My First Appalachian Trail Section Hike👎 | mistakes were made!

[@babyboomerbackpacking]

You are so right. Learning from experience are lessons one never forgets. Look where you are now.🐻

[@brentlarson4324]

Everybody has to start somewhere. Kudos to you for being brave enough to share your failure stories as well as your successes. I’ll be thru hiking the AT starting this next March 4. Just did the Superior Hiking Trail in September here in Minnesota and learned a ton during my 3 weeks on trail. I’m stoked for the AT!

[@taratreks]

Looking forward to following your AT journey

[@youarenotalmostthere]

My failure on a couple backpacking trips were because of being out of shape and heat exhaustion. Don’t try backpacking if it is going to be 90+ degrees. 🐻

[@nicksam5518]

yep...I started with a bundle of used military gear mixed w camping gear also.Being a stupid guy, I brought knives and hatchet's. my weight must have been in the 40=50 pound range. it hurt...and was real work. I've now down to 11 pounds. average load out.

[@taratreks]

Wow! 11 pounds is incredible. Good work

[@u.s.militia7682]

Damascus is an awesome tiny Virginia town. I absolutely love SW Virginia. I’ve traveled all over the world and chose SWVA as my home when I retired from the army. The people here are AMAZING. 🇺🇸

[@BenStoned-k1s]

Im hiking the A.T. for the 1st time this year in March im really stoked and ready to go after watching this video

[@jeffpaul6252]

My section hike included this stretch. I miss the AT!

[@taratreks]

It's a beautiful section. Where did you start and end?

[@jeffpaul6252]

@@taratreks It was my first attempt at backpacking too so I struggled. I went from Erwin, TN to Damascus. Some hikers at the Station at 19E (about 50 miles into my hike) did a bag shake for me and lightened me up from 50 lbs to 35. Oh man that was a help!

[@smokymountainangel5923]

🐻 My first backpacking trip on the AT, or ever for that matter was in July heading northbound from the NOC. It was horrible! Hot! All up, ran out of water 2 miles before the shelter. I could barely walk by the time I made it there. Set up my tent and “slept” at an angle all night. I went home the next day and quit! 4 months later the trail was pulling at me to come back. So I did.

[@taratreks]

OMG! that hike up from the NOC is brutal. Goes on forever!

[@GruntProof]

Outstanding

[@richardross7219]

A good story. You learned a lot of lessons. As a young soldier, 50 years ago, I was given some wisdom from an old sergeant "as long as you wake up alive the next day, you didn't screw up too bad". It puts things in perspective. I still don't do emojis. Happy Thanksgiving. Good Luck, Rick

[@taratreks]

Hey Rick! Thank you for watching :)

[@lightwalker4558]

This reminds me of my first section hike on the AT in Sept. 2017. I must have started w/ a 45 lb pack loaded with way too much food an luxury items. Fortunately, I scheduled a re-supply mid-way at a PO, were I had some more food shipped ahead. I put all my luxury items and extra food in the box and shipped it home. The box weighted 12 lbs! I could finally stand up straight! The last 3 days were much more enjoyable and I learned a lot along the way. I will tell you about my solo bear encounter at a later time. 🐻

[@taratreks]

OHH! solo bear encounter stories are always fun. Dang 12 lbs is a great shakedown

[@charlottefaye1940]

Omg, the pictures of that backpack on you! 🤣 I haven't tackled a section hike yet- glad I've learned a few lessons ahead of it! "Allow yourself to be a beginner" is such good advice.

[@taratreks]

Being a beginner is so important to the development of actual experience and knowledge

[@rungavagairun]

🐻 My first backpacking trip, I didn't even get to the trailhead I intended to start at. I parked on someone's private property that I mistook for the trailhead and tromped out into the forest. Ran out of water. Bushwacked about a mile before I realized I was not where I thought I was, kept going until I hit a forest road, caught a ride back to my car, and the kind person who gave me the ride showed me where the actual trailhead was, about a mile up the road from where I stopped.

[@RetaWalton]

🐻 My first section hike on AT (Daleville south to Catawba) was a disaster as well. My biggest miss among many was not planning for water sources and got into a real pickle. I learned so much and eventually thru hiked in 2021. . . in fact you included me in your 2021 introduction video. I love your perspective about how important learning from mistakes are.... so inspiring for any hiker at any level of experience. ♥

[@markviers998]

🧸Wow, what a way to get hooked on thur hiking!, Interesting story and I'm sure one that many of others have made the same mistakes.

[@1newgrma]

🐻 thank you for sharing your experience.

[@fightingwords8955]

Cool Story. Thanks for sharing. 🐻

[@taratreks]

Thanks for watching!

[@todayslist37737]

Watching videos like this saves a lot of hassle and heartache 🐻. I am currently packing for a 2 day 5 mile hike. This is my trial run. I am the type to hit the trail and at 7pm say "where are the directions to the tent?"

[@chrisshepard495]

The only thing I may disagree with is that trekking poles are "required". Reason I say it is because nearly every member of our military infantry that goes on patrol or rucks, sometimes carrying up to 120-150lbs for miles, don't use trekking poles. They are busy carrying their rifles. But I do agree they make things easier. Other than that, fantastic video. First hikes are always an eye opener. Honestly, even after 12 years of hiking you always learn new stuff. Keep it up.

[@John-se5vc]

My first backpacking experience was Philmont with Boy Scouts. I simply cringe to think of the mistakes we made, sanctioned by our leaders. We were all miniature Charles Atlases, and accomplished it via brute strength over wisdom. Carried 60-70 pounds. We were lucky not to have to evacuate. I wish I had immediately built on my experience with wisdom and intelligence. Something in me was unfulfilled, so I am trying to live vicariously thru people's adventures today. God bless you in your tremendous work. Bear emoji.🐻

[@michsondrini]

Thanks for sharing. I can kinda relate. My first ever backpacking trip was this past May, 77 miles on the Foothills Trail. Toughest thing I ever did but so rewarding! Went with my brother who is an experienced backpacker, but when he called a few months before and said let’s do this trail, I was like, who me? I’m 55 years old, camped as a kid, I enjoy day hikes but not really sure backpacking was for me, although it peaked my interest. Bought gear and watched tons of KZbin videos. My pack weighed 34 lbs and my legs were not in good enough physical shape but I did it and was so proud of myself. My achy knees took months to recover though Lol It’s a tough trail but yes I’d do it again. I have since lowered my base weight and just want to do more hiking trips. We probably all have stories and lessons learned from that first trip. It either makes us never do it again or keep going back to the mountains for more 🥾🐻

[@jonathanwtea]

good stuff 🐻

[@taratreks]

Awesome! thanks for watching

[@aaronfuentes5919]

Fun content!🐻 The first time I loaded up my pack & walked a couple blocks, wow, super heavy, all on my shoulders. I didn't even adjust torso length, I just strapped the pack up higher on my waist, amazing difference. Been trying to perfect my load out ever since.

[@walkietalkietraveller2932]

hey there ! do not be discouraged. everyone makes mistakes ....even after years of backpacking ! just try to learn from them and take on the next challenge. :)

[@taratreks]

You are so right!

[@paddle_hike]

We all learn from our first backpacking trip hahaha. Thank god...We get better at it :P

[@taratreks]

Yes! We live and learn

[@pungo147]

Too funny! The best way to learn is always by doing.🐻

[@taratreks]

Hey Pungo! I agree

[@rickshears1]

I am curious. Did you know the weight of your pack?

[@taratreks]

I would say 40lbs

[@mylexicon2]

Hi Candy Mama! Didn’t know you had a KZbin channel. Just saying hi 👋 and good luck with the channel. - Luckenbach AT 2019

[@taratreks]

Hey! Hows it going? Thanks for watching!

[@mylexicon2]

@@taratreks Doing well. Fairy Flower and I are happily married, and we feel nostalgic for trail quite often. It was awesome going through the Smokies with you, Sheriff, Flipper, Honest Abe, etc. We got to see you again in tent city at trail days too. Fun times. Cheers 🍻 to many more adventures.

[@chartreks]

🐻 I'm a newbie and appreciate your insights!

[@taratreks]

Great! Newbies are welcomed here! Thanks for watching😊😊

[@debbiekomlo]

I actually think that those boots were from Goodwill 😂 🧸

[@taratreks]

Oh no!

[@jmcnallyua]

I done the same exact thing that you done I went out myself and I bought the cheapest gear I could find when Kmart was going out of business I bought a Kmart three person tent and a cheap bag you might as well called it a book bag and I stuffed a whole bunch of gear into it that was absolutely useless and I carried a giant knife known as a Bowie knife on my side because I didn't know anything about the Appalachian trail at that time but I have grown to know a lot about it and me and my wife went to hike part of the Appalachian trail June of this year and I ended up getting sick and I done the same foolish thing I overpacked him and my backpack was killing my back at that time coming out of Harpers ferry heading south on the trail but I'm not giving up on it this time I'm going to go with lightweight gear and a different hiking bag instead of a huge hiking bag I'm going with a lighter weight hiking bag that is made out of a different material instead of nylon but it was all worth it and it was fun to have memories of being on trail and I will be back on the Appalachian trail again because I'm not going to let it defeat me no matter what

[@u.s.militia7682]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thanks for watching! 🐻

[@u.s.militia7682]

@@taratreks you’re welcome. If y’all are looking for a great weekend hike/camping trip then y’all should check out Tumbling Creek in Saltville Virginia. The mountain laurel is the thickest I’ve ever seen and the lake on top is great. Cell service is sketchy but it’s worth the trip.

[@Maureen.walkdontrun]

Bear

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!

[@patricialoesche630]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!

[@terryweaver9770]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thanks for watching✨

[@dionneplantamura]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thanks for watching!

[@michellet1287]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching :)

[@Hondo79]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!

[@rickmoseley4868]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!

[@randybrown2324]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!!👏

[@FreezeDriedontheAT]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thanks for watching!!🐻

[@justross2652]

🐻

[@taratreks]

Thank you for watching!

[@SasSaga]

🐻

[@tylerparnell5887]

🐻

[@PacemakerandButtons]

🐻

[@martacooley4778]

🐻

[@andrewward8954]

🐻