How The Appalachian Trail Ruined My Life – https://youtu.be/LgbNE6t7Vfk
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2023 Gear List – https://youtu.be/rRQphhIPRh0
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39 Comments
Im still with you bro.
I hadn’t noticed your eyebrows until you mentioned it. Can’t unsee them now. 😂
I remember the time you were getting burnt out. I saw it in your live video’s so I wasn’t surprised when you stopped for awhile
You taught me a lot about long distance hiking and gear but I’m more thankful that you stopped to take care of yourself and your wife❤
Nice to see you back
thanks for sharing your process! It hurt watching your attitude change as you burnt out.
Your love of the outdoors was shining in the earlier ones.. glad it’s back. You honesty really touched us. ❤
Wow, what 180 degree turnabout back to your roots. I guess you did take a lengthy hiatus. You had me believing you were transitioning to bikepacking with your old buddy Russ. I always respected you for your solo travels and navigation skills. You are and always will be The Man. You are gritty as Dr. Angela Duckworth would say.
Thank you so much for this recap – I hope you, your wife and your friends are in a good place now. You are missed on YouTube but friends and family always come FIRST!!
When it’s time to change you can’t stop it. If you try to prevent it then the result will be misery.
I’ve enjoyed your channel.
After recovering from two neck surgeries back in 2017, I came across your hiking videos. It inspired me to start hiking to push myself a little more. Thank you for all your content.
Thanks for sharing your journey, it’s a true pleasure to share in your journeys.
I would have loved a less clickbaity title
❤ Thank you for your always authentic vlogs. You owe your fans nothing, you have given and shared so much. Your photography and content is of such high quality, it’s been outstanding. I knew that you struggled during your time on the CDT. I felt that our watching you and the process of creating for us was distracting from your experience in a negative way. The CDT is closer to me (Colorado) and I’m thrilled to have the rest of the hike to anticipate watching.
I moved to Wyoming on a whim to take a new job and get closer to more Outdoor Opportunities. So glad I did! Been here two months and really loving it!
Best wishes Darwin!
Was so hoping you’d finish those someday, and glad that day is here! Thanks, Darwin. You do inspire. 🥾
I also did the CDT in 2021. We talked for a few seconds when you were coming out of Yellowstone southbound while I was going northbound. I haven’t hiked too much since then. lol I’m getting the itch again though. Be well!
lol, you just stole my thunder! We retired early, sold it all, went on the road full-time in 2020 thinking we might never settle down again. But, although our hiking, backpacking, fishing, traveling and experiencing have been completely worth it, life has changed and we are ready for a new chapter that starts this very next week. Rolling with it has led to so many opportunities that I would never have dreamed up in a million years, but here we are. Our next chapter starts! So, my hat off to you and your wife, we may not know all the curves in our path, so being open to change can bring joy.
The love of long distance hiking has put on my marriage. The love of the trail has nothing to do with anything other than the love of the outdoors. I have had to tone it down because to be honest it’s either the trail or my wife. It has not been easy which to some may seem strange. People with addictive personalities have issues taking things to far. Yeah that’s me. It’s good to see you found some balance. Take care
I'd like to see some snow camping videos. Gimme a gear video, I need some snow shoes lol
A great time to reminisce. Look forward to the videos.
Darwin, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos over the years.
Thank you for being THE guy that really inspired me.
Your channel blew up because of your infectious energy, and it’s great to see you back. My biggest thank you to you.. introducing me to Altra! ✌️
I never felt long through hikes were for me. Too much time, too many garbage miles, so many nice places and great trails all over the world to check out.
Glad your back on You Tube. Safe travels and a happy life. I'll be listening and watching your life adventure. 😊
Same same. Love you! So grateful , hiking ruined my life for the better as well.
Interesting perspectives. Sounds like u got pretty self-absorbed in the hobby, maybe even a lil' selfish, then recognized the time-suck for what it is? Honestly, it seems to be escapism from reality.
Thank you for sharing your adventures through the years. Glad to hear you are taking time for your family, friends and yourself. The best of luck on the new journey.
I haven't backpacked in almost 3 years, because I was tired of it. I'm OK with that. Life changes, and I joke that I'm now in my "all-inclusive resort" phase. I love that as a major figure in backpacking, you give voice to stepping back. I love that you don't commit to never backpacking, or to taking it up in the future. Life is an unknown adventure and we don't have to continue on a path if it no longer serves us. Thank you for letting us into your thought process.
it is so good to see you happy and i unsub to some old channels and stop to say hay !
i have put the bell on to here more from you !
stay safe darwin !
I remember watching you on the pct. You were a big inspiration for me to start overnight hiking short lived because i lost control of a drug habit. Im now here trying to see if its something i may want to get back into. My mom saved my trekking poles while i was in the streets in case one day i got better and got back to hiking. Alot has changed in my life now but im also now clean for almost a year now. I miss being in nature and ive gained so much weight im kinda worried i dont have the energy for it all anymore but idk. Anyways just stopping by and subscribing since im back myself lol. Take care ✌️
The long trails give us a chance to get out of the daily rat race and rediscover what is important in our lives.
Please, what is the name of your gear company again? The sun hoodie looked perfect!
Thanks Darwin for updating us on your CDT burnout experience and excited for your upcoming videos.
A lot of people think it's "Not to bury the lead" but it's actually "Not to bury the lede" (meaning – failure to emphasize the main point of the story).
It comes from the early days of newspaper printing, when they spelled it "lede" (as in, the opening point of the article) so as not to confuse it with "lead" which is what the typeset letters were made of – and called "the lead"
True story.
Always enjoy your videos! You're a good egg, sir
I really appreciate your openness and sincerity. I have gotten so wrapped up in creating content that I too have neglected my own personal life and had to take a step back for a few months. It becomes very consuming and it's kind of like an addiction really. But I try to keep a good balance, and remember that creating adventures is just a hobby, and my faith, family and friends are more important than making YouTube videos. Thanks for the video, it reminded me again to focus on keeping things in proper perspective. God bless!
Love the reflection in this video!
Great backstory, buddy! Looking forward to the next 4 videos!
Nick/Darwin – soooo so happy to hear you are doing what YOU need to do – both for yourself and your marriage. Very proud of you. We all should make changes in our lives when needed (burn out is NO good!), in fact… we will have some changes coming up in the future as well – all for US and to keep us happy and challenged and positive. Cheers! — Chica
Good to have you back looking forward to new content