View Full Version : On the fence about vlog my AT thru attempt
Absolutely loving all the blogs out there on YouTube. Gives me great insight into the gear others use, the weather, the terrain, and how life on the trail is. It makes me wonder whether I’d want to vlog my attempt.
I can’t help but think if people injure themselves. I’m seeing many hikers on rough terrain, stumbling over rocks, roots, ice....with one hand holding two trekking poles, the other a selfie stick.
Can’t imagine after pulling a 20 miler, wanting to edit, upload and download videos. That’s if you get a signal. Plus, you need to recharge your phone/GoPro more often.
Does constantly needing to film take away from the experience?
I know, I know...HYOH
fastfoxengineering
03-08-2018, 16:10
Yes it does require a lot of effort.
No you do not need to do it.
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nitetrain
03-08-2018, 18:01
there is quiet enough video out there.
i wouldn't do it and just enjoy your hike
Durunner
03-08-2018, 23:20
Do what makes you happy I guess. I plan to tell only a handful of close people I am even going. May post a photo on Facebook like every month. I like taking some photos, but I go to the woods to unplug. Whenever it happens, I will be mostly off grid.
If you are an experienced vlogger and are confident in your ability to film, edit, tell a story, upload, stay committed, etc then go for it.
Another option would be to just film a few 30 second to minute clips each day and then on your town stops spend an hour or two editing and uploading.
Or just film here and there when something is meaningful to you and after your trip put together a 5-10 minute video of the entire hike. This gives you the benefit of those moments on video long term without the burden of a daily homework assignment, enjoy the hike while on the trail and then practice your vlogging skills afterwards.
Gambit McCrae
03-09-2018, 09:01
For those that live through others due to not being able to thru hike there is great enjoyment out of a thru hiking vlogger. If done well it is very enjoyable to watch someone walk the trail over the year.
However, if it is not enjoyable for the vlogger then certainly don't feel obligated. Vlogging can definitely add a very different angle to y our hike depending on how frequently you post your videos. I know that earlyriser, one of the most well known vloggers of 2017, saw a lot of generosity and kindness from youtube fans. People waiting on roadsides with McDonalds and candy for him. I personally would not enjoy this and I can see why others would not either.
IYOH
Do you hope to achieve sponsorships or internet fame?
It can be a pain to film a lot. If you take the time to set up decent shots and such it becomes a big time consuming pain.
If you don’t take the effort, or have some sort of plan or narrative, it can rapidly degrade into another shakey camera video of a hiker rambling on.
I’d recommend the 30 second to 2 minute approach. If you come up to an epic vista shoot some footage. Likewise, if you’re walking along and have something to share, take a min or two to say it.
When you get to town you can edit and upload it with that good ol’ WiFi.
I enjoyed making10 to 15 min vids for my family to watch but once I got caught up in counting views it was easy to get frustrated when a video of the Whites got 500 and then some newbie posts a pre trail pack video that gets 6 thousand
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No sponsorships or internet fame. In fact, I hate having my pic taken. I thought of my AT attempt as a big event in my life...one worthy of documenting for friends and family. Also...if and when a day comes and my memory lapses...be nice to look back.
I do like the 30 sec - 2 Min approach. I don’t desire to shoot video of every moss formation or rock jutting out of a tree.
In the end, couldn’t care less if anyone else sees my video other than family and friends
“It’s not lost on me that I’m so busy recording life, I don’t have time to really live it.” ~David Sedaris, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls
AllDownhillFromHere
03-09-2018, 11:18
A lot of times vlogs are about the vlogger, not the subject. People aren't going to want to stare at your dirty face while you explain how much you hiked that day.
Post to a Flickr album for people to follow, or pick a few gems for Instagram. Or if you do make videos, just make narrated slide shows.
if its work, I say skip it
Starchild
03-09-2018, 11:40
HYOH, it may be a burden or something that inspired you. Find out for yourself and adjust.
FrogLevel
03-09-2018, 13:30
A lot of times vlogs are about the vlogger, not the subject. People aren't going to want to stare at your dirty face while you explain how much you hiked that day.
Post to a Flickr album for people to follow, or pick a few gems for Instagram. Or if you do make videos, just make narrated slide shows.
if its work, I say skip it
I disagree. I enjoy good vlogs. Everyone has the same boring photos of Hump Mountain and random flowers. Interesting personalities combined with their thoughts and experiences are interesting if done right. Everyone hates a slide show, especially with terrible music.
BoogieForth
03-09-2018, 13:47
It's possible to document it without it becoming work or feeling obligated to do it every day. On my hike I just took a lot of photos, and a couple videos when I saw something fun, interesting or beautiful. There's a lot of all of that! Keeping a journal is another great to way to remember a lot of details that otherwise might fade.
I disagree. I enjoy good vlogs. Everyone has the same boring photos of Hump Mountain and random flowers. Interesting personalities combined with their thoughts and experiences are interesting if done right. Everyone hates a slide show, especially with terrible music.
Agreed, I think slideshows are terrible
imscotty
03-09-2018, 18:44
If it is not on the Internet, did it even happen?
Asking for a friend :)
imscotty
03-09-2018, 18:54
Sorry, that comment was much too flip.
When I hike I take lots of pictures, a few notes, and just let the surroundings soak in. When I get home, I just like to keep my thoughts to myself for a while, and savor the experience. A few months later when the noise of life threatens to drive nature's tranquility back out of my bones, I go through my pictures and write it all up in a Trailjournal. By then most people are not interested in what I did a few months before, but that is alright by me.
I really write those things so that some day my kids will read them and know something about their Dad. My dad died when I was a teenager and now he seems like a stranger to me. I like to think that my musings on the trail will give my kids some comfort when I am gone.
FrogLevel
03-09-2018, 20:35
Sorry, that comment was much too flip.
When I hike I take lots of pictures, a few notes, and just let the surroundings soak in. When I get home, I just like to keep my thoughts to myself for a while, and savor the experience. A few months later when the noise of life threatens to drive nature's tranquility back out of my bones, I go through my pictures and write it all up in a Trailjournal. By then most people are not interested in what I did a few months before, but that is alright by me.
I really write those things so that some day my kids will read them and know something about their Dad. My dad died when I was a teenager and now he seems like a stranger to me. I like to think that my musings on the trail will give my kids some comfort when I am gone.
That's wonderful. Make sure you back it up and they know that it exists and where to find it (the backups too). My grandfather kept a journal most of his life from the age of 25-80~. It was one of the neatest things I could imagine someone doing.
Night Train
03-09-2018, 21:14
Yes, it does for me...... but then again it might be just the thing for you.
People have mentioned journaling; you’ll often be too tired to do so but I’d totally suggest doing so.
Just a few minutes at the end of the day to record your thoughts will go a long way.
I find myself watching my old videos now and enjoying them but there are vast stretches where I can hardly remember
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I'm going to be a minimalist vlogger. I'm not going to do much editing, target my family and friends and upload only when I have a WiFi signal during a hostel stay or in town on a resupply. Others are invited to view but they shouldn't expect "professional" vlogging. Flip Flopping beginning in HF after the Flip Flop festival. At Flip Flop
TexasBob
03-10-2018, 10:48
No sponsorships or internet fame. In fact, I hate having my pic taken. I thought of my AT attempt as a big event in my life...one worthy of documenting for friends and family. Also...if and when a day comes and my memory lapses...be nice to look back.
I do like the 30 sec - 2 Min approach. I don’t desire to shoot video of every moss formation or rock jutting out of a tree.In the end, couldn’t care less if anyone else sees my video other than family and friends
I think you answered your own question. Make a record of your hike be it a journal, pictures, or video for yourself. Send your family and friends postcards (snail mail type) with a short note as you progress along the trail and they can have a record of your hike and a novelty (nobody send postcards anymore) as well.
What I have found from vlogging section hikes on the AT and other random hikes, workouts, etc is: Do what makes you happy. If it becomes a chore, stop for a while. I like to be able to look back though at the footage and remember what is was like on the day(s) that I recorded. Our kids like watching them as well as grandparents, parents, friends, etc.
sadlowskiadam
03-10-2018, 11:52
I can't speak to a vlog, but during my thru hike I maintained an online blog at trailjournals.com. It was a lot of work keeping the journal updated, but I am very thankful I wrote the journal because (1) it kept friends and family updated of my trials and tribulations, and (2) I had a permanent record of the hike (which I still go back and read from time to time, and relive the hike). I definitely would keep some sort of journal (written or video). It is worth the extra effort.
AllDownhillFromHere
03-10-2018, 12:51
I can't speak to a vlog, but during my thru hike I maintained an online blog at trailjournals.com. It was a lot of work keeping the journal updated, but I am very thankful I wrote the journal because (1) it kept friends and family updated of my trials and tribulations, and (2) I had a permanent record of the hike (which I still go back and read from time to time, and relive the hike). I definitely would keep some sort of journal (written or video). It is worth the extra effort.
If TJ goes offline, your journal isn't permanent. I stick to pencil and paper; my 1997 AT journals are as readable now as they were then.
Southeast
03-10-2018, 12:52
I’m not a thru hiker but I do make videos of my backpacking trips. I don’t do it for the YT audience. It’s so I can watch later and recall a trip I took with my family or when I saw the horses at Grayson Highlands or whatever. Stuff I might want omg remember in a few years time when the memory fades.
Check out Craig M aka Spielberg videos. 4-5 minutes in length each day, sometimes longer when covering multiple days. The shorter the video usually means less time editing footage.
He does a good job of mixing footage with telling how his day went.
I could also tell toward the end of his trip it was a grind to keep doing the videos.
If nothing else, phones these days typically have the ability to throw pics/vids into an album for the day and then compile a short video for you.
sadlowskiadam
03-10-2018, 17:09
If TJ goes offline, your journal isn't permanent. I stick to pencil and paper; my 1997 AT journals are as readable now as they were then.
You can download your entire journal at trailjournals.com. I have mine saved as a PDF, which my wife turned into a hard cover journal for me.
You can download your entire journal at trailjournals.com. I have mine saved as a PDF, which my wife turned into a hard cover journal for me.
Thanks for this info. Will check it out after my attempt. I do love Trailjournals.com hosting our journals.