Follow along as I adventure through the great outdoors! These videos chronicle my travels from long thru-hikes across countries to short day hikes and adventures. And I'd be happy to answer any questions for prospective hikers.
Born and raised in Michigan, I left my home state following university to work as a civil engineer in Wisconsin. After five years I'd grown tired of the office life and was ready for a change. And so I quit my job, bid farewell to Wisconsin, and never looked back. Since then I have traveled the world from South Africa to New Zealand, hiking across countries, working seasonal jobs, and having amazing adventures!
Highlights of my exploits include thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and walking across New Zealand on Te Araroa. Other highlights include the Superior Hiking Trail, trekking to the second tallest waterfall in the world in South Africa, and crossing the Grand Canyon!
For more, check out my blog at astraylife.com (link below)
Пікірлер
Ur vids r by far the most captivating funny and informative iv watched. Thankyou for sharing your journey
Thank you! I really appreciate that! I did my best to showcase all aspects of the TA experience
Thanks for the great vid. Clear, informative n simple. The undies part 👀 woah lol
Haha thank you! Gotta make sure I keep viewers attention 🤣
How long did it take you?
I had an aggressive goal and wanted to finish in two weeks...this was a mistake. I hiked over 200 miles over 11 days and then had to stop. I returned to the trail later and finished the remaining miles in 3 days. So Two weeks total...however, if I were to do it again or recommend a timeframe for someone else, I'd say give yourself 3 weeks or more.
You have such a nice and happy vibe. Love the video
Why thank you, I really appreciate that! 😀
Fruity 👁️👄👁️
I love Red Rock! I hike there every time I go to Vegas. If you have never checked out Valley of Fire State Park or Zion NP, I highly recommend.
Yes! We did those parks too! Red rock, Death Valley, Zion, and ended with Valley of Fire
@@astraylife I did a rim to rim hike of the Grand Canyon from south to North in 2007 it was fantastic
That’s awesome! My first backpacking experience was a rim to rim to rim in Dec 2016. Made me want to hike the AT afterwards so two months later I was on my first thru hike
Now I know this is the actual birth of No No Square 😌 The Boys (mostly Juicy) just gave it more lyrics and rhythm and made it even more popular. Although, there a people (including me, until now) thought that they are the ones who made it- I apologise that I thought The Boys created No No Square
No idea where it originated from actually. A friend taught me the song in school so it’s been around even longer than this video!
That's really Montreal? 😮
Yeah! It’s one of the best gardens I’ve been to
Hey there, came across your series on the SHT and thought you looked familiar. We met early on your first attempt somewhere north of Martin RD. I was sitting in my Helinox chair having a lunch just finishing a southbound trip on the trail. You walked up and we ended up chatting for a few, then you took your pack off, then you eventually sat down on the trail and we had a nice chat. Congrats for finishing the trail and on all your adventures since!
I remember! I was just starting out, I think day 4 or 5 of my hike. It was quite hot and I picked your brain a lot about what to expect! I really appreciated our chat! Thanks for reaching out!!
Thanks man
Of course!
Magical place.
Truly!
Nice overview! I hope to do that hike someday.
Thanks! It’s a great trail!
Pretty place
Thanks!
I am an avid hiker who lives in Minnesota. I have never considered hiking in my home state, until now! I would probably just do a day or two leg. For that hike, what stretch would you recommend for tops in scenery? (Sup view, waterfalls, mountain views etc..) Also, would be great to take my two Golden Retrievers along, do you think that would be possible? Thanks and great vid.
I am pretty sure your dogs would be allowed on a leash. I saw a few dogs for sure on the trail. For short sections that are really pretty, the Bean and Bear Lake loop is very nice. Also the Area from Pincushion Mountain to Devil's Kettle Falls was excellent. Those are probably my favorite parts. The state parks are all nice but you need permits to camp within their borders, but once you cross out of the parks, all the other campsites are free on the SHT and I usually sparsely populated. Also, Section 13 was a really nice mountain where there is a campsite at the top (no water, though) which is incredible to sleep at.
@@astraylife Thank you, I want to do Isle Royale someday as well.
@esherm63 That’s on my bucket list as well!!
This was so useful, thank you✊🏼💚
I’m glad! Thanks!
I have an idea to section hike the SHT in the upcoming few years. I think fall might be better for bugs and I will probably get some permethrin treatment on my hiking clothes. Pretty sure I won't be doing 23 miles per day.
Fall is the perfect time. I was a bit early in early September. A few hot days brought out the bugs but after it cooled, bugs were not a problem! Perfect hiking weather!
love this!
Thanks!!
Thinking of hiking up there this summer. Looked at wunderground, temp history. Was the temp a lot better the last few days of the hike? You didnt mention it being hot later in the video. Was that from acclimation/acceptance or was it a lot nicer? Should I try to target temps under 80? Im gonna guess bugs are as bad as UP and WI summer bugs. Maybe Ill go for Fall. Good video, it looks really cool and makes me want to hike it.
Thanks! I hiked in September for both parts of my hike. When I started, there were a few really hot days (high 70s and low 80s) in the beginning which I found awful. It didn’t cool that much at night and the bugs were annoying. By day 5 things cooled off and it was pleasant with few bugs. Part 2 of my journey when I returned was also nice cooler weather, with 60s, and it was great. I’d highly recommend hiking in September, not earlier, if you want to avoid heat and bugs.
What's the community like? Do you meet a lot of other fellow thru-hikers, or are you pretty much on your own the whole time?
There were a lot of hikers we met along the way. It seemed that this was their first thru-hike for many of them. Tons of trail angels but it’s more Kiwi in that it’s subdued. There was a Facebook group for trail angels that offered to help or you could ask for it but not so much just food/water offered along the trail like on the Appalachian Trail. It’s a young trail so there are definitely remote parts and sections where I was along. But overall, quite social and very multinational in terms of hikers. Not many kiwis.
Oh how I miss it
It’s a great trail!
Please keep all dogs on leash on the SHT!
This is great. Thank you.
Of course! Thank you!
I stg we were all doing this in 6th grade and I had no idea THIS was why lmfaooo
Devils Kettle is incredible. One of my favorite parts of the trail. You really set an ambitious pace!! Do you always like to hike that many miles in a day? I need to watch your other videos!
My first big hike was the Appalachian Trail and I started at maybe 12-15 miles per day. Eventually my body was able to hike 20+ days easily. Then I went to New Zealand and hiked Te Araroa which had easier terrain so I hiked huge mileage days around 30min es at times. I didn’t expect the SHT to be as difficult and so I was definitely too ambitious. It’s all about listening to the body and figuring out what pace works for you. And yes, Devils Kettle is so cool! I was excited to reach it, having only been there once as a kid many years prior! And I really enjoyed following the river afterward.
Not one of you can say this is seriius.
OMG! This is so well done video, music, narration, all is absolutely excellent! I am enjoying this immensely! Thank you.
Thank you! That means a lot and I really appreciate it!
Love your Te Araroa T shirt.
Thanks! I designed it myself. You can find it on my website astraylife .com and on etsy!
Seeing a lot of Quebec and Nova Scotia not seeing too much if any New Brunswick on the wall but I assume you've done a few hikes in new Brunswick. What's your favourite?
I actually haven’t hiked in NB yet and these are mostly my partner’s magnets. I’m from the states so most of mine are the US national parks. I think my favorite Canadian hike was to this closed waterfall Jean larose
NEVER I repeat NEVER wear ear plugs. You'll be putting yourself in danger be it large predatory animals or unsavory idiots out to hurt others.
That’s an interesting take. I find it too distracting hearing the noises of the forest and creating fear in my mind while I’m trying to sleep
I plan on doing this hike will take me 4 weeks, I like to meander
That sounds much more enjoyable than my aggressive pace! I’d definitely recommend 3 weeks minimum for the full thru hike!
What was the date of your trip?
It was the first week of February last year.
This is not the original
Awesome! I recently did this hike....great experience!..... but without the Subway sandwich...which I now regret. 😂
That's awesome! And yes, the Subway trick is something I always try to remember for any day hike! A much deserved reward at the top!
Lmao. Wonder who would touch you….
I will be going to Death Valley in 3 days and holy cow! I did not expect that much snow up on Telescope Peak! My plan was to hike Telescope Peak but I may just substitute the Mt. Perry Hike in its place. I do not have the gear to do this hike lol. I plan on doing Mt. Perry and the Golden Triangle.
Make sure to check the park website for road closures. I know the road to Telescope Peak was closed after all the rain they had in Jan/Feb. But Mt Perry was definitely stunning and much easier and accessible. Have a blast!
The predecessor of the Nono square has been found! The lord is holy!🥹
Do you know if it's open?
If the trail is open? I know the roads to the trailhead were closed earlier this year due to all the rain. I’m not sure if they have reopened. I’d check the park’s website.
Very nice footage. I lived my time in Death Valley. We car camped there and there was nobody around us for miles
It was so desolate and yet so beautiful. The park was so much better than I expected!
Looks like a stunning trip Danny! 🥾
Thanks! It was so much better than I expected
Wait, you are telling me there are mega CHEESE ITS?!??? I’m not quite sure about our food situation😅lol at least we have maple syrup!!😊
Yes! The big ones are the best!
We have more healthy foods in Canada than in the us that’s why we aren’t fat ad the U.S. is
Canada, the country with a Tim Hortons on every corner and the national food is poutine and beaver tails! 🤣
Woah that snake eating a toad was so cool...
Thanks! It was definitely a fun find!
Product of Obama Don’t be a fool buster
How long did it take to get a work visa ? Please let me know .
I don’t think I had to wait terribly long for the IEC work/travel Canadian visa. I applied through an agency which is required for US citizens and had to wait maybe a few weeks or a month.
No such thing as abominable snowmen, Sasquatch yes!
I always thought of Sasquatch as the west coaster version of Big Foot. Very interchangeable. I’ll keep my eye out for him!
Canada
That thing is fire bro keep it up
Thanks! Will do!
Hilarious Where is this?
Thanks! It’s Lonqueuil, Quebec
I was excited at around 14:00 because that’s where I started my first backpacking trip last year. The big hill where you just missed the sunset. Then at 15:40 I was a bit embarrassed to learn you basically hiked my whole 3 day trip in 1 day.
That big hill was so stunning! Such an amazing place to camp. But I’m sure you enjoyed your hike over 3 days more than my feet did doing it in one! I should have taken it slower for sure
@@astraylife oh yeah! It was a great time for a first time. I can’t wait to get back out on the trail!
Wow thank you so much for sharing this experience
Thanks! Make sure to check out part 2!