The exact reason I probably wouldn’t vlog is the nay sayers. Alicia f$ k em and enjoy yourself😎. Good luck to you and I hope to see you out there. I like the pump too but not sure I would take it out on anything over 2 nights but so handy (and loud) 😂. I think clean sleepwear is important but that’s just me. I’m excited for you and you can count on some trail magic when you hit NY. Happy trails. 🤘🏻🥾⛰️
I really appreciate this intelligent frankness (much of the issues I relate to). I plan on a flip flop in 2024. I am certain some of this will be a help to me.
Hi Alicia!😊 I recently found you & am basically binge watching your whole channel (and enjoying every minute of it!)😛 I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your transparency, honesty, and vulnerability with us about your 2022 AT thru hike attempt and with other topics as well. I think so many of the topics you bring up in your videos are not talked about much in the thru hiking community. Your relatability is a breath of fresh air!🙌 I can't wait to follow your 2024 AT attempt and root for you!!😊🎉
Aw such a nice comment! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my videos. My goal was to be as transparent and honest as possible so I’m happy to hear you are able to recognize that. I plan to do the same for my SOBO attempt this year as well!
I am going to be encouraging you 100%. Thank you for sharing your social anxiety difficulties. This is a struggle everyday within my family. Journaling your thoughts at end of day when you’re struggling helps.😊❤
completely following you on the social anxiety issues,, you are not the only one..lol.. your explanation explains my life too. it is a hard things to overcome.
Great honest video, outlining all the fears and feelings we all have but arent brave enough to admit or own up to. I am sure you will have a better experience next time. Wishing you all the best of luck
Such a good and powerful video. I think you are going to be fierce next year. All this introspection will be so valuable on your hike. I can’t wait to watch you roar!
Thank you so much for continuing to be a genuine voice about your experience on the AT. I hope this video continues to be well received by your subscribers and others who find their way to this channel.
I do understand why you ended up making the 2022 decision you made. It gives me insight and more hope that you will be successful in 2024. I have had four of my 2024 virtual family that quit. Two were a Mom and young daughter and that one was a shock. The other two never enjoyed or put the work in to even make it in a calendar year. My time is precious. There are many channels I watch and it can make me feel bad that I should have known they weren't gonna make it.
Making it to the end isn’t the only thing that matters and to be honest I’m not sure I plan to go all the way so if that’s all that matters to you when choosing whose videos to watch, you may want to pass on mine.
Hi Alicia! I'm in the same boat as you, mid-30's, no kids and I left the trail halfway through VA this year. Most of your reasons are exactly what got me off trail, but largely because I was trying to "grow out" of the aches and pains I had every day from pulling big miles to keep up with friends. I 100% understand why you left trail, thanks for putting thoughts into words! Just thought you should know you're not alone 😊
Loved watching you in 2022! We were cheering you on. I’m thankful for this video you made. Sharing your heart and experience is helpful to us all. My daughter and I will attempt a thru hike next year (March). I hope to see you out there! 💙🙏🏼
Understanding that a thru hike is both a physical and emotional challenge should not be underestimated. By sharing your lessons on the trail I feel better equipped to take on my thru hike. Kudos to you for taking a hard look at yourself and coming out the other side. Lookout 2024 . . . we are headed for the A.T.
I relate on many levels. Childless and 43, dreaming of doing the AT. social anxiety. Ego issues with what I identify as a "hiker" and athlete, sensitive personality around others. boundaries with my husband when I leave for awhile. Etc etc etc. Blah blah blah. I'm stoked for your next attempt. You can only learn from mistakes! Appreciate you putting this all out there
Thank you for your reflections. I can relate to many of your challenges as I was part of the 2022 class as well. I successfully completed my hike. I think that the barriers were 10% physical and 90% mental….and the trail was the greatest physical challenge of my life. I had a hiking partner for over 1000 miles. We became close and I looked forward to completing the trail with him. I got injured in the Whites requiring a day of rest. He hiked away from me and made no attempt to stay in contact…ghosting many of my texts. It puzzled me and hurt me as I felt I had made a friend for life. Letting go of that so I could enjoy the rest of my hike was a challenge for sure. It did help to remember my “whys”, and remain open to other hikers. I was able to reconnect with some other amazing hikers, and the remainder of my hike was incredible. Best wishes to you as you work on the most important muscle that will carry you to Katahdin…a healthy mind and self worth!
Oh wow I’m sorry you experienced that. I’m glad you could overcome and make it to Katahdin and enjoy the rest of your hike, though! Thanks for watching!
I really feel that your deep examination of what went wrong on your first attempt is going to make you so much wiser, stronger on your next journey. Aren’t we all that way with second tries? I struggle with focusing on the hard parts of backpacking when on trail and a year into it am trying to look at each day’s route as it comes….prepare mentally for those hard parts….and I literally say to myself, “so and so on RU-vid did this…I can too” and then celebrate EVERY finish! You’ve thought this through….I’m rooting for you and will be there to cheer you on! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Shout out from NH. I appreciate this video and you being open. I'm planning my hike for this year and you've listed all my biggest fears! And added some! I now fear I also suffer from a certain level of hiker ego I may not fully understand. At 33 maybe I shouldn't be planning on being able to demand my body take one for the team yet again... It still works on day hikes though lol
Wow a great video again! Thank you for your honesty and it really shows that you’ve put a lot of work into making these discoveries about yourself. Thank you for sharing, it was very interesting and insightful. All the best and thanks for making awesome videos ☺️
Thanks for this video. That took a lot of courage. I struggled with 1,2,3,and 5 at least myself. I’m attempting a thru hike in February of 2024, and I for sure don’t want to let my hike end early again so I’ll be trying my best to make sure everything is lined up in a better way. I’m leaving early and taking my sweet time. I’m retired now so I’ve got no reason to be in a hurry. But I do still feel like I’ve got a lot to prove, and that’s why I’m going slow the first few weeks but still in no real big hurry throughout the Hike. I want to enjoy this 6 month vacation.
Good luck to you. I did 600 miles back in 2007. I was 48 years old at the time. I’ll be 64 when I start and turning 65 during the hike. I’m starting at Amicalola again. I’m thinking on doing you tube. Have yet to get it set up though. I’ll be following your hike and again good luck.
That trail will absolutely force you to deal with yourself. It will unceremoniously reveal our deepest personal needs. Going back means you are one of those willing to do that hard work. Check your pride at the arches, it’s to heavy to carry to Katahdin.
Loved this. Definitely inspired me to do the same sort of explanation. I know we went through alot of the same issues around the same time. Making it public may just help. Good seeing ya on here again.
Wonderful video! You described me to a T with the anxiety, etc. Thank you so very much! I'm extremely Shy therefore it's hard for me to comment on videos! Thanks for the video though! SHYBEE
Outstanding video! I think this a must watch for anyone thinking about taking on a big challenge like a thru hike. Even though I don’t have any plans to do such a hike in the near future it’s very relatable. As someone that hikes all the time, and used to be into road bike racing, I can see how it would be easy to underestimate the AT. You sound like a very accomplished hiker, congrats on doing all the CO 14ers. Did you live in CO? Found you from Gabi’s channel, that was awesome of you to help them out, it’s so cool helping and encouraging other hikers. Cheers from the Boulder, Colorado area!
@@AliciaintheMountains Nice! Do you miss it? We have been here for 23 years, moved here right after college. I should also mention that I found the age discussion very interesting since I have a good 10 years on you, we didn’t even have a kid until we were around your age. The biggest thing I can recommend is to stay active.
@@AustinsADV I do miss it but I do prefer some aspects of where I live now too. Each has its pros and cons. Yes we are childfree by choice and are not ever having any.
Social anxiety is indeed a “bee-yatch.” There were two girls that loved singling someone out and making them uncomfortable with little jabs about their gear, food or clothing. Juveniles. Ultimately injured my hip just shy of NC border. Took a one week break after a steroid injection, went back out, but was not able to carry the weight of my pack. Still hoping to go back, but I’m seeing some very unpleasant changes in the trail compared to previous years. It’s as though the kindness has disappeared and the crazy rules all.
Thank you for being so open and honest. I found this video extremely helpful. I plan to hike the Appalachian Trail with my daughter when she graduates in 2027. I mid 50s. I am overweight and unfit. However, I’m working on that and I’ve got a couple years and hiking trail. Give me motivation to prep. Understanding the struggles was for people off. Trail is very helpful for those of us who want to do it and succeed.
10:28 I'm in the same category. But 46 and no wife or kids. #4 I felt like I got ghosted one time by my group of 8 , but maybe not the case . Everyone was supposed to go to a certain campsite, but it was empty when I got there. They all decided to push on to Weary Feet so I did also .
Tough video, nice to see you are strong enough to make it. My two cents is the better you do physically, the easier it will be to deal with the other things on trail. Train like a mad women.
I terminated a summit attempt of Denali (McKinley) for the same social anxiety reasons. I couldn't get along with one of the "Alpha" clients and the Guide was clickish with a couple of the other clients that he had climbed with before, and I didn't feel accepted overall...and lost sight of why I was even there in the first place. Looking back on it, it was not wasted time as everybody is wired differently and I needed that situation to learn from, and be better mentally prepared going forward for those situations. I did see a phychiatrist to help me get through some depression aspects at the time, which helped a ton. I've also realized over time that that Alpha dude was more self-concious and had more anxiety than I had. I'm attempting the AT next year and I think I'll be better for it because of going through the prior bullshit...Hoping that your next attempt is amazing!
As much as we'd like to think that we're at the center of peoples thoughts back home while we're doing major things in our lives, the reality is that they get wrapped up in the events of their daily routine; "normal" life is going on for them and while we may occupy their minds and time for part of a day, we just have to accept that we are one piece of their daily life experience. I learned that from multiple years in Afghanistan. Hiking is so multi-faceted that you can excel at one aspect of it but you never stop learning as you move into other facets. You've got the high peaks facet down, don't be hard on yourself as you learn another area you're attempting to excel at. A " runner" who competes in sprints is not a marathon runner even though they both "run". Have faith in yourself and your skillsets. Maybe you want to talk to some other RU-vidrs or even people around you about some of your concerns. I recall several years ago Hike Oregon put out a clip where she expressed many doubts about her abilities similar to what you've expressed here. As I recall Darwin reached out to her and gave her some good advice and she's gone on to a successful career as a day and section hiker, author, etc.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, regarding your first point, I think that’s the lesson I’ve learned and try to remind myself of constantly. It’s difficult when you see people back home, though, supporting other people in their lives/celebrities… but not you. But I’ve learned a lot over the last year and am doing self help homework to improve my mindset surrounding this. You’re also totally right about hiking being multi faceted and I’ve 100% learned that in my experience backpacking, especially long distance backpacking. I learned my lesson there 😉.
"Be indifferent to what makes no difference." Marcus Aurelius. And, as a colleague once said, "Try not to get into the paralysis of analysis." Was he right? I have no idea.
I think analyzing things & situations can be helpful to a certain point if it helps you learn more about yourself and what you can improve upon to be happier & more successful in your life. We shall see! 😊
Great video! You’ve done the work & now, you can see what it’s going to take to do what you want. I look forward to cheering you on the whole way! You’ve got this:)
I think it depends on how your body reacts to the hike but for me, I’ll be focusing a lot on my calves since I experienced Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis can be caused by right calves.
yooo lmao im 38 and I think the age groups on thru hikes are mid 20s college range give or take a few younger and then 50+old timers haha. being in the middle I felt that! its true. tbh I mix with both sides really well and pick and choose the personalities I prefer. mb bc I don't care about being around my age group. some of my fav ppl to be around were much younger or older. first dude I hiked with was 74! the at is a clusterfuck esp in the south half but theres more out there its just hard to see really for me sometimes when you see so much of one particular element but theres def the 30 yr old gap of ppl we are just spread out. its not something I ever thought about before but I suppose its why I don't get caught up in tramies. I hike my own pace and take the zeros I want. I've been able to meet new ppl that were behind or ahead of me that way so it has its perks as well. I did the north half of the at last year and did the long trail. I didnt wanna do the whole thing bc the south at is a conga line. my 1st hike was the cdt in 21 and I ran outta money right before Wyoming. but fuck it im glad I did what I could rather than not do anything. im not gonna be upset about having the best time ever doing something amazing. I like hiking by myself take my breaks when I want etc. my social time is at camp or in town. I know ppl that do 5 miles a day and made it to katahdin. I know ppl that do 35s quit. the cdt taught me well. thing about the AT is and I hate to say it, a lot of amateurs giving advice to others amateurs. ppl quit before the whites out of fear before even getting to them. the AT was boyscouts and im grateful I learned to hike my own way on the cdt from ppl that weren't 1st timers bc I would have prob not liked the AT if I did it 1st.
you talked so much about social aspects. fuck people seriously the relationship is me and the next summit or sunset or next real coffee in town. if theres enjoyable ppl around me then thats an awesome plus. I let the trail choose who is gonna be around me! out of the cdt, at and long trail the long trail had the best social atmosphere hands down. I found it way easier to connect with others on that one for some reason.
