Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Day 137...We Hoped it Would Not Come to This

[@issieanderson2083]

Well done to Captain, who has worked out how to make this massive endeavour work out for you. Given your other multiple priorities and challenges, this is an achievement. Captain is a smart young man.

[@sandrap3047]

I’m sure flipping up to NH is a bummer, but you are making the right decision! Your number 1 goal is to climb Mt Katahdin! Sweet that Largo doesn’t want to go ahead without his Mama! ❤

[@kathleenmichalek3126]

I think skipping ahead is a good move. It doesn’t matter how you do it, you are doing it!!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

I think jumping ahead makes sense with Captain’s schedule. Many hikers faced with the dilemma of Katahdin closing have made the same decision. It doesn’t lessen the impact of summiting. It just ensures you’ll make it.

[@randimason7567]

I used to ski at Stratton as a kid. Doing the hike "your way" is the only way. The two of you (and Will) are such an inspiration.

[@abroadwandering]

I still love Navigator for Will. He is always the one with directions and has such a calm manner while leading the way.

[@nancywittendorfer5982]

I can't imagine how disappointed you are to have to skip part of the trail and then go back and do it. It's sort of like Kitadin doesn't mean quite as much as it would have if you did the hike all the way through in one piece. I've been watching a woman do the AT and her name is Rebound. She actually went up to Kitadin and then backtracked because she was having such a hard time going north by herself. She actually found a guy with the trail name of "let it be" to join her going south so she could finish the at. I think this was her third attempt. Love you sunshine, love you Captain, Nan

[@hikingfeedsmysoul6960]

Good choice! Not sure how far ahead you are now (assuming your videos are delayed) but Welcome to the Whites! You’re doing the best for your hike. At the end of the day, I think you’ll be happy with the accomplishment of finishing the AT, continuous path or not. You did something together as mother and son ❤🥰

[@funwiththefacklers8346]

Jumping ahead is a great idea. We did the same thing on our hike. Fall on Katahdin and the whites are unpredictable. Hike safe and continue north.

[@sepharaSwift]

You and Captain inspire us so “hike your hike”. We’re glad to be part of your journey even if just virtual.

[@loririchardson3547]

No matter how you do it you are doing it and that is what matters in the end. Keep your head up it will work out the way it is supposed to in the end.

[@lindasimmons-pe9ew]

With all the extras you’ve had to squeeze into this through hike, you are doing fantastic. It doesn’t matter that you have to jump ahead you can’t control the weather and when they close Katadin. A lot of hikes do this so they can finish. What would be bad is if after everything you have gone through to get here you decided not to skip ahead and they close Mt K early due to weather. That would be heartbreaking. The point/goal is to finish the trail. There is no rule on what order you do it. You two are kicking butt🥰🥾🥾🥾be safe and hike on my friends

[@bethfrank1981]

I love how you and your family live off the cuff …… Soooo this is just another off the cuff adventure ⛰️ Hiking your on hike 😊 Thanks for sharing Captain and Sunshine 🌼💓🌺⛰️. (Beth)

[@jimcouillard-uw7ty]

You took off so much time that now do what you have to. So many days of shoes troubles and rest. Just enjoy what ever it brings 😊

[@stephanieaston7178]

I would definitely climb all of those steps for that view!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@eileenderheim3768]

You two have to make the decision that works best for you. Impressed that you continue to persevere. The views from the fire tower were lovely.

[@mccarthympma]

I totally get how you feel about skipping forward. We agonized over a similar decision. I think it’s a smart decision though and it will all work out and be awesome! Also, Chica and Sunset are right about The Whites, they are incredible, hard but so worth the effort. The trail has prepared you for them and you won’t find them overly difficult. I can’t wait to experience them again through you guys!!

[@jackiesiemens9112]

The secret to life is to stay flexible 🙂 It is disappointing but who knows maybe something very special will happen that you would have otherwise missed🤞🏻😁🥰

[@debbiecarney-yd4vi]

Great read is 'Blind Courage '. A blind man who did the AT

[@richardhatch1346]

My vote: Good Decision!! :)

[@FredJones-mz6ee]

Just a thought ... why not go to Katahdin now and head southbound from there? It will greatly decrease your anxiety about finishing. You've got Will and he can make it happen.

[@bethhelfrich1227]

Vermont in late fall will be beautiful... just get cozy and enjoy the beauty.

[@mlctallahassee]

Hike your Hike! Don't give a second thought to what other people say, think of do! [that includes me.]

[@janetmessman95]

Sherpa should be a compliment ❤

[@patmitchell8233]

Awesome hike !! Love Sherpa Will. Love your shirt ,are they available to buy !! You guys are awesome !!

[@WorldTowning]

They are not in our merch shop, but definitely something to think about.

[@wyomingcowboy2939]

Excited for the hike thur the Whites

[@schamber1000]

🙌 ❤

[@joanhall3718]

Sherpa Will isn’t his trail name, it’s Will’s support name 😁

[@doryliggett8407]

Have to respect the Whites!! So glad to hear that you are jumping ahead. Be safe!

[@billybaroo5445]

Flip flopping is a common practice. Yes, it takes away from the ultimate "Katahdin finish", but you have to get there before it closes. Last minute finishers also clog the trails and make it difficult to get permits to camp at the Birches and even summit! NEVER underestimate the Whites. If the terrain doesn't get you, the weather might!

[@emmamorgan7171]

Makes perfect sense to me! Think how far you have come and what you have achieved on this special mother and son hike. You two deserve to summit and do the bits left of time allows. Love your videos btw - I'm a new subscriber who has enjoyed lots of your previous videos now! Keep going and thanks for sharing. :)

[@mikecullerot1500]

Good luck hiking in NH and Maine. I sent you a E-Mail a while ago about hiking in NH. I spent 25 years guiding in NH you any questions might have feel, free to contact me. You should be able to hike 15 miles a day and the Presidental range can broken into shorter days if the huts are still open. Good Luck..

[@lmkwillow6395]

(Hiking at night) Do you think you are less likely to accidentally go off trail by having the light directly on the trail?

[@WorldTowning]

Not sure, but don’t want to chance it

[@Maryann110]

You guys are doing great 👏. Like the Camino it’s about the journey not the destination so the way you accomplish it is your way. “Be Where Your Feet Are.” 🥰❤️🥾

[@LJ-pp9wj]

The “Whites” Will be slow going. Very technical. Don’t recommend Captain going it alone even though he hikes well, it’s different. Didn’t want to say anything to scare you but definitely should be done with partner or bubble.

[@jetv1471]

I’ve been encouraging you guys to go all the way up and do Mt K and work southbound so to me this makes some sense . The whites and southern Maine will be rock climbing but you can do Vermont in snow shoes if you have to . And flip-flopping will help you avoid the insects pretty much entirely. Also October can have some random streaks of heat so you can appreciate them better if you hit them further north than down in VT.

[@doryliggett8407]

Navigator!!

[@brendalittle9528]

Just loving you guys. I missed a few days but caught up. Party on. You are both very capable, just one foot in front of other. GO GO 🎉

[@brettgoodall5171]

Well, I have been with you guys since around 3000 subscribers. I haven’t watched you in quite a while, because I did a walk like this. The Camino de Santiago. And that was 29 days that turned out to be the same every day basically. On your trip it’s the same forever. And I just couldn’t watch, a lot of that. It seems that you are jumping ahead, and doing things that I don’t think you ever expected to do. I think you thought you were going to walk the trail, and that would be it. So many many changes It’s really watered this journey down. That’s just my opinion. Anyway good luck. I’ll check back with you in a month and see where you are then. Hopefully this trip will be over. With less than 2000 people watching, I would imagine you’ll be glad when it’s over also.

[@davidkendall6801]

Why is it upsetting?

[@WorldTowning]

Not part of the original plan, but we have gotten used to it

[@MizSazz]

Ok if he doesn’t like sherpa Will we havw to call him Tennille 😅

[@marilynm5024]

Sounds great! You have to be flexible to reach your goals. Jumping ahead will ensure you climb Katahdin before it closes. You're doing great!

[@davidbazen6662]

You guys have got this. Captain will take the Whites in his stride and Sunshine the pace will suit you. And the miles will come. Don't overthink it, Happy Trails.

[@marciabullock5913]

Is this what is called a flip flop?

[@WorldTowning]

Nope, will explain in a future vlog

[@ladidi5222]

I’m so glad you decided to go to Maine in New Hampshire. It would be terrible if you went all these miles and didn’t get to the summit. Good luck. Can’t wait to see in New Hampshire. My home well once my home.😊😊😊

[@QvFaGwVaVaBahHsjw]

You are not through hikers. Though hikers do not take off to LA and India while hiking the AT. I hope you complete all of the AT miles. I highly recommend Will review all unpublished footage of India with police detective active or retired, or federal level. You had too much attention from someone in the background at one of the stations. I am not taking away the accomplishment of completing the AT.

[@WorldTowning]

We sure are thru hikers! A thru-hiker is someone who hikes an established long-distance trail in its entirety, from start to finish, in a single hiking season. Well we will be by mid Oct!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

Definitely through hikers!

[@BethHughes-qe5jq]

Harsh and unnecessary and inaccurate.

[@fireman2712]

If you would quit getting off trail and not wait till 1:00 to start hiking you could get it done. Stay on trail and hike!!!

[@WorldTowning]

Sometimes life gets in the way, our biz or injury. We will make it! 💪