Andrew Skurka: Trekking the Wild North | Nat Geo Live

[@skurkaandrew]

Thanks again NG for putting this together. Re the financial speculation...The trip was funded by the NG Expeditions Council. The trip budget was only $10k, which was mostly for food, travel, and communication; a few product-only sponsorships kept gear costs low. Without the grant, I would've funded the trip with my guiding, speaking, and writing income. It's not a hugely lucrative career so I must keep my expenses low -- no mortgage, no kids, no unnecessary belongings, etc.

[@justpettet3506]

jesus christmas look at this guy. no wonder the greats want nature to be a part of democracy. he just explained who paid for his food while he hiked... we can't see if our leader paid any taxes ever while he buys people mcdonalds and burger king to save more.

[@bereantrb]

Not only the journey, but how wonderful that he is such a great communicator of it all.

[@Xeitrn]

Phenomenal Andrew. Great effort. You are a true adventurist. Meticulous planning and outstanding execution of the expedition. Appreciate your courage and skills. You will be an inspiration to me

[@dermotdolan2025]

You have done something special, it is very much a journey of the mind as well as body.

[@tripadvisornepal5624]

www.TripadvisorNepal.blogspot.com

[@TerriShaver1]

Andrew! You're my hero. It sort of makes our Appalachian dream feel like preschool play....What an experience...you're amazingly humble.

[@exstray]

This is amazing. Thank you, Andrew Skurka and National Geographic, for sharing your adventure in the wild norths with us! I was mesmerized for from the beginning to end, and even laughed a bit from your experiences. This is the type of stories, and experiences, that make our history so rich and exciting to explore!

[@codyjbartz]

Truly amazing! This trip and adventure is inspiring to many. Hard work, dedication, and personal drive accumulate in a beautiful wilderness outing. Way to go Skurka!

[@Cyps36]

Great story what an journey! A very determined person to complete it.

[@djbibiloni]

I followed his tweets to the day he crossed the imaginary finish line of this trip...epic. I was also in attendance during the talk at the Nat Geo museum the day this was filmed. He is truly (and literally) rewriting the book on UL backpacking and adventuring. Funniest line I remember fro the talk is when he is talking about the Caribou making the same trek every year fro 4k years but they don't have a blog or Nat Geo sponsoring them. :)

[@shawngregory5879]

Andrew is my hero

[@blitzmotorscooters1635]

I always come back to this video to get amped up.

[@Fernweh4x4andadventure]

ian not sure i would love to walk this far, but dang he makes it look amazing and soo spirtually freeing, like when he's talking about the game trails, and being totally alone for over three weeks, really puts a lot of emphasis on what we really need to care about

[@thebigoaktree8401]

There are super heroes among us! Thanks Nat Geo

[@ElectricIguana]

Incredible story! Thanks NG

[@chrish9791]

Awesome accomplishment. Anyone with negative things to say on here- well they just don't understand. Well done Mr. Skurka.

[@ricardosoria717]

Here in 2019, finding inspiration from Skurka, to do the solo the Sierra High Route in three weeks. What an incredibly capable outdoorsman.

[@Plane60]

What a Fantastic trip, BRAVO !

[@oreamnos5763]

your awesome brother. keep doing you man, such an inspiration.

[@ItsOkRelaxMate]

absolutely amazing. I loved your revalations about life. In particular were you said it didnt matter that your name was andrew skurka. very eckhart tolle.

[@eclectomaniac1071]

What an incredible journey. Really enjoyed your story. I wan't to do something in the spirit of this trip.

[@tripadvisornepal5624]

www.TripadvisorNepal.blogspot.com

[@addmad99]

I am on this planet for 70-80 years. I want to do things that make me happy 👣🤸🧘‍♂️

[@interlinga]

Incredible!

[@allanthompson9695]

Wow, spectacular.

[@TonyHobbs]

Excellent!

[@hitman1421]

I cant wait to go see you speak at golite in boulder on the 28th. I am missing my day off colorado trail hike. Thank you so much for showing me ultimate hiking.

[@chaulsin]

Very inspiring

[@sroomer]

Inspiring, thanks

[@megslys]

Awesome.

[@kingjohnkk]

this is awesome.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

I first heard of Andrew Skurka in 2007 when I stumbled upon the podcasts he did for BackpackingLight (on iTunes) when he did his Great Western Loop hike. I have periodically checked back on his website to see what new excursion he is undertaking. This video caught my attention, and so, being familiar with Andrew's previous trips, I decided to watch this. I really enjoyed his presentation. There were some personal reflections in the video as well as how he handled some of the difficult parts of the trip. For me, the best part began at 15:00 minutes into the video when he described a particularly intense bear encounter -- I literally laughed out loud. This was a good video. www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/andrew_skurkas_great_western_loop.html#podcasts

[@AiriPsy]

congratulations for your courage and perseverance. very nice!

[@ediwho_]

great stuff

[@CRXspeedshift]

Amazing, I wish I could experience what he experienced.

[@Cmon-Man]

that was awesome. wondering if there is any more video, especially of the rafting, I would love to see that thanks for posting

[@mountaintreksnepal2841]

Welcome you all trekking lover for an amazing trekking in Nepal!

[@race2mars]

Such an inspirational story :-)

[@dubprocesslbc]

what a complete bad-ass..much respect

[@rickmanbt]

You are the man.

[@iseekknowledge8293]

This guy is more courageous than 100 percent of all humans on Earth.

[@neilbadger4262]

I would say more courageous than 99%. A lot of people do courageous things but may not necessarily get the recognition for it. Though I absolutely agree that this guy should be considered genuinely legendary.

[@dungokunyet]

the ultralight technique rrrrealllyy helpfull in your journey

[@MidsierramusingBlogspot]

Skurka, I understand but on a smaller scale because of my average talents. I think of you when I think of men like Mike Horn and in my neck of the woods, men like Norman Clyde and Orland Bartholomew. You are as much a seeker as an adventurer. I most admire your off trail navigational skills but at age 67 I only go off trail seeking lost souls as a volunteer for Fresno County Search and Rescue. Men like us go intentionally where most only go by accident. May God continue to bless. Fr. Dale Matson

[@Nicobkk2012]

Very inspiring conference..would have love to join the expedition

[@TheCondor300]

Andrew, you inspired me... not task is ever too great and if you can dream it you can make it possible. We became friends on Facebook a while back. I'm an Advanced Hang glider pilot, hiker and a very experienced Elk hunter with a bow, having hunted them with a bow for over 40 years all over Colorado. I shared my knowledge with you on Facebook as you were eager to hunt your own food (Elk). Hope you remember who I am... George Adams from Syracuse NY. Drop me a line on FB someday... lets' catch up and share a beer. I would love to see how you are doing since this video...

[@simonsays163]

16:30 = best part. Wish I could just go traveling without worries.

[@quas0rx]

Man! This requires more than a like button!

[@maxncathy44]

Wow!!!

[@SamHaraldson]

Thanks for you comment, @Heatherofthepines but I think you'd be surprised at how carefully someone in a position like Andy's has to manage their money in order to make a go of the kind of this kind of lifestyle.

[@shelbyleanne8918]

I went backpacking in the brooks...omg tusocks suck!! but it was the greatest thing ever!!

[@SKIADK]

That Alaska voyage looks as cold as where I went to college.

[@georgecurte4098]

very nice video. what skis did you use? or what was width. thank you

[@Crassenstein]

and I thought I would be a cool fellow, going thru europe - hitchhiking 3000 miles. thanks for sharing.

[@electrontube]

so strong.

[@Heatherofthepines]

@laxgod01 Have you ever done a long distance hike? Pretty much the same thing. Either send it to yourself via USPS or buy it in a town along the way. Resupply about every 5-10 days, sometimes more, sometimes less. There was no shortage of water along this trip.

[@3v1lpl0x]

nice journey you have thereeeeeeee....=o

[@craigtsao9295]

Anyone unhappy with anything less than a movie needs to get some perspective. This is not Survivor Man or Man vs Wild. To make that distance means making really really good time which you don't have. A marathon a day is a lot harder than it sounds - have you even done a marathon? Try doing 26 miles with a 40lb + pack. Then try doing it in the wild without people standing by handing you water and having a bed to sleep in at night. Only then can you try to imagine what that's like. What am I doing to myself... how am I going to be content until I am doing what this guy does. I worked for 2 years just to able to through hike the Appalachian Trail but even student loans by themselves drain savings quickly. iowhdoiasdjasbdjkab;JSDB

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

i doubt his pack is 40 lbs..lol more like 15..

[@davidm4160]

Dude! are you serious? I wish I had the guts to chase my dreams like you.

[@wufwufwufwuf]

great to see someone at the top of his game he has balls & drive " enjoyed " *****

[@BigFootSurvival]

He is an expedition guide in the High Sierra.

[@mostas]

who's filming it?

[@brucehodson2763]

Has anyone told Drew that he sounds an awful lot like Kevin Costner after the 2nd bear encounter? Especially the sardonic laugh he emits.

[@andrejmazar960]

I KOD MENE SE UVLAČI TAKO PUTOVANJE ALI UZ DRUŠTVO I UZ KORIST.TREBA BITI UPORAN&HRABAR

[@Citizen_X.]

How does he click photos of himself? I can understand that he holds the camera in hand for the close-up video recording bit, but the long-distance photos kinda have me guessing. Does he leave the camera on a timer and walk away from it and then come back and pick it?

[@joshuarandall6041]

32:00 - 32:20 Wisdom

[@bradnerdr]

@fernandesfran He stated early that National Geographic had a film/photo crew with him for a week. Guess you missed it.

[@tubenachos]

Wow dude this is f!@kin epic what this guy is doing. He gets paid to do this?!

[@junkmanu2]

kind of trip every motivated people would like to achieve...

[@JabbyandMabby101]

Who took the video

[@TheCondor300]

Andrew, how did you resupply your food?

[@adastra3147]

Why no dcf shelter?

[@Heatherofthepines]

@onekeypianoplayer Notice in the description, it says "National Geographic grantee". They paid for it. He is also paid by other sponsors.

[@carlschuler8997]

WOW I thought I had experience a bet of Alaska but nothing like that (not a fan of the bugs)

[@danika94xx]

@mksr92 @mksr92 He just lives life with a greater meaning that many of us will never have a chance to experience. Who wants, or even needs, a job really. The whole "we work so we can live, and live to work" mentality is extremely pointless in my opinion.

[@medievalman86]

@Fupper16 its also interesting how he can find enough time and money to take 6 months off, when most folk cant get enough hours to feed family :x but, tis a cool video none the less.

[@solobackpacking]

In such a environment don't skimp out on a tent with bug netting, tub floor and enough room for pack and cooking.

[@danika94xx]

@mksr92 Look i've never had a joint in my life and my family is far from hippie staus. I'm just saying some people find a fulfillment through other things than working. I can't answer your question exactly but if you were listening you may have noticed he mentioned that he has Wall Street skills.

[@Isotope1213]

18 people disliked. I wonder why?

[@Stalley75]

Bharath Kumar because they found the documentary to be very boring and stupid

[@molonlabe9602]

Bharath Kumar Probably because he had Coyote fur around the brim of his hood. You know, the people who hate on you because you don't share their activist agendas.

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

+Molon Labe i wish they would come to Alaska and say some shit..lol..everyone wears fur up here..its cause it fucking warm.

[@mvkdirk]

alexander supertramp we remind you

[@Rag0]

And i thought id be hardcore with hiking 2 weeks through scandinavia

[@nabaguide]

mountain air guided adventures reliable trekking agency in nepal , organized the annapurna trekking, langtang trekking, Everest trekking in nepal. welcome to nepal, it is the Guide own company and prices are cheaper than you expect and higher service

[@deadonred]

I heard him once described as a "Young Republican" seems pretty spot on!

[@SamHaraldson]

Andy can afford to do this because he is a thrifty, resourceful, man who knows how to dirtbag. Why all the talk about how he lives anyway? Why not focus on how amazing a journey like this is?

[@MichaelDanielHikerLionKing]

I meet him a couple times on trails, he is a good dude. you might dig my page if you like hiking

[@prairiedogcreek]

I hope he's seen Karsten Heuer's BEING CARIBOU since....

[@onekeypianoplayer]

ok so where does he get the money to do this,

[@djbibiloni]

@sharkbait2828 I can't but take few seconds to google him and you can find his homepage: andrewskurka"dot"com and read the section where it states this is his occupation. You can also click on the Sponsorship section and see where he makes his money. He also makes money from speaking engagements, books, and as a sales rep on the many UL backpacking forums selling gear. This wasn't his first trip and he hasn't just shown up on the scene...I was at the Nat Geo talk

[@stuartsteele9984]

THE INEFFICIENT BACKPACK Your body produces efficient forward motion by performing a horizontal pendulum motion, yet most backpacks and trail running packs restrict your freedom of motion for efficient use of your energy to provide speed, endurance and comfort. The backpack is an ancient storage device to carry your gear. The majority of backpacks sold in the USA, Europe and UK, have a maximum of seven bio-mechanical inefficiencies that reduce your speed, endurance and comfort. The majority of hiking is performed during a day, not multi-day, with a typical hiking distance of 5 to 12 miles and a pack load of 8 to 12 pounds. Pack weight beyond 10 pounds is usually needed for hikers requiring more water due to their unique physiology. 1.Water is normally the heaviest item stored in or on a backpack. Roughly 85℅of backpacks provide side pockets for water storage which wastes your energy as your body thrusts the weight forward and back. You most frequently have to remove a backpack for a drink as bottles are difficult to access and return. After returning a bottle, what you drank is less than the weight of the bottle on the other side leaving you with an unbalanced load. A hydration bladder is stored in the center of a backpack. They are heavy, provide an undesirable taste, are costly and require hygienic maintenance as compared to a standard water bottle. Wider than a typical water bottle, a good percentage of the weight is a thrust-ed load being partly distant from the center of your body, just as are water bottles stored on the sides of backpacks. Bladders additionally reduce load carrying capacity as they fill-up a good portion of a backpacks space. 2.Packs are long, extending to the hips or lower having capacities normally in excess of day hiking needs and eliminate your natural pace speed. Raise your pack higher than your hips and you will notice how much easier it is to move at a normal pace speed. 3. If you carry a load of roughly twenty or more pounds it is desirable to transfer a portion of the load to your hips with a hip belt. A day pack load normally will not exceed 8 to 12 pounds thus not requiring a hip belt and occasional hip padding and/or additional storage compartments. Eliminating the unnecessary weight (if practical), improves comfort and allows improved endurance or speed. 4. A hip belt tightened at your waist will restrict your breathing, valuable for efficient expenditure of energy for speed and comfort. You can improve speed and comfort If you can place the hip belt a few inches below your navel. 5. Side storage on hip belts are an additional side load thrusting issue that wastes your energy. 6. Unless a pack is designed with shoulder straps placed away from your outer shoulders you will expend energy, reduce your speed, endurance and comfort thrusting the your backpack load attached to the straps. 7.Backpacks are deep for ample storage, but will result in side to side load thrusting unless properly loaded and cinched down. Additionally, most of your gear sits at the bottom of the bag with the difficulty of finding your gear. The backpack of today is not an efficient device for hiking or running. It is what is currently available, awaiting a new approach to an efficient means of storing our gear for improved speed, endurance and comfort.

[@Heatherofthepines]

@sharaldson This is his profession, he doesn't have to save like the typical thru hiker does. He is paid for this kind of thing.

[@ivarpb]

Two people like tussocks.

[@justpettet3506]

can you be my dad

[@Kevin-qn5br]

Adriaan van der dommen

[@MrJoshuatree999]

Browooo...

[@bigdrip54]

In this video his clothes are always clean. I'm very sceptical and believe this is mostly bs. I've hiked and camp most my life and it's not always easy or without accidents

[@JStompinado]

at 28:40...I knew your were a blood gang member

[@JStompinado]

+Radly Badly gfy

[@JStompinado]

+Radly Badly go Fuck Yourself

[@JStompinado]

+Radly Badly dipshit...lol

[@Liquidforce4441]

What?

[@TwentyFive636]

What was he eating o.o

[@xplayer7]

@duffman1221 GJ

[@trailnscaleRC]

single wall tent with no sub floor? lightweight?...yes. warm? hardly even with a -20 down bag...

[@hannahanthony3639]

Heh..Heh..He said Alaskan Bush..Heh...Heh

[@Beggionahorsehoes]

@tekknorat to watched it.. i watched it all just saying that some pepole find this boring

[@junkmanu2]

regarding the bear you smell nasty? you could be french he lost his berries? no bullocks must be french too..

[@djbibiloni]

@sharkbait2828 Watch the video...he explains it.