17 Tips for Hiking The Long Trail

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  • čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
  • In 2019, Saoirse "Story" Ibargüen hiked Vermont's Long Trail End-to-End. In this video, Story shares some of her top advice for aspiring thru-hikers.
    The Trek's Long Trail Survey: thetrek.co/long-trail-survey-...
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Komentáře • 101

  • @BadHikers
    @BadHikers Před 3 lety

    Great video! We have been looking for some more moderate length thru hikes and this is forsure high on our list!! Thanks so much!

  • @Rudy1150
    @Rudy1150 Před 3 lety +3

    What a great video... thanks for sharing!

  • @northernhikes9597
    @northernhikes9597 Před 2 lety +5

    One of the most thorough walk-throughs of a trail. Thanks for taking time to document each important step!!! Happy trails, Cricket

  • @brown55061
    @brown55061 Před 3 lety +2

    Planning out my year and this may just be my fall trek. Thanks for your advice.

  • @Bobobirdiebuddy1
    @Bobobirdiebuddy1 Před 3 lety +7

    Thanks! I've hiked a lot in the mid areas of the LT, from just south of Killington to about 50 miles from where the AT heads east. Maybe it's time to do the whole dern thing. I'm a whole lot older now but your vid has inspired me!

  • @philsmith9672
    @philsmith9672 Před 3 lety +7

    Wonderful video. Thanks for the advice. For those of us, for whatever reason, can't do 5 months on the AT, the Long Trail can be our Holy Grail.

  • @ronaldrose7593
    @ronaldrose7593 Před 3 lety +1

    Saoirse, thank you for sharing this amazing outdoor adventure. I really enjoyed it. The very best to you Dear for your good health and safety. 🤗

  • @markwthompson71
    @markwthompson71 Před 3 lety +6

    Great advice! I was a pleasantly surprised by the breakfast at the Old Stagecoach Inn! Mad Taco is pretty bomb for sure, so I definitely agree with Badger -- and I did my LT journeys in September and October, so also agree with him on the time of year. No bugs, but maybe a few nights below freezing temps (and possible snow).
    I too saw tons of moose poop and moose tracks, yet not one moose. The shelters are amazing on the LT. The lodges are great places to hang out even if only for a few hours while it's raining.
    Lastly, I crossed Jay's Peak in a hail storm -- not my brightest idea.

  • @Naturallyvegan
    @Naturallyvegan Před 3 lety +4

    I live in VT and have been thinking about doing the Long trail in 2 parts due to work. This was a very informative video. I'm thinking about starting sometime in July.

  • @boberts53
    @boberts53 Před 9 měsíci

    Oh, what a lovely video! Excellent advise. Thank you, Saoirse.

  • @georgebecht6357
    @georgebecht6357 Před 2 lety

    Story, Thank you for such an informative presentation of my beloved Long Trail. Vermont is my long time "other home". I section hike the LT every summer, it's good for the soul. I found myself nodding in agreement to every point you made. Love your smile too.
    George Sarasota, FL

  • @markcummings6856
    @markcummings6856 Před 3 lety +2

    Great tips. Thanks.

  • @littlethislittlethat456
    @littlethislittlethat456 Před 3 lety +3

    Thanks for putting this together. It was very informative. It got me thinking that maybe the LT will be in my future some day. In the meantime, my current goal is to thru hike the AT beginning in late March. I'll be vlogging my journey along the way. John from MI

  • @scotn9226
    @scotn9226 Před 2 lety +1

    Saoirise,
    Great video. Really appreciate your advice. Have completed the first 65 miles of the LT and will be getting back on in another week. I'll be looking to stop at the locations you mentioned and grab a few nights in the shelters.

  • @bugoutbasics1070
    @bugoutbasics1070 Před 3 lety +2

    Wow awesome! Thank you.

  • @erikpeterson25
    @erikpeterson25 Před 3 lety +1

    You go girl....I have hiked the A.T......awesome experience

  • @quiqweig13
    @quiqweig13 Před 3 lety

    Great advice, useful vid!

  • @rajutailor9292
    @rajutailor9292 Před rokem

    Such a great info and really loved info ok June vs September...

  • @CaptainKmac
    @CaptainKmac Před 3 lety +3

    beautiful video..well done

  • @merlinmaya1
    @merlinmaya1 Před 2 lety

    Thank you from this VTr longing to hike the trail solo. Probably begin section-hiking this coming year.

  • @MsSkankles
    @MsSkankles Před 2 lety

    thanks so much for this! I'm hoping to do at least the first half of the LT in mid Sept.

  • @jamestribol1434
    @jamestribol1434 Před 2 lety

    wanted to do the LT after I did the NPT many moons ago (before CZcams). So you're re-cap of the top things to know was great. I still have not done the LT but one can always wish. I will do the NPT again and it'll be in Sept...God I had bugs too!!! thanks for the vid

  • @footfallsecho7801
    @footfallsecho7801 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for sharing your experiences on the LT. The information about the month you hiked, condition of the trail, and bugs was extremely helpful since I plan to do a yo-yo on the LT starting on June 1st starting SOBO.

    • @MrSoccerplayr101
      @MrSoccerplayr101 Před 2 lety +1

      I'm starting in early June too. Maybe I'll see ya there

  • @sangnguyen-sv2lj
    @sangnguyen-sv2lj Před 3 lety +2

    You, Feathers, Tinkerbell, and Penguin are my favorite hikers. Thanks so much for sharing your LT tips with us. Stay safe and awesome ❤️

    • @johnflagstaff5982
      @johnflagstaff5982 Před 3 lety

      I gotta ask because i lived with a thru hiker that went by penguin in az. We used to go downtown and he’d bring a penguin costume lol. Did he have brown hair and a mustache..went by penguin or penguino or guino?

  • @TheDoctorsButtercup
    @TheDoctorsButtercup Před 3 lety

    Went to college in VT. I gotta say, the Mad Taco is beyond amazing!! Was a favorite of my college group

  • @bill8885
    @bill8885 Před 3 lety +8

    Great advice, i did the LT SOBO last August and had an amazing trip. The hardest parts of the LT are still easier than the whites of NH

    • @mtadams2009
      @mtadams2009 Před 2 lety +1

      Thanks for that bit if information. I have watched a bunch of videos on the LT and some people were very dramatic of how hard it was. One said he would never do it again because he thought it was dangerous. I hike the Whites all the time so I think knowing it gets no harder makes me feel a bit better. I wanted to do a NB hike but I am thinking doing a SB makes more sense since I live in Mass and getting a ride home will be easier. Take care

  • @josephfore8370
    @josephfore8370 Před 2 lety

    Planning to hike the long trail this year .

  • @mischiefonthetrail8961
    @mischiefonthetrail8961 Před 3 lety +5

    Great tips if all goes to plan I’ll be doing the Long trail during my AT flip flop thru once I get to Vermont this year

    • @BadHikers
      @BadHikers Před 3 lety

      Flip flop thru sounds epic!!!?

  • @davedoesthingsdreaded
    @davedoesthingsdreaded Před 3 lety

    I'm doing the pct sobo this year and it's a journey just to get to the trail head so I know about trails starting in the middle of nowhere. At least when I finish it will be a bit easier to get back to civilization

  • @GhostBravo385
    @GhostBravo385 Před 3 lety +3

    I'm a beginner attempting the at March 1st northbound.hopefully i make it lol.anyways keep up the good work.stay safe and have a great time 🤘

  • @BIGNickHenry
    @BIGNickHenry Před 2 lety

    Loved the video! Native Vermonter so I found your reflections of Rutland; we call it Rut-Vegas. Sorry you had a bad time there, hopefully the other cute towns made up for it.

  • @greekmythdude9053
    @greekmythdude9053 Před 2 lety +1

    Hiked 1/3 of the long trail this summer. I hope i can do it in its entirety some time.

  • @danielwood912
    @danielwood912 Před 2 měsíci

    Great video. Definitely avoid Rutland and the Yellow Deli. Best bet passing through the Killington area is always the Inn at Long Trail.

  • @silviataylor92
    @silviataylor92 Před 3 lety

    Your awesome!!!

  • @negansstuntdouble1777
    @negansstuntdouble1777 Před 3 lety

    Growing up on Long Island i have hiked many peaks in N.Y. in the Catskills and mainly the Adks- Some were small 3 day hikes, like 8-12 miles a day/ but at the end of the 3 days omg the tiredness and pain therefore i cant comprehend a loooong thru hike and how you made it. Must be combo of endurance, mental strength and will/ On diff note my sis did a stint in Disney years ago w the college program (best years of her life) in the old hollywood studios as a member also/ plays, parades, meet n greets im sure you know the deal.. She left because of the lack of pay not the promotions after she stayed in area and went F.T.// Big fan of the campgrounds i heard you mention in another vid which ill be at unwinding f the next few weeks with my cousin im meeting from Tallahassee and FSU area// Mbe ill have the honor of running into you down there!

  • @elijahkraatz9700
    @elijahkraatz9700 Před 3 lety +3

    Nice video! Getting ready to hike the LT this fall. As a native Vermonter I feel I can say, Rutland stinks!-)

  • @mtadams2009
    @mtadams2009 Před 2 lety +1

    Just retired and plan on hiking the LT in September to early October. I want to hit some of the foliage. Most of my backpacking has been in the Whites so I am used to the cold and no switch backs. June would be terrible for bugs. August would be fine. Thanks

  • @jfrederick71
    @jfrederick71 Před 2 lety +1

    I live South of Rutland (actually on the road where the Homer Stone Trail head is) and I Concur. Its a tough city, I'm in and out on shopping days, no reason to hang around the place really, unfortunately. It hasn't always been this way. Maybe stop in Wallingford to re-supply?

  • @denis65366
    @denis65366 Před 3 lety +2

    I was thinking of hiking it this year in july or august...

  • @bohemiantheologian
    @bohemiantheologian Před 3 lety

    You did us a solid.

  • @yankri88
    @yankri88 Před 3 lety +4

    I hiked the LT (SOBO) the same year but in August. Hardly any bugs, a little rain (but not bad), some mud, but overall, a joyous experience that I hope to do again (but NOBO to mix it up). Such a wonderful trail that gives you the thru-hiking experience in just a few weeks. Highly, highly recommend it. But not in June. ;)

    • @billyshepard3786
      @billyshepard3786 Před 3 lety

      A tip : watch series on kaldroStream. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies lately.

    • @yosefalfredo7076
      @yosefalfredo7076 Před 3 lety

      @Billy Shepard definitely, been watching on KaldroStream for since november myself =)

    • @hughbriggs5440
      @hughbriggs5440 Před 3 lety

      @Billy Shepard Yup, been watching on KaldroStream for years myself :)

  • @lightwalker4558
    @lightwalker4558 Před 3 lety +1

    Very good advice and recap of your adventure. Did you vlog back then and can we watch any of it?
    Over the past 5 years I section hiked the northern half of the AT and would love to complete the rest of the LT soon.
    I'm from CT and would target mid-Sept for that, which is the best time of year to hike in New England IMO.
    In Sept, temps can range from downright tropical during the day to below freezing at night so be prepared!

    • @SaoirsesShelf
      @SaoirsesShelf Před 3 lety

      Thanks! I never do much vlogging on hikes because I'm too busy not dying haha. I hope you get to do the rest of the LT!

  • @debvoltolina6143
    @debvoltolina6143 Před 3 lety +2

    I’m a Vermonter and would recommend that people that travel to hike the LT . Take your time. There is so much in vermont to do. Water park AND Climbing center in Jay. Lots of swimming holes, lakes and ponds to swim in. Rivers to tube in and other th stuff that lots of fun. Vermont is having hunting season so they are destroying the moose population.

  • @flaskehrlenmeyer4349
    @flaskehrlenmeyer4349 Před 2 lety

    i am loving this video. i do love the LT, the granddaddy of the long distance trails. my first backpacking ever was on the LT and it's not an accident i live near the winooski river footbridge. i am the steward in that forest.
    it has been a dream of mine to hike it end-to-end, but injuries and illness took it away from me but now i'm closing in on 60 and i will totally have to do it in slow section hikes, but this is my year.
    and did you know you can not only end-to-end the LT, but you can side-to-side? they have another patch for people who do ALL THE SIDE TRAILS.
    i have my maps and updated guide. i bought guthook. i am doing this.
    also, fun fact: if you hike camel's hump in winter, it's worth the extra weight to pull a sled, because you can ride about a third of the way down!

  • @demur4840
    @demur4840 Před rokem

    I hiked with Story and Fable in 2018. They were awesome. That is all.

  • @thomasbryant9002
    @thomasbryant9002 Před 2 lety

    Kool!

  • @bobvanderwest9358
    @bobvanderwest9358 Před 3 lety +2

    Are there alternative routes around peaks on the trails that you trekked? I have a fear of high places and probably wouldn't be capable of negotiating any trail which is within 10 ft. of a drop-off, if that makes sense. Thanks for your video journals, they are helpful, informative, and pleasant. Cheers.

    • @SaoirsesShelf
      @SaoirsesShelf Před 3 lety +1

      Hi! I think there was a bad weather route on Camel's Hump. Not sure about the other peaks. Heights could definitely be an issue for you on this trail unfortunately. There are some bits that are very close to edges with steep drops. I would do the southern half and see how you feel. It's gorgeous out there, I hope you get to do it! Thanks for watching :)

    • @bobvanderwest9358
      @bobvanderwest9358 Před 3 lety

      @@SaoirsesShelf Thanks for the information, it's very helpful. I'll take your recommendation to trek the southern half of the trail and see how well I'm able to cope with the challenges it presents, particularly any trails with precarious routes in high places. Thanks for your video essays, they are full of useful tips, funny foibles, honest evaluations of gear, and positive vibes and encouragement. If you publish your written work or have a blog, I'm interested in checking out your writing. Salud!

    • @AlexMessingerVT
      @AlexMessingerVT Před 2 lety

      There are alternate routes around most of the exposed areas. However they don't get much traffic nor trailwork and so are rough going. Doable, but you'll miss some of the best views.

    • @bobvanderwest9358
      @bobvanderwest9358 Před 2 lety +1

      @@AlexMessingerVT Thanks Alex, I greatly appreciate the helpful information. Because of my fear of high places I do miss out on a lot of the wonderful views that they offer. However, I am able to enjoy high places as long as I'm not experiencing the imminent threat of falling which is evoked by being near a ledge or precipice, so if the elevated portions of the trails are about six feet or more from the ledge I'm able to hike comfortably while enjoying the exhilaration of the surroundings and vistas. Thanks again, enjoy the trails! Cheers!

  • @loughourna
    @loughourna Před 7 měsíci

    Rutland is not bad, nice restaurants, brew pubs, architecture, sorry if you didnt have a great experience there.

  • @halojimmy7
    @halojimmy7 Před 3 lety

    how can you find long hiking trail in my state?

  • @jerryhallman5612
    @jerryhallman5612 Před 3 lety

    Have you hiked the pinnhotti trail yet

  • @paddle_hike
    @paddle_hike Před 2 lety

    yep!!! when it rains in VT..... Sky drops buckets on you hahahaha

  • @darrellmarcks6304
    @darrellmarcks6304 Před rokem

    It's kinda crazy but with all of the videos I watch that talk about the bugs in New England.... I dunno. At first it's like "Oh no!" And then I remember I grew up there for 19 years in Western Mass and Southern Vermont.... I don't remember the bugs being that bad... My AT hike is next year. I'll find out either way. Central Pennsylvania and Western Mass are my home AT hikes so they'll be my favorite. It'll be nice to be going through 2 places where I know a lot of people. I even went to school in Dalton, Mass so that will be a trippy part of the trail.

  • @vernonsmart
    @vernonsmart Před 2 lety

    I am an older man hoping to do a weeklong hike on the LT next summer. If I only get to do one section, which one would you recommend for best experience, best views, etc.?

    • @mtadams2009
      @mtadams2009 Před rokem +1

      I am retired and fall into the older person category, 62. The first 100 miles or so, from the Massachusetts border to route 4 the trail is much easier and more friendly to your knees. After Brandon Gap the trail gets much more difficult.

  • @melaniefarrow7152
    @melaniefarrow7152 Před 2 lety

    I live in VT. Always wanted to hike LT. I'm a teacher. Why haven't I done this? I guess I fear how much alone it would be. I always hike with friends.

  • @fradee2830
    @fradee2830 Před 3 lety

    You should do JMT, if you like the LT. Just don't do it when I'm doing it.

  • @CanCanHikes
    @CanCanHikes Před 2 lety

    As a fellow LT hiker once said to me, “Rutland is the armpit of Vermont.”

  • @NickEDowning
    @NickEDowning Před 3 lety +2

    Oh no, you've sold me on hiking The Long Trail. How much harder is it than the northern AT?

    • @SaoirsesShelf
      @SaoirsesShelf Před 3 lety +1

      New Hampshire and southern Maine on the AT are definitely harder than the LT in my opinion. Perhaps part of that is because I did the LT after the AT, so nothing could really scare me much anymore haha. A lot of the LT has steep climbs with no switchbacks, so it's exhausting, but doable :)

    • @NickEDowning
      @NickEDowning Před 3 lety

      @@SaoirsesShelf Thanks Saoirse! That actually helps a lot.

  • @Besalu
    @Besalu Před 3 lety +1

    Transportation question: I live in California. Where is the trailhead? and How do I get there if I have to fly? Where to fly to? and then do I have to take a bus?

    • @SaoirsesShelf
      @SaoirsesShelf Před 3 lety

      I flew into Albany and took an Uber to the Pine Cobble trailhead :)

    • @Besalu
      @Besalu Před 3 lety

      Thank you

    • @mtadams2009
      @mtadams2009 Před 2 lety

      Or Bradley which is just outside Hartford Ct

  • @jhonyermo
    @jhonyermo Před 3 lety +2

    I like the cat

  • @nickhikesinthewoods6150

    Vermont Long trail is also the oldest trail in the United States it started in 1910 and finished in 1930 the Vermont Long trail was the idea of the Appalachian trail

  • @marineshtf9954
    @marineshtf9954 Před 3 lety

    Wow how do you afford leaving home and hiking for so long?

  • @debvoltolina6143
    @debvoltolina6143 Před 3 lety

    also august September and even October are better times to hike the LT

  • @SearcherofSkulls
    @SearcherofSkulls Před rokem

    Best advice. You’re gonna get wet bring extra socks. Trail shoes dry faster than boots. Enjoy the solitude!

  • @dphimes
    @dphimes Před rokem

    The rule of thumb for Vermont's black fly season is Mothers' Day to Fathers' Day.

  • @davecirlclux
    @davecirlclux Před 3 lety

    0:01 "hey everyone, it's Sansa. Aka Stark

  • @walterronten8008
    @walterronten8008 Před rokem

    Have nor hiked this trail, but I have heard it described as the longest continuous waterway in new England. Vermud is real, but deal with it.

  • @rotaman8555
    @rotaman8555 Před 3 lety +1

    My goodness, you are adorable!

  • @rockytopwrangler2069
    @rockytopwrangler2069 Před 3 lety +1

    ... Aside from the obvious , that you are a beautiful young woman with a great personality ,, You are a fantastic visual story teller ..
    ..almost makes me want to cross this country and see this trail and mountain for myself.....Thank You for sharing your trek......
    ..and by the way ,, love that description of Vermont....."90 miles wide and 3 weeks long"....
    ..... Stay Safe and God Bless .....

  • @kylebriggs2913
    @kylebriggs2913 Před rokem

    Great video, but i just have to comment as a Vermonter that Rutland is the state's butthole and i laughed out loud that it was on this list

  • @toddfarrington19
    @toddfarrington19 Před 2 lety +1

    Rutland is pretty infamous for being awful

    • @timothystuart6770
      @timothystuart6770 Před 2 měsíci

      Affectionately referred to as Rut Vegas by most Vermonsters.

  • @m.hernandez1404
    @m.hernandez1404 Před 2 lety +1

    Hack your own hack.

  • @frankgarriga3147
    @frankgarriga3147 Před 3 lety

    It’s pronounced Appa LATCH an.

    • @SaoirsesShelf
      @SaoirsesShelf Před 3 lety +2

      I know this and still won’t force myself to say it that way, but thank you 😊

    • @greekmythdude9053
      @greekmythdude9053 Před 2 lety +1

      That's how it's said in the south. Anywhere north of West Virginia says it the way she says it. There's no right way to say it.

  • @user-vx1nu9jh7t
    @user-vx1nu9jh7t Před 3 měsíci

    Looks great in those leggings.

  • @SophisticatedDogCat
    @SophisticatedDogCat Před 2 lety

    “I need an excuse to show my body on camera!”

    • @tchaikca
      @tchaikca Před měsícem

      “I need to comment to illustrate what an immature troll I am”

    • @SophisticatedDogCat
      @SophisticatedDogCat Před měsícem

      @@tchaikca I think I commented on the wrong video. My bad.