The Rise of Thru-Hiking [History from 1920 to Present]

My thoughts on how thru-hiking (or long distance backpacking) trails like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail rose to popularity over the past 100 years. What is happening here?
00:00 Intro
01:40 Phase 1: The Beginning of Thru-Hiking: 1920 - 1950
04:42 Phase 2: The Rise of Thru-Hiking - 1950 - 1990
07:09 Phase 3: The Explosion of Thru-Hiking - 1990 - Present day
10:00 Conclusion: Why Did All of This Happen?
Thanks to the non-profit trail organizations mentioned in this video:
Appalachian Trail Conservancy (www.appalachiantrail.org/)
Pacific Crest Trail Association (www.pcta.org/)
Continental Divide Trail Coalition (continentaldividetrail.org/)
Special thanks to the following thru-hikers for contributing their footage to this video:
Andrew "Reptar" Forestell ( / reptarhikes )
The Flying Dutchman (bit.ly/3bGy1P5)
Izzy “Ponderosa” Lackner (bit.ly/2R07sMM)
Heather "Anish" Anderson ( / anishhikes )
Hiking Nerd (bit.ly/2R2OFR1)
Image Credit: Luis Escobar ( / luis_escobar )
Image Credit: Trail Magic: The Grandma Gatewood Story used with permission from Eden Valley Enterprises.
Music provided by Free Vibes: goo.gl/NkGhTg
Extreme Energy by MusicToday80: / rock-music
Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Greenbelly Meals: www.greenbelly.co/

[@mlgilwood]

Excellent history of thru hiking! I'm sure that my Great-Grandma (Emma Gatewood) would think it wonderful that people are going out and enjoying the trails and nature. I hope that thru hiking continues for many years. Everyone needs alone time in the great outdoors, it is good for the soul!

[@Greenbelly]

So cool! And agreed. Cheers to you and your GREAT Grandma.

[@gatewoodappalachia5433]

This was really well done and very informative! Thanks for mentioning our Grandma Gatewood! 👵🏻💚

[@Greenbelly]

Very cool. Thanks.

[@richardzinter8281]

Great video and greatly appreciated. I have hiked 1600 miles of the AT so far (2018 and 2019), still about 600 miles to go and vow to complete it within 2 years, before I turn 70. My son is also avid outdoors but usually hikes to get someplace (rock climbing, mountain climbing, back country skiing) but not just for the sake of hiking. I think the need for people to disconnect from the world they live in, and get into the "real" world of the outdoors will continue to grow. You feel so much better after a day, a week, a month, 6 months of hiking.

[@Greenbelly]

Awesome! Good luck with the last 600 Richard. Nice to hear your thoughts as well. Safe hiking.

[@barondavis5692]

Throughly enjoyed. So many of your points are spot on. I hope the popularity of any hiking increases. Then it’ll create more demand for open spaces. During this covid lock down I’ve never seen so many people “hiking” at my local state park.

[@Greenbelly]

Haha, thanks so much Baron. Appreciate it.

[@melindaobrien8766]

Loved your history of thru hiking. Thank you for sharing.

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks Melinda :)

[@rhondaaliah3475]

Great video. Loved your commentary.

[@Greenbelly]

Nice to hear. Thanks so much Rhonda.

[@johndupras5367]

Nicely done, Chris! Great overview that will pique interest in thru-hiking and backpacking in general. By the way, your interview with Joe Rogan lit the spark in me, and I completed the AT in 2019. Also bought your book to help prepare, very well written and valuable. Hike on! Trigger AKA John Dupras.

[@Greenbelly]

Awesome John. So nice to hear. Thanks for following. Hope your AT hike last year was epic. Safe hiking and keep in touch.

[@patrkbukly4240]

Great video. Thank you.

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks Patrk!

[@saysflushable]

I believe you are wrong about the get away from technology. I think few would hike the trails but for the ability to stay in constant contact with everyone. Awesome video by the way!

[@X_explorer]

Cool video!

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks :)

[@Loner2012AT]

Smooth! Great video and production, but, miss all the AT videos from your own thru-hike.

[@Greenbelly]

Haha, thanks! There just wasn't enough footage from it though!

[@NickandRachel]

Thanks for sharing man

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks Snooch.

[@NickandRachel]

@@Greenbelly your welcome. We really enjoy making outdoor content also

[@Sam1628]

Great video AT thru hiker class of 2019 here

[@Sam1628]

Used your bars to get me through the 100 mile wilderness

[@Greenbelly]

@@Sam1628 Whoop whoop. Rock n roll Sam. Thanks!

[@OntarioHikingTrails]

Thanks for the explanation I never really thought about it before I just figured hiking was hiking😊

[@Greenbelly]

Just a little different. Close enough though! Thanks.

[@kookiemoose]

Strange how previous to Earl Shaffer Myron Avery who was the first person to cover every inch of the AT and measure the mileage of of the AT gets left out here as he so often does. Avery’s determination and perseverance created the way for hikers like Shaffer and Gatewood. Sad that a cornerstone gets left out.

[@Greenbelly]

Could have definitely given Avery a mention. Maybe next time, if we do a deeper dive into some AT history.

[@garthflint]

Now I have to read "A Walk in the Woods". With the shut down I have time. It is also snowing out (Western Montana) so another good reason to get a new book.

[@Greenbelly]

Indeed - there are some good things about being quarantined ;)

[@james24799700]

A great insight of how it started & when it got popular. I think after this virus pandemic the trails will be rammed full & I fear will be damaging for the future

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks! Agreed. Hopefully we can conserve more land and make more trails ;)

[@james24799700]

@@Greenbelly I'm hopefully gonna get round to doing the AT at some point, in the meantime stay safe, ATB James

[@jerbo8ballposse]

Awesome video. BTW weren't you on the Joe Rogan podcast? I thought I recognized you.

[@Greenbelly]

Haha, yes. Thanks Jeremy.

[@rageoid]

Enjoyed it. We are the wilderness, we just can't presently survive in it without manufactured assistance (clothing , food, shelter, etc.).

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks Dan!

[@heikoballing4489]

i planed my first(PCT99) and second(AT03) without internet. for the PCT i had the guidebooks and ray jardines PCT hikers handbook and one phonecall with somebody who did it.i ended up with a heavy pack and sendet 29 parcels to myself.but it was still the best time of my life.greetings from germany psyco heiko PCT99 AT03 CDT10

[@Greenbelly]

Awesome! Actually have Ray Jardine's book next to me now for another video I'm working on. Good on ya for pursuing pre-internet. Lol. Thanks Heiko.

[@654Tennis]

Super informative and interesting video, thanks for posting, especially in times like these when we're all itching to get back on the trails. I think the future of thru-hiking for future generations will be a mix like you said. Technology has and I think will continue to have a major impact for better or for worse (though the online resources and accessibility that you mentioned are definitely a positive!) and I think this will bring more folks on the trails, its just a matter of ensuring that everyone continues to remain mindful of their footprint and follows the leave no trace principles. I think we'll continue to see the number of thru-hikers rise which is ultimately a great thing because I think now more than ever a lot of people are putting things into perspective, and are finding real value in the outdoors and crave adventure. Perhaps some feel "trapped" by society as Benton MacKaye suggested and just want to live simply and enjoy a meaningful life on their own terms...at least that's my reasoning for wanting to complete a thru-hike. Sorry for my ramble, thanks again for the awesome video!!

[@Greenbelly]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Shannon. Not a ramble at all. And agreed on the mindfulness!

[@SewGood]

So, maybe "The History of Thru Hiking, 1920-2019" -Just sayin' 😉😎

[@Greenbelly]

Maybe. Pretty darn close.