Five Myths About the Appalachian Trail That Almost Everyone Believes (Until You Hike It)

Рет қаралды 2,891

Күн бұрын

Let's talk about five misconceptions about the Appalachian Trail that most people believe before their thru hike. At least one of these will surprise you.
Partial gear list
Sunglasses - www.shadyrays.com
25L Pack - chickentrampergear.com/collec...
45L backpack - chickentrampergear.com/collec...
Melanzana micro grid - melanzana.com/product/micro-g...
Freestanding 1P Tent - www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/...
Trekking pole 1P tent - www.sixmoondesigns.com/produc...
2P tent - www.pariaoutdoorproducts.com/...
30 Degree quilt - ugqoutdoor.com/top-quilts/ban...
20 Degree bag - sierradesigns.com/backcountry...
Video equipment - www.dji.com/osmo-pocket?site=...

Пікірлер: 30

@Thecolonel795 6 ай бұрын

“This is poking me and I don’t know where to put it”. That’s what she said.😂

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I knew someone would catch that! 👍👍👍

@jamesadams2334 6 ай бұрын

What a great video! Thank you. It might inspire more people to try backpacking and get out into the woods. I've done two thru hikes of the A.T. The first hike cost me $1800 and the second was $2100. I still think that a thru hike can be done for under $3000. If you shop diligently for the things that will get you up the trail. Dollar General can cost you as little as $50 a week. I either walk or hitch places and have only paid for a shuttle once. I only stayed in 3 hostels and 2 motels on the entire trail. The key to doing a cheaper thru hike is to stay in the woods. The more you go to town, eat 3 times a day in restaurants and sit in breweries, and then stay overnight in town, the more you will spend. I restocked about every 4 days, and I would grab breakfast or lunch in town, re-stock, once a week do laundry and then get back out of town and camp that night on the trail. The key to doing it at a low cost is to stay out of town. I started with a little more gear than I finished with and did replace or buy any gear along the way. I used Vasque Sundowners on my second hike and although they were $180.00, one pair lasted the entire trail. On my first hike, I tested light hikers for Hi-Tec and the first pair lasted 1,400 miles and I finished with the second pair. On my first hike, I arrived atop Springer with a 72# pack. I got it down to 42# by northern Virginia. My second hike, my pack was around 38# and I got it down to 32#. My current pack weight is 27# with no special or ultra-light gear. On my second hike I hiked for a few days with a guy who smoked, and he had saved up all of his Marlboro Coupons and turned them in for his pack, sleeping bag and cook set. He used clothing that he already had from home (regular clothing), and he was hiking strong. This trail has had far more hikers finish with a 40# pack weight than with a 25# pack weight. Don't ever listen to people trying to shame your gear choices. If it works for you, then hike with it. When you finish the trail, call them at home just to remind them that you made it because light gear isn't what made you finish and a lot of times, they quit for various reasons and went home. I NEVER trained for either of my thru hikes and both times started at Springer overweight. I am 5'6" and the first hike I started at 212# and went slow, took my time and made sure that I didn't get hurt. My first day was 7.4 miles and I thought I was going to die. My first 20-mile day was over Albert Mountain. I finished at Katahdin weighing 147#. Actual backpacking is the only thing that will truly get you in shape for backpacking. A buddy that I met on the trail was almost in tears because he was a good weight and had worked out on a stair stepper for 6 hours a day for several months and when we came to uphill's, my fat butt would outclimb him every day. I have found that a lot of people that are in shape and trained don't take their time when stating. They have trained, they feel good, they start off with 15-20 mile days and are injured and gone from the trail by the end of the Smokies. Whwther you are in shape or not, start slow. I was never in a "tramily" but between passing people, people passing me, I have made about 500 friends on the A.T. If hiking with a "tramily" gets you though or makes you feel better, then do it but be advised, a "tramily" will end up costing you more money. This trail will change your life and if you make it to Katahdin (NOBO), you will never regret it. geek

@danielcluley870 6 ай бұрын

I haven't done a full TH, only sections, but the training part is so true. I did 100 miles TH of the Foothills Trail (and side-hikes) and thought I would be alright because I walked about 10 miles a day with my full pack. There is nothing that prepares you for certain types of long distance hiking/backpacking other than actually DOING IT. I would recommend stairs with full weight up and down as well as general miles, and most importantly, you need to condition your feet as well to get used to that abuse (and dial in your shoes and socks). SO many people I have seen think because they are a runner, or a triathlete, or crossfit guy, they can just go out and do a 20 miles a day backpacking trip easy without prep. THIS IS NOT THE CASE! You have to specifically train to be able to do this out of the gate.

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

You are 100% correct.

@DahVoozel 6 ай бұрын

Always train harder than you anticipate you will need to perform. Practice with added weight, practice on steeper grades. But, most importantly, practice and work up to it.

@gregmortonoutdoors 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely!

@pequod6504 6 ай бұрын

Veteran heading on the downhill slope to 50 and I’m planning an AT thru hike with my son this year. I stress over and over to him the importance of doing his own research, and as I seek my own research and aid him in his I am filled with gratitude for videos like this. Thank you!

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I'm glad I could help. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Best of luck to you and your son, you're going to make some great memories.

@DaveCollierCamping 6 ай бұрын

Happy New year

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

Same to you

@theoriginalkaro 4 ай бұрын

Well here’s what most people do not consider. What does it cost you at home, not hiking? What do you normally spend on food, gas, laundry, housing, utilities, medical/medicines, etc.? I don’t think you should consider food as part of the cost to hike. Lodging, yes. Ubers, etc. yes. Hostels yes. Equipment, clothing specific to thru-hiking, yes. My first interest in thru-hiking started while reading the book Lost on the Appalachian Trail by Kyle Rohrig. He wore the same shoes for over 1K miles before getting another pair. He used a hammock. His backpack was a military style and pack weight was about 40 lbs. He made his own hiking staff. Not everyone will hike like this, but he even hiked 2/3 of it with his dog! He is from Florida so wasn’t used to mountain hiking. My point is that you can find a way to do it if you want to by doing what works for you.

@markwalker4485 6 ай бұрын

As Greg said You be You! I payed much more a month than most will just for food but that was my choice and I wanted to be comfortable. Be mindful of kit and replacement and learn how to sew. You can make your kit last longer with just a needle and thread. I didn’t remember what I spent but looking at modern prices my trail food was over $2000 a month but I was happy and that’s all that counts

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

Like they say "hike your own hike". A person can easily spend big $$ on food if they want to. It's your journey, and only you can judge it.

@josephi6916 Ай бұрын

Was hoping you were going to say it's cheaper then $800 🙂

@mrjones8256 6 ай бұрын

So what was the average cost per month?

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I came up with $1200 using my very conservative estimate. You could save more by sharing rooms, wearing your shoes down to no treads, and not staying in towns. The AT experience isn't just the trails. It's the towns, the hostels, and the people along the way. Only doing the trail is about 60% of the fun.

@seanwilson6521 6 ай бұрын

My 2016 thruhike cost $10,000, including gear. This didn't include costs at home. I mailed 95% of my food due to dietary restrictions.

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I don't know anyone who did it in 2022 for less than $12k. I'm sure it's possible but I didn't meet them.

@seanwilson6521 6 ай бұрын

@gregmortonoutdoors I'm naturally frugal. I only spent four nights in a hotel and did work for stay at hostels if I needed more than an overnight. I did a flip-flop so hiked against the flow. I could have used more companionship. Also, I didn't prep at all, literally the first night with new gear :

@willswalkingwest7267 6 ай бұрын

People finish all the time with the gear they left with. Sheesh.

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

So they finish the AT with the same socks, underwear, shoes, shirts, etc? They must have one hell of an outfitter to get such durable items. Over two thousand miles with the same pair of trail runners is quite remarkable.

@SlickRickDownSouth 6 ай бұрын

I see these people announcing their 2024 AT thru hike. Most are 30lbs or more overweight .They have no chance. You never see a overweight person complete their hike.

@juliashearson910 6 ай бұрын

Being in shape is better, of course but how can one be sure no one overweight at the start of their hike ever finished? One would have to collect alot of statistics to back up the claim.

@planner722 6 ай бұрын

I met a thru hiker that was well over weight, he lost over 100lbs while on the trail. I hear all the time of hikers being more than 30lbs overweight completing the trail.

@gregmortonoutdoors 6 ай бұрын

I lost 40 pounds and looked like a olive stuck on a toothpick when I got home. The majority of it was upper body but I did lose around the waist, as well.