When I hiked the trail 40 years ago, the resupply points were few and far between. We used to have go post office to post office. Going into a big town was sometimes 20 or 30 miles from the trail. I did a lot of hitch hiking. It seems like there is a whole industry now catering to hikers. My pack was always 40 or 50 pounds. I finally caught the utra-light bug and boy I really enjoy hiking so much more. I had big ol' gas stoves (MSR), super heavy sleeping bags, I took extra batteries, bulbs, shoe laces, compass. Just stupid things, but that was a different time. Never treated water and never got sick. I like hiking boots cause I can real fly down hill. So, your videos are really cool in helping me reduce weight. Thank you very much.

Like to know how youve been decompressing since youve come back to house, home and family. The joy of seeing kentucky and having dry feet everyday..😊

So good to see you again, BadBat, and love the new hair-do! This was a very educational vid on the supply 'whats & why-fors' of your extreme AT hike. I learned a lot. Third - Video Request: I would like to see a psychological recap of your hike: 1. How you made the initial decision TO hike the trail. 2. How long it took you to prepare. 3. Your most joyful wilderness locations ON the trail (we know you hate rocks & rain - what did you love?). 4. A retrospective analysis of your mental health breakdowns on the trail - what caused them and how you recovered. *** As a follower & huge fan, I have to tell you that it was very difficult to see you break down on trail because you were in so much distress and we could do nothing. Our hearts broke for you. On the other hand, YOU helped me through my own mental health breakdown which occurred around the same time you started your hike. I found you quite by accident on KZfaq in my extreme mental illness & isolation. But, every day I got up and watched your vids without fail. Your Appalachian Trail hike was part & parcel to my recovery. I'm not kidding. For 5 months I withdrew from the world and didn't know if I could come back. But, you helped me come back. And just as you were reaching Katahdin, I was up & out again... the darkness had lifted... and recovery was real. So, that is why the psychological aspect of the trail is so important to me. You did suffer but you never gave up. Please discuss how you dealt with the lows. (I do know having hiking partners was very important to your success.) Thank you, BadBat, for leading me through my own wilderness. 🦇☔️🔆

I took notes during this video-thanks so much for taking the time to make it. I’m a 62-year-old woman who’s trying very hard to get more fit. I’ve done some moderate hiking, and I’m thinking about backpacking with my husband (who has completed the AT and the Allegheny Trail in WV). So thanks from a follower in WV!

Girl!!! There are so many words inside of you. And those words need to come out -- on youtube videos. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very informative and very entertaining. So much more value in this video than just a gear list! This is your gifting. Go for it!

Yes! The bat is back!🎉 We missed you and your in-depth videos - and you bet ya, that uniquely pleasing voice. We were preparing to comment on a newer, now delisted "Foot Trail" reminder, onliy to find it gone. 😂 Hopefully,, your following got to take a peek before it was gone.

You are a very smart hiker… many have to get off the trail because of poor decisions and planning that lead to injuries and fatigue and you seemed very purposeful in your choices. BTW.. I’m 58 years old and just figured out that soaking clothes/towels, that won’t let go of a mildew odor, in distilled white vinegar does the trick.

This is the best after-hike great video I've seen. Very detailed and nice.

Thanks for the update. Once you do the obligatory post trail videos, I'd love to see more of your day to day...theater nerd stuff and other hobbies you do.

Thank you for your comprehensive gear review - well done! I enjoyed your videos of your hike and following along on your adventure!

Great gear list…liked seeing your cat make a brief appearance at min. 55🙂🙏 looking forward to more of your adventures 🙂🙏

Great gear review video! Thanks so much! So glad to hear you liked your pack - I purchased a 6MD Swift V with the same vest style harness and am looking forward to taking it out on some trips.

Another great video!!! You are awesome, Bad Bat!!! :) Please keep the videos coming!!!!

Enjoyed seeing you again ! Great video and info. Several times I said you are creative at self care and problem solving. Peace and best wishes!

Watched the entire thing - the long format was so useful given the subject. Congrats on a successful hike and thank you so much for all you share!

So love the detailed descriptions. So refreshing to see you've did the AT and So spirited and 😊happy!

Well done -- very enjoyable and informative! Great to see you again...

Thank you for taking me on your adventure. Looking forward to next journey.

Congrats on completing your thru hike! I thoroughly enjoyed following along nightly. This was one of the best post trail gear vids I've seen (and I have seen a lot lol). Keep the content coming, we'll watch. Some "lessons learned on the trail" type vids would be cool. God bless!

Great to see you on here again badbat! Enjoyed your video. Never too long.😊❤

Looking good! Thanks for the update!

More BadBat videos to come...I can't wait! I love to crochet while watching!

You did a great job of thinking through your hike. Loved your grandmother’s card.

Congrats on finishing the hike! Looking forward to seeing a full tent review, in particular for the Tarptent DR 😊

I'm so excited to hear about your shoes! I just bought a pair of those but haven't worn them out yet... they are my first non-boot hiking shoe, so here's hoping I love them as much as you do! Now I just need to go get the gaiters. 😉

Bought the same flextail charger based on one of your earlier videos for a recent backpacking trip. Game changer and saved so much time!

Great to see your wallet lasted the for your whole AT Trek! Such a treat to be brought along with you on trail, we lived vicariously through you! Nice work Bad Bat!!!

You are strong and an inspiration. I have binged your daily episodes over the last week and you have been such an inspiration. AT has been on my bucket list but you and a few others have motivated me to finally put metal against metal and make it happen within the next 2 years myself. You not only shared your journey but have taught, mentored, and encouraged others that wish or dream about the trail. Thank you for sharing your journey. DON'T let this be your last hike! lol. Thank you for what you have done.

I'm glad to See that the "Outdoor Vitals" puffy served you very well. Will be getting one for my northern section hike of the Arizona Trail, fall of 2024!!

Great video! Would love more info about your jacket/poncho. Since I have only seen it from the front, would love to see how it fits in the back. I think it looks like a perfect solution for keeping my pack, shoulder straps and me dry! Thanks!

This was really great badbat. Talk about food on trail that you packed. 😊

Omg love the hair and great post gear video!

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS VIDEO & YOUR EXPLANATIONS

I enjoyed watching your entire hike. I am wondering what the aftermath of such a physical challenge has been. How fast are you regaining weight? Did you want to spend a few days sleeping and eating, or did you feel restless if you weren't physically active? Has readjustment to normalcy been jarring? Very well done videos btw.

Thanks for taking me with you on your hike. you are very nice, kind regards from Germany.

Thanks for sharing. I am still considering the SMD Swift for the vest harness, but your video showed the Minimalist's roll top + flap better than their pictures. I do love my BD Ergo Cork poles as my left wrist doesn't like normal ones anymore. I have large hands and use bicycle handlebar grips around the cork. That could work if your cork is damaged too much. BD does sell replacement wrist straps, too.

What a great video, thanks so much!

Great video and really interesting and fun. Thanks Bad Bat. My favourite pieces of kit are my Buff, for the same reasons as you, and my Dirt Girl gaiters. Oh my, just keeping the dirt out of shoes makes such a difference 😊 And what an awesome use of your fanny pack (bum bag in 🇬🇧😂)

I absolutely loved this video and loved the content in it. - Shybee

Good to see you again. Nice haircut!

Holy smokes I did not even recognize you I watched one of your videos awhile ago and I just happened to see this video and I had no clue you were the same person until 5 minutes in. Great video thanks for the insight.

Great!! Watched it all 😁 You are really a fun girl 😀

Fantastic, REAL, assessment of all the gear and clothing you finished the AT with. I'd love to see a review of the Packa rain jacket/cover. Also, another video idea is to do a video review of what you STARTED your thru-hike with and why the item did or did not work for you and what you replaced it with. Like, what you "thought" would work but once you got on trail found it did NOT work for you. Thanks so much!

Great video! Never too long, never worry about that. What about at some point doing a “Day in the life” type video?

Thanks for a great gear video! I am heading out for a section hike next week and I ordered one of the pack towels you used after watching to add to my gear. I'd like to see a video talking about the kinds of things people often list as fears before they go on trail and how they were in reality. Things like women being afraid to hike alone, problems with animals, getting lost, etc., I can't tell you the number of times I have told a friend I was going on a section hike and the first question is, "You aren't going to hike ALONE are you??!"

Thanks to you I got my town shirt (exact same as yours) and damn is that thing nice. I ❤ it!!

I would love to see a review of the Packa! So much!

Missed your videos, and thanks

Great video, thanks! I bought a Packa because of yours and so far it’s perfect. Although…..I’ve only had it in heavy rain once. (I’m not complaining!) Anyway I love the combo of jacket and pack cover. Would love to hear more details on how it worked for you. Did you ever attach it over your pack and not wear the jacket part? That might be a good choice when rain threatens? Thanks again!

Watched the entire video Badbat and 100 others!! Congratulations on your thur hike and great job on this review of your gear. I probably missed it somewhere, but can I ask what was the date that you departed from Springer. I'm attempting an AT thur hike in 2024.

I was wondering what your number was when you finished and did you have any troubles with guys on the trail ?

Awww we used to have a cat named Miss Kitty. She was a seal point Siamese.

Congratulations on summiting. I enjoyed hiking with you. YOLO. P.s. I summited on August 23rd.

If you do the PCT, you will worship your Ombraz sunglasses. 700 miles Of desert before the Sierra. At that point you will want to invest in the side shields for that blinding snow, or not. Your choice. I love your sense of humor. Great video.

Great tip with the Tyvek. Hope your adjusting well. You going to hiker days next year?

I hope you still have your thru-hike stuff. I thought of a great way to memorialize some. Since you are a theater person and like painting; you can use your skills to make your own Joseph Cornell shadow box! You can think of it as a mock-up for your musical theater AT show 🤓🤯

Hey!❤ love the videos of your hike. Post hike how is returning back to the real world? Was it hard to acclimate back? Sleep schedule? I'm curious..

I have received my bad bat hikes t-shirt…in red of course. It is really great. Didn’t shrink or twist in the washer or dryer and it is so incredibly soft. Just one issue, every time I wear it to walk the dog the sunny, blue skies fill with ominous dark clouds. Coincidence? I think not. Lol!

This was so awesome!! Great advice at the end. That what works for you may not work for you. So true. But you a great explaining why you liked something and why you didn't Could you please let me know the name of your mid layer? It's exactly what I'm looking for without the big ticket of a Melly. Also, trying washing your sun shirt with a 1/8 th of a cup white vinegar put into your fabric softener area. You might need to do it 2xs, but that should neutralize the smell. Thanks again for posting and the update.

The Best After AT Equipment/Gear review and I have seen at a minimum 6. Your hair cut compliments your face.❤ it. Would enjoy a video on how you’d hiking style or daily mileage changed. And what would you do differently. Also how to evaluate Tamily to hike with?? 😊

Fun hair!

Love your hair ❤❤❤and your voice 😂😂😂

Thanks a lot for this super informative review! Some ideas for future videos: did you have a stretching routine at night? if so, what was it? Do you have a lot of footage that did not make it to your videos? Bloopers? Can you talk about foot care? How easy is it to readjust to 'normal' life, and to go from a 1-objective life (complete the AT) to crazy normal life? Will you meet again with some of your trail friends?

I would like to know what your future plans are - both hiking and career. 😊

Without getting too personal, I’m curious about how your body is adapting to being home again; different diet, different rest and activity levels?

Congratulations on your completed thruhike!! I love your videos and watched from the beginning. I knew you would make it. Question?? How many fuel canisters did you go through on your hike??

Question trekking poles. I new to them and hear your opinion on the different attachments around the tip of the pole. Some use a rubber cover over the top anthe there are the plastic circular stops or either soil or sand or even snow what’s your opinion on them.

I couldn't find your sunglasses on your pre-hike list - those wrap around ones with elastic would be great for me as I'm so sensitive to light. Can you tell me their name and where you got them? Tnx

I got the orange Oladance open ear headphones back in the spring because of you. I really like them. I usually just wear the right one. I walk several miles every day & they are great except when there is loud traffic noise. / Do you like the cork handles on your poles? I enjoyed your gear review. 👍🏻

When you finish the trail, IT'S never enough, never over. I'm 69,done the trail twice, and I'm looking for my bike adventure East-West.

Thanks 🙏👍🙏👍🙏

Do you plan on doing anymore long distance trails in the future?

Hello ..loved the video about your gear ❤ What is the name/make of knife you had hanging from your neck ??

Great post trail video. Not too technical but like you said, worked for you. Winter bag? With our talent, you could do video/presentation that would be excellent for schools and library groups. Just and idea since I know you are a "library" person.

Hey, they make usb-c to micro-usb adapters so you don't have to carry two cords next time!

Well shit, your vids are my favorite.

What do you think about never doing sunblock? With proper gear?

Badbat what's the brand of your bone conduction headphones? I haven't seen any like it where you can just where one side at a time. That's what I prefer cuz the battery life is way longer that way.

👍

Definitely frame that AT Buff!

Thoughts on water proof socks

Thanks 💙 Hello kitty

What is the name of colorful hat you wear

Im all about darn tuff, i have 4 pair

Are you still in touch with the people you met along the way? My kitten freaked out when you turned on the Flextail. 😅

What bag/quilt did you use in winter months?

Pepperidge Farm remembers…..

What "d" is your parka by cedar tree ?

How much weight did you lose overall?

😂 long video if you’re still watching? It’s Mt second time I was gonna just read transcript but you talk fast & we were together for most part. I thought it was you loved 1 specific bidet. If so, I missed it on this go round.

I have it nm

social lols

I'm a grumpy bitch, but watching you and how you convey yourself kinda makes me not a grumpy bitch. I like your personality. Keep posting plz.

Honestly wondering about hygiene on the trail, especially for woman.

Chaffing up the wazzoo is never good whoever you are.

Im better off with no social media,, bye bye