Evan’s Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike: Full Documentary

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Now, about THIS video—

On April 21, 2018, I set out on a thru-hike of the 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail. This video is a full-length documentary of my thru-hike from start to finish. It's drawn from my 41 other videos about my thru-hike. My reflections on my thru-hike can be found not here on YouTube, but on Instagram at my account @Backpacker_Comics. Follow me there!

Making appearances in this video: Liz Kidder, Luke Gaudreau, Lydia Schaeffer, Janet Hensley (Ms. Janet), Odie Norman, and many thru-hikers from the Class of 2018, including Yelp, P-1, Peach, Smoky, Denny, Griz, EZ, Shield Maiden, Trailblazer, Big Tuna, Miss Roberts, Poppins, Peanut, Ginger Balls, Mountain Goat, Buckles, ToolTime, Happy Feet, Bob Gnarley, Stumbles, Outlaw the ridgerunner.

Thanks also to the many hikers who agreed to appear in my other AT videos but who couldn't be included in this video because of space, including Joyful Rambler, GrizzleGear, and Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Wheezie & Duck.

Some YouTube channels make appearances too: Hike & Tell, IBTAT, Hike Hunter, Loner2012AT, and (in the Harpers Ferry Section), Scoutmaster, Jake Hikes, Amanda Bess, Sleeves, BateBolt Productions (Pit Boss and Play by Play), Bruce Matson, and Fight for Together (the Crawfords).

The trail lore I talk about in these videos is derived from my reading about the AT. A full bibliography is given in the description to the first video in this series (AT #1).

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****WHAT I DO WHEN I'M NOT BACKPACKING****

****CAMERA EQUIPMENT AND EDITING SOFTWARE*****

Filmed with an iPhone 7 Plus at 30fps and 720p. The original 41 videos were edited on my iPhone with LumaFusion. This re-edited mash-up was edited on a computer using Cyberlink PowerDirector 14.

**** MY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: MY DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS (SOME FROM THE TRAIL) ****

AND

****MUSIC****

All music in this video was produced by me, Evan Schaeffer; much of it was composed, arranged, and performed by me as well.

Some of the songs that were used in this video that are available on iTunes, Spotify, and/or SoundCloud are Whigg Meadow (12:15); Graze (19:52); Roll (23:00), Sisyphus (40:00) and Daisy Town (1:29).

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[daveshea]

I'm an 80 year old guy who has dreamed of walking the trail but as life and health get in the way was not able to do it myself. However Evan, because of you " Racoon1" has made the trip and dream come true! If I'm ever in Nashville I would like to shake your hand and buy you a beer!! Thanks and God Bless!!

[newhampshirejoe]

Congratulations to all of I'm 70 and I lived this trip through your eyes...and I thank you for that

[rhondaweaver]

At 65, I dream of walking around my block. Thank you for giving me an experience I will never have. Love...

[Jillousa]

My 88-year-old uncle once had a dream to hike the Appalachian trail but he never got around to it. I went to visit him and he lived near boiling springs and I expressed interest in the trail to him. Wanted to go take pictures of the trail etc but was surprised that he asked me to hike it with him. He had never been on the trail after all the years of living near it and thinking about it. We did 3.5 mi and I know that's not much but it was a huge accomplishment for an 88-year-old! I decided I want to go back to that same spot and hike it when I turn 88!! I was excited that my first person that I met on the trail was a through hiker. Inspired and so many ways

[crystalp]

When I first started watching, I thought “there’s no way I’m watching this whole video”. 30 min in and I’m hooked. Great video. I love hiking and this has got me really interested in attempting the AT.

[funnyanimalshorts]

Six thousand years from now, when anthropologists are trying to recreate the appalachian trail, this video is found on a half destroyed youtube server somehow preserved in the ash from yellowstone's eruption. It had been 5500 years since the first alien invasion, 2900 yrs since the eighth intergalactic war, and 1500 yrs since we found intelligent species in a galaxy other than our own, yet this is considered the greatest archeological find in hundreds of years.

[gregoutdoors]

Watching this video is like reading a good book. I enjoyed it so much and then it had to end. Thank you for taking me along with you. :)

[barbarabell]

Who knew that someone from the future 2025 would be watching this video! Well they are and it's me! I am thoroughly enjoying the video. Thank you for having made it to share with others😊

[randiserrano]

My husband and I, who love to hike and dream of hiking the AP but knowing we aren’t in the right shape, just watched your entire video and it wasn’t the first time I’ve watched it. My mom passed away 2 years ago and while she was sick, on hospice my dad and I would set by her in the living room and watch AT videos, I always thought yours was one of the best, and Handstand! I cried as you reached the summit to Mt Katahdin. Congrats!

[songmin]

Thank you... I can't do what you did. I am a person with a wheelchair because your video I feel like I been the AT Thru....Thank you

[stevec-b]

I just watched this again after 3 years or so, and it made me smile just as much. I am retired now, and still hiking. NEVER GIVE IN! Thanks again for the inspiration.

[jahshoewa]

Evan, this has been one of the better videos of the AT that I have seen.

[cynthiabustos]

As someone who is not a backpacker/hiker I can say this made me want to be more in touch with myself and nature. its made me want to challenge my mind and body. I really needed to see how much this world has to offer outside of my every day to day life. Thank for making this video and congratulations!

[danajohnson]

My daughter, Jillian Buckets, was on trail with you, she only made the 1/4 way mark. I am thankful for your video. Seeing the orange tag and the 1/4 way sign meant the world to me.... for more reasons than you can know. Thankful to see the paths she wish she could have made it to "K". Her tramily "Scatter" and "Valc" carried her bucket to Katadin ❤ so glad I stumbled upon your video.

[avoshea]

So I just turned 60. I hiked parts of the trail when I was younger and when getting off it after a weekend of hiking to return to my 9-5 M-F job I swore one day I would do the whole trail. This video has reignited in my a desire to do that. I will keep you posted.

[dansolano]

I just binged watched the whole video in one sitting. Never thought i would enjoy more than an hour youtube video. This was so raw and inspiring!

[mikesnyder]

Standing ovation! Congratulations on finishing this arduous journey and many thanks for sharing your thoughts and scenery with us flatlanders. Truly an astounding accomplishment and I wish you many more miles of happy wandering!

[kristenk]

The look on Yelp's face when he talks about his Dad and then on the last day when he says let's do it together. Tears. . .thank you so much for taking us all on this adventure with you. I didn't want to say goodbye to you guys. I can't imagine what it must have been like to go your separate ways. Lovely, true friendships ❤️

[winstonbrooks]

Thank you and Congrats. In my 20's I hiked the John Muir Trail, and always wanted to do the
AT. I'm 77 now, have a Alum Walker, needless to say, I'm stuck on the beach in Florida. Thru your camera, I got a good idea of what you saw. I'm forever greatfull. Best wishes to you and yours, remember "Get outside, Be Happy!" Brooks out.

[leonardorubio]

Being stuck in my apartment through this pandemic craziness when I so love and long the outdoors is very difficult mentally, physically and spiritually. Through your experience I was taken out of this box and transported to a journey that is so beautiful because it is so raw and difficult. God bless you for putting fresh air back into my lungs through your cellphone camera. I am truly grateful and I hope to see more of your videos soon my man!