Why I'll NEVER hike the Appalachian Trail again...

Why I'll never hike the Appalachian Trail again. Sorry

BIG THREE 🤘

OTHER SLEEPING STUFF 💤

FOOD & WATER 🍴

CLOTHING 👔

ELECTRONICS 🔌

MISCELLANEOUS 🤘

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#AppalachianTrail

[sarag]

Cut forward 20 years from now when Kyle is thru-hiking the AT with his kids and packing a camp chair. 💚

[ScottKent]

As I approach 60 years of age; I've found that it's not really how far I hike that matters, but how I hike the miles. I've started taking more of a marathon training program approach to my hikes (I mean marathon as in the race, not an adjective). I do not allow myself to push mileage or tempo more than 3 days a week and not on back to back days. This sometimes means keeping a close eye on my heartrate as I go up mountains, but forcing myself to stay within certain heartrate zones ensures I can recover to hike further...I've stopped letting the trail dictate to me how I will hike in other words. I've noticed a trend in hikers to push hard and then zero with zero days getting more and more frequent as the hike progresses...I prefer a more casual hike that just keeps going and keeps me on the trail for more days (I keep thinking of a turtle vs. hare analogy here). If my philosophy of hiking means I pack more food and carry a bit more weight, then so be it...I never start a hike looking forward to finishing or with the intent to get back to a town as soon as possible...I go hike to hike and be in the woods. Your mileage may vary...and I actually hope it does :)

[alli]

Your second & third reasons are how I've always viewed hiking in general. I almost never do the same trail twice. You never know how many hikes you have left, and I've always just felt like there's so much out there to see that I want to use every opportunity I have to experience something new.

[stuartb]

I had to go back and re-watch all your previous vids just to find a single reference that you had ever even hiked the AT, you are such a humble and modest chap, no shame in flexing on just how outstanding and super buff you really are!

[phillipp]

Permanent but not serious injuries, or “wear and tear” injuries are really just a part of aging… aging on or off trail. You have to take care of your body differently as you age but you can keep doing whatever you want to keep doing (challenge level is different for all). So your limits are primarily mental and time based (mental/emotionally you need drive, time is what’s needed to take your long, long trails at the pace your body asks).

[driftadvocate]

the birth analogy was priceless! and the opening

[ThethSid]

Definitely identify with the concern for number of thru hikes I have in me. I separated from the military after 9 years due to major arthritic issues in my hips and spine. My doctor likes that I hike (and is a fellow hiker), but warns me that any major long distance hike will seriously advance the time table on my hip replacement and increases likelihood of more serious permanent injuries.

[daisymaisy]

OASIS, my favourite band on 90s ( and im from Manchester UK)❤

[kookkamajunga]

I’m 29 and I’ve had Perthese disease (arthritis) in my hip since I was 9. Permanent nagging pain doesn’t only hurt, but it sets your baseline of stress quite a bit higher. It’s really irritating to be in a little pain all the time. Take care of your body

[Glenbard]

Once you Triple Crown (not “if, ” “when”), you should look at hikes like the Tour du M’ont Blanc and the West Highland Way. Both amazing trails. Both low mileage. Epic (but vastly different) views. Low humidity = night and day from the Southeastern U.S.
There are some awesome trails in Slovakia too but I haven’t done those yet so can’t really speak to them.

[trailname_ziplock]

I relate to number 3. I'm on my 25th national park and would love to go back to some of those but I have 38 still to go!

[kathycasey]

Hey Kyle. I understand, most people don't hike the AT twice. It seems to me though that hikers who aim to crush big miles every day are usually the ones who get injured. Maybe when you're older you can do a very very long hike, but slower. Anyway, good luck on the PCT!

[theamericanhiker]

First 100% expected this to say the red river gorge

[chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

After the Triple Crown you should hike The Single-Year Grid with a Direttissima at each end. What do you say Kyle? You and Flossy can knock this out of the Park. I'm sure Philip can give you some tips.🤔🙄👍

[Self_Proppelled]

You could do it from north to south starting in January. It would be a very different experience. Aquaman is doing just that right now. I't his second time doing the AT.

[isabelledrolet]

Your answer in short: been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Moving on!

[PisgahGravelProject]

Id be willing to hike another trail at a different time of year. Personally, I love winter hiking. Snow, cold temps, and a little bit of extra gear is funner than in the middle of summer, 95degrees. When you are drinking 1+liter per hour and still pissing dark orange, that shit ain't fun at all.

Obviously the shoulder seasons are ideal, I am just saying I'll take winter over the hottest part of the summer any time.

I think hiking the AT nobo, starting in October/November would be ok, for a second time thru hike. If you have already hiked it nobo, you'll have a good idea of what lies ahead.
This plan might not work out as well on the cdt, or pct-although I am sure people have successfully done winter hikes on those trails.

[ludgeisatmcdonalds]

Nice shirt! Sad I’m not gonna be able to see them on their upcoming tour :(. Regarding the actual video content lol, definitely don’t understand why people think you would hike thousands of miles again over months when there’s SO much to hike and see in the world.

[GMiller]

What you need to do now is the smaller hikes. I recommend the West Highland Way in Scotland. Miles are easy but can you handle the midgies and Scottish weather?

[musingwithreba]

I get it! You've already been there done that, and there's so many other trails out there to see and hike last fall I hiked an Entire Provincial Park and people asked if I'd go back and do it again. I said "f#@% no! This is a big big world I'm not going to just keep doing the same thing over and over that's just f#@%ing crazy"

Onward!