What I HATE About Thru-Hiking

Here's the main thing that I actually Hate about Long Distance Hiking, plus some other questions answered.

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[aciavarella]

In a world of nauseating content creators and live love laugh/ gear-bros YouTube hikers, you're a good dude.

[jonallenoutside]

Totally agree on the importance of clean feet. Having a nightly footcare routine can make a trip quite a bit more pleasant. If your feet ain't happy - ain't nobody happy.

[moyashisoba]

To those who would like to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc: Actually the TMB is also doable with tents, very well in fact, you don't have to hike from hut to hut and/or sleep in those. In France "bivouac" (setting up a shelter like a tent) is allowed from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. and there is often a dedicated area near a hut. In Italy wildcamping is strictly forbidden but there are official camp sides around Courmayeur and you are allowed to set up a tent if you are above 2500 meters. In Switzerland there are a lot of official camp sides, wildcamping is strictly forbidden. I hiked the TMB with a tent and never slept in a hut.
If someone is interested in doing some hikes in Western Europe with a tent, I highly recommend the French Alps or the Pyrenees, because you are allowed to 'bivouac' in most of the areas. There are a lot of great trails.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Darwin. I love your documentaries, the one about the Himalayas will be awesome as well, I'm sure (one day I will hike the AZT, just because of "Through The Great Southwest" 😍).

[ericb]

I ran one marathon years ago. Mostly to prove to myself that I could do it. And I felt amazing crossing the line. Then I signed up again the next year. And I trained hard for it. Every single day I was doing something to prepare. And I enjoyed it at first. But the closer I got to the race, the less I wanted to do it.

During the race, I got to mile 22 and just thought to myself, why am I doing this again?! I didn't hit a physical or mental wall. I just didn't want to do it anymore. I did finish and improve my time. But after that I took a good break.

I still run. But only 2-3 miles, three times a week. And it made me love it again after my break. I just realized I was overdoing it. And by stepping back, it made me appreciate it again.

[domo]

Love your honesty Darwin. I totally agree re mundanety. I've been through periods of sticking around a trail town campsite for days with zero motivation and my tent began to feel like a prison. I didn't look after myself, didn't eat properly, maybe had a few too many beers and just kinda entered a downward spiral almost into some kind of depressive state. But it's amazing how a shower, good food, rehydration and maybe even a shave and a haircut then hitting the trail again soon reminds me of why we love doing this. It's getting stuck in an inactive rut that I have to watch out for.

I've discovered a new-found fascination with history, so when the trail in Cyprus wasn't doing it for me, I spent a TON of time visiting historical sites. Now, my hikes are richer than ever by diversifying the hike from being just 'a hike'. And when I am stuck in my tent, I enjoy history podcasts as well now. So diversification really helps keep the fires burning.

[yadinhershkoviz]

I did the TMB exclusively with a tent, many camping options on the tmb, it's like a refuge just they give you a spot to pitch your tent.
You can shower, do laundry, buy food.
It's great and much prefer my privacy and I can't sleep next to heavy snoring.

[jeppej]

In case you're interested in wild camping I welcome you to travel here into North Europe. In Finland we have multiple National parks with large wildernes areas. Usually there are some marked trails and then larger wilderness area. Similar places are also across the border in Sweden and Norway. And when it comes to navigation, what could be more fun than good 'ol map and compas. Not knowing the exact location and using surroundings, elevation etc. together with the map is part of the experience imho. Gps is still a good backup and a safetynet though.

[edmolash]

Right on. One of big secrets of thru-hiking is that, after a while on the trail, it gets boring AF. It gets to the point where the obstacles - blisters, dysentery, blowdowns, fire detours, shitty weather, etc. becomes the most interesting parts of the process. Nowadays I limit backpacking trips to no more than 5 days. That way it stays fresh and interesting. The end is always in sight.

[susietopspin]

I have the Onx Backcountry app and was disappointed they don’t show water sources. It’s such an important feature. From what I can see FarOut is the only app that has this noted on their trails. I did call and recommend this as a function on the app. As for feet I’m a big advocate for NOT wearing socks to sleep. During colder months I have the EE booties if required but I think feet need to breath when not hiking. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[FreddyEnergizer]

I do not really have that mundane thingy on a thru hike :) my mind is working a bit weird I guess :D ( thanks for the nice video again Darwin and teaching me a new word (mundane)) edit extra what I hate most on the trails are all those goals my fellow hikers are setting for them self's Have to make the miles have to be there, no time to talk, o wow good view no picture, its a race, Fastest know time, have to do every inch of this trail, etc etc etc I know why they do it, and it makes me sad (I hate to feel sad) because I know how it can and should be if they let that ego go and just treat it like a holiday and that it is not about the miles or the end or the goal. They will get that Mundane thingy :)

[dadassery]

It’s cool, i feel like we had a similar arch with our passions in adventuring. Your videos have been a huge help through the years, and I’m glad you’re back. Thanks dude

[kerrywilliams]

Probably one of the best videos you have done in a while. Thank you for keeping things real.

[MikeRiggsAdventures]

Great video after 100 days on the PCT this year the mental game started to grind me down and the slog started. After dodging fires I have taken some time off to be with my wife and family. It has been a nice break. I wanted a continuous foot path but I also wanted to prioritize having fun. Part of the having fun mind set was learned from what you’ve communicated about your hikes. I’m looking forward to getting back on Trail next week and I’ll push as far as I can, but I’m gonna make damn sure I’m having fun while I’m on the trail even though it might be a little bit of type two now and then, hopefully not too much type three 🤣. Take it easy and thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Karen-dqnw]

You don't have to finish what you started. That's a Puritanical approach to what should be enjoyment. If it's not fun, why keep going? To each their own!

[myarustad]

This was such a helpful video. Being a newbie to thru hiking and finishing a month on the PCT it’s been a real struggle to get out of the post hike funk. Always wanting to do nothing more than to get back out there. I’m glad I fell in love with it but this helps to quiet that inner voice and just enjoy planning the next outing.

[JoshExmoor]

I would recommend the book "Fixing Your Feet" to anyone looking to do any long-distance activity likely to cause foot issues. The book is a bit exhaustive (which can be exhausting), but my big takeaway was that there are a ton of factors that can cause foot issues and just being aware of them can be extremely helpful to guiding your actions and equipment choices. Washing your feet is an excellent one though and you even see elite ultrarunners taking the time to quickly clean their feet in the middle of races even when every second matters.

[fluxgame]

Really interesting to hear your take on the mundanity of thru-hikes. I started following your channel a few years back while thinking wistfully about my thru of the AT in ‘00 and daydreaming about hiking the PCT. A big part of that desire stems from the simplicity of waking up every day and knowing exactly what you’re going to do. In my head, I was too young to appreciate it for what it was at the time and imagine that I’d be able to now, but perhaps you’re right and the mundane is mundane no matter what. I still have hopes of filling out the triple crown someday, but you’ve given me some food for thought!

[benhiking]

Love your content, man! Inspired by the authenticity and passion for the outdoors. Love my Ranger pack and looking forward to working it into my section-hiking rhythms.

[michaelb]

I take the foot care one step further (see what I did there); I clean my feet at least twice per day if water sources allow it. I also rinse out my socks and switch between my two pairs of socks daily. I think soaking my feet in cold water helps by cooling them down in addition to cleaning them.

[tonypage]

You can definitely camp on the TMB as I have done, there are actual paid campsites, wild camping in some areas or camping outside the refuges. Many people camp because booking the refuges can be impossible in the summer, due to popularity.