I'm an ultralight hiker and backpacker and I'm always looking for my next thru-hike. Backpacking gear is super important, of course, however I believe most gear will get you outside safely. I aim to capture and share nature with others and bring you along on the journey
@@StephenOutside but what comforts are you missing out on? I still don’t understand what people are referring to when they talk about comfort. Are they saying that their heavy sleeping pad is more comfortable or something? I really don’t understand the conversation. my ultralight gear is more comfortable and outperforms any “traditional” backpacking gear because traditional backpacking gear isn’t good. It’s just heavy and low performing. Aside from bringing a chair, I cannot find a single concrete explanation of what comforts bringing heavy stuff provides. Can anyone tell me? Can anybody please explain to me what the Internet is talking about when they’re saying they’re traditional backpacking gear is more comfortable. What is it that they are bringing?! a chessboard? An iPad? A personal wand massager? Somebody please tell me.
Hahah yeah it's a fair question. Nowadays it's very easy to get 15-20 lbs base weight if you use backpacking gear. But some Ultralight gear will strip away comforts in order to save weight. Examples of this are torso sized sleeping pads, frameless backpacks, single wall tents, tarps, and quilts. This gear will get you down to sub 10 lbs base weight. For me it's worth it to go lighter because I never find that I'm uncomfortable. But my sleep system is on the extreme end and relies on me being exhausted at the end of the day in order to get good sleep. Some people will bring a sleep system that weights twice as much as mine because they need better quality of sleep. I think in the end though, backpacking gear has come a long way and you can have both lightweight and comfort if you do research
Dude. A "breathable jacket" is usually made with pit zip construction - which you are to use to vent your heat occasionally and stay cooler and drier inside when it's really soaking. They are also usually designed to be windproof, so you only need the one layer, not two. You literally cited the fact that they don't breathe in heavy rain (they do breathe in light rain) as a reason not to use it, and then decided instead to use a rain jacket that is physically, always, incapable of breathing and that you reduce your activity level to be able to use it. Your system is inferior in literally every way.
I chose to buy a rain jacket that will last probably 20 years because of its 100% waterproof, extremely durable but non-breathable material (it has pit zips to compensate). The thing is a swap if you push too hard but I love it. It's an ultralight emergency item at 7.4oz which is just as light and functional as many expensive breathable jackets. My wind breaker jacket is super useful and it only weighs 3.7oz (105g)! I wear it on cold mornings to keep body heat inside, when it's sprinkling because it has DWR, and obviously when it's windy. For 3.7oz it's so worth bringing! For me the wind jacket is way more useful than a rain jacket. It's more breathable than any rain jacket on the market, and until then I'll probably be bringing two. It's all about moisture management in the end Edit: One thing my comment didn't make clear is that all breathable rain jackets will wet out at some point while mine won't. And breathable rain jackets will have worse breathability in wind, light rain, and cold mornings making you damp - these are the three uses I would use it most for
sounds dumb but I bring my modded PSP. I can watch movies and play tons of games and music on it. Helps my mind relax at the end of the day. It's fun to hunker down in foul weather and play 2 player games from different tents lol. PSP w/ 2 batteries is 15oz. Cool vid thx.
No way, that's amazing! Sometimes I like to be disconnected from tech but there were many times on the PCT I would have loved this. It's cool you can play with friends too
I haven't heard of that, it looks interesting. I'll admit I've debated tarp camping for a long time now and combining it with a poncho would be even better
Always a mesh merino base layer (Brynje), nothing else comes close. Followed by merino top or Arthur beale wool jumper... Waxed Anorak (Fjallraven No.8) as top layer. Forget the technical Goretex, wind stoppers etc, nothing I've found when hiking in UK keeps you dry all day, whether that be rain or sweat. it's all about keeping warm when moving and when still. No.8 might wet out even when waxed but wet doesn't get past jumper. This is also a very breathable setup so sweat won't get you cold.
When sleeping in cold weather bring a male urinal you can buy at the drugstore. Cold makes you pee more. Holding your pee all night will give you a terrible sleep. Better to pee in the bottle and take it out of the sleeping bag. Opening the bag to get up and pee will release a ton of heat and it will take a long time to rebuild it when you get back into the bag. It took many nights of experimentation to figure this all out.
This was the best video of this section that I have seen over the past three seasons. You captured so many parts of the trail that most people just skip over. Thank you!
@@studiopiko They act more like wind pants than rain pants. They're somewhat breathable but I wouldn't want to sweat in them. I've had to roll them up a few times hahah
Scary, man. Do they normally avoid you if they have no cubs nearby? I planned on hiking most of the desert region at night, now I'm not sure. Lol 😐 I went out for a day hike near Lake Hemet (Idyllwild), not even 2 minutes in, I walked through a small stream crossing and there was a giant paw print, I spun around so fast looking at all the high elevation to see if it was nearby watching me.
It's actually super rare to see them in the wild, so we were extremely unlucky. They usually avoid people and hide. Looking back, I think they were by food or a den since they didn't move and they're solitary unless with a cub. Those are both scenarios where they can get defensive... Lesson learned lol We heard several mountain lions in the desert section but I didn't see any. I've only encountered them on the Colorado Trail. Oh man hahah. Yeah that would worry me for sure seeing a paw print like that
I really enjoy watching you and your trailfam. You’re showing things that others don’t. You’re honestly is much appreciated! Thank you (I do wonder when this hike was due to fires etc) no matter Keep it Up! 👍
Thanks, I appreciate it! I actually got off trail a week before the Park Fire broke out. My trail fam has been dealing with some rough conditions. Hiking with red skies, thick haze, and even wearing masks. It looks like something out of a dystopian movie
@@StephenOutside tell me about I live in Wa and inhaling smoke does not get easier. That’s a bummer, I hope you all make it back. Thanks again, I’m really enjoying watching!!! 👍
I think this is your best yet!! Such a crazy, complicated few days summarized so well. So glad I got to experience this with you and look back on it now with such a beautiful video!
Loving your videos, truly inspiring and motivational 🤙🏽 What date was your San Juanito mountain hike? Was that snow sill in late August? Thanks in advance for your response
Thanks I appreciate it! We hiked San Jacinto on April 30 this year. At that time the conditions for Fuller Ridge and Apache Peak were improving a lot every week
Former thru hiker here.. I think a lot of the gear is used bc of RU-vid influencers. The condensation in the duplex is terrible!!! It’s tough to pitch when the ground is hard and no rocks around. Freestanding and double wall is better. Thermarest pads are so noisy, you can’t sleep. Plus they aren’t near as comfortable as Nemo or S2S or BA pads. As for quilts, the dangly straps to connect it to the pad is a nightmare when you’re tired and just want to sleep. I personally don’t need to be the lightest; I would rather enjoy my time and be comfortable!!! I feel it’s become a trend to try to go super ultralight, but everyone likes different things. HYOH. These are just things I’ve realized and now will carry the extra weight to be more comfy.
A lot of gear is getting to the point where you have to sacrifice a ton of comforts, especially in the sleep system. It's exciting to see people add lightweight comforts back into their packs. Yeah, the pressure to hike huge miles is so strong. I love taking my time and enjoying nature if I can, even with a minimalist setup.
Toilet paper is basically pure short-fibre pulp. Burried under ground it fully decomposes in about 3-4 weeks. That being said, bidet is more elegant and nature friendly option.
With every environment having different microbes and decomposing times, it's always safest to pack out TP. Desert and alpine environments are some of the most delicate and they also take the longest to decompose TP
Elbert was beautiful! But it's a massive challenge if you're up for it. Be prepared for bad weather, bring snacks and water. Take it slow, listen to your body and you should be fine! I've camped and climbed in the Wichita mountains, it was really nice!
The material is a dealbreaker for me. I use an 80g/m2 merino shirt in the summer and this one is 135g/m2. Almost twice as much. I don't understand why all sunhoodies have materials this thick when their main use is against the sun, so mostly in high temperatures.
@@Nhkg17 I think the reason it's thicker is for durability. This hoodie has held up incredibly well for 2000+ miles while other hoodies have fallen apart within 500 miles. It's also surprisingly breathable and cool. (Not affiliated with them but damn I love this hoodie)
Dude! Watching this as I sit at home, taking a needed mental break from trail. This is motivating me to get back on trail and enjoy the remaining miles. Thanks so much 🙏 Stoked to see the rest of your videos. Also super cool to see how you met Avery, Miles, and Southpaw
Hey, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! You're a badass, the hike through burn areas looks like a huge mental challenge. I hope your rest away from the trail helps you recover!
Bravo........question on first......u wonder if u can finish..........are u the last to start..........good luck..........might be a snow year........even if u do desert section .....hot.....night hike......cheers
Yeah I've used the Altra Lone Peak 6, 7 and 8 now. They were all great! The toe box has gotten too small for my feet though. The durability of the 8 is slightly less than the Topo Traverse (but the 8 is still a better shoe for me). Overall, I'm really happy
Trevor’s story is awful. If there isn’t already, a program where you buy your ice axe, send it to be store at where it will be needed and then when you have finished, you can send it back to that place for the next person for either free or small hire charge (to fund the program). Often it’s cost that’s the reason why people don’t have the right gear. And if you only need it for a small section, then it’s more likely to not be purchased.
Oh that's a great idea, I totally agree! Triple Crown Outfitters does a bear car rental through the Sierra section and you drop it off at the north location. If they did the same with ice axes that would be amazing
I like to carry a fairly large strong pack. Then i carry ultralight gear inside. If i need to add a piece of gear, carry 8 liters of water, get a bear can, or want to carry 200 miles of food its not an issue. I can generall keep it under 20 lbs total but if i neet to carry 60 lbs (which is basically never) im well equipt to do so.
I don't think it's shrunk at all! 1000 miles on it now and it's held up really well. The only things I'd like to change are the hood is a little shallow (but on the other hand, it isn't baggy), and you can see the label through the back of the shirt. Very minor issues in my opinion
