Finally an informative video that isn’t a BS hipster boutique hiking commercial. Well done!👍

Hands down this is the best A.T. video I have ever seen. This guy hiked his own hike and purchased equipment that didn't break the bank. After all people forget Ol grandma Gatewood hiked this trail in a pair of converse sneakers and a bag thrown over her shoulders. People were tough back then. She didn't need no stinking $700 dollar tent. lol

My bucket list for sure.

Great interview!

I IMMENSELY enjoyed this interview video. One wouldn't expect listening to someone sit and talk would be that interesting, but I loved it! Congratulations and well done!!!

What a great supportive partner! Everyone loves Mary Poppins. What an angle.

Fantastic presentation my friend, great episode! 👏👏

Brilliant idea with the insole in the cook set. Your story is amazing, thank you so so much for sharing!

INCREDIBLY useful interview. Sounds like an amazing journey, and I can't wait for February!

Well done! Great video, very interesting and informative. Thank you

Thank you for sharing your journey and your knowledge. I am a firm believer you don't have to break the bank to find enjoyment!

Awesome ❤

I know Mary Poppins! Great vlog. Everyone who plans on hiking the trail should watch this video. Thanks for sharing it.

Loved watching this John and Jacinda. delighted with you completing your hike. Very proud of you.

This guy is my twin...🤣 I am planning to take the trip next year.

Wow! Such a great journey. Thanks for all the info! Congratulations!

Watching this from Glasgow Scotland. So many hiker videos are all about the lightest, most expensive gear. It's a marketing trap. I really appreciate your style.

What a great day. From the snowy mountain tops to the beautiful trail and waterfalls. Glad you had fun. Thanks for sharing

You captured me @2 min30sec. That is My biggest concern as well. I eat vegan &mainly raw . I will be tweaking my diet some but I will not be eating a lot of junk . I will be hiking the AT 2025 , I’m taking this year to prepare . Thank you so much for sharing your journey .. Absolutely Amazing. I’m Inspired

Nicely done. Very informative. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you for sharing your story! Used to love winter Backpacking. Less people on trail!

Loved hearing your story!!! Thank you for sharing!

Bless you, I found your story so interesting.

Lovely interview! Waiting for the day I can retire and start my AT journey, super inspirational. On a side note; I live in Harriman NY. That storm was absolutely cataclysmic, I remember being genuinely fearful for the thru hikers that were out those couple days. The western face of Bear Mountain is still scarred up with two several hundred foot long mud slides from that. I can't imagine what it must have been like on trail.

Thank you for sharing an honest experience… the true ins and outs. This is top of my list. I have mixed gear too, I just use what works for me. It’s easy to be tricked into “what you need” thank you again!

Excellent information Quite interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience.

two wise and interesting people, not always the case on YT, nice to listen to...thank you

SO awesome, what a wonderful review of your experience. I have some time before I retire, probably will not through hike but will try to do sections,.

I really enjoyed your video. I am an older hiker, I do have all the latest and greatest light weight gear. I went this way only because of a very bad left knee, ski injury and I also broke my back in four places so I figured I would give my body its best chance. This all said and I would tell anyone getting into hiking there is plenty of good light gear for a reasonable price. It only gets truly expensive when you try to go UL. Most people don’t need to be so light. What impressed me was your training hike distances, 20 miles is awesome. I usually only train in the 6 mile range. I will try and push my training miles up. I do bike ride, left weights and of course hike weekly. I have met many older hikers on the AT, some were like me, lifelong backpackers but many had never backpacked or rarely and they did great. I really think you have to want it. Sometimes the trail will just suck. For me that is days of endless rain. Hiking in ankle deep mud and the trail becomes a stream. Then the sun comes out and all is good again. Being older I don’t have the tight schedule others may have. I hope your video inspires others to get out and hike and not over think it. I tell people you will figure it out and there will be others that will help you with this process. Take care and thanks for sharing your experience, especially your food choices. That always interests me as over time I generally get bored with trail food. Take care

Congrats. I section hike every spring, never got the bug to do the full hike, favorite breakfast for me is cereal + powdered milk, will have it for first & second breakfast most days.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Very informative. Definitely going to check out the New Balance 410 shoes.

Love Lightning! I'm from Wytheville and we leaped frogged on the AT just before the 100 mile. Got stung by the same bees 😅Great guy!

This was such a great presentation and super helpful insights! Thank you! It makes my heart happy you were able to realize a lifelong dream. 🙏🏼 And wow, Mary Poppins 🥹 So sorry you were so ill, but thankful your trail angel was there. The trail always reminds me of the true goodness in humanity. Thanks again for sharing. Such a beautiful story. 💙

This is so valuable. Thanks for sharing.

This was awesome and I thank you for sharing your experience.

It just goes to show you that you don't need state-of-the-art gear. I've seen guys half our age with the latest and greatest stuff that couldn't even do 100 miles. Watching weight might make it easier but it's all about the person. Congratulations and God bless!

Heroic feat. My retirement bucket list is do the PCT

Incredible journey. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for your insight and tips. This gives me new courage to start in 2024

I happened to come across your video and really enjoyed listening to your stories.

New Balance trail shoes are awesome! Ineed to check out those big three items, especially the quilt and sleeping bag!

Enjoyed the video. Good luck on that bike ride. My wife and I love our Paria mattress. We have the double. It's the piece of gear I recommend more than any other. Happy trails... 👍

Thank you sir for a real and honest video.

well, you have it down! congrats!

I love these videos! Thank you for sharing!

Really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.

Awesome video!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

This video is so helpful. Thank you so much!

I'm currently in Chattanooga and talk to a number of old hikers that had thru hiked the AT I myself am gearing up for a thru hike of the PCT it's a long long story why aside from that I must say after watching you talk about your journey I appreciate your frankness and am happy to hear that you used alot of "normal" everyday equipment as opposed to 99% of people that have a list of gear that would cost thousands of dollars and seem like their only goal is to "CRUSH" miles thank you very much for doing this video and come over sometime and hike the Pinhoti Trail ! Dollar Stores/Dollar General/Family Dollar are EXCELLENT sources 😊

So happy for you ❤ Congratulations 😉

Great video,

Congratulations!🎉

Congratulations on your accomplishment! just want to say i'm also a fan of Paria gear. i own their sil nylon tarp and trekking poles. great customer service too.

Im planning a flip flop yhru hike in 2025 starting at Rockfish Gap and heading to Katahdin, then come back to Rockfish Gap and finish at Springer.

Whitley Gap Shelter where ya got your trail name. 1.3 miles out and back

Thank you for sharing your insight and perspective. Great job! Plan your next hike and Carry On!

My MTB bucket lists are CDT and AZT

I want to hike the PCT when I retire in 2 years , but I am afraid I am not disciplined enough . If I go . I'm just going . No practice.

Great insightful vid. Interested in the AT. Cycled coast to coast on the Trans Am in 2016 and rode through the Appalachians, Damascus etc.

An exceptional video! Obviously deep background in the outdoors & fitness. Thank you for spending the time to go over your gear & eating plan, it’s not the same old tired gear/food plans of 90% of the other thru hikers. All the Best, yellow shoes AT ‘19.

I enjoyed this a lot as a hopeful AT thru hiker. Thank you! I want to say I saw you on trail in the Whites somewhere (that’s my playground), but to be honest you look much like every other retired man on trail: white beard, lean, strong. Ha! I too have a lot of backpacking experience and enjoyed your take on how to stop the canister from rattling in the pot and absorb leftover moisture (from the pot and canister condensation). For me, I use an empty oatmeal packet to serve both purposes, and swap it out every once awhile with a new one. #ultralight

Ill be 75 and im in good shape and should i attempt this?

what is the name of the guide book at 13:25?

It's funny how cheap New Balance trail runners are better than Hoka. Less than 20 mile blowout is a disgrace for $155.

Yep welcome to the northeast where everything is overpriced 🤣