Thanks to all who have watched my videos and subscribed to my channel. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed watching. This channel shares some of my backpacking adventures and occasionally reviews some of my gear and techniques.
My first trip with the Boy Scouts at the age of 12, created a passion for backpacking, but it wasn’t until 1988 that I became an avid backpacker. Since 2011 backpacking has become an integral part of my life, averaging 75 to 100 nights a year. As of 2023 my backpacking miles exceed 13,000 in 25 states with almost 1,800 nights on the trail.
Again, thanks for watching and hope you enjoy this channel.
Hello Bryan...really have enjoyed watching your videos. I especially appreciate your philosophy "Backpacking is more than hiking, eating and sleeping". Thanks again.
Beautiful country. My boyfriend and I camped at Big Sandy in October 2022 and day hiked from there. We were surprised to see as many backpackers as we did because night-time temps were in the 20s. Nice music choices in this video too. What's the song that starts at 6:50?
Hey Bryan, thought I would mention that we got our dog (55 lb. short-haired border collie rescue) booties when we have him in the tent because he popped one of our expensive sleeping pads. Luckily we sent it back to the manufacturer for free repair. I figure you are still out west....Like the dogin the videos for sure.
There's a great hidden waterfall at that first night's camp site. Have to Bushwhack a little but lovely. I hike that piece regularly. Do you ever post your tracks anywhere? I'd like to see that unnamed trail.
Thanks for the info about the water falls. The maps in the video are the only info I've posted about this trip. The unnamed trails show up on Gaia GPS maps, but not on the official Shining Rock, Middle Fork Wildernesses map.
@@BryanDeLay I currently use OnX maps. I'll check out Gaia. I'm sure you hear it all the time, but you've got the best hiking vids on RU-vid. Maybe I'm biased seeing all the trails I'm familiar with living in the Pisgah area.. be well.
Look like an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing! I’m planning 2 days in the fall to trail run. Looking for recommendations on a route. Any suggestions? I’ll be base camping at west tensleep trailhead. Ideally each run would be 10-13 miles without significant scrambling. I realize elevation gain is inevitable but no need to summit any peaks. Thanks!!
Hi Bryan. Nicely done as usual. Gear Questions: 1. I need a wide brim hat like you wear. Any suggestions? 2. What hiking shoes/boots do you wear. I've seen you wade across streams many times and wondered if the shoes were "quick dry". Because of some foot issues, my podiatrist has me wearing Merrell Moab hiking shoes and/or boots. 3. Do any of the camping areas in this area have bear boxes? What do you think of bear canisters vs. having to hang a bag each night? As info, Lord willing, I'm taking my 25-year old grandson to the Grayson Highlands in early October for two days of hiking. I'm then planning to take him down to the Roan Highlands and hike across the balds. That will give him a look at my two favorite places on the AT thus far (I'm at milepoint 1085). Thanks - keep up the great work!
Sorry to be so long in getting back with you, I'm in Wyoming and yesterday finished a 5 day backpack. My hat is a cheap hat I bought at Costco a few.years ago. I wear Altra Olympus 5 shoes. They are zero drop with 33 mm of stack. Yes there are bear boxes at the shelters and a few campsites. I prefer to hang my food and dislike bear csnnisters.
@@BryanDeLay Thank you Bryan - no expectations on a reply. Just appreciate your fine videos and taking the time to repond when convenient. God Bless you in all your hikes.
Thank you for posting this. I will be taking this same route August 22nd 2024. This is the video I have been looking for. Simple and informative with great shots of the scenery.
Hi Bryan. Appreciate another great hiking video. It's a shame they don't blaze the trails in some areas. I've heard the argument "it's a wilderness", but the AT goes through many wilderness areas - and it is blazed. Regardless, look forward to your next hiking video! God Bless.
Thanks Ken, I agree the trails should be blazed and have signs at the intersections. Most wilderness areas have blazes and signs. Finally, Shiningrock Wilderness installed a few signs.
Enjoyed the video. Your dog looks like a good hiking companion. Are there many trails that allow a dog off leash in your area. We take our dog with us when we trailer camp in the Smoky Mountains but we are restricted to the campground with Daisy our dog. The Sugarlands trail into Gatlinburg is one of only two trails that allows a dog. Thanks for taking us along!
Wow Bryan, I just did this trail a few days ago....hiked into Little Divide and out in a long day hike. I knew and was ready for the big climb out of the trail head, but didn't realize the trail has so many ups and downs, after that, as it goes through the Toboggan Lake basins. One of most strenuous day hikes I've done in 42 years!
Love the look of this forest! Also, now that we have hit "inferno summer" season up here, I would love to hear the sound of some rain. Your pup is looking great and it looks like it loves being a trail dog!
This is a unique area with lots of 6,000 foot peaks in the area. On the other side of Rt. 215, the road I started at, is Shining Rock Wilderness, which was one of the original wildernesses designated by the Wilderness Act of 1964. It's been dry here too and I would love to hear and see some rain also. Oh yes, my dog loves to go backpacking. She gets excited when I load my pack in the car.
Nice to see the pup out learning the trail..Man u are the master of the bear hang. U have it down to an art form. u guys have those branches that really stick out..I swer a lot of the times up here your luck to find a tree that will work...there has been a few times where i know its not the proper height off ground ...but...but its 100 yards or more from camp and off the ground so its gonna have to work...i dont sleep well on those nights. So do the trails ever open up to views or is ist just green and thick as the eyes can see. Did a trip a few weeks ago bushwhacking and man Bryan and it qas thick and couldnt see...felt like an insane asylum ...except the walls werent white they were green. Actually felt a bit chlostraphobic at one point. amyway good vid...and be careful in those extreme Tempratuuuuuures! lol
Thanks Jesse! I've been using my 2CR method since 2011. Especially with the trees there I recommend you try it. My 2CR kit only weighs 2.5 OZ. Here's a link to how it works: bryandelay.com/2cr-bear-bag-method/. It's actually very simple. Oh yea, we have some meadows in high elevations, that are called balds. The thumbnail for this video is from one of the balds.
Thanks for another great vlog! I was wondering how you're enjoying hiking with your new hiking partner? May I suggest making a still of your frames around 8:29. I think that would make a great picture for your wall!
Thanks Chris! She's fun to backpack with. The challenge will be to get her to wear a pack and carry her own food when she's old enough in a few months. I'll check out you suggestion.
Yes, everything was very green. This is definitely an area you should check out sometime. Middle Prong Wilderness and Shining Rock Wilderness, which is just east of Rt. 215, are along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Brevard and Waynesville, NC. Shining Rock Wilderness was one of the original wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Lots of 6,000 foot peaks in this area.
Super cute pup but all pets must be on a leash in the Middle Prong Wilderness. www.nps.gov/thingstodo/explore-the-middle-prong-wilderness.htm. To advocate by filming otherwise is irresponsible and disrespectful! Not fair to others who have their dogs on a leash.
Thanks for watching! I started taking her on walks when she was 8 weeks old and although she no longer stays right by my side, she never gets too far ahead of me.
My Duomid is doing great. I just decided to get a tarp for warm weather. I'll go back to the Duomid in cold weather and when I go back to the Winds this summer.
You are correct! I personally think it's because the forestry service does not allow signs in this wilderness area, so people have created unofficial trails in lots of places.
Nice high elevation trip to beat the heat this time of year. Good to see Riley back out there. The rain really makes those greens pop. Middle Prong is another area on my list. I hear there's some trouty waters around there...
To escape the heat is the main reason I chose Middle Prong. The rain makes the leaves come alive. I've never fished there, but in the lower elevations I'm sure Middle Prong would be a nice trout stream.
Looks like a nice trip inspite of all the rain. Your pup is so cute and well mannered! Or here in our world it is in the triple digits so no hiking in the summer months…….can’t wait to go to Waterton, Canada, with the high mountains all around in three weeks!
Looks like you had the area all to yourself. Love to see you hiking with a very well mannered pup, looks similar to ours when she was 10 years younger. We still hike 4-6 miles with her, let me re-phrase she takes us hiking every day and just passed her 16th birthday. Great footage in a very grown up area, thanks for sharing another fine outing! Greetings from KY!
The nice thing about middle prong is that you will not run into anyone like Shinning Rock! Like your tarp set up. See you traded in your trail star. I love that area! One of my favorites of NC!
Middle Prong has become more popular, but nothing like Shining Rock. My trail star wore out about 2 years ago and I got a Duomid. I've had this tarp for about 2 months and really like it for warm weather, although I go back to the Duomid for winter.
Enjoyed seeing your pup with you on this outing. She looks like she's taking to the trails well and hanging in there with you. I'm ready for the wide open spaces and some cooler temps. Imagine you are too!
Nice outing and videography, Bryan....Amazing how green everything is, so close to where I am and yet we're in a drought. Barely had a lick of rain since late May. Your new hiking buddy seems to be getting into the swing of things. Great to see! Take care, Tom
Thanks Tom! We need rain here too. Our water levels are really low. There are a lot of 5,000 and 6,000 foot mountains in this area, with some even getting up to 6,500 feet, so those mountains create they own weather patterns with lots of pop up showers, especially in the afternoons. Oh yea, Riley's figured it out and never gets very far away from me. The next hurdle will be to get her to wear a pack.
