Appalachian Trail 2024 - A MAGICAL Encounter in My Tent in Shenandoah 

Lee's oldest daughter here. Thank you so much for being a companion to my dad on his journey. I picked him up from the trail and got to hear so many fun and silly stories. To quote something he told me a couple of weeks into his hike when I told him I missed him, "You're always part of the ducklings. Always walking with us." Excited to follow this journey with you, Derek. -Pringles daughter ❤️

We are all walking with you in spirit, Derek! Keep singing, keep walking, keep showing us the beauty of the trail! And keep safe! 🥳

Always remember Derek, it about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy each moment of magic!

I live about 20 minutes from Swift Run Gap (Rt. 33 & Skyline Drive intersection), am retired and have a big log cabin in the woods. If you have a need to reset, help with resupply or just need human and dog interaction get in touch. My dog will even sing with you! It's all about paying it forward.

Keep it up, head good, feet good, body good, mind good and you're all good.. Proud of you..

Your videos are inspirational. Please keep loading them up. Thank you.

I wish Pringles finished. I know it's hard being away, I lived it. But carrying tragedy with you to Katahdin and letting it go at that final sign is an experience I wish he could have had. No judgment, just a bit sad he got off. For those reading this, the magic awaits you further in the hike. Just keep moving forward. 🤘🕓

What an honour to witness the beauty of those stunning animals . I have been dreaming of being able to do this trail even though I’m old and never hiked before . People like you and several others I watch are so inspiring ! Your soft spoken calm beauty is palpable through the screen . I love seeing it through your eyes the natural beauty of life itself . Although it is not something I can do due to current responsibilities I still dream it may be possible one day to see it myself . Bless you and your wee cotton socks ,mind how you go !

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks…enjoying your moments Derek, thanks for sharing.

HELLO YOU...............dear Derek.....you have a wonderful voice when you sing...............and perhaps you find other friends for walking.........the deer is so beautiful...................Blessings and Greetings from Daggy,Kiel,Germany☘☘☘

The sound of birds and wind in the trees and water in the spring branches! God is in them. Happy trail!

Hiking on your own terms is a positive thing. That does not speak to not hiking with other people, or even not joining another tramily. It speaks to you knowing, with certainty, that you able to hike alone. On your own terms.

Another great journey with you along the trail. I love the music you select and your philosophy of life in general. All good!

Best AT videos in a long time. I appreciate your focus on the trail itself and your thoughtful reflection that goes far beyond the obvious and the practical. People always expressed great surprise that I was hiking by myself when I was on the AT, but I never really felt that I was alone, as there were so many people around me doing the same crazy thing. It got a bit lonely in the final stages when everyone just had their heads down and were grinding through. I also appreciate the fact that the AT for you, as for me, is very much an exploration of a (literally) foreign culture: The United States of America. ("Y'all don't have guns in your house up there in Canada??" Hell no. I heard more gunshots on the AT in a single day than I had in my entire life ... especially in PA.) It's all good though. I have been to over 30 countries in my life and Americans are consistently the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Canadians are supposed to be polite, but we're just a bunch of passive-aggressive ice-holes, lol. Cheers, brother. St. Paul (19/21/23).

I look forward to your videos. I love the way you incorporate some form of inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with you on your beautiful adventure.

Keep on trucking lad, you're playing a stormer 💚🤍🧡

Love to hear you singing again ❤️‍🔥 There is strength and spirit in solitude that can’t be gained any other way ✨ Keep shinning Derek 👑 all that’s for you will magnetise to you 🧲 You are a gift to the Appalachian trail and everyone who has the honour of meeting you and knowing you exist in the world 👣 🇮🇪 🍀

Derek....a forward looking attitude with this episode! Reminded me of how you were during some of your Ireland travel. Scenery was beautiful & calming. It is great to see you & doing well 💕💚!

Thanks for taking me along on the AT. It’s always been a dream of mine, but in reality will probably never happen. Watching your videos makes me feel like I’m on AT too. So you are really never alone, you are taking us with on the trail, on the AT. Thank you.

Your narration is truly inspiring. Your memory for history, quotes and song lyrics is staggering. I also love that like @HuckWasHere whom I followed last year on the PCT, you title your videos with a phrase rather than “mile 45-50. X to Y”. It’s so much more engaging for the viewer to click and watch what unfolds. Thank you so much Derek, you are a real talent.

You are very insightful and inspirational. I hiked the AT in 2020 and I would do it again in an instant. You got this.

Derrick take your time heal yourself and thanks for the response Just liked the video and your now gained insight keep positive and enjoy the beautiful Vietnam love your New journey keep them videos coming videos coming 😊

Inspiring video, thank you Derek.

Phenomenal quote at the end 👏 👌 🙌 💚🤍🧡

Change is not only possible but inevitable. It's up to us how we embrace it.

You are so insightful. You have a gift.

You are very wise and I appreciate your simple yet powerful words.❤ thankyou and all the very best.

Love the way you are embracing change Derek, and keeping positive. Best of luck for this next experience.

I have sadly watched your "last" (End) video on the "AT" and I am now catching up with the prior. Truly going to miss you my friend.....

I love your videos! I loved when you sang John Denver song Country Roads! My trail name is John Denver! I sing all his songs when hiking! So I was given his name for my trail name! Keep up sharing these amazing videos!!!

6/16 Hello Derek! I just wanted you to know the temperatures and humidity will be heating up this coming week. Mid 90°F. are expected. Htdrate hydrate hydrate, shade, shade, shade. Please be careful and treat yourself kindly. Unfortunately, this may stick with us for several days. Take care, good good good!

Interesting video, I enjoyed it!

Keep it up you are doing amazing!! There not very many people can say they walked the Appalachian Trail . Take care love watching you journey

Started my day with a serenade- thanks! Hope you keep on enjoying your walk.

Keep the faith Derek.

Beautiful. I watch these videos whenever I have time. They are beautiful and calming. ❤

Awesome stuff and sounds like you are close to where I live. Just wanted to clarify that the Shenadoah national park exists solely in the state of Virginia. You may have meant "western virginia" in your summary below the video not to be confused between the 2 states of West Virginia and Virginia. A little farther north on the trail, you will walk through a little of West Virginia's eastern most panhandle tip and will probably stop at Harpers Ferry for supplies and whatnot. Good luck to you. You are making great progress.

Love this channel.❤

New subscriber. I Love your style of content.

Love your videos and wisdom 😊

Good man Derek. A very contemplative episode and you're all the better for it.

Dear Derek, I truly appreciate you, your journey, your honesty, how you reveal you dilemmas and insights, always ending in an esops fables sort of lessons learned. Not schlocky, or sticky icky like treacle, just a sharing of life lessons...when one door closes, another opens. Please continue to share, no matter the mood, struggle, decision or pause. Way ta go Irishman in the US, from a fellow trail lover ( mid-distance/forest/Alpine) for its restorative gifts, comoradorie, and solitary splendor.!

Your videos are powerful and inspire every time. You have a gift.

I have found that as much as I enjoy backpacking with friends, I’ve grown the most when by myself. The autonomy makes it special. Thank you for sharing your hike.

Lovely experience for me watching you experience it all for me! Keep on truckin Derek!!

So inspirational! The AT is a mental game. Unless you have been there, it’s hard to understand, but you are putting into words and bringing to life the “trail”. God bless! Happy trails!

❤️❤️❤️

You see beautiful views and beautiful animals that most people will never see. Thanks for letting us see some of these. Safe travels.

You you you

It's amazing how your journey has transitioned as you went along and we are there with you getting excited by your new found friends and a bit sad when they left the trail for one reason or another. But here we are back enjoying your continuing adventure, your encounters with nature like the beautiful Doe and Fawn and the little Turtle. Like you say it's just another stage of your journey and who knows what it will bring. In any event thank you for your thoughts and your videos. They are a great comfort to us viewers .

SO SORRY TO HEAR YOUR COMPANY OR TRAMILY IS NO LONGER HIKING WITH YOU KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP MY DEAR 🙏🏽🙏🏽LOOK OUT FOR THE BEARS HAVE YOUR PROTECTION READY HAPPY TRAILS I HOPE YOU DO SEE OR MEET UP OTHER HIKERS AS YOU HIKE ALONG 🙏🏽💖🙏🏽💖HAPPY TRAIL EXACTLY THIS IS A NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR HIKE WELCOME IT ❤❤❤❤

Yaaay a new video! I love it! ❤❤❤❤

I love that you are walking on your own terms now and seeing so much more of where you are passing thru!

Continue to absolutely love your philosophy Derek💕

What a beautiful soul and a talent for expressing yourself. I hope head good, body good, feet good, heart good.

Stumbled onto your channel in my feed, and am really glad to have. You’re putting good stuff out into the word, Mr. Cullen. Enjoy your walk no matter how far it takes you! I do hope to see you go far.

Watch “The Wrong Turn” the 7th one I believe - they are hiking part of the AT. You want feel alone in the woods after watching. 😂😂

Another brilliant video this time just like a brilliant film. You are teaching me lots of lessons re life itself. So glad you’re soaking your feet along the way.Best of luck to Lee and Holly they did great. Thank you Derek for all your outstanding filming while walking your way home

Love that song Derek….I’m not far from “West by God Virginia”. Can see why the Irish settled all around the AT….surely it felt like coming home

Such a lovely video today and what a beautiful way to finish your day with the deer and fawn. Wishing you good thoughts on the trail in the coming days.

Another amazing video! What beauty you show! It is so heartwarming to see you finding yourself in the solitude. What a memorable journey you are having. Life folds and unfolds continually. You are right. It is our choice what we will take from each moment. Looking forward to your next video.

Derek. Your videos are inspirational. I've read about the AT and am now seeing it in your videos, wonderful. What an amazing hike. Enjoy every minute.

Beautiful scenery. Great rendition of the song 👏🏼 You need to buddy up again. I do believe there are Party rendezvous on the trail............ 'Go n-éirí an bóthar leat'

Loved meeting you on the trail! Another great video. 👍. ~ BirdNerd

You can see your lighter spirit in your quicker steps and a sense of something being lifted off of you. You're flyin' it!

I lived many years breathing the green in those bits of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland and day hikes on the AT. You are wonderfully good at sharing gentle reminders to choose to step out of the chaos. Thank you.

Another good video. Thank you for sharing. Cherish your time with Lee and Holly. Enjoy the ride.

Hiya Derek. been surrounded by those great people at the start of your journey was definitely a sense of comfort, security and real joy, which maybe you needed at that point. I actually loved that you had such companionship to begin with, but maybe for this next leg it is meant to be solo once again. Just look at what you have achieved over a number of years now by yourself. Yes you miss everyone but you can do this, just like all the other adventures. You may be feeling isolate at the moment but you are not isolated. We are all rooting for you and look forward to your spectacular videos. xx As one comment says It is about the journey not the destination.

Thank you 💚

You need to write a book of something... I don't know but I'm going to be sad when this ends.

Another fine video! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your perspectives on life!

You can cut a tune Derek another string to your bow

So happy to see you getting the views you deserve. These videos are wonderful. Keep it up.

Awesome video! Keep on singing and keep on hiking!

You're actually a great man Derek...keep on keeping on..raining here in Dublin!

Sorry to hear that Lee & Holly have gotten off the AT. Hiking at your own pace is good and as you've found you're walking more miles. I do hope that you still bump in to the occasional human on the trail. Loved seeing the Deer & Fawn. Almost 1000 miles. Go wan ya boy ye. Great video, super song.. Thanks Derek.

the other end of the Appalachians are in Ireland

We have been enjoying your vlogs. Hoosier told us about you! My wife and I have section hiked from Springer to Kent, CT over 7 years. We are in our late 60s. God bless!!

Gutted for Holly and Lee. I hope they found what they were both looking for. They helped get you to this point but I'm sure others will be there for the next stage. Keep the head up pal. You'll be over 1000 miles by the next time you post. Amazing!

Hi Derek You are hiking your owen hike. Keep on keeping on. Best wishes.

Seems your adjusting. This is a good walk. Its what you wanted. You love the outdoors. Its where youd rather. Its time for something. But what will it be. I dont know. Wait and see. Walk and watch it catches your eye. See how you feel. Be good to your self. Youll soon be home. But that is for later. And this is the game. We'll play it the best way that we can. Theres things that need mended its part of a plan. A person selected. You are the man.❤

Was wondering how or what do you use to keep your phone charged? How often is it on? And uploading videos and etc... I want to be prepared! Ty so much! Watching you and living through you right now! Walk on! Happy Hiking!

Ag deana go maith a Derek. Tug aire duit fean. Ta tú piosa fada ón mbaile.

I can’t sing either , but that never stopped me . 😊

I hope Lee found his old self during his hike.

I Just Pray, All People would Decide to Step Into Wisdom , Pray about Youre Journey With God In Youre Life ...By Jesus offer of salvation..John 3:16

I hope Holly and Emelia are doing ok. Did they go home?

Advance North!

Hey Derek,maybe that Tortoise is also walking the trail.🤔

I'm GLAD you have a site, I don't want to alarm you, but you should travel in Packs.. Please. People hiding from law, run through the paths , one man was killed there, for his equipment. Not really knowing why really.. Our Borders also being overrun ,, don't know where they all are. Just Concerned, and Bigfoot is a Thing too.. I Understand the wonderfulness of the woods, just pray about it..Concerned patriot....