At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
I used the Offset Solo on the PCT this year and don't have any complaints. I never really had to think about where to pitch it, unlike the people who had Durstons. That said, they definitely could set up quicker once they found a spot, but only by a minute or so, so not a big difference. If the LanShan 1 came in DCF, that would be my perfect tent. As I only hike with one trekking pole, and I was a little jealous of the people with double walled tents, being able to set up without their fly, so they could see the night sky and still not get eaten alive.
So why did you retire the Altaplex tent? You never said in the video!? I bought it 3 years ago based on your recommendation and have regretted it ever since, because of all the condensation and because at 6'5, it's too small for me, even though supposedly it's for tall people like me!? I wish I would have bought the Nemo!
Collapsible buckets are so light that I don't understand why hikers don't add them as a luxury item. It would make bathing, washing clothing, cooking, and sharing, so much easier. With all the complaints about hiker odor, I would think a collapsible bucket would be a first choice.
Mmmm...I love my Zenbivy system. I have the UL-wide with the insulated hood (lovely btw), and I sleep much better now in the backcountry. I use it with the BA Rapide wide pad and the ZB smaller pillow, which is super cozy (I love the down topper). I couldn't sleep with the Neoair and a quilt. I got too cold, and it was just never comfortable. And the sea-to-summit pillow never felt cozy and would always pop out from under my head...... To each their own!
the thing that gets me is the fear of not having a permanent residence... not for personal reasons but for legal ones. How do you renew your license without an address? How do you find work without one if you end up needing to do so for awhile?
Really cool to see that you're back, Mister Darwin. I use the good old dried up wet wipes, which you can get in like a disinfecting baby version or something, and that weighs almost nothing. I use to carry a couple of different types, like some utility cleaning wipes for dishwashing etc, and some baby wipes for body work. Did you see what happened to Joe Robinet ?? So tragic.
I get where your coming from Darwin, and I understand your packing/hiking philosophy and agree with most. I was sure you’d include a chair, which I have discovered I can’t live without! I have a Jetboil, I bought some time ago, and will be replacing it soon.
Love the Redd Foxx cameo. Those are all awesome tips. I have done the needle and thread through a blister hack a few times. It works very well. My daily soap hack has been when I change out the last bit of bar soap in the shower, to a new big bar, I save that last little bit of the old bar soap to put into my hygiene kit. I can make that last little bit of bar go a week or so. But I really like your concentrated liquid soap trick because you can use it on dishes and laundry.
Fair review, for sure! I have the Zenbivy sheet and the 25 quilt. I've had them for 30 nights on trail so far, a little over a year. Unlike you, I LOVE the hood! It keeps my pillow from sliding around, which was a major cause of lost sleep in the past. I use a Nemo Tensor pad and a smaller inflatable pillow. For convenience I leave my quilt attached to one side of the sheet and leave the other side open. This system has definitely improved my sleeping on trail. I might get that pillow (that you didn't like!) since I still find myself missing the loft.
I got a pair of these when they released. I'm liking them. I use them for canoe portaging, carrying heavy weight and walking through shallow rivers and shorelines. I like the new quick-dry sole and fabric. They're comfy, and made well.
The hammock setup becomes efficient with practice. Loop strap around tree, attach carabineer to strap, slide under quilt over hammock, loop strap around second tree, clip carabineer, DONE! If you want to add a tarp, that adds a few more minutes. For me, both the EMS and POLER tents always took me about 2-5 minutes.
People get so caught up in new gear when frankly the old gear still works great. My system sleep/tent system is over 5+ years old and still works great! I use a Thermarest NeoAir Xlite 2” pad with a silk Cacoon liner and a 20° UGQ quilt. When sleeping on rock slabs where coldness might seep up I will use my Thermarest Z Lite Sol (cut in 1/2) closed Foam Pad under the air pad for additional warmth. In addition I prefer a freestanding tent, Marmot Tungsten 1P UL, which is warmer and almost eliminates condensation issues. With the vestibule doors closed on most nights at temps in the 20°-40° range I don’t need an insulated hoody or beanie and will occasionally wear a beanie to bed when the temps get below 20°. Works great for me and at a fraction of the cost. Can’t imagine replacing this system given the ridiculous cost of gear today! Buy quality, take care of it, when needed take advantage of the warranties, and quit looking to update something that doesn’t need replacing. I take pride in the fact my old gear still works great!
Thank you, good informative video, I will be going to Shenandoah NP next week and hike sections of the AT but I will not be camping on the trail, I will be a established campgrounds. I just want to confirm that I do not need a permit for what is essentially day hiking in the NP.
For **5 ounces** of pemmican, depending on how it's prepared - **Calories**: 750-1000 - **Fat**: 50-75 grams - **Protein**: 25-35 grams Sodium can be customized, dialed in just how you want it. It just depends on how much you add. It’s stoveless. No water required. No prep time. No cold soaking. You can eat it on the go.
I like my footprint for many reasons, but mainly in case of rain. I have the B.A. tiger wall ul1, and you can set up the rain fly with it, before setting up the inner tent.
Main benefit of the hood imo is keeping your pillow in place and just sleeping on top of the hood. I went for the full core sheet with the light bed but if i was going ultralight then the zenbivy sheet+diy quilt conversion seems ideal. I've never seen great things about the pads beyond the r value and i agree the pillow is overkill. Another thing is that I'd never recommend buying at full price they are constantly going on 20-30% off sales.
I did this a few years ago counterclockwise starting at cloud cap. That thing you roped down I had to climb up. Was the hardest part for me. With our start, the lodge was 3/4 through our hike so a very nice stop before going on to complete.
A couple of years ago before their UL versions, I bought the light bed reg 25 degree for backpacking in the Sierra summers where I find the high country getting hotter and hotter. Loved it. Mobility and Bare legs on the sheet vs the air mattress was great. I strap it to my xlite which it doesn’t fit well, but works. I also have an ee ten degree quilt which is overkill for me for most situations. Earlier this year I was prepping for my John Muir trail thru hike that I have now just completed. I wanted to get the zenbivey UL 10 degree bed, but cost and other factors made that not feasible. I ended up purchasing the light 1/2 sheet and Ee,s torrid down pants for added warmth if needed and then paired my zen bivey 25 degree quilt with the 1/2 sheet. I also used my Nemo elite pillow. With this system I was never cold and many days it got down into the twenties. I like stuffing my pillow into the non insulated hood. It just stays.
Waterproof jacket and over trousers plus a skippers kangaroo-skin hat. The hat is waterproof and gives sun protection. I live in the UK, rain is always like,y.
You should wear sunglasses all the time. the UV causes cataracts. If you’re out in bright sunshine, prevent ( or slow down) the progress of your cataracts. Please.
Did this trail last weekend with a buddy that’s never been backpacking! We had low clouds on our first day so we had no views but days 2 and 3 were beautiful. Loved this one.
