The Real Truth about Jonathan Zaharek: A Controversial Upbringing

[@JonathanZaharek]

Consider supporting me on Patreon!!

[@martyhogan]

Cannot wait for the book! Love autographed originals, especially of the Adirondacks.

[@JDHcreativeworks]

Solid self-assessment and introspection. You can't please everyone all of the time. It is clear from this video that when you started producing your content you may not have been fully aware of the responsibility that came along with it. It sounds like you are aware of it now. From one ADK transplant to another, keep up the good work.

[@jenb.6440]

Hi Jonathan, I've only seen your recent videos because we moved back from Idaho and we were looking for good content and your work is excellent. We are in NH, but before we moved to NH, during Covid, and for years prior to Covid, we really enjoyed the Adirondack Mountains, we've skinned and skied Marcy amongst other trips, but when we went to the park and Keene in the fall of 2020 and people were so incredibly rude, there were signs telling people to leave, so I can't understand why you would care about what those people think. Anyway, at some point we'll hike the Adirondacks again but until then, we really enjoy your content; there's almost no quality east coast work being done. Thank you and best wishes!

[@skiimountaineer]

Hi Jonathan, I am understanding your journey more as you open yourself up! It’s nice to hear, I don’t get all the negativity, but that’s just me. Now, in your new path, I can see you as being a formidable steward. Keep up the good work… A few days ago, I was looking for your video on skiing Mount Marcy to Show to my wife, but I couldn’t find it.

[@gear_loft]

Ignore the gatekeepers. Keep rockin... They will fade eventually

[@richbielik317]

Proud of you JZ!

[@pgreenx]

I’m the guy who picked on you for glissading with crampons on. Part of it was so you learn not to break your leg(s). Part was so you know your an influencer and others do not get hurt. I’ve grown to enjoy your videos and look forward to them. Keep them coming.

[@lleviticus.]

There’s no negativity or controversy that can change the fact that you are doing awesome things for this park and on KZbin. Keep going dude!

[@martymorissette]

This hole experience is about growing, improving and bettering yourself. Good on you for aiming in that direction :) Cheers!

[@db.mc2]

Thanks Jonathan 👊👍Appreciate you my friend 🙏 Stay safe and take care 🙏God Bless

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

Love you bro!

[@Ezekiel.Siegrist]

I would argue that personal responsibility matters and badly planned or underprepared trips that cause rescues are solely on the ones who made those choices. Yes you should show best practices in your videos as much as possible but a VLOG is not a How To video and I don't think anyone has the right to come after you for every little decision you make. It's helpful to see the flaws in the older videos and work to correct them in future ones and acknowledging past mistakes is a good way to grow so it's all positive in my eyes. I love the videos, I found you while prepping for my own 46 journey to get an idea of what I'm getting into and I have been following since. Looking forward to what you're up to in the coming years!!!

[@ryanpatrickmahoney3949]

You are awesome! Youre content is awesome! You’re perspective and honesty is awesome! Keep on being you !

[@middleagedhiker703]

Very true. You are the most important person in your life. I say that all the time. Thank you for what you do.

[@finnpeartree1961]

Bro the older videos are golden

[@markcummings6856]

Would love to see the IG content. Stop the doubt. Keep up the good work. You are an extremely talented, mature young man. Take care.

[@phillipg7315]

Never once mistook this channel and your content as anything other than a passion project meant to educate and inspire through beautiful, thoughtful, high quality storytelling. Let the haters, hate and keep doing you man. 🏔️✌️

[@El_TORTUGA]

You do amazing things dude. Live your life and ignore the negativity. Climb on.

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

This video was uploaded 39 seconds ago according to my phone. How do you have a comment on this one day ago?

[@El_TORTUGA]

@@BrianHikesAllDay patreon dude. I get the videos before anyone else.

[@frjwoj]

Hi Jonathan! Great self assessment and criticisms. I believe I started watching you in 2018 and you were the one to get me excited about the Adirondacks and hiking in general about the same time a friend told me I should vacation there! As an older man of 66 years old, I have learned much from you directly and from your vlogs, about hiking, snowshoeing and the safety that should be practiced amongst other things associated with the Adirondacks. I am very thankful! Also, probably because I am older, I’ve learned not to judge people, so harshly. This has taken longer than I had wished, but I also am trying to progress, practicing patience, and humility. But I feel this is something that, younger people don’t realize yet and are too quick to criticize at the drop of a hat. I found out too late in life that it is not a good practice, as I have been guilty for too many years prior to this date. May God bless you, and have mercy on you always now and ever! ☦️

[@joanlajara3939]

Jonathan you were great in 2017 and you are great now!! If those people can’t handle it then they are immature! You have never put anything out there without warning people how to be responsible! I am 63 and have been climbing since I was 15, you have always told people how to be responsible on what they are doing! You are awesome your stuff was great! People who take it negatively, they don’t get it! You have always been honest ! so congratulate yourself on the stuff you’ve taught us!! And like I said, I am 63 and I get it!! Forget those people who have hate in their hearts! They are selfish and judgmental! We love you and keep on doing your stuff! Can’t wait to see you and meet you on the trail!! The mountains are our solitude! And in the words of my good friend Wendy Hall, creator of Adirondack Wildlife refuge, it’s not about the people it’s about the animals and the wildlife and mountains!! Keep your love for the wildness alive!! ❤️❤️

[@z_punk3183]

Well said! Great point about the division in the high peaks community. As a former member of the ADK Club I was turned off by their attitude towards people who got lost and need help. As an experienced hiker and hunter I have been turned around a few times, stumbled across lost hikers and hunters. It happens and there is no need to be so disrespectful to those it happens to. There will be hic-ups along everyone's journey. The worst is the unmarked trails to the 46 high peaks! Encourage people to complete the challenge. (After all, tourism is needed in that area.) However, don't complain that people are eroding trails, trampling vegetation or get lost when there is no defined trail. I could go on and on..... Johnathan, keep educating and inspiring new hikers. I love the content. Maybe our paths will meet in the ADK.

[@pear1831]

i just preordered one of the calendars. they look amazing. great job. i’m currently an aspiring 46er and have 33 high peaks. i just need the santanonis, the sewards, allen, cliff, redfield, marshal, tabletop, and phelps. i climb these with a camp on auger lake in keeseville and i’m currently 13 years old. my journey started on cascade and porter when i was 9 and i struggled through it but have come a very long way since that. wish me luck on my journey

[@evanjones213]

I always used to get mad when people would criticize your videos because tbh at that time I was just starting my 46er journey and I was a lot like you. But hearing you explain the situation I can see now why some people were upset at the time. However, I am still so glad you made those original videos because they were a huge reason me and so many other people were inspired to start hiking the high peaks. I truly appreciate that you are one of the rare guys that loves the high peaks but you never seem to gate keep or lash out at people you don’t agree with in the community. Looking forward to the videos you make in the future!

[@mikestevenson4101]

Keep doing what you're doing. Live your life and values that are important to you. Some will agree some will disagree, if you stay true to yourself it will all work out.

[@davidtoth4287]

We are all a work in progress~ thank you for sharing your journey, We love your contant and your photograghy, like one of my favorite rock bands once said " Fight the good fight every moment"~

[@diedinthewool]

Love your videos, John. I think what this boils down to is that people are always going to be jealous of what you do. If you are able to make a career out of hiking and skiing in the adirondacks, you will be one of a very select few (possibly the only person) who has what many would consider an absolute dream job. Most people are quite envious of the idea that you get to hike and make money while they are stuck in a job they hate and can maybe get out a few weekends a year. Even if the reality is you’re not earning much at all and making videos is a ton of work, it won’t matter, they will still perceive it differently. The point is, this problem isn’t going away, and I hope you can find a way to push through all the noise and just keep doing what you love and are good at doing.

[@stevelinskens8416]

I've always loved your videos, Jonathan. Sure, some of the stuff you've done is risky. But the same is true when I go winter backpacking with my church friends in either the Adirondacks or Whites every February (eight years in a row now!). People have to educate themselves and understand the risks of weather and trail conditions, and exercise the proper safety protocols. However, with that being said, I think your self-reflection here displays a more mature, experienced Jonathan that has grown in wisdom.

[@lizardofozz88]

You know what, haters gonna hate. Everyone has to start somewhere. You just chose to be public and put yourself out there. There are starting to be snobs in quite a lot of the different adventure sports who think that only those who deserve to be out there should attempt certain, trails, peaks, rivers, or runs of a certain difficulty. In my venture of mountaineering I was lucky enough to have a good mentor but I pushed the limits of my skill level. Pushing the limits is the only way you will progress. Getting lucky is sometimes what helps us learn. I can see how some will be lured into a false sense of security. Self reflection and self assessment is a good thing. Not everyone has a mentor and I applaud you and anyone else who gets out there and figured it out. With the rise of popularity in outdoor sports comes the old heads who try and prevent the newer generation from doing a lot of the same things that they did.

[@bluefoxhiking]

Great video. Your growth is obvious to any one who has kept up. And being humble, open and truly listening, not just waiting for your turn to talk is a dying art. Stay on YOUR path and no matter how high the mountains in between you will arrive. Take care.

[@anamarietomlinson3633]

Hope to see you in person..love to hike High Peaks but my body is not prepared for it yet at the moment although we hiked Cascade and Whiteface last 2018 and 2019… Continue doing what you love…and Take Care from your Adirondacks fan

[@coolbreezeoutdoors7177]

You keep doing what your doing brother. If people can’t see from your videos, that the Peaks are no joke, then they are not properly prepared. They should know their own limits, first and foremost. Your videos show, in the very least, it is not for everyone! More people are rescued from not having proper clothing and over estimating their own abilities. Keep up the great photography, Trek on brother.

[@ck9973]

Id love to see the og content…

[@RDJim]

"You want one of these calendars..." I want one of those calendars.

[@zacharyzwi2954]

People will always overestimate their abilities. You have to be in better shape than “the average American” to do these things, but no one wants to be told they can’t do it so they go to you so they have someone to blame. Insurance claims and rescue reports are a trail stewards worst nightmare with the bureaucracy involved in that. Also there’s a weird sense of entitlement that I get from some people in the ADKs, a lot that rubs certain people the wrong way (using phrases that not everyone understands and not speaking in layman’s, etc.). I get people don’t have proper gear and widen paths but you can’t expect everyone to use their money on expensive hiking gear that a substantial portion of the general public (especially in the present economic climate) simply cannot afford. With winter hiking forget about it, price of gear goes up considerably, and there’s generally less knowledge of it from the general public as a whole. If the market is intended to be for the affluent that’s fine, just don’t expect every taxpayer to be happy about it (especially in the north country). This is by no means to point fingers and name-call, it’s just what I’ve noticed living there and looking at the whole picture in an economic lens. Love your channel man and your growth and insights inspire people more than you know. Don’t let self-absorbed people that are jealous of the amazing cinematography you do bring you down man.

[@vinnyg.8170]

Jonathan; I've always loved your videos. Especially since I'm older now and my knees will no longer allow me to climb. Keep growing and keep putting out great vids. P.S. I absolutely love the print I just bought from you. It looks great!

[@BackcountryTreks]

You’re killing it man! I was stoked once I started getting negative feedback in my comments. This means it’s actually getting out there in the algorithm 👍 Keep doing your thing! Love your content. It’s been inspiring.

[@kevinhikes3132]

What's up buddy, I watch your videos because I like them, My adventures in the a d k began back in the 90's Long before the internet and smartphones I understand why you're making this video.

[@quietrevelry]

I've seen it here and in the forums (Facebook groups) from which you might recognize the name...maybe not :). Folks see a highlight reel or a group of catered glamor shots and think they're prepared, then proceed to go out, oblivious to the delicacy of the resource and requirements, and get in trouble. Our group has bourne the burden of the same reputation for enabling malefactors and exacerbating people's impact on the "46." Our group was remodeled and we refocused on stewardship and knowledge. I hope we are making a difference. I discovered your content while I was en route to my 46 [I think?]. I know what the mountains mean and value their beauty and fragility. I understood what it took for you to get there, and appreciate your cinematography and presentation. I never considered any of your actions as a potential blueprint for my own adventures. It should not be the onus of every content creator to also become a steward of these mountains. Individuals need to take responsibility for their own actions, which includes research, planning, and preparedness, and actually care about their own action's impact. I commend you on stepping up to play a role though. The stewardship is needed, and every little bit helps. The mountains are calling, and you are hearing them. (Folks should research what Muir's quote really means.) I look forward to seeing what pops up on your channel. Stay safe, stay healthy, and revel on!

[@darinwhite5078]

What you said here applies to hundreds if not thousands of content creators out there. Rarely do they accurately portray the dangers of what they are doing. Honestly i thought you were honest enough when you did the trap climb. i watched it and knew that i would NEVER feel comfortable enough to try it. For someone to blame you, its naive. you can search KZbin right now and find dozens of videos of people climbing it. I really wish you wouldn't take down your old videos i do find them entertaining. If you are truly concerned about the message you put out. Re-release them with your commentary of what you would do different now with the gift of experience. No matter your message you will always find haters. I have hiked for 3 years now and you will find "gate keepers" everywhere you go. All you can do is treat the land with respect and be prepared and ignore them. I look forward to your next video and glad you are back

[@gabcotm]

This whole thing is wildly insincere. You go this whole video trying to elaborate why you’re taking others feelings into consideration and then end up saying you’ve learned other people’s opinions don’t actually matter lmao this is crazy. You also get to the end and say “I’d be destroyed if *I* ever ‘lost’ this place” and it’s like dude, the whole point is that it’s about the Adirondacks, not you. It would be better off with none of us present at all.

[@JonathanZaharek]

Hey there, thanks for sharing your perspective. I appreciate your feedback and would like to clarify a few things. 1. When I say I've learned other people's opinions don't always matter, I mean in the sense that not all criticism is constructive. I absolutely value constructive feedback, and it has played a significant role in shaping my channel. However, sometimes, you also have to trust your own journey and not get bogged down by negative energy. It's a balance. 2. Saying "I'd be destroyed if I ever 'lost' this place" was in reference to my deep emotional bond with the Adirondacks. Just like one would feel heartbroken losing a loved one, my connection to this place is just as profound. It's not about putting myself above the Adirondacks; rather, it's about expressing the depth of my love for it. 3. While my channel revolves around the Adirondacks, it's also a reflection of my personal journey within these beautiful mountains. The two aren't mutually exclusive. My aim has always been to inspire and relate to those who share similar feelings for this place. I hope this offers some clarity. Thanks for being a part of the conversation, and I truly appreciate everyone who engages with the content, whether in agreement or not. It all helps the channel grow and evolve.

[@joanlajara3939]

Amen!!!

[@gear_loft]

Exhibit A