Tesnatee more like ' Test My Knees' - Day 3 - Appalachian Trail

[@CharlesBlank]

the fact that ur thru hiking with ur doodle and he has his own dcf pancho officially makes you the coolest hiker on the AT

[@ISuckatHiking]

Custom DCF poncho!

[@kristentheologus-KTechnogal]

Leo says “staying on trail is easy, the nose knows where to go” 😉

[@ISuckatHiking]

He sure does

[@HeyJustDaveHere-tf2yj]

Enjoying your hike so far. Every year I live my dream thru a couple of hikers by watching them ( @wildflowersadventures - I have subscribed and ready). Leo adds a great dimension to the videos. My adult daughter and I have backpacked weekend and week long trails. She got a Cava-poo about a year ago and hopes Sully will become a hiking dog for her. He does day hikes with her but no overnights yet

[@ISuckatHiking]

Tell her to keep at it

[@SteveFox1105]

First time follower of the AT. My nephew (Stick the Eagle) is near you, but hard to tell with blog delays. Started watching you, in part for Leo, but also for another perspective on the trail. Got home from work today and Doolin, my Woodle who could pass as Leo's twin, and I watched your video from the couch. Neither of us are in shape to even think about the hike, but he "watched" the full video with me and definitely reacted a few times when you showed Leo. Maybe it will be a nightly event. That custom rain jacket for Leo is awesome! Love that he knows the trail and can actually guide you. Best of luck. We are rooting for you!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you so much

[@Burner62984]

@stevefox1105 did your nephew find the lost dog on the AT?

[@SteveFox1105]

@@Burner62984 Unfortunatley no. He met passed BrightEyes and Sadie the day before Sadie was lost. His video at least helped pinpoint the location a little, but I believe Sadie is still missing. :-(

[@Burner62984]

@@SteveFox1105 😞

[@wildflowersadventures]

You guys seem to be getting into your groove pretty quickly. Probably has a lot to do with your many shake down hikes preparing for this. I hope Little Bear and I get into our groove quickly, too.

[@ISuckatHiking]

You guys got this I believe in you

[@wildflowersadventures]

@@ISuckatHiking Thanks brother! 🙏🏼

[@blairpoisson6474]

15:45 it looks like the trail goes straight but leo navigates right. It's so crazy how leo knows where to go. It's like he can smell the white blazes!

[@ISuckatHiking]

It's like he was born out here

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

Leo is becoming a trail favorite and, of course, you. Like PR was with Katie 2 years ago. How putting a blinking collar light on him so you can see hi. In the fog? You have spent hours training him and it shows. Such great company on the trail. You made great miles. Really enjoying the videos, thank you so much 😊

[@ISuckatHiking]

Going to have to rename the channel Leo's hiking channel!

[@chriskelley8304]

My wife and I really enjoy watching you guys. We have a golden doodle and he will prop on the cabinet every night and watch Leo. I wish I could post pics here. He loves to hike as well and just enjoys watching Leo.

[@ISuckatHiking]

I got the video! That's awesome!

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

lol that climb out of the gap before Hogpen we called “TeNASTY Gap”

[@ISuckatHiking]

Fitting

[@tammymcdowell9469]

Loving your videos! Leo is so precious! I have a maltipoo and he is white, your sweet Leo is just a bigger version of my Oliver. I would love to take Ollie on an adventure like this.

[@ISuckatHiking]

That is awesome!

[@hikingmovie]

We called it Tes Nasty

[@adventuresofpineappleshort4600]

Exactly

[@pleok08]

Friday, March 01st: You are doing well. You're prepared. You got this! Good luck! Happy Trails! Ross08

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks!

[@jeanniemiller3274]

My husband and I hiked from Tesnatee Gap to Neel's and back and that descent is no joke on way back. Leo is adorable.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you

[@WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

People don't talk about it much but Tesnatee Gap is a butt kicker climb. Safe hiking.

[@ISuckatHiking]

It's behind me now, thank God

[@janmariolle]

Wishing you and Leo a happy hike. I’m training my dog for an AT thru hike and will enjoy seeing how Leo copes with a long trail.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Sounds great!

[@KimberlyMarquette-b7q]

Gotta love Florida pollen year round, but that mist in TN during these next few months will enlighten your allergies to new heights. Happy you got Leo to keep you on the trail.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you

[@Go-With-Mo]

Loving your videos. I have my grandson, who is 9 years old, watching too since he has a Golden Doodle named Archie. Don't know if Archie is following Leo, but he probably is. What a great adventure! But Archie isn't too sure about the rain poncho...

[@ISuckatHiking]

That is awesome!

[@ISuckatHiking]

That is awesome!

[@One-Legged-Wayne]

Love following, even the fam are now following and watching for updates!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ASAC85]

Wow; you’re going to have to show us that quick method for setting up a tent !😆

[@ISuckatHiking]

Is the z-packs Auto!

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

hi Michael, do you have video, or would you consider making one on a Leo gear list? i've a new springer-doodle hiking buddy and plan on doing some longer hikes with her. thanks!

[@ISuckatHiking]

I definitely will after I'm done with this trail but it will be months

[@jayray720]

🚶🐕‍🦺🥾🥾⛺you doing great out there and Leo looks cool in his rain suit I ready for him to get his trail name awesome videos and thanks again

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks 👍

[@jamesmoses9517]

Love seeing you hike with Leo! Curious what he carry’s in his back pack?

[@ISuckatHiking]

He'll do a 4-day food carry. He carries his own fleece and a puffy

[@jamesmoses9517]

@@ISuckatHiking that’s awesome, thank you

[@KrizAkoni]

Ah, te-nasty-gap! I did that in the summer and it wore me down.

[@ISuckatHiking]

I can see why

[@PaulR-xq3no]

Wonderful. Not only is Leo a talkin dog thru-hiker, he is also a fashion model, showing off his rain jacket today. Like how you set up your tent, wish i could do it that fast. You and Leo are still knocking down the miles. Wishing you Safe hiking. And an end to your allergies.

[@ISuckatHiking]

That's that z-packs Auto!

[@johnkarlson8692]

Just found ur channel; u’ve at a new subscriber! Done the northern part of AT from Bear Mountain (NY) to the Maine border myself & my dog - trail name was “de Viking” - been damn long time ago, loved doing it my Shepard. Good luck, stay safe and stay healthy - will be following u during ur hike.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@karenmoore9842]

Love the shots of just hiking, it has me hiking through you. I have a Golden Retriever who no doubt would love to do that with me. I’m just catching up on your videos.

[@ISuckatHiking]

That is awesome!

[@1024Pete]

Since Leo is ahead of you, how does Leo know the trail? Appreciate your efforts in producing the Vlog. Very enjoyable. Cheers. Accolades to your pace. Wishing you peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!

[@ISuckatHiking]

He has a natural sense for where the trail is. It's amazing

[@sheilahenry7279]

I’m sure Leo has a smell of other past trail hikers. My dogs are the same but then not being trained sometime wonder off to other smells like a dead animal or other dogs poop. Walking w/ one of mine is a killer he’s a puppy & a wild one.😂I’m very jealous. Both mine can talk too but don’t listen 😂 You’re doing great. Practice makes perfect.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you!

[@coachjeff493]

We are lovin the hike so far brother..... Especially lovin Leo ..... Hope ya feeling better soon mate..... Jeff and Deb Brisbane Australia

[@ISuckatHiking]

In my really bad Australian accent. Thanks mate!

[@eddie4082]

Michael Enjoying the content. Thanks for bringing us along. Eddie

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks for watching!

[@SunniDazed]

❤

[@zenkathikes]

That area around Cowrock and Wildcat Mountains are my go-to day hikes. I love the AT in GA, but i gravitate there if i need a quick trail fix. Did you run into Monarch (ridgerunner?). That water up on Blue Mountain is the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River! What was your training routine to be able to crush miles? Dang. You are doing awesome. I am rooting for you!

[@ISuckatHiking]

I've been hiking since April of last year every month

[@musingwithreba9667]

My dog is really good on trail as well. Which is good, because I'm usually hopelessly lost 😂 Where did you get the poncho made for Leo? That's cool.

[@ISuckatHiking]

From a company called gear swifts in the UK

[@klgirv]

Great vlog! FWIW - Alium Cepa (homeopathic) can be great for allergies.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks for the tip!

[@midlifetravelers6151]

That is so funny. Test ma knees. Is that original?

[@ISuckatHiking]

I thought of it out here so I guess so

[@cannoiseanoush9263]

What do you feed your dog, how often and how do you know his backpack fits him?

[@ISuckatHiking]

He eats as much as he wants I tested a few backpacks

[@jeffopsahl76]

I need to find out where you got that Insta-tent 3000?

[@ISuckatHiking]

It's the Zpacks Auto!

[@maryrobinson2911]

Love your channel and of course Leo!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you

[@caroldavison2970]

Leo is a natural!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

He sure is

[@gwenkuenzli2488]

What pack is your fur kid wearing and could I get the info for the custom rain coat? Keep on keeping on! Enjoy!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

The dog pack is Mountainsmith he started with a Ruffwear but it chafed him. We had the poncho made custom by a company in the UK called gear swifts. I highly recommend both

[@kaiserwilhelmnh932]

Great Job. What type of grooming do you need or think you'll need to do for Leo along the way?

[@ISuckatHiking]

He's going to be a filthy hiker just like me 😂🤣

[@davidshirley6850]

Loving your videos, can't wait to see Leo in his dynema poncho, where did you get that?

[@ISuckatHiking]

A company called gear swifts in the UK

[@brianmiller2444]

I'm looking to get my dog a pack that doesn't shift. What brand did you get and do you recommend it? I enjoy you videos... Thanks, Brian

[@ISuckatHiking]

Mountain Smith they are great

[@brianmiller2444]

Thanks! Yes I was able to see the brand on one of you videos@@ISuckatHiking

[@lindablack7438]

🐾🐾👣👣

[@davidbock1801]

Isn't the entire AT a bit much for a dog?

[@ISuckatHiking]

Many have done it

[@lynnrogers5205]

I read a book about a blind man and his dog who completed the entire trail. It is an amazing story.

[@overindulgent]

Can I ask why you're risking it by covering so many miles so early on? Especially with an dog in tow. Imminent bad weather you're trying to beat? I start March 20th and have hiked plenty of 20 mile days but I always had a reason. Those first couple day/weeks are the honeymoon days and I'm going to go with the flow. 12 or 15 is plenty. I know I'll bang out miles later in the trip. HYOH and enjoy it brother.

[@ISuckatHiking]

I don't feel like I'm risking anything. I've been preparing for this for a long time. I am an athlete that's in the gym 6 days a week.

[@detoxifyingemily100]

Do you carry extra water for Leo? How much do you usually carry total? How do you figure out how much to feed Leo? Just wondering about the logistics of having a dog on a thru hike. Thanks!

[@ISuckatHiking]

We have a dehydrated food mix for him. He also eats snacks throughout the day. He drinks from the water sources here in the forest. I let him drink as much as he likes when we are at any water crossing.

[@detoxifyingemily100]

@@ISuckatHiking Cool, thanks for the reply. It looks like you take good care of him.

[@jeanniemiller3274]

You don't use poles?

[@ISuckatHiking]

No I stopped using them. Found myself carrying them more than using them

[@jeanniemiller3274]

@@ISuckatHiking I use just one and came in handy going down to Tesnatee Gap.

[@melshea2276]

Fresh Ground for the Win!☕️🏔🏕🐕‍🦺👍👍👍👍✌️

[@ISuckatHiking]

You got that right!