My name is David and I've created this channel to offer a perspective on active outdoor lifestyles for people on the downside of mid-life.
You'll notice that I love the outdoors - hiking and backpacking primarily - but, really, just getting outside and being active.
Here's the basic story: After years of day and weekend hikes, in 2018 I quit my job to do my first thru-hike - the 500-mile Colorado Trail. Since then I wrote a book about it (Purpose on the Colorado Trail) and temporarily went back to work. Soon I'll hang up the 9-5 thing for a more intentional pursuit of encouraging others to stay healthy and happy, living on purpose - spending more time living in full!
Some things you can expect by subscribing to this channel are adventure documentaries, gear reviews, tips on living well, and anything to do with healthy living for people "my age".
My aim is to encourage and inspire a life outside of the daily grind.
Hi David. Really enjoy your videos. I live in Kansas so most of my backpacking trips have been to Colorado. I use one of two stoves. Really like the MSR Pocket Rocket and it's my go to for warmer and/or shorter trips. For longer trips or colder weather, I pefer my MSR Whisperjet. Both have been super dependable with never a problem with either.
@@gwb11 Agree - MSR makes some well researched/tested products. Although it's heavy, I don't mind carrying my Jetboil in the winter - good in the wind and it's insulated (read: better fuel economy at elevation)... and it has a large capacity when I need it (not very often). Thanks for watching!
Nice loop, looks like my winter loop that included Mays Peak ( when it was open), Buckhorn, and Capt. Jacks. My morning today was Seven Bridges to Kineo then down Capt. Jacks and Buckhorn to High Drive. You can have so much fun create so many paths through the foothills.
Yes! It's a great area to make it anything you want. Easy, tough, long, short... add some technical challenges... whatever... any time if year. Thanks for the comment - and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video post card from the Colorado Springs area. Liked the map at the end! Keeping me excited about getting on the road to Colorado in another few weeks.
@desertsolitaire494 Nice. Ya, I did Dixon a few years back and I recall one trickle of a water source early in the year. This area has a lot of trails. If you go early enough, you'll avoid the crowds... week days are better if you want some solidude - like most local trails. Thanks for watching.
These are my backyard trails (my house is in Skyway) so I know every nook and cranny of this route and have run it countless times, one of my absolute favorite post-work routes. If you’re ever interested in joining my for Kineo and Seven Bridges shoot me a message…that’s another favorite with one of the most overlooked views around. I’ve done Kineo at least 20 times and have seen someone there exactly once.
@@ericjenkins2737 yes. Kineo is a great destination - great views of Jones Park and surrounding area. I used to train on a loop up there (7-bridges, Kineo, Captain Jacks) when I was getting ready for a longer thru hike. Great mix: distance, ele, minor technical.
I just picked up 3 pairs of Silverlights ankle height. With a 10% introductory discount, and free shipping, it was only $60 USD. If they don't work out for backpacking, they should make an excellent travel sock.
It seems the silicone tubing doesn't hold up when exposed to flames. Based on my alcohol stove test, it likely won't do well on open flames (e.g., over a wood camp fire.) Thanks for watching!
First time viewer of yours David, I was really impressed by this video. Thank you. I do something every day and it is vital, but I do need to make some changes 🙏
Oh... I think we all need some changes... 😁 - present company included. Great that you are active every day... that's sometimes the hardest discipline to maintain. Thanks for watching!
David, glad to hear you’re now cancer free and healthy. Health is wealth. I have always been fit and healthy until a month or so ago I felt out of breath when walking and talking. This is due to lack of exercise for about a year. I am back to hiking with a goal of 2 hikes a week and 7+ miles each time. I have done about 8 hikes now and I am starting to feel better.
Really like the small knife. I have a leatherman style tool and use the knife and scissors the most, but having build in tweezers is nice. I always pack tweezers :)
The thing about solar power on hikes is that it's not a universal binary decision that can be applied to every hike. It's not always great. Sometimes it is. On this hike it was the perfect setup. Appreciate your comment- thanks for watching!
I like that relaxing lounge music and the, “Big deal?… But when it needs to be.” I just picked up a small 30 ml bottle for my unscented Dr. Brooner’s for the CT. That’s some good soap!
Hey thanks! Love me some smooooth jazz (said in a very low voice... haha). I've had that bottle of Dr Broners for a few years now. Don't need much. Agree, good stuff.
thank you for not telling what to buy instead you teach me what to buy. I use a pedalcell to charge my phone it’s about 30 miles to recharge Up hill Down hill or Headwinds works great just got to work for it.
Hey Andy - I hiked the CO Trail in 2018 and I've been section hiking the Arizona trail the past few years. Anything more than a couple hundred miles hasn't fit my circumstances these past few years - but starting next year, maybe... we'll see. Thanks for watching!
Out West solar is a must-have. Single-panel facing up. Sewed-in loops on the pack to ensure facing-up. The smaller Lixada was plenty of juice in open areas, but it did warp due to being all black. Never failed, despite warping. Going with the slightly larger (white) Lixada this year, due to being in more trees. Found the key to making solar work reliably is the USB-c "PD" function of the battery-bank. PD negotiates maximum power into Nitecore battery-bank at all times, regardless how much (or little) sun is available. Velcro battery bank to Lixada and charge devices from the bank at night. That way, the solar/bank system remains a single unit all day long, so cabling isn't an issue while hiking.
Great video! I am going to be in the UP in a few weeks and was wondering if you would recommend a particular segment of the NCT from your trip? I only have time for a day or two of section hiking, so looking to hit the best stuff.
David, thanks for sharing your trip! I really enjoyed the format you presented it day by day. It was a pleasure having the next day pop up in my feed to view.
Ya, it's black magic... haha. It's my Hover X1 Drone. Very light weight - no controller - quick and easy couple button setup. I did a video on it last fall.
True. The real test is to recall your computer password. As soon as you forget that, the adventure begins. Haha Yes! The timing was great for the desert bloom!
