I just have to tell you how delightful it is to watch your videos and how inspiring your PCT journey has been to me. Your attitude is just everything!

Fantastic well expounded answers that were obviously well thought about. I couldn't see which picture you were referring to yourself in Washington but if it was the one after Keebler left, that was a very symbolic picture and for us viewers it was one still moment in a seven month journey of movement that defined what truly was your inner fortitude.

Mary guess where I went today???? Warner Springs!!! CALIFORNIA! Thought about you, Dixie,a Second Chance, Little Bee, and Little Skittles! Hubby and me are out here in Ca for two weeks in Borrego Springs. We are from Gainesville Georgia USA and just love the desert in the winter and boy oh boy is this some fine desert scenery! We took a hour walk on the PCT north, there from where they host hikers and saw the showers and post office and the field where y’all camped. Sat in the car and ate our own hummus / cracker ,carrots and tangerines from the rental house. Then drove out to the road that goes by eagle rock...the little road like maybe a hundred yards that goes to the rock is heavily gated...like a fortress . Fenced and no where to pull off road to just walk over to the rock. Can see it really good from the road and the trail is just off to the side of it too. I want to encourage you ( and Derek) to come out here to this funky fun little town of Borrego Springs ..the surrounding Anza Borrego State park is awesome and y’all would just have so much fun exploring....in the winter!

I am a little behind on your videos but as always, you are an absolute pleasure to watch. Your smile lights up the screen and you are just so fun, honest and engaging talking about your experience. I can't wait to read your book!! Thank you :)

Good for you Mary thru-hiking your 40th. I will be thru-hiking my 60th on the PCT in 2021!

I followed you on your hike and there was one time where you had your tent set up at dusk with a light on inside the tent. There were trees and a mountain in the distance and the sky was reddish pink with dark blue sky above. Well at that point in your video, I did a screen capture and that picture is now my screen background. it is providing encouragement to me. Because of you and many other hiker Vlogs, I am thru-hiking the AT in just over a month. I can't wait to experience the highs and the lows. I too want to write a book about my experiences. John from MI and AT Class of 2020

You may not have food or drink for us, but you are a trail Angel just the same with your attitude and sharing.

You were so smart to choose PCT over the other thru-hikes. I’m so jealous as my start date has come and gone with the “COVID-19 lock down.” Thanks as always, for the charming video. 🌿

I love your video. You answered several questions. I have gone back to listen to you while you were on trail. You have such a bubbly attitude. I just finished watching Dixie hiking thru Spain. I think it would be nice hear your views on the beautiful scenery of cameo de Santiago.

I'm a 66 year-old whole food vegan and when I did the PCT in 2017, I had lost 12 pounds of weight by Big Bear, or 266 miles. When I got to Hiker Town at mile 518, I was down 18 lbs. So then I upped my food game by including lots of high-calorie nuts, dried fruit and even vegan dark chocolate. When I hiked the PCT in 2019, I used a system where I snacked on high carbohydrate foods every hour with between 100 and 150 calories. That worked very well and gave me lots of energy throughout the day. But after I left the trail, I kept eating like a madman and had to diet to get back to normal. If I hike the PCT again, I'll diet as soon as I come home to keep my trail weight!

Great video Mary. x

Absolutely loved the Q and A. I still miss those hikes, though. I watched some of them twice. But I really look forward to seeing more hikes in your own turf. Thank you for the time and thought you put into your videos. Blessings

Fabulous video sweetheart 😘 It’s so nice to hear your memories and thoughts ☺️

I am reminded of the saying; "The trail will provide". For the fortunate members of your Tramlies, and for we, who found your vlogs, the trail provided you. Thank you very much.

Enjoyed the Q&A Mary. Well, I followed you several weeks before you started the PCT and saw the first few or so videos and then went off on some long adventures of my own, even did the PCT from Cascade Locks to Mt Hood! I'm looking forward to catching up on your thru hike by binge watching. I can't wait!

What a wonderful video! Well done.

Mary girl !!!! U did a " smashing " good job !!!! Sooo glad to hear that your planning some pack trips 😊👍. Really looking forward to seeing them !!!! Hopefully Derek won't be shy 😂🤣🤪. Stay focused on ur writing !!! PS...u did live up to the motto hanging on ur wall above the desk !!! I've never been able to understand why anyone would want to burn miles and blow through such a beautiful hiking area. Or any outdoor area !! Yep, stop and smell the roses. Also, plz let us know when you have done some work on ur photography page !!! Would love to see through your eyes some of the trail. There were some areas where I know you had to have takenphotos because the area was just I popping one of those once-in-a-lifetime scenarios with sun and clouds and Misty fog... You know what I'm talking about 😃👍🏼. See you on the next one take care.

I am so excited about your book. Can’t wait until it is published. You are such an amazing person.

Looking forward to the book, please keep us up to date on its progress in future videos.

Always good to hear you and your positive attitude towards the experience on the trail. You are a fantastic ambassador of outdoor adventure. Keep it up!

Thanks a lot for answering all these questions. The 45 minutes felt like nothing and were gone so quickly. I am looking forward to your book!

You should do an overview like a reminisce video of your favorite areas or scariest terrain or wildlife encounters impressive views hardest days or weird things that stood out

I LOVE your Q & A's!!!!! So much fun!!!

Have you ever thought about being a trail angel? Maybe bringing the tradition to England.

I did enjoy it , thank you for a lovely video , just found you and I am working my way through your journey , you seem so happy , thank you again .

that was most excellent mary !!!! glad u have more camping left in u !!! looking 4ward 2 that !! One of the things I find interesting about listening to your Vlogs watching you, is how many phrases are shared on your side of the pond and our side of the pond like going number 1 and number 2 I died laughing hearing you say that !!! Here's one for your next Q&A although it has nothing to do with food. And that is at one point you had mentioned on the trail about a separate tarp underneath your tent because the tarp that comes with them is not waterproof. Or at least I believe that was you that made that comment but I thought it was very insightful and a lot of people may not realize that. And as far as your photography channels goes I look forward to that getting updated, although I know you're very busy. You have some pictures that I saw when you're out on trail that I would love to be able to purchase, if I can afford them, to hang here at home. Anyway God bless Mary keep up the good work until next time take care and keep on rockin the Free World !!!

Thank you for the lovely video.. it is so enjoyable to listen to you :)

That was fun, informative and endearing Mary! Thank you for sharing your heart and your art! Hello to Derek! 😊

Thank you for your responses.

Another very enjoyable Q&A from you! You explain things well. And...I'm looking forward to your vegan Q&A (I'm vegan, so that's my motivation!).

Lovely video😊 many a time I've asked myself why I do some of the walks I do? Then you hit the nail on the head when you compared 'normal Life' with 'Trail life'. The peace, quiet, sense of belonging and tranquility coupled with attchevment and freedom to choose and not be bombarded by adverts and nonsense; To basically become a Human Being as opposed Human Doing, is mind blowing and keeps me going back. Seems as life moves on my walks become more and more demanding. There not of course it's just me getting older😅🤪 But I keep going back each time moving forward. Once again absolutely lovely video big thumbs up from me 👍👍 ATB Dave 😊👍 aka wackyswanderings

Thank you for answering my question. Your searching again ( re-searching ) was very interesting. I think " ten to the dozen" will be used by me in the future. As will " weird Brits" 😊

Thank for another wonderful video and for answering my questions. Actually I thought about sending you some resupply boxes but I never knew where you are. I should have asked 😠 mad at myself. You are such an inspiration, Tinkerbell.

I like your new look and your personality,. 40 WOW! The trails in the UK and Australia sound more similar in their support compared to the U.S

🙂

Mary, it is so good to hear from you and hear your thoughts and answers to the many questions. I learn a lot each time. My main question is regarding the chronic pain you mentioned in one of your last videos on the PCT. since I am experiencing that for the first time. I would be so pleased to know how you have overcome it. Or if it is something you just manage. I would like to hike a bit, but the pain gets in the way. I have wondered if becoming vegan would help. No doubt there are a goodly number of your viewers of varying ages who could benefit from your sharing your experience. Again, thank you so much for these videos. I do miss the PCT though.😊

Hey Mary! Have you ever considered Bicycle Touring?? Either off road or on road or combo? I have toured the Pacific Northwest on the Adventure Cycling route. That was awesome fun. I would love to do another bike tour if I had someone to go with. I'm no good alone it seems....But Bicycles are killer fun!

Great Q&A Mary. Very funny your extended explanation of "ten to the dozen," bushels of coal and more. I thought maybe it had to do with traveling faster your strides lengthen so you cover the same distance in fewer steps. But then again maybe I'm going Bodmin! Sorry, picked that up from American public television that gets half its programming from the BBC and was looking for a place to use it! Don't know if that saying is widely used in the UK or if it's more a regional phrase.

You have by far been my favorite to watch hike the PCT. I’ve actually watched your whole thru hike twice. 😂 Me and my sister are planning on hiking it next year and I plan on vlogging and posting my videos on my KZfaq channel. After listening to some other hikers talk about posting videos they mentioned that they didn’t have enough service to upload while on trail and they ended up posting all their videos after they finished. The also said that the people who were posting every day were sending their footage to someone at home and that person was uploading for them. So I was curious.. is that what you did or were you able to upload when you got to towns and such? Thanks so much for taking the time to give such good content of the trail and having a wonderful attitude. 😊

Hello Mary. I have a question, you can save this for your next Q&A if it would be easier. This would fall under the food category. Did you look into powdered avocado for your PCT Hike. It would be great to hear your thoughts on some of the natural vegan foods you looked into that were dehydrated. I am preparing my vegan food plan for PCT 2023 and would love to glean from some of your pre-hike food investigations. Thank you Mary!! 😊

Wonderful Part 2 - Q & A. Gorgeous setting there with the candle and excellent lighting. I have to agree with others here. I thought you were in your early 30's . Must be that good diet and moist England air. 😉. Thank you for this video. 🙏🏼 So glad to hear you are writing a book. 👏🏼👏🏼

Related to your last statement: Mary, you presented the food you were eating along your trail, but it was spread out into dozens of videos. Can you do a video review of the packaged, non-packaged, and freeze dried foods you chose to eat over the course of the PCT? I'm vegan, and will be traveling and walking all around Britain this summer. How are the choices there different?

After following your hike I started in to following a gal named Sara Dhooma from Canada. She hikes ALL OVER the World non stop it seems but she was doing the CDT and it looked horrible to me after knowing about the PCT (my home town back yard growing up) and following hikers on it . I think back East the AT trail is really humid........ The Sierra Nevadas rule!!! hahaaa. ;)

💖

Not that we're counting, but "half a stone" is going to be pretty lost on us "Britannically challenged" viewers (i.e., North Americans). What I have heard about thru-hikers is that many of the women tend not to lose very much weight, maybe for the reasons you cite. The men, though, generally drop 20 or even 30 pounds as they get their hiker legs.

I am preparing to do the PCT in 2022, so two years away still for me, when I retire at age 63. So....on top of being age 63, I am also a plant based eater who is a compulsive over-eater. I am totally unwilling to revert back to any junk food whatsoever, almost like an alcoholic, I guess you could say being a compulsive over eater is similar. I am afraid that if I revert back to eating unhealthy foods, I will start craving it again, and risk going back where I came from. So....I am unwilling to eat your typical trail food, and am planning on once weekly food shipments from home, and will be blessed to have my sister helping me with the resupply boxes. But I am finding plant based hiking to weigh a lot more. I sleep cold for instance, and a twenty degree sleeping bag is just not going to do it, so busily learning how to use a very lightweight emergency bivy to warm it up. But I guess my question is.....I know you mentioned your weight being due to wanting comfort items, but how much of your pack weight being so high was due to having to have synthetic sleeping bag, puffy jacket....so on and so forth.

Good Morning Mary....Question, Do you ever watch your PCT videos? Which one do you like?

40!! Wow, you must have a portrait hidden in the attic. I would have guessed 30! Meanwhile love ya Yorkshire accent!

- I recommend Transferwise for overseas travel. It's free and can have multiple virtual prepaid currency accounts and a free Mastercard debit card. It's much cheaper than using one's UK debit card since the exchange rates are 3rd best of online FX companies and almost no additional fees. I've used it in Thailand and NZ without any issues.

Something I’ve been wondering is where do you store your food bag at night in the desert section of the PCT? There aren’t really trees to hang your food bag and most people don’t carry a bear canister in that section so do they just sleep with it? If so, are rodents a problem?

Yippee! Another Q&A :o) . . . How tall are you and is it OK to ask how much you weigh (aprox)? Just wondering what percent of your body weight 40 pounds is. I felt that earthquake and I was near Los Angeles/Long Beach (150 miles south/west of it)

Love your videos!

My mother said this a few times . . . I read: "10 to the dozen means "very many" (i.e. "a lot of things") e.g. "babies are ugly ten to the dozen", meaning a lot of babies are ugly (but not mine). 19 to the dozen means "very fast" (i.e. "a lot of speed") e.g. "my heart was beating 19 to the dozen", meaning my heart was beating a lot. The confusion comes about when a lot (of speed) gets mixed up with a lot (of things), resulting in the wrong phrase being uttered: "my heart was beating 10 to the dozen" (i.e. a heart attack)."

I also have two other questions. I did the Great Glen Way...just as you did, and only completed about 70% of it as I ended up with a stress fracture in my foot. So....my question is, could you talk about tent camping on The Great Glen Way vs. staying in bed and breakfasts. I enjoyed the bed and breakfasts, and it was very nice getting to meet and talk with the inn keepers. As it happened, it rained very little on my trip, just some mild drizzle on a couple of days. But as you can imagine it is bugging me to no end that I did not complete that relatively simple trail. I am determined to go back and do it again, possibly in July of 2021. So, is it usually utterly too wet to normally tent camp along the way....are reservations in camp grounds required, or is it easy enough just to decide you are tired at the end of the day and then find a place to camp. I know "wildcamping" is generally not allowed in the UK. I am also considering as one of my retirement activities renting a campervan and traveling the UK, researching my family history....etc. How easy is it to find places for people traveling the country in a van. Easy to do this for free in spots, are campgrounds expensive....etc. I know van camping is not your specialty that I know of, but if you have any knowledge.....would be wonderful to hear.

:)

Hi. I have a question. When you cross a river, you get your shoes, socks & boots all wet. Are you able to continue walking afterwards with wet feet & boots. Or is there a trick in preventing your feet/boots from getting wet when crossing a river? Do you change your foot wear after crossing, which would mean carrying an extra pair of boots. I'm asking because I've done some small standard hiking and when my boots get wet, it not only becomes unpleasant to walk with wet feet & socks, but also the boots tend to pick up mud, in which I constantly have to stop to wipe off the clumps of mud on my boots. What's your experience?

What was your favorite trail town that you zeroed in

Do you think a 60 year old female can do the PCT?

You look hella young lol. Hiker life.

Perhaps you should have let Lilly handle the cat hole question ...

10 to the dozen ... perhaps getting the same outcome with less effort.