Watch this BEFORE hiking the Vermont Long Trail! 

This was a great video bro. I enjoyed my hike, and wouldn't trade it for anything, but not a trail I would repeat. At least no time soon. 🤘🕓

I did the LT back in 2015 and came across two 2014 AT thru hikers around Tillotson. They were both surprised at how much more challenging things were up north and how slow their pace had gotten. It’s rough, but I’d do it again in a second given the opportunity. This trail is what turned me into an ultra runner LOL!!!

Wow, is that accurate. I have lived in central Vermont along the Long Trail for over 30 years and every hike we do includes the LT one way or another. I dream of sunny, dry walkable hikes and once the kids are gone maybe I'll get to try some. Until than bloody shins and bent poles are a way of life around here, Be safe and hike on.

I can't tell you how much this video resonated with my own experience. I am a veteran hiker. The Long trail kicked my butt, indeed, I broke my ankle around mile 240 on Mount Belvedere. After a harrowing rescue lasting 10 hours, I spent the next several months healing. Many thanks to the Vermont volunteer fire departments for responding. I was able to finish the trail next year in 2019, in October, in the rain (watch out for bear hunters). I ruined two pairs of poles and bent a 3rd. The only addition I would make to your suggestions is to use snow baskets on your poles to keep them from being eaten by the rocks. May God bless all who take this path, this Long Trail.

This is good info Jon, as a fellow end to ender, giving brutally honest info is a huge service. This trail will beat you down mentally and physically. I remember days of endless rain, singing out loud, jogging along like a mad person to entertain myself from the craziness of it all just wanting to be at the next shelter.😂 Some other items to consider for those newer to his trail. A rain kilt served me well, open, airy and happy. An umbrella. Now this will cause debate, however, at around half a pound, it was worth it to me. Some spots you just can’t use it, and the rain jacket will be necessary. BUT, when you’re on a hard climb, pouring sweat, the last thing you want is a rain jacket on. Fasten it to your pack, put on your kilt, and keep moving. Bring some for lube for the night time. Some squirrel nut butter or similar product helps your feet while you sleep. One last thing is thigh long compression shorts, not too tight, but stop the rubbing. It’s what I use for ultras, with constant movement for 30 plus hours. Ok one more. Train train train!! Train more than you think is reasonable. Good luck all, this is such a like changing experience.

Thanks for your honnesty

very good vid; interesting and super helpful; appreciate the honest perspective

A very good video. I appreciate a realistic discussion of the LT. I have been on portions of the trail and it is hard. Your presentation really shows the difficulty.

I love it ,best times ever

This was a great video and resonated with me and my wife. We chuckled watching this because I carry permanent scars from the rocks, roots, and other LT obstacles, not to mention finding out I used muscles I never knew I had. I also experienced a quad strain that challenged me both mentally and physically...adding to the misery! We proudly completed the trail July 17-Aug 19, 2022 and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. You forgot to mention the mosquito's and other annoying black flies! Thanks for your candid review...a must watch video for anyone considering the LT!- Clam Chowdah (LT 2022)!

Yup, I snapped a pole. (Luckily just outside Manchester Center). Good video. I had better weather in 2019 (July 5-26). The trail was very challenging. New Hampshire and Maine (AT) difficult after the Maine Junction. I did it solo and would consider doing it again, but only tagging along with someone else! Cheers, and welcome to the club.

It looked pretty rough from our perspective too Jon. I'm glad no bones were broken in the making of that vlog series.

Hi Jon Thanks for your review of your LT experience. I would love to experience the challenge of completing the LT. I have the Guthook app all I need is the time. Have a great day and hope to see you on the trail one day ☮️

As a veteran of the LT and many Adirondack hikes, this is good info for others. You may possibly get by with 3 pairs of socks, but some places at certain times are so wet that it would not be out of line to have 6 pair. I would safety pin the socks to the outside of the pack to dry them, but sometimes you get prolonged periods of wet weather that they just won't dry and thus the 6 pair. Fall is cooler with less humidity, but often cold and just as rainy as any other time of year. Yes, we can thank the GMC for their support, but they're often the enemy, along with the Forest Service, in creating the clearcuts at most of the shelters so hikers can get a view from those shelters. It's called vista blight. You are correct about the dangers of the trail. Some sections on Mt. Manfield should be re-rerouted. And daily mileage does take a hit. I averaged only 8 miles a day, but I had the time to do it that way and did not burn out by the end like so many others do.

Good stuff. Bear in mind that 2021, and especially July, was an unusually wet year. There's always some mud and there's always some water on the trail, but this year was exceptional. I've been all over the LT for 35 years and this year was about the worst I've seen in those respects. Makes me wonder where we crossed ways this summer, I was SOBO from 7/20 to 8/8.

I remember researching the trail and reading about the mud and rough terrain thinking that we would be just fine as we hike the white mountains in NH all the time. We were quite shocked with some of the challenges this trail provided for us. I have to go back to finish still as planters fasciitis is still acting up and the long trail did a number on it. I think I will return at a later date once I’m healed as that tampered with the experience for me. I enjoyed following the videos and getting someone’s else views about the trail. We can always learn from each other. Can’t wait to see what you do next.

Thank you for making this video!!!! Honest and realistic. Wish more people did this.

I agree 100% about the trekking poles!!! Mine snapped halfway through. I also had a rude awakening when it came to the elevation. Way more up and down than I expected.

I have thought about doing the Long Trail in a couple years but would definitely not do it in the spring after seeing your video. Late summer early fall would be best and probably waterproof boots and gaiters if I did it earlier

Nice video. Great info. I have section hiked the entire long trail. Section 1 was Rt 4 North to Canada. Section 2 was MA border to Rt 4 while completing my AT thru hike. I'm thinking of a thru hike starting late Aug this year. I had no idea it has 66,000 ft of elevation gain. I just remember it being mostly up north that it went up and down. My son and I got stuck on top of Jay peak for a zero day in the hut because of a rain storm with 60+ mph winds. The lift operators left us there at 10 am and told us we could stay all day but they weren't coming back.

Very well done. There's nothing wrong with saying honestly that you did that but want to go do other things. The Pacific Coast Trail on Vancouver Island has similar challenges, but is much shorter overall and has ocean scenery instead of the green tunnel.

thanks for the tips and love your honesty. usually trail amnesia sets in but you were pretty adamant! No, never again. 😂

Just finished LT two days ago...definately a summer of mud with all the rain and I got bruises on top of bruises. I would definately do it again.

dang sounds like it really is no joke! tentatively planning a thru hike for june and came across this. definitely helpful! howd it compare to the AZT for ya? gonna check out a few of ur trail vids too.

nice Ive done sections from Bennington rt9 area up to Moosalamoo area if anyone has their ham radio license some of us locals monitor 146.52 simplex every half hour on the hour in case anyone has an emergency

Two comments: I was on the long trail doing a day hike and lost my shoe to the mudd. I can't even imagine what I would've done if I didn't have a camp shoe as a back up. Not ideal but the mudd is relentless in areas. Second, the rain is real. Always make sure you have your gear and dry clothes safe regardless of the frogg togs.

Thanks for this, looks like I’m never gonna do the long trail.

Thanks for taking the time to make this video and giving your honest opinion. Just so you know last year was not even close to a normal rain year. I live in Massachusetts and we received nearly 5 X the rain as normal. It was crazy wet. Just wondering are you a western hiker? This terrain is normal for us. Most of my trips take place in the Whites of NH and you are correct there are no switch backs. I don’t think there are any in New England. I plan on doing it this September. Thanks for the heads up on the Duplex. One person said I would be better with a free standing tent. I have both but will go light with the Zpacks. Sorry you had such a lousy time. To be honest given last years terrible weather I think most people would have. Your son and you are pretty bad ass in my book for dealing with that terrible weather. Your better than me, I would have gone home. Then again it’s close to me and I am retired so it’s no big deal. I am using the Long Trail as a shake down to the PCT. I am more interested in the PCT for some of the things you did not like about Vt. The PCT has switch backs, views and not much rain. The AT would be way to much green tunnel for me. I am hoping my body and mind can handle the Long Trail, especially my left knee. Again thanks take care

I'm honestly a little baffled by most of this video. I thru-hiked the Long Trail in August '99, and my experience was 100% the opposite direction. The footbed was dry and hard-packed in most areas, even the Lye Brook region (which is typically a mudfest). I only had one fall of any significance, when I slid on a bit of wet moss on one of the "human fly" portions somewhere up near Hazen's Notch. I had no problem setting 15mi/day as a standard pace, and had a few 18's when I had a shelter gap. I even jogged down from Pico Peak to make the mail cutoff at the Inn, averaging 6mph all the way down. I believe what you're saying, but it just goes to show that the same trail can present itself incredibly differently from year to year. Or maybe it's that my formative backpacking experiences were on the Long Trail, and all of that became my idea of "normal!" Either way, I'll jump at the chance to go back if I ever get it. Meanwhile, you couldn't *pay* me to hike the Fiery Gizzard trail again, down here in TN. A footbed made of mostly tumbled rocks with lots of loose ankle-twisters, and very little elevation change for variety.

Jon Quick question after the AT split how crowded was the remainder of the trail. Did you mostly have shelters to your self’s.

It rains a lot in Vermont, eh? Never mind the weather can be generally variable. Over-heating one day followed by chanking cold the next day? Yeah, Scotland says hold my ale.

Have you done any thru- hikes before? I did the Appalachian trail a couple of years ago, and what you're telling me sounds like most of that trail. I didn't understand why Vermont didn't take care of the trail like other States. I think a lot of that mud could be alleviated with some trail maintenance. I'm hoping to start my hike of the long trail in June. Hopefully I won't be as surprised as you were with the difficulty of it of it.

What dates did you go? Early summer? I've been hearing and reading a lot of recommendations that the best time to hit the LT is in mid to late September to avoid the snow melt.

I'm thinking about doing the long trail how many places where there for you to camp and where you allowed to stealth camp and make he camp fire ?

I’m assuming that you don’t hike in northern New England very often.

I plan on doing this trail with a friend of mine this august. I was wondering what your opinion was about blisters. I dont get them, but my friend does every trail. Do you have any tips to help prevent them?

When exactly was your hike?

Sounds like a nightmare

What were the dates you hiked?

What month did you hiked?

Did you say what month you hiked it? I can't find it.

Hiking in the Green Mts is wet, muddy, hot, and cold with elevation changes? Hmm? Most towns have a high school track you can always walk around.

Wow man…..total buzz kill. Cold, hot, wet, muddy, dangerous and….to top it all off……CHAFING. Sounds like the worst trail in the US. Appreciate the ‘heads up’ - I’ll pass.