If I hiked the AT again I would go much slower, swim whenever I could, and linger at every mountain top.

@mverick160

4 жыл бұрын

First time was a race. Missed a lot. Next time will be a walk in the woods to enjoy.

@kriseikenbery112

3 жыл бұрын

Looking to do a section hike on the AT this summer. Thanks for the good info.

@TheMidnightModder

Жыл бұрын

I'm taking this information with me on my '23 thru hike of the AT. Thank you!

@adamproject9034

3 ай бұрын

Agreed

Hey, we have the same Katahdin summit date! My big things I would change were: 1: Save more money. I thought I wouldn’t need $1000 a month. I was wrong, and my parents are very generous people. 2: EARPLUGS. Keep the snorers and creepy twig snaps at bay. 3: Don’t stress too much about weight. The 45 lbs I lost over the course of the trail made way more of a difference than cutting my toothbrush in half. 4: DON’T COMPARE YOUR PACE TO OTHERS. I spent way too much time worrying about always being the last one at camp. It doesn’t matter. It’s not a race. Your tramily’s not going anywhere. Just enjoy everything.

@Mtnsunshine

5 жыл бұрын

tofu farmer Excellent points!

@soaringeagleoutdoors

5 жыл бұрын

Well said. I agree

@professorsogol5824

5 жыл бұрын

So true about the tooth brush. They say the easiest way to get a bike that weights 1 kg less is to lose 1 kg off your gut.

@tenfourproductionsllc

5 жыл бұрын

$1,000 a month?? How many days did you take off the trail and/or did you eat the highly overpriced hiker food like those Mountain choice meals that cost $5 a piece for just 500 calories a shot. I bicycle toured but was able to do it for $10 a day including 2 days at a hotel over a month period.

@alexpearson7693

5 жыл бұрын

I’m attempting the grail with 2500 on April 21

you SHOULD consider doing another AT thruhike!!! With your acquired experience since your first thruhike on the AT you have learned SO MUCH that doing the AT a second time would be so much more pleasurable than the first time...and I know what Im talking about...You are now a celebrity with a LOT of followers who would love to see you do a second thruhike of the AT which, in all honesty, propelled you to the status that you now hold. The second time around is SO MUCH more fun and fulfilling even if the climbing of Katahdin is somewhat anti-climatic as it was for you the first time you succeeded. If there are followers of Diuxie who would love to see her do the AT again then please hit the like button here!!!!!!!!

We pack our fears. Wow. So true.

@OneEyeHikes

5 жыл бұрын

This is an awesome statement! I’ve never heard it put that way! Leave it to Dixie! Southern wisdom!!!

@ellenarchambault8526

5 жыл бұрын

Timothy Mason yes sir. Have to appreciate the wisdom. I pack coffee.

@ellenarchambault8526

5 жыл бұрын

Coffee keeps me managed through long overnight shifts as a nurse. Tried to quit but my coworkers didn't deserve the grouchy snit behaviour.

@Ice-Fall

5 жыл бұрын

Watching this vid, I referenced the time mark of that statement, and guess what, it is the first comment I see! Ellen, your comment should be pinned!

@dpalombo983

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. It is a very profound statement. Mine must be cold and darkness bc I overpack for heat and light - multiple lights, more replacement batteries, matches, lighters & fire-starters! lol

Try the "John Muir" menu on a long hike- french bread, oatmeal, dried fruit, dried vegetable soups, salami, cheese, and tea with a bit of sugar. Light and sustaining.

We start packing with "cheaper", and "heavier" equipment normally. But it's nice to have an idea of what others found useful, even if it is more expensive. You invest in what you love and/or enjoy. Some will hike, and give it up. Others will get drawn in, and have a life long hobby. For them, they will enjoy the information of a seasoned veteran. Thanks for the info! And Merry Christmas! And to those that want to correct the Southern pronunciation, please remember: though the "South" is connected on the map, it's a different country. It would be the same as telling the English, or Australians how to speak. Be respectful, embrace our differences, and just don't do it.

Your videos are SO HELPFUL and informative. Thank you, Dixie!!

Thank you Dixie and Merry Christmas!

Dixie, so glad that you have made all the videos that you have done for those of us that are thinking or like me planning a thru hike of the AT next spring it’s nice to know as a solo woman how to plan and other advice ...

That's inspiring! And that golden light at the end of the video added some magical vibes! Beautiful!

We pack our fears. How very true. Dixie, I started watching your vids over a year ago. You were part of the inspiration for me to do a 2019 thru hike of the AT. Thanks so much for the work you put into your vids. I will carry the knowledge you've shared, hopefully, from Amicalola falls to Katahdin. I'm going to go through my gear again and see if I can leave my fears behind. Smiles and much Love from northern Ohio

Excellent video. Thanks for taking a look at this. I look forward to the time when you do the AT again.

I love how much you loved your dog. It speaks to your beautiful soul!

Looks like you had a great year, Dixie. Merry Christmas!

I’ve been watching your channel since right after you finished the AT and it’s been amazing seeing how much you’ve learned and grown as a hiker.

Thanks you continue to educate and provide valuable info and it is much appreciated.

Great information Dixie, Merry Christmas

Very useful information and appreciate these types of vids. Thanks for sharing

Food ideas are always helpful! MERRY CHRISTMAS Dixie, Aaron, Perk and all your hiker friends :)

The trail gear review was very interesting. I have followed you, Dixie, frow day one on the AT thru the CDT and the PCT. Your knowledge is invaluable to future hikers. Thanks for sharing. P.S. As the video progresses the sun position gradually changed and you looked absolutely radiant at the end. An angelic glow. You are such a truly nice person.

Thank you for this video and I really do hope to see you again on the Appalachian Trail for a second thru-hike

Thanks Dixie - more of your good info is always a good thing!!!

Hello Dixie, you are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing. You presented the information extremely well. Always be be safe out there on the trail and always have too much fun. 🤗

Love all,the info! Excellent suggestions delivered quickly with no fuss...excellent delivery. Healthy food ideas for the trail, great concept, wow! YES!DO IT

jeez, didn't realize ive been watching your videos for that long now...thanks for the insight and info!

Thanks Jessica! This info is golden!

Thank you for another great and informative video. Galen

Love your videos Dixie, have a great holiday.

Thanks for posting. I appreciate the advice.

Nice to hear about this. I am hoping to do some sections of the AT in the coming year. I still need to switch out my pack for a lighter one, but I so love my BA Copper Spur UL2 that I will probably keep it. Being from CA and the JMT, I have not done much wet weather hiking and camping. In the Sierra, the sun came out most mornings to dry things out - so I am spoiled and a bit worried about having to pack up a wet tent in the rain, and then have to sleep in the same wet tent the next evening. Thanks for the videos, and Merry Christmas.

Hey Dixie! Merry Christmas! I'd love to see you do a series on dehydrating food/making your own backpacking meal packs. I'm thinking of trying that for the PCT.

Thanks for the great info...your through hike videos helped me prep for my section hike from Springer to newfound gap...thanks again.

Just REALLY excellent content. Thanks for sharing 👍👍👍

Thanks Dixie, very timely video for me. I'll be starting my attempt in Feb. Really appreciate the info. Thank you

Very interesting!!! Thank you for all information!

Great video. Thanks for all the great information.

Great video, very practical info, thanks👍

Hi Dixie. I section hike the AT in 1976 . We were in shanandoa National Park. We left from the Dundo group site and did 22 miles. It was one of the best times of my life. But you can imagine the difference in gear back then. I love your channel. Stay safe, Karl.

Eating better foods is always a good idea and ANY discussion/video abbout that would be great just to broaden the many options. I like how you state that everyone's gear choices are up to their own preference. (To each their own). Another thing i've always admired about your ever evolving kit is that you have kept using that old aluminum grease pot...it's your sentimental link to the past I suppose. I think it's great that you carried it on all three trails! Wishing you the best Dixie! Happy Holidays to you and your family and to anyone else that might read this!

Great video Dixie. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Definitely interested in videos on healthier eating on the ttail.

Wonderful advice. Thanks. Appreciate it.

Good info! I'd love to see some videos about food prep and pre-prep.. i plan to (eventually) get a freeze dryer... you can freeze dry anything your little heart desires to take on a hike..

Great videos, thanks for sharing.

Very good info, thankyou!

So much good information in this video, Dixie. Really helpful. I was thinking 2L of water was overkill for the Smokies... and those neoprene socks are a *must* in slushy snow IMHO.

Thanks Dixie!

Advice on types and amounts of food to pack , most helpful. Equipment concerns addressed in this video are shared by many. I've been using a one person tent and a 25 degree bag, inadequate in both cases. Good recommendations. Thanks

Another great video with valuable information. Thank you for your continued work to post!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS

@reverenddavidwalker4206

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. Merry Christmas

@HomemadeWanderlust

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching-Merry Christmas!

very good info. thank you. Merry Christmas too you and your family. also too Perk and Aaron.

Another video that's going to be viewed and reviewed. I really enjoy your analytical side. Watching your evolution has been fun, and hearing your thoughts about that same evolution is valuable, even when I may differ with your gear choices. I'd love to see you retry a hammock setup, this time with good gear from reputable vendors. That would be a ball to watch.

Thank you for this comprehensive and detailed video. It is very insightful and thoughtfully made. Your disclaimer at the end about this video is well suited and grounds the experience and journey well for others

Dixie, love you videos! Yes, please, it would be great to watch you explore eating better on the trail.

Thanks for the great advice.

The ol' lookin' back game,eh??..... As you had done , being new to the game,from first trail until the finish of the last, it's the experience of learning, all the while being challenged by the elements of the trail.. The how to's,,and why and what for's, are what makes me want to "go where I have never gone before"....from the outside ,watching you approach obstacles unknown,was what makes these videos fun and exciting to watch..........Knowing what to expect would be like reading a book from the end to the beginning,, kinda takes the thrill out of doing it at all......going on the same trails,doing the same things, for me,just takes some of the fire out of the experience of being on an adventure............So many new trails and places to explore and see ..........and so little time......do it while you can because life tends to get in the way......How many of your own lines can you cross before it becomes a circle??.............Unless ,maybe you can become a gear tester with pay.................Stay Safe and God Bless..........

These are great tips and information on how you would do things different. My boyfriend is getting ready to do the AT in 2020 and has been ensuring he has the gear he feels comfortable with to ensure no issues. He is a fan and supporter or your channel too. I am sure he will like the backpack info as he just purchased a Osprey himself. Good to know about the rain soaking the bag.

Let's go for round 2!

The light peaking through at the end, was very flattering on you.

I liked what you were saying about healthier eating options. I'd love to hear more ideas about that!

DIXIE, i have so enjoyed all your videos. i am no longer able to do the great outdoors as many health problems have over taken me but at 73 i have done my share mostly in the West. you make me smile is what i want to say. thanks for sharing Keep on the great stuff you do, and LOVE of the great outdoors, Rob in the NW USA,

Hey Dixie, will you have similar retrospectives on your PCT and CDT hikes? I want to add that I recently binge-watched your CDT vlog. Great stuff and it inspired me to get outside more. Aaron's production is fantastic. What's next for you in 2019? As a side note, far more people have summited Everest than hiked the Triple Crown.

Left the trail to go home due to a sick dog ... you are my kind of people!

Great tips and your gear review was enlightening. When hiking, I tend to add a fleece liner to my sleeping bag. Keeps you toasty even when wet, though best not to, as fleece gets very heavy. I make my own summer fleece sheet liner for summer, and use polar fleece as the temps drop. Well worth the added ounces.

Hi Dixie, I have learned so much from your experience, I do a lot of long range kayaking, I started out heavy, but following your gear picks has really lightened the load. I am very interested in the food area, so healthy eating video would be great. I want to start videoing my trips. Thanks for the entertainment and knowledge!

Merry Christmas Dixie! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and a happy, healthy 2019! xoxo

No dry stretches on the AT in PA this year! Enjoyed your video as usual. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Thanks for taking the time to reflect back on the AT! I would love to see more healthy eating and possible foraging, but in the case of survival whatever you can find in the towns that also looks appetizing/affordable/healthy is a probably a challenge. Don't deny yourself your snickers though ; )

Thank you as always for your generous sharing of information! Regarding healthy food....we purchased several books and combined ideas. We pre-cooked all our meals and dehydrated. It took just ten days and we created 315 breakfasts, lunches and dinners for two for six months....we gave boxes to friends and family and they will be sent to us. The good weighed in at one pound per person per day and approximately two thousand calories. We figure that we have the basics covered, clean, healthy food and when we pick up we can always grab special foods we're craving. We leave May 30th for Maine, SOBO. Will keep you posted.

LOVE your cnnection to the AT!!!!

Great suggestions\passing on of knowledge gained. Thank you.

Hi Dixie a dehydrated video would be great to see, thanks again for all your videos look forward to the next one.

Hey Dixie! I would love to see a video about healthier food options on trail. Although I still eat some sugar I'm pretty intolerant of it, and I'm mostly gluten free for the same reason. PLUS, I only eat fish, no chicken or red meat! Since I'm planning on hiking the PCT in 2020 I'm actually kind of nervous about my food options, especially since I really don't want to be a slave to every single post office on trail and want to keep the number of boxes I send myself to a minimum. Thanks and looking forward to your future videos!

I'm the exact opposite about tents. All of the poles and whatnot make me anxious but the single trekking pole for my Luna Solo feels perfect.

Yes. I would love to see videos about healthy eating and dehydrating foods.

I love love love your drawl.

@64maxpower

4 жыл бұрын

And not to make you self conscious , it's just enough. I only notice it because I am from New Jersey. I enjoy your channel. I have a desire to do big hikes and your experience helps others. I never thought about it being dangerous until I watched your videos. It's important to be prepared

Thanks for posting, Jessica. Yay! Anyone ever hear of The Hiking Hilton (The 1st edition of a NorthFace full dome) vs Chinese Hiking Hilton? Yeah, quality was the difference when one gets soaked in the winter rains on trail without proper seam sealing/ siliconing overall. Of course, process engineering evolves that bug... Hope to see more before the year ends... Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!!

Very informative!

Hey Country's BBQ! Love it! Thanks for the great video. You are a great Southern lady and an example to all.

Yes! Interested in healthy trail food! Keep up the good work, Meg aka. Tic Tac

Dixie, this was a very great video and I was laughing to myself at every comment you said and it is so true. I haven't watched your PCT or CDT but I will over the winter. My friends and I are going to the AT kickoff and then doing a fun hike from approach to Franklin. We are also going to be doing any Q&A at each shelter too. You should come along with your friends with us 3 Canucks. Cold weather hikng. Then I flip to Katahdin 22 June 19 to go SOBO. Happy Trails eh.

Love your videos and would love to see ideas for healthy eating!

Very much interested in future videos about healthier eating on trail. I look forward to those videos!

@dx5018

5 жыл бұрын

I second that

@herranton

5 жыл бұрын

@@dx5018 What is healthy really depends on what you are doing. You need to take in enough calories to cover all of the exertion that you are doing while hiking. Things like the mountain house meals or knorrs stuff is pretty health considering the activity. Even the excess salt is probably a good thing consitering all the sweating people do. I think you would want to consult a nutritionist that specializes in active lifestyles before you would try taking a "healthy" diet on a trail. It could get dangerous.

@ssijon

5 жыл бұрын

@@herranton exactly. calories calories!

@dx5018

5 жыл бұрын

@@herranton thanks ☺ I sm interested what Dixie was eating once she couldn't stand this instant food anymore. If she was carrying berries, apples, avocadoes and so forth. You are right, calories are important 🌽🍌🥑

@ShellyBnINDY

4 жыл бұрын

Me, too! Subscribed today!

Hi Dixie, I want to tell you about dry deer meat or jerky. I have been making and eating that stuff for years. It’s a great source of organic energy. Seems like the meat is really dense and stays with you for a long time. It’s a great trail food. Merry Christmas to you and to all the hikers out there !! 🚶🏼‍♂️🚶‍♀️🎄

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and yes, would love to hear your ideas re healthier food.

Thanks for the good info. :)

Would love to see you expand on the healthy eating and food prep. Great video.

8:47 I got chills and a little choked up when I saw. ..it. ❤someday. Avid section hiker now due to work but SOMEDAY! --Hardrock

Hey Dixie, love your videos. It would be really great to see you thru the AT again because I feel like it was not as well documented. Also, I wonder what your perspective would be compared to your first go around. I watched your rant on one thing leading to another if you were to do it again and your interest on other hikes so I understand if you are looking forward to the next new adventure. I just dont see much content on second thru hikes from triple crowners the way you present your content. Hike on, love your vids.

Lots of good tips here, thanks. Neoprene booties ? sounds good for cold conditions. umbrella avoids humidity, noise, ect due to hood. beef jerky, black choc gives good energy. I have a small PLB (personal locator beacon) by ResQlink which floats . I also used the garmin GPSmap 64 which has preloaded topo maps (down to 40m contours) while backcountry nordic skiing in Aus. Very useful in fog, or when you are tired and not sure where you are on the map. I like space in a tent, so I have the Big agnes Copper spur UL2 (1.3 kg without footprint) which is very roomy and self-standing. I like ease of cooking and being able to cook at altitude/wind so I got a MSR windburner. Pricey but you save on fuel because of its efficiency and I often use it in the tent, with an MSR plate as a base to stabilise it .

hey dixie! i hope all is well. is there any way youd be able to do a video about laundry on the trails?? like what you wear while doing it, how you find quarters, sharing machines etc.?? Have an awesome christmas!

Hey Dixie, please don't take offense but this is my favorite video that you've done. it's really important for people to understand the value of what they eat on the trail not only because it's healthier for you, sometimes it's part of the mental also and just choking down ding dongs doesn't really do much for your mental health. when a nice warm meal after a hard day can do so much for you. And that goes for the sleeping pad also it's not always about getting that weight down but it's not always about going cheap I think there's a real balance between budget and the reality of what is needed. a lot of people start out thinking they're going to tough it,, but the trail will beat you down if you come into it with that mentality. The other stuff you talked about as far as technology goes i really know for a fact that it just makes life easier. we live in a technological advance world why not take advantage of it. as some of it is heavier than just carrying a map and compass, but there's a lot of value to it. hey , I just think this was really a valuable video that you put out and I think a lot of people would benefit from you doing something about healthier food's, it's not just what the menu is but it's also when do you need those proteins or carbs. They are tools.. when should you eat a pasta meal? It's good to know that usage of that tool ... you know sometimes you need to eat that heavy meal before going to bed so that you can keep warm especially when you're in the higher elevations lower elevations you can probably get away with that lower calorie content .. there's just so much to it that you're not going to get until after you've traveled a lot of miles. so anyway just wanted you to know really appreciate the video. Part of the fun of short trips is the fact that you can throw some grub in an go. My personal belief is anything past a week needs real thought to the body's needs and what kinda trip I'm working

Feel like I am back visiting in east tennessee with my family listening to you speak.

You absolutely should!!!!..it is sooooo much better the second time around!!!! Trust me, I know!..Its so much better that I am going to see if the third time is better than the first two starting 32 days from now...when the weather has, more or less, "broken"..the "race" for shelters and campsites is not a concern and there are still enuff beginning thru-hikers to enjoy the trail with while not feeling that I'm walking among the crowd on the streets of NYC at lunchtime!!!...

Kinda miss Hank peein' on stuff in the background.

@HomemadeWanderlust

5 жыл бұрын

Jim Cook Okayyy, I’ll let him back out when I record 😊😉

YES!!! Would love to see how to eat healthier on the trail!!!!! Also could you do a video on the whole mailing yourself stuff in towns? No idea how to go about that! Lol and maybe include how to plan as far as knowing when/where you can go into a town?👍😁😉😁😉

@capnjack4341

3 жыл бұрын

I too would like some guidance on mailing stuff to myself.

Just noticed... War Eagle Dixie! Great videos and thank you for sharing!

I really hope you do go back and hike the AT again. Since it was your first through hike and everything was so new, and you were just learning, it would be interesting to see your perspective from seasoned hiker eyes. And I think that’s still my favorite because I live in VA and I just love the greenery and woods. 🌳🌲🌳🌲

Love the sharing of healthier meals. Do share. I also find that adding electrolytes to the final cup of water for the day, helps to balance out any muscle soreness or possible dehydration, even if ever so slight.

The first time I was on the AT, used a Canvas tent that probably weighed more then my whole pack with food now. Especially after a rain. LOL Now, Zpacks Duplex. I like hiking with someone as a team to spread some weight. One GF was a close sleeper with me. So we used a Zpacks dual quilt. Same tent. Same cookstove. If she was cold, she always was, she got a base layer I didn't need and sleeping together kept us warmer. Used same firstaid kit. One phone. Overall it really saved a lot of weight. I still carried big things like tent and quilt. But she carried little things like cook kit and inflatable mats. Easier on us both and got our speeds of hiking more even.

Really appreciate this video. Thank you. In looking at your AT gear list to find out the size of your Osprey pack, I scrolled through the rest and found your undergarment section. I LOVE the exofficio underwear. In fact, for this summer's bike packing trip I bought a pair of men's Give-N-Go boxers and used them as my sleep shorts. If the fabric is good enough to sweat in all day, rinse and dry by morning then I figured they would serve well for sleeping too, with the boxers being loose enough to allow for natural air flow. They worked like a champ and I highly recommend them for the ladies. We also found a clothes line worked well for our bike trip. It stuffed into a sack about the size of an egg. Any use for that on the AT??? Thanks Dixie.

I like to eat a low carb diet in my regular day to day life and would love to see some ideas about doing that on the trail as well. I always enjoy your videos thanks for the inspiration.