After a bitterly cold night on the Appalachian Trail, I made the tough decision to leave the trail—at least for now. In this video, I share how sub-freezing temperatures pushed my sleeping system beyond its limits, leading to sleepless hours and cold, harsh realizations. Compounding the challenge were several unexpected setbacks: a broken blood sugar monitor, a water filter cap failure, and the added hiking 6 extra miles to Springer Mountain on Day 1. Despite these obstacles, I’m determined not to give up on my dream of completing the AT this year. Join me as I reflect on what went wrong, my plans moving forward, and the lessons learned from this challenging experience. If you’re planning your own Appalachian Trail thru-hike or looking for advice on gear, preparation, and mindset, this video is for you.
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