Entering Wine Country - Hiking the Hexatrek 4

Another few days on the Hexatrek in the beautiful Vosges. More castles, lots of gorgeous views, some interesting campsites, and sprawling vineyards.
For more up to date info, follow me on Instagram at / laurenroerick
And many thanks to my Patreon supporters and those who’ve sent super thanks! To support more videos like this, check out my Patreon at / laurenexplores
Happy hiking 🥾

[@CRXluvr]

I know this is 8 months later but i just wanted to say i appreciate these videos so much! The hexatrex is a beautiful new trail and i like seeing it from my desk. And sandwich stuff your packing out looks sooo good!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thank you so much! ☺️ I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying the series!

[@djjemo]

Report on what is going to happen on the hike, what has happened. Elevation, struggles, plans, changes, observations, looking forward through the route and reflect. Share how you deal with staying on trail, keeping stocked on food, water, dealing with changes, weather, being opportunistic. Share your survival tricks, camping tricks, equipment preferences.

[@ulrichkrieger7622]

Chatenois, the Auberge! Had such a lovely evening there with my buddies. 25:19

[@LaurenRoerick]

Love that!! A great place :)

[@ulrichkrieger7622]

Yes, this cabin was nice! Thanks for the videos.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks for watching :)

[@derekwilliams1169]

At the beginning or the need of your videos you should edit in a map of where you started and and where you ended so we can get a idea of how far you traveled in that video. Also maybe a Q&A when u get some down time. I love the scenic shots in the videos.

[@jackieniddrie1789]

Yes a map like that would be great!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Ah ok! Great point, I’ll see what I can do for that!

[@TheDoddsworth]

Looks like you're passing through a lot of history. Tell us what you're seeing. Love your vids.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Yes! The tough thing is that I don’t know what it is a lot of the time haha and I don’t have service to look it up! But some of them have signs sometimes I can add in.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

A little trail philosophy is a good thing. And yes, knowing the goal makes the process easier to swallow, even if it's repetitious, or monotonous. That works in life too, the trick is having a tangible goal, written down (like a trail destination, campsite or town) and having a plan on how to get there (like a map). Lots of parallels between what you're doing and life in general. The ups and downs, the good days and the bad days, stopping to smell the flowers (real and metaphorical). One of the big takeaways should be to enjoy the journey (and its struggles and triumphs) as much as the intended goal. Some times we don't make it to the goal we had in mind, but that doesn't mean the trip was not worth something.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Absolutely 💜😊

[@danrichardson4623]

Enjoying your perspective of the trail and like when you share your thoughts. The landscape, castle, and village views are stunning. Keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️✨👏

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thank you very much! That’s nice to hear :)

[@ianmickelwright4136]

I think you're doing a great job with these videos. Nothing you need to change. 👍

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks so much!

[@Sirius19716]

Hi Lauren, how do you feel hiking in France? is it safe for you? Do you like my country so far? is it different than USA's Thru hike? have you noticed big differences between the 2 countries? I love when you film the landscapes, wish the clips were longer :) maybe you could do a Q&A too

[@LaurenRoerick]

Ah okay! Great to know :) I plan to do a Q&A when I take a zero day before the alps if I can squeeze it in! So far France is lovely and feels very safe

[@erwinveenhoven]

You do you! You can drop in an overview map of progress and of course impressions from the exciting camp life :) And sandwiches are fine!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Ok awesome! Thanks :) I’ll see what I can do about a map 🗺️

[@Dante07cid]

Enjoying your videos whatever you decide to share. Just happy you have taken me along for the hike. 😊

[@LaurenRoerick]

Happy to hear that ☺️

[@HDCrumbsnatcher]

Outstanding!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks!!

[@terryrice5848]

Hey there - I thru hiked the AT in 2021 and I'm giving strong consideration to the Hexatrek. You don't have to do it all at once but I would love to hear more about your average KM per day, how / where you resupply, how often do you resupply, how often can you get a 'town meal', how often do you tent vs hostel/refuge, do you have to do long water carries? Stuff like that! Thanks!

[@LaurenRoerick]

I’m planning to put together an in depth resource once I’ve completed the trail! Not sure I’ll have time to put all of that together while on trail :)

[@danbar32]

I am here to watch you walk through France and have fun. I am curious about the prices of things like food that you pick up in these little towns. My friend just paid well over 8 dollars for a big mac in a small town in the US.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Ok great! I can add some of that info as well :)

[@anna_bgn]

Hi Lauren, thanks for posting so regularly, I love your vids ! I’m going to do my very first trek in the Vosges in August, it gives me a good preview :) have a good hike

[@LaurenRoerick]

Oh that’s exciting! It’s a beautiful region :)

[@tellmeyouloveme2]

I love seeing gear stuff/routines, things like that ☺️

[@LaurenRoerick]

That seems to be a consensus! Good to know :) thanks!

[@philippauley4972]

Im planning on hiking the Hexatrek next year and with it being so new, you're hike will be a great aid in my planning. So, talking about things like challenges in charging devices, resupply, replacement gear (shoes), would be extremely helpful. I know talking about logistics can be boring, so if its too much to ask... im thoroughly enjoying the videos anyway.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Okay great! That’s very helpful thank you :)

[@mars_hikes967]

Sorry for your tent. Maybe get a new one at Decathlon so once back in the US/CA you can get a real decent one from Tarptent? They will release tents in new materials at the "end of summer". Cheaper than your BA tents but much cooler! Also I try to make thru-hiking my regular life. In order to be able to sleep while walking and eating whatever I want whenever. Hope you did enjoy Switzerland, shred on.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Yeah I can get to a decathlon in a few days so that’s the plan! :)

[@bpco4x]

​@@LaurenRoerickhi did you need a tent ? I can borrow you one for the hexatrek I think i have a big Agnes

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thank you so much! I managed to repair mine and it’s holding together well so far!

[@bikashrana912]

❤❤❤❤

[@LaurenRoerick]

😊

[@jamesroche2082]

It's OK to sleep in the Shelter.😂

[@GrahamOCheallaigh]

Great to see you do a thru hike over here in Europe. Keep doing what you're doing, as has been said in other comments. Would be good to see your progress on a map maybe? Looks like an amazing journey full of beautiful scenery. ⛰️🥾🏰🌲🥖🍷

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks! Yes I’m going to see what I can do about a map- I just make all of these on my phone in my tent haha so the resources are limited but I think I can do something :)

[@langer6969]

I think you have already passed it, but close to Ribeauville is Riquewhir which I believe is the only village spared by both WW I & II and still has some middle age and renaissance buildings.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Oh cool! Yes I did pass Ribeauxville, I didn’t know that :)

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Also, tell us more about the wine regions!

[@LaurenRoerick]

Alsace makes excellent white wines!

[@StepsbyKaatje]

I enjoy seeing you on for me known terrain. Col du Donon for exemple. I also like to see the spots where you camp. 32km is pretty good especially after road walking. Some nice cabins on the way! All the best! Kaat

[@LaurenRoerick]

Sounds good! Thank you :)

[@robertdean1579]

Just yesterday I was wondering when you were going to post another video.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Yeah I haven’t had an signal now that I’ve crossed over to Switzerland! :)

[@johnstroud1264]

Love your vids maybe a little more using your gear setting up camp Love the the deep thinking

[@LaurenRoerick]

Ok cool! Thanks!

[@robc6155]

Thanks for sharing this amazing experience. Can you tell me how easy it has been to replenish your gas canister supply along the route? No doubt it gets harder in the high alps, but can you resupply gas in the catered shelters? Presumably most supermarkets stock the canisters?

[@LaurenRoerick]

Thanks! Typically a gas canister would last a couple of weeks for me, so it was very easy to find them in stores when I was in towns along the way. The only stage I had trouble finding fuel was stage 4, but it was so hot out I didn’t want to cook anyway!

[@vandoan7462]

More cafes and wine

[@LaurenRoerick]

Haha I’ll try!

[@johann-roux-ada]

And beers

[@donchandler7039]

Sorry, I must have missed. Why is this called the Hexatrek? You're doing a good job! I Pray God's blessings and safety over you and your hiking trip.

[@VP-VivPat]

france has a hexagon shape, so they called this treck hexatreck

[@LaurenRoerick]

France is shaped like a hexagon and the trail is in 6 stages :)

[@daviddelille440]

The continental part of France is nicknamed: "L'Hexagone". 🙂

[@barbalarga6589]

Bad weather has rolled in. Hope you are safe and dry. Stay under a roof if somehow possible. Thunderstorms and possibly heavy hail. Stay safe

[@LaurenRoerick]

Yes there was a huge storm last night! Luckily I was at a campground ⛺️

[@hm_stg]

Do you have signal often when on the cities or is it as bad as Germany?

[@LaurenRoerick]

Cell signal was consistently good in towns and often even on trail

[@rolanddenis4152]

Hi from France Lauren, I just start waching your videos and i have a question or remark : i think you have sneakers for walk why not hiking shoes ? Thanks.

[@LaurenRoerick]

Hi Roland! These are trail runners, so they’re designed for use on trails. They are lighter weight and dry faster than a traditional hiking boot and allow more space and movement for your feet! They’re my personal preference :)

[@rolanddenis4152]

@@LaurenRoerick thanks à lot, and the might be lighter than my Tecnica model ! "Bon courage" for the continue.

[@chrishanson5542]

I might’ve gotten a bit emotional by the concentration camp/memorial. It’s important to remember

[@LaurenRoerick]

Understandable- it’s a powerful memorial.

[@Kiev-in-3-days]

The Struthof concentration camp is indeed a deeply emotional and somber place. The barracks. The crematory oven. I visited it once and I cried. It's nice to see the Hexatrek is passing next to it.

[@bagboy1942]

Dining alone? Is that their way of telling you that you smell? 😲😉🤣

[@LaurenRoerick]

Haha probably!