A Million Ants and Views of the Vosges - Hiking the Hexatrek 3

Part 3: Leaving Saverne isnsearch of more castles and more trails! The trail starts to climb and with it come even better views across Les Vosges. A huge anti hill with millions of ants-- did you know you can hear ants when there are that many of them?
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Happy trails!

[@tijmendr1]

The place around 9:16 is now owned by a lovely Dutch couple and as of a couple of weeks ago it is a camping. I can absolutely recommend staying there and visiting the chapel on the rock

[@rituka]

Really enjoying the videos. I will never get tired of seeing more castles.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Oh good! Cuz there’s lots! Thanks for following along 😊

[@weirdshibainu]

Fantastic scenery. Great services. The castles awesome. Couldn't imagine living somewhere where castles are a thing.

[@LaurenRoerick]

It’s pretty awesome! Yeah just casual castles everywhere 😂

[@weirdshibainu]

@@LaurenRoerick I guess I can see how one can build a benign tolerance to them after living around them long enough. A French child must be " Yeah, another castle "

[@cartapouille]

Finally could catch up on your videos, and always fun to see what sticks to you or not, and an outsider's perspective on the same trail. Surprised you didn't meet more Hexa signs, but I'm glad the one if front of the castle is still there ahah, it's a strategic touristic spot :D And yeah, ants are loud as hell, standing next to those huge nests felt weird. Keep up the good work!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks for watching! Yeah I’m sure what I think is interesting is probably old news to a local!

[@danrichardson4623]

So well done.👏 Enjoying your perspective of the challenges and beauty of this trail. So green. Morning. ✨ Drone footage. 👍 TY!!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thank you so much!

[@ianmickelwright4136]

I'm loving following your adventures. 👍

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks so much! This is fun one for sure :)

[@navisolo84]

Thanks for your videos Lauren !! Hope you appreciate the french food ! You re making a great job so I can tell you : Bonjour ! Bon appetit !!! Au revoir !! Big hug from a french follower !! Happy trail and take care of you !!!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Aw thank you so much! Glad to hear it ☺️

[@langer6969]

Nice to see you on YT, been following on IG since 2021 (we were at Crater Lake on the same day in August 2021 :P )

[@LaurenRoerick]

Aw thanks! And no way! Small world haha

[@arnege5469]

Hello Lauren, I stumbled across your channel and am really looking forward to seeing the next episodes of your Hexatrek. I hiked the Te Araroa last season and am looking for a new challenge, the Hexa is an option 😊 One question, maybe I could find the answer somewhere: is wild camping allowed on the Hexa? Have you had any problems with wild camping? I think it's pretty daring to do it in the garden of a castle or a café, I don't know if I would dare to do it 😊

[@LaurenRoerick]

Hi! Welcome :) This is my favourite thru-hike I've done so far, I'd highly recommend it. Though it is definitely a big physical challenge (not like a camino, for example). Wild camping is allowed, almost everywhere. I wrote a guide book that explains pretty much everything you'd need to know to hike it: www.laurenroerick.com/store/p/hiking-the-hexatrek-the-complete-guide I hope that helps!

[@lindsaytoussaint]

Hoooooooly sheyyyt that ant hill was wild! 😂

[@LaurenRoerick]

😂😂 right?!

[@chrishanson5542]

Proud of you hiking gremlin!!! Looks like it’s starting off really well. I’m curious how hard it is to keep your devices charged and finding internet tho

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thank you so much!! Yeah it’s been harder finding wifi than I expected. Hoping to upload something tonight or tomorrow!

[@StepsbyKaatje]

I didn't know either that ants make a noise... I see you're carrying a drone. I threw mine out after 6 days because it gave me stress to film, always afraid to loose my drone. But it makes amazing shots and gives beautiful views. In Europe people are usually don' t berry their shit, I normally do, but I think I'm exception.. The power of a shower! Yes!!! Enjoy the rest of your hike! All the best, Kaat

[@LaurenRoerick]

Right?! So many ants haha. Yes still hanging onto the drone for now. It’s not super heavy so we’ll see how long it lasts. It’s been too windy to use the last few days sadly

[@LaurenRoerick]

Oh and yes it doesn’t seem like anyone buries their waste! So gross. But glad you are one of the good ones haha :)

[@yujikaneko4055]

Loving this journey and all of the castles!! Are you or others marking coordinates of functional water sources to update hexatrek info? (same goes for unmarked camping spots and such) Just curious how the digital age improves such adventures.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks!! There’s not a good way to keep track at the moment. I take pictures and try to make note but it’s a lot of work while also keeping track of my own stuff haha. But I think eventually they’ll have more data available, it’s just the first year :)

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Great vistas! Love the drone footage. Can you add water sources to the map, like a notes section? Seems like they maintain their forests a little better than North America, eh. How's the foot? Seems like you're doing better with the quick mileage you're putting down.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks! The map doesn’t have any interactive features yet, so I just have to know there’s no water without being able to tell anyone 😩 but yes the foot is much better!

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

@@LaurenRoerick Good to hear about the foot. Stay safe, avoid the poop, and enjoy the peace.

[@0obusteroo720]

You Rock

[@LaurenRoerick]

No you rock!

[@0obusteroo720]

@@LaurenRoerick No No No iam peebles what you do is amazing AT PCT you are a hiker Respekt

[@LaurenRoerick]

Aw thank you so much ☺️

[@fredflintstone795]

Gremlin who talks to squirrel😅 - funny one, you seem to be🙃

[@LaurenRoerick]

Hahah I get a little squirrelly only talking to myself out there 😅

[@fredflintstone795]

@@LaurenRoerickNice😄👌 - they‘re great sitting in the shoulder 😀 - pirate style 😋

[@mars_hikes967]

Ha. Fun video. Just be aware that if you feel like a real man, it will slow your hiking speed down. Men always find something to complain about. It's better to hike like a girl. Hope your feet are excellent again so you can maintain the speed of a Chamois if you want to do so.

[@LaurenRoerick]

😂😂 luckily I just smelled like one! I will continue to hike like a girl 😁 the feet are doing much better!