River to River Thru Hike | Part 3

[@HeyItsTim]

Such a great adventure. Getting lost, walking through sticky bushes, filtering crumby water, getting dehydrated, meeting great humans, and finishing the day with a shower and a bed.

[@adrianashilling2573]

I’m a veterinarian and to be honest I cringe at some of your water sources. Parasitology is a 5 hour course for vets and just a couple lectures for medical drs. and our prof delighted in reading us case reports of various parasites you could pick up. I’ve ridden horses in the SNF for over 30 years and people are generally really friendly. Pretty much anybody would be happy to give you water. Thank you for the great videos. I haven’t been down south in awhile and you’ve made me nostalgic.

[@leonardspetstop]

Tunnel Hill trail is awesome. I biked a portion of it yesterday with my dog. Did 20 plus miles all together.

[@adventuresofourfamily4852]

We're planning a 30 mile stretch of the River to River next Spring. I love the AT hiking vlogs and will follow your hike! Thanks for sharing your hike with the rest of us :) Great videos!

[@RickMarshallMaps]

Thanks for another great video

[@douge.6935]

Don't ever think you need a "reason" to make any video. Your a joy to watch. Make them because you like the artistic aspect and people enjoy watching you. You have a great energy. Even a simple day hike of an area is interesting to watch. Great production work too. Thanks for sharing your partial AT trip and the R to R.

[@DIYCameraGuy]

I got off trail on river to river so many times. I hiked it before smart phones so no help from technology back then.

[@leonardspetstop]

Yeah, I definitely have had the forks without trail marker issue on the trails (not just R2R) that I've been on this summer and it's been making me so crazy.

[@hikerstv9200]

Inspiration & motivation.. thanks for sharing this..

[@leonardspetstop]

I actually love those gravel trails bc they are clearer to see and follow haha 🤣

[@NickandRachel]

Sure is beautiful there! Thanks for sharing your hike

[@johnalden5821]

I'm pulling for you in dealing with the badly maintained trail and dicey water situations. Glad you were able to enjoy hanging with the two climbers/van lifers, and also that you had a nice stay at the lodge. You are almost there!

[@wanttogo1958]

Some gear considerations: Mountain Laurel Designs makes a medium and tall lightweight gaiter. I have my eye on the tall version since the weight difference is negligible. They would be a good solution for trails where the brush/poison ivy isn't above your knees. MLD also makes a set of very lightweight, waterproof rain chaps that would work well with a poncho or longer rain jacket. I would use them with a poncho in the Fall and early Spring periods. They too would not be prone to picking up the burrs along brushy trails and would keep your legs dry on dewy mornings. They are not too hot to wear since your waist area is open and they are a little baggier than pants. I use chaps on my farm for the same purpose and when weed eating to keep the debris off my pants so my wife doesn't pick up poison ivy when handling my pants before they go into the washing machine. Keeps my pants cleaner too. They are more durable than the MLD solution but are unnecessarily heavy for the trail unless you do a lot of bushwacking. The Red River Gorge is a nice place to hike and is about an hour from my home. I hike there often. It's a great place to climb as well but I leave the technical part of that sport to my son who has climbed there. Nice video as always. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@martina54492]

Love watching you ❤

[@TheAverageAdventurer]

Definitely going to be checking these out! Never heard of this hike

[@StepsbyKaatje]

I like the way you describe your trip, very realistic. Since I have been a solo women traveller and hiker before, I recognize a lot of your adventures. 😁 Good one giving yourself the luxury of a nice room for a night! It can make you feel so much better. 😀 Have a great day!

[@hikingwithaaron]

Your videos are so good. The pacing of your edits is so good. Quick and concise keeps us wanting more. I laughed at the "I'm lost again" parts. You just seem to take it all in stride which is so cool. Can't wait for the rest of the trip.

[@lazyextremist3119]

I laugh at myself during those parts too. Thank you for the encouragement :)

[@rosemarymcleod4074]

Enjoyed the video. Congratulations on half way mark.

[@leonardspetstop]

That is so creepy about those people at the tower. I think the people factor in the night scares me more than the the wildlife.

[@dlr77]

Hydrate hydrate hydrate you have to drink plenty of water to keep up your strength be safe

[@keithcarper8809]

Hopefully Joe meets many more solo female hikers in days to come. Shawnee Suites looked sweet. Really enjoy your videos!

[@joelmcpherson9789]

Around 7:50 that’s near my old home place down Twinz Lane on the north shore of Gould Lake.

[@dannymcclendon1105]

Way to go getting halfway! Looks like this trail needs a little better signage. Hope all the little red dots on your legs aren't chiggers (itch city)! Get a good rest and food on your stop.

[@LezleysAdventures]

lodge looked nice, don't know if i could handle all those spiders

[@therealoc4904]

I usually hike in shorts, thank god you’re covered up! I wonder if there is a River to River trail club/association?

[@lazyextremist3119]

Yes I believe there is. They have a website and you can register your completed hike.

[@suecox8355]

🦋❤

[@adventureswiththecrazyvet]

I've filtered with a Sawyer and drank completely stagnant water out of a cow trough. Like an inch of growth lol. You'll be good with all that creek water Edit.. but I know you've had bad luck that one time.

[@corydriver7634]

I agree, I know she’s had a history with possible bad water, but in land survival we were always taught Never pass up a water source. I think hydration would solve a lot of her issues with soreness walking on hard surfaces and occasional down attitude.

[@lazyextremist3119]

I'm chuckling at "occasional down attitude." Because I was most definitely full-on grumpy quite often lol.

[@calebbess9614]

Thank you for making these videos!! I am planning on a westbound thru on Sunday and these videos are extremely helpful! I saw that you hiked a little bit of the AT... my question is, how does the AT and the R2R compare?( I am planning an AT 2021 NOBO and using the R2R as a practice hike)

[@StepsbyKaatje]

Have fun going out on this trail! It looks like a good way to train for a thru-hike! 😀 All the best

[@lazyextremist3119]

I'm sorry I am late to this! I think you are well on your way via the FB group - slaying the mileage!! Regarding AT/R2R comparison - I found mileage to be significantly more difficult on the AT because of the elevation. I was surprised how much ground I could cover on R2R for being out of shape. For example, I hike 16 miles on the third day of the R2R, and 20+ at the end. I didn't do my first 20 miler on the AT until about a month in (but I was cautious to avoid injuries). Or even 16 until I was a couple weeks in. I rarely had to use my phone to navigate on AT, but used it incessantly on R2R. The AT felt logistically much easier for resupply, water, and camping (stealth and official). In general, I felt I could just go with the flow on the AT, I rarely got lost, group dynamics made logistics easier. Although AT terrain was much more difficult, the trail was more enjoyable. AND I did my attempt during a crappy year of social harassment and minimal hikers. Good luck on your 2021! I hope you have a wonderful experience!

[@calebbess9614]

@@lazyextremist3119 that makes sense about the elevation being a big difference! I can’t wait to attempt it next spring!! Thanks again for the helpful videos and info!

[@CCATT2007]

I'd like to do this trail in the future. Have you ever used GAIA GPS? I've used All Trails and GAIA GPS, and prefer the latter. I haven't used Avenza, but I have it on my phone. I am enjoying your journey. Thank you for sharing. I'm planning my AT thru hike spring of 2023. All the best...one foot in front of the other. :)

[@lazyextremist3119]

I haven't used GAIA. Really, the only other navigation app I've used is Guthook. Best of luck with your AT '23 hike!

[@TheBahamabob]

I have not commented until now on this Trek. Some themes have risen up so randomly I wanted to comment for your edification and enjoyment: 1) I’m 73 as of this week. Thank you for loving us-the old people I mean! 2) Predators (e.g. bobcats and coyotes) are lazy. They put energy into low risk opportunities. All animals (OK not grizzlies) are instinctively afraid of people. We rule and they know it. If you are taller than a bobcat or coyote even if you were a rabbit they’d hold back. You are so fear not. 3) Given your AT emergency and that stagnant water is detestable anyway, consider carrying a back up water purifier that’s chemical. I hate chems but we need iodine and potassium permanganate not only purifies water but starts fires easily which you could use as a back up considering your lack of confidence. AT hikers also use (tablets I forget the brand) which are more like chlorine. Not heavy. Filter the water then nuke it too? 4) People really have no idea about thru hiking so lacking knowledge, to avoid stupid questions, they say what’s their first thought-it’s unsafe for women blah blah. But they are on that trail talking to you... Also I have seven granddaughters (3 boys too) and people are stupidly trying to show their protective love in their ignorance of actual peril. Be glad. And yes God is our refuge and strength! Men get into trouble on trail too but they don’t say they fear for them too but they do fear, again out of ignorance. My parents grew up in the Appalachian mountains and my cousins all too-N Georgia, N AL and TN. I spent much of my childhood hiking. I’ve never seen or known anyone like the monsters in “Deliverance.” Never. They don’t exist. I’ve lived my adult life in Texas (50 years.) I’ve never seen or heard of anyone like Freddie Krueger. They don’t exist!! Remain the intrepid gal you are and just take it all as love.

[@lazyextremist3119]

I was nodding along while reading your comment. Many good points. I chucked at the idea of nuking the water. Thank you for the encouragement!

[@treydipple4579]

Is bike bicycling permitted on this trail?

[@lazyextremist3119]

I did not see any out there, so I am suspecting no. But I’m not certain.

[@omglolwots]

The dynamic is interesting - Midwest versus out West. It's pretty common for women to hike alone out West and there's a huge hiking culture out there, whereas here (the midwest), people balk at a woman hiking alone.

[@lazyextremist3119]

I hadn't thought of that before. Makes sense with cultural differences. More reason to get out West next.

[@sperrinoutdoors7642]

Nice one buddy really great upload thanks for sharing why don't we support each others channels looks like we enjoy the same stuff

[@gun6st-evan191]

Road hiking is the worse. Asphalt is the worse to walk on.

[@joedygert4362]

some of the AT is just about as bad

[@sunstirade1085]

Probably definitely a high school kid smoking cannabis lol