Thru-Hiking the Sheltowee Trace Ep. 1: The Shock of the Departure

[@jhonyermo]

Here it is almost three years later. Just as fun, interesting, and informative as it originally was. Keeping up with Even through backpacker comics and every site he is on. THANKS for all EVAN--one of the best of the best. (17.5# baseweight back then & hiking stix)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for that, appreciate it!

[@kampersadventures958]

Two buddies of mine did a short hike of the Sheltowee Trace trail over Labor Day weekend this year. We spotted vehicles, and started 20.8 miles North of the Cumberland Falls. We just went slow and really took the beauty all in. Really had a great time. We (the three of us) will be starting together on Springer Mountain next February, all of us v-logging. lol.

[@IrishZombieNation]

Always enjoy your videos.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Irish Zombie Nation Thanks, appreciate it!

[@KnightsoftheTrail]

This is awesome. Thru-Hiking the Sheltowee Trace is one of the trails on our bucket list!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Great, hope you like the series! It's a fun but challenging trail.

[@KnightsoftheTrail]

I'm looking forward to it!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Awesome start Evan! This will be a fun series. Sam: "Don't get yourself killed!" Now there's an opener! 😂😂

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

He didn't seem very worried about it, did he? Hmmm.

[@SamLSchaeff]

Evan's Backpacking Videos Nope, I didn't 😂

[@adamholbrook2281]

Awesome, I'm really looking fwd to this series. I'm from the Greater Cincinnati area, so this is on Thru hike I've been wanting to do. I've frequented the Red River Gorge and I've had this on my radar for a long time. I hope the rest of the trail is in as good of condition as it is in this section. Thank you very much for documenting your adventure. Also interested to hear/ see how you do with the no cooking method. I haven't tried this approach yet, at least not for a long trip.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Really glad you're watching and might be able to learn something from the series! I like the no cooking method because I'm usually really tired at night and cooked food on the trail is nothing like food cooked at home -- at least for me, it's not worth the effort. Last year on my Benton McKaye hike I often ate Mountain House, and that was easy and tasted ok, but it's just so expensive . . .

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

i always look forward to your adventures. they make me miss my hiking trips. thankyou!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome!

[@jamesmoorhouse5265]

I'm stoked you're on the trail. Lots of people rooting for you so hang in there. I'm really intrigued by your style of backpacking and sheltowee will likely be my first real thru-hike when I can swing that much continuous time. so I'll be watching with interest. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're very welcome! Really nice comment, thanks.

[@FrozensAdventures]

Doing some major catching up/binge watching. GL dude!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, hope you like the videos!

[@briscohikes1889]

Great job Evan. We have been looking forward to this series since you mentioned it.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, hope you enjoy it!

[@robertalexander9931]

Great to see you on the trail again. Love you videos.

[@ellisholcomb2299]

thanks for taking us along with you look forward to seeing more take care of yourself out there wish you and your family all the best until next time my friend

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thank you -- and thanks for commenting!

[@PumpkinVillage]

Excellent first video. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventure. Take care, Al

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome!

[@tammymcdowell9469]

Just found you and I cant wait to watch all of your videos!!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Tammy McDowell That’s great, thanks!

[@markgang1861]

Excellent video, thanks for bringing us along. I liked the new editing technique and the shout out to "Dixie." I'm glad you have so many trails nearby, more trails bring us more videos.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I've been watching Dixie's channel since her first video. It's really taken off recently. Good for her. And her new PCT videos are great! Another channel I've been watching lately for the good editing is John Zahorian . . .

[@markgang1861]

Yes John Zahorian's videos have an excellent vibe - combining nature, music and train of thought commentary. It is interesting to watch a hiking-vloger's body of work evolve. Mastery of a field may take 10,000 hours good thing there are miles of trail to practice on. Question, do you think electrolyte depletion may have had any bearing on your having strange dreams on the trail?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Possible, I guess, but I take an electrolyte supplement: "Succeed S‑caps Endurolyte Electrolyte Supplement."

[@richpeterson7183]

Best ST video I've seen, I look forward to more and thanks for sharing!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Nice of you to say, thanks!

[@jeanward1252]

Thank you Evan for your creative drive to document and share this series ( indeed all your videography ). As I sit here watching (preparing for an upcoming thru hike ) what come's center , is I find your series reassuring. I'll be sitting with that gift for sometime.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Good luck on your hike!

[@outdoors4fun41]

love watching your videos, and I totally understand that feeling while watching the car drive away.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Outdoors 4fun Thanks, glad you are watching!

[@mountainwanderer]

Great video! Knowing that you're making all of the music makes it even better for me. You did a great job setting the mood. Inspiring stuff! I'm looking forward to the rest of the hike!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Glad you're watching, thanks!

[@viewsandreviews180]

I'm sure you had a great trip. Thank you for sharing I'm going to check out the next video.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it.

[@potatothorn]

well this is fantastic, So Green out there.. and quiet that's nice...324 miles this is exciting, looking forward to more videos!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, glad you're watching! Sometimes the video I took looks TOO green. Like, the green from the leaves reflects onto my face and makes me look ill. I wish there were more reds, yellow and blues in the woods!

[@potatothorn]

hahaha true it does reflect on you a bit sometimes

[@my_everyday_carry]

Thanks for the video.

[@TheWeekendHiker]

Looks like you are off to a good start, off to watch part 2. -ATB Adam 🐢

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@SalineScott]

That was awesome. I love the way you put it together. Can't wait to see the rest of the trip. I bet that was kind of spooky with the bad dreams. I can't believe that bridge was out like that. It could have fallen when we crossed it together. I got tickled at Sam when he said, "don't get yourself killed." Lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Sam is awesome . . . I almost never have bad dreams. And these weren't really nightmares, just the type of dream I really wanted to wake up from but couldn't . ..

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

A great start to the trip man. I'm excited to watch the rest . In that last clip you look like Dennis Quaid I even made my wife come look to make sure I wasn't crazy and she agreed. :)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hah, that's funny. I'm imaging the conversation in the Jaxx Drinkwater household about this guy on KZbin who looks like Dennis Quaid. Must have been the bad lighting . . .

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

Hahah. Must have, because you look nothing like Dennis Quaid. it was only in the last clip..

[@CavemanOutdoorsMissouri]

awesome, i remember almost all of this trip from your start on the Honey Creek Loop all the way to the charit creek lodge which isn't far from the twin arches. From there on its all new to me. off to part 2

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

The trail gets very interesting once it enters Kentucky!

[@carenburmeister5002]

Beautiful job on the video. Love your music, too.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Caren Burmeister Thanks very much--that means a lot!

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

What an awesome hike you're taking on Evan! I can't wait to see the other episodes! Best of luck out there; I'm sure you're going to have some epic stories to tell!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Roughing It With Ruth Definitely epic! Thanks for watching ...

[@ghpatriot]

Awesome!!! So happy that you get to do this hike! Really looking forward to your adventure. Take care of your feet and I'm sure you'll do great. You got this Evan!

[@ghpatriot]

Just realized your already done with the hike. Hope it was epic and I can't wait for the rest of the videos!!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@WayOffTheTrail]

Looks like you did get back. lol. Beautiful trail! Looking forward to the rest of your adventure.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@phyllismulkey3778]

good to see you again .

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thank you!

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

I seriously don't think I could pump out 20 miles anymore. Best of luck with your adventure Evan Enjoyed watching the beginning.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@ericd2290]

Been watching you videos of the AT trip. It is really interesting to say the least. Never done anything like this but love the outdoors and hunting. I live in Morehead Ky so it looks like i have some good spots to get my feet wet.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I remember Morehead fondly from my hike!

[@thathikingguy]

Wow this is gonna be an epic trip. Great first episode Evan! Will be anticipating the next

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, Chris -- appreciate it!

[@FinalMyle]

Glad to see you made it on the trail! You're really going to enjoy this one. :)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

FinalMyle Thanks, appreciate it!

[@sharpridgehomestead]

good to see you out there .... I was planning to finish the trail this spring but I have to punt it to fall due to work craziness .... I still have about 150 miles to go, give or take

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hope you finish soon and complete your video series!

[@JohnHikes]

It looks like you are back on the trail! Congrats! Can't lie i am a little jealous. After finishing the Pinhoti in October of 2016, I have barely hiked at all. When my lawyer life calms down, I will be watching these intently. Your BMT series was great. Can't wait to see what you did with this series. Have fun out there and be safe!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

AO2143 Good to hear from you! I know what you mean about your lawyer's life--I guess you know that I'm a lawyer too? I mentioned it once in a video but I can't remember if we ever exchanged comments about that. I like hikers, and I like lawyers, but I don't know a lot of hiking lawyers. If we ever meet in person, we'll have a lot to talk about!

[@JohnHikes]

I did know you are a lawyer too. I thought the same thing: a lawyer who hikes? You don't see that every day. I hope all is well.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, great, thanks! Just got back from the Smoky Mountains -- what a great place!

[@JohnHikes]

When I was there, I had a great time. I was hoping to at some point join the 900 mile club in the smokies. What did you hike?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Kind of a loop from Smokemont Campsite . . . Stayed at campsites 48 and 49. Did a loop up to the AT and Charlie's Bunion . . .

[@Hikergy16]

Awesome videos man! Just came across your channel, can't wait to catch up! -Hikergy16

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it! I was just watching something on your channel while you were watching mine (after I saw that you subbed). Looking forward to your videos!

[@kenrank]

Thanks for these... just watched the first one so far. Looking to do a 2-day hike with family (about 30 miles) to end in the Gorge (KY) in a month or so. Maybe in the spring a thru hike, we'll see.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Good luck with the hike! Hope you like the videos. You might learn some information about the trail, but unlike some of my other videos, the focus in this series was more on my own personal journey rather than describing the trail itself . . .

[@Tipster49]

As excited as you must have been, I bet that was a bit of a sad and scary feeling when they dropped you off. And for them also! I love Sam’s sense of humor, “Bye, don’t get yourself killed.” Maybe that was a little disconcerting 😂

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Definitely disconcerting. Thanks for commenting!

[@larryguy8606]

Since the AT hikers are thinning out, I'm rewatching this hike. I'm sure it will be even better the 2nd time around.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Nice comment, thanks. Hope you still like it on a second viewing!

[@GrantHubbard]

part of that runs through where I live in the corbin area falls and what not lol sweet home bro

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Grant--I know! I was in touch with Roger Lamb and Scott Taylor on the day that I was setting up -- and I knew I was missing U2BEREE 2017, which looked like a great time from what I've seen on KZbin!! Thanks for commenting.

[@GrantHubbard]

Evan's Backpacking Videos right on brother cheers maybe we can have you join us next year!!!

[@SoutheastBackpacker]

Great job pre-trip with the training and losing the weight. I bet both those really paid off. Great camera work as always. And who knew you have your own music. That is cool.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Glad you're watching! Thanks for the nice comment. Hope you get a chance to watch some more! It was an epic trip . . .

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Enjoyed the video!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Great! Thanks for commenting . . .

[@dorismorgan1635]

Have watched this (and your other) trail vid a few times. My husband and I are planning as we speak to walk in your footsteps on the Sheltowee and I personally was curious of your advice regarding starting in April vs May. (last year was record rainfall there) The farmers almanac calls for similar rainfall as last year. Starting in May is an option but reaching out to a pro seemed to be harmless enough.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Not sure about April v. May. There's lots of potential flooding on the ST, though, so if it looks very rainy in April . . .Good luck on the hike!

[@hikehunter9572]

Good to see the trip working well. I would love to do the Sheltowee someday. HFHS.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching!

[@uptrail7169]

Good Luck Evan! 324 miles is a good distance.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

uptrail71 Yes, far but not too far!

[@cabinman]

I finally got through this first one after many interruptions. Thanks for the food coverage I'm always trying to gleam some of that. I used your coconut rice recipe and love it and mentioned it on my last hiking trip. However I can't stand granola with coffee!!! Yuk :(:(:(

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome re the food! I got tired of that rice recipe and now do something like rice-powdered milk-sugar -- tastes like rice pudding. As for the granola, you've got to get chocolate-flavored granola. Then the chocolate and coffee mixes well together. But I'm not going to force you!

[@Sleeves]

Excellent! I am looking forward to watching this series. The Sheltowee Trace looks like a beautiful trail. Maybe I will get to hike it one day. All of that water was amazing. Hope you didn't have to ford any large creeks or rivers. That creek looked pretty dangerous. I need to try the "no cook" approach with my food the next time I am out for a few days. About how many calories do you eat per day? As always, love your editing. Watch out for those dreams! I will be checking out the other episodes soon. Keep Hiking!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Sleeves Glad you're watching. I think I was eating about 2,500 calories per day, plus a lot of extra calories when I ate at restaurants--not enough, as it turns out, since I lost a couple of pounds each week I was on the trail.

[@ghpatriot]

So awesome seeing some of the trail that we hiked together. Charit Creek Lodge was so cool. Were the cat's still there milling about?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, the cats were still there. I didn't see them but I talked to the owner about them. Somebody feeds them each week during the winter during the month we were there. I told him about our encounter with the cats. Very cool guy who is a long-distance hiker (and ultra-marathoner) himself.

[@strickysbackpackingadventures]

Glad to see you back out Evan. Hope all went well. One question: have you ever had an issue with snakes sleeping on the ground under the tarp? Would love to ditch the tent/hammock to lighten up but worry about that.

[@leapintothewild]

I'm cool with snakes, but the thought of spiders crawling around while I sleep just freaks me out. I doubt I'll ever graduate from my tent... lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

No, never had issues. My sleeping bag is in a bivy sack that I can zip up around my head to keep bugs out. Honestly, I don't think snakes want to be any closer to me than I want to be to them.

[@JoeDoeOutdoors]

Hey sweet page ☺ Keep it up!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

JoeDoe_ Outdoors Thanks!

[@kunicross]

That is cerainly an few step above all the nice hiking trails here in my area in Germany - but here I can take the kids with me even if we are extremely slow. Hopefully nobody was on the bridge when if broke down... Oh no socks is almost never a good idea. Do you carry replacement batteries to film on the trail or something like a solar charger? Good motivation having to go to the food resupply station. 😁

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I carried a bunch of replacement batteries for my Canon G7 X, which are really lightweight. I've heard that solar chargers don't work very well when you are in the woods most of the time.

[@kunicross]

Yea that's propably a problem there, I too prefer staying below trees my skin is just too sun sensitive...

[@jbreamsiii]

You ever wake up with a rattler or copperhead bundled under your sleeping bag? the one time I tarp camped when we were turkey hunting at Land between the lakes i picked up my sleeping bag and there was a cottonmouth curled up under it. Never again............. I only use my Kifaru Sawtooth in winter. and a tent or hammock in warmer weather.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Snakes don't worry me. I keep my bivy bag zipped up when I'm not in it, and once my camp is set up, I don't walk far from it. Like I said to another commenter, I don't think snakes want to be any closer to me than I want to be to them. Once I'm asleep, I don't give a thought to snakes. The only time I am apprehensive on the ground is when I'm sleeping in the Smokies (or nearby there) in bear season. Then I have my trekking poles nearby so I can bang them together if need be -- and I try not to think about it.

[@BluegrassBackcountry]

I’ve watched this series of yours at least 3times, love your content! I’m a Ky native and am planning my ST thru hike for this June, and I was wondering how much warmth you brought on the trail while hiking? Is anything needed more than a decent base layer and maybe a wind jacket for some layering, but not so much as a Montbell Thermawrap or AppGear Alpaca Hoodie? Trying to save as much weight as possible. Thanks!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Bluegrass Backcountry & Music Thanks! Completely depends on when you’re hiking. I think I had a puffy jacket that I only used at night and in the morning in camp.

[@leapintothewild]

Excited to see your reports of this trip! And since I didn't get a call, looks like your resupplies went as planned. :-) Question: did you leave your car parked at a trailhead for 2.5 weeks?? I get nervous leaving mine overnight due to break-ins at trailheads and always wonder what folks do when they're on a long trek. P.S. You're so low-key funny with that 'this water ford will suffice for the other three..." haha

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I don't want to give away the ending, but . . . well, keep watching! I'll add some more to this comment later . . .

[@leapintothewild]

Oh, noooo....

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Here is the follow-up I promised. In the raw footage of the hike, I had a little subplot about my car that in the end, I decided to cut. It involved being nervous that my car wouldn't be there when I finished. I couldn't answer your question because I wanted to leave my editing options open. Anyway, I parked my car at the trailhead and was sort of worried about it throughout the trip. But it was there when I finished and it started right up. As an alternative, I could have parked my car at a trail volunteer's house in Morehead. I had an arrangement to do just that but then it was turning out to be a little difficult figuring out how I'd get back to my car after I finished the trail. So I went with the trailhead and it worked out fine.

[@leapintothewild]

Whew! :-) Yep, I wondered about parking in Morehead since their trail group is so active. Glad it all worked out! I'm off to watch the final vid now...

[@codybrown2672]

What was your favorite section of the whole trail? Looking to do it but want to take my wife along for some sections. want to bring her along on some of the more scenes sections. Thanks!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Big South Fork section is great, as are others-I tried to show them in the videos.

[@TeacherSBD]

Another great adventure starting. How long do you have to walk with wet feet after crossing a creek?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I have been trying different methods of crossing creeks on this trip, and I've been trying to document them all. If it's raining and the trail is wet, my feet might be wet all day. On the other hand, If it's hot and sunny, I can walk through a creek and my shoes will dry in minutes. So it all depends . . . But in the beginning of the hike when my feet are prone to blisters, the thing that worries me most is getting an infection by allowing dirty water into open wounds . . . I don't have a good solution for that.

[@leapintothewild]

Have you ever tried the Nexcare Waterproof bandaids? They come in lots of sizes and stay put quite well in everyday life. I top them off with a strip of medical tape on the trail and so far they've stayed sealed until I peel them off. I've tried other brands, but nothing sticks like Nexcare imo.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I'll take a look at them, thanks!

[@shcmoly]

Try a cheap, light pair of sandals, strap em to the outside of your pack.

[@shcmoly]

324 miles... Wow, good luck buddy! What kind of tape do you use for pre-blisters? I am not prone to them but have been looking into it just in case and now more confused. Very nice music by the way. No stove to save weight; for me a warm meal after a long rainy day can be a morale booster.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and commenting -- really appreciate it. As for blisters, on a 80+ hike where I'm doing 20 miles per day, I just have to suffer through an initial round of blisters. After they heal, I'm all set. It's not something I can really train for. I was running 6+ miles per day to train for this, but that's far different than 20 with a backpack. Some of that running was barefoot. Nothing seems to help . . .

[@bigzach322]

You happened to do the hike when we had heavy rain for weeks, most of the southeast is out of drought condition now lol. Those creeks were very high. I'm curious about how you are crossing streams, I thought it looked like you walked through a stream with your shoes on but you take your socks off? Or are you switching to different shoes?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I have been trying different methods of stream crossing. I'm trying to document them all so that I can figure out what works best for me on big-mile hikes.

[@bigzach322]

I just keep on my shoes and socks, but if I had to choose one I'd wear my socks since they dry faster. I don't really have problems with wet feet and blisters though, I'm lucky.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

My blister problem only occurs at the beginning of a multi-day hike if I go over 18 miles. So I can also control blisters by keeping the mileage down . . .

[@bigzach322]

Tough mindset though lol, going slow and low mileage. I can never force myself to do it.

[@bennyvoncannon197]

Those pesky dreams cant explain the why but I have had them too.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

The worst I had was when I was wandering around Europe for three months at 20 years old (around 1983) when technology was ancient. I didn't make a single phone call -- too expensive -- only mailed letters, and literally no one in the world who knew me in the US knew where I was. One night in Corfu, I had a series of dreams where I "woke up" in different places, but I wasn't really awake, then I would realize I was still dreaming, only to "wake up" in a different unreal place. It was terrible! And I'm pretty sure it was triggered by being so out of touch with the rest of the world . . . which doesn't happen anymore. Sometimes I wish it did, despite the dreams!

[@freddymarcel-marcum6831]

What's the story with open carrying on the STT?

[@natehoover5266]

Hey Evan! When did you do this hike? I'm thinking about doing this as my first thru-hike and I'm getting pretty anxious but wondering if maybe I should wait until September maybe?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I think I did it in May.

[@ronwarren5085]

Evans forgive me but I'm going to blow your horn a little. My hat is off to you my friend for the thru hikes you do . Great job Evans thanks for taking me along and please keep up the good videos

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome, thanks!

[@MichaelHolloway]

0:30 - I like maps for context (similar to the one you show later): www.sheltoweetrace.org/uploads/7/0/9/5/70954793/st-map_orig.jpg 11:35 - Potatoes are NOT a substitute for raisins! ;)

[@JoshuaSeward]

Where do I get that guide book?

[@KGood28]

Sam: bye don't get yourself killed. 🤣🤣🤣

[@JayHill615]

How are the creek crossings

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Jay and Jessica Hill There are a lot of them but all doable, at least in May. The ford of Rock Creek (episode 2, I think) was tough this year, but there is a way around it. I talk about it in the video.

[@PREPFORIT]

Smart NOT to take that rickety bridge! I agree there is No place for " fat free " food while on a long hike ! + good flying diamond set up " quiet " is important .

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

PREPFORIT Thanks for watching and commenting!