Hey JR, I have a recommendation for your hiking shirt. Give a sun hoody a try, especially for trips that take you for long stretches above the tree line and desert. These hoodies were originally intended for open water fishing...and got popular with hikers about 4 years ago. It was a game changer for me. I've ditched all of my sun shirts/ventilated fishing shirts (Columbia PFG and Patagonia Sun Stretch) and those sun-brero style hats...that are either super hot or really heavy, and blow around to much to be protective. Railriders Siesta Sun Hoody is light weight and odor free-ish (better than most), has great ventilation with the 1/4 zip neck and mesh underarm panels, pre-treated with Insect Shield, is SPF50, and an XL weighs 7.1oz! The hood fits well on my big head over my trucker hat. For in-your-face sun or reflection from snow, the zip neck closes up and I wear a buff over my face if it is too intense. Arcteryx (Remige), Rab, Outdoor Research (Echo Hoody), and Patagonia (my 2nd choice, Tropic Comfort Capilene with thumb holds) all make their versions of it, but unless its new this year, none have the zip neck like Railriders does. That zip neck is excellent. Baleaf makes a sun hoody for under $25, which can be found on Amazon along with some other off-brands I haven't tried. The fabric is a little heavier, but there are a variety of colors, and it performs ok except when it get too hot...+95F.
I have recently purchased the Patagonia R1 Air Hoodie. This will me shown in a Last Minute Ads video in a couple weeks. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
We're NOBO on the JMT late July/early August. Enjoyed the video. My set up is similar, but did pick up a few ideas from your video. Might see you out there. Have a great trip.
Awesome 👍. I'm glad the video was helpful. Hope to run into you on trail. Seeinf fires at the Whitney Portal makes me nervous. Hope it does not get out of hand. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel
Good video. You mentioned mounting the tripod while walking. Open one of the legs up a little and hang it over the shoulder strap where the webbing connects at the bottom of the pack. I do this regularly with both big and small tripods. Easy to get to and still out of the way while walking.
JMT notes- Bring a water bag compatable with the sawyer (not a sawyer factory bag) evernew is my fave. I know cnoc also is popular. There are dry stretches, and camp water storage. In the past I carried a litre only, now closer to 2. I am not sure where your intel came from but there long stretches below tree line. The solar pannels end up unused. Follow adventure alans guide to phone bat.life. Temps often dip into the teens. Sierra weather is wild, expect and plan youe gear for it. Alll the best, it’s a trip of a life time!
Hello JR, I just came across your video and enjoyed the content. It looks like you're prepared for just about anything. I subscribed to your channel so I can track your progress on the TMT. All the best to you for your good health and safety 👍. 🤗
Loved it, man! I’m from Indy, doing the JMT NOBO in August-I’ve got a similar gear setup with the HMG pods and a Gossamer Gear tent (The One). Love seeing a Hoosier doing some videos like this; it was really informative. Great channel! Good luck!
Awesome. I'll be hitting MTR around Aug 1. I love my pods and the HMG Windrider. Looking forward to using it in the Sierra Mountains. Good luck Hoosier.
I've fished and backpacked in the Sierra. The sun is intense at elevation. I'd definitely would not wear just a trucker hat. Not enough sun protection. I like ball caps so I use the OR sun runner. Its a good compromise and very light weight... cool to wear and you can even dip it in water for more cooling.
I couldn't agree more. The last trip I did was the Foothills in South Carolina. So getting on the JMT in July is going to be amazing. I'm the 20th Happy Isles. You? Maybe we'll cross paths.
You have a great setup! I’m excited to watch you hike the JMT. You mentioned your hat. I have finally found a sun hat that I like called The Airflo Tilley hat. It worked great on a lot of Southwest backpacking that was very exposed. It looks decent. When the wind kicks up you need to use the string though or she will take off. Good luck
Thank you for that compliment. I'm a geek when it comes to technical things. I want my videos to look visually appealing as well as good sound quality. I like to check all the boxes. Also thank you for watching and supporting my channel!
Love the gear breakdown man! We hit the trail on Monday! How did all your stuff hold up for you? Using a few of your ideas, and wondering how the MSR pocket rocket faired for you? Have both the JeftBoil micro and Pocket Rocket, and still up in the air on which one to go with!
Awesome man. Thanks for the support. They will probably start trickling in sometime in mid/late August. I'll try to get them out as quickly as possible for ya!
Thank you. It's taken a lot to get it where it is and still making adjustments. I'll make another video soon on the last minute changes I made prior to the trip
California had a very bad winter resulting in a serious drought so some of the smaller early season creeks and runoffs may not be there, just a heads up 👍
Great video, man! I’ll also be going out to do a short stretch the first week of August, so it’s nice to find such a thorough pack list to compare mine against. Also, for your autofocus issue, you might try having someone stand in on your position/use a you shaped inanimate object and set your focus on manual mode to dial in a nice, crispy image.
The funny thing is...I have spent a fortune. LOL. Seriously though, I keep my eyes out for sales and discount codes. For example, my tent, the Two by Gossamer Gear. Backpacker Radio has a 15% Discount code that saved me $75. REI Outlet is a champion when it comes to buying things on the cheap, however they don't come with that awesome One Year Return Policy. Keep your eye out for an update on this video of small changes I've made prior to the trip. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel.
Hello, may I suggest not to leave your pack at the base of half dome and Whitney. I have had those giant squirrels eat holes in my backpack on both of those climbs when I left my pack at the base. I don't think you can carry-on a battery pack that big. I think 26,000mAh is the biggest so double check. You can recharge at Tuolumne meadows, Red's, VVR & MTR. You might make some friends with a battery that big. I doubt you will be able to kill it even without a solar charger. Hope you enjoy your hike, my favorite spot was Evolution lake and the super deep lakes coming down from Muir's hut. There are natural hotsprings right next to MTR so you might find it worth your time to take a dip.
Thank you. I plan on checking the battery banks. No need to carry them on the plane. I'm dropping the solar panel and bringing a backup bank. I have plenty to charge (phone, GPS, cameras etc.) I'll be checking out all the places you mentioned. Thank you so much for watching and supporting
Love the hyperlite pod bags. Going to have to check them out. I really hate the smaller diddy bags being loose in the pack. Thanks for sharing your loadout.
My pleasure. I am enjoying all the feedback. Thank you for supporting the channel. I hope it was useful information for you and the others. The pods are now a staple in my load out. Like you, I don't enjoy digging out the small bags.
Love all the gear, but noticed a lot of dark colors from the pack to the cloths. Any thoughts of going with lighter colors to see ticks better. I find ticks to be the most frustrating part of any outdoor activity. I don't recall getting ticks as a kid but over the last decade, they're everywhere! I live in PA (aka tick heaven)
I'll be in Southern California in the Sierras. Not a lot of ticks there. But for those that are... I thoroughly treat all of my gear and clothing with permethrin. Also I bring picaridin for my arms and legs. I've no worries about ticks. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
Nice gear breakdown! We are heading out to do part of the JMT (Onion Valley to Whitney Portal) the end of July. I’m looking forward to your trail report!
Good Luck! I would exchange the tennis ball with a rawolgy cork massage ball and treat your gear with permethrin before you go. Bigger hat is always more beneficial on the JMT. :)
Thank you for your insight. I do permethrin my gear and clothes before every trip. Definitely. As for the tennis ball...I'll look into the Rawolgy ball
Hey man! Loved the video/content. I'll be on the trail out there in Aug. so I'm excited to hear how things go for you. Good luck on your weightloss journey too!
I don't hit the trail until the 20th. You have to take quite a few zero days for me to catch up to you. LOL. Enjoy the hike and be safe. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel
You too. They fires are a concern hopefully they are at bay. I heard there is one at Whitney Portal but allegedly it's contained. Crossing my fingers no more surface.
I will do a video here before too long on food. Shouldn't be too bad for the must part except the carry after Muir Trail Ranch. 10 days @ 1.5lbs a day.
Awesome. Thank you so much for subscribing! The solar panel I saw in 'Follow Bigfoot's' JMT hike. He did a post hike review of it along with other gear. I'll do the same thing. But probably won't publish until September
I really want to try those lone peak mids I have Solomon Xultra GTX4 mids white and black now and I love them but they feel like they won’t last but maybe and hopefully I’m wrong but I’m still gonna get those lone peak mids eventually
I will be honest with you Brendan. I wore them around for a couple days. They put pressure on the tops of my toes where the shoe bends causing major hotspots... potentially blisters. Plus my feet were sweating in them. With them being water proof...that made me nervous as well. I ended up returning them. That will be in the video right before the trip titled 'last minute changes'. But that doesn't mean they won't work for you. I loved them if they didn't hurt my toes.
That's a huge power bank! Not sure if you are going to resupply between MTR and Whitney but if your not, any thought about getting two 15,000 batts and mailing one to yourself at MTR or VVR? I was concerned about that screech of trail myself. Not sure about the logistics of mailing a LiIon batt but it would save some weight at the beginning of the trek. Might be something to look into especially if your going to send yourself a package anyway.
hiked the JMT last summer and even with all the sun exposure, I ditched the solar charger. They can be really finicky and detract from being in the moment.
The only thing I see missing is a mirror for when you get a bug or twig or dirt or ash in your eye. It happens. Oh wait, the 2nd thing would be some sort of pepper spray for mountain lions and bears and unruly people.
Im afraid I would say that kit includes too many cloths. 5 pair of socks pus sleep socks?is nothing more than effective marketing...noone gets blisters with toe socks. Theres just no reason for the second pair unless twice the drying time is what you're going for. I imagined it all worked out just the same. Cheers
You're mistaken. You're seeing 3 pairs of socks and two pairs of sock liners. You ARE correct in that I have never had a blister with my setup. I appreciate your viewpoint. Thank you for watching! Happy Hiking
@@robnoodle1 thays the plan. I'll edit post hike. Probably won't be until late August early September before they start dropping. Debating on on long video or a series of episodes.
Enjoyed this thorough video! There was a disclosure at the start that it “includes paid promotion.” Can you tell us which items or companies were connected to that? Thanks!
Hi JR, I subbed your channel. On Monday I ordered a HyperLite Mountain Gear SouthWest 3400 and a ton of accessories, how long do they usually take to fulfil orders? I’m in Scotland by the way so I appreciate there will be some delay. Cheers brother.
Last I ordered they had about a 10 day lead time. I'm not sure about international shipping I would add 7 days to be honest. Did you use the link in the description?
@@JRHikes Thanks JR, unfortunately I didn’t use that link as I just found your channel earlier today. As it happens, HMG did get back to me a half hour ago, they’ve told me to expect it to take the full three weeks so I’ll need to be really patient. Something I’m not great at. Anyway, thanks for your reply, safe trails and best wishes from Scotland.
Interesting video, like how you organise your stuff 👍. I like the Z Packs Fupa, do you know if they ship abroad? Not sure if available here in England? Thanks
International packages are shipped via UPS International, which takes 2-5 days to clear customs to most destinations. It includes end to end tracking. Orders under $100 ship for $19.95, and orders over $100 ship for $29.95.
I'm not trying to lose weight here. I'm carrying camera gear, spare batteries and lenses and need quick access as well as protection from the elements. I'm not carrying a $200 action camera, $300 gimbal, a $450 lens and heavy battery bank in my shorts pocket. The FUPA plays a very important role. However, Thanks for the the suggestion and thanks for watching.
How did this sleep system work for ya? The only thing I’d wonder about is if the dryer air out here made sub 40 degree weather feel cooler than the more humid air out east/south
It did well for me. Most nights I kicke the feet out of the foot box. I LOVE the Tensor (minus the leak fiasco). The pillow NEVER fails and the Enlightened Equipment quilt did amazing
Hey, can you do a review on the Gossamer Gear The Two tent and how it holds up in rainy weather, etc..? Also, you have the older version of The Two, right? Not the 2021 version?
JR Hikes Thank you! I haven't seen any youtube videos on it concerning weather conditions. My name is Truce by the way. Give me a shout out on the video if you decide to do it. Haha, JK! Also, you should just get the cork massage ball instead of using the tennis ball because it will save you some weight. It's called the rawlogy cork massage ball which I purchased from litesmith and also available at garage grown gear, etc... The smallest size works for me. Anyway, keep up the good work and I know your channel has the potential to grow. You seem to have good taste and style. If you're going ultralight, I think some of your gear could be lighter. Cheers.
Thank you Truce. I'm curious...a weather review. I've been in rain but nothing recorded. So I can do a review explaining my experience. That's all. Fair enough? Also I'll look into the cork ball. How do you pronounce your name.
JR Hikes Yeah, that's fine. I recently purchased the two a few months ago before they introduced the 2021 version, but I haven't tested it out yet on the field. My name is pronounced just like the word Truce (troos) meaning peace.
Hi. I am wondering if you have checked with the airlines to see if you are allowed to carry that power bank on the flight? Some airlines have guidelines that may restrict your bank to 26000 mAh? Just a thought.
It's my understanding that this restriction is for carry-on only. Checking a power bank does not fall under this rule. That being said, I am still revisiting the rules and regulations to make sure. Thanks for the heads up.
For a backpack? If you are into ultralight you could check into Mountain Laurel or Hilltop Packs. They are sub $300. If you are willing to sacrifice a little weight for budget check out Osprey, Gregory or REI
@@JRHikes Actually talking about your pods and sacks made with CF. Any alternative companies other than HMG or Zpack that is less expensive? I have a bag already but looking to get a Osprey Kyte 46. Love that one. Thanks for responding and so fast. :)
IMO buying a solar panel for, say, the AT. Probably not the best idea. 700 miles of desert in southern California and 211 miles in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lots of direct sunlight. I haven't had an opportunity to use it on trail yet. However, a RU-vidr 'Follow Bigfoot' took one on the JMT and said it worked well for at bare minimum to charge his Garmin GPS Device. I'm hoping it to keep me filming the whole trip.
Personally I prefer the tent. But if you are good with the bivy then, do you. I prefer the room to stretch out and inventory my gear as well as a place to sit and relax out of the heavy insect population. If you're an ultralightist than the bivy is your best bet.
My apologies. That was thought of after I published the video. I will be sure to add this measurement in future videos. Thank you for watching and supporting my channel.
@@JRHikes Thank you for the info and for the videos and I’m sorry you weren’t able to complete the trail this time I start mine October 2 this year hopefully altitude won’t be much of a factor
They say that they fit in other packs but aren't specific about which ones. You can contact Hyperlite and they will let you know. They are pretty cool about it. Let me know!
@@JRHikes I just did a day hike out of Horseshoe Meadows (dry as a bone) May 29. No water running anywhere on the trail to Chicken Spring lake which was really low. And as of Sunday to Friday on the west side of the Sierras it's triple-digit temps.
@@shanleyoutdoors1631 thanks for the heads up, starting at horseshoe meadow and going over new army pass to mitre basin , I will b prepared for drought conditions , thank you
Haha. Well, it's Diddy in this video. Thanks for pointing out a typo vs how helpful/informative the content of the video is. It would have been nice to hear if it helped you in some way. Instead I get, hey you spelled this wrong. ✌️👍 Thanks for watching and have a great day
Only the company that generates $9.4M annually and has some of the best ultra lightweight camping/hiking products in the world. LOL. Although, I'm curious how large/small that focus group was.
Drop the solar, its basically useless. Only solar that is worth the money are from 50 w - 100 w. And those are folable too, but still worth it? Well it depends if it is an emergency, like a blackout, apart from that for recreation Hiking? Not worth it. 10000 banks are enough.
@@JRHikes I use panels even on the army out in the woods for long time, the technology is not worth it unless you are using big Powerfilm panels. I never.carry them to hiking anymore.
The name or that bag itself. If it's the name I hear you man. ZPacks dropped the ball on naming it. As far as the pack itself... invaluable to accommodate my action camera, spare batteries, etc. Thanks for watching.