The 46 Attempt That Was and Why We Stopped

[@lleviticus.]

Just because you couldn’t get through it the first time doesn’t mean you should quit. I would like to see this attempted again in the near future, I know you guys have the discipline and physical strength to power through and crush this thru hike!

[@JonathanZaharek]

I think Noah said "I know we didn't fail. Failing would be not coming back." We definitely will be back.

[@lleviticus.]

@@JonathanZaharek I would also like to attempt something like this someday. Do you guys have food waiting for you guys at trailheads? Or is it more of an unsupported effort?

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Jonathan and Noah 👍 I get it, I do, stay safe, take care my friends 🙏God Bless

[@JonathanZaharek]

It was unsupported style in that way @@lleviticus.

[@annefusco-ogden5660]

Great video as usual. Welcome back!. There is certainly no shame in making the call. Continuing to pound an injury like that is foolhardy. U'll both be back at it soon im sure. Keep on loving it! 9:05

[@AppalachianJonathan]

I thru hiked the AT years ago. I did complete it but this video definitely resonated with me. Looking forward to more content! Keep putting your thoughts out there.

[@DerekGHikes]

Its not easy having to turn around, knowing your limitations, especially with an injury, is imperative to good decision making. The mountains will always be there tomorrow. Great decision making on Noah's behalf, and you as well Johnathan for supporting him without hesitation. Hopefully Noah's revovery is speedy!

[@asimplewanderersphotograph]

I had a similar knee issue last year going up big Al. Sometimes we have to listen to your body. Although it is hard to stop. But it's apart of growing. I feel for you man! I Had all the emotions and sense of failure. I hope you are well. It's nice to see a great friend you have who cares for you.

[@nicholasdepinho7239]

im currently watching this video icing my IT band as well after a week hiking in ADK. wish i called it sooner. live to fight another day !

[@FelineFinesse4]

This is a great video. It’s so hard to stop and quit, but people need to see and hear this conversation. It’s so hard but you have to learn from it. ❤

[@kevinhikes3132]

This is incredible the whole puzzle is coming together. When I met you and Noah in the parking lot I knew he was injured , I offered any supplies and vitamin I I was just so amped up in my own head. I wanted to hit the trail, I felt like a race horse coming out of a gate I had no idea of the undertaking that you had about to attempt , This is a really great video. Jonathan Keep up the hard work I'll see you on the trail !!!

[@Just-go-outside1]

I try my best to get up there, but this year has been rough. Hopefully in the near future I catch you on the trails!!

[@Theadventuresofcrigas]

Those conditions looked rough, props to ya'll for the attempt. There's gonna be a round 2, and when there is ya'll are gonna kill it! Much love!

[@vinnyg.8170]

Great video. Your skills are growing greatly. When any part of your body is hurt, its telling you to stop. When the pain becomes severe, its shouting at you: "stop! you're going to damage me!" Your reasoning is sound.

[@soaroutdoors]

Great video and superb narration

[@Neoutdoorfamily]

Jonathan, gotta say your production skills are next level. Wish I could sit behind you and watch your workflow in creating these videos! Incredible work, keep it up, glad you’re back!

[@laurabegin9736]

Thank you, I have been there too. I hope it is just a roll out of the IT band and rest to heal. I am looking forward to the next attempt, both of you are of strong mind and body to complete this, stack the deck in your favor for next time.

[@Snitchols]

I can't imagine the emotional rollercoaster that Noah must have been on. All that time on the AT and finishing it had to be a huge emotional drain. Then to jump in and work on the 46 had to bring out a whole another level of being pre-pared mentally. To top it off with and injury and the weather just is plain tough. The conversation at the end, needs to take place more often on the trail and I applaud you both for doing that and sharing it. Not having those conversations leads to worsening an injury or worst yet a rescue/recovery. I have no doubt Noah would've pushed through but it would have been not as rewarding if he was more in it. You both will crush this when it's time.

[@joanlajara3939]

The hardest part of a hike is knowing when to turn around and attempt it another time! It’s also the hardest and most disappointing!! Good decision! Some didn’t have the common sense to do it and paid the price!!! Good luck in the future! There’s always tomorrow!! Great video as always!

[@CottageCritter]

I’m in utter shock that a channel like this exists about one of my favorite places and I’m just now finding it. The fact you have so little subscribers is such an absolute tragedy and mistake for the algorithm. Keep at it, this is some of the best quality and effort I’ve seen in hiking ADK. My first was Cascade but it was my first ever hike, I was almost 200lbs heavier and have a lot of health conditions. Then I got caught in a blizzard (I’m from Florida so used to the weather predictions are never right don’t bother, it took adjusting) so I was almost alone on my first mountain in 20+mph wind white out. I definitely thought I was gonna die and hated every minute. Then when I crawled back to the car my brain screamed “when’s the next one” I’ve had to manage all my health stuff and medication has been a game changer and weight loss so hoping to take on a few this spring and fall with my husky. This channel is really inspiring to kick my ass in gear so I hope you guys keep putting out amazing content!!!!

[@JTdude63452]

The conditions in the high peaks this summer have been so tough! I myself had to cut a thru hike short on 4/5th August of this year because of weather and trail conditions. I slipped and hurt my ankle and knee and called it quits. Knowing when to call it quits is so hard, especially when you’re so far out there, but it’s often the most important decision.

[@MrScalzinator]

Really loved this story and the final conversational exchange. Last summer (2023) I had planned on doing Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons on Friday and the Santanoni's on Saturday. I got a much later start on Friday than I was expecting. To make up for the late start I decided I would try to treat the Seward's as a trail run. The mud was horrible, but I managed to go through the first 5 miles in just over an hour. When I got to the start of the Seward ascent it started to rain, the conditions rapidly declined and my pace dropped to below 1mph. It took forever to get to the top of Seward, but I trudged on. By the time I got to the top of Donaldson, slogging through knee deep mud pits, the sun was setting. I knew I had screwed up, but I was determined to hit Emmons as it was one of a handful of my remaining 46ers. I was torn, continue on and reach Emmons in the dark, soaked to the bone, or head back to the car. After 5 minutes of waffling, I knew that I had to call it and head back to the car. Although the descent was pain free--easier than I had anticipated, by the time I got back to the car and set up my tent it was nearly midnight. The next morning I woke up exhausted. I thought abut heading back up for Emmons, or continuing on to the Santanoni's, but I decided just to call it and head home for the weekend. Initially I felt like a failure, I had already told people back home what I planned to do--this miscalculation would set me back in my goal to finish the 46ers in one calendar year. But on the long drive home I realized the importance of my experience. It taught me a new appreciation for the Adirondacks and showed me how powerful, and treacherous the Adirondacks can be even for the prepared.

[@jdavidelwell]

I wasn’t feeling it last week to do a planned loop in the high peaks, decided at the last minute to do Snow and Rooster Comb, and blew my knee out heading down from Rooster. I’ve been right where Noah was on many occasions. Right decision, and good counsel from you Jonathan. I really like the growth in your recent films, you are definitely taking it to another level!

[@thepeacerunners]

You guys walked out on your own two feet...that is a success...better than leaving in a helicopter or getting carried out on a stretcher. You guys were smart and served as an example for everyone on what you should do! You may have saved somebody's life who watches this and realizes it's ok to turn around and say "not today..this isn't a good idea right now". What you guys did is the definition of smart and safe hiking, and that is a huge success in my book...Well done fellas! Live to fight another day!

[@dougmackenzie5976]

Understanding one's limits is essential to a long, happy life.

[@chrisroche1443]

I started my journery this year with the hight peaks and the first loop was the great range linking 10+ in over 2 1/2 days. This pushed me to the limit and needed the recovery time. Kudos for trying.

[@jonlengel3341]

Hopefully his knee is ok, I’m sure he’ll be back and in a better place!

[@markcummings6856]

Injured on day 1, it would be foolish to continue. Great attempt, great video.

[@Ford-wt8rn]

Im close to 40, after 30 years, dont feel bad man

[@Ford-wt8rn]

remember man too, a lot of it is area, and where one lives. Not everyone is close to the mountains. Even in Buffalo, its a dam hike to drive there.

[@paddle_hike]

10 days? ...that's hard! great video by the way. Take care

[@kevshelley]

Always trust your gut. Good call. They peaks aren’t going anywhere. ✌🏼

[@jpguitar34]

The mountains will still be there to try another day.

[@davidrenaldo2252]

And you couldn’t have picked a worse summer for it we up there in July got out of king lake about 12 hours before the floods hit it has been a shitty summer for hiking

[@Thatslikefortoddles3789]

You should try to do the same thing again. I know the weather and conditions were crappy. I get it. My mom had the same issue with her IT band when we were hiking down marshall, and she couldn't hike for the whole season. It sucks. This would be an amazing thing to accomplish though, you definitely should try it again.

[@mikestevenson4101]

If he goes on and tears up his knee or something worse he'd be out for much longer, I think you were a good friend going through the reasoning. I'm sure there's another great adventure on the horizon.

[@TheBingLiam]

6 weeks of PT fixed my IT band issue

[@awsomeposom674]

Great video! What camera do you use to film?

[@JonathanZaharek]

Nikon Z8!

[@derekhand7904]

Welcome to my summer my feet are stained adk mud brown

[@JLY518]

To be honest , I understand that it’s a challenge to see how fast one can summit or how many summits can one do in the shortest time , I think that’s only One side of the way some people hike . I personally prefer taking my time , taking it all in , there’s no rush , in fact I always laugh internally when I see people running the trails …. They’re missing the whole point . They’re missing the peace and calmness of the whole experience. They’re removing the soul of the journey.

[@JLY518]

It’s almost like intentionally climaxing the fastest way possible during sex …… lol . Why ?????

[@davidrenaldo2252]

Ok I’m going to come off as a dick here first his knee pain yes he was right to stop. But on day one when you got to the top of the first peak I v c oils see it on his face he didn’t want to be there. But hopefully you two will try again together.

[@davidd337]

Winners never quit, and quitters never win, dammit! Kidding, have to listen to your body.

[@neogenmatrix6162]

LCL MCL ACL sprains suck

[@stoicodysseys6352]

There are exercises to rehab and strengthen your IT Band and you'll never struggle with it again. Lack of heart and low morale has taken many down. Ambitious goals. Why post this video? Just call it an overnight. The trail will be there for next time.

[@JonathanZaharek]

The hike had a much greater purpose. We were sharing all the experiences on social media and many people were aware of the things that transpired in this video. There are things to learn through every experience, no matter how small. I documented this experience, therefore I decided to share it. Yes, it ended up just being a overnight hike, but that wasn't the original goal.

[@Snitchols]

I think posting it as it is brings much greater respect to both Jonathan and Noah. These conversations are what needs to take place more in the backcountry. Them sharing this, hopefully allows others to see it's ok to stop. If you're not in it mentally, mistakes will happen and the mountains will win.

[@Ford-wt8rn]

my only criticism after 30 years, get rid of the ski pole shit. That will only get in your way for hiking at your age. Its more a fad than anything. If you have knee problems or bad space issues, keep them, otherwise toss them, its a bloody fad, toss them, be easier to hike.

[@JonathanZaharek]

Hike your own hike man.