Thru-Hiking the Sheltowee Trace Ep. 3: The Hiker Attempts to Persevere

[@ericrose540]

Evan. Love your hiking series. Honest & informative. I am 59 -starting hiking about 19 years ago. Love the reality you bring to the videos. 53 is young; keep on trucking &. Posting!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much for watching and commenting. I wasn't sure about sharing my age or even what I said in the video when I was feeling so full of despair (like all my dreams were going down the tubes before my eyes -- that's how I felt in the moment). But I'm glad I shared it, because there are some really good comments here, like yours -- people sharing their ages and their experiences. Thanks.

[@bigzach322]

Pretty amazing you never saw hikers for that many miles.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

It's a funny trail in that it has more popular areas like Big South Fork and Red River Gorge that are connected by trails that don't seem to get a lot of use, especially during weekdays . . .

[@bigzach322]

Interesting, just goes to show that most of these long-distance trails aren't crowded like the AT and PCT.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

😳😳😳 Superb storytelling Evan. 👏👏

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, Tim, appreciate it!

[@Sleeves]

Well done! Beautiful water falls! That flooded portion of trail was unbelievable. Good choice to bushwhack. Loved your comment, "not lonely, just alone." I know exactly what you mean. I tend to enjoy it, although not sure how I would deal with it for an extended period. The body is definitely an amazing creation. The ability to heal and elevate one's pain threshold is mind boggling. That small toe might not have been hurting because it was numb from the constant pounding on the trail. Take care of those feet! I liked hearing you say things might be looking up. Good stuff. Excellent cliffhanger! I am hooked!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Glad you're still watching -- I tried to keep these videos short but a few of them got out of hand. Thanks for the comment--really appreciate it!

[@richardjones990]

A cliff hanger ending. I hate those but will be sure to watch the next episode. Great job Evan. Keep up the good work and thanks for taking guys like me along.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're very welcome -- thanks for watching!

[@Bluehathiker]

Love the editing in these videos. Also like the 'backstory' clips, I'm gonna try that! Great stuff!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for the comment. I ended up doing the little flashbacks because I didn't feel like talking too much as I was hiking. Worked out, I guess . . .

[@jasonwish-]

Really enjoying your trip and can't wait to see the next one!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much! Appreciate it!

[@GARYMANDIEVAN]

Looks like you are having fun and the ending was Great, Thanks for sharing

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome -- thanks for watching and commenting!

[@briscohikes1889]

Oh! A cliff hanger! Haha, nice twist. Enjoying these videos greatly Evan. Keep them coming. Nice work.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I'm glad to get your nice feedback -- thanks, really appreciate it.

[@alisoncausey4510]

It's so nice to see Laurel Lake and Holly Bay Marina on a KZbin video! 'm a local. It's also interesting to see and hear a person's interpretation of a place that's familiar to me. Thank you for sharing!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Alison Causey You’re welcome!

[@ronwarren5085]

You are absolutely amazing with those solo hikes you do. Wish I could do that. Good luck looking forward to the next video.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much for the good wishes! Appreciate it!

[@iksniler9067]

Great videos! Starting my thru hike of the sheltowee December 26th. Your videos and positive attitude is getting me excited. Thanks for the posts!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome! Good luck on your thru-hike. You'll have much better views than I did in the winter--and no bugs!

[@myadventureoutdoors]

Really nice scenes. You are on one hell of an undertaking.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Steve--appreciate it!

[@richpeterson7183]

Really enjoying the videos, thanks sharing your adventure.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome!

[@potatothorn]

loving the hike, on to the next episode!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Glad you're watching and commenting--thanks!

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

18 miles a day is pretty darn respectable Evan. When my wife picks me up from a long hike she says the "aroma" 😆 is pretty strong. Maybe that's why you didn't get invited onto those boats. lol. Great trip so far my friend.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, that's true. I definitely wasn't my cleanest self. It's actually pretty hard for me to mix with "regular" people when I'm hiking. I have to overcome an entire lifetime of being socialized and then bite the bullet and barge inside. But I'm uncomfortable the whole time. My biggest problem on this trip (I know you didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway) was that my shoes had a lot of river mud deep in the fabric and smelled like a swamp half the time. Demoralizing!

[@PumpkinVillage]

Oh no a cliff hanger. Pizza looked good. Nice pace your keeping. Take care, Al

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Really appreciate your comments -- thanks!

[@KuntryRD]

If you were in my neck of the woods; the first words I would have said to you would have been Wanna a Beer? Then you would have been invited to have a fried deer steak. We love adventurous people here in WV. That looks like one tough trail, but you are rocking it. I love suspense!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Well, that's appreciated, and thanks for the beer and fried deer steak, so to speak. Glad you are watching and commenting!

[@jhonyermo]

Watching for the first time 240628FR. GREAT Video after all these years. Too bad not many near as great.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks as always, really appreciate it!

[@TheWeekendHiker]

Well done Evan. Enjoyed it brother. -ATB Adam 🐢

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks Adam -- glad you are watching!

[@trailslug893]

I was afraid your feet were going to cause you to have to quit. Congrats on them getting better. Thanks for keeping us in suspense. I tried to read lips but I'm just not good at that. Thanks for sharing this trip with us and keep up the hard work and good hike.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hah, that's funny, trying to read my lips! Nice comment, I appreciate it!

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks for another video Evan! This is a nail-biting series to watch! I hope things worked out okay in the end :D

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Appreciate the good wishes! As always, thanks for watching and coming!

[@rialobran]

The editing is superb, I'm on tenterhooks now for the next episode of 'Man versus Trail' :)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yeah, "man v. trail" -- that's good!

[@jamesmoorhouse5265]

I've figured out at one point that the single most seductive aspect of backpacking for me is the adventure. If every trip went exactly how i expected i don't think i'd keep doing it long. Sometimes when you find yourself bushwacking through brambles because the trail is completely flooded the adventure bit kind of gets lost, but it always comes back in hindsight.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, that's very true. I didn't like it at the time but I'm already nostalgic about trying to find the trail by that flooded river. It happened twice. Luckily the flooded bits were not a huge part of the overall trail.

[@jamesmoorhouse5265]

Yes. There is such a think as too much adventure but that too should only be gauged in hind sight. Sounds the the tic situation might fall into that category. lol.

[@strickysbackpackingadventures]

Love the suspense Evan. Hope it was okay? Can't wait to find out. 👍

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@cabinman]

oh you did not leave us hanging! very trixtie you are.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Well, this installment turned out to be a little on the short side. Seemed like a good bit of filler to include a little something extra at the end!

[@thathikingguy]

I was curious as to how the tick situation is out there right now. Especially with all the overgrowth. Looking forward to your breakdown lol

[@leapintothewild]

Yep, hate those ticks even more than spiders. :-) The last time I hiked near tall grass it looked like the tops were burnt - once I got close I could see that it was clusters of ticks just sitting on the top of each blade waiting to hop on me. eeek Can't tell you how quick I high-tailed it out of there. Gives me the willies just to think about it...

[@KuntryRD]

Totally agree! I would take a big ole, ugly spider over the "cutest" tick any day. Those things give me the Jeebies.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

The ticks were awful. Hundreds and hundreds. I get into briefly in a later video. All day long I would brush them off my legs--literally, 30 a day or so. Every night I pulled some more off me with tweezers. They were falling out of the trees. Ugh.

[@thathikingguy]

Evan's Backpacking Videos oh dear God that sounds horrible LOL

[@SalineScott]

We just hiked 7 miles to the dog slaughter falls yesterday. It was a tough trail. I don't see how you were even doing 18 miles a day. Can't believe you didn't even get a beer.

[@SalineScott]

Shame on those people. Lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

18 miles a day isn't hard if you get up very early and walk all day long and don't stop much! Gets a little monotonous sometimes!

[@CavemanOutdoorsMissouri]

o and now i cant wait for the next episode.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, hope you like it!

[@leapintothewild]

Yep, those were definitely natives who didn't offer a beer. I've found Kentucky people to be extremely insular - outwardly friendly but, if you didn't grow up with them, will never do much more. Not like my home state of Tennessee where they'll invite you in, feed you, ask if you need anything - without your asking a thing! Can't wait to move home again in the next few months. woohoo Of course, Nashville is so overgrown now that it may be hard to meet actual natives. Have you found Brentwood friendly in your time there?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hah, that's funny. I actually live in Franklin in the Cool Springs area. Everyone around here is very friendly but, as you guessed, there are very few natives. We moved from St. Louis . . . As for Kentuckians -- well, I met some pretty nice people along the way. But your comment is very interesting.

[@leapintothewild]

Sorry, thought you were in Brentwood. :-) The last time I was in Cool Springs I had to use GPS. lol I was used to the old roads and cow fields, and kept getting lost!

[@brucehodson2763]

Thanks for exposing this trail to those of us that did not already know about it. My youngest daughter, now 20, wants to do a trip of length this coming season (read early 2018). Did you bear-bag food? Should one bear-bag their food there?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Supposedly, there are bears in some areas of the trail. I didn't see any bears and didn't see any signs of bears. When I asked the locals, they sometimes said something like, "Oh yeah, we had a bear around here about five years ago." Anyway, based on all this, I decided not to hang my food. Others might disagree with this decision.

[@robertalexander9931]

A real cliff hanger. 😁

[@renaissancemarinetv3536]

high drama! the best part about hiking is stopping at some restaurant or store and consuming huge amounts of food, and still being hungy

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, you're right! I consumed massive amounts of food at the Cumberland Falls lodge . . .

[@joncardenas3203]

Your videos are great!! I saw in this video you had a thru hikers guide for this trail. Is that common thing for most trails?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Some trails, not all. And the one I had was out of date.

[@yogavnture1]

i want to do a 25 mile one way trip. and then turn around. what section might i find good nature minimal roads. someone said section 23 and 24 . starting at interstate 75 . but it looks like alot of road walking

[@TeacherSBD]

It is a wonderful trail, and you are a courageous hiker. No surprise the pizza doesn't provide too much energy :-(

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

It wasn't the best pizza! They have a full kitchen at that place but it didn't open for another three weeks. I guess I was there early in the season . . .

[@jerryjbloodworth6010]

I am wondering if it would be worth it for you to carry crocs to cross water with so your shoes and socks stay dry?Thanks for your videos.I enjoy them.Also,Scott Taylor told me to use alcohol gel on my feet.I think it really helps.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yeah, I've heard baby powder works too. I sometimes use Gold Bond. I'm definitely considering other crossing strategies. I prefer just to walk in the water, but that doesn't work with open blisters because then I'm worried about infection. Eventually the blisters heal and I can get my feet wet again. I never have two round of blisters. Anyway, I'm thinking about it, thanks!

[@jerryjbloodworth6010]

I also carry a can of "spray-on bandage" which might be helpful.Don't know as I have never used it.Probably came from Walgreen or Walmart.

[@uptrail7169]

The trails looked like a nightmare around Cumberland. What did you say at the end? lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Right, I didn't enjoy that portion of the trail very much. The worst part I didn't mention -- swarms of mosquitoes. I sat down once to rest and had to get right back up. The mosquitoes didn't let up until I turned away from the river.

[@kunicross]

Propably need to add a mile extra for setting the camera up and going back. 😉 Uhhhh cliffhanger!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Well, you notice how I lost interest in the exercise after a few miles and then just skipped to 11!

[@ghandy9290]

are those Saucony shoes

[@markgang1861]

A solid beginning, informative plot, and suspenseful ending what other tricks of editing will you be pulling out of your sleeves. Well short sleeves when it isn't raining. " and now for something completely different"....... Make a game out of Yogi-ing for beer if it goes against your nature. A couple of strategies to use here 1. If you feel self conscious about Yogi-ing. Practice, practice practice,Yogi-ing on family, friends, and neighbors first. Reciprocation is highly recommended when Yogi-ing with family, friends, neighbors. 2.Make it a game by trying to see how few words of a conversation you could use before scoring a beer. ie. Hey you folks have any Beer? I'm dying over here.I'm dying over here you folks wouldn't happen to have a beer would yah? Beer? What cha drinking there?......oh boy that sure looks good. Many variations you could use here. Remember polite is always nice. 3.Nothing wrong with pleasantries to gauge their interest. You could also employ neurolinguist programming after pleasantries so that they would think it was their idea to present you with your prize. Being as you were near the waterway you could have asked what their plan was for the day. Listen for the mention of liquid refreshment. Add in, that sure sounds nice, wish I had packed in my cooler but I don't think it could have fit in my pack 4. Be flexible and quick on your feet. 5 The same trick does not work every time . 6. Variations are the spice of life. 7. Have fun with it. 8. Be reasonable and selective nobody wants to give Yogi-ing a bad name. 9. Also be aware of situational awareness. You may due to placement or proximity be able to address more than one group of people with your request. A no from one group may solicit a yes from another. 10. Gratitude...Always say thank you and exchange information if possible. disclaimer: I have neither field tried nor tested these techniques. Also no animals were harmed in the construction of this game. Just trying to provide a laugh here and there.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

This is an epic comment, thanks! For not having field tested these ideas, you have sure though it through carefully!

[@roche4647]

I need to offer you a beer or two or more for the enjoyment of your videos.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thank you! I'm always up for a beer, especially when hiking. Too bad they're too heavy to carry . . . (I used to carry whiskey, and I don't even do that anymore!)

[@shcmoly]

There are beer kits for backpacking, add water and a dry carbonation pack. Have not tried it.

[@michellewells4603]

Are there not shelter along the way or do you choose to camp like that ? Thinking of going next year was wanting to learn more about it

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Michelle Wells There might be a couple shelters, but not like on the AT. There are some well-used campsites here and there, but I prefer to set up in the woods whenever I’m ready to stop. Thanks for watching!

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

AWWWW man, A cliff hanger! hahaha

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

This installment ended up being too short. I had to add something else!

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Lol. Funny ending

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Glad you liked it!

[@pamaladarsow2763]

Nice size rat snake. You had a waitress ? Love your videos 🐍

[@sharpridgehomestead]

this is the area I had my bear encounter ....

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I wish a would have seen a bear. But I didn't even see any signs of any bears. You were lucky.

[@sharpridgehomestead]

every hiker I have ever met says that but I would guess if you were with me that day ... you wouldn't want to see a bear under the same circumstances. It happened between cumberland falls and the two shelters before laurel lake ... I was just walking along when I heard a noise ahead and by the time I realized it was a bear, it had already run about 10 yards down the bank toward the river, made a hard left, ran another 20 yards along the trail, made another left and was running straight at me. By then I was shouting and flailing my arms and it stopped within a distance I could hear it breathing. All of this took maybe 2-4 seconds. When they say a bear can run 40mph ... you don't realize how fast that is until you see it in person.

[@sharpridgehomestead]

also kind of surprised you didn't see any bear tracks in that gorge area just before peter mountain .... the section where its just wide enough to hike through and rocks on both sides of the trail. When I hiked, there were more bear tracks there than human tracks.. I guess it could be the difference between hiking in spring and fall ... my hike was in fall when they are more active fattening up for winter.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're right, that doesn't sound like a fun encounter . . . Like you said, I have seen more bears in fall than any other months. They seem so concerned with eating that they're less skittish. That's my experience anyway . . .