A few years ago I started watching thru hikers as they vlogged their journeys on various trails. It is a fun way to learn more about hiking culture. And it is better than television.

Sometimes hikers finish the trail. Other times they simply finish the adventure. Either way, I appreciate that they take the time to share their stories with the world.

Of course, there are MANY hikers I could follow. If I watched all those who are out there vlogging, I could not have my own adventures – or any kind of life. So I am selective. Below are three of the hikers I look forward to watching this year.

Trek for Tarzan

I started following Fred’s journey last month. On January 1st, 2025, he began his attempt at a Calendar Year Triple Crown (CYTC). For those unfamiliar with trail vocabulary, the Triple Crown refers to the three longest, best-known, north-south hiking trails in the US – the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Triple Crowners are, obviously, an elite group of athletes. Approximately 525 people have achieved this title. A calendar year Triple Crown is when someone completes all three trails in one calendar year. This is quite rare indeed with fewer than 20 hikers ever having accomplished this feat. Fred is no spring chicken, but he is clearly not a newbie on the trail, either. He ‘has his trail legs.’

I chose to follow Fred because of his purpose. He is hiking to raise awareness about our broken criminal justice system in general. More specifically, he is sharing the story of Charles, a man who is currently on death row after a wrongful conviction. Fred takes a few minutes in each episode to talk a bit about Charles’ situation. The channel is not monetized and he has stated that he will not accept any money. I admire that. For Fred, this trek is purely about shining a light on the problem and proposing a few solutions.

A Personal Connection

As I said, I began following Fred’s journey back in January as he was flip flopping on the AT in Virginia. (A flip-flop is when, rather than walking a trail end-to-end, a hiker starts part way through a trail and later comes back to finish the sections missed.) A few days ago I was out for a day hike on the AT with some friends when I happened to see someone coming up the trail with a large pack. Hoping for the opportunity to welcome a thru-hiker to our state, I started to ask whether he was going to Maine. Suddenly I realized, It’s him!

“You’re Trekking for Tarzan!” I said – because I could not remember his name at that moment. He acknowledged that he was. He had flipped down to Georgia to avoid the unusually heavy snows in Virginia and was grateful not to need his ice spikes for the first time in a while. It was a beautiful day to be hiking in Georgia.

We chatted only briefly. As he was heading uphill on a strenuous section of the trail, I did not want to waylay him for too long. But I told him I appreciated hearing Charles’ story and wished him well.

Fred’s videos are delayed (as are most trail vlogs). Each episode covers a few days of hiking rather than daily vlogs. That means it won’t take long to catch up if you decide to follow his journey. If you appreciate his story and purpose, please consider sharing his channel with friends.

Hiking With Rae

This mother daughter team is a hoot! Hailing from South Carolina, they are practically neighbors. Their banter is playful and fun. You can tell they have a good relationship. They laugh a lot – especially when they are tired. (It can be infectious.) Their thick southern accents are just icing on the top.

And y’all, these ladies can HIKE. I began watching them not quite a year ago when they thru-hiked the Bartram Trail. This footpath runs from the Georgia-South Carolina line, up through Clayton, into North Carolina, past Franklin, to Cheoah Bald. They hiked it SEBO (Southeast Bound), and they were putting in solid miles over some strenuous terrain. They averaged more than 14 miles per day, completing the 114 mile trek in only 8 days. Not too shabby.

This year, the two are planning a thru-hike of the CDT. This trail runs along the Rocky Mountains from our southern border with Mexico, through New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Then it hops back-and-forth between Idaho and Montana until it finally reaches the Canadian border. Of the three trails in the Triple Crown, the CDT is the most remote. Resupplies require a bit more planning when there are fewer towns along the route.

Rae and her mom have not yet begun their CDT journey. Their last training hike was earlier this month on a portion of the Foothills Trail in South Carolina. Rae also solo hiked a section of the AT in Georgia last fall.

Watching them makes me want to hit the trail with my own mom and daughter. I look forward to watching these two tackle the CDT together.

Wildflowers Adventures

This is another mother daughter duo, though a bit younger. Little Bear is just 12 years old. They began a thru-hike of the AT last year; it was a dream they both shared. They were strong hikers and doing well. However when they got into Virginia, they decided that the continued adventure was just not worth the sacrifice of so much time away from family. I found that admirable.

They got off trail and returned home to Florida where they continued to occasionally share their family adventures.

After seeing the devastation brought to Appalachia during Hurricane Helene last fall, the two have decided to hike again. This time they are hiking the AT to raise funds through Samaritan’s Purse to help families affected by the storm. I have a feeling they will go all the way to Katahdin this time as they now have a much bigger cause – one worthy of great sacrifice.

Who will you be watching this year?

Will you be following the adventures of any thru-hikers this year? Who are your favorites? Do you prefer to watch the newbies or the trail veterans?

Beyond this year’s thru-hikers, which hiking channels have you found most helpful?

Share your favorites in the comments below.