Figure it Out: on the Hayduke Trail

The Hayduke Trail is better described as a route than a trail, because most of the time there is no trail. It's 800 miles long snaking across southern Utah and Northern Arizona through canyon country. The terrain is very hard to navigate through and often requires dangerous descents and ascents on canyon walls. Not to mention it's in the desert so water is often scarce. What makes it all worth it is un-paralleled scenery in a strange and extremely remote environment.
Figure it Out is about more than just hiking the Hayduke though. It explores the psychological benefits of spending time in the wilderness and how we can incorporate those lessons into everyday life.
I have previously released 10 episodes about my Hayduke hike totaling over 4 hours in duration. This is a 50-minute version, condensing all those episodes down to a single film.
The episodes can be found here,
• Hiking 800 miles acros...
If you would like to support this channel please consider buying the book I just released based on the Hayduke hike. It's called "The Regular Life" and it goes into much greater depth about the psychological aspects of spending time in the wilderness.
fiveacesmedia....

[@nicholas8794]

Just watched this on Amazon. I loved the long version. Humour, beauty and wisdom. Thank you. I think I've found out what I need to do. Hike a really long ways!

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks! that's what I like to hear, everyone finds their own benefits in hiking.

[@petestephens5132]

I got a Heyduke story for ya!

[@misterd3979]

Travis was my neighbor - Hey Travis!!

[@HiiKER_global]

I'm blown away by how well made this is. It should have 20x number of views

[@NHTesla]

Amazing editing and camera work. I know exactly what it takes to film this kind of video as I am doing the same ungrateful job😅 This video deserves much more views. I salute you!

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks Tesla, I've seen some of your work so that means a lot! You do really nice work too!

[@PaulBeiser]

Good job getting it down to 50 minutes, with some new comments and footage. I encourage everyone who likes this to watch all of your wonderful videos on this spectacular route and journey!

[@3TruckProductions]

really well done. the introspection and philosophical musings really made it so much more than a typical hike film.

[@wildernesswolff9350]

Awesome video! Thinking about doing this trail myself

[@lindahuante]

Thank you so much for suck wonderful video. It’s such a beautiful area

[@cgrsworld]

I just watched the 90 minute version on Prime and my BIGGEST question: who filmed this???? My gut was turning over watching the most difficult sections with my mind screaming "now he has to go back for the camera?????" YIKES!!

[@SmokeyDukems]

Us Long Distance hikers really trust our water filters lmao

[@nks487]

Wonder if you are allowed to use pack goats? Edit: lol, maybe not I know goats are good climbers and all but...

[@activistmalpractice]

Such a cool film. I've hiked in almost every one of the places included, but never even considered linking them in one giant hike! Like Fitty Shrimp, I'm not a huge fan of heights, and while I can do a scramble once in a while, some of the climbs on this trail are a bit out of my element, especially with a full pack on! Wish there was at least one mention of the origins of Hayduke himself.

[@RedSandstoneDeserts]

Thank you for sharing!

[@WildernessMindset]

My pleasure!

[@brendar.8185]

I remember you and FittyShrimp doing the UP... what an awesome video. I must know where did #2 go?! Lol! I will watch the third video and see.

[@WanderingBlock]

Great video and awesome job completing that hike. Thanks for sharing your badass adventure!

[@elilivezey7884]

45:45 do you have a gps point for that shot? the crack on that wall behind you looks awesome

[@largemouthbassman5628]

“The harder the hike more truth is revealed” so true

[@bradmorgan856]

Beautiful job. My respect.

[@TravelsWithPhil]

I've watched the long version and loved it. Great job. Having done 1000s of short videos, I know how involved something like this really is. Excellent work !

[@Javaslinger7730]

What an accomplishment and an adventure! Such incredible country. I am so jealous and thankful that your took the time and enormous effort to share this. WOW.

[@mlshamp3020]

I too watched your video on Amazon, loved it! You did an amazing job of storytelling, a great adventure and human interest piece. I am trying to find other videos like yours; I like to work out in the morning from my basement and watch it! Hoping for the day I can make it out to the mountains, live in mountainless suburbia and the 1-2 hour park and preserve trails is where I spend my days lately. Thank you! Keep it up.

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks! I have a couple other hiking films if you haven't seen them. A Sense of Direction and Yooper Tours. I'm working on more too. I came from the same type of place, you'll make it!

[@Nate_Higgins]

Good stuff man. May these places remain hard to reach.

[@Batise]

great video, crazy trail

[@TheMoofy8]

nice overhead shots..a drone?

[@SadTapir]

"How the bleep we getting down there?" 🤣

[@lexee]

I enjoy the edit you did of the 1 hour version. Cutting the footage down must have been tough, but I like how you added more spoken word of the philosophy learned on the trail. It's a nice retrospective. I am pretty glad that you released the full 10 episodes first as I really got to experience each section. Both versions of this documentary are different but well worth watching!

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks! I added more narration after I got some feedback from a few people that wanted to have the subjects explained for a broader audience.

[@sidetrips]

Dale Sanders told me about this film. I loved it. Maybe we can fit it in our film festival next year.

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks for checking it out! I know you're full this year so it would be an honor to be included next year.

[@yellowstone2964]

Alex, Just watched your film on Amazon,absolutely incredible!!!Great courage to go it alone once your partner bailed on you.I thru hiked the AT,this makes that look like Disney World. Huge props brother for a great film,Awesome accomplishment !!!

[@WildernessMindset]

Hey thanks timothy! Congrats on the AT hike 2100 miles of any kind of hiking is no joke either!

[@yellowstone2964]

@@WildernessMindset Probably wrote wrong,hospital was about 6 hours.I was home 10 days when bill came.Initally snake bite just felt like a wasp sting,looked down that's when I saw a copperhead right by me blended in perfect with leaves.just took off my boots and had flip flops on !Lol

[@WildernessMindset]

@@yellowstone2964 Ooh ok that makes sense. Of course it waited until you had your flip flops on ha

[@gavindowding]

Lovely video

[@adventuremedic4538]

Wow, fantastic filming and editing! I loved the time-lapse parts. I will definitely have to check out the full version on Prime. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@gipathfinder7036]

Great video! Also loved the Yopper Tours videos. Looking forward for more videos from you. Grosse Ile, MI

[@Aholeintheozone]

Great job shooting and editing this. I swear I could see the dehydration in your face when you guys ran out of water, just the way the skin wrinkles around your eyes.

[@andy.bailey]

Just watched the full video on Amazon. It was fantastic. Thank you!

[@Brodieskipolefilms]

nice work! enjoyed it a lot

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks a lot!

[@carolewarner101]

Phenomenal! I would love to walk this route but would definitely not be comfortable walking it alone...

[@reconeix]

One of the most epic trails one could possibly traverse!

[@fluxfon2331]

Congratulations for your amazing thru hike in the wilderness

[@brocklastname6682]

Watched last night on Prime. Very good stuff.

[@christopherscott5236]

I have already watched this when it came out. But I was even more stoked when I saw this on amazon prime. Get to watch it again when I do my treadmill work.

[@justinwarters4360]

Just saw this on Amazon and yelled “hey that’s yooper” very nice.

[@rigbyUnbound]

fantastic trail and a fantastic summation of your time on it! a now i can look forward to your 10 episodes.. great stuff

[@indamountains7953]

awesome content headed out there in couple weeks ;)

[@johngregory17]

Amazing video love everything and the commentary!

[@_bearno]

Just watched it again. What a great video -and trip! It brings back some memories. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful movie!

[@WildernessMindset]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AMZMessengerBots]

I CANNOT believe you showed up at the Wave Permit Station and won a permit. You are lucky / it was meant to be. I've tried the lottery multiple times and haven't won yet.

[@WildernessMindset]

I thought I was wasting my time by trying to get a permit but it was worth a try. #2 and I were the last ones picked ha.

[@webrunner2407]

Alex, you are to be commended for your strength, fortitude, humility, knowledge & photographic abilities. You give us seniors hope for the younger generations. Watched the full version on Amazon Prime. Truly amazing.

[@WildernessMindset]

Thank you! We're not all lazy haha.

[@userbosco]

Just finished this on Prime. What a fantastic documentary. Excellent cinematic storytelling. Thank you for making and sharing this adventure! Would love to see your (videography) equipment list :-]

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks for watching! I just so happen to have a video about all the gear I carried on the HDT. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWm3Y56CidRngbs

[@PatrickNoonan]

Amazing film, my man. Will definitely have to do this at some point. I'm planning on doing the Colorado and Arizona Trail this year so that'll be a good fitness base to start with. When is the best time of year to thru hike it? Do you think you'd need some climbing experience before tackling this?

[@WildernessMindset]

Awesome! I’m hiking the CDT this year. Maybe I’ll see you on the Colorado trail if the timing lines up. I started the Hayduke late March that’s probably the best time to do it. People hike it in the fall too. Let me know if you have any more questions. I had zero rock climbing experience before starting but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

[@rosetta0229]

Been looking for a place where I could comment on this movie = You did some awesome work to create this and I want to make sure that I say thank you - I am amazed, impressed and joyful that I got to be there with you with the movie - Thank you Thank you Thank you

[@WildernessMindset]

Hey no problem I'd do it for fun if no one watched haha thanks!

[@dmerth]

Amazing job. Watched it on Amazon Prime.Greats skills! Do another!

[@WildernessMindset]

That's the plan! haha I hope to start something soon.

[@montanadivacreations9267]

We just watched this on Prime Video. My husband is an avid hiker but at his age.. this would be a stretch.. so we lived vicariously through your story. thanks so very much for this wonderful and detailed account of your journey into yourself and into the wilderness. You are older than your years. Thank you and may you have many more hikes to share.

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks! I plan on having many more hikes to share, it feels like I'm still just getting started. I noticed Montana in your name, do you live there? I'm actually moving out there soon.

[@QuietExplorations]

Hi Alex, Just watched this on prime. Well done! What music did you use throughout?

[@WildernessMindset]

Nice! I just used music from youtube's royalty free library. I've been impressed by the selection there for free.

[@CerebralStorm]

Just watched this documentary on prime. I've been to so many of these places, but never in 1 journey. You've inspired me and now I have to do it!

[@WildernessMindset]

Awesome! Unlike a lot of places I think all the land in between these parks and monuments is just as scenic.

[@chrismcluvn6138]

thank you so much for this.

[@paulmockercpa8291]

Impressive. When did you hike it Alex?

[@WildernessMindset]

thanks! It was in the spring of 2018.

[@Wraith35]

The whole edited version is awesome!

[@kaylaepperhart]

Hey Money Shot, my boyfriend and I decided to hike the PNT in 2017 after we listened to your podcast talking about your PNT documentary. We had an absolute blast on the PNT and just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration. It was an incredible adventure.

[@WildernessMindset]

That's awesome! could you tell if the PNT has changed much since 2015? I'm wondering how many thru-hikers there were.

[@kaylaepperhart]

@@WildernessMindset We met I think 30 thru hikers in 2017, which is much more than I expected. Really great folks. I bet the trail is very different in 2020 too cuz of all the volunteer trail maintenance that's been put in since then.

[@WildernessMindset]

@@kaylaepperhart Ok that sounds about right. I think I met about 20 on my hike. We estimated there were like 50 on the trail that year, but no one knows ha. It would be really interesting to hike it again in another 10 years I'm sure it has changed a lot already.

[@jdmac4049]

What camera did you use?

[@WildernessMindset]

it was an a6500

[@youreworthyourweightinavoc7189]

Loved this! Would’ve liked to find out more about the other hikers’ stories too

[@WildernessMindset]

Thanks! There's a 10-episode series that goes more in depth if you're interested. The other hikers share a little more about why they are out here. kzbin.info/aero/PLLP0J-UsoJ3NzPXdOU70fErFy9JbVaLSD

[@youreworthyourweightinavoc7189]

@@WildernessMindset thanks :)

[@youreworthyourweightinavoc7189]

Plus you really inspired me to do this trail. I’ve been interested for a while but now I feel like it’s imperative I go :)

[@baskets8429]

👍

[@whoodiestyle]

When you hiking this baskets?

[@baskets8429]

Chris the hiker hopefully at some point, this trail looks absolutely incredible!

[@whoodiestyle]

@@baskets8429 well I'm looking for a another person to go along with to do this trail. Looks like no joke and need to know navigation skills. Happy trails.

[@kill_your_ego6578]

Hook me up with a link to the best info sources. I'm thinking about jumping in this thing after the AZT.

[@WildernessMindset]

There's the main hayduke website. www.hayduketrail.org/ and Andrew Skurka has a map pack with a bunch of good info that I'd suggest buying from his website. I think it's like $40. But other than that there aren't many resources online for the Hayduke. I'd suggest looking at as many blogs from past hikers as you can find too.