I agree with you. You don't need a name to connect. Connection, to me, requires more than talking at someone about yourself for four hours, though. Cheers!
@@mjwilds Sure!. I watched you AZT video(s) a while back, informative and with a sense of humor. (the AZT is something I've wanted to do for a long time). Been watching since.
@DaystarHiker dang, thanks that's awesome! I appreciate the support. And whenever you get on the AZT you'll have to let me know. I'm considering round 😁
@@mjwilds Oh wow. Well I was thinking of this OCT...but decided to keep working. OBTW, I am old. I understand if that make a diff. I do hike ~ 1,000 miles a year, mostly day hiking but some backpacking (I did the AT many years ago) and keep a pace. Anyway, probably next year. When I say OCT obviously I was thinking of SOBO. But I could be persuaded on NOBO (more water).
@DaystarHiker I do know someone who will be sobo in October-- you may run into them, though sobo is pretty quiet out there. Who cares about being "old." It's just about getting out there in whatever body you've got for however long you want to be there. Sounds like you know that, though. I definitely won't be out there this year, but I'd love to hear about it if you do!
You're one of the coolest (and clearly so skilful and independent!) people I've ever met and I count myself so lucky looking forward to my days hiking with you! I don't know what it's like to be in your shoes, but you are awesome. Also that opening few seconds... beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
Damn, thanks so much Lara. Everyone is cool in their own way. We all struggle, right? I'm lucky to be hiking with you!! Hope the canyon is treating you well 🧡🧡
Gosh! This video & all your videos are so special. I so resonate, it can be SO tough 🩷 you inherently and unequivocally are enough and belong, friend! Thank you for sharing your craft with us.
This narration here is something. Beautiful words. I'm sorry you went through that, friend. You look so happy here/there right now/then, though. (Camping in that spot where people have flicked off LNT rules would have made me SO paranoid about the bears!)
I adore Mary Oliver and the first line of this poem never fails to bring me to tears. This video with the scenery, your reading and background music feels like it could be a clip from the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty :)
Used to be hiking was a solitude undertaking to get away from the grind of regular life and immerse yourself in nature - hopefully for some - away from people too. Social media and the last 2 generations that grew up with and embraced it have changed that experience. It seems 'sharing' your solo hikes have become 'interesting' to others - hard to figure if it's narcissism or not. Well - to each their own but I prefer to leave the 'grind' and social interface behind and let myself be free for a while. Good video on trail basics! See many dogs?
I hiked with someone's pup for a few hundred miles in 2019. I saw one in 2021 as well! The heat was hard, but doable if you carry lotsss of water or start early spring or late fall. Solitude is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. There are 8 billion people on earth now and in 1990 there were only 5 billion. Kinda hard to get away from people on thru hikes, I think. I agree with you-- to each their own. If it's narcissistic, well, each generation is only a product of the culture that created them. Happy trails, Paul!
@@mjwilds '..culture that created them.'(?) I believe it's the other way around. People create culture(s). People can also choose different or no cultures to participate in. I was hinting that so many people these days seem driven to do things just for the sake of showing off/sharing on social media - (not singling you out) but that is the current popular culture isn't it? Tread Lightly MJ! 👍
Thank you! I love drone footage, but I definitely try not to do it around people because of the noise pollution. It's a balancing act, you know? Cheers from AK 🍻
Howdy Jamal, thanks for watching! I just saw on your insta that you won't be doing a long hike this spring. I hope you recover/heal quickly and easily. Good job using your discernment, even though I'm sure you're missing your long thru hiking right about now. Can't wait to see more of whatever you got up to this spring. Happy trails from Alaska 🍻
How many pairs of shoes did you use on the trail , I hiked the AT and I went through a pair about every 4 -5 hundred miles so I'm thinking 2 pairs for the AZT.
Awesome on the AT! I've never hiked in the East, but I hear you've gotta have some mental fortitude to hike hundreds of miles of tree-tunnels. I've always used 2 pairs, but I do tend to wear down shoes quickly. Happy trails!
My son and I drove from Panama City Fl to Alaska May of 2023. We caught the ferry in Bellingham WA. got off at Haines. Next trip crossing the boarder on Montana and driving the Alcan. Great video
Oh that sounds like SO much fun! The Alaska Marine Highway gives you this whole new perspective of the state. I've yet to take the ferry from WA to SE AK, but I did do the route from Gustavus to Juneau and Haines a few times. Lovely! Thanks for reaching out and I'd absolutely love to hear about your journey on the Alcan! (Don't forget about the Cassiar on the way to or from AK. It's sublime.)
Speaking as someone who is much closer to the end of my life than the beginning ;I want to say that your travel experience is something to be cherished. Never underrate what you have done. Your videography is beautiful and very, very well done. I’m hoping to take one more road trip to Alaska and it will be a bucket list trip for us. Thanks for the inspiration!
Howdy Robert. Thank you so much for the kind words. I was in a tough place when I made this video-- I'm sure you understand-- sometimes it's hard to be easy on yourself. I know that your road trip will be AMAZING. May all the bears come out to say hello. Happy trails 🍻
