I Tried Backpacking with a 55lbs Pack... 

What's the heaviest pack you've carried? 👇 GEAR FROM THE VIDEO 👇 REI Helix Sleeping Pad: geni.us/HelixSleepingPad Exped MegaPillow: geni.us/ExpedPillow Kelty Glendale Pack: geni.us/Glendale85 EE Apex Quilt: geni.us/revelationapex Hammock Gear Tarp: geni.us/HG-SilpolyTarp X-Mid Pro 2: geni.us/XmidPro2 Axe Throwing Game: geni.us/AxeThrowing 🍪 COOK AND WATER 💧 Windburner Stove: geni.us/Windburner Platypus Quickdraw Filter: geni.us/PlatyQuickDraw Toaks Long Spoon: geni.us/ToaksTiSpoon Russbe Bags: geni.us/RussbeBags Hilltop Packs Bag: geni.us/HilltopPacks 👕 CAMP CLOTHING 👖 Decathlon MT500 Down Jacket: geni.us/MT500DownJacket Decathlon Fleece Sweater: geni.us/MH120Fleece Decathlon Fleece Pants: geni.us/DecFleecePants OR Merino Top: geni.us/OnsetTop OR Merino Bottom: geni.us/OnsetBottom Fleece Socks: geni.us/PolarFeet MEC Booties: geni.us/CampBooties Merino Toque: geni.us/Minus33Hat Merino Buff: geni.us/MT500MerinoBuff 🚶HIKING CLOTHING 🚶 Hoka Speedgoat 5s: geni.us/Speedgoat5 OR Astroman Sun Hoodie: geni.us/AstromanHoodie MEC Mica Pants: geni.us/MECMicaPants XOSKINS Toe Socks: geni.us/XOSKINS-SOCKS OV Tushar Rain Jacket: geni.us/OV-Tushar 🔦 ACCESSORIES 🔦 Enduro 2 Watch: geni.us/Enduro-2 NU25 Headlamp: geni.us/NU25UL Sunscreen Stick: geni.us/Sunscreen-Stick Flextail Pump: geni.us/TinyPumpX InReach Messenger: geni.us/InReachMessenger 🚿 HYGIENE 🚿 Poopmoji Bag: geni.us/PoopmojiBag BoglerCo Trowel: geni.us/BoglerTrowel Powdered Soap: geni.us/PikaSummitSuds Soap Bottle: geni.us/SoapBottle CuloClean Bidet: geni.us/CuloClean

30 years ago, all my hiking trips started out at about 50 lb. By the end of the hike, after eating down my 10 lb of food, I finished at 38-40 lb. One difference between your 55 lb. pack and my 50 lb pack is that your's has just about all the lightweight gear available to man plus.....table, chair toys, etc. We did not pack that stuff in back in the day. Great hike, enjoyed the beautiful vistas and terrain.

Comfortable pack weight depends on your weight and level of fitness. I was homeless for 2.5 years, I weighed about 75kg and my backpack was around 20kg. I carried it everywhere, it was never out of my sight. After the first 3-6 months I hardly felt it.

Out on the trails, I regularly see people with heavy packs, and they seem to be enjoying it as much as I am, just at a slower pace. So I think it's partly a personality thing. I like light because I like to move quickly and go farther, others are happy taking it slower.

In my army days my heaviest pack was about 90lb, filled with all our normal gear (including the ridiculous shelter half, great idea CPT Peterson) and the M60 spare barrel bag & tripod. But it wasn’t only 90lb, it was 90lb in a large ALICE. For military use it made sense not to have your pack interfere with your helmet, but that thing stuck out so far behind you that you had to bend forward 45° at the waist to keep your weight over your hips.

At 75 years old, I'm still carrying 25 kg on a regular basis. Have been tramping (hiking) for over 50+ year, as a guide and bushcraft instructor. (so far this year I have don 40 tramps (hikes). In recent times I've carried 27kgs. It is what I call 'conditioning', no more no less. I don't recommend that a 75-year-old person should carry that kind of weight if they haven't been doing it all their live. ATB Cheers from the mountains of NZ ☺☺

I’m 65 and have been solo long distance hiking for 2 decades now. I usually explore wildernesses one at a time. I’m limited only by my food. I know I’m probably not going to visit again so I try to explore for at least 10 days. At 2 lbs a day for food that’s 20 pounds right there. I bring a comfortable pack and a lot of gear. I never can seem to start a trip with less than 55 pounds. It’s always difficult getting started but after a few days I can get into the groove. I weigh 145 pounds. My pack can reach 70 pounds if I’m in a dry environment.

I am one of those people who carry 50-60lbs on a backpacking trip. On my last 5 day trip through Mount Assiniboine I had exactly 60lbs on my Osprey Farpoint pack. I do enjoy my comfort stuff and beers.

I’m 61 years old, been backpacking nearly my entire life. I don’t do big mileage but 55 pounds is nothing. Less weight in summer but in winter, 55+ no problem.

When you learn 55 is extreme lol! I pack on average 55-60 on average. Then again I know I carry heavy! I bring beer and all! Good to see you all having a blast on the trip even with nature tossing you all some curve balls!

I know they often suck with a light pack due to the extra fatigue of moving your feet but I cannot stress the importance of actual hiking boots with good ankle support when carrying a heavy pack especially through uneven/rocky terrain. Seeing you in hiking shoes (heck they looked more like trainers if I'm being honest) instead of boots mentioning the risk of ankle injury just made me go "Well yeah, that is because your footwear is wrong." The boots I used to wear were practically impossible to roll your ankle in and were quite comfortable.

At age 53 I’m 1500 miles into the pct class 2021-22-23 with a base weight of start 37, low of 28 and current 33 pounds. It sucked for first few weeks at 8 miles a day at these weights. Every week was better than the one before and daily miles and speed of recovery improved. Currently doing 18-20 mile days and love the camp chair I added least month and bear can since Campo. No regrets with my choices and open to adding more weight even though I’ve had back problems from manual labor since my 30’s.

Feel your pain Justin. Started the AT SOBO some 30 years ago, pack was 75 lbs. Only made it 300 miles. Now my pack is close to 17 lbs base weight. Thank you for the great video

Great test, and proof that a good backpack can be worth an extra pound or two for a better suspension. Yes, 35-40 lbs would be more reasonable. But you were making a point, and you did it well. With a good pack you can carry snow shoes/skis, inflatable kayaks, or climbing gear to expand the adventure.

Nice and nostalgic. Thanks! Used to always train with such a load when I was just a punk in my 50’s/60’s. Don’t think I’ve ever carried more than 35 lbs on any multi day trip so, yeah the training weight was good. Now, in my 70’s, and given technological advances, glad to say that 25lbs is good for 4-5 days 😊

Wow! This is FASCINATING to me. For decades as a Firefighter, donning my basic PPE (before picking up any tools/ladders/hose added 67 pounds to my body. But, to be fair, that was typically for only 30-90 minutes at a time.

I do this nearly every time I go out for a trip like this. It can be brutal but at camp it's bliss.

One of my fav vids you've done! Enjoyed the length. It was fun seeing you doing this, as your usually carrying a light pack. Glad you made it out safe without injury! Cheers!

Beautiful views! Love all your vids Justin, you do a great job. Positive energy, useful information for viewers, and our province’s scenery can’t be beat!

I really like this. As someone who is unfit and recently tried hiking with a similar weight (due mainly to financial limitations), I can so relate to the steep incline being tough. The pack felt great when it was on my hips and barely noticeable on flat ground. Climbing 150m in elevation over a kilometre took me an hour and wiped me out. It was a real eye-opener on how much conditioning work I need to do to transition from day walks and car camping into backpacking.

I’m loving everyone roasting this guy. 50lbs is lightweight baby!

I haven't carried 50 pounds sense my military days. Outstanding job.

One thing I like about learning about lightweight gear is that it allows me more room for luxury items such as a chair!

I have loved your videos for a while now. Another great one. You are almost single handedly inspiring me to get into Hiking and Camping because I am also based out of Calgary. With the great explanations, excellent location shots, and no fluff videos, you have my favorite Hiking videos on YT. Thanks a lot for doing these Videos, so that people like me can begin their hiking adventures with confidence in their gear choices, and their starting knowledge. I hope to begin next weekend!

Another great video! I’ve been a fan for a while. It was fun to see how all you guys got so excited about the cute little bunny. 😂

Personally, Ive been to the rabbit hole of UL. Today I am pretty moderate. I do allow myself to carry a few luxuries (extra socks for sleep and for the next day after rain, a chair, coffee making kit). I believe the best way to know what you value is try out. Go UL and see what you miss, go UH and see what you enjoy to find where it is best for you. Great video!

I would absolutely grab my heavier boots when carrying over 20kg for the ankle support. 30-ish kg packs is pretty common in the Swedish Fjäll tbh.

Those views are crazy my man!! You're very fortunate to have such amazing vistas over there. Hope you get to enjoy all of this for a long time to come! Keep up the great work 👍

What outstanding scenery! I really love that area, a personal favourite for backpacking destinations :D

Your friends are so sweet and supportive!!

I had a 47.5lb pack w/ your recommended AMG 75. It was for a group winter camping setup with shovels for shelter building and shared meals. My back mostly was the same weight on the walk out w/ the wag bags and water in the leftover cooked food.

The most I've ever carried was 40 pounds (I'm usually in the 18-25lb range all loaded up). It's crazy how fast your body starts to adapt and you don't notice the weight as much as you think you would.

In the past on multi day trips and packing heavy. I would carry a small packable bag. "Canvas messenger bag" That way for quick junts from camp or just off the trial. I could load basics into the small one and leave the big one and most weight behind. Thank you for the video!!!

I haven't made it through the whole video yet but, big props to you for doing a 3 night trip with all that gear! Most other RU-vidrs who would try this experiment on at most do 1 nighter!

Beautiful scenary ... Thank you for sharing yur adventure with us ...

This video just made my day. Awesome One! Thanks Justin 🙂

The scenery in this video is breathtaking. Love it.

Phenomenal hike! And such epic views. Good job selecting some comfort gear that made sense for your hike. I usually have about 35# of gear (not counting food & water) on backpack trips, so I felt your pain.

Last summer weighed my pack on Muir Trail Ranch and was 65 lbs. I regularly carry 50-60 lbs, as I'm turning 40 I bought lightweight gear and took off 10-14 lbs (6lbs 1st aid kid for global rescue coverage with iPhone 14, lighter sleeping pad, quilt instead of sleeping bag, loghter pack, misc extra stuff out that I haven't used.)

magnificent scenery!

Thanks for doing this experiment. I generally carry about 30 to 35 pounds with me. It's nice having that thick sleeping bag and durable 2-person tent ⛺️ with extra space for my pack I almost feel like you're looked down on by other hikers if your loadout is over 20 pounds. Seriously, everyone's needs are different.

sweet, falling asleep just wanting and loving the extra kit

Hi Justin. This was a very intresting video. Personally I think the weight of a pack is not that important for some people. What is important is to pack the right items needed for the intended trip. Not more or less. Before ultralight gear existed people were going backpacking with car camping stuff. Even to this day there are some people who still do that. Maybe because of financial reasons or who knows. The price of ultralight gear is so expensive that the average backpacker can't ever afford it. There are also mountaineers or guides who carry very heavy packs because they have lots of extra gear that they have to bring along. Of course, mountaineering gear has also got much lighter, expecially if we compare the weight of an old school heavy duty steel mountaineering ice axe versus one made of ultralight aluminum. But I also agree that ideally an ultralight packed backpack is the way to go if possible. Like without a question.

The last trip I went on my pack was right at 55 lbs. I was carrying gear for myself, my son and my girlfriend though.

Good job!! What a fun experiment. I don’t think I could ever handle that much weight, but I’m glad to see someone that can. I’m so sick of the ultralight videos showing up in my feed. My base weight is just under 22 lbs. - I’d like to see some experiences in the lightweight range.

ok, so it's been a few years and I had to look this up to check. In the British Army one of the annual fitness tests involved carrying 25kg, and covering 8 miles in less than 2 hrs. During my training, we did 2 back to back on successive days, immediately followed by other physical tests, such as the assault course, in full kit, after having just done the 8 miler. Simple maths will show that 4 mph is faster than you can walk, to cover the 8 miles in less than 2hrs, and so you would interval speed marching, with running, so when considering hiking weight, and what we patrolled with, you can add another chunk of weight on top of the 25kg. I don't know what the total weight was, we never weighed it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was getting towards 40kg, and this was standard officer training. I remember our final exercise at the end of a year's training, that we couldn't physically stand straight with our bergans on, and would be half hunched over when stood still. Also, that we couldn't put our bergans on ourselves and would help each other to get them on, usually two people holding it whilst you got into the straps. Then add on a 5-6 kg weapon, ammo, radio, belt kit, and the rest. My philosophy when it comes to hiking and weight, and reacting to the whole ultralight 'fad' (more money than sense), is an unrealistic expectation that hiking shouldn't be arduous and that you shouldn't have to train for it, just hop off your sofa when the desire arises, which is nonsense. Any activity, other than simple walking, is going to take more effort, more strength, more endurance, and conditioning. Put the weight on, get used to it, and don't ever cut corners when it comes to back up kit and safety gear. Additionally, robust kit that will last, tends to be heavier too, but it also means it is more reliable. Choosing gear based primarily on weight, is such a bad idea. Also having minimal gear is also not a good idea. I shake my head when I hear people say they don't take a cooker to save weight 'I'm going to cold soak', have fun not ever having a hot meal to warm you up if you take a spill into a stream or get caught in the cold rain; or they'll take the bare minimum of rations, so absolutely no contingency if a trip goes pear shaped, or takes longer than expected, or you need to help someone in an emergency. Fail to prepare means preparing to fail. Take heart in the fact that your core will get stronger, meaning less chance of injury and you'll feel so much better for having done something actually physical unlike the ultralite to55ers. Btw, 11 years military service and also an expedition leader for the last 25 plus years.

Ooh! I'm loving the VR 3D maps!

So right that added weight is hard on the joints in addition to the cardiovascular strain. I go ultralight (plus chair zero) for my knees and feet, hopefully to add more years to my outdoor adventures. ❤

In my 30’s gear was not so light. We used to carry 25kgs on our 5 day hikes. The first day typically required climbing up 1200m to get onto an escarpment. By Day 5 you’d eaten the food toughened up and you didn’t feel it anymore. I am very happy with the lighter gear, now my pack is down to 18kgs. No table or chair though Keep up the good work, love these videos, especially since I have been in some of the areas you go to.

Awesome video Justin. You are fit and can handle that weight. I bet less experienced hikers are less fit so more prone to injury. 35 lb for my 130 lb weight is still too much. I’m trying to get my gear down to 25-30 lbs. great tips and views of that trail!

I recently did a month long backcountry ski trip in Wyoming in winter. My sled and backpack combined were around 100lb and coming from mostly ultralight experience it was a serious adjustment. Even five mile days were an absolute slog.

When you travel with friends, you can share some of those glamor items-especially those yummy treats. Sure having comfort items are worth it, because they enhance your experience-just share some stuff, lighten some items and enjoy. Find the balance. Oh, and I’ve seen several channel folks who leave the packs behind to summit-so good choice there

That "for Frodo" caught me so off guard 😂😂😂

Going to Canada is on my bucket list! I live in Florida, born and raised, and I’ve always wished I lived in cooler weather! Lol!

My first ski mountaineering trip onto the Columbia Icefields I carried a pack that weighed just over 80lbs thanks to having climbing gear, five days of food, enough fuel to cook as well as melt snow for water, a bomber tent, a -35C sleeping bag and on and on.

Great job on the experiment. I have bad knees and i am quite happy i got into the hobby now, that a lot of cheap lightweight equipment is available and there are people sharing the knowledge on the internet. Today, it's still routine fpr German backpackers to leave with 15kg (lbs) for trips in the Alps where you sleep in huts and don't need to bring a shelter and sleep system or food. Or people bring 20kg for trips where you bring a tent, etc. To me, that's madness now.

I never realized that this landscape existed in Canada. Wow that is gorgeous.

Great video!! Loved seeing all the beautiful landscape. I’m looking at buying one of the Outdoor Vitals Rain Jacket like the one you were wearing..did it do well in all of the rain you were hiking in the first day. Or, do you have another recommendation for a rain jacket. Thanks for sharing

I just undertook a 60km high alt trek with 1000mtr+ climbs on a technically advanced trail with sub zero (-4oC) weather hauling a 23kg (51lb) pack. The pack weight was unintentional but not really noticeable once I had the content distribution and strap setup tweaked . . . and that needs adjustment as the day progresses as packs do settle in. Biggest contribution to the day - trekking poles ! Biggest challenge - if you miss-place your footing, that weight can really pull you over quickly. I had several falls due to this. Lesson - carry less weight, build core strength and practice before hand 😮

I just went through all my gear putting together a 14month gear shakedown video... last trip, 2 nights in the Badland, i had 42lbs base weight, then added 10L water n 7lbs food! only 3 trips (5 nights) but another 10-14 night testing gear 😂 figured training was important, never been backpacking, first trip was solo winter backpacking on Shoeshoes pushed 17miles in 2 days!... Porcupine Mt wilderness Michigan, was dead for a week after 😂

Back in the day 50 pound packs were common. My Dana Design pack weighed over 8 pounds empty. I don’t miss any of that heavy crap one bit. My base weight is now 8 pounds. As far as people from the USA not used to rain they are obviously not from from the East Coast. I have backpacked about a month this summer and it’s rained almost every day. One day I was forced off the trial because Vermont received 10 inches in one day and much of the state flooded. I would love to see you bring that kit to the Whites of NH. The Whites only go straight up and down. Those trials look very smooth. That’s why no one and I mean no one has a chair on the east coast.

Awesome trip!

I like hiking with my Salomon Super 9 Guide mountain guide boots for those heavy loads, that I bought in 1996 and still as good as the day I bought them. They have great ankle support and internal lacing system, especially traversing angled trails in high elevations. Great boot for ice work in crampons, especially front pointing ice climbing. For light hiking I like the Salomon Quest mid. My favourite heavy pack is the North Face Inversion. For lighter hikes and ice climbing I like the Arcteyx Bora 40. The old adage is : a pound on your feet is like five on your back. then again, I like the original MSR XGK stove and still a proud user of the 9 lb North Face VE24. My sleeping bag is North Face Dark Star, with a Therm-a-rest neo Air R5.7 pad. I guess I am giving away my age. I bought the VE24 in 1976 at 16 years old. I replace my Joe Brown helmet for a MSR Half Dome.

17:45 had me ROLLING!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

You’re right about the Scurfa crystal. Mine looked sorta hazy, not terrible but certainly different than my crystal on a Marathon MSAR.

Great views, You took a lot of things with you, It's hard to carry such a load and keep a good pace. Greetings from Poland.

My friend and I backpacked to Upper Boy Scout Lake in the Whitney zone to climb Whitney's East Face. Because it was a multi-day trip that included rock climbing, my pack was 65 pounds. And because of the season, a bear vault was required. We didn't carry many creature comforts, but I was using a two-person tent for myself (I've now downsized to a one-person ultra-light bikepacking tent). Fortunately, we had ready access to water, so that kept the weight down. I was in my late 30s at the time. Going up wasn't too bad, but my quads were destroyed on the hike out. If it wasn't for trekking poles, I might not have survived.

I hiked the PCT in the eighties with a kelty frame pack about that weight but you are missing the heavy boots. It's a great time for a hiker,smart phones and the gear now have made it almost too easy the CDT used to take a giant pile of maps and many wrong turns plus no Uber rides

Ive been cycle touring for years, and want to get back into backpack. Just bought the osprey aether 65l, and most of my bicycle touring gear is already backpacking gear. My tent is the only thing that is a bit big for backpacking. It’s a 7 pound Big Agnes bikepacking tent. Good thing about bicycle touring is that most the gear you buy is ment for back packing!

I bought that axe throwing game after I saw it on your other video. I took it this past weekend for a family car camping trip. My nephews really enjoyed it! I don't think I'd take it backpacking, tho 😂

As always thank you! Also what saw are you using?

I always try and treat my self with extra food and drinks for the first night. Just something about cooking up some steaks the first night that just sets the trips mood. Great video, I mainly hike in the kananaskis area. I look forward to checking out your channel.

I am an old geezer now with a bad back. But in my younger days 55 pounds was common for winter backpacking. But we slowly built up to it during the fall weather. Not a bright idea to just load up with that much weight and go for the mileage you did. Hope you heal up soon and get back out there.

My seventh decade hiking partner, ruined her knees when her petite frame, carried those very normal 40-50 pound pack loads in the 1970-1980s with her work as Forest Service wildlife biologist. Fast forward to this decade, I do pack a mini tarp when I expect rain/snow for cook and drier rest spot.

My average is 46lbs and it gets old but Im solo and do 3 to 5 day and carry the necessites for a comfortable camp and all my hunting gear as well. Being hypo glycemic I have to have food that is good, no garbage so thats usually 5 to 10 lbs depending on length of trip. I carry 1 change of clothes, 2 pr socks 2 pr unders, a puffer and a UA hoodie. I always carry a tarp as well just so I have a canopy for shade and rain. I use my tarptent, jetboil, micro lantern, 2 cans of fuel, kelty bag, nemo sleep pad, nemo pillow and misc camp stuff chair etc. The rest is gear I use while away from camp which is usually all day and I place it in a day pack for hunting. Id love to pack under 40 because after 3 to 5 miles a day Im about spent and getting older (over 5 decades) it dont get any easier each year that goes by.

if you are always used to go backpacking with super light gear I think its just usual you are going to have a harder time with a heavy pack. I have been travelling over 7 years now and my pack is always around 25kg. in my experience it takes around 2 weeks to get used to the weight so I would say if you are physically fit and you don't have a lot of money for super light gear , don't worry to much about a heavy backpack. *Please be careful if you are an unexperienced hiker since it is more difficult and you can get injured more easily* It might be hard at the start but its totally worth it for the comfort ! I am sure you can do it !

That's heavy....even for me. Well done!

I started my outdoor career as a kayaker, where weight really doesn‘t matter. brought chairs, tables and fresh food (vegetables, eggs) for 10 days. switched to hiking and tried to keep the comfort and started out with 20kg. It was crystal clear after the first 10 days that I needed to lighten up a lot. I had to take several hour-long breaks every day. every stop I asked myself if I should really take off the pack because getting it back on was a nightmare. I couldn‘t feel my big toes for weeks afterwards and could not lift my right arm for half a year. so yeah, I‘d rather have a shorter pad and no chair, but being able to move comfortably all day.

I live in Alaska. My typical pack can weight anywhere from 45-60 lbs depending on time of year, duration, and whether or not I'm hunting. My distances range from 12-20 miles but 15 miles in a day is nothing to sneeze at. However, when I pack out moose is when I am at my extreme. I usually have help getting the entire animal out but without question I will take a hind quarter which typically weighs around 120 lbs and up to 30 lbs of my own gear. So my pack will weigh around 150 max. I am 5' 7". Normally I'd weigh 150-160 lbs but I cut weight this year to 142 lbs. We will see how this effects things especially now that I'm smack in the middle of moose season. But for distance with that kind of weight 5-6 miles and I am about ready to turn in for the day.

It's fascinating that even when weight is no concern at all, you would still take the xmid pro. It's literally about 2% of your pack weight...

Ha! That’s the lightest pack I ever carry! When I’m canoe tripping in Canada, it’s over 100! I’m still using my 1996 Dana Designs Terraplane X - 5,500 cu in.

When I’m carrying a heavier pack I do take a few ibuprofens with me. If the pain gets too much to bear I’ll take 2 of them before I go to sleep. You’ll end up sleeping well, and will wake up without pain. Of course, medicine effects everyone differently, and sometimes it may be good to bear with the pain. (pain is weakness leaving the body). For me, it just depends on how I feel and how much more I have to do.

Hell yeah brother! Welcome to the military! All you're missing is another 100 pounds of ammo, weapon, and protective gear! Reminds me of the stairway to heaven.

My first trip 10 years ago or so, 5 days, 75 lbs. I had a steel poop shovel. A whole selection of seasonings. More food than I could eat in 8 days, plus snacks. A steel canteen. An 8 lb cheap tent. And…five days of clothes.

I've end2ended four trails, and my pack averaged 50- 60 for up to ten days. On the Long Trail I started out with about 70 lbs. But was able to send 15 lbs. Back home. What a difference. I had an external frame pack.

The heaviest pack was 98lbs, 7 years ago, including food for 2 weeks and about 6 liters of water due to drought. My goal for packweight including everything is 55lbs for a 2 week wintertrip.

I love the walking stick/ trekking pole that you use. I would love what the brand is and where I get one.

Welcome to multi day mountaineering and winter alpine guiding lol. You sound as stuffed as i do when carrying that weight!

Wow that view is breathtaking. Absolutely amazing

Back in my 30's, in the 70's, my brother and I went on a mountain hike to Mt. San Gorgonial in California in the winter, and in a couple of feet of snow. We had to hike about two miles through a river bed containing lots of boulders underfoot, wearing old school snow shoes just to get to the trailhead. Neither one of 7s had ever worn snow shoes before, and both of us were carrying packs that weighed about eighty pounds. We got snowed in all day, and most of the ten miles we covered was uphill. We fell many times and would either have help getting up, or take off our packs, then pick them up and put them on a rock, or sit them on the mountainside high enough to and lean back against the mountainside against the pack to get them back on and then be able to stand up again. Made it to our intended campsite freezing to death. We set up our tent quickly and started a fire, then ate a large hot meal and divedbinside our tent and sleeping bag. In the morning my brother who had diabetes had redlines going up his legs, so we ate breakfast and hiked back down the mountain and to our car still carrying about eighty pound packs. Our backs and legs didn't bother us, just the cold. I'm pretty out of shape today, but with the improved packs today and hiking poles I would expect that I would still carry at least a fifty pound pack to feel prepared for what I consider a safe hike in the wilderness.

I just did that route in reverse. The rain storms were a killer! And I think some of those guys were carrying an extra 55lb in addition to their packs 😂

amazing place

I like to carry my 3 person 7 lb tent. It made for bikepacking so the poles are easy to store. For me its more about being comfortable and having fun then just putting summits under my belt.

Great video, good content, great spirit, BUT, I can’t believe your beer of choice was a coors light! Bleeegh.

You are funny. 😂 Cool video.

Excellent video! What tarp did you use?

Heaviest pack was the first time I ever did an overnight trip. I had NO idea and an 80L backpack, full, with heavy stuff. Must have been about 35-40kg probably had 8l water in there and 6kg food, heavy steel cookware. More camping than hiking, only walked a few km. These days i'm quite UL with all my zpacks gear.

My first trip I didn’t know what to expect and packed 63 lbs, extra clothes, too much food, and extra bs that really wasn’t necessary, backpacking is such a big contrast from overlanding, I pack coolers, and tables, and all this stuff cuz well, it fits. We did a prett big elevation day with the big pack and I’m pretty fit, but wow was I poooooped

My G Jasper National Park is awesome. I put it high on my list for any future hikes

I really respect Justin for testing a spectrum of gear and conditions. I hope his body can keep up with the abuse 😅