Your hiking goals are now my new life goal mantra: don’t get dead, don’t get seriously injured, make a lot of friends, enjoy the journey and each day, especially the difficult ones, find something to appreciate. You’re off to a great start, safe journey to Katahdin!

I’m 62 and I enjoyed this so much! Inspiration for my mine tomorrow morning!

Congratulations on a great first day. Seeing Tonya was a bonus. I followed her hike in 2022.

This is awesome Chuck! So happy for you. You get to see God’s beauty and enjoy His nature. Praying for your safe and amazing journey.

On February 21st 2004 I started my thru-hike, I was 52 years young. It's been 20 years and it seems like yesterday. I'm subscribing to your channel and hope to follow your hike all the way to the Big K. I want to wish you the best and hope you have as wonderful experience as I did. The ridge runner gave you some very good advise. Don't over do it to early. (That was a pretty big first day) God Bless!

What a great first day. Take it easy though! I was so jacked up that I could hardly walk by the time I got to Franklin. Enjoy your time. I can’t wait to follow along.

When the rhodies point straight to hell, that’s how you know how cold it is 😂 🥶

Thank you for sharing! I'm excited to join you on your journey from my office desk! Happy Trails!

It was a surprise seeing Tonya. I did the Georgia section a couple of years ago and had the time off my life! Enjoy and just know we are all pulling for you!

Following Peaks and Scott Free too, what fun, then you find Tonya, what an awesome start. So excited for you. Thanks for letting us tag along.

Following your hike from Brisbane Australia..... Have a great time mate.... Jeff and Deb

I like the way you show the trail. I like the way you really appreciate the trail. Good job! 😊😊😊😊😊

Friday, February 23rd: Lodge costs, but IMHO worth the cost. Was able to eat and rest well and charge all my electronics. Sorry you lost your glove shells before day one. At least you have others. Bandit and Scott-free! Good beginning! Thanks for sharing. Happy Trails! Ross08

If i was where you are and starting the trail i would definitely have some tears in my eyes. I bet its an awesome feeling. I look forward to following along.

BIG first day! Sassafras didn't even slow you down... Love that you got to see Tonya (Monarch)!!! Be safe and enjoy the steps along the journey🥾

I am sure every hiker forgot something, at least it wasn't something major. I am looking to do my thru hike in 2025 although living in Georgia I have done Blood Mountain and Wood Gap many times, My dad and I wanted to walk it in the 80's but never did, and he has passed on, but I will honor him with a picture of him on my pack when my journey starts. looking forward watching your Journey! And remember the approach trail is not the Appalachian Trail, I have been following Laura as well, she's a trooper!! Good to see Tonya on there I followed her and Stan on their Journey , Happy Trails!!

Great first day! Congratulations on starting your thru-hike. Just joined team C.H.O.! “Kamper” AT 2020

Chuck, great to see you out on the trail. A goal of mine as well. Will be praying for you friend! Enjoy your journey!

You're doing a nice job with this channel. You'll be to Katahdin in no time. I follow Peaks 4 pounds too.

i've done the approach twice (skipping stairs), and i think its a better sendoff than doing the springer parking lot. that being said, i absolutely would have taken the opportunity to split a shuttle. that's an easy win, no effort involved logistics. happy trails!

You made it to Gooch! You a killing it! I’m enjoying following along. Thanks for taking us along on your journey. Wishing you luck and happy trails!

Smart move to move past the approach trail! Looking forward to your journey, and I like to see a bit of emotion in deference to your respect for the days ahead, and the planning behind you!

Great video! I can tell the hike means a lot to you - rooting for you to go the distance!

Great start Chuck. Excited to follow your adventures.

Hi Chuck, first day on the AT after so many years dreaming of it. Fifteen miles first day, so exciting! Very nice content and narrative. Really enjoyed it. I'll be following along. Take care!

Wow! What a start to a fantastic journey. Love your positivity and your goals. Happy hiking 🥾🥾

go get it ! I applaud your snap decision change of plans. you got to hike with some other folks, got to see springer without being exhausted.

Don’t get dead lol. So excited you are chasing your dream!

That’s a big day! I remember walking from Stover Creek shelter to Gooch shelter on my second day in 2018 and it was a hard.

Just started watching your journey. Haven’t watched any AT hikes for a couple of years.We live in the Smokies close to the park boundary. We’re in our 70s now so we don’t do as much hiking. I hope you have a fun safe trip. Good luck will be watching 😀

Hello Chuck. 🙂Very well made video, you documented your first day in detail. You look as if you have done this before, you made it look easy, Very admirable and sensible goals; Don’t get dead. Don’t get injured. Enjoy the adventure and meet new people, make new friends. And lastly make it through Katahdin. Congrats on your first official AT thru hike day.

How exciting! I will follow along occasionally.

Happy to follow you all the way to the top in Maine..happy trails🐧

Great video! New follower here. Best of luck on your epic adventure. Crow✌️

Don’t get dead is good advice!😂 Good luck, my friend. I’m 66, don’t know if I have 2200 miles in these legs! I’ll let you do the heavy lifting. I’ll watch!😊

I am very happy for you and wish you a safe and meaningful journey. This truly is the journey of a lifetime.

I started watching a couple days ago Chuck I’m about ready to retire here in the next few years. I’ve always wanted to do the PCT, you are adding to my quest and my inspiration and I plan to watch you on your journey. I also have thought about starting a KZfaq channel. I think you’re doing great! Keep it up and good luck to you

Subscribed and will be praying for you, as I am for Laura and others. God bless! Paulie

Hey bandit it’s “what if “ love the video ! Just put out my week one wrap up

Snowed unexpected, got very cold. No dry wood.. no tent... We had to leave.

So Awesome my dude❤ I'm rooting for you. So happy to follow along❤

Congratulations Chuck! You are starting the dream that I still have, enjoy the journey. Good luck, happy trails, I look forward to following you north.

Just found your channel and subscribed. Wishing you the best of luck on your epic journey

Chuck, following your journey congrats on your progress on the AT journey. Certainly a dream of my own to through hike the AT!

Hikers go with the very minimum of kit, pieces having multiple uses, keeping the backpack lightweight. When kit is lost or forgotten…well. Thank you for sharing your hike…from East Tennessee. P.S. Don’t git hurt or dead…smiling

Just subscribed. Wish you the best of luck on your AT adventure!

subbed. i ll be following you along from here Indonesia. take care and happy hikes!

Just subbed. I start April 1. Great that you met peak for pounds. Hope I get to meet her somehow. Have a safe journey. If I get a chance to shuttle to springer, I’m not passing it up either.

Just subbed. 2018 Nobo. Great start to your journey. I wish you all the best on your adventure. Happy trails!!

I love winter hiking. I'd rather be cold than hike in the heat any day of the week. Great start! You're the first guy I subbed to this year. I follow at least five to six hikers every year. Good luck my friend and happy trails!

My friend is leaving on the trail next week! Good luck!

Congratulations on your first day of an amazing adventure. I look forward to seeing you hike your way through ! ❤

Great start! Will be signing up and cheering you on!!

Best of luck out there. Loved your goals. Peace and happy trails.

Super excited to follow your journey. Good luck and enjoy enjoy enjoy

Those are some good goals! LOL. I’m glad you’re chasing your dream. I’m looking forward to following along. Definitely enjoy the journey!

Good luck with your hike. Similar age. I just do sections with my kids. Too many commitments to do longer but we enjoy getting out. Last section was to NOC Lots of blowdown last year.

Your excitement is awesome and I would be the same way. It’s my dream too. Good luck to you!

Congrats on a great first day!

Flexibility is essential. Broken/lost equipment, weather, trail conditions will change your plans throughout. Best of luck!

You are inspiring me. Keep it up thanks.

Good luck!! I will be starting in 2 weeks. Very exciting!! have a great time

I am so excited for you! Best of luck. I skipped the approach trail also…no big deal. You are officially on trail!

Happy trails on your journey

I’ll be tagging along ! Great first day

Excellent job!

It's hard to imagine when you start at that little rock outcropping in GA that this trail leads all the way to the middle of Maine (and beyond). Until I saw Katahdin for the first time in the 100-mile wilderness, it never really felt real. Don't give yourself any latitude to come off trail early (obviously unless a family emergency). Almost all things can be overcome on trail. The only path home leads over Katahdin! Good luck. Push North!! 🤘🕓

Hey, congratulations on your first day. I follow a few hikers eat year from Amy an Johns adventures in 2019 to pamper, wild and screwball in 2020. through reckless abandon an Stan the man hikes. good luck and start off slow.

Enjoy the journey 🍃🌿

May your equipment provide you safety and comfort. May you achieve the success you desire. Wishing you peace, good health and good fortune. Happy Trails!

Looking forward to following along with your journey. Happy hiking

Just subscribed brother and can't wait to tag along. It's been a dream for me as well for a few years to hike the AT but unfortunately for me it'll have to wait til retirement because my job doesn't allow enough time off. Good luck and keep on trucking North brother! 🥾🥾⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️🌄🏕

hope you have a great journey on the Appalachian trail. it will teach you so much. I have enjoyed many sections of the Appalachian trail. rooting for you all the way to katahdin

“Don’t get dead”😂

Awesome.

I have the same kind of truck! Smoke gray Toyota Tacoma! Wishing you the best!!! Be safe!😊

You can do it chuck! :D

What a great start! Hoping you did not over due

GO GET IT!!!! ☀️🍺🍺🌴

All the best! If you have not been training etc eight miles a day for the first few weeks is recommended by many hikers!🙂🙏

Trail magic!

Wait- you had liner gloves, regular gloves, and rain mitts? How heavy is your pack? I’ll admit to having dumped a few things into the hiker box at Neel gap😆 Have an excellent hike, rooting for you!

Didnt you start at the check-in Rangers station to get on the trail ?

Hate to break it to ya. But you missed the 1st White Blaze. It's on Top of Springer Mountain about 40 feet from where you signed the log. Lol... There is another Plaque right next to it. But either way. Have a great hike. Step safe. I hiked it last year and injured my right knee coming up those stairs and the Approach Trail. God Bless

wipe the cam lense. blury optimism is the best starting theory . . . happy trails.

How many pairs of shoes do you have ?😢😂

How old is this old man?

Not if when u make it think positive

You do all this preparation your going to walk the whole AT but you skip the approach trail to get a shuttle lol that is unreal bad start already old lazy man

Just found you and have enjoyed. I love love seeing Peaks4pounds