Jerry here! Hiking and backpacking is one of my passions. My channel is from the perspective of a section hiker; trail hacks, the basics of backpacking, and some of my anecdotes from the many mistakes I've made over the years. I don’t know if I will ever become a thru-hiker, so I’m likely just like you; enjoying the trail when I can get away from work.
This channel began as your basic "this is how I do it." I've now evolved this into hiking to raise awareness for causes which I feel are important. On the local, national, and international level, I feel moved to try to raise awareness and money to help make the world a better place. A gigantic goal, I am aware. Can one person make a change? Yes!
Out on the Appalachian Trail my trail name is Monsoon.
For people watching this in 2022 and beyond, the "Guthook" mobile app is now renamed "Far Out". There are mobile versions for IOS and Android as well as a desktop browser version.
Thanks for the informative video. A little tip to save some weight. Instead of carrying that heavy 6oz. Nalgene bottle, to collect water, cut the top 1/4 off a Poland Springs 16 oz. water bottle. It is paper thin and way lighter. It can be folded up almost flat or fit inside other things in your backpack.
I’m so glad I found your channel. I’m planning on doing a LASH beginning on my 55th birthday (March 2025). Like you, I tend to be an “ultra planner”. So I’ve been watching hooouuurrrss of videos, since I live in west Texas and don’t have any nearby trails to “test” on. So many of the videos I’ve come across are the “ultralight-thru hiking-gurus”. Also like you, I’m “budget minded”. And I also don’t have $6k to spend on hiking gear.😉 So many of those people are goal oriented, only focusing on the ending. You seem to be doing it for the enjoyment. I’m planning my LASH to be enjoying the journey that leads to the ending. Wherever that may be is anyones guess. I’m giving myself 2 months to begin with, with no ending mileage that’s set in stone. And who knows, I might make it to Neels Gap and be done. But then again, I might go on past the 2 month mark and get to see the sign at Katahdin???
The best advice I can give from my computer is; just study them, both sides, and try to figure it out. Maybe do a google search similar to this, "how to use the AT pocket maps."
Jerry, I just found you on RU-vid. I was wondering do you do guided hiking? Or are these individuals that you know from home and go with you? My first hike on the AT was with some church friends. Since then I have been hiking with my sons but I did my first solo last fall. I am planning to get out there in August with some church friends again. Thanks for sharing your planning!
I sort of run a hiking club, so it's just friends. I'm not qualified to be a guide. I would need to attend NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Thanks for your comment! :)
Awesome Jerry! I've complete a couple of "loops" here in Virginia, but plan to tackle the Maryland section of the AT this spring. Hopefully I'll complete more of Virginia this year also! Be safe.
Thank for the video Jerry! My 16 yr old son and I are going to hike this section for his spring break in mid-March. This will be our first time on the A.T.. Quick question: How did you arrange a ride from Big Creek Ranger Station to Clingman's Dome? Also, do have any other advice for us? Thanks!
I was going to park at Amicalola Falls and hike about 3 weeks worth and then get a shuttle back to Amicalola Falls... have people done that before? How many days do you get out of your propane/fuel tank?
For most of the AT, no. Only through the Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah in Virginia. For the overwhelming majority of the trail, no permit is required.
Thank you for your videos my wife and I are starting to hike of course we are going to start out small with day hikes first and your videos are really helpful
Great video, very informative. I spent a lot of time around the Nolichucky kayaking down the river. Just upstream from Uncle Johnny's is Devil's Creek (you can hike up along the RR tracks, and a good benchmark is the RR has a small, short bridge over the creek) which leads up to Lost Cove. My understanding is that the town was started around the Civil War where the settlers wanted to get away from the war. When I hiked up there many years ago some of the old buildings were still standing, barely
Hey there Jerry! Just subbed your channel to support a fellow RU-vid vlogger and section hiker out there. Nice advice. I have never seen that 1st map you have. Very cool. Love Guthook. It will always be that to me rather than the new name. Thanks for making this video for people wondering how we do it. Looking forward to following along with your channel and watching more of your videos. ~RVA~
This looks like fun, sure wish I could join you! However, I hike with a doggie and use a hammock. Can you handle that? LOL If you ever come to NJ, let me know!
@@BosomBuddyCreations, that was weird. I added the link again, but I also added the link to our Facebook group. I've moved away from listing the trips on the website. We do all of our planning and discussing on Facebook now.
Nice video great overview 😊👍 if you can't get water cause it's just a trickle we used a big leaf 🍃 for building a small pipe on the pct and built a micro barrier to put the water over the leaf in the bottle 😊👍
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nice video. I like your blogs too. I am planning my own section hike this summer, in anticipation of doing the whole AT next year, or longer section hikes. My only concern about putting sweaty shirt inside your sleeping bag, as they dry wont the inside of your bag get a bit of moisture? Check out my channel as I have been posting some "getting ready" hikes. Tell me what ya think.
Thanks for the complements! That is great that you are going to do some section hiking. I love it! I agree with your concern about putting wet clothes inside and your sleeping bag getting wet. I hope on the video I said the word "damp." If my clothes are soaked, then they likely do not go in. However, damp clothes will dry, and your body heat will likely dry out the sleeping bag which got a little damp from the damp clothes. This all assumes that the damp clothes in question are a moisture wicking type of fabric. I would not, for example, place wet cotton inside my sleeping bag with me. Also, in the summer I am less likely to do this. I'll just let my clothes hand inside my tent, and the next morning put on damp clothes. My trail hack was mostly for cooler to cold weather.
The cost can vary depending on distance. I have a shuttle scheduled this Sunday to take me plus 2 hikers back to my car. It’s a 30 minute ride and the total cost is $60. That’s probably a bit on the high side, but not out of whack. Thanks for the question. 😊
It is my understanding from other videos, it is arranged by places where you will spend the night like a Hostel and a Hotel...Perhaps is a courteous deed, but not sure. Send an email message to a Hotel in the area and ask them.
Great advice with the shuttles to walk towards your car. Had a situation when I had to wait for hours as I had to walk away from my car due to scheduling and such. I'm also a very detailed planner. Do you take a trail journal to log notes with you while on trail? Just subbed #22!
@@hikingwithjerry5560 I've been taking a small trail log with me to collect stamps from national parks and other areas. Cool to look back on after several years of hiking. There is a ton of places to hike and explore on my channel that might interest you. Would love to hear your feedback! Cheers
@@MetroOnTheMove, I had actually already started watching. Just commented on one of your videos which appeared at the top of your channel. Are you using a GoPro or similar? Also, do you head mount it, or just use a selfie stick to record videos? I'm gonna watch more of your videos. I like the way you present them - especially some of your time lapse videos. I'm planning to do the same! :)
@@hikingwithjerry5560 Hi Jerry! Yes, I use a GoPro 8 and the jaws clamp to mount it. Thank you for the follow up and the kind words. Glad to hear that you are enjoying the channel! Keep up the great videos my friend!
