A few of my favorite places in the High Peaks are the summit of Algonquin, Indian Pass and Avalanche Pass. My absolute favorite place for a true wilderness experiences is Siamese Ponds Wilderness and especially coming in from the Route 8 side. I've done many, many 5+ day packs into it for trout fishing and I can count on one hand the number of times I came across other hikers/backpackers. Same for West Canada Wilderness though I've run into more people back there than Siamese Ponds, but nothing remotely close to the High Peaks. And yeah, in my opinion it's essential to have USGS maps and a good orienteering compass (I use a Silva and have a cheap backup) and knowing how to take map and field bearings and being cognizant of magnetic declination and setting the compass accordingly. Just in case... Then again I don't bring any electronic devices and sometimes bushwhack to get to those special ponds with native brookies, so for me it's absolutely essential. It adds to the wilderness experience. Focuses attention directly on the present moment. It's the most alive I ever feel, I suppose because one becomes keenly aware of one's vulnerability and mortality. Tip for packing the backpack - Pack heavier items towards the bottom and closer to your back.
I see your tent is freestanding. If you're trying to pitch a non-freestanding tent like tunnel / gothic arch style on a deck, will the poles just splay out or can you do something to keep them in place? They usually go through a loop which would be pegged out if it was on grass. Thanks!
That is a very special place. As a New Jerseyan and living in the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey, I annually hike Mount Tammany (Red & Blue Dot trails) as a warm-up for the Seek The Peak event on Mount Washington, NH in July! Been going up to the Gap for 40+ years and the lake still looks the same, and you can pick up the AT on the other side. You compiled a great video and those were great drone shots of the gap and ridges. Will check out the rest of your videos soon.
@@TimTheMusicManHey Tim, been many years since camping primitive around DWG. Prefer Blue or Red trails to the top for daily trip. However, do recall from Dunnfield parking area, take Blue Trail up and then AT branches off to the left. Campsite is up just east of Sunfish Pond, after Douglas Trail intersection. Hope this helps. Scott
Just found your channel and just decided to try backpacking with my brother. Gonna try that quick one nighter in NJ but was curious if this is something 2 bros could accomplish in the near future? What trail is this? Whats the best time of year to go?
Preparation is key and depends on the terrain you tackle and length of your outing. Don't skimp on backpack or boots. Get the best you can afford. Your body will thank you! ;-) Sock liners are a really good idea too as well as moleskins to deal with any blisters that might develop. Get a decent backpacker's first aid kit and it will have moleskin. Best time of year? For the High Peaks avoid weekends and especially holiday weekends! It's just too packed, in my opinion. Also be aware black flies can be absolutely brutal in late Spring. After Labor Day and before the leaf peepers come out in force is a good time for the High Peaks if you want more of a wilderness experience, or you can head out into some of the lesser travelled wilderness areas for a true wilderness experience, some of which get very little traffic even during holiday weekends. Perhaps my favorite and fairly easy loop in the High Peaks is Adirondack Lodge to Tahawus via Indian Pass, then Tahawus to Colden Lake via Calamity Brook, then Colden Lake back to Adirondack Lodge via Avalanche Pass. It's roughly three segments with each segment easily doable in a day and with plenty of time to spare to relax after the day's hike and setting up camp. Add another day and take a day hike from Colden Lake to Lake Tear of the Clouds, source of the Hudson River. Oh, and cotton kills. ;-) It doesn't wick and if you get wet it clings to your skin, sapping heat from your body. It really doesn't have to get all that cold for hypothermia to set in. Also it's an absolute must to have a good water filtration system. Giardia can ruin your day and worse. Some time back a relatively experienced backpacker on the Northville-Placid trail contracted Giardia, became dehydrated and disoriented, wandered off the trail and collapsed. His body was eventually found not far off the trail by hunters during big game season.
Great video! I did this trail as my only backpacking trip so far in June 2020. Due to storm with lightening, I ended up spending 2 nights at Bourne. It was a great trip (including black bear sighting!) and plan to repeat it this summer.
How did you figure out the trail you’d take for your backpacking trip? I was looking at starting at Mt. T red dot trail, however it seems like there’s a better place to start to backpack to Sunfish Pond and out.
Would you advise canoeing from Bolton to the Glen Island group? I don’t know how else to get there without renting a boat. Maybe I can slip in somewhere around Shelving Rocks?
A video this well made with only 962 views.....keep the content coming man. Do you need to book a site with a org to camp there? Also if you don't own a kayak/canoe do they have them at check in to use?
Thank you! Yes, you need to book with dec.ny.gov/places/lake-george-islands-campgrounds They don't rent boats directly but there are lots of places around the area that do.
I found your D&R canal video very informative as i plan to bike this route. Are you able to share how you accomplished the video recording and tools used for the woundful vediography.?? This wld be helpful for my journey memories.
Glad you enjoyed it! I used a camera called the "insta-360" to capture most of the shots. Its a camera that films in 360 degrees and then you edit the frame in post. Hope that helps!
This is in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, in North West NJ along the Delaware River. In my opinion one of the most beautiful spots in NJ.
I absolutely love Lake George. I do a similar trip by canoe with my daughter. We launch at Hulett’s Landing on Sunday and spend the week in the Mother Bunch and Narrows. It’s not exactly a wilderness experience but it’s amazing nonetheless. Your video transported me to the lake.
I’m 6ft and I’m struggling with what size inseam i should get. I don’t want them to be baggy and hanging over my boots but I’m not sure if I should get the 32 or 34?
Thanks for watching! That shot was filmed with a 360 camera called the insta 360. It's on a long stick, and then the camera edits out the stick from the final shot.
Another great video and like I said when you did the commentary on your other video, really really like it. It gives you the time to put together thoughtful and relevant commentary on the content that would otherwise not happen if you talked during the activity while filming.
Thank you, I appreciate it. And I agree, there's not much to say while winded and climbing up the mountain. I much rather prefer to reflect on it afterwards to put it all in context.
Camped on juanita at site 6 nice island. Camped on ten so far going on eleven this year. Glad you had calm waters. Also nice video that's giving me the itch to camp. Calm waters and wet paddels and tight lines to you.
@@MapsWithNoRoadsHi! So you did Phelps on Thanksgiving 3 years ago. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It was snowing for us on Nov 11th - at the peak we were in a white snowy cloud. ZERO view. But because it was our wedding anniversary, it was like a white wedding vibe, kinda romantic, actually. Will be going back to get what was promised to be one of the best views - very easy hike up, almost no scrambling, so we’ll do Phelps plus TableTop next time.
Did you do a loop hike ? Or in and out on the same trail ? I did an in and out there a few years ago. Very nice area and great job with this video ! Cheers
Thanks! I did a loop around the area. One of the best fall hikes I have done. Here's the full write up if you are interested: mapswithnoroads.com/home/3-days-alone-in-the-vermont-wilderness
Great review and you certainly have me sold. I do a lot of hiking in the Midwest and Northeast US, plus I'm a professional photographer. I'm in all of the conditions taking photos so I need something that will make life as comfortable as possible but providing protection from the elements. How would you compare the Radikl with this version?
Thanks! I would say the standard Radikl pants are a bit more comfortable and stretchy, whereas these are a lot more technical and durable. If I'm going got a light hike, I'd go with the Radikl. If I'm going on a multi-day excursion with a lot of climbing and scrambling, I'm taking these. Happy adventuring!
Just find a thick wet wood stick and with the knife make the edge sharp, use as peg. But I no longer use tent pegs as they become so soft and breaks all the time, for car camping I bring 8 inch 3/4 thick heavy duty metal Paver Edging Spikes with carabiners.
Any idea how fast these would get wet in a sudden rain? Can't really consider them for cool weather backpacking if they dont stay dry long enough to let me get my rain pants on.
Their weather coating is some of the best I've seen in hiking pants. They are not water*proof* by any means, so they won't be a substitute for rain paints, but they are the most weather resistant hiking pants I've tried and they will definitely keep you dry enough to let you get the rain pants out of your pack.
I don't have the exact numbers, but due to their durability and features, they definitely skew towards the heavy side of hiking pants. Not ultra-light, but you do get a lot of bang for your buck in durability and technical features.
