The Unsettling TRUTH about Appalachian Trail Vloggers (they’re lying) | Jessika Poppe
Dec 28, 2023
auto_awesome
Appalachian Trail thru hiker and former vlogger, Jessika Poppe, talks about her experience vlogging on the AT and why she quit. She also dives into meeting her boyfriend on trail and the challenges of hiking as a couple. They discuss gear considerations, preference for cold backpacking food, and their thoughts on being called influencers. They touch on controversial trails, challenging hiking conditions, and the transition back to the real world after the trail.
Appalachian Trail vlogger, Jessika Poppe, quit vlogging in the middle of her thru hike.
Jessika and her boyfriend met at Appalachian Trail Days 2021.
The podcast discussed the unsettling truth about Appalachian Trail vloggers.
Deep dives
The Lone Star Trail: A Fun and Challenging Hiking Experience
The Lone Star Trail is a 96.6 mile trail that runs through the Sam Houston National Forest in East Texas. While some people criticize it, I had a great experience hiking it. I completed it with a friend over four days, enjoying the flat terrain and the beautiful surrounding forests. Later, I attempted to set an FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the trail but had to end early due to a flooded river crossing. Despite the challenges, I don't regret my experience on the Lone Star Trail and would love to tackle it again in the future.
The Ocean to Lake Trail: An Exciting Loop in Florida
The Ocean to Lake Trail is a 63-mile loop trail that starts from Lake Okeechobee and reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Although it is not officially part of the Florida Trail, the FTA manages sections of it. I haven't personally hiked it yet, but I'm intrigued by the opportunity to run it in one go, as it presents a unique challenge and showcases the diverse landscapes of Florida. I'm particularly drawn to the beauty of the trail and the chance to experience the wilderness of central Florida.
The Florida Trail: Evolving Perspectives and Potential Section Hikes
Initially, I was hesitant about the Florida Trail and didn't see myself doing it. However, my perspective has slowly shifted after hearing from others and watching videos of hikers who have taken on the trail. While I still don't envision myself hiking the entire trail, I am now open to the idea of tackling sections of it. The Ocean to Lake Trail, an offshoot of the Florida Trail, has captured my interest as a potential introductory section hike. The Swannee River section is another trail that has piqued my curiosity due to its beautiful surroundings and some unexpected elevation.
Encounter with a Pine Martin
During a hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the speaker's partner spotted a rare pine martin in a tree. Despite being in the middle of taking a bathroom break, they were both excited about the sighting and took pictures of the adorable animal.
A Challenging Rainy Day Hike
After spending a couple of days in Rangeley, Maine, the speaker and their hiking partner decided to hike out on a rainy day. They encountered pouring rain, freezing temperatures, and flooded gear. Despite the challenging conditions, they pushed through and completed the hike, reflecting on the risks they took but ultimately proud of their accomplishment.
Appalachian Trail thru hiker Jessika Poppe is on the show to talk all about the AT, vlogging, being an "influencer" (cringe), meeting/hiking with her boyfriend on trail, and much much more. Jessika quit vlogging in the middle of her thru hike; we talk about why she did that, and we dive deep into how her and her boyfriend met at Appalachian Trail Days 2021.
This video and description contains affiliate links, which means if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue to make episodes like this. Thank you for the support!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode