20 Mistakes I Made on my Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike (learn from them) 

I recently made a big mistake hiking. Did you know there is a wrong way to hold your hiking poles? I received a skiers thumb injury in a fall from holding my poles wrong. I now may have to have surgery for this. I thought this might be a good topic for you to cover some time.

#23 Failing to keep a better look out for those grouses….🐦‍⬛😂

Good summary of small mistakes that can have a big effect. After 60 years of backpacking, been there done that.😊

Squeezing in a Nahamsha hiker vlog upon getting to my work desk….just like the good ole days….a month ago. 😀

Fun video thanks! Only one suggestion; try wrapping your bear hang cord around a short piece of pool noddle. Weighs next to nothing, a carabiner and a rock sack fit nicely into the central hole. I was constantly losing my rock sack before I began doing this.

Really helpful information, and looking forward to you getting back on trail to summit Kadahdin . You are really an excellent presenter of hiking experience and your videos are flawless. ❤😊

Hello from Philadelphia!!!! Up early to run but this first!

If deet melts your bag just think of what it does to your skin. AND this is absorbed into your body through your skin.

1:35 Isn't it HILARIOUS , that your #2 Mistake was about a NUMBER 2 ... OMG

So interesting! We gained a valuable vicarious learning experience from your mistakes. 😄. One suggestion I have is that they have the Ben's DEET now in wipes, and it seems as though it would be a lot harder for those to leak. I carried them on our section hike, but never actually had to use them so I'm not sure if they work well. But I think it would be hard for them to leak, anyway.

I’m seriously thinking of taking up through hiking…But ONLY so I can eat as much food as Taylor does yet stay slim and trim like her…😂

The mice love chocolate bars, too. They will eat through the wrapper to get to it.

Honestly, these mistakes are so relatable and super valuable to learn from! They are the kinds of things i really dont think about until I'm out on the trail. Also, I'm constantly afraid of the switchback cathole situation!

Taylor, this vlog was an explanation of why so many people enjoy your vlogs. You kept them so positive while experiencing these events and then you simply shared the events as a fun inside look after the fact. As always…. well done.

Don't feel vulnerable, feel that you made smarter hikers. A great achievement. Thanks for making this episode. Great channily suggestion on super glue the deet cap. 👍👍👍

most supermarkets will permit you to use the Store Loyality Card (even if you're not a member) ..just ask .. all they can do is say "No" but most times its a YES

One time after a day hike when I was driving home with a plastic soda bottle between my legs, it started melting! I had melted green plastic all over the inside of my thighs. Then I realized that it was from too much DEET 100% that I had applied to my skin. Better to just use like 27 % DEET such as deep woods OFF or similar. Those little bottles of 100% are too concentrated and should be diluted before applying to your skin. Lesson learned.😆

Good list! Hydration is no joke, I get similar symptoms to you after hiking for a few hours. Have you tried the Sawyer Picaridin bug repellent? It comes in lotion (my favorite) or a spray. I can't stand the scent of deet (migraine) but this lotion is essentially scent free and works for over 12 hours. You do have to wash / wipe your hands so you don't accidentally rub your eyes with it since I think the ingredient is a type of pepper and can irritate your eyes.

Wow, you got so lucky with your wallet! I don't think they were stupid mistakes, they were honest mistakes. 😊 Thanks for sharing with us. ✌️

DEET is just too destructive to plastics, I've swapped to Permethrin treating my clothes and Picaridin spray. Also no strong odors with those unlike DEET.

Taylah, its time to get back on trail!

Good morning from SW Virginia!🎉 Thanks for sharing what you learned from your hiking the AT! Valuable lessons and life saving or life enriching.❤🎉😊

Really great stuff Taylor! Thanks so much for sharing with us! Your vids are always great, honest and wonderful.

Hey Taylor, did your sleeping pad get damp bc of condensation in your tent or bc of the rain? If rain, can you discuss this?

When you put pressure on yourself to hike a certain distance you are in a hurry and make mistakes. Deet does ruin material and plastic, what must it be doing to our skin? I bought a bottle of the Ole Woodsman last month. I can tell you that it is not as strong smelling as it was. You have to apply it to the exposed skin, not just a bandanna like the directions say. I live in the woods it works very well here. How it would work in the deep woods of NH and Maine, I don't know. It is expensive 22 dollars for two ounces. If I where to go hiking I try to make my own repellant with pine tar, and a few other ingredients. You were very lucky you found your wallet where you left it. Someone could have taken your ID and credit card and did identity theft and made your life miserable!

Only just discovered your channel as I've started looking at the possibility of doing the AT or the PCT next year. I love your honesty. Thanks for some great videos :)

I would hate to admit all the stupid mistakes I make almost every day. Thanks for the honest list to help us avoid mistakes.

I’m going to spin to the postive ms Taylor.. “20 learning experiences”

Haha! Good stuff! Thanks!

To err is human. A minor mistake every 5 days, under demanding circumstances, really isn't bad.

Taylor I had you up on a pedestal as the best. Now you have told on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. You are a survivor and have a lot of drive and know what is the safest thing for yourself.

You Slug 🐌 smoosher, you. Lessons learned. Mistakes made by many.

another mistake... you didn't grab a book copy or Kindle of LYING RANDALL- MURDER ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL - new from Amazon... :)

I had no idea there were hostels along the trail. That’s a nice perk!

Oh man, I switched to picardin for bug spray because I've had deet melt through stuff before and it stinks! Also, do hikers hitch anymore? In 2012-13 I did a lot of hitching.

II always have some sort of BRIGHT ORANGE cloth in my pack. TO BE SAFE ON ROADS OR FOR RESQUE if lose out of place. TAKE CARE ALL HAPPY TRAILS

Ewwww, slug hand, yech

20 mistakes??? Come on Taylor I don’t believe for a second that you make that many mistakes out on the trail! Guess I better watch this video and find out lol..❤️😝👍🗻🏕️⛰️🐰🐻🦊🦅🦃🦨

Same here Taylor.....had Ben's bug dope bottle leak on me as well! Pump spray not good for packing away.

Well done, Taylor - mistakes we can all learn from. To make yourself visible at night, reflective strips are best. Velcro the strips to a jacket. A yellow-green jacket is 2nd best.

I was wondering why your problems with your contacts did not make the video. Maybe it wasn’t a problem. I do learn a lot from your videos.

Bear line tip. 3 days into my '09 thru hike I met a river guide. He told me to tie the line to the draw string on a small bag I had and then just willy nilly stuff the line into the bag. The just leave a small amount of the end sticking out of the bag. Each night grab the end of the line and chuck the small bag over a limb. Each and every time I threw the bag it just unfurled like magic. 140 days I'm trail never dealt with a tangled line.

Would you ever hike the North Country Trail? Maybe split it up into 2 years 🤣. You’re the best hiking RU-vidr btw

Great information and thanks for being honest. Stay Safe and HIKE ON!!

Wow, literally 20 learnings and tips that I haven't even thought of for a hike. This is super helpful

In most places, the person behind or in front of you in line will likely let you borrow their Ingles card! You get the discount and they get money off their gas by earning perks. Win-win!

Are you going to finish? And are you planning another thru hike maybe PCT?

Thank you for you vulnerability! Appreciate all the tips.

I like your concise and easy to listen to speaking. Not full of empty space, you knows, ums, and minutia. What a pleasure it is to listen to you. :) Terrorist Rich, Norwalk CA

Oh Taylor…everyone makes mistakes…don’t be hard on yourself…we all love you!

Nahamsha, don't be too hard on yourself. Some of these are done in every day life. Putting your wallet (or cell phone) down somewhere and forgetting it. I do that once twice a month. Outside of keeping your wrapper trash overnight, these are small things that are not going to get your seriously hurt. Now, I can't wait for VT, NH and ME to dry out a little.

We all have “learning experiences”; no worries! It’s very strong of you to post, thanks!

Bad bat squished slugs climbing up rocks on the AT too, she said it was so disgusting . Thanks for this video. You helped a lot people.😊

Thanks for airing your 'dirty laundry' so to speak. I made many of the same mistakes and others as well. You're not alone. You just had the courage to document them! Thank you.

Thanks for being totally open about the mistakes. ... I found them helpful.

'23 PCT hiker listening to this list and boy are these trails different.

I’m looking to buy a power bank, what do you recommend

great videos as always-it's really helpful to hear about any mistakes you've made-which you are always quite candid and free with-because as someone who's older and not as fit as you it makes your accomplishments ever more endearing and realistic 🐦

To bring any essentials in your fanny pack is a good idea!

Soooo many smushed slugs in NH for me too! 😂😩

Not having your prescription glasses with you would be one I would add as a mistake, but we all make them. We are human.

Look how fast that becomes a commercial

My son and I just finished the Camino de Santiago (34 days/800km). Booking accommodations on that trail as well was very challenging this year - more than ever. We also used LMNT too...based on Taylor's recommendation! Just an FYI.

My wife so looks up to you. She sometimes will watch your through hike videos for hours. She follows a lot of though hike vlogs, but you are her favorite. She so Looks up to you. She and I just made it back home from out West. Our big adventure was hiking the Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. She worked so hard to be able to do it. Can you please watch the video and comment on her. Thanks ❤️

14:57. Last week I was at the galehead Hut in the whites. I looked down and thought someone had dropped a gummy worm. But then I saw it move and realized that it was the biggest slug I had ever seen.

Looking forward to your finish

I really hope people who are just starting to hike thak all this as a GOOD POINT to remember and practice if only on just a week end hike. Be Nice To MOTHER NATURE and OTHERS when in the woods. Keep as good as it was when you where if not BETTER

That list was really good, some things that I wouldn't have ever thought of! I have in the past accidentally left snacks/wrappers in my pack when going to bed. Realized the next morning and felt lucky I didn't have any unwanted visitors in the middle of the night.

Thank you!✌️❤️

Thanks for sharing. I did not know about the Ingles card, you were the first to mention it. Yes, researching what is open when passing thru is a must. I live in Virgina and SNP has drastically changed their open and close times for the Waysides/Stores. They just can't get enough staff to keep them open until 8pm as before. Now they close at 5:00 pm :(

It's been a good summer for slugs for sure! I remember hiking the Hancocks and the same thing happened. Yuck!

As a person, like you, who needs eyesight correction I always carry spare glasses. Maybe you could have avoided some significant discomfort if you had your glasses stowed in the pack.

Girl. you like the hard life.

I'm on vacation (hiking was involved) and my kids were afraid they would need to pack wet bathings suits as we are heading home. Shortly after they voiced their concerns, I watch the part about using the hair dryer. That will come in handy tomorrow morning. Thank you. Also, it sounds like you might want to buy a brightly colored wallet. 😉

Really helpful, thanx,

Your wallet story sounds like something I would do. Thank goodness you went back and it was still there. Phew!

I find it so fascinating that we apply stuff to our SKIN that will melt a backpack , an Inreach, fishing line, and much more. I use it because it works but don't understand why it doesn't melt our skin. Or at least cause a burning rash. Strange.

I remember my first silly mistake. I spent all this money on ultralight gear counting every ounce and the first night out on my first thru, the TA /Te Araroa, I must mave had enough food to feed twenty people!

We all make mistakes that's how we learn and become better hikers..however your wallet twice...yikes that's having to much on mind stress, maybe? All the rain and everything getting to ya definitely can cause that glad you were so lucky to get it back at store, and seeing it on ground before leaving .always do a walk through before leaving..thanks for sharing it will definitely help us all in some way..especially bringing bathroom bag lol

I found your wallet! 🤣

The Ingles I stopped in almost always asked if I was thru hiking and they would swipe a card. Loved it.

That was a Great idea to log your mistakes. Thank you for sharing them too. I’m going to start one and see if I end up with duplicates while I’m out on weekend trips.

That was so helpful! Thanks for sharing! I would have never thought to look out for slugs! Squished slug must feel sooooo disgusting!! 😂🤢

I switched from Deet to Picardin. It smells much less, is not oily and doesn't destroy fabric.

You know why hundreds of people probably missed your wallet because their face was stuck in their cell phone and not looking up and enjoying life

🤣 just listening and 🤣 Welllll mistakes never forget 🤣

I made a lanyard for my wallet to clip to my beltloop ,or to wherever it's stored.✌️

Thank you for giving us the honest truth. It is such a help to hikers who haven’t had much experience.

Next time take the cap off and put a little superglue on the threads and tighten it down it won't come off again. But you will have to buy a new one for the next trip.

Thank you for sharing this mistake video with us Taylor. I also did feel bad seeing you trying to get to your shuttles on time. Glad you’ll try not to do that again.

I've made a lot of those mistakes, and I think some of them are unavoidable.

😂 First world problems! [but super helpful]

Oh my gosh! So glad your wallet was still there! Great tips👍👍!

#2 mistake waterfall is just a few miles from me. It’s a beautiful spot.

Nice Shirt!

All of your information is so helpful. Please know that you help many of us to hike better and smarter because you were willing to put this out there. Thank you so much.

I had Ben's bug spray ruin a pack as well!

I'm thinking about a thru hike. What supplies do you recommend to take and how much? This will be my first time.

Do you only hike the AT??

Thank you for sharing.