Join me as we hike the frigid weather of the Georgia Appalachian Trail to the North Carolina border. #appalachiantrail2023 #appalachiantrailthruhike#appalachiantrail
Пікірлер: 127
@VegasThePiedPiper6 ай бұрын
Big Willy Dawg having the time of his life, and I'm here for it - can't wait until our Shenandoah hike and then Trail Days! ♣️♥️♦️♠️🎰
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
I can’t wait either. Gonna be a great time!
@wingmanhoy39996 ай бұрын
Awesome beautiful vlogging hiking and scenery all the very best to you and your family, health and happiness.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you wingman!! All the best to you!!
@jackmontgomery96206 ай бұрын
Knowing you are from Jersey I didn’t worry much about you. My wife is from the Garden State also and youse guys are tuff. lol hope to see you again stay safe
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
lol. Thanks Jack! The Jersey women are definitely tuff! You can’t even change the channel on the TV without their permission. Lol
@snark0076 ай бұрын
Awesome adventure, thanks for sharing all the tips
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Mark!!
@ervinslens6 ай бұрын
So very beautiful and picturesque! Such an amazing hike and atmosphere my friend!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you my friend!!! Appreciate your kind comments!
@pleok086 ай бұрын
Saturday, February 10th: BWD, thanks for sharing! Love your video! Happy Trails! Ross08
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Ross!!
@GreenDragonHostel6 ай бұрын
Excellent!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you brother!!!
@cherilynlim21296 ай бұрын
Our all-time favorite M&Ms!!! Never quit on a bad day- Thank you for that reminder. Another informative video for AT hikers! Thank you for sharing your adventure Billy!!!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Cheri!! And thanks for all of your encouragement!!
@davejustdave37776 ай бұрын
Great views! Don't get too attached to that new job, we'd miss your videos😢😮
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Dave! I don’t think I’ll be working long. No worries
@pleok086 ай бұрын
Saturday, January 27th: Thanks for sharing. Interesting about GoPro batteries. Blood Mountain brings back memories. Glad the weather is good for you. Happy Trails! Ross08
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Patrick!! Happy trails to you!!
@theresagonzalez77396 ай бұрын
I enjoy your video! Hope you enjoy your job!!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Theresa! And enjoy your kind comment! Pleasure meeting you
@DaveCollierCamping6 ай бұрын
Have a great time, excellent video. New friend here.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Hey Dave and thanks for the comment! And great to meet you! And glad you’re along for the ride!
@DaveCollierCamping6 ай бұрын
@@BigWillyDawg my pleasure
@beckyleheny86366 ай бұрын
Really really enjoyed the video! You are such a hoot! You had me chuckling the whole time.!! Can't wait to see you in the next one! Good luck on your new job! Take care and God Bless!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Becky for your kind words!! I always appreciate you! And we’ll see how I do in the workforce since i retired 18 months ago. Gonna be weird to be in that life again. I just need to save a little money and I’ll be off on another adventure. Stay in touch and we’ll talk soon!!
@user-tv8xi8rq3p6 ай бұрын
Thank you for the hike! Surely enjoyed. Praying for the new job and another new adventure!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Rebecca! I’ll get back out there soon! See ya on the next video!
@1024Pete6 ай бұрын
Cheers to you. Appreciate the share and insight. Very helpful. Wishing you peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Wishing you the same Pete! Thanks so much!!
@markthiel29536 ай бұрын
Thank you. Great videos and advice.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Mark for commenting! Appreciate you. And see you on the next video!
@katfish0006 ай бұрын
Hey smiley. Had me smiling this whole video. You are a great video maker. Love your comments as we watch. Yes we are with you . Glad to get to hike along. I was laughing in fun. Your tips are great too. Like the views. Incredible really. We love you too 😂. Honest recall and your presence mentally. Looking too at the interesting stuff. Daydreamers rule !!!!! It's healthy I hear. 🌹 Kathleen out for now. Looking forward to seeing how the job works out. Tackle it !
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Kathleen!!! Love ya always!! You go way back with me !! Thanks for your kind comments!!!
@ltanderson79166 ай бұрын
Excellent video and great advice. Can't wait for your next hiking!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Lieutenant!! Appreciate your awesome comments!!
@pearlhann68852 ай бұрын
adding onto my old comment on my rewatch: always, always, always love seeing our beloved jersey shore in your videos ❤❤❤ many fond memories for me at the seaside boardwalk, even point pleasant beach and ortley beach. love daydreaming, too. agreed, you need to work at a hostel or be a guide for the woods is your happy place. i spy a woodburning stove and willy wonka, good book and movies. woud be reading or playing a video game on the train. one of my favorite videos 😊
@BigWillyDawg2 ай бұрын
Thank you Pearl!!
@micah6-86 ай бұрын
Love the Green Dragon! Bill and Donna have found their calling!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
They certainly have. And I’m glad to have been a guest there. She takes care of her guest like a caring mother.
@tomellis32186 ай бұрын
Great video . I guess the both your hikes took place in the winter. ❤😊
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
They are back to back. Almost like part 1 and part 2
@leslieparnell8686 ай бұрын
Love the Novice Hiker Tips! I’m learning stuff and I’m laughing! Hope you get the chance to vlog some sections!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Leslie! I hope so too! I do enjoy hiking and filming it. But the editing part is very aggravating. But worth it in the end. When I am committed to a nursing home I’m just gonna watch myself on tv everyday while I lay in bed.
@rwp7226 ай бұрын
I'm going to trace your footsteps in about four months. I'm going to yo-yo Springer to Neel Gap. Thanks for all the details and tips.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
That’s awesome! Look forward to hearing about it. It’s a great and fun trail
@Elizabeth-pt4bv6 ай бұрын
Wish you were continuing. Your vlogging is great, and the subtitles are funny. You should do seasonal hostel work, don't kid yourself, you have great knowledge about the trail, how hard it is, and practical experience. Lots to offer the newbies. You should offer section shakedown hikes to like Ultra and HikingDancer. You'll find your niche. Be well, and thanks for the videos. They were great. Good lucknon the new job
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
No fear Elizabeth. I’m not going away. I just have to work part time to build some savings. Then I’m taking off again on another adventure. I still don’t think I’m qualified to do shake downs even though I did thru hike the AT. If asked I will give an opinion of course. I’d just rather entertain you guys. I’ll plan my next section hike soon. I wanna do the Smokies but guard to get to. So I’m thinking Grayson Highlands I’ll keep you informed. And thanks for your kind words. You’re a great friend.
@Elizabeth-pt4bv6 ай бұрын
@@BigWillyDawg can't wait to see what's next. Thanks for replying.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
@@Elizabeth-pt4bv thanks Elizabeth. I’ll see you on the next video!!
@Full_Deck_Hikes6 ай бұрын
Thanks for another awesome video! We are also considering leaving the GoPro at home due to battery longevity. Loved it more til we updated phones to the iPhone 15, now we are thinking the phone can do most everything the GoPro will do and prefer to save the weight so we can carry more M&Ms. Might get it mailed to us later on after we drop some winter weight, and might not, time will tell. Best of luck with the new job!!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
More M&M’s is a priority!! lol. All my footage when I hooked the AT was from my iPhone 14. More than capable for sure. I used a selfie stick to get the camera further away from my face to talk to it. But the iPhone when it gets wet, the touch screen won’t function. So I wanted to experiment with the GoPro to film with it in the wet weather. But I can’t keep the batteries charged. Even when I don’t use the GoPro the batteries drain. I’ll try to figure something out
@frankdotyjr6 ай бұрын
BigDawg!!!! Awesome advice video my friend!!! I'm so happy to see you back out on the trail to have fun this time. You mentioned you might be out on other sections later in the year. I'd LOVE to hike a few days with you if you get nearby during my hike this year. That would be absolute fun for sure!!! OH...and I see GoPro batteries haven't change in the last few years either. I took my Hero4 to the summit at Kilimanjaro in 2015 and both battery died in the cold before I could video the summit. Both were in my pockets and fully charged before the summit climb. I'll stick w/ my phone this year, but I was tempted by that new I360 camera, except they admit the batteries are only good for a short time. Stay safe my friend!! Peace!! 😎👍✌
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
It would be awesome to hike you with Frank. And of course we’ll be tracking each other. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you so it might be a short reunion for us. Lol. I’ll try to figure out this battery problem. I would love to have the GoPro for foul weather. Look forward to your next video!
@billymitchell2146 ай бұрын
Hey BWD, Looking good! I'm with you berother, I don't like them stair steps either.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Sir Stops A lot! Glad you share in my pain…lol
@dennisk9056 ай бұрын
Great video. I was just saying to myself. BWD is really enjoying his retirement. Hopefully new job will be great. You got best attitude thanks for sharing. Welcome Home
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Dennis as always. Hopefully I can work for a little bit and stash some money and take off again in the summer.
@jamestaylor12856 ай бұрын
We enjoy your videos very much. We send you warm love and wish you great health and great wealth for the new year. Looking forward to the next video.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks James for your such kind words!!! I wish you wealth and happiness to you and your family!! Look forward to your comments in the future!
@user-yv3jl1oq7b6 ай бұрын
I was hoping you were going to continue on trail till you were on top of katadin 😂😂
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Haha! I can barely walk up my driveway now. Lol. But I’ll continue doing section hikes.
@pearlhann68856 ай бұрын
confession: as i watched your video, i ate my breakfast butter grits 🙃 excellent, hysterical, educational video as always! please, keep them coming! loved the wind chimes, gopro, and shoe tree. that reminded me of imelda marcos. i spy mason's and the sawmill. cheers to many more adventures! 🙌 am going on mine in april. three questions: have you thought about writing a memoir about your time on the appalachian trail like wild by cheryl strayed? would you visit north carolina without hiking it? what's the new job? 🤔
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Butter grits? What the heck is that? Lol. And love the Imelda Marcos comment..lol. I would love to write a book but I don’t know how to spell. Maybe you could be my author? Sounds like a good partnership for you and I. And where is your adventure in April?
@pearlhann68856 ай бұрын
@BigWillyDawg , sorry, put my foot in my mouth before, just realized it 🥺. you said you don't know how to spell but i can't read my own handwriting 🙃. be well 😊
@peterquinter81306 ай бұрын
One foot in front of the other. Maverick
@hope2someday6916 ай бұрын
Shenandoah Valley might be accessible before the Smokies and certainly warmer. Love the revisiting idea 💡!!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
We are scheduled to have a “reunion” hike in the Shenandoah’s at the end of March. So I’m excited about that. The Smokies are difficult for me to get to. Virginia is much easier. I’ll figure something out. Hope you’re doing well!!
@hope2someday6916 ай бұрын
I’ll be watching. Stay warm and keep your dream alive…
@hope2someday6916 ай бұрын
I’ll be watching. Stay warm and keep your dream alive…
@stevetrimborn37396 ай бұрын
Great Video for this year‘s GA hike. Nice 1/4 zip out on the beach! RAKKASAN!!! I’m a new subscriber, so I got some catching up to do.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Hey Steve!! And thanks brother!! By the way my Dad was a Rakkasan Way back in the day. As you know I was in the 502nd. And thanks for subscribing! I hope the music on my videos don’t put you to sleep. Talk again soon!
@stevetrimborn373921 сағат бұрын
@@BigWillyDawg BWD, when were you 502d? I have a good friend (worked for hime when he was Rak3) that commanded 3-502d back in the day. He took command while in Iraq in the '03-'04 timeframe w redeployment and some time back at Campbell.
@BigWillyDawg18 сағат бұрын
@@stevetrimborn3739 hi Steve, and yes! I was in the 3/502nd from 1988-1990. So I was well before your friend. But that’s amazing that he was a commander! Wow! That’s a very big deal! I hear that the 3rd battalion we deactivated a few years back. Sad to hear.
@dougholmes84686 ай бұрын
Hey brother! Really enjoyed your new episode. I’m still hoping for a 2025 Thru Hike. Not sure if you know about the trail in SC from the north that ends in Charleston SC, but I saw someone hike it on KZfaq. Looks like 5 days maybe? Maybe give it a thought !? I was thinking about doing it in late summer early fall this year. Be great to have you. And give me some on the job tips. lol Best of luck to you in the new job! I’ve got a funny story about that Gainesville GA Amtrak station to share sometime. I live 2/3 stops north in Greenville SC. Take care, be well, stay safe. Look forward to future adventures….
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Hey Doug! And thank you for your very kind comment!! And I will look into that South Carolina trail and let you know. Well hike it together. But be advised…you’re probably a better hiker than me. Lol. I’ll let you know of course and I’ll keep you updated on any of my hikes. Talk with ya soon!
@williamritter70546 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your hike and train ride. Looking forward for your next adventure.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you William!!!!
@williamblackwell82596 ай бұрын
Really enjoy your videos, you should consider trying to get sponsors so you can continue to hike different trails,etc.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Hey William!! That would absolutely be a dream of mine. I guess I have to pay my dues now to try to achieve something like that. But as long as I make friends with people like you, it’s all worth it. Thanks for your kind words and I’ll see you on the next video!!!
@williamblackwell82596 ай бұрын
Thanks for the quick reply, just wanted to say, I can really see the trail is your home, it looks like that’s what brings the most happiness to you, do what ever you have to to keep yourself happy, we only live once my friend. Like the Harley, used to have a really nice Softtail Deluxe. Look forward to your next adventure.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
@@williamblackwell8259 awesome ! The one thing I love and the one thing I would never sell is my 2021 Heritage Softail Deluxe. I miss riding when on the trail. I just invested $8,000 into it. Got a stage 2. But I’ll figure something out. Appreciate you my brother!
@johnmys5am6 ай бұрын
Great vlog. Really good tips for new long distance hikers.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Johnny!!! Appreciate your kind words!! Maybe I’ll see you out there on the trail!! We’d have a great time for sure.
@lpstemm6 ай бұрын
We love you too!! Take care of yourself, and if the new job works out leave some time for hiking….looking forward to more videos…
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Mary! And bless your heart! And I’ll definitely will have hiking adventures in the future. No worries! Look forward to hearing from you again soon!!
@HikingAtlas6 ай бұрын
Great video! Informative, Entertaining and funny! I like seeing places I’ve been. Ate pizza at that picnic table behind you at Neel Gap. Can’t wait till the next one.👍
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Good morning HikingAtlas! I’m just like you. I love seeing places that I’ve already been to also. I wish I could have stayed there at their bunk house. But unfortunately the pipes burst in the bunk house. Appreciate your kind comments as always and hopefully I’ll get out soon on another adventure!
@unjarredoutdoors55136 ай бұрын
Awesome video. Left a like to support your channel.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you brother!! And nice fish!! I subscribed to your channel also. Thanks so much!
@MikesHike20246 ай бұрын
Great video Bill !! Awesome meeting you and I wish you the best for your future endeavors!! Good luck on your new job!! Jolly
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Jolly!! I’ll see you again on the trail soon!! You’re the kindest hiker on the trail. Love ya brother!!
@billwilcox21936 ай бұрын
Take care of yourself, hope to see you down the trail maybe we can catch up in NJ. Also love to hear information on the Smokies.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Bill! Definitely keep each other up to date. I’ll try to plan the Smokies soon
@rwp7226 ай бұрын
Good job explaining the bear canister - GOPros are nice, but the batteries suck - People die at those temperatures - be safe - Trekking poles are a game changer; I can't fathom why anyone would not carry them. I"'m going to complete Springer to Neels Gap as a yo-yo this spring/early summer. Thanks for the information. Good show - Are you going to follow any of the 2024 thru-hikers?
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Couldn’t agree with you more! It is essential for me, that’s for sure. And I would feel naked without them. And I’ll figure out this GoPro problem I have. Cause it’s great to film with it in the pouring rain. Glad to hear you’re getting out there. Georgia is beautiful. And I haven’t followed anyone yet really. I met two thru hikers on the trail that I check in on from time to time on KZfaq. But no one on a regular basis yet
@zenkathikes6 ай бұрын
That's because the "tourist" hikers who hike Blood Mtn do not practice LNT. I can't tell you how much trash I've picked up in that section. Also Jarrard Gap isn't far from a popular campspot: Lake Winfield Scott. The shelter was built by the CCC in the 30s.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks for helping in keeping the trail clean and beautiful! Us hikers all admire what you do. And thanks for the educational lesson. Thats a really old shelter! Wow!
@wendygrw6 ай бұрын
BWD, I hope you can find a way to get a job in the trail community, like shuttle driver or working at a hostel, or a gear shop. All with ample time off to hike. Follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell said way back when.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Wendy! I’ll figure out my life soon. Hope all is well with you!
@DeepSeaMDV6 ай бұрын
Widowmakers!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Nice observation Brian!!!! Were you with the unit also?
@DeepSeaMDV6 ай бұрын
C co 1998 to 2001
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
@@DeepSeaMDV awesome!!! Delta Company 3/502 1988-1990
@dannymcclendon11056 ай бұрын
Great weather for this section. I saw your Peanut M&Ms and laughed before you said anything! Thanks for the tips. When I hike the Ozark Trail in Missouri there are lots of times where I wouldn't see a trail marker but turn around and see a marker going the other way. I laughed out loud at your description of the shoe tree! Seeing the ice made me cringe since I fell on ice on a hike several years ago and broke my left arm. I know you disliked NC, but I hope you can hike it again. Good luck with the new job!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks Danny as always!! The Smokies is my next adventure for sure.. and I appreciate that you understand about turning around to see the other blaze to make sure you’re still on the right path. And sorry to hear about your arm. My goodness!!
@katfish0006 ай бұрын
Its easy to be there for you. 😊
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you Kat!!!
@richardross72196 ай бұрын
"Dummy Check", I like that. As a PL I usually did that after a company bivouac. I usually found enough stuff to make a couple of complete TA-50 sets. Some of the guys were so dumb that they though that because they "lost things" they wouldn't have to pay for them. I still have my belt and canteens because I had to buy them in order to have decent looking gear. Nice video. Happy Trails. Make money while you can. Tough times are coming. Many people are already claiming that they can't afford food. Good Luck, Rick
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Good morning Rick. Always great to hear your stories. And I’ll work for a little bit and start another adventure again. Good to hear from you again!
@richardross72196 ай бұрын
@@BigWillyDawgThe future doesn't look good. Having savings may be critical for survival. Work and save while you can. AI will put a lot of office workers out of work. Good Luck, Rick
@TiggerTreks6 ай бұрын
Hey Slammer! (His real trail name 👍)GoPro… keep in standby when it’s cold. When not using, take the battery out keep it in your shirt ( this will keep it warm and stop the camera from trying to upload. Buy a battery charger that holds 3 batteries, it’s not too heavy and you always have extra batteries. Nice video!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Great advice from you as always!! I’ll definitely buy the extra batteries and charger. See ya soon hopefully!!
@johnkinsel50276 ай бұрын
I think last year somebody told PigPen she would ditch her bear cannister as soon as she could. She held it over her head for her summit photo, just to prove them wrong.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
And that she did, yes!!! I had another one in our trail family that carried a canister also. It’s just a preference. I personally like the feeling of eating my food and reducing the size of my bag creating more room in my backpack. Something psychological about that for me. Silly I know. And PigPen was a strong hiker. She could tolerate anything.
@TeaParty456 ай бұрын
I heard you saying that your GoPro batteries didn’t last at all in the cold and I remembered that “Jay Wanders Out” said the “Enduro GoPro batteries” lasted much much longer than the regular GoPro batteries in the cold! He did the PCT in 2020 and the AT in 2022. I went to his channel and watched his video, “Detailed Electronics and Vlogging Gear for my AT 2022 Thru Hike” and at about the 35:20 minutes, he talks about the Enduro Batteries and he gives a link to them on Amazon. I watched his AT thru hike and I remember him raving about the “Enduro Batteries” for his GoPro! You might want to go to his channel and watch that video before his AT hike? Thanks for what you’re doing! Stay warm! Take care.
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!! I’m definitely gonna check this out. I don’t want to get rid of the GoPro as it is king in the wet weather. Thanks fie helping me out!!
@TeaParty456 ай бұрын
“Jay Wanders Out” is very tech smart (he worked in IT for years). He is really into electronics and thoroughly researches everything he buys so I would guess that those “Enduro Batteries” for the GoPro are very good? Good luck with the new job!
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
@TeaParty45 thanks brother!!
@bkbland16266 ай бұрын
Dude, it's Winter. That's what you get. Remember, it's just walking. Anyone can do it. Just keep going. Have a good one
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Thanks bkbland! Did ya proud. I kept going.
@jackmontgomery96206 ай бұрын
Are there other areas that require bear cans?
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
On my 2023 thru hike, there was no other section that required It. And I’m not aware of any other sections that requires it. Sometimes when there’s negative bear activity the ATC will ban camping in the specific area temporarily. But I can’t recall any other area that requires it. Where the confusion comes in with people is when the ATC “requires it” and when the ATC “recommends it”. 2 totally different things.
@sulj33736 ай бұрын
Ha it was worth the wait for your video. Your captions are amusing and you’re quite the tease.🫢 I was holding my breath while you walked down that icy slope. I leave a trail wherever I go. I would die to work at a hostel and hike. Do it! Ya know BigWillyDawg, when you did your gear review, you said you’d probably never hike again. I knew you were hooked! You stole our hearts and everyone loves you.😊❤
@BigWillyDawg6 ай бұрын
Love ya Sue!! And thank you so much!! You’re one of my originals and I always appreciate your encouraging comments! And you are correct about what i said about never hiking. I was tired, weightless, and sick from the trail during the making of that video. I have changed somewhat since then. I miss my friends and miss the culture of the trail. I’m now in an ant farm of people and responsibilities. I prefer the simple life now. Look forward to our next conversation!!
@sulj33736 ай бұрын
I totally get it about the simple life. Try not to let your dreams slip away. I mean that from the heart.