That's so cool your bf isn't a hiker. Awesome to see folks from different roads of life introducing each other to different avenues :) Wish ya'll every happiness!
My house is quiet right now. I was all in on the hike with you. When Fancy was watching the distance and you said "treats" my dog barked and scared the heck out of me.
One good thing about the 2020 pandemic lock down. It allowed me to discover your channel, binge your videos, and now watch the videos as they are posted. This is another great one!
Few poles (or none) require more stakes and extra line to tie off to rocks, roots, tent platforms, etc. Freestanding tents still need stakes in windy or heavy snow. Without using them in such conditions, you risk the poles being overstressed when the walls get pushed in, and breaking, and dome type tents don't work well without poles. I hammock or use a four season, single poled aerodynamically designed tent (Hilleberg Akto).
This trail is about an hour from where I live. I may try this for my first overnight trip. Just getting into camping. Your VLog has provided me with so many ideas... and a lot of motivation. At 69 it will be an adventure.
I'm 69 also and everytime I go out to camp, I have been rained out and flooded. The only safe place from the water is on TOP of the mountain. I have been thinking of getting a hammock just so I don't wake up in a bath tub.
I've NEVER SUBSCRIBED to a RU-vid channel before but I just did because this is wonderful. There aren't a lot of women making hiking channels anyways, and WOMEN SOLO LONG-DISTANCE is virtually mythical. I get the most amazed comments from other women when I'm out on the trail. I've been trying to encourage women I know to go solo. It's so empowering! I have literally NEVER encountered another woman by herself (here in Washington state) who was out for more than a single overnight. Day hikers and trail runners mostly. I love that you do this. Thank you.
It would be nice to see a video on how to plan a backpacking trip for newbies like your boyfriend because of the mismatch in experience. Thanks for showing the battle with the wind and rain. Even though I have over 500 miles under my belt, I still struggle in that type of weather and wonder if it's because I'm doing something wrong. Seeing this was reassuring.
I highly recommend you add more blaze orange. You need to be wearing enough (or have enough on your pack) that it can be seen from all directions at any given time.
I'm extremely pro-hunting and pro-2A, but you can't trust other hunters not to shoot you. Years ago I was hiking with a friend during hunting season when all of sudden his boot went flying 6 to 8 feet sideways with his foot still in it. He was taken for a ride with the boot. Turned out a physician thought he was an elk and shot him in the boot, despite my friend wearing an orange vest and orange hat. Half his little toe was shot off. The doctor refused to accept responsibility or pay for my friend's medical bills. The moral of the story is that if a hunter is shooting at you, shoot back.
Most "hunters" know nothing and have their finger on the trigger when they hear a noise in the woods. So, he's right. If you are in a hunted area you need to look like the sun.
Having lost my dog this year, who had to be euthanized due to cancer, taking in your adventure with a new dog is very therapeutic. I also watched your News video so no doubt, being with another dog after losing yours too, is a step along the way to restoring yourself. I couldn’t imagine that losing a dog would be so hard. It came between the passing of both my elderly parents this year. Getting outside though, works wonders on the soul, no matter what our loss may be. Keep hiking and helping others to find peace. Thanks!
The fact that Miss Fancy went over instead of under the log means she has amazing spatial awareness to not just herself, but her pack too...Not something you see in most dogs.
@@Sailorlimabean20 It was Dixie saying that on the first day of the AT she did less than 10 miles that made me think I could get back into back packing.
I have tears in my eyes....I just lost my trail buddy/best friend. His name was Kratoes and he was a 90 pound American bull-dog. He passed December 10th and I have never felt so alone in my life. He even slept on my bed more than half the time. No matter where we were, he stayed at my feet or kinda cuddled my knee until I woke up. He would paw me awake if I had bad dreams or if someone came to close he would low growl and paw. He was born in Feb. 2010 and died Dec. 10th 2020. Bone cancer. I have been so heartbroken that I haven't known where to start with another pooch--but thank you for this video. I know that there is a dog out there that needs my love and I need to find him/her. Thank's for the video Dixie. You really are a special gal--and your boyfriend is one lucky dude. Thank's for letting us meet him.
True love, when one can laugh at their partners discomfort (head v.s. tree) . I really took to heart when you were talking with the lone hiker. "Have babies not been born, or couples met that will be married?" during the pandemic.? I have not thought about this year in that way. Thank you for keeping it real. Love from Tasmania.
Tell me I am not the only one who thinks this was the best editing of any HW videos? I love every video and have been following since PCT, but this was just incredible. Good music choices, good cuts and screen choices. Fantastic!
Hello Dixie. The Stratospire Li is a good tent but you need to use the Easton pegs on the tension corners to get the best performance from the tent. The thin titanium pegs as you found out aren't stable enough to hold the tension. Really enjoyed watching. Love this channel. Atb Steve 👍
I found that tying the tent line to the mid-point of a 18"-24"+ stick, laying the stick flat on the ground perpendicular to the line, and then piling rocks on top of the stick works pretty well in rocky areas. The more wind the longer the stick and the more rocks... Conceptually it's similar to using dead man anchors to pitch tents in snow or sandy areas.
You have good adaptive thinking skills buddy. A great strategy to keep in mind for the inevitable difficult pitch we will all face sooner or later. Thanx for sharing that valuable nugget
My favorite section of the Pinhoti, a rugged climb up to Cheaha SP. A little bit past this this area I ran into acorns so thick it was like being on ball bearings! You've given yourselves one great story to share with this trip.
I have a suggestion for tent spikes I just learned about from another site. Get some of the aluminum nails used to attach rain gutters. I am 60 and you keep inspiring me to get back into hiking. My last time with a backpack I was in the Boy Scouts. Hiked some after that but never with a backpack. Now I own several backpacks and just need to get to it.
Fancy seems to thrive on these adventures and it is so awesome to take the time to do these with her, it can only be for the good. Like any of us, she wants her cuddles and warmth...so sweet and sorry for MarDee's head, that sucks
Poor Fancy. I know the feeling. Did a day hike with our dog with a new harness. When we got back to the truck I took off the harness and he had a big sore. We felt horrible. He got extra love for the next week.
I have a Pittie that gets rubbed raw from pretty much everything, so we got him and our other dog harnesses from Alpine Outfitters and he hasn't had an issue since! They are custom made for each dog and they aren't much more expensive than one you'd buy from a pet store! I highly recommend them
We just finished this section yesterday. I must say it was tough. It dampened our spirits a little bit but I am determined to go back and finish the other sections of this trail. Thank you for the videos you put out. I love watching them.
Thank you sweet lady for continuing to post. I have watched your channel since your first video. You don't know what it means to be able to escape today's realities by just tuning out and tuning in to your adventures. Thanks again!
Loved the beauty of the filmography on this one. Always luv all your videos and the great information you impart. I’m going camping and hiking for Christmas week in Pelham, AL - Oak Mtn. SP. with my Maizie doggo. Of course I sprained my ankle on Monday, but it’s not too bad and I can walk on it fine so it’s not going to stop me. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your family Dixie!!
One of your best videos. Loved watching you beat all the blowdowns. You really shared more of yourself and it was refreshing. I love your dry sense of humor.
If Fancy is anything like my dog at that age she need a 30 min power nap before she was whining to get back on the trail. My dog could walk for 8 hours a day when we would camp and never bat an eye.
For Fancy’s wound, and yours too of course, I always carry neosporin when camping. Every day, every where - I carry a little, plastic case for contact lenses. In one side container is neosporin. On the other side is Bag Balm. Not large enough to really be a first aid kit, I call it a half aid kit. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
That’s awesome that Marty and Fancy Mae came out for a while! Fancy Mae is the spitting image of our dog, Lexi. Lexi is a rescue and the vet says mostly black lab, border collie. Smart, loving, stubborn. Beautiful fall colors on that trail!
Of all the episodes I've hopped, skipped and jumped through on your channel; hiking dog hits right on the sternum strap. Hoping to find and train hiking dog #2, having lost the Shepherd a little over a year ago right at the point where I could trust her off leash and recall was proofed. Thank you and your boyfriend for bringing Miss Fancy Mae out on this hike; made me smile😉👍🥾
Dixie! You went through those rock fields like a champ! They tore my feet up when I did that section in Sept. Good to see Fancy again and to meet your partner 😊 can't wait to see the rest of the trail xoxo
I call that part "Rock Hell" and "Stairway to Heflin". Good you got to see it misty up there. Did the adjoining Odum Scout trail on a misty morning once. The rocks almost glow and it feels other worldly in the mist.
Wow. All you needed was a few shaky, breathless scenes of running through the woods, a bouncing flashlight spot wildly scanning across the ground, a few deep growling sounds, Fancy Mae frantically barking, Dixie screaming "Oh, my God - what IS that!!", and VOILA! Instant found-footage horror film, ala Blair Witch. Pretty cool. 25:35 If you were standing at that elevation in my neighborhood, you'd be 400 feet under ground. Pretty sure it's not snowing down there, but there IS a water table within that depth. You really have an eye for setting up a nature scene - quite breath-taking, much of it. Stay safe out there. Happy Trails.
Dixie, Great video! I really enjoy all of your other videos (have watched about 30+ since 2017) and how informative they are but this one!!! It shows great beautiful scenery as well as tells the story of the trip. The realistic section of the tent in the rain was fantastic! My 11 year old daughter Lucy often ask me if you have actual videos of the hikes and here it is!! I'm trying to get her to desire to join me one day. On another note, thanks for sharing about your dad thru covid. Last week 12/9 I lost my backpacking buddy Richard to covid at age 55 (I'm 57) It was sudden, but included 3 difficult weeks in ICU that didn't end well. He left an 11 year son whos friends w Lucy. I look forward to getting back out there soon and your videos' this past few days have really helped!! Oh yea, thanks for including Fancy Mae!! Happy Trails!
I find your videos very calming. You are skilled and editing in such a way that it feels natural; like being on the hike myself. I also like that you have a gentle laugh you bring to each challenge. I know it probably is not that way all the time but it lends a serenity to the videos. Thank you. Steve Foley, Bellaire, MI
So sorry for the awful night! But tomorrow night will be better! Fancy Mae has filled out so beautifully and seems bigger and much more confident. I don't think she's such a scardy cat anymore! Hope BF weathered the night better too!
Love the video. Just a few small tips on puppy biz. 1. Do not attach a lead to the harness itself, that just creates incentive for them to pull. That creates agitation of the skin by itself. Especially a long line.just hook up to the collar. 2.to avoid hotspots like your pup had, it’s best to fit the harness as tight as you can make it fit and then take a notch down to loosen it to a point a finger can fit in the webbing. And ofc like with people, distribute the weight properly so the rig doesn’t flap about on her, if this one doesn’t give you the option to, just get a modular one. Don’t mean to come off condescending so sorry if I did, just sharing the info cause this stuff is my bread and butter. I learned the hard way now others don’t have to 😂 Holler at me if you need dog gear advice.
I’ve never been to Alabama and so know little about the state, but I imagined it being low lying, swampy and maybe some cotton fields. I did not expect this. The scenery is beautiful and looks well worth a visit. Live and learn.
Fancy Mae shots are sooooo cute! Nice video as usual. Thanks so much for taking the time to make video's. Seriously love them. Sucky tent situation, huh?
So happy to see Marty and Fancy Mae hiking with you. Marty got a few ‘firsts’ - overnight, hiking in the rain and night hiking. You can sure tell Fancy loves Marty. So sweet! Love your videos so much! Glad your Dad is better.
I know it sucked, but this video is kinda great in that sometimes things don't go your way, sometimes the storm is worse than you thought, sometimes you get wet. But you learn and keep going.
enjoying the footage of the pinhoti trail. looks like some tough country in areas. it was cool how you met the old man at the overlook, i love meeting people on the trail. Nice to meet your BF and see Fancy out there having fun. now lets see how long you use that tent.... stay safe on the rest of your journey. cant wait for the next one.
The Pinhoti trail was my first over night backpacking trip and we underestimated it😂 even my buddy that I backpacked with that has been doing it awhile said it was pretty rough on him in some parts
Enjoying your hike. Senior Watching in St. Louis, we have some really cold windy-snowy weather. During the 80’s lived and spent much time hiking and living around the Clark national forest and mark twain national forest in southern central Missouri. Loved the outdoors. Cannot do much of that now. How do you keep your batteries charged on your trips? Stay safe
I don't like that design of the Li ends, but every tent has its plus/minuses. I have had the bathtub floor pushing past the roof problem several times in my Duplex for sure. Especially on unlevel campgrounds where I slide into one of the ends of walls.
Another great video, close up, scenery, people and pups. You sure do it right. Sorry about the tent night but after 10,000 miles you sure will figure it out.
Gotta love all those blow-down, trail-break Alabama pine trees! I'll be honest, I got tickled watching you climb over all those trees and i can do that because I'm a fellow yella hammer and I've been there! I'm planning to do a thru on the pinhoti next year so thanks for the great info!
I was glad you shared this part of your hike as it show's that even though you are hiking real life crops up from time to time. As a police officer I'm glad he treated you well. When you started taking your rain pants off I would have loved to have seen the officers face. I just ordered a map of the trail to start planning my trip. Can't wait for your next video.
@@kevinfelton689 my guess is because it's pouring cold rain in the middle of the night and she was just too frustrated (or stubborn 😉) and needed to get that rock to do its job!
@@musingwithreba9667 Could be she didn't have the 10-odd meters of utility parachute cord she needed to extend the guy lines that came with the tent that would have allowedaround
Meatier stakes are the key. I ditched the titanium shepherd hook ones as they are worthless in loose or rocky soil. I’ve been using the msr groundhog/mini groundhog style ones with no issue.
@@HomemadeWanderlust yeah, I have a mix. Half are the tube aluminum type (Zpacks brand) and the other half are groundhogs. I gave up on the shepherd hook type as they often failed under load in various ground types. I also keep the guy lines attached and anchor them in with every set up (whereas I used to keep them in the stake bag as a "just in case" measure). I had some pretty heavy rain and wind nights on the AT this past summer and never had more than a tiny bit of water (from a little splash back at the corners) in my tent--and that was only after 2-3 days of steady rain and packing a wet tent each day. I am very pleased with the Stratospire's rain performance.
@@davidewise4516 Same here. I always stake out the extra guys from the top of the poles. If you leave the line attached to the tent it takes no time at all and is good insurance in case the wind picks up.
Securing tent pegs/guys. You can use the bag you put the tent in - fill it will rocks or even soil/sand and tie it to the guy rope. You can do this with anything even a t-shirt - if you tie one end in a knot and tie the guy rope to the other end.
Wow, that's a great video. The scenery of the forest walking with your dog is so beautiful. You're a good talker. I'm glad to be a friend of your great channel. Happy New Year. Always stay healthy. 👍👍👍🤝🤝🤝🤙👌💯
That Tarptent looked pretty sweet. I carry three or for grocery store plastic bags, the kind with the built-in handles, and they are great for tying to a tent loop and either filling with small rocks or sand, or underneath a big rock or rock stack. The bags are super lightweight, free, and useful for many needs.
I am watching your video, listening to the rain on the tent, and now, finally, we have rain hitting the roof, here in Northern California. This storm might be the signal that fire season is over. I will have to see if the ground got a good soaking under the trees. Good to see Fancy enjoying the trail. She is so cute in her sleeping bag. Sorry that you had so much trouble with your tents that night. Happy Trails.
Bring enough food and water for the dog. Keep snacks handy. Offer the dog water every two miles. Please do not make the dog wear a pack or carry anything. Know your dog and how far they can comfortably walk... they will push on just to stay with you.
BEAUTIFUL TRAIL GLAD YOU ALL MADE IT THROUGH THE ROCKY AREAS & I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BUMP MY HEAD TOO WATCHING WHERE TO PLACE MY FEET FOR GOOD FOOTING ! BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! HOPE YOU BOTH & THE PUP HAVE A GREAT MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅 🎄& HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO 🎉 GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS NEAR OR FAR ! ENJOYED !
I've got the same Tarptent. It takes a while to get proficient at setting it up, but once you've got it down, its bombproof. I'd recommend cutting all the cords and installing longer ones for more versatility in your pitches. Ive been through windstorms and hail and plenty of afternoon storms in the Sierras with no problems now. In the beginning, it was really frustrating trying to get the pitch down. Happy Hiking!
Have hiked part of this section. The stairway to heaven was brutal and slow. Camped at the area where the Pinhoti intersects the Chinnabee Silent Trail. Nice spot. Hate that the weather was so bad, and you didn’t get great views at McDill Point. I’ve got to get back out there and do some more sections.