Sleeping Bags vs Quilts | Foam Pads vs Inflatable Pads | Down vs Synthetic 

Time Stamps! 00:42 SLEEPING BAGS and QUILTS 00:48 Sleeping Bags Shapes (Mummy vs Rectangle) 02:11 Hooded vs Non-Hooded 03:11 Down vs Synthetic 05:50 Fill 06:25 Temperature Range 09:49 Shell Materials 10:34 QUILTS (Pros and Cons) 13:36 SLEEPING PADS 13:51 Foam Pads 15:34 Self-Inflating Pads 16:20 Inflatable Pads 18:44 R-Value 19:27 Conclusion

I'm a "toss & turner" side sleeper. When I first started out, Mummy bags were really tough for me UNTIL I learned how to sleep in them. The secret is that they are designed to turn with you. You "wear" them like you'd wear any other clothing and they stay in the same position on your body as you toss and turn. NO turning "in" the bag. This also means you want a bag that has a draft tube over the zipper, then, regardless of what position you are in, you have adequate insulation. Oh, and I totally agree with you about sleeping pads. There is no way I can use a thin closed-cell foam pad to sleep on. Yup, gonna try the Uberlight - full length.

When in doubt,,,,always go colder in the rating of a Bag......much easier to cool off than warm up.

An extra piece of advice: Its generally considered important to bring BOTH a closed cell foam pad and an inflatable pad for winter backpacking. This is partly to double up your insulation, but also so that you have a backup in case your inflatable pops.

I really appreciate you putting together these backpacking 101 videos. My neice is just getting into backpacking and I am not always the greatest at answering all of her and her moms questions. These videos are so informative and answer darn near every question I had when I first got into backpacking myself. We are eagerly anticipating the rest of the weeks videos! Thanks for being awesome!

I swear by having a silk liner for my sleeping bag. I'm a warmer sleeper but on really cold tramps it is a life saver, it also helps keep your actual sleeping bag cleaner and is way easier to wash - because of the material it only takes a couple of hours max to dry! It adds a wee bit of weight but I think it's definitely worth it

Also when buying a down sleeping bag (or down anything) be aware of where the down is coming from and that it is not from live plucking. The most common certificates used are the Global Traceable Down Standard (TDS) or Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Those certificates make sure that the down is neither from force-fed animals who are only plucked as part of food production when they are already dead (and not plucked repeatedly while alive which is very painful).

Another thing that Dixie didn't mention about fill power... When it comes to down, the higher the fill power number, the higher the quality of the down plumes, and typically the lighter the item. Your lower level fill power (500-600) items will weigh more than higher level fill power (850+). Also, the lower level fill power items will use duck down, and usually some feather content. The higher fill power items will almost always use goose down, and only down plumes - no feathers. Feathers don't insulate, down plumes do. Feathers are heavy, down plumes are not.

Great video and information! Personally as a rule of thumb, I always suggest getting a sleeping bag rated at least 10, but preferably 15-20 degrees colder than the coldest temp expected to be encountered. In my experience, most towns in the US are warmer than the surrounding area. There's also the issue of convection in a windy environment. Also, a lack of food will cause a person's metabolism to slow down reducing body heat. You can always open the bag up if it gets too warm. Not much you can do if you get too cold. As far as sleeping pads are concerned. Inflatable mattress have come down alot in the last few years and one can have a pretty good pad under $50. If you run a inflatable pad, shoe goo and clear gorilla tape is your friend. If you get a hole or tear, repair with a dab of shoe goo or strip of tape. You can make a lightweight protective under sheet for a inflatable pad out of tyvec, plastic sheeting, or tarp. Cut to size and put some double sided tape in the corners. Just some ideas and you all have a great time out there.

This new series is SO informative! Thank you! Lots of info, but not overwhelming. You do a great job of explaining the pros and cons of everything.

Hello Dixie, thank you for sharing another very informative video. You always do a superb job in presenting the information. The information that you share in your videos is helping countless numbers of backpackers and potential backpackers in making their gear choices. Take care, be safe and have fun. 🤗

You could talk about planning a hike. Overnight, weekend etc. How to plan it out.

Awesome video, It's nice that you go in depth with different materials, ratings, and overall explanation what to look out for. I appreciate that you explain the small things that other people don't really go into. Really helps me narrow down my decision of what id like to use.

You are the most straightforward backpacking RU-vidr I’ve found. Thank you! Very helpful stuff for me to get on the trail!

Who else is counting down the days until spring camping season?

I have really enjoyed the series videos so far, and look forward to watching them all. Thank you.

Awesome idea to put this all into one video, very helpful :)

That's the most comprehensive video I have ever seen on this! You obviously have experience! Thanks for sharing. I love my neoair but I'm tired of mummy bags so exploring options for the next season.

Thank you for all the advice you give in your videos. Very informative! I realized alot of items you choose while backpacking is personal and comes through "trial" and "error" and "live" and "learn" experience but you give alot of good advice.

Hey Dixie.... thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to gather and create these wonderful backpacking videos !!

Great video! Even though I know most of this... it is really a great thing you are doing with this series. Your experience and knowledge is much appreciated!

13:58 NOT ACTUALLY BULLETPROOF. DO NOT SHOOT ANYONE'S PAD Made my day. :D

I spent my highest $$ on my sleeping bags after a few years. I have a fleet as I am 4 seasons in the Central Rockies of Wyoming, but every other year my slip off into CA UT NV in the winter. My go-to sleeping bag for most is a Western Mountaineering 15 deg (25 EN) , Alpinist, semi rectangular, that works in most conditions for me down to as advertised with a base layer and head cover, a shemagh or beanie. Three season I like a full length CCF pad,, a Zeelite Sol paired with a short Neo Air UL. Winter, I add a R 2.5-4.o inflatable full length pad instead of the shortie. I like internal frame packs, so the sculpted frame and padding do not make good lower insulation, and I like to hang my pack in bear country because it is stinky. One side of the CCF is always down. The sleeping side up. My winter bag is a 0 deg Marmot Lithium that has been slept in comfortably to -10 f without a liner or extra clothes. I now use a Reactor liner from Sea to Summit that has not been tested below 0 deg. Both of my down bags are premium, 800-900 fill and made in the USA. I take very good care of them; wear base layer sleep clothes, wipe and dry out every trip, and I am not a thru hiker. 30-45 bag nights a year, 1-7 day at a time. At the other end or extreme is my synthetic 40 deg Golite synthetic, hoodless that zips out flat like a quilt, that works beautifully in a quick and dirty summer bivy trip that may get wet. Also at 1.2 pounds, and it Is a day and half trip, a little short on sleep one night or comfort is not terminal. Double wall tent or UL bivy. My 50 something GF can use my cast off CCF Walmart eggcrate pad and my 90s Kelty 25 Lightyear bag and thinks she is in heaven. I am 66, and a side sleeper and would die. [grins]

I've got a 3/4" self inflating Thermarest that is older than Dixie that still works. I expect it to fail, but it just keeps on going.

I've been camping for a long time now. You just taught me what the "fill number" means. Happy to keep learning. Thank you very much.

Outstanding overview. I use a top quilt for hammocks and ground sleeping.

You are doing amazing on these daily videos, super informative, easy to understand, and really well thought out. So cool to have seen how far you have come. HAPPY HIKING !!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree with Jess. A non-hooded down quilt is the way to go. If it is cold you are wearing a woolly hat anyway; so just wear it 24 hours a day and save weight. If you roll over and breathe moisture into your hooded bag the down gets wet and loses insulation. For a pad I use a 3/4 length self inflating mattress ( I am too lazy to blow! ), 2 inches thick for side sleeping, which is pretty compact compressed and still has some foam inside if I am unlucky enough to get a puncture. This is supplemented by a cotton stuff sack filled with clothes as a pillow and a cheap foam butt pad as bomb proof camp seat by day and goes under my feet and ankles by night, where the 3/4 length pad ends. For me this is the ultimate balance of comfort vs. weight using multi purpose gear items.

Another amazing review. I have switched to down EE quilt and will never go back. I turn from side to side and having the freedom of a quilt is great and with the straps under my pad, no cold spots. I have backup down hood and booties, and of course a puffy, for temps below rating.

Dixie, fantastic overview of sleepy gear. your overview is the very best out there. i have always hung my Serria Designs 10 degree down bags while storing them. they are now 35 yrs old and working fine minus the. stains a bumps and brushes plus maybe lost a little R value over the yrs. i washed my with wool lite and air dry outside in the sun, then fluff on low heat and they come out superb lofty with not clumping. hope this helps other maintain their down bags.

Every time I watch a video I think "that looks like a really soft sweater"

This is great! I learned so many new and beneficial details. Thank you 🙏. One quick question: any experience with sleeping bag liners? Especially the ones that claim to add several degrees to the warmth of a bag? Thanks!

These are great gear info insights, Dixie...! I have both and I've had my down bag for 30yrs maybe almost forty, and still very lofty. I'm not a hard core hiker though. I keep it stored in a large volumnous cotton sleeping bag storage bag.

Very detailed video thank you and time stamps are excellent.

Thank you so much! V helpful for someone who hasn’t been out there for 20 years pre-kids and looking to get back out again soon. Nice to know what is new since I last did this (quilts?!). Also love the advice from a fellow side sleeper.

Sleeping on the ground is the exception for me, so I don't have a lot of motivation to invest a lot of money in an expensive insulated pad. I have a Klymit Static V Luxe (I'm 6'2", which is about 2" longer than pretty much all regular length pads). That's my go-to inflatable most of the time if I have to tent camp. If I have to tent camp and it's going to get cold, I also have an old Thermarest Z Lite Sol closed cell foam pad. I simply stack them. Stacking them turns a 1.3 R-value pad (Static V) into a 3.9 R-value system. It's a little heavier than a more expensive insulated pad, but I don't do it that much so it doesn't make sense to drop $200 on a pad I only use maybe once or twice a year.

When you dry a down sleeping bag (or jacket), just throw some tennis balls into the dryer with it. That'll fluff up the feathers. (disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damages, etc.)

Thanks again for an informative video. I've been hiking for many years but in the earlier years I hiked (as many did) depending on the weather because of weight, cost and technology. Last few years it's been year around and a learning experience at 60 years old. I've hiked the section B of the pct in small portions and I love it. Recently my wife and I did a few miles starting Warner Springs. It's a high rain and snow year like 2017 when you did it. It got down to 22 degree and snowed on us at 3100 feet. I have a 20 degree bag that weighs 2lbs 8 oz. An inflatable REI pad that weighs 1 pound. The little flap check valve on the inflate side went through the hole and slowly let the air out. I didn't see that at 2 in the morning. The minute it leaked so I was literally on the ground I woke up and was freezing. I inflated it again. This happened 3 times through the night. I found the problem the next day when I could see it. I also have a therma rest according foam pad that I'm thinking of taking next time but I was already at 29 total weight (that included a steak for each of us). I'm looking forward for you finish of the pct. I guess the high snow years like you... Hike on!

Binge-watch. Love your channel it has lots of substance 💯

I just now discovered your channel and I LOVE IT!!!! Your videos are awesome and EXACTLY what I was looking for to help me prepare for my own section hike!

I love your channel, thank you for all the info. Planning for my first thru hike and your videos are so helpful.

Your vids have improved greatly since your first ones. You've done well Grasshopper.

Thanks for this, Dixie! Hope you and yours are safe after that tornado down your way!

Thank you - best video I have seen on this subject. Much appreciated

Thanks Dixie, I agree with you. I have a feathered friends flicker 20 and also a north face Blue Kazoo 15 ( both plenty warm for me.) The quilt is less restrictive for sure because I side sleep and toss n turn but it is definitely more drafty in my opinion. And I use Exped sleep mats R 3.9 and higher. The exped Downmat is the warmest I’ve ever had. I think a high R value is super important for the best warm comfort. Keep up the awesome videos We really enjoy them 😃

Just got done watching this and I must say this is definitely one of your better ones very very informative excellent work

Awesome video! Really cleared a lot up for me. Thanks!

Lots of good info. Well presented. Excellent

Hey Dixie!! this video is great, very comprehensive, direct, and plain spoken. Good work! My two cents worth- make sure your bag is sized large enough that you can wear your puffy inside without compressing the insulation or feeling claustrophobic.

Love your videos. Very informative and pleasant.

Nicely done! No matter how long you've been hiking (or doing anything for that matter) revisiting the basics/fundamentals is always interesting to me. Appreciating that can reconnect you to the original motivation you did something in the first place and rekindle that curiosity and reinforce your appreciation. What a horribly constructed sentence, but I stand by my point! Thanks, Dixie.

Thanks Dixie! Great info, very informative.

I appreciate your videos. I'm 51 and did an outward bound course 20yrs ago. Climbed Mt.Massive. That is extent of my hiking. I weighed my pack yesterday 25lbs and went for a 9.6 mike walk. Sore sore. Anyhow set up 1man tent today and am practicing. Seeing what works or doesn't. Tent seems small. Does have vestibule. I'm going to do a thru hike of AT this spring. Going with another person I don't know and my organic farm boss will be out there w wife dropping in from time to time. Your videos are very helpful. Thankyou for sharing your adventures.

Great information. Concise! To the point! Thanks.

I made the DIY Costco Quilt and Underquilt. 750 Duck down fill. I didn't do the foot box for the over quilt. I tend to be a "kicker" when I sleep and find a foot box annoying. The DIY Costco Quilt is a cheap entry to using a quilt. The Quilt costs around $20. Simple sewing skills and there are a ton of patterns and videos out there. I've used my set up down to the low 30°s and was comfortable in thin long johns and a thin thermo shirt with a pair of wool socks, sleeping in a hammock. Down sides of the Costco DIY- yes, it's 750 fill but not stuffed to actual capacity. They're a little skimpy on the fill. My next version, I'm definitely going to buy extra down to "bulk" up a bit. Especially for the UQ. The down settles to the lowest point in the middle through the he center. So, no CBS, but I have had issues with a cold draft around my neck and the top of my shoulders. More fill should solve that. 😀 One last point, it's way easier to cool off if you're too hot than it is to get warmer if you're cold. Especially if you're already asleep. I'd suggest going a little more to a colder rated bag or quilt. You can always kick it open or off. Rummaging for extra layers in the middle of the night is a pain. Great video, Dixie!! Keep 'em coming!!!

I have always used a foam pad, and I have slept really good. I tried once inflatable pad and I just couldn't sleep like at all, this video was so useful so a big thank you to you, love your videos

very helpful thank you. Saw quilts in a through hike vid and didn't know what they were/what their advantage was. I've been out of the camping gear loop for so long now. 90% of my gear is still relevant though as I did research at the time 🏞

great video, this answered a lot of my questions

Thank you soooo much for explaining this with knowledge and experience !!! I've hiked all over north Alabama while listing to your you tube channel. I always tell all my hiking friends to subscribe 👍👍 Thank you ma'am

Excellent review! I really took away so much from your knowledge share. Thank you!! First time seeing your channel and simply subbed. Keeping it succinct and informative takes skill.

What a great video and very well put together.

Damn, quarantine is almost over, will i have time to watch all your videos? Slightly hooked on the channel. Great content! Greetings from Portugal.

Good info. Well presented. Thanks!

I want to start off by saying that this is perhaps the sixth or seventh video of yours I've watched, and I usually don't feel motivated to pipe up, because everything you say lines up nicely. I'm particularly impressed with the video clips that you paste in and their relevance to the particular topic. This one comes off seeming a bit precocious though, and might mislead some people, so I feel like I need to speak up. First off, most people hate mummy bags. That's why most people won't even go camping period. Today's high tech bags are crazy light anyway, adding a few grams for leg room, and getting a better nights sleep is well worth it. The ideal bag offers room to move around while still maintaining its insulation value, optional foot ventilation, and has the option to use a hood (it lies flat under your head if you don't cinch it up). I have two such bags, which also have the benefit of being able to be zipped together so that two people can snuggle up comfortably. Try that with your mummy bag. (I found myself wondering if the EE bags you mentioned later in your video could be zipped together.) Down has absolutely zero insulation value if it gets wet. For the love of God, IF you buy a down sleeping bag, get an emergency bag so that you don't immediately freeze to death if (when) your down bag eventually gets soaked. Also, I've had the same synthetic below-zero bags for 25 years now. They're fine, they don't wear out if you take care of them. Countless nights of actual use. One whole winter in the back of an RV whose heater wasn't big enough to reach the back room. That type of use would murder the loft of a down bag. A sliced up sleeping bag quilt is just silly. Get one of those insulated emergency blankets. They're lighter, take up less room and perform more functions. What's the name.. Snugpak jungle blanket. They make insulated blankets as well as insulated bag liners (which double as bags). I'm currently debating if I want one that's comfy and snugly, or one that has grommets so that it can double as a tarp. I'm leaning towards the tarp / blankie. You didn't mention bag liners, insulated bag liners or bivy bags. These can add TREMENDOUS benefits to the temperature range and durability of your main bag. You didn't mention pillows. My biggest issue with closed cell foam pads is that they don't work worth a CRAP in high humidity and sub-freezing temperatures. The last time I used one was pre-Y2K. My significant other and I went winter camping up in the mountains with her parents in Colorado (her parents idea, not mine). The foam literally loaded up with ice crystals and was horrific and painful to sleep on. Luckily, we tried going to bed crazy early that night, so I was able to head down the mountain and pick up a cheesy air mattress from a Wal-mart before they closed. Those foam pads got recycled as knee pads for gardening, and I've never bought another one. A thick enough self-inflating pad that keeps you from touching the ground is indistinguishable from an air mattress. The key is to pay attention and insist on a self-inflating pad that is at least 1 inch thick when inflated. the closer you can get to two inches, the better. The key is that when the mattress gets upwards of two inches thick, you're putting a LOT of stress on those skinny little seams, so they have to be top quality to hold up. That is the real reason that most self-inflating pads are somewhere less than 1 inch thick. Note that the high quality self-inflating pads MUST be more durable than the other ones by design, for this specific reason. You didn't mention the value of wearing layers of clothing, or the dangers of over-insulating and filling your bag with sweat. For example, I notice in this video that you're wearing cotton under fleece. Wearing cotton next to your skin to wick moisture in to the fleece insulation layer is an excellent way to insulate. Throw on a weather proof jacket and you're set. You can use the same layers to sleep in just a bag liner (15 degree protection) down to around 50 degrees, comfortably (with a mattress pad, of course). Put that same set up in a dual wall tent, and you can sleep down to 25-30 degrees comfortably (don't forget the fleece / thinsulate hat). However, if you use that same set up in a below-zero or four-season bag in freezing weather? You're going to wake up in the middle of the night with 100% humidity and moisture filling your bag and clothes and your teeth chattering, because you've over-insulated and now you need to dry off somehow.. without freezing your delicate bits off. I don't know, maybe that last bit is a bit beyond the scope of sleep systems, but I think that including your clothing layers as important components of a sleep system is a very valuable consideration. ESPECIALLY when you're trimming every last gram of weight off, and might end up needing to consider those options when a 60 degree evening suddenly shifts to sub-freezing temperatures. ;)

Thank you very much for the helpful video! I already looked at some gear and now I was finally able to decide :)

Thanks! Very UN happy with the pad I had last summer. Needed a new alternative but didn't know which way to jump.

Another excellent video where you give all the necessary information for beginners. As for myself, I used to sleep in a down mommy-shaped sleeping bag (very comfortable) and last year I decided to switch to a quilt: the Revelation from Enlightened Equipment. I too am a slide sleeper and toss around quite a bit so I was very careful when choosing the size. I'm very happy with my choice but it does take some getting used to it, especially in regards with the fitting of the straps around the sleeping mat.

Organized & informative. I went from a Pad-sleeved sleeping bag to a down quilt. The quilt can get drafty on a brisk, tentless ground night, but great summer simplicity. I am currently arriving at a z-packs style (no hood) sleeping bag. As Joe or Z-packs mentions: 90% of the time you will stick your feet into it like a quilt, but now and then on chilly nights you will have to zip up and do the mummy thing. I had a brisk night under an overpass near a tavern in the Santa Cruz Mountains--the pad was on the ground and no fancy elastic things to secure the quilt--it was a drafty night.

Amazing videos keep up the good work

Thank you so much for putting all the info together, Dixie. I'm just getting into backpacking and your channel has been a treasure trove of solid information. It's highly appreciated, I'll be making a paypal contribution shortly :)

Good Job as always Dixie... I wanted to mention one of the advantages of a power inflator for your air mattress. At first I agreed with you that an inflator is just that much more unnecessary weight. However, a friend was about to buy a new air mattress when his was still serviceable and holding air. When I asked why, he held his mattress up to the sun which revealed a lot of mold growing on the inside. The moisture from his breath and many years inflating and the warmth of the inside of his house caused an outbreak of mold. Because my mattress is now new, I picked one up. But to each his own...

Thanks for putting the whole experience to,words. Love it

Just found your channel. Love it, the great videos, they are very easy to understand and helpful. Thanks.

Love the braces Dixie!!! Thanks for the great info.

I’m so excited! I’m starting to plan my very first backpacking trip! Might be solo, my sis might go, but I’m def going regardless! I can’t take off work long enough to thru hike but I am gonna take a week off to hike the Great Smoky Mnts part of the AT, hopefully next fall! I’m researching, & purchasing gear a little at a time. Your channel has been so helpful to my sis & I! Neither of us have been backpacking before. Camping many times, & day hiking, but not backpacking. My down quilt just arrived in the mail today, & I’m so giddy b/c I’m that much closer to my goal!! I also bought the book “Wild, Lost & Found On The PCT”, & can’t wait to read it! Movie was great. ✌️♥️

Thanks for this comprehensive and easy to understand video. One aspect you didn't cover re the down or synthetic argument, is that if you are an animal lover, say you have a dog or a cat as a pet, then you can only choose synthetic. This is because almost all down out there is plucked from live birds who suffer unthinkable pain so, as an animal lover, you obviously won't be able to use down.

Thank you for the information. Been watching you videos for some time. Considering the AT, but not sure yet. I have a lot of questions to answer first. You helped a lot with this video. I live in Huntsville and have a lot of opportunity to hike around here. Considering the Pinhoti too. Thanks again.

Very helpful! The down vs synthetic discussion was especially useful for me. Thanks!

Very informative video … Thanks Wanderlust!

Thanks for this video. I hope you don't mind me spotting an error in your description of 'Fill Power', Contrary to what is said at 6:00, 'Fill Power' is NOT a measure of the volume for the fill contained within a sleeping bag. Instead, fill power is a measure of volume offered PER UNIT WEIGHT of fill (e.g. 900 cubic inches per ounce of fill) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fill_power. I'm sure you know this, but just missed stating that weight is part of the metric (in the denominator)

Thanks Dixie! I found a comfy synthetic rectangular sleeping bag (only 3.2lbs with stuff sack) I really like and haven't thought about switching. For just weekend camping/backpacking, if the temperatures are warm, the bag is swapped for a wool blanket. This makes the quilt option intriguing for me. While I was 100% satisfied with what I was doing, perhaps I can be even more satisfied. :) 100% agree with Dixie. I have slept on foam and inflatable. As someone who side sleeps a lot, inflatable is more than worth the price. You probably spend an extra 5 to minutes per day inflating and deflating it, but it is totally worth it.

Great info. I just picked up a military sleep system. It's not the lightest but it kept me warm on my last trip.

Thanks for the side-sleeper tips

Do you plan to do a video about trip planning...how you plan for a trip, research, how you find trail shuttles, just general info or steps you take to plan any trip

She is such a honest, free spirit! Much respect!

Once I've been so cold in my tent so I slept inside my sleeping bag with all my clothes on , with a hoodie on, and I even put my legs into my backpack. After this trip I've saved up money to buy a good sleeping bag.

To clarify what you said about down fill power, it is a measurement of the volume , in cubic inches, that 1 ounce of down, at the stated fill power rating, will occupy. For example, 1 ounce of 800 "fill power" down will occupy 800 cubic inches of space.

Looove this timing, I'm literally in the middle of looking at sleeping bags/pads

Insulated inflatable air mattresses are great. I upgraded after sleeping in the desert on a full-size inflatable air mattress but my back was getting so cold, even with a warm bag. Looking forward to hiking with this inflatable one sometime.

Dixie I did the PCT in 2017 Oregon section. I’m a cold sleeper and used a enlightened equipment quilt. I had no problems and was very happy overall.

Groovy, thank you girl! Good information. 👍🏽

Thank you for doing these intro videos! I'm starting an AT thru hike in april and love watching them. If you're still open to ideas, I'd love help with planning my beginning mileage and stops. I know when I get into a groove, I'll be able to figure out what I can and can't do each day, but for the first couple of weeks, is it best to have a (flexible) idea? One main thing about planning is: I just bought the pdf version of the 2019 awol northbound guide. I also downloaded their 12 miles/day planning guide. I know the planning guide was done in 2011, but the elevation gain and loss is drastically different than what's in the 2019 guide I just purchased. I can't imagine mountains would change that much. For example, for day 3 gooch mt shelter to woody gap, I only see max 1000 feet elevation gain and about 700 loss on the 2019 guide. But the 12 miles/day planning guide says there's 3429 elevation gain and 2629 loss. That's a huge difference. I am VERY new to this and have only done guided trips. So this is my first time planning myself and I'm now nervous I'm doing something wrong. Please can someone help me understand the large discrepancy between them and what I'm doing wrong. Thank you so much!

Good info again Dixie. Thanks

quilt(made my own due to price of enlightened equipment) was a gamer changer for me, as well as the klymite v luxe due to the extra width, side sleeper. yet to find a perfect tent though.

Like this series you are doing. Great info

Very informative and comprehensive video. I know you have first hand knowledge on the subjects as I have watched all your U.S. hikes on your vids. I'm 76 and still love to tent camp.

Great video as always.

Outstanding thanks for your information 👍

Used a combo down/wool bag. It had a army wool blanket liner. With outer nylon liner and ensolite pad the down bag with liner I slept in -30F temps with no problem except getting out of the bag, because nobody wanted to get up and start the fire.

The thumbnail photo for this video is priceless! All the expensive sleeping gear you carry and you are konked out in the dirt and rocks, you are so fun!!!