From Chaos to Clarity: Hiking the AT After Hellene & How its Being Restored

[@danielkutcher5704]

EPIC is the word for the trail clearing efforts. THANK YOU, volunteers! 💪👍👊

[@Ramdinohikes]

They're truly amazing people.

[@wanderingmycophile]

Thanks so much for the work of all the Sawyers and trail maintainers. An incredible yeomans job. We are all so grateful. Thanks to Ramdino for keeping us all updated. Super helpful as we plan for the 2025 season.

[@Ramdinohikes]

You are most welcome. Glad the video was helpful.

[@DarrellSampson-s9m]

Thanks Ramdino for sharing the information and showing the devastation that the hurricane caused. HUGE applause and thanks to ALL the trail maintainers.

[@Ramdinohikes]

It’s truly amazing to see the progress being made, isn’t it?

[@goodwaterhikes]

I'll say it again "Thank you" to all the trail maintainers. Don't worry Ramdino I didn't forget about you🤣 thanks for continually brining us updates. 😎☮

[@Ramdinohikes]

Its all about the maintainers

[@johnsandell4501]

Thanks to ALL the trail maintainers and pro Sawyers. What devastation 👍👍👍

[@Ramdinohikes]

Lots of hard work

[@bensanders7392]

19:45 for folks who have never done any long distance for at least 2 or 3 weeks at a time, once you've been back in there for 2 or 3,4 days and you come to a roadway...a major paved highway....you can hear the car and vehicle traffic from 3/4 to a mile away.

[@Phleboblood]

Prase to the trail maintenance folks for hard work. Thank you ramdino too . Showing us what it looks like.

[@elandramoran-eigel7216]

A hard rain may cause some challenges with logs coming loose and rolling as well as those root balls making mud slicks. Well, won't really know until a hard rain happens. Thanks to all those who have cut and cleared the trails. They are heroes. I think I would be tapping on the down trees and also rocks to make vibrations to move snakes. Bears probably have a hard time negotiating these sections as well, so they need notification.

[@danielkutcher5704]

Bears "need notification." 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ramdinohikes]

That's a great point. I'm curious to see how it holds up.

[@flowerpower1980]

Thanks, Randino ….and agree 💯💯💯that trail gets into your soul!!!❤

[@jeffstone28]

Thanks for showing how it looks on the ground, Ramdino. Hikeable but looks like no place to sleep other than Mountaineer Shelter at this point.

[@Ramdinohikes]

That's about the size of it

[@99cbfox]

It might just be my perspective but you're a fast hiker! Thanks so much for the videos. I've been wondering what the AT looks like after Helene and I've seen footage from a few thru hikers but your channel is the only one I've seen going out and reviewing the damage along the trail. The volunteers are miracle workers out there sawing through the disaster area to put the trail back together again. Thanks so much for your dedication to the AT!

[@Ramdinohikes]

Appreciate your support and the volunteer’s dedication.The camera adds 1 mph,lol

[@dennissnyder6330]

WOW.....THANK YOU ALL.....❤❤❤❤

[@HWS-s4p]

Great work from the maintainers and volunteers.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Yes it is.

[@ybuzzdry]

I couldn’t even finish watching, thank you all you trail maintainers, everyone working on this footpath, what work, I’ll be there 2025 thur hiker. Thank you Ramdino for the video once again! Let finish watching

[@Ramdinohikes]

Imagine being a trail maintainer and trying to finish that section

[@mtadams2009]

Thanks for this video. It really is an eye opener. I agree you’re not bushwhacking thru all those downed trees. I think they should just let them use chainsaws to clean this mess up. Let’s hope common sense prevails. I am optimistic that the trail will become passable and before the 2025 season. Detours may have to be made but you have to hike what the trail will allow you to hike. Life changes and so does the trail. A big thank you to the volunteers who have worked so very hard to clear the trail. They have done a great job.

[@Ramdinohikes]

You're right, it'll be a lot of work but they're doing their best. Thanks for the shoutout to the volunteers!

[@jim6772]

I think we will be back in there on Wednesday. We are so close to punching thru... maybe a quarter mile to clear. The Elk River is cleared, and we almost have the trail cleared near Jones Falls. Not sure where we go next. Maybe towards Dennis Cove. -Tie Dye

[@Ramdinohikes]

That's awesome, you guys are rock stars! How about Iron Mtn?

[@jim6772]

@@Ramdinohikes I don't know about Iron Mtn Gap. The trail weaves back and forth in and out of Pisgah. I don't think we have the green light to work in that area yet.

[@joemorris5083]

USFS starting on Iron Mountain Gap tomorrow

[@lindatipton413]

Thank you❤❤❤❤❤

[@richardross7219]

Very good video. Crosscut hands saws can cut fast but they have to be sharp, set, and waxed regularly. My grandfather(a 50 year union member) told me that carpenters got their morning and afternoon coffee breaks inorder to sharpen their saws. The VA often requires three attempts before they approve a claim. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@Ramdinohikes]

That's so true about the saw maintenance. It's an art

[@wildflowersadventures]

Wow. Definitely looks different than when Little Bear and I went through. I’m so thankful for everyone working so hard to get the trail passable. I heard Joe say maybe consider skipping from Erwin to Damascus and coming back for that section later. We’re open to that idea and will wait until closer to when we get there to make that decision. Thanks for showing this, Ramdino. 🙏🏼

[@Ramdinohikes]

Yes, don't make solid plans just yet. Be fluid.

[@lindatipton413]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@valane178]

Thank you to all the trail maintainers who have worked tirelessly to clear the trail. They are my hero

[@Ramdinohikes]

I agree, they deserve all the credit in the world

[@semsem8290]

I've cut bushwhacked trails through woods for horseback riding. You take high ground with minimum brush. You walk, tape the trail in sections. I do about 30 feet at a time. Once taped, first you do a snake inspection. Then you take snippers and cut the small stuff. Then the saw comes out. People don't realize even with 3.5 horsepower saws how much work it is......wish I was there to help. Great work.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Come.on, I'm sure they'll use ya

[@jenniferbuynitzky412]

Wow. Just wow. Ramdino, thank you so much for showing us this. Still it's hard to comprehend the damage out there and the tremendous amount of work that volunteers have done to clear the trail. I will be out there in a few weeks, well south of where you are and avoiding as much of the damage as I can and I appreciate this information. Always a fan of your channel and when I get out there, I will let you know what I find in the sections that I hike. ~Monarch

[@Ramdinohikes]

Safe travels, Monarch. Hope you have an amazing hike. I look forward to your updates

[@TryingTheHardHikeATAdrieWashne]

Incredible amount of work done on the trail. Thank you to all the volunteers. Thank you Ramdino for this hike. I wish I could buzz myself on trail!

[@Ramdinohikes]

Totally agree! Big shoutout to the TEHCC and the crew for making the trails awesome.

[@melshea2276]

Awesome job by all the amazing maintainers, and all the volunteers! Long Live the A.T.😊 Bacon Wrap

[@Ramdinohikes]

100%

[@suehancock5573]

Such hard and dangerous work being done on the trail! Thanks for all your hard work! 😊 Thanks Ramdino for showing us this video! Hike On! 🙏🥾

[@Ramdinohikes]

Glad to show you!

[@Rejuvenatesanctuary]

OMG just incredible video! My hats off to the volunteers and am so grateful to all that are capable of the amount of service work it is taking to achieve the footpath. I too am reborn once I enter the woods! I miss being able to hike Doppler

[@Ramdinohikes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@funwiththefacklers8346]

Thank you for showing all the hard work completed to help the hiking community.

[@Ramdinohikes]

You bet. Glad to be of service

[@joemorris5083]

Ramdino, thank you for getting out there and walking that section. I think it really gives your viewers a taste of what we've been dealing with for weeks. We will keep working on it diligently and greatly appreciate our new volunteers. Thank you for what you are doing in raising awareness for the maintenance piece of the trail. Jude 1:2 my friend. JCM

[@Ramdinohikes]

Absolutely Cat Herder, yall are rock stars in my book.

[@walterlangston4484]

After watching this video wonder if a rerouted would be a good idea in these spots but trails is looking good again

[@Ramdinohikes]

No reroute should be necsarry. Too much study involved and the trail is hikable for the most part. Current a few short sections Not passable but most will be by 25.

[@jamesbonner5989]

Lots of hard word done and lots more needed. Thanks.

[@Ramdinohikes]

It will take a lot, but we will get there.

[@jetv1471]

That was all SO GOOD to 😍see ty !

[@Ramdinohikes]

thank you for your support

[@loueckert4970]

Just amazing...awesome video. Thanks for the report, love what ya do. Lou in WV

[@Ramdinohikes]

Glad you liked it Lou!

[@KrizAkoni]

I was here mid September - wow, unrecognizable…

[@Ramdinohikes]

Im afraid a huge section will be like that

[@bensanders7392]

If you come here in heat of the summer, July or August there might not be a whole lot of shade like in years previous. Its gonna make for more fatigue and sweat not having as much shade of tree cover as before. But....there will be more places to sit down and take a break than there were before.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Omg, I'm always looking for a log or rock to take a break

[@donnayoung5133]

Hey Rambino, Thanks for the walking tour-those volunteers did a tremendous job. I also caught you mentioned an issue with VA percentage approval for a hearing aid. I recommend you contact your local VA to set up an appt. w/a Patient Advocate. Do it before Jan.20th, the current administration favors Vets. And, thanks for your service.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Yea tried that route. Got a big nogo

[@donnayoung5133]

@Ramdinohikes I'm sorry. Hope you haven't given up because I used to know several Vets that appealed the decision and won! Try again. And take care hiking-there is a lot of danger out there.

[@melshea2276]

My sister and 12 of her friends, in the late 70’s, went to a Jack in the Box drive thru in a VW bug and ordered a small coke with 13 straws! This, obviously before cameras, they didn’t know why13 straws until they drove up to the window!😊

[@Ramdinohikes]

OMG, how did they all fit?

[@danielkutcher5704]

I sure hope that an exception is made in wilderness areas like around Watauga Lake. I aqua blazed it in 2023 to avoid bears that might have taken exception to being bean-bagged by shotgun because they were becoming a bit too bold with hikers, picnicers and campers. That entire area is going to be a TINDERBOX in YEARS to come. If I was to attempt to thruhike in '25 or '26, I wouldn't bother to carry my titanium stick burning stove. I carried it in the South in '23, but sent it home when the endless rains set in during the late summer. In other words: hikers should anticipate fire bans.

[@Ramdinohikes]

That would not surprise me.

[@davesanti1]

Thanks for continuing to provide the Class of 2025 the only real information we are getting for what's going on and what to expect. We appreciate all you efforts. One of my biggest frustrations is the ATC's utter lack of clarity with the 2025 hikers ... yeah sure... it will be different, be flexible, bla bla bla....we get it. We will be.. What I want to start seeing is real information on the plan... I am sure they have a good idea of what they intend for 2025 .. re-routes some closures, sure.. They have to publish "official" route and mileage. Just get more info out to the public... rant over.......

[@Ramdinohikes]

I really do t think they have a clue and have not made any plans, at least as of a week ago.

[@davesanti1]

@@Ramdinohikes Yeah, unfortunately I agree with you. It's incomprehensible, though that the ATC hasn't gotten their act together on this. There are hikers planning to start every day, but even if we use a Jan 1 date, the ATC should be providing guidance by then.

[@ericrichard6165]

Thanks!

[@Ramdinohikes]

Thank you for your support.

[@snodrog5]

Might be a recently fallen tree on the shelter. Helene's damage isn't over. Expect open-flame bans in some areas.

[@Ramdinohikes]

I saw the tree at the shelter in real early videos

[@jetv1471]

Is it just me or does Ramdino look a little more youthful out there on the trail again 🤔. Thank you for the fantastic tour ! Those Rhododendrons are going to be pretty in the spring with all that new sun exposure. Hikers will need more sunscreen.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Heck yea, The AT is the fountain of youth

[@celestesuter1148]

Hard to believe how many years of work is ahead to get the trail fully passable. All praise to the trail maintainers and volunteers!

[@Ramdinohikes]

It really is amazing what they do.

[@BuckeyeBackyardBBQ]

What scares me is it looks like a wild fire will be next with all that dead wood drying over the next few years.

[@Ramdinohikes]

ugggg

[@jeffmartin3406]

How much of the canopy has deadman branches hanging over the trail?

[@Ramdinohikes]

Great question. I didn't take notice. I was too busy looking at my feeting trying to dodge logs and homes in the trail.

[@JerryRyder-u1s]

A dry fireseason will be bad.

[@Lucitt13]

First thing that popped into my mind with all those down trees. Get some marine or army engineers with some detcord and trees will go bye bye.

[@Ramdinohikes]

Yea, I'm sure nps and nfs ain't gonna allow that.

[@marysorb6464]

Thanks for serving Go Army...... Ft McClellan like Camp Lejune. Toxic wasteland. Us troops were drinking , breathing "Playing" in toxic soil. Monsanto just down the road..... VA battle for comp for us who signed a blank check......

[@Ramdinohikes]

I feel ya.

[@jameshiggins-thomas9617]

I suspect we'll have greater fire risk for a while 😕

[@jake-ps3bq]

One thing I see is people are going to have to be careful with fires. Lots of fuel on the ground and will burn fast.

[@Ramdinohikes]

you are so right

[@semsem8290]

They'll have to spray paint over the old blazes and paint new ones. They'll have to flag it also. Then over time the trail will be ok.

[@Ramdinohikes]

It'll be OK now. Just different

[@ncsurveyor1525]

Are electric chainsaws permitted?

[@Ramdinohikes]

Not in wilderness

[@billywilliams4638]

2025 you can walk half nobo and half sobo back

[@bleucarolina]

You mean you haven't been back since you were chased by a skunk?

[@Ramdinohikes]

I don't think I have. It's been way to.long

[@smd482000]

Well I hike 2000 of the A T you southern take way better of the trail

[@OG-PapaDude]

I knew 5'3" would pay off eventually! 🤣 Yeah, let's not get into the VA and their "great" healthcare system. 🤬

[@Ramdinohikes]

LOL

[@musingwithreba9667]

I can't believe that shelter is still standing! 🤯 I hope they can find a way to clear a path to the water source. Some heroes carry chainsaws. 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

[@Ramdinohikes]

Well, there is the falls nearby.