1: So It Begins | Amicalola Falls To Woody Gap | Appalachian Trail 2022

[@monikershadow]

Justin: "No one wants to watch an hour-long of me hiking the trail." Me: already watched 2 hours today

[@blkmamba]

Going through the videos in order and am enjoying it so far. It is funny watching your first video where you said the vlogs would be 30 minutes and where we are the first one is an hour. lol. But I don't mind because I can watch while doing my cardio to keep me motivated!

[@TrailheadJustin]

Lol right. Too much to cover to cram into 30 minutes.

[@bradorndorff7408]

We are all family, human. Thank you for the acknowledgement of the native Americans. I knew from your anouncement video that you were unique.✌️

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

You had me with those tears. I stood in the arch last April to do a very short stretch of the AT. My tears fell also. I don’t mind the longer video, I can stop and start as I please. And aren’t Lucky and Nimrod the best!

[@kennass1314]

Knowing to hike your hike and not someone else's puts you ahead of the game already. If I were out there you would be the type of person that would make the experience richer. Happy trails. Don't let the negatives bite.

[@CloverHikes]

I love the fact you’re recognizing the indigenous lands. I

[@victoriayartz8175]

So happy I’ve found your channel & socials! Your mindset is so refreshing

[@TrashMinky]

Glad it’s starting out so great. Sets the tone for the rest of the journey. When it gets hard, just remember the “one more day”, both in the metaphorical and literal sense.

[@MathFunandGames]

Thank you for sharing! I am enjoying this videos and looking forward to watching the rest of the journey!

[@bradorndorff7408]

People love you my brother and do l. Let's do it. May sacred blessings accompany you on this epic journey. I'm with you in spirit ✌️

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you Brad. Always so supportive 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@fnaffnafgames7874]

Great videos! Can’t wait to follow on your journey!

[@annemandeville-long7566]

Hey New Shoes, it was great meeting you! Your smile captivated us right away. I’ll find that quote from Shoe Dog that I mentioned. You are an inspiration! This is so fun to follow you. Hope you’re enjoying your zero day! Downhyl Jyl and Short Story

[@melissafagan1776]

OMG Justin!!! We met you on trail as we were descending those stankin' bolders as we were heading towards the NOC!!!!! By now, I'm sure you're either done with or close to being done with the Smokies... Wow!!! So glad I found you on KZbin and GOOD LUCK w/ your hike dude! You're going to do GREAT!!!!!

[@TrailheadJustin]

Hey! I remember! Coming down that steep, narrow ridge lol. I’ll be heading into the Smokies tomorrow. Decided to wait out that snowfall and freezing temps. Thanks so much for the support! 🙏🏾

[@johnwooten5941]

Loved your first Day! Only a wee bit nervous!

[@darciclark4991]

Can’t wait to catch up on your journey. Your voice is so soothing I could listen to you forever, consider doing audible books!!! I love that you are taking everything in and being so in tune with the surroundings and history. Hugs and please stay safe.

[@jerryparnell1064]

New follower.. enjoyed the video. You are doing great an good info.thanks for sharing your journey. Happy Hiking 🥾🥾🏔🙏

[@johnalden5821]

Enjoy this experience, Justin. We are all behind you and wishing you the best. I am proud to be a fellow Marylander -- you exemplify the best kind of courage and determination. But hike your own hike. Don't worry about everyone else. Just take one day at a time. Every time out of the tent in the morning is another victory. Be your own best friend and don't be nervous about asking others for help if you need it.. The Trail will provide.

[@angeltrumpet4035]

It’s Ro-shay. Looks like you had perfect weather for your first day, happy you didn’t have to start in the rain!

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you for the clarification! 🙂

[@Ohhhj0]

Yep! I was crying! I love that the Loftis family went out to meet you! You’re an inspiration, Justin. Thank you for bringing us along! ❤️

[@SmilesforMiles7]

I love that you are acknowledging the first people as you travel across the land. Congrats on starting your thru hike! I also really like how you talk to the viewers...It’s great to hear your thoughts and feelings, and things you’re seeing and experiencing along the way. I hope you continue to do that. So happy for you to be out there!! It’s got me really missing the trail!

[@TrailheadJustin]

I try to provide as close to a complete experience as possible, for those who may never get a chance to do this. Thank you Ryan for all the support you’ve shown 🙏🏾

[@barbaramassey3787]

So glad I found your channel! Thank you for acknowledging native Americans. Very nice video.

[@frolege1]

Bro, you're so happy to be on trail that those emotions came pouring out. I think you will do great. Will enjoy following you. Good Luck kid !!!!!

[@hoozurmama883]

Godspeed Justin!

[@ExpatSingleMom]

I was watching you start and thinking “Am I the only one that’s going to cry when I get started?” Then you said you couldn’t stop crying 🥰 I appreciate that you aren’t afraid to show your emotions. Congrats on starting the trail! We will be starting mid March! Be safe out there

[@TrailheadJustin]

The waterworks were definitely flowing lol

[@battleshipsailorsvoyage3405]

I'll be there in April... Safe travels!

[@stevenvarner9806]

Hi Justin. Good luck on your hike. I think the sweet spot on daily videos is about 15 minutes. For longer days between videos I think 30-35 minutes is about it. When videos went up to 45 minutes I found that I fell behind on them, as I follow other vloggers on KZbin.

[@TrailheadJustin]

I try my best to make them as short as possible without sacrificing the storytelling aspect. I do a little of narrating and explaining what I’m doing for those who aren’t as familiar with what a thru-hike entails. I appreciate anyone who checks out my videos for even a few minutes.

[@TrailheadJustin]

I meant to type *a lot of* narrating

[@steveshea6148]

You are the most laid back hiker I have ever witnessed. Thank you for your perspective on and sharing your connection to the lands you are traveling through. Have a great journey!

[@TrailheadJustin]

Laid back is the best way to be out here. Just going with the flow & dealing with things as they come up 🙂

[@clm2417]

You got this Justin! You have wanted it, and waited for it. You have all that you need. God Bless You Justin. Be safe.

[@TrailheadJustin]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@MudFlap62]

You’re a champion. Looking forward to your trail videos to Katahdin.

[@bloorazzberries]

I think I happy cried right along with you at the start! You really showed all the emotions leading up and in this first episode. Thank you for your respect towards the native land.

[@operageek]

Justin. You had me in tears also at the beginning of your video . The tears are understandable . You have planned , researched and sacrificed to go on this journey so it’s natural that your body let out the overwhelming joy and challenges that brought you to the AT . When you are feeling the struggles please call on the Ancestral people to guide you and give you protection and strength . Of all the videos I’ve watched about the AT , you are the first to honor the original people of the land. And keep filming the foggy days… they are as beautiful as the clear days. Yay to trail magic and all the wonderful people you are in the trail with . Can’t wait for the next installment of your journey . Shawnet

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you so much for all the support you’ve shown. I really appreciate it 🙏🏾

[@gregfrommaryland7030]

Nice bear hang! I too had the IT band issue on my right knee/leg. Stretches worked, however, it soon moved to my left knee/leg. Soooo, something you probably already know, but when you do your stretches, do them on both legs for an ounce of prevention. Good luck.

[@TrailheadJustin]

I’ve been doing them on both legs for good measure, and I also just switched out my shoes, so hopefully that solves my issue!

[@arrow1117]

Happy trails!! Just keep walking and you'll be fine... Take breaks when you need them though lol. It's an amazing experience and I wish you the best!!!

[@eadankins3862]

Wow this is amazing, I watched the entire hour 🙂 very informative and love all the scenery 👍🏽🔥

[@louhale22]

Great start!! I'm totally fine with the longer videos! I'm following along! Happy trails, friend!

[@flagsontheat5269]

Thank you for showing parts of the Approach Trail that I’ve never seen before, very interesting. All the best from the UK, I’ll be 43 days behind you. Flags

[@TrailheadJustin]

Good luck on your hike!

[@laur8535]

I love your videos and I'm so inspired by you. I'm 47 and I'm hoping I'll be out there for my thru-hike soon and you're showing how to do it right. Also thank you for preaching leave no Trace. In addition to providing our oxygen trees are also living beings that form connections and suffer and die too. Every tree I've seen all carved up in the woods looks sick or dying.

[@3slvrsurfer3]

Happy Trails

[@michaelessig6376]

May the wind be at your back and the trail rise up to meet your feet. Many blessings and happy trails!

[@pennywilliams841]

Love your passion for your adventure, will follow along

[@Dalethe1]

Great video 🥾🎒⛰ I’ll be watching more of your journey.

[@susanferguson5912]

Great narration. I'm enjoying following along. Great magic! Rest well.

[@ralphowens8368]

So proud of you. I look forward to following you as you hike!

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

New subscriber. I live in Franklin n.c. Sorry I didn’t find you earlier, I’d of offered to help in any way with a ride, etc. Keep on going, you’re doing great! Loved your send off and family(ies) ....

[@susanferguson5912]

One More Day!! You are awesome! You've got this!

[@RecapturingLife]

Ahh I am so excited to see your adventure! one of the most beautiful things is people bringing magic into others lives. That is really cool that you ended up there on a day everyone was paid for. You're doing great!

[@Adventure_Beyond]

Great job, you made the video very entertaining and informative, hour or not, we will watch. Thank you for sharing.

[@salvatorecostanza5493]

Let those tears flow....Good luck and be safe out there . Looking forward to seeing your journey.

[@harriettbynum5998]

This is a big deal and it is ok to be nervous and emotional. I know I would. I am so excited about following you on the trail. go get ‘em!!! Good luck!!

[@perpetuallylost7276]

dude, i love your passion. looking forward to following your journey.

[@pennywilliams841]

Thank you for respecting the native lands

[@lowgearoutdoors2904]

Happy Day 1! Best of luck and I’m looking forward to following your journey. 🥾

[@Mimilikesstuff]

Really enjoyed the video, and I look forward to following you all the way to Katahdin. I really like that you are recognizing the tribal lands as you go.

[@JasonSnailer]

Can’t wait to follow along. Love you positivity and your personal awareness

[@KimCrowHikes]

Really enjoyed your vlog! :) I am so happy you are having fun out there. I love how you are honoring Native lands. Thank you for that. hugs xx crow

[@buzzardwhiskey]

Good luck, sir! I look forward to following your adventure.

[@lesliewilson1637]

Truly excited for you. There’s lots of love & support out there for you. Stay safe & strong.

[@babyboomerbackpacking]

Thank you for you; such a wonderful, considerate and ethical man. Enjoyed your video. Don't worry about being emotional; value your feelings.

[@carmenhernandez6102]

I just found your channel!!! Godspeed Justin!! You got this!!! I’m so looking forward to your journey!!!

[@williamwirick886]

Good luck! Safe travels.

[@marksinger4415]

Excellent content. Personally I could have easily watched two hours. Keep ‘em coming!

[@TrailheadJustin]

I won’t make them that long 😂, but thank you!

[@tde7999]

Enjoy your journey. You got this. Be safe ✌️

[@juanbackpacks]

Good luck Trailhead Justin! Looking forward to following your journey AND seeing you on top of Katahdin!

[@chriscourson2824]

very nice!!

[@timh8113]

Don’t stress when the tears come. They are part of the trail and not uncommon. I like to let the tears flow when they start and focus on what it is that brought the tears to me. Don’t stifle your emotions, let them flow my dude. Happy trails

[@sdarby811]

Good luck from the UK! 🇬🇧

[@juliesanford5807]

Following your amazing journey, Justin 🥾 Enjoy yourself, soak it all in, be safe! That is definitely a good bear hang. Something I need a lot of practice with. I think my neighbor is getting tired of all the broken window panes 😬😬😬

[@TrailheadJustin]

😂😂😂

[@donnacarver5181]

Happy Trails!

[@sydneypearsall5949]

I just started and I'm already crying with you 😭

[@TrailheadJustin]

The tears just came out of no where and wouldn’t stop 😩🙃

[@hikerbikerclutz8377]

Hahaha! He called me Clutch! Is that my trail name already. You're killing it! Hope to see ya out there in a few days.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Lmao! You got a trail name before I did!

[@sdot124]

Hell yea get it!! Good luck out there I’m rootin for ya! I’m starting this Friday at Amicolola 🙌🏻🤟🏻

[@TrailheadJustin]

Good luck to you! It’s so much fun out here.

[@annaylitalo6564]

👍😀💚🇫🇮 Good luck for hole journey !

[@david_W5QDF]

We wish you good luck, great weather and a wonderful Tramily. In honor of the Loftis Family and El Chapo. 🥾🥾🥾. All you should do is finish what you start. The trail does provide doesn’t it. You are blessed young man. 😇

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you so much 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Hope8x28]

I have to think that the beginning of every dream would be filled with intense emotion and anxiety. You can do this!

[@tomcorcoran5562]

Great attitude. I start 4/3 - all those emotions. Something eh? But...that's what its really all about. Please keep your virtual AT tramily up to date...hike on.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Will do! Also, good luck to you on your thru-hike!

[@edgelivin1911]

Justin, I’m a AT 2021 thru hiker and I just came across your video and would love to wish you a happy journey. My tag number was 348 👊🏼 so that’s good juju man , keep on trucking & Smiles for Miles !!!! You CAN DO THIS !!!!! Send it !!!!

[@richardnagri9198]

You explain everything well. I like it. I just subscribed and I’ll be following along. Good 👍 luck.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you!

[@MrTitanTopper]

Good luck! 👍🏻⬆️

[@kimspeak9107]

It’s such an emotional journey! Best wishes to you my son starts Saturday he may see you at some point keep going forward🤗

[@TrailheadJustin]

Wishing him the best of luck on his thru-hike!

[@swampyhiker]

I have enjoyed watching this content. I think it’s a great idea to release 2 per week. Looking forward to following your adventures although 2 hours per week may take me a year to finish. Have a great experience 👍🏻

[@TrailheadJustin]

Lol! I appreciate you making the effort to watch. If I can shorten my vids without compromising the flow, I’ll do that 🙂

[@MHenry475]

Chase Mountains- KZbin…. Great stretches and advice! Your doing great!!!

[@TrailheadJustin]

Oh yes, I’ve taken quite a few tips from his videos 🙂

[@sandysmolinski7492]

Crying is good. 💙 Good luck and be safe!!!!!

[@jeremystanton8819]

Justin, I had ITB pain on trail, I filled a smart water bottle to the top. I lay on my left side (the side with pain) planted my right foot flat on the ground in front of my left leg, knee in the air, put the bottle under my hip and rolled up and down my thigh. the muscle that pulls the ITB is there on the side of the hip. the pain was decreased. Also when you walk lift your feet from the knee and place the front of your foot down first this will retrain your walking to use the bigger stronger muscles. really great job on the video, ill be walking behind you starting on the 22nd

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll give that a try. The pain has gone down over the last couple days, and I just switched from a zero-drop shoe, so I’m hoping that solves my issue!

[@jeremystanton8819]

@@TrailheadJustin Im so happy to have found you here I'm so excited to follow your journey!

[@lauraburbach3706]

I just stumbled upon your KZbin channel

[@filiporoque4997]

Hey AT nbr 348 Trailhead Justin, with folded hands I greet you with "Ohm Namaskar" may peace be with you , you have my "Blessings" as you slowly start your journey !

[@TrailheadJustin]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@karyn4875]

Thank you for acknowledging and honoring the original people of the land on which you walk. Your journey will be blessed. Take a look at videos by Frozen. He's a thru hiker and had issues with his IT band. He has videos about what he did that helped him.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Oh I do remember watching his thru-hike! I’ll have to go back to see how he handled it.

[@carmenhernandez6102]

One day at a time!! One state at a time!!

[@garrycollins3415]

Great first video. Yes, it was long but not only is your style such that I didn't notice but I was also digging into a big steak and potato cheese soup dinner so I had the time. IT band pain has cut so many of my trips short. If you can don't plan a2 to 3 miles down hill at the end of a long hard day until you get it under control. (I know that's absurd and most likely not doable.) I've gotten to where I didn't think I could make it off a mountain. I hope it doesn't overcome you before you overcome it.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Happy to report that my knee issues are improving!

[@lauraburbach3706]

Great thinking of doing shorter days. It’s okay to go slow. My husband and I will be there March 16th and we plan to go slowly.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Good luck to you both on your hikes 🙂

[@lauraburbach3706]

@@TrailheadJustin thank you 😊

[@brycewalburn3926]

Looks like a very successful start! Let us know how the shoes are working out when you get a chance.

[@bradorndorff7408]

I agree, too many people and not enough decency, too many churches, but not enough truth. Leave no trace.

[@nedanother9382]

OH Damn...348! does that mean theres only 348 people ahead of you? Puts you in the lead. Your pace looked great your heart looked broken. My first solo almost had me puking on the Mt Whitney trail I was so nervous...you'll be all good. Have fun

[@TrailheadJustin]

That means 347 people started before me. I think now there’s close to 700 people on trail.

[@pennywilliams841]

I share your frustration on people leaving traces on the trail ,

[@SmilesforMiles7]

I hope you get to see the view from Preachers Rock.

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Hey Justin off to a great start despite the rain. Amazing trail magic at Above the Clouds. The trail community is amazing. I'm planning at camping at Horse Gap the 1st night to avoid crowds at Hawk Mt shelter. How was that area to camp in?

[@TrailheadJustin]

That site is very small. I don’t think more than 2 tents can fit there. There also weren’t many good trees for bear hangs, and I’ve been told Horse Gap can be a wind tunnel, though the night I camped it was calm & quiet.

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

@@TrailheadJustin Ok thanks for the heads up and good info!

[@malcolmkogut]

My mom was part Cherokee and whenever she heard someone say something racist to someone like "Go back to your country" she'd reply in kind. Good trouble.

[@anotherpenny1942]

Hi Justin, fantastic video and channel. I’m all in! I would love to send you a resupply box. Would that be ok with you?

[@TrailheadJustin]

Hi! That would be wonderful, though it might take some coordinating logistics-wise. Can we exchange info somehow?

[@anotherpenny1942]

@@TrailheadJustin absolutely. I sent you a message on Facebook with my email. 😀

[@garyoakman6187]

Was the approach trail as bad as pushing your bike over the paw paw tunnel.

[@TrailheadJustin]

I would say no 😂

[@carmenhernandez6102]

Omg!!!! ITB is the worse!!! I have exercises that I do for it!! I’m in PT for it.. do you have FB that so can send you pic of exercises and stretches that I do? Try to get your self an ace wrap and wrap it tight.

[@TrailheadJustin]

Yes I do! You can find me by searching Justin Tucker. Also, a friend I met on trail gave me a Rogue mobility band to wrap around my knee at the end of the day. It flushes the inflammation right out and has helped with a lot of the discomfort.

[@carmenhernandez6102]

@@TrailheadJustin I messaged you the exercises !!!!

[@eddyarundale1566]

👋