Everyone - I am so blown away by the kindness in this comment section. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I wish I’d had all these wonderful comments to read on that hard day, but I will save them for the next hard day. Thank you ❤

KEEP GOING SASSAFRASS!!! Mile 1000🎉 Hang in there, enjoy those couple days to decompress, and reset. You beat the roller coaster, its a great symbolic moment that represents this entire journey and its all going to continue to be a roller coaster but you didnt give up and your not giving up. Let this moment of self doubt and exhaustion be a motivation to keep playing the game, you got this! Also lets get you some new comf in soles for them boots while you in DC! Foot comfort funds deploy❤ CP

Tears can wash away the internal pain. Very proud of all you have accomplished. Please don't compare you with others. 99% of anyone of us that are following your journey would love to be as strong as you, mentally and physically. So allow yourself to be you. Best wishes and positive vibes in your journey, whether you stop or go on. Its your journey. Wishing for better news from home.

Keep up the fantastic work, Sassafras! I reside in southern Maine but hail from central Mass. Scaling more than 1000K in elevation, let alone 1000 miles, is a feat I've yet to conquer. Your determination is truly inspiring. Your journey resonates on a personal level, offering profound insights into the landscapes and challenges of the eastern states and the trail itself. Thank you for generously sharing your story; it serves as a powerful motivation for me to embark on my own trail adventures!

I have boinked on trail and broke down in tears in front of my adult daughter. So humiliating. I quit the CT that day. I learned so much from that experience. First it destroyed me and made me believe it was my last hike. But with encouraging words from a legendary hiker it inspired me to learn more about what had happened to me and how to mitigate what I could and accept what I couldn't. When your body is suffering like that, so is your brain. It's so hard to figure things out when you're completely depleted. Looking back, I wish I had spent a couple of zeros letting my mind, body, and spirit recover before I made the decision to leave the trail. I might have made the same decision but I would have been more certain it was the right on. Whatever you decide to do, it will be ok. This is part of your life journey. Give yourself a hug from me. 💕

I remember those days just like you had while I was deployed to Afghanistan! I had so many days just like this!! Felt the same way too!! Keep ya head up gal and embrace the “suck” as us grunts and devil dogs would say! Don’t give up!!

I respect the fact that your vlog isn't just the highlights of lollipops and rainbows. People want to know what it's REALLY like to hike the AT, not just the wonderfully romantic parts. Thanks for your honesty and openness.

You can have defeating days, but you will never be defeated, jess. You're one of the most headstrong, badass people i know. You hang in there, we’re all rooting for you!! ❤️

Sass…you are such a badass…a rough day every now and then can only be expected…you have what it takes to push through and complete this trail!! You are an inspiration to those of us who only wish to start one day! Keep on truckin…I’m one of many cheering you on to Katahdin!!!!!! 😎❤️😬

I could tell you were wiped out when you got down to Blackburn Trail Center but this video put it all in perspective. I am so happy that I was able to be here and make your stay as comfortable as possible. All three of you are very special people and I was truly blessed to be a small part of your hike. Soap said it best, you really are a badass and what you were able to push through at that time will give you strength for some other challenging parts of the trail ahead. I hope you all will consider me not just a fan but a friend.

Sassafras, everyone has bad days. You have shown us you have the ATTITUDE and tenacity to do this! 1000 miles is nothing to easily dismiss. We are rooting for you, but if you would decide to end it, look at all you have personally accomplished. Mileage records, toughing out the cold, rain, thunderstorms and overcoming leaky tents, mice and ticks. But most of all the great friendships and personal growth you have encountered and experienced on the trail will be with you a lifetime.

I wouldn't say the roller coaster won, you finished it in a day, and that is nothing to sneeze at! I do think it's better to vent those frustrations and feelings than to try and keep it bottled up, nothing good would come from that. I'm always amazed at anyone that's reached the point on the AT you're at now, you got this!

There is something about thru hiking and the exhaustion and calorie deficit. I rarely cry, but I cried on a daily basis in the Whites and southern Maine. There it was the fear of the cliff climbing and dying and just feeling like I was getting weaker rather than stronger toward the end of the hike. People around me talked about quitting every day even in Maine. The only reason they didn’t was because they were so close to finishing. I cried on the roller coaster too, because it was one of the hottest and buggy days on the trail. It was ridiculous and miserable. You will have more days like this, but if you talk to others, they are going thru the same thing. It always made me feel better when I got to camp and everyone had had a hard day. It wasn’t just me.

You have done an amazing thing 1000 miles. You have lots of people cheering you on.

YOU beat the coaster - period dot!

The coaster will chew you up and spit you out. Last time I did it it was hailing and it really was something. Keep at it you are amazing

You got this. You're a badass.

Take a break, you are amazing. Last year during my thru hike I hit the same wall. I took a few days off to eat and rest. After that I felt much better!

Congratulations on 1000🎉 Sorry you got some tough news. You got this!

I’m trying to find some words of encouragement. Not sure what to say but know that you have a huge family of followers pulling for you. Sending you a little digital trail magic. Wishing you the very best as you continue your journey. You got this!

Good job over 1000 miles and 4 states down , good video on a bad day 😢, so let's keep on hiking, no pain, no rain and no MA 😊

A lot of emotions today. Give it a day or two and your attitude will change guaranteed!

I struggled a lot (mentally) in Northern VA during my 2001 thruhike. I think the biggest factors were a) accumulated fatigue, and b) persistent calorie deficit finally catching up with me. Those sound like physical factors, but they affected my mental state in ways I couldn't appreciate at the time. You just did your biggest day. And you talk about how you are pushing bigger miles in general. Focus on giving your body whatever it needs to recover properly, and hang in there!

Jess no one who just hiked a THOUSAND miles is a big baby. You are as Gadget & Soap said a BAD ASS! Everyone has bad days especially when you are in pain. I’ve admired your determination and spirit since you started. Regardless of what comes next you are a rock star lady!

You have never 'made something out of nothing' - you are a thru-hiker who has had a pretty indomitable spirit. I actually saw you give immense support to your one fellow tramily on numerous occasions (!) where many would have said deal with it on your own and left them in the dust. You're solid but even the strongest amongst us need deep rest now and again. Life still happens off trail, sadly not always great news gets fed. All the best, and I wager that you have already passed through this latest life lesson and have moved beyond it, as we all do in life each and every day. Onward to Maine, then.

I saw Gadget's video after the roller coaster, and I know it whipped her too. Anyway, I know this happened some time ago but, wherever you are now, I hope you're still hiking IF that's what you want to do. Also, one of my major concerns about doing a thru hike has to do with the home front and what's going on there. If I had a guarantee that everyone back home would be problem free while I was away, that would make it easier. But of course there is no guarantee. For what it's worth, I do enjoy your videos!

Allow yourself to feel what you feel but don't compare yourself to others. Some people are better at disguising how they feel and you'll never know how much they are suffering too. But do lean on your tramily, they are there for you and want the best for you. I am sure there have been plenty of days you motivated them, now they can return the favor.

Never.Give.Up

Your experience IS valid. You are NOT a big baby. You have all the permission in the world to feel defeated and feel pain and feel the sorrow of the moment. I for one appreciate your vulnerability. Inner strength is not found in ignoring pain and negative feeling but in addressing them, validating them, making appropriate changes, and pressing on. In the words of the serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting HARDSHIP as a pathway to peace…” Keep moving forward! You got this!

I am glad this one day did not stop you. Keep going strong you are awesome 😊😊😊

Congrats on 1000 miles!

You are a great and very TOUGH young lady! I remember, very well, hiking, with you, up a VERY TOUGH Sassafras Mountain in Georgia, early on the AT! Not long after that, I could no longer keep up with you. If you aren’t exhausted physically and mentally with all of the big miles you have been doing lately, you should be! You need to take a real good rest and maybe see a podiatrist about your feet (nobody can or should keep hiking with constant foot pain, nor should you be taking pain meds on a regular basis) and then if you want to continue, cut your daily mileage to a more reasonable amount for at least a couple weeks. You are probably long gone but if you are still in the D.C. area, I have a lot of friends there and I might be able to get a referral to a good podiatrist or orthopedic doctor- let me know? Whatever you decide, I am rooting/praying for you. Congratulations on 1,000 miles - amazing accomplishment! God bless. Tea Party

I thought that the Roller Coaster was fun. You'll love Harper's Ferry. Enjoy your time there.

You're such a real young lady. Right on your sleeve is who you are. Days like what you just experienced are very real and for you to get this far before experiencing this is amazing. Still you hold your head high for all you have done. So thankful for Soap and Gadget supporting you. Keep pressing on through the challenges even when they seem impossible. Much love and support from your KZfaq tramily ❤️

A lot of people get the Virginia blues, I wish you well.

I agree the roller coaster seemed a waste of energy. Realize it is not about the hiking it is about the living. You are hitting the mid-states, it is flat it is easy. Enjoy Maryland it is really nice, I loved southern PA. .. northern PA, hmm the rocks were interesting.

The rule of thumb is never quit on a bad day. Take zeros, recuperate, and do want you need to in order to recapture your energy and your spirit. If you then actually have some good days, but still want to get off trail, that could be telling you that you've already gotten what needed out of the AT and maybe it's time to move on. It's not about finishing the 2190 miles---it's about accomplishing your needs, both conscious and sub-conscious. That end point is different for everybody---the endpoint isn't Katadyn.

Of course you want to quit, you’re in PA!!! Keep it up, it gets better!

Awesome job Jess!!

Congrats on passing the 1000 mile mark!!! I'm sorry it was a rough day for you emotionally. Yes, it sucks having to be off trail due to an injury; especially for 3 months, minimum, to heal. Let those emotions flow. You've got this, kiddo. I'm praying for you all. Tell the group I say hello. Cheers, Scar

Awe, you need to rest, recharge, and go ahead and cry. Its ok. You've hiked 1000 miles. You have accomplished so much.

I was away for the weekend and missed this until Sunday night, I'm sorry that you are having a hard time but maybe I can help, maybe I can't. First your feet. Do you need bigger shoes? I started my first thru hike, and I was a size 9. By the end of the trail, I was a 10 1/2. Your feet flatten out I had trouble over the entire trail with my feet and tight shoes were a lot of the problem. By the end of my second thru hike, I was a size 11 1/2. If your shoes are too tight it will definitely cause foot pain. I also think that a thicker sole will help. I hope that you get the problem solved. You did look so sad in the video. Don't let the Roller Coaster get you down. It is a total pain in the ass to start with no matter how good you feel or how good of shape you are in. Crying is a release, and it is good for your mental status. It can actually clear your head at times when it is really needed, and just remember one thing. Even Bad Asses cry! You are doing fine sweetie......rock on. geek

You can't give up now. You'll miss all the beautiful views in the Whites! Lol. You can do this!

Congratulations on 1000 miles! Sorry you had such a tough day. Hope everything at home is okay. Please don't quit, you will regret it later. You may be pushing to hard. Smiles over miles. We are all pulling for you and enjoy your videos. Get some much earned rest and remember, never quit on a bad day. You got this!❤

Great respect for you and the others as I watch your trek from the comfort of my couch with my feet up!!! Sending good vibes your way to stay strong

Sass, thank you for sharing the ups, the downers and being for real about everything- the Dragons Tooth showed us that you are a fearless lady who doesn’t take life too seriously- still working on trying to understand how you make it all possible- you all have earned our love and respect, and we are so grateful for this. Living under the poverty level and facing the challenges of this life being overworked and under paid thru my entire life- (finally retired now) brought some hard times for me that I am glad to have made it thru successfully. I hope you all can look back on the success that you all have shared with us- thank you all so much we love y’all! 🍄🚴🏼‍♂️🏃‍♀️🧘🏼🌿🙏

Congratulations on 1000 miles. Great job. Thanks for sharing. You knocked of some big mile days. Hang in there

Lessons from the trail, personal growth. It’s all part of this journey. Be well And congrats on the 1000 mile mark 🎉

No, you are not a big baby. You are being real. The physical toll and emotional toll that a through hiker goes through is beyond what most of us will ever experience. I admire you for your courage to keep going when it is painful and stressful. I got injured on my hike in 2019 and had to come off trail. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. Rest. Recharge. Know that there are many of us who are pulling for you. No matter your decision on your hike, you are still awesome and have accomplished something amazing. Hike on Sassafras (if you want to).

Congrats on the 1000! Keep hiking you are doing great, it can't be all easy and upbeat if it was everybody would be doing it. We are watching your tribulations and learning from it. You got this and take it easy on yourself.

You’re amazing out there. It was a bad day. One bad day can never take away what you have done, nor what you want to do. Be safe!✌️🙂❤️

You all are kicking arse! Great video. You guys keep having fun. - Nails

Congrauts o the 1000 mile mark!! Also the last blrub on your day at end of video! I think you are doing great and I have much respect. Hope your foot issue is resloved quickly!

I follow you every day and I love what you share!! You are a champion!!

Hang in there. You're stronger than you know. You've got this.

Congrats on 1000 miles and another state down. Pretty soon you be counting down. Awesome job.

Stick close to your friends. Keep supporting each other. You got this. You know its a mental game at this point. you cna do the miles, endure the suck. Just have to tell yourself you can do it and believe.

You are tough, you did it, its good to take a couple days off, Nothing wrong with tears.

Hugs from a stranger in Pa…dont beat yourself up too badly. We all hit points in our lives that make us question our decisions. You are doing so well, but it comes with discomfort. Take a breath, enjoy your days off…rest. ❤️🥾🥾⛺️🌸

I think you've learn things about yourself as you have progressed up the trail. The most recent one I hope is that you are capable of doing things that the average person finds astonishing. But also, that you are human. Don't dare quit.

Remember...When the body caves in from fatigue, the mind isn't far behind and that is why you considered quitting. Your body is talking to you. You should listen and respond in a positive way.....REST. Kanati

If it was easy everyone would do it

I would take some time off and flip flop. Go to katadin and hike south.

you are not wearing the right shoes...period.

You should definitely quit

KEEP GOING SASSAFRASS!!! Mile 1000🎉 Hang in there, enjoy those couple days to decompress, and reset. You beat the roller coaster, its a great symbolic moment that represents this entire journey and its all going to continue to be a roller coaster but you didnt give up and your not giving up. Let this moment of self doubt and exhaustion be a motivation to keep playing the game, you got this! Also lets get you some new comf in soles for them boots while you in DC! Foot comfort funds deploy❤ CP