Your hiking goals are now my new life goal mantra: don’t get dead, don’t get seriously injured, make a lot of friends, enjoy the journey and each day, especially the difficult ones, find something to appreciate. You’re off to a great start, safe journey to Katahdin!
If i was where you are and starting the trail i would definitely have some tears in my eyes. I bet its an awesome feeling. I look forward to following along.
Hi Chuck, first day on the AT after so many years dreaming of it. Fifteen miles first day, so exciting! Very nice content and narrative. Really enjoyed it. I'll be following along. Take care!
Hikers go with the very minimum of kit, pieces having multiple uses, keeping the backpack lightweight. When kit is lost or forgotten…well. Thank you for sharing your hike…from East Tennessee. P.S. Don’t git hurt or dead…smiling
Two thru hikes under my belt…The preparation you put into your hike, your realistic perspective, and your positive attitude will serve you well. Looking forward to following along on your journey. Best of luck Chuck!
What a great first day. Take it easy though! I was so jacked up that I could hardly walk by the time I got to Franklin. Enjoy your time. I can’t wait to follow along.
On February 21st 2004 I started my thru-hike, I was 52 years young. It's been 20 years and it seems like yesterday. I'm subscribing to your channel and hope to follow your hike all the way to the Big K. I want to wish you the best and hope you have as wonderful experience as I did. The ridge runner gave you some very good advise. Don't over do it to early. (That was a pretty big first day) God Bless!
i've done the approach twice (skipping stairs), and i think its a better sendoff than doing the springer parking lot. that being said, i absolutely would have taken the opportunity to split a shuttle. that's an easy win, no effort involved logistics. happy trails!
Friday, February 23rd: Lodge costs, but IMHO worth the cost. Was able to eat and rest well and charge all my electronics. Sorry you lost your glove shells before day one. At least you have others. Bandit and Scott-free! Good beginning! Thanks for sharing. Happy Trails! Ross08
Just subbed. I start April 1. Great that you met peak for pounds. Hope I get to meet her somehow. Have a safe journey. If I get a chance to shuttle to springer, I’m not passing it up either.
It's hard to imagine when you start at that little rock outcropping in GA that this trail leads all the way to the middle of Maine (and beyond). Until I saw Katahdin for the first time in the 100-mile wilderness, it never really felt real. Don't give yourself any latitude to come off trail early (obviously unless a family emergency). Almost all things can be overcome on trail. The only path home leads over Katahdin! Good luck. Push North!! 🤘🕓
Good luck with your hike. Similar age. I just do sections with my kids. Too many commitments to do longer but we enjoy getting out. Last section was to NOC Lots of blowdown last year.
Smart move to move past the approach trail! Looking forward to your journey, and I like to see a bit of emotion in deference to your respect for the days ahead, and the planning behind you!
Hey, congratulations on your first day. I follow a few hikers eat year from Amy an Johns adventures in 2019 to pamper, wild and screwball in 2020. through reckless abandon an Stan the man hikes. good luck and start off slow.
I am sure every hiker forgot something, at least it wasn't something major. I am looking to do my thru hike in 2025 although living in Georgia I have done Blood Mountain and Wood Gap many times, My dad and I wanted to walk it in the 80's but never did, and he has passed on, but I will honor him with a picture of him on my pack when my journey starts. looking forward watching your Journey! And remember the approach trail is not the Appalachian Trail, I have been following Laura as well, she's a trooper!! Good to see Tonya on there I followed her and Stan on their Journey , Happy Trails!!
Hello Chuck. 🙂Very well made video, you documented your first day in detail. You look as if you have done this before, you made it look easy, Very admirable and sensible goals; Don’t get dead. Don’t get injured. Enjoy the adventure and meet new people, make new friends. And lastly make it through Katahdin. Congrats on your first official AT thru hike day.
I started watching a couple days ago Chuck I’m about ready to retire here in the next few years. I’ve always wanted to do the PCT, you are adding to my quest and my inspiration and I plan to watch you on your journey. I also have thought about starting a RU-vid channel. I think you’re doing great! Keep it up and good luck to you
Just started watching your journey. Haven’t watched any AT hikes for a couple of years.We live in the Smokies close to the park boundary. We’re in our 70s now so we don’t do as much hiking. I hope you have a fun safe trip. Good luck will be watching 😀
Don’t get dead is good advice!😂 Good luck, my friend. I’m 66, don’t know if I have 2200 miles in these legs! I’ll let you do the heavy lifting. I’ll watch!😊
Just subscribed brother and can't wait to tag along. It's been a dream for me as well for a few years to hike the AT but unfortunately for me it'll have to wait til retirement because my job doesn't allow enough time off. Good luck and keep on trucking North brother! 🥾🥾⛰️⛰️⛰️⛰️🌄🏕
Hate to break it to ya. But you missed the 1st White Blaze. It's on Top of Springer Mountain about 40 feet from where you signed the log. Lol... There is another Plaque right next to it. But either way. Have a great hike. Step safe. I hiked it last year and injured my right knee coming up those stairs and the Approach Trail. God Bless
May your equipment provide you safety and comfort. May you achieve the success you desire. Wishing you peace, good health and good fortune. Happy Trails!
hope you have a great journey on the Appalachian trail. it will teach you so much. I have enjoyed many sections of the Appalachian trail. rooting for you all the way to katahdin
I love winter hiking. I'd rather be cold than hike in the heat any day of the week. Great start! You're the first guy I subbed to this year. I follow at least five to six hikers every year. Good luck my friend and happy trails!
Wait- you had liner gloves, regular gloves, and rain mitts? How heavy is your pack? I’ll admit to having dumped a few things into the hiker box at Neel gap😆 Have an excellent hike, rooting for you!
Congratulations Chuck! You are starting the dream that I still have, enjoy the journey. Good luck, happy trails, I look forward to following you north.
It was a surprise seeing Tonya. I did the Georgia section a couple of years ago and had the time off my life! Enjoy and just know we are all pulling for you!
You do all this preparation your going to walk the whole AT but you skip the approach trail to get a shuttle lol that is unreal bad start already old lazy man
