Should You Be Nervous About Your Thru-hike?
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
TrailPix
For me, I like to learn and prepare as much as possible before taking on challenges that could potentially injure or kill me, as well as help quell my anxiety. Obviously, you can read books and Youtube your way to a proper wilderness skillset but I chose to start with a Backpacking and Survival course at my local community college. The course was 3 months long and provided me with a good foundation of the basics - navigation, first aid, fire building, etc - even tying knots! I solo hiked for years and eventually started to solo backpack. Since I moved to another region of the country, I decided to take another Wilderness Course with the local Sierra Club chapter (also 3 months long. I've also taken advantage of the free classes that REI offers year round. Of course, nothing beats fear and builds confidence like getting out there and putting these skills into practice.
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For me, I like to learn and prepare as much as possible before taking on challenges that could potentially injure or kill me, as well as help quell my anxiety. Obviously, you can read books and Youtube your way to a proper wilderness skillset but I chose to start with a Backpacking and Survival course at my local community college. The course was 3 months long and provided me with a good foundation of the basics - navigation, first aid, fire building, etc - even tying knots! I solo hiked for years and eventually started to solo backpack. Since I moved to another region of the country, I decided to take another Wilderness Course with the local Sierra Club chapter (also 3 months long. I've also taken advantage of the free classes that REI offers year round. Of course, nothing beats fear and builds confidence like getting out there and putting these skills into practice.
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Jessica
I'm pretty confident I'll be hitting up the PCT in 2019, and I'm nervous for sure. It is a big commitment! But I also know from experience that taking big leaps leads to the biggest adventures. For me, I'm nervous about combating my fear of heights, and also as a short gal, those river crossings. A tad nervous about the animal dangers, but the one thing that I keep telling myself is that if I can survive these deadly giant Asian hornets where I am now, then I can definitely deal with bears, mountain lions, and snakes. I think the more leaps of faith you take, the more confident in yourself you become, even if you don't realize it!
Also, completely unrelated, but I love your Patagonia top. :)
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I'm pretty confident I'll be hitting up the PCT in 2019, and I'm nervous for sure. It is a big commitment! But I also know from experience that taking big leaps leads to the biggest adventures. For me, I'm nervous about combating my fear of heights, and also as a short gal, those river crossings. A tad nervous about the animal dangers, but the one thing that I keep telling myself is that if I can survive these deadly giant Asian hornets where I am now, then I can definitely deal with bears, mountain lions, and snakes. I think the more leaps of faith you take, the more confident in yourself you become, even if you don't realize it!
Also, completely unrelated, but I love your Patagonia top. :)
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Vicky
Great video Dixie! I am doing my first section hike attempt with my going on 6 year old daughter in june (my 2nd section hike attempt) and nervous doesnt even begin to describe the feeling. Being from Maine the terrain is familiar to us and she has been hiking parts of the AT since she was 3-4years old but now that she is older and getting into harder stuff for me as a mom safety is always on my mind. I was goijng to make her stop after a few days and with a bbig push from my husband he convinced me to let her show me how she does and not force her to stop if she doesnt want to. He said encouragement is key and he is right. Good luck on the CDT. Look forward to the videos
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Great video Dixie! I am doing my first section hike attempt with my going on 6 year old daughter in june (my 2nd section hike attempt) and nervous doesnt even begin to describe the feeling. Being from Maine the terrain is familiar to us and she has been hiking parts of the AT since she was 3-4years old but now that she is older and getting into harder stuff for me as a mom safety is always on my mind. I was goijng to make her stop after a few days and with a bbig push from my husband he convinced me to let her show me how she does and not force her to stop if she doesnt want to. He said encouragement is key and he is right. Good luck on the CDT. Look forward to the videos
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Neil
Bravery is being ignorant to the risk and hazards of a challenge that is in front of you.
Courage is being aware of the risk and hazards associated with the challenge and carrying on despite your fears.
What has this got to do with through hiking?
If you attempt a through hike and are not nervous, afraid or concerned, then you are probably missing something. It is important to learn how to use this anxiety to the best of your ability to make sure you have all things covered before you go.
Good luck to you: )
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Bravery is being ignorant to the risk and hazards of a challenge that is in front of you.
Courage is being aware of the risk and hazards associated with the challenge and carrying on despite your fears.
What has this got to do with through hiking?
If you attempt a through hike and are not nervous, afraid or concerned, then you are probably missing something. It is important to learn how to use this anxiety to the best of your ability to make sure you have all things covered before you go.
Good luck to you: )
reply
john
me and my wife love your videos and plan on our first overnight hike this year. since you mentioned bearbagging is there anyway you could do a vedio on your methods hanging a bear bag please. a friend of mine says he uses somthing called a ursack instead of haging a bear bag wondering on your thoughts on using a bear bag which method you prefer to hang your bag or if u think the ursack is better idea thank and keep on making vidios
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me and my wife love your videos and plan on our first overnight hike this year. since you mentioned bearbagging is there anyway you could do a vedio on your methods hanging a bear bag please. a friend of mine says he uses somthing called a ursack instead of haging a bear bag wondering on your thoughts on using a bear bag which method you prefer to hang your bag or if u think the ursack is better idea thank and keep on making vidios
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Eric
Hey Dixie. Another cool video. Just a heads up, while you're in the Bob Marshall Wilderness during your CDT hike, keep an eye out for an older fella' with a huge pack. Jim Murphy is his name. I first met him on a packraft trip in '16. He's an awesome fellow, spends his summers on trail in MT. An angel for thru-hikers on the CDT also. Just say Hi from Eric the Canadian if you see him out there. Cheers!
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Hey Dixie. Another cool video. Just a heads up, while you're in the Bob Marshall Wilderness during your CDT hike, keep an eye out for an older fella' with a huge pack. Jim Murphy is his name. I first met him on a packraft trip in '16. He's an awesome fellow, spends his summers on trail in MT. An angel for thru-hikers on the CDT also. Just say Hi from Eric the Canadian if you see him out there. Cheers!
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EarthTone
Hey Dixie. Nice video. I really liked the comment that a Thru is really nothing but one Section Hike after another. I have been thinking of it that way for a while now. I pretty much consider everyone out there a Section Hiker. Me, I'm an Adventurer on a Quest. Pamola's Quest. I travel the trail, walking all of its miles, as I gather the elements of the Talisman of the Storm. I'm happy.
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Hey Dixie. Nice video. I really liked the comment that a Thru is really nothing but one Section Hike after another. I have been thinking of it that way for a while now. I pretty much consider everyone out there a Section Hiker. Me, I'm an Adventurer on a Quest. Pamola's Quest. I travel the trail, walking all of its miles, as I gather the elements of the Talisman of the Storm. I'm happy.
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Nick
One of the things I like about your hiking videos is. your videos aren't you walking around holding a selfie stick with the camera pointed at your head for its entirety. Now don't get me wrong I do enjoy seeing you, it's just nice to see the scenery with your voice overs, and it really helps with your story telling. Keep up the good work Dixie.
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One of the things I like about your hiking videos is. your videos aren't you walking around holding a selfie stick with the camera pointed at your head for its entirety. Now don't get me wrong I do enjoy seeing you, it's just nice to see the scenery with your voice overs, and it really helps with your story telling. Keep up the good work Dixie.
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Benjamin
I was on a hike in Dunnellon Florida on a long trail. Even with a map I still got lost on an unmarked trail that I mixed up with the actual trail. I wish I started watching your videos before then. I made so many beginner mistakes and I learned from them. Thank you for the advice.
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I was on a hike in Dunnellon Florida on a long trail. Even with a map I still got lost on an unmarked trail that I mixed up with the actual trail. I wish I started watching your videos before then. I made so many beginner mistakes and I learned from them. Thank you for the advice.
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Kaitlyn
Hi Dixie, I'm a sophomore in college and I'm wondering how you budget for a thru-hike if you're not sure what you'll be spending in towns (i. e. on hotels, hostels, gear, etc? How did you factor all the expenses in and was it an effective plan in the end? Thanks!
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Hi Dixie, I'm a sophomore in college and I'm wondering how you budget for a thru-hike if you're not sure what you'll be spending in towns (i. e. on hotels, hostels, gear, etc? How did you factor all the expenses in and was it an effective plan in the end? Thanks!
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