Appalachian Trail 2024 - An Irishman’s First Impression of a Town in Appalachia 

Thank you for watching and if you’d like to show some more support my videos, I have a Kofi page on which viewers can “buy me a coffee” as encouragement for the time and effort I put into making these videos 🙏 ko-fi.com/derekcullen

My husband and I are 70 and 73. We haven't backpacked in about 12 years. Watching your videos inspires us to get on the AT again. Something about a trail....

Oh my gosh, I just discovered you and I’m only three minutes into the video and have already been cracking up a few times! Your humor is a breath of fresh air!

I feel like I know you and your buddies on the trail! What a strong positive bunch you are! Thanks for the uplifting comments and pics. Love to all, from your northern friend in Canada. Kate.

Being present, it's a gift. I could watch you for hours.😊

Nothing says thru hiking like repacking groceries sitting on the sidewalk next to the trash can, while eating ice cream lol! Sounds like you are having a good time!

Its utterly insane to me that there is no bit of West Virginia in the AT. A place that, in many's eyes, including my admittedly biased own, is THE most Appalachian. You should make a special trip to hike only in West Virginia. Its almost heaven, after all.

Still smiling and giving US encouragement. 😊 Mount Katahdin is worth the trip. 🕊️

You may have some very distant relatives in East Tennessee. A lot of us are Scots-Irish, or Irish-Scots if you prefer. Most of our ancestors immigrated/ran from the law 200-300 years ago.

My mother's side of my family rode a wagon from VA to GA ~1799 and built a log cabin and farmed on 200 acres about 80 miles South of Springer mountain.That was probably an interesting trek. :)

Thank you for saying Appalachia the correct way!

That's the gun range I go to.

We finished a section at Watauga Lake today and I was telling my son about your reaction to the GUNS stores. Glad I found this one to show him. Thanks for your videos. Best wishes.

cant believe you didn't order "grits" at the diner. id have ordered grits just to find out what grits are.

Derek, I'm glad to hear you pronounce "Appalachian" correctly. I wish you could have gotten some grits with your breakfast, they are great with some butter on them. Your doin a great job. Thanks for taking us along with you. Steffon

Hey Derek I got on trail 3 weeks ago in Harpers Ferry WV. Just crossed into NJ today. Better save those feet and ankles for Pennsylvania aka Rocksvania…. It’s a tough State but does have some beautiful views.

AT. Your comments at 06:04 says it all, thank you for these inspiring trail thoughts

It's gotten to the point that I watch your videos twice. It helps "digest" the nuggets of thought you share. I'm even looking up the philosophers you mention. But leaving Canada and its endless bush to live in the woods elsewhere seems counter productive. I guess he didn't like the cold. Or the flies! Thanks for the video.

just discovering you Derek! I follow a few through hikers every year. I'll binge watch your previous vids and catch up with ya! Great great attidude and love your sage quotes form other great people !

You have become my favorite storyteller on RU-vid. ❤ I love the way you're sharing your journey. I hope it won't be strange if I bump into you on the trail in Virginia as I'm doing a section soon. 😊 I'll feel like I know you but you don't know me so I'll try not to act like I'm a long lost friend. 😂

New sub. Really enjoying your content and positivity😊

Now. It’s all about now. ❤

Reality of life on the trail...the quest for food! Lol; Congrats on your progress! Another enjoyable video. Many thanks, Derek!

Watching your videos makes me want to be on AT this year… life has me at home but I’m following along. I really love your videos. It’s great to know there are real down to earth people with kind hearts in the world. Thank you for sharing! Cherish your days on trail

Well done Derek that was always on my bucket list, your an inspiration

It is early days. You guys look very fresh. The burgers are a good call, burgers without lettuce tomato or mayo keep very well in your pack. Pepperoni pizza is great to pack out. Stay strong out there. ( GAME 06, Flip Flop 22)

Thanks for taking us along. I really enjoy your personality and production style. I watch 'em over and over 💞

Love following your journey 😊 what a great group of people 🙂

If we were truly honest with ourselves we would all walk away from the nonsensical lives we now lead, the world needs a Moriarty revolution .. you’re a great storyteller yourself Derek…🙏✝️❤

Derek, I so look forward to your videos. I would enjoy sitting around a campfire with you and having a beer. I like the way you think and believe that would be a stimulating conversation. Some years ago, I went on many adventures with a friend of mine and sometimes one of my brothers. The Blue Ridge, Okefenokee Swamp, Everglades, etc. Tom and I would have very in depth cranial discussions (we were both history nuts) into the night. Especially in the N GA / NC mtns. The Okefenokee is another place I think you would enjoy. Definite spiritual connection to that place. Multi day canoe trips across it with some of the most beautiful nature. Very pristine.

Congratulations to each and everyone of you all on reaching Virginia. I’m so glad ye have each other and thanks for all the wonderful feedback. Will keep looking out for u and if ye come to NYC I’ll treat ye

But is there a pub, Derek?❤. Grub looks yum 😋 ! Full backpacks for next leg. Love the bush, birds singing, gorgeous! You're all doing great! A million thanks for your commentary and sharing. With u, in Spirit, all the way!❤ to all!

I could listen to you talk forever! Someday I shall go to your dear country and walk about, ride fine Irish steeds, drink Bushmills and Guinness!

"Be here, now." Good thought. Another good stretch of trail together! CONGRATULATIONS on reaching VA!

Thanks for sharing your trip with everyone you are an awesome truth teller

I just love the raw honesty of your videos Derek - do you know you make my heart good, head good???

Love how much your enjoying this hike! Have a wonderful evening.

Glad you enjoyed the AT. I hope everyone was good to you 🙏

Glad you chose to do this.Hope to see you on Trail before you Summit, I am going to be much later than I hoped.-Meet as many people as you can.AT towns and the Trail are full of history...

Good show! Thank you!

Always so great!! You always seem to joy in the present right now :)

Keep them videos coming your all doing amazing

My family, friends, and I love watching your videos, Derek. And we love our Bennett..... and, well, all of the Misfits

Wow! What a breath of fresh air you are! Just found you tonight. Im so happy I did! Im in franklin nc area in smokies. , I wish I’d of found you back in the beginning. ! I’ll go back and watch your other videos and get caught up. You really “get it”. I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your words. So refreshing! Beautifully made videos as well. Thank you for sharing.

The Rhodi reminds me of Kerry 🙂 Lovely to see you all in good health and with so much fun. Keep on going and stay as you are!

Awesome that you and you tramily have reached VA‼️👏

HELLO,YOU.......dear Derek,I am back from Ireland it was a good trip......................but yours is great.......good to see you all in a good way..............Blessings and greetings from Daggy,Kiel,Germany☘☘☘

I think I'm in love. With this trip. From the comfort of my own home. I to do not want it to end. x

Hi Derek! New sub here! I was hooked at, “Were off to see the wizard.” Then, I love the cinematography! It’s nice to get the perspective of the Appalachian Trail from an Irishman! I’m looking forward to the rest of your journey and I have to catch up because you’re already in Tennessee. I gotta go back to the beginning. Happy trails! Tzipi! I’m about 40 miles off the AT in Central Virginia.

Hello Derek! I followed your “Hike of the Ireland Way”! Love your channel. I was able to do 800 miles of the AT last year. Had I known you were coming here to do the AT, I think I would have waited. I’m headed to Dublin in September. Hopefully I’ll find some distant “cousins” in Mayo or Cork!! God Bless ya on your AT adventure. It was life changing for me!

Another detailed and very informative video Derek, I absolutely loose myself in them. That cheese berger 😃 my mouth was watering, and I'm a vegetarian 😋. Stay safe 🍀 💚 🍀

Cheering you on! Hi Emilia!

One of my relatives is hikeing with you:) Its great to see him out there and in life

Deadly video!! Have a great time 😁😎

welcome to my country-the New Jersey section is where I live. I hope you have a great time-watch out for the cows & visit High Point if you can.

Free to grow… that’s an amazing perspective!

Hey, Derek! I’m enjoying your videos. Have you reached the Triple Crown section of the trail yet? I live near there!

Brilliant stuff guys

All good! Loving it mate; Scottish transplant to NC, though I’m down on the coast; need to get up to the AT! I’ll say this though, Gerard Butler if he’s watching this will be gutted you’re calling him English 😆 definitely a Paisley lad 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

My friend Alex just called from Hampton yesterday and then this video turns up in my feed. Thanks for posting. I feel like I'm there even if I am mulling over a cup of coffee in bed (have gone totally soft) getting ready to walk my dogs which will be a humble mile or so 🤠

God Bless you for pronouncing Appalachian the right way.

Great video and comments. Virginia seemed like a very long state when I hiked it. Enjoy. Kabbon 2011

Derek hope you’re journey is going well

you are there now! Keep being there

You have now arrived in my home state!

“ and now we go from one tourist attraction to the next!” Pans out, shows the golden arches! 😂😂😂😂

Hello you!😉. I am loving your walk Derek and the company. It struck me just how vast the country is and that for a lot of economically poor city folk they have not even had the chance to explore outside their own backyard. Also, where is all the wildlife. Apart from the snake and frog. I thought there would be much more. Anyhow, not to worry it's just an observation. Until next time. 💚

Live in the present… I can’t tell you how much that means. For some reason other hikers can’t get that info their heads. You have another sub.

Tastes just as good cold brother my fellow travelling buddies used to look at me daft when I went in and ordered 3 you should have seen their faces 8 hours in to a 12 hour bus ride 😂😂😂😂 😀👍

Hamilton looks like a cool spot. Maybe not the gun range but good food. Bringing some cheese burgers along for the ride. I'd say your stomachs don't know what hit them. Keep going! You're doing so well. 💚

Failte! Happy travels!!! Cheers from Minnesota all!

Until you get to northern Virginia, a lot of the trail towns ( except for Damascus, VA) are like that…Dollar General, Walmart, McDonalds, etc. What is really nice are the local diners (as you already discovered.) Ask anybody in town a good place to eat and they will point you right to it. The other very special things are the local hostels and trail angels and trail magic. Those are very unique among an endless string of chain stores.

Congratulations

All good indeed!

Get a Beretta tomcat in case of two legged bears! 🐻 Stay safe and enjoy

Let’s go eat and decide where we are going to eat. Haha❤❤❤

I spit my coffee out when you said "it makes your hand look really big" 😂 Missed opportunity for a "that's what she said"

Wait till you get to Vermont, you'll feel like you're back in Ireland!

Thank you Derek for sharing some off trail town footage. Like you as a non-US citizen I love seeing the day to day in another country. And news just in…. Gerard Butler, the Scottish actor, has just unsubscribed 😂

If you need anything while on the trail in Pennsylvania let me know. I am around Philadelphia and can run it out to ya. Have to show you hospitality in my home state.

Had to watch this. My mother is a Cullen from Donnybrook, Dublin. We could be related.

Just stumbled upon your channel - great video! Subscribing so I can finish watching your journey!

I'm not a huge fan of the big burgers served under the arches. But if you want a great little and inexpensive upgrade to the Double, do try their Tripple Cheeseburger. My recent McFavorite. Let us know what you think. Cograts on nearly 500!

When you said "Now we go from one tourist attraction to the next", I thought that it was going to be a girly bar, lol!

2:02 Welcome to Appalachistan 😎

Derek Would you consider a live broadcast on your RU-vid channel while taking a zero in an upcoming trail town so we can ask you and your crew questions in real time ? 😊

Loved this episode! Will you talk about ticks on the AT? Do you get many? Do you do anything g for avoidance of ticks?

Hello you ❤❤❤

Good man Derek! Was wondering what you were up to ordering 4 x cheese burgers in Mackie Ds immediately after the fab breakfast - but OMG - I can relate - bet they were a welcome and delicious bounty when you fetched them out of your bear store - Minded to adopt that great saying from Dory in Finding Nemo - "Keep Swimming" - Keep walking!

Woah! I live close to there! I'm a custom knife maker. Welcome boyo'!

Conus ata'tu'? Welcome to Virginia. 1/3 of the AT is in this state

Just keep walking by the cryptids ...would be a much more interesting journey if you could see the other dimensions (I've seen 50 in this video alone ) 😂

Was there a lot of bear cans on the AT? I know a lot of folks don’t use them were not mandated but i found that i use it every time i go out these days. Just easier.

I'm struck by how narrow the trail is and you can only walk in single file. Is it mostly like that so far since you started the AT? I bet it was lovely to sit and eat in that diner. You are all doing brilliant. Thanks Derek

Keep her lit

Remember, Virginia is for Lovers. I hope you got a ride.

💚 🇮🇪

Looks like you couldn't be with a nicer group of people Derek.

Tell Ben we've had 3 bears already; small, medium and HUGE.

I think you would love the poetry of Wendell Berry. Read , The Peace of Wild Things .