Worst shelter was in Virginia. I had it to myself, and woke up feeling like I was being watched. I turned on my flashlight to discover a large possum hanging from the rafter about four feet over my bed. And yes, she WAS watching me.

I was taught in Boy Scouts not to take breaks on the trail longer than 5 mins. Any longer & it was hard to get going again as muscles stiffen, etc. I have learned this is true.

During busy season AT shelters are full of mice, people using flashlights at 3 am, snoring and farts. Unless it was so rainy I didn't want to mess with it I usually would hang out and socialize and eat then get a mile or two more after dinner hiking and sleep in the tent.

Coffee filters to pre-filter water. They also make good fire starters and TP if needed.

Got to a shelter on the AT in April and was practically shivering at 3-4 pm for a little nap full on in my down bag on sleeping mat. Knew we were in trouble. Did set up my 2p tent in the shelter which I knew was a no no. But discussed with my partner and was prepared at any moment that any hikers arrived to do a speedy tear down with sincere apologies. No one came on this weekend night and we were toasty. It snowed and wind blew pretty hard overnight. Have never done it since.

We live not far from the PCT. I would pick up trail hitchhikers during the wildfires. Best people ever! Now it’s finally my turn!

That Nickelback rendition had me dying. This channel needs more goofy song covers.

Tents in shelters 🤦‍♀️ I was at mile 2,000 on the AT. Hiked 20 miles, it was pouring and thundering, got to the shelter at 7pm and there were 3 different SOBOS with their tents set up inside the shelter already asleep, they didn't move. It was the worst haha

You should do a cooking episode where you make different things you take on the trail... I think it would be cool to see what you eat on trail or find meals that you might try cooking on trail...

In regards to your shelter rat...I once bivied below the diamond face of Longs Peak at 13k ft. My shirt was wet from sweat so I laid it on rock. In the morning the lower back and armpits of the shirt were gone, eaten by marmots. Also, a ballsy marmot tried to steal my beanie off my head while I was sleeping!

I wasn't aware of the term "pink blazing," but now I realize that it accurately describes an experience I had while solo hiking. While on the trail, I overtook a group of hikers, and one of the guys from the group attempted to match my pace and even asked for my phone number. Wild… I need to learn more crap about hiking lingo!

It was towards the end of March in the Smokies. We (four of us) had walked a long 20+ miles to reach a shelter only to find a family with 3 kids set up inside the shelter with tents. Fortunately, there was space still available on the second floor. It was the coldest night I experienced on the AT (11 degrees), and we froze our asses off. Definitely secondary fun!

Shelters are only a good experience in winter, or at mid-day when you stop to get some water at a spring and there are others there and you have a good conversation. I feel like only weird people actually stay in shelters since every time, (admittedly I've only tried twice) I've stayed at one there were jerks already camped out. First time, post-Thanksgiving section hike in Shenandoah NP, it was pouring rain and in the low 40s. My girlfriend's quilt was already partially wet from the day before using a pack cover instead of a compactor bag, so we were planning on putting our quilts together and sharing some warmth. We got to a shelter pretty early, (around 3pm), hadn't seen anyone else on trail all day and I suggested we just stop there for the night and try to get her quilt dried out for a few hours. Everything is great until around 8pm, we'd eaten, relaxed a bit and thawed out. It's still cats and dogs outside. Up roll another couple with a dog. The woman is super nice and friendly, her (assumed) boyfriend, not so much. He's complaining about not getting enough milage done, he's being really aggressive with the dog, pulling it around on the leash and making it lie down on the wet ground outside the shelter in the rain. We assure them we're both cool with dogs and please let the dog up in the shelter, it's fine. He tells us it has discipline problems, (dog was a f'ing saint, that guy was laying there in the mud and rain like the second coming of Zeno) and he has to make sure it's under control at all times so there isn't an issue on the trail. So w/e. We pull all our stuff on one side of the shelter and crash out. Next morning I wake up first, get the coffee going, make some instant oatmeal. It stopped raining sometime during the night, my friend is devouring her breakfast and it looks like her quilt is mostly dry. Sketchy dude gets up, makes himself breakfast, uses the privy and when he comes back he wakes up his partner and informs her she slept through breakfast and they needed to get going so she's gonna have to eat an energy bar or whatever she has. At no point did he try to wake her up or just make a second breakfast like any normal person would. He had to heat water to make his stuff anyway, would have been a matter of just pouring a little more in the pot. We get out of there asap as well, thankfully they were SOBO and we were NOBO and had a 2nd car ahead to shuttle so we didn't have to see them again. Felt really sad for his partner and the dog who probably still loves the dude even though he abuses it. Second bad experience was just a bunch of partiers on the AT down at Mt. Rodgers, but that's pretty typical, and there are dozens and dozens of campsites within 3 mi of that shelter so you can go off and do your own thing and it's nbd. But they had a massive fire going and were whooping and hollering at 3am, you could hear them for a quarter mile at least. I don't understand that at all, not in that setting, (one of the most beautiful places on the entire AT).

Levo these questions! Sketchy trail food: My attempt at scalloped potatoes with ham and green beans, using dehydrated ingredients, diidn't go well. (I make a mean curry, though! "I can't believe you make Indian food on trail!" "What do you think fuels the Sherpas?") Worst shelter experience: Bald Rocks, just off the Long Path on the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail in Harriman Park in NY. The freezing rain and high wind didn't help, and the temperature dropped from 62°F to -8°F in 24 hours. (Yeah, it was a winter trip). The bottom platform was underwater! That was one tiome that I thought that pitching a tent (a tarp. actually) in a shelter was justified. My daugher and I had the place to ourselves, anyway. That shelter was the Doyle Hotel of lean-tos! Best shelter experience: Rodney Point #1, on the Northville-Placid. Someone with a boat had laid in a huge pile of cut and split firewood, I had the place to myself, and oh, wow, the view across the lake that I woke up to, all in the fall colors. I arrived in patch dark, didn't even see the water until after I awoke in the morning. I was actually despairing of finding the shelter in the dark and mist, until I stumbled into the back of the outhouse. It had been a very slow day, 'coz the trail was flooded off an on all the way between Shattuck Clearing and Plumley's Point. Sketchiest water: After filtering and drinking the water at a piped spring, I realized that there was a drowned porcupine in the spring box. Eeeeew! Best water: Slide Mountain spring in the Catskills -best tasting water anywhere! I usually bring a couple of litres home with me when I go there. Most famous person on trail: Tough one, I don't meet a lot of folks that I'd recognize. I ran into John Burroughs's great-granddaughter once - she was reënacting the hike that he chronicled in _Heart of the Southern Catskills_. Turns out that her guide and I had friends in common. Most famous person off-trail: Again, hard to say, I worked for 10 years at NBC and ran into famous people in the elevator almost any time that I was at 30 Rock. Sketchiest hitch: I think I've put a thumb out only once in the last twenty years, and the guy that picked me up was a townie who'd moved to that little burg for the hiking. He was incredibly nice, and helped me deal with a hotel problem. The place that I had reserved had a serious plumbing problem and had to turn away about half the guests, but the driver got wind of the problem and gave me a lift about 5 miles down the road to another place, "They aren't actually open until nest week, but the remodeling is actually finished and if you ask nicely, they'll put you up." Blue-blaxing: I do it all the time, usually because I'm interested in visiting some place that isn't on the main trail. Usually, the blue blaze is harder. Yellow-blazing: Well, if one of my blue-blazes goes wrong, I might wind up roadwalking a few miles, does that count? I'm happily married and want to stay that way, so I'm not going to go pink-blazing after your mom. What in blue blazes is going on here, anyway? Bear canister: It makes a nifty camp chair. :) It's also required on the northern 40 miles on the Northville-Placid, everywhere in High Peaks Wilderness, and it's about to be required in Harriman - so lots of places I go are requiring them now. I might as well get used to lugging it. My most embarrassing bear-bag incident: Heaving the line over a tree limb in a perfect cast exactly where I wanted it - and watching as the entire length of the line sailed over the branch and came down on the other side 'coz I didn't have a good grip on the end of the line. Took me a half dozen more casts before I even got the rope over the branch again.

Been watching your channel and it inspired me to be a better hiker. Just purchased myself a Kelty Loveseat for my solo AT thru hike coming up. ♥

CONGRATZ on 101k!!!!!!!!!

Very entertaining video. Love that bus/pickup truck hybrid! Cool you met Jupiter he seems like such a chill cat. Your song was pretty funny and your editing is great! Thanks!

Dude, I lost it when your burst into Photograph and it was Dan's picture 🤣

Love the content and subscribed broski👊

That tele with the humbucker looks legit! Great videos!

Thank you for answering my question. I will have to find my way thru post lunch struggle.

lol keep being you and doing your videos. Good info mixed in with the jokes and being serious without taking yourself too seriously.

The first time I tried to stay at a shelter I wound up backing out. TLDR: Too much access from outsiders. Known to locals as it is often empty. Had just finished a road-walk section and got back on trail. Wind up running into two guys who were out in the woods drinking. Looked like they popped out for a beer and maybe a short hunt, since they had a gun out. Was fine until they began to walk pace behind me talking openly about me. (I'm assuming they thought I couldn't hear them since I had headphones on. However, mine sit outside the ear and I use it for trail alerts and hands-free calling in emergencies- not music.) I speed up and they speed up. (I got up to 8mph according to my tracker.) I clear the little section and reach the road crossing. The next section starts in a cornfield and I know I don't feel safe with these two trailing behind me. I can see a fella working out in his lawn a ways down and decide its a good spot to pause, have a snack and let them pass me. Instead they take it as green light to talk. They start asking me questions. Why am I alone, where am I going, is my bag heavy, on and on. I'm trying to be polite but make it clear I'm not interested in talking. The whole "have a nice day" routine. But they are buzzed and pushy. I gave vague, generic but friendly replies. They became more pushy about by non-answers so I made it clear I wasn't comfortable sharing anything, and that I was waiting for someone so they should continue on their way. They laugh this off and start to try and guess where I'm going to camp. Next thing I know they are talking about the shelter I happen to be planning to stay at. Talking about how many hunting trails run to it and how easy it is to get to from an access road via one. They reccomend it, saying it'd be free because it's on the edge of the park so no one checks. It's a hangout spot for locals, especially teens. On and on. Now I'm sure they were just buzzed and didn't have any ill intent. However this scared the heck outta me. I'd always stayed at campsites or airbnb if none were close. (This trail has lots of roadwalk sections, and is purposefully supposed to cut thru as many towns as possible. Most is donated land for the trail with no camping.) I'd originally felt safe picking this as my first shelter stay because I could access a road if needed, but seemed secluded as it was actually tucked off the trail and only had that entrance trail marked as an access point. Their words have me second guessing myself. I feel uncomfortable and cut em off by saying the friend I was waiting for was actually picking me up; I wouldn't be camping. While doing so, I also sneakily initiated a call. First time I'd ever had to do it, but boy was I glad I'd practiced beforehand! Paranoia has its perks. So I've got friend listening in as I am awkwardly trying to politely yet firmly get these guys to leave me alone. Friend realizes what's up, asks if I need a pick up and gets the ball rolling on his end. Phone rings and it's my fella. Taking the call makes them back off a little. By the time the call has finished I relay that my ride will be there soon, and again wish them a good day. This is where they take it to creep level. They laugh at this. Behave as though they think I'm lying about being picked up, and say "We'll see you later," with these grins like it's soooo funny. They leave into the corn field. I keep in touch with my friend and fella till my ride gets there. Originally I planned to get picked up, waste the time I would have been hiking, and then get dropped off near the shelter before it got too dark. Not anymore. Because now I'm wondering if they went ahead to wait there for me. Or, did they plan on stopping by at night? I explain what happened to my fella and he drives out to get me. He's fuming and decides he wants to go out to the shelter. He wants to see if they are there and, if they are, explain that it isn't OK to behave that way. We went out there together. They weren't there - like I'm said, I'm pretty sure they were just being jerks. Once I saw the shelter I was glad I hadn't decided to stay there. Just like they said- there were more than a handful of unmarked trails that led to and from the shelter. There were remnants of a party. Multiple trees had been used for what looked like throwing knife practice. The "access road" they spoke of wasn't marked because it was on private property but indeed could be reached by one of the trails. It'd be fine if I was in a group staying there. However- no way would I stay there alone. Yes, I fear that someone with ill intentions familiar with the area could come out. But thats always in the back of my mind and not unique to this shelter. However I have no interest in "party people" rolling up on my campsite. It was clear from the location it would be a prime spot for that even without the fellas telling me about it.

My first thru hike was the ouchita! Made me fall in love. This summer is the JMT! Next year the PCT! Quite excited to see your videos of the OT! I don’t have any photos/videos from it when I did it :( I had a little uh oh and my phone got water damage and lost everything on my last day😭😭

Thanks for playing your guitar. Looking forward to the Album 😃

Subscribed for the guitar bit. Well done

yeah lifting weights is a big one, nothing like losing all those gains on a thru hike and coming back home to realize how heawy that weight bar really is!, great video and questions

Dude! That was a sweet tune 😄🥳🥰

That was some good licks man

Absolutely loved the enthusiastic rendition of that Nickelback song! Excellent! 👌🏼😆

Using an activated charcoal filter cleans up the gunk and taste(and reduce chems,ymmv), add to your set up or there are a few filters that have them integrated.

My most sketchy ride wasn't a hitch. It was an expensive shuttle that we paid for!!! Don't recommend Mountain Ma's in Georgia... or I do if you want some crazy stories 😜

I’ve posted before but met a thru hiking couple this weekend who was staying in Big Bald shelter(NC-Tenn border). A hiker with a dog came in very late and stayed in shelter with dog at his side. No leash. In morning the couple was packing and started to leave. The couple was not sure why but the dog felt threatened and bit the female. The hiker apologized but then it was about him. He had suffered a trauma when a friend drowned . What that had to do with his dog isn’t clear. There are two reasons that are revealed here as to why I would not stay in a shelter although I slept in 80 % of the shelter on my thru hike in 98. Winter and severe weather might force me to stay in a shelter.

Thanks for featuring my question!!! I can't imagine having to eat ramen and mashed repetitively, but it's calories and it get you through!!! I think having plain oatmeal errrry day is the worst!!!

That sucks what that happened at Stateline shelter! I set up my hammock at that shelter last winter when I did the section between pashubee and Queen wilhelmina. I love the ot

Cool, will you do a video on keeping ticks away

I cracked up so hard during your guitar solo. thank you. and also please play your guitar more! also on my attempt of the 100 mile wilderness last year I totally did not want to leave the shelter after having lunch when it was raining and freezing.

As of watching this you're at 153k subscribers! So good job

Kyle would you recommend spraying permethrin on or portions of a tent?

I had the exact same experience as Flossy's, my bank account was emptied by some fool in Dubai and only realized it when I got to Big Bear and could only take out $20 from an ATM (this was in 2019). Very stressful situation, also got resolved fairly quickly (though getting a new debit card took longer). Never found out how it happened.

That look at this (Dan Becker) photograph was hard af dude! 😂😂

Got into a fight in the handshake line after the game. Sounds like a great hockey player!

I have land by the Ouachita trail! Less then 2 miles from winding stair

what kind of water filtration do you prefer and why?

Can't believe how fast this niche topic channel blew up so fast. I guess it was the singing 😅

I love Brussels sprouts!

You are pretty good at the guitar. I'm a little impressed.

The converted school busses were cool to see 👀 😎

Love the channel bro, keep it up. Just moved to Boston from SoCal, I was wondering what area to backpack on my first trip in the Northeast?! Any suggestions??

That song though…👌🏻

That's pretty good Kyle, I played against Bob Carpenter famous Washington Capitals player as well as Rod Langway. I also watched Dick Jauron play high school football AND was in the same Punt, Pass & Kick contest with him. Yes I'm a lot older than you.

Haha guitar part was hilarious. We want to hear more. Just not nickelback😂

Super video

I am not a through hiker, but a nonade that loves dayhikes, sometimes camping out in the mountsins for some days.... But I NEVER park in parking places, I go far off from trails and hide my van, car in the forest. Nobody has to know I am there somewhere in the woiods and I never camp on 1 spot longer than 1 night. I am a wildlife photographer , so I carry a huge backpack filled with my photography stuff. Bearbags, no thanks. I am always in bear area, the big brown bears, the grizzlies brother. NO food outside my special bearcontainers. No waste. No smells. 😊

Can someone explain the different blazings I have no clue what any of those terms mean

That's funny as hell because I always think the same thing just about everyone that has a channel has a damn guitar in the background and i always wondered if they play or its just there to look cool! 😂

I was so close to hitting that subscribe button until that Bromance kiss moment. I will take a hug though.

Subscribed and Liked

I still can't believe I missed both y'all and Jupiter at PCT Days.

I am a day hiker and I don't take lengthy break, I usually don't even sit down, because I am afraid that I will lose the drive to get going, again.

I'm here!

You should use char coal when filtering through a bandana

Spit out my coffee when you were like “look at this photograph “ 😂😂😂 You should sign a photo of Dan and have a giveaway when you reach 50k.

Great video keep the video comeing(walkingman)

your singing is immaculate

That Nickleback moment sent me into a fit of laugher. My dad said you might as well have Rickrolled him.

How long does it take you to do your hair before you throw the hat on haha or do you start with it on and just style what pops out

What is kewon?

Like the song

Great QnA sesh dude! The whole tent in the leanto concept during thruhike season aint cool! Just wondering when you’re gonna finish the pct? Take care. NQU

I like to hike bits of the rockies because my cascades are tiny

I've watched 0:30-0:45 of this video 500 times, and plan on watching it 500 more times

gmc says that Long Trail requires bear canisters but was also told by an old caretaker that they definitely dont and wouldn’t ever check so idk, just my personal experience

I was expecting Wonderwall. It is Dan Beckers favorite song.

Always pick up hitchhiking fam

Was hitchhiking through Tennessee just did the hike from smokemont to Gatling burg .The old obese man with oxygen mask and smoking a cigarette with a dill doe plugged into the lighter picked me up on the way to New Mexico. I acted like I didn’t notice it and he said anything about it . Got about a hundred miles down the road. Was glad to get out.

Go Bruins!!! Bergeron is the man!!! I hope he's still playing next season!?🤞it's guna be the Bruins 100th season....he's gotta play at least 1 more season so he can play the centennial season!!!??

Bro I’ve done everything high for 15years are you telling me I should start driving sober?? Hahahahahahahaha

Will you make a commitment to go backpacking with a camp chair when you reach 50K subscribers? If not, how many subscribers will it take? By the way, thanks for answering my question! Reese's Pieces are dope!

First time watching your videos. 45 secs in and you got laughing. 👍🏻

Still 41.7K but getting closer!

If you don't have a concealed carry permit you have to keep your firearm in plain sight (passenger seat ). Laws differ between states but this is common practice where legal

Never saw a tent in a shelter but I'd definitely say something that's just not acceptable.

When you hitched the ride on the short bus did it remind you of all those years you went to the school for ‘special’ kids?

I usually take a quick 2-5 min nap sitting against a tree after stopping for food, if i'm safe enough ofcourse.

Cybersecurity professional here-Kyle, do you know whether Flossie also had trouble with his phone prior to and/or during the time that he had all that money taken out of his bank account by a threat actor?

I feel the hat 😭 I gotta find hats at childrens stores haha

Thanks for the question reply. I know you love chairs … bear vaults double as chairs! Haha😊

Do you carry a gnu?

I’ve seen the tent in the shelter thing before. It’s NEVER ok

Dan Becker approves of that cover 🎸 🎶

I have the same hat problem.

Not that it matters, but I like your Channel a bunch more than a couple years ago. Great job! from The Old . (OG)

Great vid!! Just glad I wasn't on your hitching list...I picked u up in the desert Only for a mile to the p.o and it was great Meeting u both. I plan on section ing cdt in the next couple years hope to see u and buy a round for all! ..off trail!

Im gonna say it… I LIKE NICKLEBACK… & I hooked up with the sister of a famous Mexican American hockey player. And held the cup (2). Not even big hockey fan. Lightning brought to club I dj at, and a Ranger brought it to Restaurant I worked at

I realize that transportation problems are limited when a hiker needs to get somewhere fast, but hitchhiking can be very dangerous!

Lol @ the Staind guy

I hope Becker is a good sport about this cuz Its great. Kyle/American crydle 2023

You get a like for the song 🤣

Omg that song… 😂