Hey y'all, Dixie here! This channel began with my journey of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Georgia to Maine. Since then I've documented the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, The Camino de Santiago (French Way), Pinhoti Trail, Florida Trail, Foothills Trail, Kilimanjaro, and several shorter hikes. Most of my backpacking adventures involve long distance thru-hiking, but in between hikes I post informational videos that include the most basic backpacking info, my mistakes, gear reviews, and thru-hiking tips. I hope documenting my backpacking journeys and sharing everything I know gives you the push you need to get out there!
Most new videos are uploaded every Wednesday! Happy Trails :)
I havent tried this, but from what I've heard, if somethings completely dried properly, even a dirty water bag, or a lid or cup you use for scooping, the water nasties cant survive without the water.
Oh wow, I never heard to not go above 8,000 ft while hiking. I summited mt st Helen’s at 4 months pregnant which is 8,300 ish ft. There is a lot of fear while being active while pregnant. Follow your body and gut. If it does feel right then don’t do it. Pregnant mamas can do their normal activities with modifications.
Sometimes you get into a fix needing to camp NOW and are near some National Park regular campground with a ranger on duty. I once had to stay at Indian Gardens in Grand Canyon because we were doing a R2R back in the 70's and had no choice. The ranger might have been reluctant but let us stay. We hiked out next morning early. Another time (also in 70's) I was crossing the Tonto westwards and ran out of water so I stopped at top of final descent down S. Kaibab trail to river and asked other hikers for enough water so I could hike out but none had enough. So I went down to Phantom Ranch and got lots of water. Then I asked the rangers if I could "emergency" camp at the campground and they allowed me. I got up early next morning full of water and went out. So I guess it depends on where you are and who you talk with. But many times I backpacked down in Grand C without a permit and would just stop on the trail and "cowboy camp." Never got caught or met anyone who disagreed with my actions. Things are different now of course with so many people wanting permits for Grand Canyon. But I also hitchhiked across the US for several years and sometimes would set up an impromptu camp at a truck stop, or alongside the freeway. Sort of like a homeless bum dude. Probably different in those years and also for guys than for women.
Dixie, you are such a good person to share ALL your videos with us and I love to hear your opinions about your gear. Please ignore those people who don’t understand that those are your opinions and nobody should have to agree with what everyone else has to say. You are such a genuine person and I hope that you continue doing what you do!!! God bless you and your family!!!
I have really enjoyed your channel. Your videos have been a bright spot in some dark days. I have followed you for 4 years. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Dixie could you please do a video about the whole package/food delivery situation around trails? Like how much to ship and how many shipments, where to ship, what to ship, how to pick it up, what to take with you from the start, how do you calculate how much you think you'll need, etc? And other things like have you ever had a package you sent go missing, any unexpected expenses you had, and/or other tidbits you might find worthwhile to know. Thanks
Thank you for another informative video. For Alaska planning start with the National Geographic Maps and The Milepost Guide. I have not been yet but I am giving myself over a year to plan... I am going to drive an older lower milage class B up, so I am giving myself over a year to plan and save.. Thank you again for all your videos. I hope to see you out on trail, or down the road again someday. 😊
You can absolutely take your baby outside on adventures. I used to have backpacks that you loaded the infant in. The one for really young went on your front. The ones for older babies to toddlers go on your back. I sometimes had to put our son in one just to get the lawn mowed... Not all people get the "outdoors gene"... Best wishes on your parent hood journey. 😊
Your kid might surprise you and upend your plans. I took my son on many hikes, walks, camping trios when he was young. He always insisted on being carried, cried a lot and I couldn't keep hiking with him by the time he was a heavy toddler. He refused to go camping at all anymore around age 9. Now a teenager he refuses to spend anytime outside, hates bugs, etc. its beeh a bit heartbreaking. I hope this doesn't happen to you.
Hey, why don't you tell us something we don't know sweetheart! This is like 101 of the the the Survalist Charter. I got to about 1m. 30secs of video before I timed out. A bit of advice. Next time list and title you video for "Beginners" okay babe. Thanks! "Seeeyaaaaahhhh!!!"
You use “us” as your pronoun because you have no individual self, sweetheart! Since these are tips “every backpacker” should know, it’s a good thing you already know them. But it looks like you only even looked at 1 of the 14 tips so I guess it’s possible there actually is something in there you didn’t know. All the tips are plainly listed out in chapters so it would only take a few seconds to read them all, ok babe?
@@PaulRaymond-fd4hx so you clicked a video that says it has 14 tips you should already know, then you publicly whined that you already knew the first tip then gave really dumb unsolicited advice. Now you’re bragging about how old you are. I imagine you’re not a very pleasant person to be around
Crazy that you have to pay for rescue. In Poland we do not have much but IF you are in trouble any hospital will take you even via plane in a town or in the moutains and for free, almost always for free.
Dixie, there is a new play, Grandma Gatewood takes a walk, at the Barter Theater in Abingdon. It is really good. If you are coming to trail days in Damascus this year it is worth seeing.
It would be SO COOL (although incredibly labor-intensive) if you eventually went backpacking with mostly gear you made yourself. Actually, even if you did a video for a homemade item or two at a time, I think it would be really interesting. You could let us know how it compares to a store-bought *insert item*, what you think worked well, and what you would do differently after testing it.
My son used to carry his infant daughter on the front and his backpack on his back. On her first walking overnight on a 3 mile trip she carried her mini backpack with a small bedtime book and her little stuffed bunny and thru the years carried more and more. She's now 16, still loves backpacking and they go for 7-10 day trips every summer. I say that and this summer they've decided to trading hiking for a canoe trip in Alaska down the Yukon River.
I have been following you for a while. Your excitement of hiking keeps me motivated. I've been struggling with knee issues. The dream of long-distance hiking keeps me motivated to solve my physical challenges. One day, I'm going to be able to post that I've hiked a section hike, goals of 200 plus or a thru hike. Thank you. Keep trekking. 😀
I live in Placerville, California. We had a fatal Mountain Lion attack nearby about a month ago. Two brothers, 18 and 21 years old were out looking for deer antler sheds when they were attacked. The older brother died, the younger brother was seriously injured. We have had an unusual amount of pets and livestock killed this year. Just a week ago a county tracker using hounds treed and killed a problem lion, he bought the dead lion up through my property. I've got trail camera pics of 2 different lions on my property and we just moved here in December. We don't walk around much after dark.
The period panties also have a bacterial odour they pick up after your first or second flow. You can get them to lose the smell by freezing them for 3 days.
be super careful on the anti nausea meds.. super bad side effects can happen. a couple i know got a baby with anorectal malformation. and will need surgery to create a opening
I saw otters in the Chattahoochee in Atlanta! Just out for a walk in a riverside path and up they popped out a few feet from me! For me with wildlife (it's birds mostly for me), you kind of have to just keeps your eyes open and see what you see and it often leads to unexpected treasures.
I'm late to this video and have type 1 diabetes (since I was 2 years old). As to storing insulin I have NEVER kept insulin I am currently using refrigerated. It's good at room temp for about a month before it starts to lose potency. And then it still works but you just have to be careful with adjusting dosage as needed since even though it starts to lose potency it still has some working ability. It's not like it hits that mark and turns to dust. As to dealing with sharps on trail. I'm kind of a bad person because I reuse my needles. I'll typically use the same needle tell it gets dull. Always have. Though there is a risk of causing an infection. Which I have had happen once in my 44 years of dealing with the condition. I also don't typically clean the injection site with alcohol unless its dirty. Not saying you should do the same, but that's my experience. So if you're in the off situations were you can't be 100% hospital hygienic doctor approved, its not the end of the world.
Laptop giving problems. Sorry! But guess I sent those hiking boot sockies to the right mommy! Im sending you a book on the Tibetan Way of Parenting which should be interesting! Most mommies in the world carry babies in front until they get too big, and then switch them to their backs, tied on in all kinds of marvelous ways with long and sturdy shawls. The babes are over the mother's heart front and back for some time. Dads carry them like that too. Physical closeness is so important for creating a family. Let yMother Nature be your guide and follow your hunches.
I will never understand why some people think its ok to touch other people's property. 🤔 Love watching your videos. I cant wait to see you with your little one on the Trail. All the best to you and your family.
I just got the hyperlite large camera bag to clip on my pack. I clip it on all four corners. I tried the peak design and your right, it can be super uncomfortable. I fit my nikon zf with 40mm lens and my gopro 12 in the bag with a buff. Works great. The only downside is being large up top I can't see the ground sometimes... 😂
Hi Dixie. I've been using a Peak Design Capture clip with a Fuji X-E3 on a ULA Circuit for years. One thing I did early on was to secure the clip on the ribbon running down the front of the shoulder strap instead around the whole strap. I found the back plate dug into my pec muscle on long days. If you're carrying a full pack, the ribbon will be taught and hold the camera steady. I experimented with wrapping a loop of shock cord around the strap and over the posts on the clip as well, but I've found it's not needed.
Dark Side of the Moon is one of the best albums ever! I encourage folks to become a Patron. It's fun, you learn things and you're "in the know." Join the "patr-amily." 😃
For the next eclipse i would recommend Spain. I'm From Barcelona and the weather is very good in August. A good option is the camino primitivo 320km oviedo-santiago
