The Appalachian Trail has a CHEATING Problem that nobody talks about

Yellow-blazing on the Appalachian Trail. Is it really cheating? Does the Appalachian Trail deserve better?
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#AppalachianTrail #ThruHiking #AT2021

[@danielb5801]

I'm going to thru hike to the fridge for another beer.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Don't skip any steps on the way there

[@annak3688]

@@KyleHatesHiking but...What do we call that if He skips to the fridge? 🤣

[@chrisbarrell9657]

And what are you drinking?

[@danielb5801]

Yuengling

[@CRAIGNV]

After that BEER, you will YELLOW BLAZE to the restroom.

[@frstesiste7670]

On the PCT I skipped two sections, one in California and one in Washington because of extremely icy&snowy conditions. It wasn't realistic to wait for better conditions so I rented a car the day I "finished" the trail, went back and day hiked the two missing sections. To me that was important. What other people do isn't important to me.

[@johnschmalbach8243]

And let's not forget what happens if Wildfires happen and the State itself says "get off the trail." I believe yellow blazing is about intent. If the powers that be say you need to bypass a section that is not on you and you are still a thru-hiker.

[@kikionthetrailoflove7036]

@@johnschmalbach8243 Exactly, PCT alternates aren't cheating, your still hiking the trail as set out by the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Planning my PCT thru hike in 2023.

[@dashlamb9318]

@Predbeau101 I climbed a 14,200 mountain in the Sangre de Christos and could not make the last 200 feet before having to get off the mountain. Did I climb to the top? Hell no! If you're climbing Everest and you don't stand on top of it, you did not climb Everest. And you feel like shit cause of it. Or you can lie to yourself and others.

[@SophisticatedDogCat]

But that’s not cheating...

[@kristymoore7052]

I don’t think that was what he was complaining about. Unfortunately there are a lot of posers out there.

[@evilnine5307]

The only person you are cheating when you cheat is yourself .

[@hollisfarmshoney]

agreed, why does it bother people. I could tell people I've hiked it, but never have. Only lying to myself.

[@phantommaggotxxx]

if you yellowblaze, you didn't do the full trail.. End of conversation...

[@DannyKapatrik]

Oh shut it, ya nasty purist.

[@aaronwinter447]

True, and a problem for those who want to try to claim they did. I yellow blazed more than half the Heysen Trail in SA, so I wouldn't claim to have "thru-hiked" it.

[@avidteadrinker63]

Remember: friends don’t let friends yellow blaze

[@kevinl8440]

I set off to thru-hike the PCT a couple years ago. I skipped a couple parts of it and stopped after 750 miles. So now I'm a section hiker and will eventually complete it. No big deal.

[@plantbasedhiker7962]

"no-one talks about yellow blazing" except you Kyle, in so so many videos 😂 But yeah, if you didn't hike a whole trail (any trail) you shouldn't claim that you did. Imagine a marathon runner who got a taxi for a couple of miles claiming they ran a marathon!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I mean this is the first time I've ever made a full video on it haha

[@plantbasedhiker7962]

@schuju mike uhhh... What?

[@kdavis4910]

@@KyleHatesHiking this is a totally legit irritation so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

[@kdavis4910]

@schuju mike what does that even mean? Nobody said anybody doesn't have the right to play sports.

[@haroldson5]

Or a subway, like Rosie Ruiz.

[@pendragon7836]

I don't have a problem with it. As long as they don't make it sound like they did the whole thing. I guess honesty is key here.

[@michaelb1761]

That's the whole issue. People saying that they hiked the PCT, CDT, AZT, etc, when they skipped the hard parts. It is a lie and it diminishes the accomplishments of those who actually did hike the whole trail. I mean just tell the truth; is it really that hard.

[@jtpromolab]

That's the thing, no one who yellow blazes and makes videos ever says they do it in the video.

[@diomepa2100]

@@michaelb1761 I guess it would depend on how much they skipped, when and why. Because frankly I think through hikers get a bit full of themselves. Let me tell you, as section hiker I have done a lot of really hard bits (though rather unfamiliar with US trails), including many, many winter hikes. Doing the hard bits is not what makes you a through hiker, the insane distance and time spend hiking does. This is a but the stupid part of it though, it's all or nothing. That's why people cheat. Because if winter catches you when you are 95% done, it's like you never tried - and your 95% accomplishment is nothing. So you know - that's how it goes

[@agnidas5816]

@@jtpromolab one of the more popular Mexico to Canada adventures has the man telling about skipping sections and taking days in hotel etc. Seems common enough for longer adventures...

[@docequis9796]

Hipsterblazers are worse... their mustaches and yoga mats... always disrupt the real AT vibe. (Sarcasm). No one owns the trail... use it how you want as long as you maintain it. Make up stories, tell tall tales, humblebrag, photoshop... it's all good. If your offended put your $250 earbuds in.

[@baskets8429]

The 83 thumbs down must be all the Yellowblazers

[@bahamajim1998]

115 now lol . hey I hiked the a t . all 20 miles of it lol

[@nonameman9291]

Banana blazing. 😎

[@drugbuddy665]

Nah, I downvoted because I prefer to focus on enjoying my hike rather than what "yellow blazers" are doing.... But I totally understand that some people enjoy spending their time comparing themselves to others and nitpicking their words, so follow your truth i guess lol 😆

[@baskets8429]

calm down yellow blazer lol

[@dashlamb9318]

@@drugbuddy665 and we live in the age of people talking shit and showing selfies and bragging about their glorious exploits that they pretend they have accomplished. Like the Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman College admissions scandal. Bullshit artists with money - "I thru-hiked" the AT and then I sailed around the world solo. Did I tell you I went to the Moon and ate some of the best cheese ever! Out of this world!"

[@johnschmalbach8243]

I think the AT is more cut and dry than the PCT. There are times on the PCT where the powers that be order you to "yellow blaze" because of wild fires and such.

[@NoName-fo7mz]

Yep, This guy has no idea what he is talki g about and thinks he’s the shot because he hiked one time 😂😂😂😂

[@Basic6936]

​@@NoName-fo7mz bullshit. Yellow blazing any section of a trail isn't thru hiking.

[@NoName-fo7mz]

@@Basic6936 lol at you

[@mtadams2009]

@@NoName-fo7mzHe has done about 96 percent of the PCT and a bunch of other trails. What he is describing has nothing to do with yellow blazing to get around fire closers. That is the reason he has not completed the PCT, fire and closed trails. He is talking about yellow blazing because you simply don’t want to hike sections of the trial for whatever reason.

[@indiaandrews6996]

I picked up a friend in Tehachapi and another hiker came along for the ride. Within a couple of minutes she asked me to take her to Walker Pass on the PCT. My friend said she yellow blazed most of the way from Campo to Tehachapi. Cherry picking the sections she hiked. This woman called herself a through hiker. I guess because she touched the monument at the Mexican border and planned on touching the monument at the Canadian border? I turned her down because I didn’t respect her for skipping so many sections because they weren’t pretty enough or interesting enough for her. Plus it would take me three hours round trip to drive her yellow blazing self to Walker Pass. The fact she would ask is audacious. If you cannot be bothered to actually through hike the trail but you want the respect of calling yourself a through hiker, I do not have the time to be your enabler. Instead, call yourself what you are a hiker completing all of the sections she finds interesting in one hiking season.

[@bryanlevesque1012]

In 2019 I was following a girl on YT as she hiked the PCT. When she got to the Sierra Nevada she “skipped ahead” and picked up the trail North of the mountains. When she hit Canada she announced that she “thru-hiked the PCT” and was so proud. I asked her on IG if she was going to go back and hike the section of the Sierra Nevada that she skipped and she replied “no.” Ah, okay...

[@kevinl8440]

@Pete Peter Why do you call Dixie a faker? I'm not a fanboy or nothing (she has even banned me from commenting on her videos as I have gotten into it with her) but from everything I can tell she is as real as they get. She is a legit Triple Crowner.

[@lindenmackenzie3291]

@Pete Peter who is Dixie

[@AelissNovak]

@@lindenmackenzie3291 She has the KZbin channel Homemade Wanderlust, you can probably find some of her videos on the sidebar of any backpacking video.

[@TeamFish15]

If I recall correctly, Jessica (Dixie) missed some PCT because of some fire closures, but went back and finished them later with her mom. Also, because of some of the fire closures and rerouting that had to take place, those following the reroutes were given credit as complete thru hikers.

[@mtadams2009]

@@kevinl8440I don’t think he is referring to her. If I remember right she hiked through the snow and over those mountains.

[@ghost0441]

I don't particularly care with one exception, when money is involved. I know at least one person that was getting patreon money for their Thru-hike vids in 2019 that would just skip to the next trail head, film a vid and then hop to the next. That's pretty scummy.

[@BURZUM__]

Are they a KZbinr?

[@quiqweig13]

If so, they should be outed. Sorry, but true. It’s a breach of trust and contract. Yeah, contract - your word. Support me while I hike; support me while I mislead people? No.

[@ghost0441]

@@quiqweig13 They were and deleted their vids due to "bullying" aka called on their BS. Don't remember her name off the top of my head though.

[@bobbyyoung7836]

A BUNCH ARE DOING IT NOW.HOSTIL TO HOSTIL!!!!!!

[@frolege1]

@@ghost0441 yes, she's in Frozen's AT hike videos around Day 5-15... overweight lady that got caught yellow blazing like 50-100 miles

[@YoungGunzBass01]

Totally agree with this. I’m not a thru hiker but cheating is cheating.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Yup

[@bobbyyoung7836]

Just like politicians!!!!!

[@kdavis4910]

I am a future thru hiker and I agree completely. Cheating is cheating no matter how anyone tries to slice it. It would be cool if the AT came up with a system that proves no yellow blazing took place during the hike. Idk how that could be accomplished though. A thru hike is defined as hiking the entire trail using continuous footsteps completed within 1 calender year. The Camino has a book in which ink stamps are collected to show you hiked enough miles to qualify to be a thru hiker of that trail 👣.......

[@kimw4634]

Never have done a thru hike, but come on, it’s in the title: THRU. Not SOME. You either did it all in one shot or you didn’t & you’re not a thru hiker. What was your trail name? Love your videos!

[@diomepa2100]

@@kimw4634 yeah that's a bit the thing - it actually doesn't stop you from having breaks or leaving the trail and coming back to it. In fact the vast majority of people would not spend 6 months without a shower or making laundry - or resupply (which would be obvious, since nobody carries 6 months of food). So it's not only your pace that matters, it's also the sustainability of such pace. So while I completely agree you should do the whole thing to claim the title, I do not agree that someone who was behind you but pass you - are yellow blazing. Lots of places are hard only because of weather - and often lack of equipment for said weather. So if you are passing a snowy pass without proper shoes (e.g. micro-spikes), someone who comes after you after the snow has melted - can have much much easier time than you. Same can be said about mud. Mindlessly plodding forward in much harsher conditions, often means you are expending much more energy and resources. Just filling your "daily quota" is often not the best strategy. Life is much easier (and progress usually better) when you are adaptable to your current conditions, and use your strenghts.

[@andrewmcgaha9629]

"Cogito, ergo sum." - Descartes... "This above all: to thine own self be true." - Shakespeare

[@tailspindas]

Same thing I stated in my comment..To thine own self be true..

[@bob-ny6kn]

"- qq + pew pew." - Theinternet

[@earlaker]

I have thought about this. For myself, if I set "thru-hike" as my goal (which I really want to do when I retire 5 years from now), I would be so disappointed in myself if I skipped even a mile of the hike. If I left the trail for any reason (hostel, accident, etc), I would HAVE to go back to where I left in order to continue...but, that's just me! However, even if I ran out of time because of an accident or just because I'm freakin' old, I would still consider myself a "thru-hiker" if it took longer than 12 months or if I had to skip part of the trail due to a trail closure for some reason.

[@phaedrapage4217]

Here's my view of the situation as an outsider (outsider regarding the hiking community because I am not a hiker, I'm barely a walker): "thru hiking" implies that you started at one end and finished at the other end without leaving the trail, straight through. If you do it in legs, even if you pick up where you left off, but cover the entire trail, you hiked the entire trail, but not straight through. While both are major accomplishments, doing the whole thing in one long continuous jaunt is much more impressive. But ultimately my opinion doesn't matter. I don't even spend enough time outdoors to get the recommended amount of vitamin D.

[@bnto8788]

@@phaedrapage4217that’s where i think of the distinction between the phrase “hiked the pct” and “thru-hiked the pct” thru hiking is specifically in one season imo. at the end of the day the way you feel is the truth 😊

[@dakotaescher1]

Do what the heck you want. However, you shouldn't be telling anyone you "thru" hiked anything.

[@timthorne381]

I followed a gent on KZbin called Russel in the Bush on the pct. Completed the trough hike. At the end knew he had missed a couple of miles on a lift situation like you described. A month after the end of the hike he popped back up with a great post. It had bugged him, he drove an insane amount of miles and did the two miles. I think that is the mentality that you relate to.... I'm a school teacher and play it all the time when banging on about seeing a task through. Thanks for an interesting listen.

[@pitdoctor]

I'm personally more concerned about someone being responsible outdoors and following good Leave No Trace guidelines than if they skip a chunk of the trail. I would also be curious how many of the people you saw yellow blazing tell people they thru hiked the AT, or just say they hiked the AT.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I would also be curious

[@strathack33]

No real argument here. The ATC says, “...entire A.T. In 12 months or less.” If you flop back and complete what you skipped, within a year, you can claim you completed the A.T. as a thru-hike. Otherwise, you can claim A.T. hike completion, but not as a thru-hike.

[@jasonarthurs3885]

I had a similar experience when back country camping a few years ago. I came upon a couple hiking in the same direction as me. I passed them early in my day, but was surprised to come upon same couple at the only campsite later on; it was clear they arrived hours before me.

[@williamking2249]

I once yellow blazed to Bar Harbor Maine. Drove all the way, and I have a fridge magnet to prove it.👍😎

[@WhiteWizard44]

Well Kyle, in my neck of the woods "Yellowblazers" are winter hikers that head out overly hydrated with snow on the ground...

[@mollepolle]

There are rules to how you spend your own time now?

[@2laughandlaugh]

I can understand your frustration but at my age I have got to the point where I don't really care what other people do....

[@KyleHatesHiking]

fair enough. I'll get there give me a few more years

[@2laughandlaugh]

@@KyleHatesHiking must admit...weird watching you in serious mode..😠

[@atmako1]

As a serial section hiker working towards the finish line in Maine I have hiked ever step from GA-CT not in sequential order but every step...for me when I complete my last section I'll be proud within myself to say that I completed the entire trail...so it follows that I would not call myself a thru hiker or profess to have completed all the AT unless I had done so...I don't believe in false bravado...

[@StevenTorrey]

If somebody told me they made a "thru-hike" of the Appalachian Trail, I would be impressed; if they skipped a few (dozen+) miles by hitching rides along the way, it would still be an impressive accomplishment.

[@maj.d.sasterhikes9884]

It's pretty simple. If you're going to "yellow blaze" and skip parts of the trail then have the honesty to admit you're just out doing a series of section hikes. If you're passing yourself off as a "thru-hiker" and you're skipping sections by "yellow blazing", then you're just a common liar.

[@diomepa2100]

Section hiker still does the whole thing "eventually" they don't skip parts and claim they did it. Nobody does the AT in any other way than series of section hikes btw, because it's so busy trail the majority of the trail is very near to a resupply, services and "hiker food and hiker supplies" are easily available. So it's a bit of a "title" invented for - not sure what - advertise particular trail I suppose. If you go on some long distance trails for Europe you get pretty good clue what I am talking about. You often have 10+ days before you reach a resupply - and often they just have the "regular stuff". Finding a motel or place to wash up can be a nightmare.

[@alyishiking]

I hiked a few days with a guy who turned out to be a total douchebag and yellowblazer. He skipped Dragon's Tooth and McAfee's Knob and ended up summiting Katahdin way earlier than my friends who'd hiked with him in VA. He was also "fundraising" for cancer, and when he got a big donation he used it to buy everyone's drinks in town. He wasn't the only yellow blazer I met either. I have zero respect for people who yellow blaze.

[@TeamFish15]

Wow! What a doucherocket. The Yellowblazing isn’t hurting anyone; but lying to get money and spending it on drinks? That’s effing criminal, imho.

[@joelniemann9547]

"I don't want to make it into, like, a really big deal", so I'm going to make a video dedicated to the topic. Word. BUT SERIOUSLY, I can't stand blatant yellow-blazers, but some people take it too far. For example, you have a shelter just off the trail. There's a trail that spurs off the AT from just north and just south of it. There are 'purists' that say you have to go back down the southern path back to the AT and then continue, because if not, you skipped 100 yards and you're no longer a real thru hiker. That's absurd. But they are out there for sure!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I think I'm allowed to make a video about it without turning it into a big deal. Its just a topic, I'll be back next week with a different one. And yeah, I'm not trying to give people crap for skipping a tiny section because of a side trail.

[@joelniemann9547]

@@KyleHatesHiking I was just picking. But honestly, pointing out the problem like you did is probably the best thing you can do. Let people know it's a problem, and if you do it, be prepared for people to think less of you for it.

[@michaelb1761]

I'm a west coast hiker, and I was just thinking of this. There are two spots on the JMT/PCT that most people "miss". The side trips into Muir Trail Ranch and Vermillion Valley Resort. Are you really not hiking the entire trail if you still hike a continuous foot path and it is a longer path than the trail itself (assuming that you hiked into and out of VVR)? There are also official alternates that I don't think anyone would say "invalidates" your thru hike.

[@maj.d.sasterhikes9884]

Yes, I say we should run the "big deal flag" up the pole, even though Kyle says he's not making a big deal about, he actually is cause this is a 13 minute rant about yellow blazing. Not only that but he still hasn't learned that wearing your hat backwards is only cool if you're a baseball catcher or a ten year old kid. I think I'm going to make a new patch for my pack that says, "I Hate Kyle" and then see how many people ask what it means. : D

[@SpinelessCougar]

Big mileage yellow blazing is okay as long as you admit to it i.e. "I thruhiked but yellow blazed Rocksilvania." Just be honest with yourself and others.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I think this is reasonable

[@johnalden5821]

Fair enough, but I would not call that a thru-hike. That person hiked all of the AT except Pennsylvania. I do agree I would respect that accomplishment immensely, and would also respect the honesty.

[@bobbyyoung7836]

You didn't complete the hike cuzz ya yelled. Dude

[@bobbyyoung7836]

Erik go back and finish

[@littleceasar9351]

This is exactly the way I feel, your experience, your gear, etc. are going to be much closer to that of a thru hiker.

[@russkgreen]

People gonna do what works for them. Even if misrepresenting themselves is what works for them. Fighting that is an unwinable war. Don’t waste your energy on resentment for other people on their own journey. You thru-hiked for your reasons and because it fit in your life journey. And that is an achievement. Truly. And you get to own the feelings and all the ways that challenge has affected you and your life. That’s the reward, and nobody on a different journey can cheapen that. And for my own part, i find that journey- yours, and Dixie’s (homemade wanderlust) and so many others - far more compelling than Bill Bryson’s misguided partial adventure or any of the yelllow-blaze followers.that said… People gotta follow their own paths, even if those paths have double yellow blazes. And we who don’t know all the details are in no position to judge.

[@SlumberBear2k]

I agree with this. My resentment over taking a blue blaze is all against myself. I don't care at all about the other people and whether or not they lied. I still consider them part of the adventure. But to me I was dishonest, even if for a few miles of difficult, challenging bypass. That's why I always recommend people don't take any bypass on the trail, for THEIR OWN peace of mind, not mine.

[@exxology1]

I think it’s more important to have a good experience than an arbitrary “goal” or “bragging rights”.. but yellow blazing is a fine term if it bothers “real thru” hikers that much..

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

I don’t think he’s saying people shouldn’t do this it’s doing this and then pretending to have through hiked the trail that’s an issue. It’s like taking a cab for part of a marathon and then saying “I ran a marathon...”. No you didn’t. You did some of a marathon.

[@andrewlivelife]

Wowww, didn't even know ppl did this, crazy. Thanks for the knowledge Kyle.

[@Thiker927]

Stumbled on your podcast....I like it. Thanks for the good videos on KZbin as well

[@Hihihi96]

Your serious videos still make me laugh! Nicely done

[@SoggyTreks]

I follow hikers and one good way to tell if they are yellow blazing is when I see them go from Harpers Ferry to Duncannon in 2 days and see pics/videos of them and they are the cleanest hikers with neatly pressed clothes, perfect hair, no mud or dirt on them to be seen. And the ones I met have stories which don’t add up. No problem for me if you want to yellow blaze. Just don’t call it an end to end thru hike. HYOH

[@GoingONwithCharlesPowell]

We get caught up in achieving our goals. I’ve found that hiking often becomes about the miles you are putting in rather than what you get to see along the way. Can I say that there is some kind of elitist mentality of those that claim to be Thru-Hikers on the AT? Integrity is important for the true title of the accomplishment in of Thru-Hiking. Folks are going to have various reasons as to why they choose to long distance hike. One thing for sure is that being a good steward of the trail while getting to enjoy the scenic value of the country is bigger than the personal goals we complete.

[@taraconway8713]

Ha ha! This is the first video of yours that I watched and it still cracks me up the part about not staying up all night thinking about yellow blazers!😂🤣😂 The way the camera zooms in and your mannerisms are on point!😂

[@godavis9193]

I think if you are someone who has problems with "Fill-In-The-Blank" Blazers, or section or day hikers, you should spend some time alone in the woods so you can reflect on the reasons why you care about what and why other people are doing. Look on the bright side for every Yellow Blazer there is a little more trail conservancy.

[@lulamarie6218]

I think it’s a problem if you apply for the certificate because then someone is an “official “ thru hiker. Other than that who cares? It’s your own personal journey, and you can do what makes you happy.

[@goinferal5815]

You are not alone on this Kyle, the same thing happens down here in Australia to some extent - always annoys the crap out of me, particularly if they are not upfront about it. It's also well known over on the TA in New Zealand fro what I've heard. It takes so much time, effort, planning and resilience to walk some of these longer trails, so having hikers cherry pick the sections that they walk and then claim and promote on their social media that they have completed the trail kind of diminishes the 'real' thru hikers achievements (IMHO).

[@MrFluffytheclown]

My Son (Rock Doc) hiked the complete length of the NB thur Hike back in 2014. It took him 4 1/2 months! He thoroughly enjoyed the experience and still talks to fellow hikers that he met on the trail. I hiked the entire width which didn't take me very long at all!!!

[@richardreed6249]

The biggest question is why would you care what someone else does?

[@qmechanical9369]

That is fallacious in that a murderer could use that logic. But in this case someone could lie and put others down for not finishing the trail, despite their own failure to do so.

[@richardreed6249]

@Q Mechanical That good into the"why should I care what a stranger thinks. "

[@AlkyCeej]

I get it though. Someone claiming a difficult achievement when they've not really done it diminishes the value for those who did the work.

[@richardreed6249]

@AlkyCeej I can understand that, but if I was to complete the AT, I would do it for my own satisfaction, and not because of some glittery I would get from a stranger. I look at life from the perspective of, the only person I have to look in the mirror is myself, and if I can lie to myself, that says more about me then about anyone I would be talking about

[@richardreed6249]

@@qmechanical9369 yes, and they are the ones that have to look at themselves in the mirror. Anyone there putting down, if they don't know him, shouldn't care what that person thinks.

[@1PZfan]

So I guess we just have to add the term "thorough" hiker to our vocabulary we are truly "thru" Hiking. If "hike your own hike" for you means yellow blazing, then just say I'm yellow blazing the AT from start to finish. This would be me... I have no interest in covering every mile of the AT. There are many areas I would like to just skip over as they don't interest me. But I think starting at Springer and ending on Katahdin would be a definite do for me. So when I vlog my "thru" hike, I'll be sure to call it "Yellow Blazing my Thru Hike of the AT", and be very honest with my intentions through the whole hike.😊

[@robanderson5007]

Always thought yellow blazing was people pissing on the trail. Glad you made me wrong thx.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Hahaha

[@swishanie5294]

Hilarious!!!

[@chandaharkins4418]

Oh, my! This made me laugh.

[@christopherhaak9824]

Well, you can be like Andrew Skurka and thru hike and piss on the trail while you are walking - because it saves time and you can get in more miles that way.

[@incontinentiabuttocks5271]

I'm came across a dude shitting like six feet away from the trail hanging onto a tree in plain view of everyone haha. Like dude seriously dogs don't even do shit like that haha.

[@JaredHikes]

Great job, Kyle, another insightful monologue.

[@chris-thumper7205]

Personally, you do you. I have thru hiked the entire trail in '17. If you section, whooptiedoo! That's harder, logistically. Both have their good and bad points. Glad I'm just able to to be out there.

[@abrahamnorthhampton3327]

As with you, it bothered me while I was hiking, sometimes quite a bit. Since I finished, it bothers me a lot less. I don't care what people claim about themselves. If they can live with something they know to be untrue, there's nothing I can do to change them. I don't feel like someone else's phony achievement diminishes my genuine achievement, either. In the end, it's not worth the mental and emotional price to worry about this. I have more important things to invest my energy in, like my upcoming PCT hike (hopefully a thru). Happy trails!

[@RalphReagan]

Blazes originally were chipping bark off trees. In the 60's paint was considered like littering.

[@theamericanhiker9655]

Very good insight to this topic longest hike I’ve done is 33 miles so never done it but always good to hear other perspectives. Another great video my friend keep it up! Hands down the best hiking channel on KZbin

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Appreciate all your support!!

[@wolf1066]

Ah, this makes me so glad I'm "just a Weekend Warrior" and don't have to worry about all this "section" vs "thru" hiking and "white" vs "yellow" blazing.

[@RichRich1955]

I end to end the at in 1978 and was offered a ride at Fontana Dam so I missed a mile

[@robfigulski1139]

Had to miss Roan Mountain and about 12 miles in 2014 due to a snow storm... I couldn't get a ride back to the Gap.. However I came back in September and finished those miles.. Great video! I agree 100%

[@Diddley_Squat]

I went north 2014.

[@robfigulski1139]

@@Diddley_Squat Started mid Feb... I can't imagine Starting mid-May like Kyle.. That's nuts! 😆

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thanks Rob! Roan Mountain was a great section, so im glad you still got to see it

[@PInk77W1]

I’ve cycled across the USA 4 times. I can’t count how many people have called me a liar. I couldn’t care less. I want to walk the AT April May June July 2022. I have no experience in that department

[@jimchilds4969]

I wouldn't bother to be too concerned about this issue. People who did not, have been claiming to have hiked through since it became fashionable in the Sixties. I grew up in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Hiking was anytime you felt like it by just opening the back door. Not about to hike the AT. A one or two night trip will do it for me.

[@ericsidolmind]

I'm not a through hiker. I'm a section hiker at best. I have no ambitious to through hike, but I understand if you do. I think it does diminish the accomplishments of others if you claim through hiking, but you yellow blaze. It is something that you earn, and if you yellow blaze to get there, though you may well have hiked many miles, you know, and maybe others know that it wasn't entirely true to count yourself among those who actually through hike.

[@cerealdude890]

I thru hiked, and I did it for myself. Not for some flawed, ever-changing perspective of what I did from others. I personally can’t work myself up to care the slightest bit about yellow blazing.

[@ericsidolmind]

Fair enough. I commend you for that. My life just doesn't slot me the kind of time to do so, and I'm a little put off from the big trails traditionally associated with thru hiking. I'm a Yopper, and I frequently do sections of the North Country Trail, as I did tonight actually. (It was only a mile and a half, but my GF is still on the mend from her surgery, so we're taking it slow to get her back up to speed for the summer. Also it was deep snow and we were snowshoeing), but yeah bud I feel like it's a little over blown, but people take a lot of pride in their accomplishments, and I wouldn't feel right calling my self a Chef, even though after 25 years working in that copacity,Chefs count me as one of they're number, I still have not been certified as such, so... I'm a Master Cook, and a section hiker.

[@cranker100]

Outsiders perspective here, seems kind of petty to care about what other through hikers do or say. Not quite on the same scale as stolen valour which is not a victimless crime.

[@incontinentiabuttocks5271]

Exactly it's not a competition it's a learning experience and it's meant to detach you from the bullshit of modern society and the constant rat race. You'll get these people who laugh at your pack if you have a small hatchet or machete saying you'll never need that on the trail while they stay in hotels and eat at restaurants everyday. I find it best to just ignore the "internet adventurers" who aren't really understanding what this experience is about.

[@allenelswick6961]

The people who choose the easier trails have did nothing wrong that is why those colors are there to give you a choice not what some one else said you cheated.

[@highlife7960]

I "through hiked" the trail NOBO in 2016 and I feel the same way. I also hate it when slack packers claim to be through hikers. I had the same experience about passing some one and finding them way ahead later. Some people would leave the trail for a long time and then appear way ahead. Many people candidly talked about skipping some the harder sections i.e. the White Mountains but they were still "through hikers". I also met several people that told me that after section hiking for many years, they finally completed their "through hike". This is why I maintain that the often quoted finishing statistic of 30 percent is probably more like 10 percent.

[@janrie7330]

LMAO, The first time I watched this video I didn't realize that you are the TrailTales guy, and I was suprised to have a video show up in my recommended videos after listening to Episode #3 in which you talk about yellow-blazing... Imagine my suprise when I look up your channel and find that I've already watched a few videos of yours :D

[@anonpers0n]

it just doesnt matter, we hike for ourselves not others or what others think. we get no trophy.

[@orangew3988]

Maybe there should be a non judgement term for people who are travelling from maine to Georgia but don't care about stepping on every part of the trail. Like, there's lots of reason you might skip sections if you are valuing the overall experience more than the step by step challenge of it.

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

But then you’re not really doing the whole thing. You can say you traveled the trail skipping parts. Like a cliffs notes version of the trail. Lol.

[@kattidee]

Haha...like a Thru Yeller

[@nifflofair6685]

@@kattidee like a tru busybody!

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

Section hiking ?

[@frankzappa2451]

This video was thorough. Thanks Kyle. ✌️☮️

[@kevintolbert4934]

I'm getting up in age. I have found over the years that no one cares about your athletic achievements, so if you're good with what you done, then that's good for you. I wouldn't care what someone else did or didn't do. In the long run it doesn't matter. No one else will care if you do it all only you.

[@StevenVeldt]

Not as bad as, but feels like stolen valor.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Its like the hiker version of it. Which is much less significant than the real version

[@ericsidolmind]

Yeah I had that kinda feeling also. Not nearly as bad, but kinda a similar thing.

[@joesaverino5607]

Sometimes people yellow blaze just to get away from people that criticize other people or people that they don’t want to interact with. Sometimes yellow blazing is longer mileage-wise than staying on trail. It’s not a huge deal.

[@esmereldapinchon1422]

If you yellow blaze you can’t say you hiked the whole trail. It is what it is. It’s laying claim to an athletic achievement. If you didn’t that’s ok but don’t claim you did.

[@allenelswick6961]

On the trail you are going to meet some good people who become your friends soon and then there are the real weirdo's who you don't want to be a part of. period.

[@cozmo3778]

Great input love the video thnx for sharing I totally agree with you you have some great points on the topic and I appreciate people who don’t cheat in life cause it’s just pointless to cheat it really gets you nowhere in life haha ✌🏽

[@MusicByJC]

Lots of things to worry and stress out about in this world. Not sure if yellow-blazers are one of them. But to each his own.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

It does matter! I don't care how people hike as long as they are honest about it.

[@incontinentiabuttocks5271]

The only main rules that exist on the trail are don't litter, don't be a stalker creep and don't set up camp next to someone who's obviously not trying to be social and are off the beaten path. Some people go on the trail to be social butterflies and meet people some people just want to left alone that's why there walking alone in the wilderness.

[@letsgoteamseas5468]

Know what’s harder and more pure than thru hiking a trail? Doing it and not talking about it. Not making videos, photo ops, and especially talking shit. As soon as someone wants to broadcast their bullshit their lost in the wrong direction...

[@silverdollar6548]

The good “ole” yellow coward trail is never going to go away.

[@Panthers1998]

Favorite backpacking channel out there, keep it up man!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thanks so much! That really means a lot, seriously. There's some awesome backpacking channels out there i can't compete with

[@alexedney4143]

I think most thru hikers will give leeway to a negligible number of missed miles due to circumstances like you described with a shuttle mixup, but outside of that... Yellow blazing turns a thru into a section hike. period. Long Ass Section Hikes are still awesome and should be commended, but calling one a thru hike is just lying. And the people who did thru in your season will know!

[@sixfivearms8896]

You answered your own question: "I was hiking FOR ME, so why does it matter what somebody else does?" Yellow-blazing is NOT the issue. LYING about yellow-blazing is the issue. But even if someone brags he through-hiked the AT when he didn't - or claims he had sex with Jennifer Lopez when he didn't - your answer is the same: "Whatever, dude...." Don't let it bother you.

[@probationtermination]

Bout time someone spoke about the big elephant in the room! The ATC says about 20% that start actually finish. That's really more around 10% if you factor in the yellow blazers. Great video. Getting ready for my CDT thru on April 4. There are so many alternate routes that are acceptable out there it will be interesting as to the feeling of the hikers in relation to yellow blazing.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

I think yellow blazing is different on the cdt, they say you just need to stay within the divide even if its not on the trail. Right?

[@probationtermination]

@@KyleHatesHiking correct, but it still should be a continuous footpath from Mexico to Canada or vice versa. We'll see if the yellow blazing is more or less than the AT. It will be interesting.

[@allenelswick6961]

When you start out as a group and are making good time but a few of them are already gone that one morning and you really don't think nothing of it until you finish the trail in Maine and find out those people made it there two full days before your group did. We didn't think about other short cut trails what we did think was some where those people had to have got a car ride.

[@slimpickins9124]

The question "did you thru hike the AT?" is part of the Heaven entrance exam.

[@franceseast6592]

I don't care too much unless someone is getting money to hike or doing it for charity or something and lying about hiking the whole trail. Other people skipping parts takes away from their accomplishments not mine. I know a guy with a disability who did it, and I think it's ok for him to have yellow blazed and still say he hiked the trail because it is an accessibility issue in that case. Like he needs an accommodation to do what I do. That's ok.

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

I have never done it. But if I had, I'd be proud of it. A huge undertaking. Someone claiming to be a thru hiker that intentionally bypassed sections , is a cheater. . I can understand your frustration on the matter.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

👍 thanks for watching!

[@CarapaceClavicle]

During my hike in 2011 there was this old dude who wasn’t in the best of shape who just so happened to get to every trail town before me. I was 22 and in the best shape of my life at the time and it didn’t matter how much I hustled, this guy was always at the next hostel, always getting food at the first restaurant I’d see, always sitting down and browsing the internet on the library’s computers, etc etc etc whenever I would drag my tired legs into the next town. Other hikers who had the same pace as me started noticing this guy as well and we all had a big laugh about it.

[@AhimsaKerp]

I've hiked the Annapurna Circuit a few times. It's not called yellow blazing there, but there are a surprising amount of hikers who take a jeep to skip the first 4-5 days, cross the pass then take a flight or a jeep to skip the last 5-7 days. If that's all you have time or inclination for, fair enough; but it does grate on me when they say they hiked the AC. Maybe we need a term--shortcut hikers or something like that?

[@spitfire155k2]

Anyone saying they "through hiked" any trail when they did not is stealing valor from those that indeed did hike the entire trail.

[@blessthegood1404]

Through hiking the AT is like going to college in this way, The hard work, fun, and exhaustion will strengthen you and alter your own perception and self-esteem. There are also those however who cheat off others and are only there for the parties. They can say they went to college/ through hiked, but they will leave they're no better than when they came. They are still the same scumbags that left home months before. All they did really is waste their money and cheat themselves out of the experience they could have had.

[@TeamFish15]

Well stated

[@fotomaxk6299]

Pretty happy to see The Mountain I hiked as the thumbnail :)

[@Beertownbill]

You forgot brown blazing...pooping only in the privies! I did several blue blazes (Charles Bunion and weather route options) in 2017 and I have no qualms saying I did a thru hike. Great video.

[@alexweigelhikes]

Respecting titles should really just be common courtesy. I know "titles" sounds like a bad thing, but it's respecting other people's accomplishments. I would never call myself a doctor just because I took a biology class once. And I get irritated when I see an "engineer" that didn't suffer through engineering school. Thru hiking is the same. Yellow blazing is really section hiking, and there shouldn't be in shame in that. I wish I had the time to be a section hiker. But I'm a weekend warrior. That's who I am, and I own it.... F*#&ing posers.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Agreed Alex, thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@kdavis4910]

Totally well said. There is no shame in yellow blazing if you are not trying to thru hike. Section hiking is just another way to enjoy the trail, but you're right about the "titles" too. The thru hikers I have heard talk about trail difficulty say to imagine the hardest thing you've done in your life and thru hiking is harder than that. They say they knew that the trail would be hard but it was actually harder than they anticipated. Many successful thru hikers say it's the hardest thing they've ever done ✔

[@kdavis4910]

There's nothing wrong with being a weekend warrior. Not all my subs to hiking channels are to thru hiking channels.

[@petitehiker754]

Why can’t someone be an engineer if they didn’t go to engineering school? Maybe they learned by doing, have gained years of experience and have become damn good at engineering. Personally I’d find that more impressive and title worthy than someone who just finished engineering school and then call themselves an engineer.

[@alexweigelhikes]

@@petitehiker754 I totally get where you're coming from. You just described an experienced technician or designer. They should be proud to be a technician or designer. I've know many that I have huge amounts of respect for. But they're not an engineer. They wouldn't to be called one either. The positions are different, the skill sets are different, and they need to be recognized that way.

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

Hey Artimus, are you watching?!?

[@ValsLife1]

That's what I was thinking too.

[@melaniegarden3416]

whatever happened to her in the end??

[@ValsLife1]

@@melaniegarden3416 She got called out on it by a LOT of people online. She quit the trail, and deleted all of her videos. I don't remember much more, but at the time, it was cool to see people's reactions and comments to her blue blazing. It's a shame, she seemed nice and I was rooting for her.

[@RyanSchell]

I am not a thru-hiker, but the standard I would hold for myself would be the same as what you're saying. I understand circumstances can challenge that from being 100%, but you make the most reasonable and safe call. Blatant skipping does feel like it devalues the hard work of those that actually put in the work. I like the message to just be nice, that is the kind thing to do. Doesn't mean we like it. I mean I'm sure we all work with some Yellow Blazers in our jobs too we don't enjoy either.

[@m34tba11]

uh.. the definition of thru-hiking is in the literal name itself. hiking it thru from start to finish. A Thru hike is starting at one end, finishing at the other end and following the trail corridor the whole way, and heading in one general direction.

[@marktomasko7863]

You're absolutely correct, bro!!!! I'm hitting the AT for my third thruhike over the last 23 years and you wouldn't believe how much different yet alike the AT is. The first time I thruhiked it "trail magic" had a different meaning than what it does now...for instance, you would never drop down into a gap and find a smorgasbord awaiting you when you got there, ..which is such a great thing now!!!......but even then if you were caught yellow blazing you were ostracized as not really a thruhiked at all and most legitimate hikers hiking every mile would have nothing to do with you. On the other hand, you have the inane hardcore purist who HAS HAS HAS to walk every single millimeter of the trail in order to consider himself an AT thruhiker and that type of hiker can be just as annoying, trust me on that. But as you say...if you're skipping any section on purpose simply because you don't want to walk it...then, in my loud-mourhed opinion, you are NOT an AT thruhiker but instead someone who hiked most of the AT on foot while doing the rest on the seat of a car and have no right to claim that you thruhiked the entire AT. By the way, that's one thing that annoys me about Darwin. He claims thruhiker status yet did NOT complete it within that one year period. For someone who advocates truth, honesty and leave no trace he still calls himself an AT thruhiker in his videos. Now I subscribe to him as well as I like the guy and I even commented to him what I just did to you but...he never replied...siigghhhhh....

[@gregory_adam5350]

Agreed. I was thinking the same thing. Obviously he’s logged thousands of thru hiking miles but the fact is he didn’t thru the AT. I hate to shit talk the guy but I can barely help it. He does kind of chap my ass. I’d like to hear (after saying last year how he had soooo much respect for them) how he feels about the ever virtuous ATC now with their shady ass pipeline deal, while still trying to strong-arm people off the trail. It seems their high level of caring and stewardship are contingent on convenience. Idk, I just appreciate reasonable modesty and authenticity.

[@amann5124]

Cheating suggests there is some kind of competition involved where cheating is gaining an unfair advantage over the competition.......News flash.......It's not a competition. Those who get upset are too concerned with other people as well as their own ego. I recommend practicing mindfulness, turn off and tune out social media because at the end of the day, the end of the year, the end of your life, it doesn't matter. What matters now and what will matter in the end is your personal experiences and journey through life. We are way too concerned with labels in this community. We are all warriors when it comes to endurance activities like this. YOU should be proud of hiking the whole trail step for step, but don't worry about others. That's all. For others who do what ever they want, that is their prerogative and none of your concern. Here is a fun exercise. When someone else "cheats" how does that effect you personally? Do you feel physical pain? Are you loosing money, personal items, potential income? Is your hike now, not worth anything to you? Now imagine that everyone who steps foot on a trail completes it step for step. Now are you physically in pain or feeling better? Are you being awarded with valuable currency or prizes? I assume your argument is that it effects your mood or your mentality of the trail. It distracts you and upsets you, but you don't know why. This is a personal problem, not a problem with said "cheaters." Now this is the real problem that needs to be fixed. If the way other hikers spend their summer effects you in that way, you need to assess yourself and work on your character because when you stop caring about the way others live their life, you begin to enjoy yours more and focus on what is in front of you and the relationships you bond on the trail and in life with people as well as nature.

[@richardwithrow5930]

I think there are people that take thru hiking as very serious for purpose of accomplishment, and those who do it for the experience. Am I a thru-hiker? 2015 I made it to mount greylock in Mass and got off due to tendinitis. In 2016 I was going to pick up where I left off, but I decided to start from springer again, because I wanted to experience the communal aspects, between springer and and greylock in 2016 I skipped over a few hundred miles, but took more seriously when getting to greylock again. Within 18 months I hiked about 3200 miles, but according to definition, I'm technically not a thru hiker despite the fact I spent 11 out of 17 months living in that forest. Personally, I do not care 💁‍♂️

[@rebeccaedwards8262]

I noticed here in Canada we are making inflatable sleeping pads designed to fit nicely in a hammock, I thought of you.

[@smilesgalore4137]

This is a great video! A thru-hiker’s association? The “THA” that logs several categories of achievement. Great job!

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thank you!

[@BobPritchard]

I thru hiked the AT in 2018 and I experienced this as well. At the time it really frustrated me when I passed a hiker and then days later, with no options to get off a trail, I would see them again ahead of me! And they were obese! I had other examples where I passed two hikers in NY state and then later when I was in NH, they were posting their pictures of summiting Katahdin! They were done and several hundred miles ahead of me! I've since mellowed out about this and while I am turned off by hikers bragging about their thru hike, a bigger need is to let everyone 'hike your own hike'. Anger and resentment can consume you it's best to let it go. We all set our own standards and while they're personal, it's pretty observable by our peers what our standards are. Set your standards high! On to the PCT in 2021!

[@Cheyla]

hey hey hey please no fat shaming here. Someone being "obese" does not determine their abilities to hike compared to yours. Let's help to encourage more people outside to diversify the outdoors, not act all shocked when large people are hiking faster than you.

[@BobPritchard]

@@Cheyla Perhaps I was insensitive and sorry for that but it was the truth and excess weight usually does correspond negatively to hiking speed as would a heavy backpack.

[@Bohonk212]

Climber Mt. Rainier and told a friend how hard the hike to the base camp was. She replied that it was no big deal, and then went on to say she did the 'better' guide plan where the guides carry all the food and cooking supplies up so she only had to trudge that mile of vertical with about 30 lbs. compared to the 60lbs. those on my climb had to carry. We both claim a Rainier summit but did we face an equal challenge?

[@eddiethehitchhikingmaltipo6754]

I’d have to say it simply comes down to standing by your word. If you say your doing a thru hike then do your best to stick to your commitment. Another good one Kyle 👍🏼😎

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Thank you as always!!

[@ryankeane8072]

I’m a devoted yellow blazer. I hike a section of AT in the Whites nobo, then drive home. Drive back, hike a section of AT through the Whites sobo, drive home. Rinse, repeat. :P Maybe I’ll hike the rest someday. Thru-hiker, section hiker, yellow blazer, whatevs - to me, if you’re outdoors hiking for 4-6 months straight, you’re a thruhiker to me, props, I don’t care if you left a footprint on every mile of the AT or not.

[@denis65366]

Yellow blasers are or were the partiers that just wanted to be part of the Trail community...ITs not cool at all

[@allysonlayman4698]

The truth has a way of always coming out. Be honest your self, do and say the right thing. I'm not worried about what others think or do. Cheating only hurts the cheater. Those that hike the entire trail are being true to themselves and the trail community, and thank you for being honest about your hike. My attemp will happen next April for my 65th birthday gift to me! To all who have gone before Congratulations and I for one appreciate every honeststep you took on the trail. God Bless.

[@chuggerguy]

I've wanted to do the trail for many years but have never gotten around to it. I think initially I thought of it as a purist but now I'd just be content to spend a few months along the trail. Enjoy the forest, especially deciduous forests like I grew up playing in. Not like this Florida wetlands, only slightly better than nothing. I think just do it any way you want. Just enjoy it. Don't worry about what others are doing. It's none of your business. (unless they damaging or harassing) Honestly, if I were to apply my purist standards, it would be end to end. No sleeping in motels or hostels unless maybe they're right beside the trail. No sticking a thumb out to hitch a ride into town. Walk to town for resupply or do without. No going home for a week to attend a wedding, graduation, whatever. No time limit though, just as long as you stay on trail. (except to "walk" into town for supplies) Same blue blaze away from shelter as to shelter? Doesn't bother me. If I ever get to go I'll skip the Smokies if my dog is still alive. I won't shuttle him. And I've already done the Smokies. Katahdin? I'd worry about that when/if the time comes. :) Yellow blaze? Personally, probably not. I couldn't ride with someone else anyway. Not even a shuttle or a taxi. First traffic violation I'd demand they pull over and let me out.