Three Reasons Why I Quit My Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike | Chat in the Badlands

[@letysantiago3468]

I understand you ! I am the same way have to see a different view after a week . Enjoy your new journey.

[@PInk77W1]

I haven’t done the AT. I want to try next spring. 99% I won’t make it. I’m 62. The AT is Super difficult from What I hear. So there is no shame in not making it.

[@mywanderingnest]

It is super difficult. If you do attempt, start off slow and make it fun! Georgia is very difficult, if funds allow, take advantage of the hostels/slackpacking options. I only stayed at one hostel in Georgia and a friend's house. The rest I camped.

[@PInk77W1]

@@mywanderingnest Where I live in Texas there is a city 9 miles away So I walk there and back 18miles for a good workout a few times a month

[@beckyleheny8636]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have heard thru-hikers hint about drugs, but I had no idea it was that prevalent. I wish that if there are any thru-hikers watching your vlog if they will speak up. I did watch a couple who hiked last year and shared hostels that were big party scenes but that was not why they were on the trail. It just sickens me.

[@PInk77W1]

I hate drugs. I’ve had 2 brothers die from them.

[@mywanderingnest]

My condolences 🙏 I absolutely hate them, too. Weed is the main drug out here, but it stinks like no other, plus they say it's not addictive...I beg to differ. I've seen the effects of weed on people, especially on trail. No one is my family has died of "drugs"...but my aunt developed cancer "randomly" and ended up passing after 20 years of drug use. Other members in my family have done drugs and tore our family apart for years.

[@PInk77W1]

@@mywanderingnest I just ignore druggies And keep on keepin on. When I joined the Marines the asked me “Besides marijuana, what other drugs have u done?” I said I have never done marijuana. Then I had a career working as a government tree climber for 27y. I got drug tested a lot. I saw a lot of my co workers get fired

[@beckyleheny8636]

@@mywanderingnest I'm so sorry , my sympathies!

[@ottomatic8097]

I agree with your thoughts, through hiking can be too much, section hiking is good enough, I'm only a lowly day hiker wishing to be a section hiker, that would be my ultimate goal. Now you take the Lady vlogger her KZbin channel is ** On the Wright Path ** it took her 3 DAYS TO FINISH THE APPROACH TRAIL JUST TO GET TO SPRINGER MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 28 DAYS TO HIKE OUT OF GEORGIA and reach North Carolina!!! But she slowly built up her strength and finally got up to 14 miles a day and finished the Trail. I really don't know why I brought her up but I did. DID I MENTION IT TOOK HER 3 DAYS TO FINISH THE APPROACH TRAIL TO START HER HIKE?? I told her she should enter the Guinness Book of World Records after that feat. Those steps climbing up Amicalola Falls nearly killed her. I just finished following her on a Cruise Ship. I like her, and I like you.

[@mywanderingnest]

It is relevant you brought her up! She took her time and didn't feel pressured. I did the Approach Trail and then some my very first day doing almost 12 miles....not a good idea lol These long trails are not the norm. If I EVER attempt another hike like this one, it will be the PCT. I'll stick week or two ones from now on.

[@jackratcliffe2916]

Sounds like the Appalachian Mountains was not to your Liking, or Not Open enough like mountain ranges in the midwest mountains. Maybe you should had done your homework on what the AT ranges are . I live in Virginia and and have done sections of My beautiful state sections. Plus have done Trail Magic for Thru Hikers. Have for several years and NEVER have I seen drugs or things you say. Sad that maybe that the AT might have been more than you wanted, and it does for lots of hikers, But To Use the excuses you say, said alot about You !! I'm 76 and have hiked for years in my AT sections but hear your reasons doesn't add up and I follow Hikers on KZbin and have for years. Some make it, some don't, but to say why because they couldn't handle it or had injuries. Hope your Hiking Trails are better and open. Midwest Hiking might be your calling.

[@mywanderingnest]

I grew up in the Midwest and heard about the AT when I was in high school. But I really started hiking in college out west (Colorado, Utah, and Arizona) during the summers as a Geology student. I also lived out in Oregon for 3 years and hiked in Washington and Oregon. In my most humble opinion, Washington is my favorite state (nature related). During college and my time in the Coast Guard I was researching about thru-hiking the AT vs the PCT. I REALLY wanted to do the PCT however, I decided to attempt the AT because of the amount of town stops and shelters on the trail. Seemed more "forgiving". You don't have to believe me about the drugs on the AT, but I rest assure you...they are there. Like I said Weed #1 and shrooms is a close #2 and like I said, I was offered LSD many times as well. There are many news articles about drugs if you ever want to look them up. Have you ever hiked in the "bubble" for 800 miles in one go? Everyone is different. Like I said, I DID enjoy sections of the AT, but the long in-between just wasn't "worth" it for me. I hiked the first 150 miles of the AT before I got to a section "worthwhile" for me, which was the Smookies. I loved the Smookies! Some people may absolutely think the AT is gorgeous (which some sections are). However, I am not the only person who has said these exact things. Also in my video, I admit the things I did wrong. I really overestimated myself with how many miles I could do in a day. I really should have started earlier (late February) I would have been ahead of the "bubble", I wouldn't feel as rushed, my knees would not have been shot, and I would probably not be around as many drugs. www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/pair-arrested-for-allegedly-dealing-drugs-to-appalachian-trail-thru-hikers/

[@mywanderingnest]

appalachiantrailhistory.org/exhibits/show/drugs-and-alcohol-on-the-trail/a-personal-experience-on-the-t

[@jackratcliffe2916]

2016 article.. you just need not hike the AT.. but seems like you are digging .. May the flat lands back home keeps you safe..

[@mywanderingnest]

@jackratcliffe2916 I literally posted 2 links...the first one (in my long reply) was from this year...plus I literally just googled the first things I saw. Again, you are being blindfolded to the huge issue of drugs on trail. It is a problem and it's been ignored for too long. And oh yes, the flatlands of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington where I've hiked the last 6 years 😂

[@jackratcliffe2916]

Hope You stay out west. And Enjoy your Hikes. At 76 years old, College educated and Love my State and the AT which I have hiked for over 20 years . Met many hikers from all over the World, Nice People. So have a wonerful day there young hiker.@@mywanderingnest

[@luckyotter623]

If you're in it for views, you should do the CDT or PCT...both seem like pretty much nothing but views. And not as many ups and downs.

[@mywanderingnest]

Maybe one day I'll do the PCT...but it won't be anytime soon. However, it is on my bucket list. I wanted to do the PCT over the AT...but as a beginning hiker I knew the AT was more forgiving with all the shelters and town stops

[@jessicanewell7775]

Haha! Smoking pot is nothing new on trails. I would suggest NEVER visiting the state of Colorado if you are offended by someone smoking a joint around camp....the dope feinds are everywhere!!

[@mywanderingnest]

Weed I am "tolerant" of, I don't like it and I don't say anything about it if a group is smoking it around me. I just go away so i dont smell like skunk. However, shrooms and LSD I was not comfortable with whatsoever. BTW, I have been to Colorado, and I did like it, I was with MY friends, so I did enjoy my time there.