Final Training Before the Appalachian Trail: Indiana's Knobstone Trail

[@IsaacEyeSickFry]

Great job even though it's tough ! I hope to hike this trail in the semi near future. Very inspiring 😊

[@hopeard3512]

Man the first night always sucks but then by nights two and three you’re sooo tired you could sleep on a tree branch 😂

[@NYDaughter1972]

Mad and Dad ❤

[@cavemandancer]

Thanks!

[@cavemandancer]

Good Luck

[@PatRiot-le7rd]

Great video. The KT needs more love. Its trail association is fantastic, and the vert going up and down the escarpment is just what one needs to train for PUDs on the AT.

[@joemabry9643]

Love your laughter and your smile. Please be careful. Thank you.

[@jetv1471]

Yes I love that about her too amongst other things ! She reminds me so much of my daughter !

[@RedlovesThunder]

Wow, you actually show the trail in front of you! Good job.....thank-you very much! I'll be following you on the Appalachian Trail. Subscribed! Just remember, do what you want; and not what others want. :)

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks for your support!!

[@stewartellis353]

Hello Maddie, Just happened to see this video and as I have done part of the Knobstone , I watched it. Brought back memories. You had a bad first night but you stayed with it. Good job. The hills on the Knobstone can be steep. It is a good training ground for the AT. Good luck on the AT. I just Subscribed and will be watching you. Happy hiking neighbor!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheFremenChick]

I teared up a bit when you saw your dad! My dad helps me with my trips, too :) When I am on my couch watching KZbin all I can think about is getting out and backpacking. And then when I am backpacking sometimes I just want to be home in bed. The hiker's paradox, lolz.

[@michael49022]

Enjoying your video of your hike. I'm living in the South Bend area and I'm always interested in places in Indiana I haven't yet hiked. I'm curious about how all those daffodils (10:04) got out there in the woods. There must have been a homestead there at one time. Sometimes you can see the shape of the structure they were planted around. I've never through hiked the AT before but I have sectioned hiked parts for days at a time and I'm planning to spend a few days on it again this November 2023.

[@SasSaga]

Very very excited for you!!! It’s cold in the N GA mountains and can be quite chilly up there!boil yourself some water, pour it in your Nalgene, and put it in your bag. Awesome way to stay warm. What kind of air mattress are you sleeping on? This can make a huge difference in your sleep. I sleep on a Nemo Tensor insulated air mattress. Anything that’s light and works cost $$$$. Also, get some caffeine chews, for energy on uphills!

[@charlottewilson4680]

Great Job. I am sitting on my patio with a fire in my chimina . So proud of you. It was so cool that your dad met you at the end.

[@cavemandancer]

You got this! saw your video of the SHT.

[@DavidAmsler]

Great adventure! I'm planning on doing this trail in early spring. I've done the first 7 or so miles of it before and have wanted to get back out and do the entire trail, 2024 is the year. What month did you do this in?

[@lindab8774]

Maddie! I’m so excited to watch you attempt the AT! I’ve watched you long enough to know you can do it. It will feel more exciting to you with all the other hikers around. So sweet to see you with your dad. Cheers

[@budget-adventure]

Your going to have doubts now but push on through it, you’ll thank yourself when your seeing the beautiful sights of the country

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you!

[@curtcaudle5900]

Beautiful Woman and Country ☺️👍🌹🌹🌹 Thank you for sharing this with us

[@Wondering_Fireball]

One thing to remember, your doing this alone, but when you do the AT you will have others to help you along.

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

Go Maddie Go 🥾.. long hikes can be a emotional roller coaster.. keep positive & pushing through.. they’re going to be “Suck Days” 🍀💯🥾🎥

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you!!!

[@miketursky1410]

Cold can be tough. I think three straight days of hiking and camping is my limit now. I like my comfy bed in my van. Keep exploring!

[@cyndirowland7873]

In comparison I think the AT is much easier than the KT -- biggest reason is because the AT is so much better maintained!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Really?! That’s great news!!

[@hikerzeek8844]

Very smart training on the k.t. before the a.t. super happy for you and will be following!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@porterbrass]

Cold sucks. Discomfort sucks. Wet sucks. Ive never been out for more than three overnights and am always happy to get back to civilization. Despite that, I’m a huge fan of the AT and hope to thru hike some day. Most likely you’ll make friends and have a trail family. There are many hostels to stay and get off the trail, eat a good meal, wash clothes, warm bed, resupply. There are many trail angels along the way. If it’s been simmering in your heart you should go for it. Don’t let one cold night in a tent discourage you. Adventure awaits you!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Not sure if you caught the whole video, but I am still planning to go! There will be hard times but I know there will be good times too!

[@porterbrass]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces 😂I confess that I didn’t watch your video to the end but I do plan on it! You really touched on a feeling that we’ve all had when hiking. Other side effects of hiking- all food tastes better, a normal bed feels like a luxury, hot showers are amazing!

[@mikehutch5677]

To fall asleep, eat a spoon full of peanut butter or almond butter. They have tryptophan which makes melatonin/serotonin, which helps with falling asleep. 👍

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Oooooh! Good idea!

[@pambrown6260]

Your sawye filter has to sleep with you, don't let it freeze

[@starsheart]

Sounds really hard, really impressed with whatever you end up accomplishing. Maybe it'll be easier once you find some trail buddies to keep you company and keep you motivated?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yeah!!! That would be great!

[@philwistrom9200]

Great job on pushing through!! I live a half hour south of that trail and didn’t know it existed!? Will have to give it a try, so thanks!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

It’s very hilly, but a great trail!

[@SteveSouers-me2lo]

Just started watching some of your videos and was glad to see the Knobstone. Did a six day YoYo of the KT fall of 2023 as my shakedown for my Easter 2024 start of the AT. Dreading watching your treadmill video, maybe I’ll view it while on my treadmill as a distraction. Hoping I’m ready for the AT. Congrats on your successful thru hike.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Nice!! Very excited for you!

[@beingaware8542]

Nice! Going to follow along! Get those cold wet spring weeks behind you by hiking early and trying to stay mud free! Good luck

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks! Will do!

[@dixielambrecht7009]

BRRRR...I am a wimp when it comes to cold. The crunchy leaves are a nice sound...

[@hoozurmama883]

Loving your videos! Those were beautiful daffodils. They're not native so most likely there was a home at that location at one time.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

That’s what my mom said too!! So cool to think of someone planting those so long ago!

[@jetv1471]

So brave ❤ so brave .

[@MyCheffers]

What hiking pants do you use? And do you recommend them? I’ve been looking for a pair that zips into shorts after my last pair ripped.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

On this hike I had zip-offs from REI co-op. Don’t know the name of the specific pants, but I got them in 2019, so they may not even sell them anymore! I really liked them, and the fact that they were zip off was very convenient

[@gabriele1975]

Well, after having watched your whole AT hike and now seeing this, I just have to say, your shirt looked pretty darn, nice! 😂😂😂 Seriously though, it’s always a joy watching your Vlogs. I enjoyed seeing your learning experience. And, I love that your dad came out to meet you! Awesome, Dad! ❤❤❤

[@Yelnats101]

Great job!! That trip is on my to do list this summer.

[@fishntools]

Ever consider switching to a GOOD hammock and tarp? Although it's a little pricey (but half the price of UL gear, which does NOT wear well), it's a game changer for crappy weather!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I guess I haven’t put much thought into it because it seems colder to have the breeze under you than the ground. Maybe I should look into it in the future though!

[@MaryPonder]

This comment is from after you completed the AT, how did your training help you prepare? What can others do to be prepared now that you have 20/20?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

This definitely helped!! There was as much up and down on this trail as in Georgia! Also as much as I walked on a treadmill and did the stair stepper paid off! Even though it’s different conditions outside, I was in good shape!

[@bradleydavis8451]

That was so cool your dad meeting you at the end of the hike.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yeah!! He’s the best!

[@CB-ei6ez]

Awesome 👍😎☀️...well be cheering you on, I'm curious if you did a gear review? Looks like you using a HMG 55 liter backpack?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Coming soon! Gear video will be next Wednesday!

[@garrycollins3415]

Go on knowing you've always got an out. If you decide to I suggest trying not to quit on a bad day. If you are having a good day and you still want to throw in the towel then it's been a great adventure, time to move on to your next. Besides, where is it written that you have to do it all in one year?

[@ItsyourgirlRoswell]

Get a heat source like a fire you can use even a coffee can size to get warm by and also I recommend a water bottle for your sleeping bag fill it with boiling water stays warm for hours ❤ I have never seen outdoor camping without fire 😂

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I just don’t feel like gathering wood most nights! Fires are nice, though!

[@timgutzmer1550]

I have seen a variety of different miles for this trail. How many miles did you hike on this trail?

[@VivianInTheOC]

Don’t worry… On the AT you can stay at nice warm hostel’s when you need to.

[@kadymcawesome773]

Ive always wanted to hike the full KT with my five year old son. We hike ten plus miles at clifty and the gorge, but our camping is only three days long. Any advice for food or water resupply

[@kadymcawesome773]

We have hiked from elk Creek to the second road crossing but nothin past three days of camping from the car.

[@rachelyoung2775]

PRUD OF YOU! I think we do things like hike the AP for the sense of accomplishment. You're doing great!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Heck yeah! Thank you!

[@jimmymalone3494]

Great job Maddie!! I enjoyed it so much Maddie you are so sweet' good luck to you.

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thank you!! I appreciate it!

[@hikerintheforest295]

That looked like an awesome adventure!! Guessing you didn’t have to cache water? No beer reviews? Haha

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

I did cache water, but I didn’t film it nicely enough to make the cut for this video! Plus I didn’t really need it with how full the creeks were. We could only find a tumbleweed for lunch, and they didn’t serve craft beer. A bud light review would have been fun though! Good idea for next time!

[@yesidtac7863]

Muy buen video

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Gracias!

[@ketoauntie7301]

Congrats on your wonderful difficult hiking accomplishment on your own out there too 😊👏👏👏 BTW: how did you charge you phone out there so you could film this as you went along ?

[@r-pupz7032]

I always take a large battery bank along on my multi-day hikes, I like 20,000 mAH as I take a lot of photos (no filming though) and like to read on my kindle or phone, plus my headlamp is rechargable and sometimes I have rechargable earbuds too - it does a good few recharges but it is kinda heavy, so if you only need one or two recharges or you're not going out for long you can take a smaller one :)

[@r-pupz7032]

(Mine is RavPower, a lot of hikers swear by Anker too, check your phone battery capacity to work out exactly how many recharges you will get and try using your phone a lot on day hikes so you can estimate how many times you will need to recharge it)

[@timgutzmer1550]

Do you have any info on shuttle service options?

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

No, I’m sorry, I don’t!

[@timgutzmer1550]

Ok, thank you. Enjoy your Kayak trip.

[@plumislandmichael729]

… 🙌🏼

[@erick6715]

Sorry for the Blair witch comment….. Clarification… that movie WON…🏆Oscar…best picture..filming.. actress in leading role ..photography..sound….Maddie your videos are much BETTER…great how your hair changed in this video…KEEP ON TREKKING

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks so much!! I’ve been really trying hard for good audio and image quality!

[@robmurphy623]

This is Indiana hun. Hammocks all day lol

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Yup, southern Indiana!

[@robmurphy623]

@@BeerinBeautifulPlaces I live close to the Leote trailhead. I plan to do a little trip in the coming weekends. Recommendations?

[@jeffreyevans6892]

You need a traveling partner. I'm 67yrs old retired so I've got all the time in the world. In fact I live in Cedar Lake IN. I can provide safety/security. Just kidding around, I'm to old for ya :( You would be disappointed...Have fun, keep your eyes out snakes. Timber rattles/copper heads....

[@Simsandwichoffical]

ive been shopping around for the best lightweight backpack to start this life... it is so confusing trying to pick the best one . i am 6.1 , 2066 pounds so regardless of being able to carry heavy, i really want to find a lightweight pack thats strong enough to last months at a time

[@jameshynes6278]

Keep up the awesome content! Love your videos!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Glad you like them!

[@brianmcguirt2432]

You spend money on all this stuff before knowing you're not a theu hiker. If you were "bored" than you're not meant as a thru hiker, that's what 9.5 out of 10days is. Better come up with a lighter pack as well bc looks like your carrying way to much stuff. Get over needing a tv and couch and all that bs.