As an avid day hiker, I think you hit a homerun with this video. You provided a thorough examination of all facets of day hiking, excellent advise, with safety being the primary objective. These tips are a great help for beginners, who may underestimate the importance of planning for all contingencies. I hope you develop more "instructional" videos in the future. Great job!

I want to thank you for putting out these videos because by watching your journey through the AT trail I was so amazed at your courage that I did my first solo hike a month ago, and another one yesterday. The fact that I overcame my fear of bears and didn’t freak out when I actually saw one still has me amazed. Thanks for encouraging those of us who have let fear control us for years.

I plan to start hiking soon after dropping my daughter off at school. Being a solo female, hiking is definitely intimidating. So glad I came across your video to bring some ease to this new hobby.

Thank you, those of us who don’t hike all the time, need the reminder of what we should be thinking about before we go and this was great 😀💜❤️

This was really helpful. Appreciate you!

Thanks that was fun. ✌🏻👊

Wonderful video!!!! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

Great video topic Lots of day hikers out there

Great information. Thank you so much.

Enjoyed your video. I will be 70 years old in two months and want to try day hiking. I have never really hiked before, but I would have to go solo because my husband and friends do not share my interest I hiking and camping. I hope to learn much from watching your other videos. Thanks!

you have the video i needed to see,,thanks

Great video👍Thanks!

Thank you, G. I’m 66 and a mountain biker/hiker/ebiker. I so enjoy your videos as I hike and bike alone most of the time. Keep it up. Much love to you, dear lady. I’m biking the Virginia Capital Trail solo in a few weeks.

Clear, thorough, and to the point. This video was very useful. Thank you.

Very well done! 👏

This was really helpful! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Really great video! Thanks for making this available for people who need it!

Awesome video with great tips! Thanks, Braids!

Great video!! I always enjoy seeing your new videos. Some are very informative some are funny with amazing mountain views. The best of all is when I'm down I watch yours among many others hiking the mountains. They bring me to my happy place 😁. Really who can say mountain trails makes them sad. Your blessed that you have a family who supports your adventures. God bless keep on hiking.

Wow Gretchen. I consider myself relatively experienced and this was great. Very professional and at least a few things you’ve made me think about taking, even just for a day hike. Thanks and happy trails. 🤘🏻🥾🏕

Thank you for sharing this video and I Injoy Watching Your video I'll be Looking forward to seeing your Next video your videos help me a lot because I always think about what you would do so now I know what to do I always go to your videos first and then I'll watch other hiker videos and I just wanted to say thank you so much.

Great video! Very informative. ThankYou!

Great information. Thanks. I hike alone quite frequently some of the stuff you mentioned in this video I already do. Thanks for all the hiking tips, trail information and inspiration you've given me over the year I've been watching you. I need to get a compass and a gremlin. And I need to learn how to read maps. I hope to run into you on the trails one day to personally thank you.

Fantastically elaborated and explained my friend. Fantastic content on channel.

I'm always surprised how many people carry little to no water or anything else on hikes. Even see them doing 4-5mile hikes midsummer with almost nothing.

A great video you were very informative

I started my solo hiking trips few yrs ago. I have not tried solo backpacking trip. I have family who does not want me to do solo backpacking trips. Lol This yr is a no as I had a knee injury so I have to wait. 😂

Hello Gretchen....

thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! this was a fantastic video so professional! It covered everything!!❤ As I told you, I am a beginner hiker, and this covered everything I could imagine asking. I was wondering, I am one who would have to hike one mile then add a mile each time. Do you think I should go ahead and carry all the items in my pack for the short hikes 1-3 mile, just to get used to carrying it from the start? I could understand that. Akk the trails I want to hike for now, up to 5 miles eventually, all close to home. I'm not at a point I could get the Garmin item yet. I have downloaded All Trails a few months ago and really like it. Thanks again! LOVE IT The best I've seen! I even took notes!

Great video that's all I do is hike alone I will never ever leave my house without a backpack of gear

👍👍

Freeze 10:52

Aunty Braids , did you still a black bear cub when u went on hiking

Why the peppermint oil??

Thanks for the video, Gretchen! I normally don’t hike alone, but can still use all the info on day hiking. What does your husband pack when you hike together? Do you each pack things like first aid kit, printed map, etc in case you get separated?

Which one is your preference on Garmin GPS? I am about to purchase one for hiking in the Smokey’s a lot more.

the shuttle service can i get that info?

Can we see a pic of ur tattoo

Would u b willing to send me a picture of yout at tattoo.

Very well done! 👏