Hello! This space is for anyone interested in getting outdoors more. You'll find backpacking tips, travel guides, and plenty of motivation for spending more time in nature.
Whether you're just starting out (check out my Backpacking for Beginners series!) or a seasoned explorer (my travel playlist is sure to give you some inspiration!), there's something here for everyone.
Thank you for being here and I hope you'll stick around to join me on my next adventure.
Love this so much and love how passionate you are about this topic! I've had my channel for a few years but only just started posting consitantly in the last 6 weeks or so...not much has changed in my life too much as I'm working through a backlog of over 10 videos I filmed in the past and never got around to editing 😂 But I'm excited when I get through all that and am able to get outside, travel and make more content!!
I visited Grosvenor Arch again last week. It's such a great little side trip if you're in the Escalante/Bryce/Kanab area! (and a nice option if longer hikes aren't an option)
LOL!!!! I laughed so hard at the weiner spire. (Also, why does that sound German?) 😂 I will have to pay Grosvenor Archa visit if/when I head back to Utah. Thanks for sharing the views!
Another great video from April! YEAH!!!!🎉🎉 The lady with the magic dreamcatcher and her magic smile ❤ Thanks for another lovely creation 🙏 Much love 💕 Matthias 👋
Well that's a nice little surprise that I didn't know was there! Thanks friend! Also, I am learning about airing down tires for those crazy bumpy roads. I hate wash boards but also, love getting off the beaten path. I drive a Subaru so not sure it's a good idea for everyone but thought I would share. I have a Ryobi devise that will put air back in when done. And a tire puncture kit.
Great video! So informative! My friends and I are planning to do a backpacking trip from Glacier Point to Happy Isles (including Half Dome trail) this summer and this video was really the most helpful that I could find! Just have a quick question about the LYV campground: do rangers stamp or make any notes on your permit when they checked your permit on the LYV campground? Or you just had that permit untouched until the end? How do they know where you went from? Have you been checked by the rangers for the permit on both of your campgrounds overall? Thank you in advance for the answer!
Hi Olga! Thanks so much! In our experience, no rangers checked our permits for camping the entire trip. We camped in the backcountry and the backpacker's campground, neither of which required permits. Of course this was a few years ago now and things might have changed. I'd definitely recommend keeping your permits printed and on you the entire time (as we did), but it was pretty much honor system once we were there! The only time we were checked was at the base of the Half Dome trail :) Have an amazing trip and feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!
What absolute stunning views. The hike was definitely worth it. It’s scary seeing you hike in the snow though, in case you slip and fall! I’m glad you’re safe 😄
Thanks, Yasmin! I totally wasn't prepared 🙈 No microspikes or trekking poles, so I'm glad my boots were grippy haha! Lesson learned and it was totally worth it!
Yes! I got so lucky it wasn't a complete whiteout during that snow. You gotta make it out there next year - I already want to go back, but agree the heat and crowds make it hard!
APRIL!!!! You know what I didn't like about this one? That is ended!! I saw it post while I was still at work and couldn't wait to get home and watch. I am working on a couple videos right now so I "forced" myself to do some editing (JK! I love editing.) Grabbed dinner and sat to watch. Did not disappoint. Bryce in the winter is even more on my top list now. Bryce is incredible to me. Can't wait to see how Zion went. I have hiked the Narrows but I am hearing that Zion is insanely busy now. Thanks for another beautiful video!
Ahh, thank you Rene'!! Watching this footage back made me fall in love with the park all over again! It's hard to believe places like this are real :) I hope you get to experience it in the snow too, especially since it keeps the crowds away! I've been hearing the same about Zion 😩 It's so gorgeous, but dang it's hard to get past the huge groups of people (sometimes literally 😂)
@@AprilAdventuring Bryce in the winter is on this coming winter’s agenda. I just need to do a little research to plan for the right time that is most likely to have snow. And yes, Zion is awesome but so are other places so would have to be like a Tuesday early as possible visit if I ever attempt again. Lol!
HelloApril 🤗 What an amazing trip! What a beautiful view, what a perfect video! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I wish I had been physically there. But your high quality recording is a good substitute. There is still so much nature waiting to be admired. And many more ideas for you 😉 Much love 💕 Matthias 👋
Hi Matthias! Thank you so much for watching <3 I'm excited to share more adventures with you very soon :) Hope you're well and the universe is taking good care of you always!
Hi April, good to know that more amazing journeys are in your pipeline. Yes, the universe cares for me and I'm very grateful 🙏 Be blessed 🙌 a day enjoy a fabulous week 🍀 Much love 💕 Matthias 👋
Good to know that the Peekaboo Trail is the one to do. So glad you decided to get out there in the snow and record the experience. Looks way less crowded than when I was there. Sometimes poor conditions can be a blessing in other ways.
Agreed! It was just snowy enough to keep the crowds away, but the roads were still driveable in my old Prius 😄 I think I'd feel differently about the park if it was super packed when I went! Thanks for watching, Geoffrey! :)
I was in Capitol Reef just after you this year! I did the Lower Muley Twist Loop on the south end of the park! Capitol Reef is becoming one of my favorite national parks! Looks like you had a good visit! I will have to check out Capitol Gorge, I have not been in that area. Thanks for the preview!
Hi Jennie! This was the Parsons trail in Sycamore Canyon. Double check to make sure it's open as I saw it was closed due to fire and floods back in 2021!
Right! I can't imagine it saves thaaat much weight 😂 and at what cost to convenience... Finally someone who's on the same page as me with the trekking poles!
Actually, if you have already cut the handle off, you can drill holes in the remaining toothbrush to cut out another half gram. Or, just eat one M&M before you actually start hiking.... either way. (Totally joking)
Totally agree with all the points! Same for hiking poles, if I know the trail has a huge elevation gain I may bring them otherwise not. It depends also on the level of training you have. 👍🏻✌🏻
Thanks, Diego! Agreed it really depends. I'm generally not on the craziest terrain and can pick up a fallen stick for the couple times I might need the support. Otherwise, I'm usually good without them! Appreciate your support, friend! <3
Hey, Not a bad list. I am more of a traveler than a hiker. I live on the road for years at a time, and necessarily have a different perspective. 1. Food - I carry traditional rolled oats, roasted peanuts, raisins and beef jerky. I know how to forage. Vegetables are literally growing out of the ground and begging to be eaten. 2. Trekking poles - No !!! Trekking poles are (IMHO) the metal and plastic epitome of gear porn. Wooden staffs grow out of the ground. Harvest one responsibly. It should be between shoulder and head high and approximately two fingers thick. 3. Water - On my next trip, I leave San Antonio, Tx and walk over 1100 miles to Springer Mountain. I carry three or four quarts of water. For me it’s worth the weight. 4. I can’t remember the last tent I owned. Two tarps, a wool blanket, seasonally appropriate clothing. 5. I carry two 1/2” nylon straps and some heavy cord. I use it to improvise all sorts of things. I also carry a fixed blade knife with an 1.5” blade - 5” overall (that’s not a typo.) . The knife I carry for 1000’s of miles is just a little longer than my index finger. 6. We engage in very different kinds of hiking. I realize that your choices lead you to different expectations. I plan for and expect emergencies and unexpected problems. Do not allow your desire for an ultralight experience to leave you unprepared for the inevitable disaster.
These are awesome tips, George! Thank you so much. Absolutely agree, especially around planning for emergencies. Shedding gear weight is great, but only to a certain point. I'd much rather be over-prepared and carry a few extra pounds than left out to dry!
No trekking poles, awkward if your tent needs them as you mentioned. Best to not go so ultralight that you put yourself at risk with poor quality equipment.
1. Titanium. 2. Double duty, or triple duty, for all tools, toiletries, food, clothes. 3. Ultra-sil. I abolutely use trekking poles that are carbon fibre and serve triple/quadruple duty. I don't use a sleeping bag. Oatmeal, butter, knekkebrød ("lembas") with tube foods, powdered drinks, plus a hot freeze-dried dinner (folding titanium stove, titanium cup) supplemented by foraging/fishing.
Yes, great points! Do you normally bring a quilt or some other sleep system instead? I still love having a sleeping bag, but will probably experiment on some upcoming trips :)
@AprilAdventuring yeah, a quilt essentially. It is a high tech version of a woobie that I got used to in my Army days, called a Fjelldukken in Scandinavia. Very expensive but worth it.
For me trekking poles go with me every time for 3 important reasons: first, I need them to set up my ultralight tent, second, I want to be able to continue backpacking into my later years and the decreased load on essential joints like hips knees and ankles is WAY more important to me than saving the weight of the poles and third, hiking poles have saved me more than once from dog attacks on through hikes. Also, they are very handy for probing snowfields that may have been hollowed out or undercut by flowing water creating dangerous spaces underneath that a hiker can punch through and be trapped in a space under the ice and snow that is very fifficult to get out of and can be deep enough to be a drowning risk, even shallow ones are hypothermia risks. Also good for shelf ice at the sides of streams and rivers, and for stability and safety when crossing streams and rivers.
Oh my gosh -- I've never had a dog attack experience on a hike, but can see why trekking poles would be a staple piece in your gear kit! All the reasons you point out are great. I'd only leave the trekking poles at home for short, relatively "easy" and flat trails :)
Only disagree with trekking pole advice 😂 IMHO they have little to do with terrain or competency but more to do with how your joints are going to be at the end of the day or rather how they will be in 10-20yrs time!! Safe and sunny trails, kindest regards from across the pond👍🇺🇸
I just picked up a new pair and am going to give them another shot this year for sure! The longevity factor is so important when it comes to spending time outdoors. Appreciate your comment and support <3
For my 50th birthday I got myself a lovely pair of lightweight carbon fiber trekking poles. My now 55 year old knees, ankles and hips refuse to leave the pavement without my poles. 40 years of backpacking, 30+ years of that with trekking poles, and the ol' legs still work, mostly, sort of. Every year the ultralightness becomes more important! As for the weight - I gave up tents with poles years ago. Trekking pole tent, tarp, or hammock for me.
Hi April! I'm subscriber number 998. Only two months since you posted this vid and your subs have more than doubled, congrats! I just wanted to say I'm enjoying your videos and love the content. I'm also a backpacker in the LA area and I can't say that I think I'll start posting videos on RU-vid but I do love the part about having a visual diary. I look back back on pictures I've taken and short videos I recorded on my trips and wish I had more to document the memories.
The pack, no need for a 4:5 lb 60L pack. A 40L or pack will suffice and typically weigh just over 2lb. Many hikers use packs in 38L range that weigh < 1lb. Bring a 60L pack and one will stuff it full. Start with the 40L pack and you will learn how to trim it down, carrying only the essentials!
Very true! Overpacking is such a common mistake. I'm still working on shaving off the extra pack load myself sometimes, but most people would be surprised how little they really need! Thanks for watching <3
Not gonna lie - I'm looking at that Sea to Summit pillow for car camping. Thanks for the rec! I think the main reason I've never tried backpacking is that I don't know what's truly necessary for me and think I need to take all the things. This was really helpful, April.
Ooh, I seriously love that pillow. Keep it a little under-inflated though! Or it's way too hard haha Something that helped me when I started backpacking was doing single night trips that were close enough to my car that I could always hike out if I needed. I'd tell myself that if I REALLY needed something, I could always head back into civilization. That made packing minimally less scary! I quickly learned I really didn't need that much to survive, at least for a few days at a time :) Thanks for watching, Roxanne! <3
@@AprilAdventuring I love that idea! I'm finally headed out camping this weekend to test my gear and figure out what I really need for trips this summer. I'll have to keep that in mind!
@@LifeinThirdPlaces I'm so excited for you! Share some photos!! I think I'm finally headed out on my first camping trip in waaay too long this weekend too 😄 Time to dust off the old gear haha!
I like to bring face moisturizer that contains sunscreen. It does double duty. Generally one of those eye cream containers (I save mine too) is more than enough for a 4 day backpacking trip, at least for me.
@AprilAdventuring It's my pleasure. I wish I had all these fantastic regions around me. So you are the explorer and adventurer for me and I appreciate that you share these amazing journeys with us. I know that much more will come and you can enjoy your famous channel, which will grow like crazy 🤪 😜 😉 Much love 💕 Matthias 👋
got any reccs for a good lightweight jacket that's warm when in cold temps but doesn't absolutely BAKE you in hot temps (those lightweight Arc'teryx jackets are cool, but made of a lot of nylon and polyester) they BAKE YOU when the temp rises
I like merino wool for this reason. I've had a few thicker merino hoodies over the years and I find they do well in hot and cold. Can't name any specific brands since they don't make the ones I have anymore but I'm sure they are out there. Cheers!
Thanks for the rec, @nate-beard! I've heard the same from some friends. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to wool so generally avoid it and have to dress in layers instead -- which is a huge pain to dress/undress when backpacking 😂 If I find anything else that works as well as merino wool, I'll let you know!
Thanks for the inspiration! I was thrilled when the algorithm recommended this video given we've followed each other on IG, and I've been looking for tips, tricks, and inspiration as I'm starting my channel. Great to hear about your RU-vid experience!
That's so awesome! I think you're the first person to have found my videos organically through RU-vid recommendations 😄 So stoked you're sharing videos here too!!
Thanks for watching, Spencer! I just caught up on your GC stories and am happy you're safe and heading home. Looking forward to your future adventures!
