What I Learned Hiking 2,200 miles & 7 Different Trails

In 2023 I hiked 2,200 miles across seven different long trails, and in three different countries. My intention was to start as early in the year as possible, and to more or less not stop hiking until the year was over. I drove my van in between all of these hikes which added time, and extra adventures along the way. It was a fantastic year and I am so happy to have experienced so many new places, and to have learned so many new things!

My Favorite Thru Hiking Gear:
Tent - http://tinyurl.com/bdxm9229
Quilt - http://tinyurl.com/4fm96rt4
Backpack - http://tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w

Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - https://tinyurl.com/ucd7ypdr
Puffy - https://tinyurl.com/29966jbw
Socks - https://amzn.to/3tUDH6U
Bug Head Net - https://tinyurl.com/2vrwsd26
Smart Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp

Stove - http://tinyurl.com/58r2rys8
Pot - http://tinyurl.com/hn32nxxp
Battery Bank - http://tinyurl.com/47x276b3
Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Camera - https://amzn.to/4axYKgb
Lens - https://amzn.to/41Xjlqg

In this video you will see...
- 100 miles of the San Diego Trans County Trail in southern California
- A little bit of the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand
- 800 miles of the Grand Enchantment Trail in Arizona and New Mexico
- 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington and the North Cascades National Park
- A 70 mile loop incorporating the Continental Divide Trail in Glacier National Park
- 750 miles of the Great Divide Trail in Canada
- 310 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail of Minnesota
Thank you for coming along!

Some of the lessons talked about in this video include....
- It's worthwhile to always try something new! New gear, new adventures, and stop settling for the old and same. You'll never know what new thing you may fall in love with.
- Just go for it! I dove in head first and on a whim flew across the world to do some hiking. It was an incredible experience, and my only regret was that I didn't stay for longer. Now is the time.
- The importance of learning to plan (permits, water sources, navigation.) Learn to plan even when you don't need to as it's an incredibly valuable skill to have when it comes to more difficult trails and adventures of the future.
- Things don't always go as planned, unfortunately. It's important to take situations and problems as they come, remain flexible, and always positive. It's going to be ok and you can do this.
- Pushing yourself is the way to learning. While repeating the same trails, gear, environments is wonderful it's when you get out of your comfort zone do you really learn the most.
- It's good to practice together, if hiking with a partner. Different paces, styles, and ways of going about things can be difficult, but practicing this can make the world of difference!
- Grizzly bears are stressful! But like anything in backpacking, if you learn the proper ways of dealing with, and preventing a problem, the chances of anything actually happening are near zero!
- Some trails simply require more gear than others (and some less!) And as someone who is always trying to go lighter, this is an important lesson. There is no ultimate gear list, there is no one ultralight kit to rule them all. We must adapt and change based on the conditions we face.
- Hiking with a partner can help quell any fear! So for anyone who is concerned about certain aspects of backpacking, try and find a friend! It's amazing how much more comfortable it is to be in the outdoors together.
- Just go with the flow! We came out here with no plan, and it was a good lesson in just having fun! Planning is great but being flexible and willing to do whatever is great too.
- Not everything has to be super hard, or super fast, super long, or super ultralight. Just getting out near home is wonderful and there is so much to learn locally.

00:00 - San Diego Trans County Trail
01:24 - New Zealand
02:05 - Grand Enchantment Trail
04:10 - Pacific Crest Trail
05:16 - Glacier National Park
06:50 - Great Divide Trail
08:45 - Superior Hiking Trail

Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

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