Springer Mountain! | Appalachian Trail 2024 Thru-Hike Day: 1

[@kristalann1973]

Love your enthusiasm & excitement! Epic sunset 🔥

[@sticktheeagle]

Yes it was!! Thank you!

[@clm2417]

Two videos in and you put a huge smile on my face. I know you are going to really enjoy this hike. And I for one will enjoy following. Well done Stick.❤

[@sticktheeagle]

I am so thrilled that I can put a smile on someone’s face. I will enjoy every moment. Thanks for telling me that.

[@lilyappleton1257]

I would take the shelter to stay warm. Love that sunset.

[@sticktheeagle]

And that’s what I did! It was a good nights sleep!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Hearing your excitement and feeling your joy through this video made me tear up. I’m so happy for you, Stick. You’re doing this. You’ve got this!

[@sticktheeagle]

Wow… and just wait till you get there in a few weeks and get to experience the moment yourself! I will never forget it!

[@vivianhelt8860]

Woooow that sunset is magnificent 😍

[@sticktheeagle]

Gorgeous!! So thankful for it

[@pleok08]

Monday, February 26th: Good attitude can determine altitude. Good luck! You got this! Happy Trails! Ross08

[@sticktheeagle]

So true! Thanks for your comment.

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

That approach trail is no joke. What a great day.

[@sticktheeagle]

You got that right!

[@SteveFox1105]

Wonderful rewards for that first big climb, the AT markers and a beautiful sunset. Congrats on officially starting the AT!

[@sticktheeagle]

It was a very memorable Day 1!

[@WalkingWombat27]

You are really fun to watch! Keep on

[@sticktheeagle]

Thanks

[@wingmanhoy3999]

Congratulations, very start on the trail of dreams of those who hope to one day, and those who have been here, awesome beautiful vlogging, hiking and scenery, all the very best, health and happiness. Embrace and love all the special moments.

[@sticktheeagle]

Trail of dreams! I like that!

[@Mimisbrain]

Thank you for sharing your hike with us ❤ that sunset 😮 you are the first person we follow who has shown us a sunset on springer... That was spectacular 😊

[@sticktheeagle]

You are so welcome! I absolutely loved that sunset. I try to capture these moments of nature whenever I can.

[@1024Pete]

The white blaze is sometimes on the opposite side of a tree for the SOBOs. Thanks for the interesting commentary. I would not sleep in the shelter. Too many critters lurk about at night. Wishing you peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!

[@sticktheeagle]

Thank you! I have had a few times where I have looked both ways and seen nothing. But generally it has been easy to follow.

[@KrizAkoni]

I almost always tent even when the shelter is empty. I find it warmer in the tent and there is some separation from the mice. Super nice sunset.

[@sticktheeagle]

I can agree with that; setting up hammock at the end of the day is sometimes a tiring thought… so I’ve decided to go the tent route now as well!

[@shelaghholder6094]

Awesome sunset!!! Twelve miles the first day - impressive, keep it up!

[@sticktheeagle]

Thank you!! Yes it was!

[@MarkFrankel-i8q]

What a beautiful sunset!!! Happy trails to you!

[@sticktheeagle]

It was!

[@marilynjohnson1782]

Thanks for the Springer mountain sunset, beautiful. Hope all continues well.

[@sticktheeagle]

I hope so too! Thank you. I love capturing sunrises and sunsets when I can!

[@amynapier3551]

The journey is good for the soul. You've got this. #ATStrong

[@sticktheeagle]

I love what you said. The journey is good for the soul. Letting that sink in!!

[@suemoore1965]

Congrats on your journey ❤

[@robertm9119]

Great hiking enjoy ,Blackritz

[@sticktheeagle]

Thanks!

[@BusterTheFrenchie]

Yes sir Mr Neibank

[@sticktheeagle]

🙌

[@chaosncheckt9356]

Bryan, good first day. Having hiked the AT, if I got a shelter to myself or just one other, I always took the shelter. Hammock and tents are great but some mornings you just want to get rolling. Best of luck

[@sticktheeagle]

I agree with this! It does give you a bit of a quicker start in the morning!

[@anthonymauro7419]

Wow ur so cool and it’s so impressive

[@sticktheeagle]

Haha thank you!

[@bearanoia673]

🐻🌲

[@Luckyhikes]

It's interesting seeing everyones announcement and pre trip gear videos. Then, seeing their plans merge with reality. It got real! GL.

[@sticktheeagle]

Sure did get real, real quick!! Not everything turns out the way you thought it would!

[@davidschmude]

Every year I choose an AT thru hiker to follow on YT. I was watching another (P4P if that means anything to you) but she seems to want to work harder at making the trail all downhill than just digging in and doing it. So, now I have some catching up to do on your channel. I wish you luck. Enjoy the journey.

[@sticktheeagle]

Thank you!! Yes I was watching P4P before I left on my hike!! I almost met her a couple times in the early going!

[@clydevanwinkle7382]

Nice Hike 🚶

[@sticktheeagle]

🏔️

[@seanwilson6521]

As a member of the class of 2016, and a follower of many prospective thruhikers over the years, you are going to be on my short list this year of hikers to follow because seeing this adventure through your eyes is going to be epic :

[@sticktheeagle]

That is an honor; much respect to you and it means a lot that you choose to follow. Happy trails!

[@BOSmith1958]

Looks like you had a really good first day even with all the I am doing it Jitters. Take time, be patient with yourself, dont compare what you are doing with what everybody else is doing so much. Keep working on that will to do it. Really nice sunset there. you earned that one lol. Great job.

[@sticktheeagle]

Great tips, thanks! And yes, first day was terrific!

[@MoreOutdoorsPlease]

Thanks for sharing I'm here to cheer you on! what an amazing sunset GREAT JOB

[@sticktheeagle]

Wasn’t it? Thank you!!

[@ItJustDawnOnMe]

I'm cheering you on Bryan! I would have pitched my tent. Love the sunset. Stay safe out there!

[@sticktheeagle]

Now that I have a tent to pitch, I might do the same! The hammock took some time to set up and I often felt too tired to do that at the end of a day.

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

Yeahhh, congratulations, you're officially on the trailbto Katahdin. I'm so excited for you. Keep heading north and having fun. Thanks for sharing 😊😊

[@sticktheeagle]

The two important pieces right there! It is great hearing from you, thank you!!

[@CloverHikes]

I’m so happy you went back up for the sunset. I’m always trying to cajole people to going back up after dinner.

[@sticktheeagle]

I was the only one there that late but I really appreciate a good sunrise and sunset!!

[@sadiewiggles1]

Living vicariously through you!

[@sticktheeagle]

That is a beautiful expression

[@JMP77117]

Stick! That's a lot 9 miles good perseverance it will help you through your journey! 🎉 I love the views you have been showing through the first day. Quick question, what is a bear box? Happy Trails!

[@sticktheeagle]

A bear box is a metal box for food storage so that bears cannot get into it.

[@annabordelon6663]

Glad younhad a good first day

[@sticktheeagle]

I couldn’t have asked for better

[@KatWomanHikes]

Great job!!! Can’t wait to see your progress! Hugs and prayers! ☦️☦️☦️

[@sticktheeagle]

Thank you so much! I love having you following along!

[@devildog7602]

Enjoy your journey. Happy Trails!!

[@sticktheeagle]

Happy trails!

[@heidif482]

Great sunset! Happy Trails! Your doing it! It warmed up to 55 this afternoon here back home! It must have been a shock to have 60 degrees after the cold era you left!

[@sticktheeagle]

Sounds like a very pleasant day there as well!

[@RozLong-ds4jw]

I love your enthusiasm! Will definitely follow along. Best wishes to you 😊

[@sticktheeagle]

Thank you! I love this trail!

[@mathfan0918]

Wow, what a gorgeous sunset you had at the top of Springer! We tented at one of the sites by that shelter. The main thing I remember was having difficulty filtering water from that tiny stream. If there was any chance of rain, it was probably a good call to sleep in the deserted shelter so that you don't have to worry about packing up a wet hammock in the morning. The only downside is the shelter mice.

[@sticktheeagle]

Shelter mice are not really a bother if you are careful with food. That water source at Springer was not good. I waited to gather at the first river I crossed on Day 2.

[@rayandmargaretrutherford8464]

Happy Trails 👣

[@sticktheeagle]

Happy trails!!

[@dockranz]

I was all set up to hike in 2019. Then I become disabled. You got some awesome video. Awesome personality. I will be following you. How do they say, liveing vicariously through you? Lol. I do like the way that you share the trail. By any chance, are you an Eagle scout? Just wondering where stick the Eagle come from. May your feet be steady. ✌️

[@sticktheeagle]

Yes, I am an Eagle Scout! That’s where the eagle came from, and some even called me The Eagle. But my original trail name was Stick (given to me on an Appalachian trail hike with the scouts) because I was skinny and I liked having a stick to hike. I am so sorry that you did not get to complete this dream.

[@paulkhanna1]

Hammock everytime!

[@sticktheeagle]

They can be nice!

[@GreenDragonHostel]

Great sunset! But you need a book!

[@sticktheeagle]

If it were not so windy there I could enjoy it up there with a good book! Or.. there are some who have told me to write one too.

[@KatWomanHikes]

My first overnight backpacking trip ever in my whole life was the approach trail, at the age of 47 (2021).

[@sticktheeagle]

You chose a great place to backpack! There are many terrific places, and I love how backpacking allows me to see so much of the world I didn’t see before. It was wonderful meeting you. Looks like you may have run into Laura (Next Stump, Peaks4Pounds) too! I’ve been hoping to run into her.

[@WillAcerbi]

we miss you niebanck😔😔

[@sticktheeagle]

Miss you too…

[@lastone8896]

If possible I would use hammock in the shelter just to keep it dry, plenty of non shelter camping ahead for sure, two mountains and nine miles sounds like you were picking them up and laying them down

[@sticktheeagle]

I am not sure I want to test the shelter structure with the weight of a hammock? Are they intended for that?

[@nealbscott]

Putting perishables in the bear box? Think smellables instead.

[@sticktheeagle]

Yes including all smellables!!