Good article about tube-hikers (Darwin, Dixie & Second Chance)

TinTin

Thru Hiker
That was a very nice article but the youtube part of it gave me anxiety.
I watched a selection of the Second Chance's Youtube videos. I know what you mean about anxiety but ...

Isn't it amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it. A 400lb person who didn't have a clue about backpacking got himself fixed up with pretty good gear, got a permit and set off. So slow at first but in the end he did a 25 mile day, found love, lost 100lbs etc etc. I quite liked the fact behind the facts.His first was a 3 mile day. By our standards that sounds pretty lame but for a 400lb guy on his first day's walk in the Mohave desert it is an amazing triumph. I have volunteered to be tail walker at Parkrun a few times and the people at the back are more impressive that the young men who win it. The difficulties they are trying to overcome make what they do amazing. Its lovely to see someone make the most of their second chance.
 

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
I watched a selection of the Second Chance's Youtube videos. I know what you mean about anxiety but ...

Isn't it amazing what you can do if you set your mind to it. A 400lb person who didn't have a clue about backpacking got himself fixed up with pretty good gear, got a permit and set off. So slow at first but in the end he did a 25 mile day, found love, lost 100lbs etc etc. I quite liked the fact behind the facts.His first was a 3 mile day. By our standards that sounds pretty lame but for a 400lb guy on his first day's walk in the Mohave desert it is an amazing triumph. I have volunteered to be tail walker at Parkrun a few times and the people at the back are more impressive that the young men who win it. The difficulties they are trying to overcome make what they do amazing. Its lovely to see someone make the most of their second chance.

Lovely words, Phil.

I don't really want to make this about me, but I've watched all the SCH's videos, as I can relate to them so much. That was the reason I read the article in the first place. I wasn't sure if anyone else was interested in SCH, but since the article mentioned Darwin and Dixie, I thought I share it anyway.

10 years ago I was around 400lb and been working my way down ever since. In the article he said he watched all the thru-hiking videos and read up on hiking gear, and that's been me for the last couple of years since I started hiking again. Why I returned to hiking? I thought, what is something that is 'impressive' (to myself), but doable considering my age, weight & fitness. I can't run, I don't cycle or swim, but I can walk. I don't walk fast, but I can walk long. Not to mention other benefits, getting out of the urban environment, getting away from noise and other people, seeing beautiful landscapes, absorbing vitamin D, lowering stress and at the same time getting fit.

We first started going on day walks and then graduated to supported overnighters, then unsupported overnighters. I still do more watching videos and reading up on gear, than do actual hiking, so I refer myself to as a sofa hiker. After watching the same videos as SCH, I too wanted to hike the PCT when I'm 50 in couple of years. Not sure if that's going to happen (money, logistics, etc), I started looking at UK trails now that we're back here and eventually chose SWCP, as we'll be living there next year and it's logistically easy but also a long trail. I thought if I can walk 650mi, I can walk most others.

I've had all the other gear for solo overnighters, except for a decent tent. Luckily that's been now remedied, as I just paid the customs duty for the X-mid and it should be here next week. Then I can take off anytime...
 

MartinK9

Section Hiker
Lovely words, Phil.

I don't really want to make this about me, but I've watched all the SCH's videos, as I can relate to them so much. That was the reason I read the article in the first place. I wasn't sure if anyone else was interested in SCH, but since the article mentioned Darwin and Dixie, I thought I share it anyway.

10 years ago I was around 400lb and been working my way down ever since. In the article he said he watched all the thru-hiking videos and read up on hiking gear, and that's been me for the last couple of years since I started hiking again. Why I returned to hiking? I thought, what is something that is 'impressive' (to myself), but doable considering my age, weight & fitness. I can't run, I don't cycle or swim, but I can walk. I don't walk fast, but I can walk long. Not to mention other benefits, getting out of the urban environment, getting away from noise and other people, seeing beautiful landscapes, absorbing vitamin D, lowering stress and at the same time getting fit.

We first started going on day walks and then graduated to supported overnighters, then unsupported overnighters. I still do more watching videos and reading up on gear, than do actual hiking, so I refer myself to as a sofa hiker. After watching the same videos as SCH, I too wanted to hike the PCT when I'm 50 in couple of years. Not sure if that's going to happen (money, logistics, etc), I started looking at UK trails now that we're back here and eventually chose SWCP, as we'll be living there next year and it's logistically easy but also a long trail. I thought if I can walk 650mi, I can walk most others.

I've had all the other gear for solo overnighters, except for a decent tent. Luckily that's been now remedied, as I just paid the customs duty for the X-mid and it should be here next week. Then I can take off anytime...

I also watched Dixie and Darwin, amongst others, they planted the seed but SCH was the one that got me off my arse to book tickets.

I start the AT 18 Feb, and will finish when and where I finish. The destination isn't the goal, the journey is. :)
 

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
I also watched Dixie and Darwin, amongst others, they planted the seed but SCH was the one that got me off my arse to book tickets.

I start the AT 18 Feb, and will finish when and where I finish. The destination isn't the goal, the journey is. :)

I never realised how much influence the tube-hikers have.
 
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TinTin

Thru Hiker
I also watched Dixie and Darwin, amongst others, they planted the seed but SCH was the one that got me off my arse to book tickets.

I start the AT 18 Feb, and will finish when and where I finish. The destination isn't the goal, the journey is. :)
I'm just the opposite. I need to have measurable goals. I recon that's why the TGO challenge suits me. I like to have a plan and know where I'm aiming to sleep at night.
 

Daymoth

Section Hiker
I watched a selection of the Second Chance's Youtube videos. I know what you mean about anxiety but ...

SCH is truly inspirational. Its the stories of online creeps stalking youtubers that got my heart rate up.
 

Stuart

Section Hiker
Interesting stuff and thanks for sharing that, Lempo.

This genre seems very US, which I understand given the potential advertising revenues and income opportunities via YouTube. I'm interested to see this type of thing done by European hikers, in Europe as there's so much coverage of the big US trails. Richard Hartfield has a YouTube channel which I like but are any others you'd recommend?
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
Some UK Hiking vloggers. Here are three that I have found useful. I'd get on OK with all of these people but some might find their idiosyncrasies annoying.

Plodders Lost - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2MC_Y3N0r9_VAwSSTXj4A/videos
Self deprecating, not very fit, no head for heights scouser, who despite this has videoed some of the best known UK long distance walks including the CWT and the Lakeland ridge walks including Blencathra via Sharp Edge. The video style gives you a real feel for the walk.

Head For the Hills - https://www.youtube.com/user/headforthehills100/videos
Young Scotts guy who seems to always be carrying a supermarket carrier bag. He started wearing a face mask or balaclava because he didn't like to be recognised. I expect this failed as he'd become recognised as the person hiking in a face mask. Nonetheless there are some useful videos in the substantial set.

Hounds of Howgate - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKs3XTj42ZcuavLxJbbHiCA/videos
Scotts guy who walks with his dog. If you have hangups about facial hair or think that it is cruel to walk with your dog you might not like these. I like the style and find map time useful. Map time his where he does a review with the map of where he's been that day.
 
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DuneElliot

Section Hiker
Interesting stuff and thanks for sharing that, Lempo.

This genre seems very US, which I understand given the potential advertising revenues and income opportunities via YouTube. I'm interested to see this type of thing done by European hikers, in Europe as there's so much coverage of the big US trails. Richard Hartfield has a YouTube channel which I like but are any others you'd recommend?

Check out Abbie Barnes...she's amazing; fabulous videos and her motivation is inspiring

Hounds of Howgate is decent too
 

dovidola

Thru Hiker
I quite like some of Haze Outdoors' stuff on YouTube. He's not anti anything or anyone, it would seem. He's unconcerned for the most part with personal goals, thru-hikes, gram counting, etc, and has a self-effacing, I-just-like-being-out-here attitude to what he's doing.

Scotland's Mountains has to be the best of all though. Great outings and photography of the highest order by an engaging person whose ego is simply nowhere to be seen.

There are many who draw inspiration and motivation from charismatic hiking YouTubers, and many who find deep satisfaction in meeting the challenge offered by long classic hikes, and that's completely OK, but there are others among us (me included) who take to the hills from rather different sentiments: to be alone, to go where we want and at what speed suits us, to follow the whim of the moment, to learn from our own experiences (and mistakes!), to marvel at 'being here' rather than 'getting there', to tread a seemingly untrod path, just to be our unregimented selves, to feel what we need to feel, to count our blessings at our leisure and thus to restore ourselves in body, mind and spirit.

Each to their own - there's (still) plenty of room out there! But I shudder at the thought of having to get a 'permit' to hike a predetermined route through our UK hills, overnighting only at specified sites, sticking to 'approved' paths, carrying officially-required items of kit, being checked out for compliance by Rangers/CCTV/drones/whatever, all doubtless in the worthy name of 'Elf, Safety and Conservation. Not in what's left of my active lifetime I hope.
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
I like Charlie McCartney's videos. He makes scary Munros look easy, even for someone of advancing years, but I'm still left doubting whether I'd be OK doing the likes of the An Teallach ridge.

I like them even better now he doesn’t bother with music.
 
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