Thank you for watching! I have learned a ton from all the short trips I've taken over the years, more than that I've learned from actually thru hiking! I think often it's an overlooked aspect of preparation. I hope you can get out on some, have fun, and learn along with me :)
To get in shape do trail work. Find a volunteer group, help pack a saw, fuel, tools, your buddies water and whatever else you can help that needs brought into rough areas. You're helping out other volunteers, meeting other like minded folks, giving back to the trails you love, and making the trail better for people that want come experience a different area.
I was riding in a Uber in Tucson (flying in from Atlanta) talking about the mountain ranges on the horizon and how much I would love to hike those and she mentions that she wants to hike the AZ trail. So naturally, I mention you! And your recent hike- that I recounted it for her. I bet you never thought folks would be talking about you in an Uber ride at 4pm on a Monday in Tucson AZ lol. Love your videos, love your delivery, and love the way you deliver your experiences. You have a positive impact on my life. Thank you.
Great tips! Also, always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. And let them know when you do get back. It is surprisingly easy to take a wrong path even close to home.
These are great tips. I'd add one; when possible hike with people that are experienced or simply people with different experiences. You can learn a lot from others. I've been hiking for 55 years and there isn't a trip I go on where I don't learn something new - quite often from others that haven't been hiking nearly as long.
I have backpacked since 1977, but only normally only going out for two to three days. About thirty five miles in the White Mountains of NH. I retired this year and hiked the Long Trail in Vermont and it really changed my hiking world. I started the trial as a light weight hiker and UL ended as an UL hiker. It helped me to not only dial in my gear, but also my food and footwear. I did about 17.5 miles a day and felt better than I did thirty years ago carrying a very light pack. I do want to thank you as one of your videos helped me to see how to lighten my pack . I used that site lighterpack and it really helped. Next year I plan on doing the Colorado Trail. Thanks take care
The more I learned to do without the better backpacker I became. Small tarp, blowup floatie and wool blanket worked in 3 seasons. Water purification and dried foods. Made it more enjoyable. Started in the 70s as a young guy until 06 the last time I backpacked. I got old. Now I motorcycle camp and use the same principles.
I love it!!! I'm in the rain staying dry in my camp today.. practicing my shakedowns before my thru-hike.. follow along (Donn hikes).. I appreciate you bro and God bless
Congratulations on 50K! The video was great advice can't wait for the PCT videos! I hope you get to meet Smiles from the "Daisy hikes" RU-vid channel. She also loves to cowboy camp and does 30 milers on a whim! Also I think a good first try could be your backyard because if your quilt isn't warm enough then you don't have to be miserable all night!
Daisy is awesome! I hope to run into her as well!! Also I love the backyard thing but there is so much more to learn from actually going out there and having that experience. Just from my past I know I have set up a tent in my yard, it looked great, I got in it and it was big enough, felt great, lightweight, but then once I got on trail I wound up not liking it for reasons I otherwise wouldn't notice in the yard! Spending hours with a thing at a campsite is just such a great way to vet things, and if it's a really good experience, or a bad experience I am more likely to really remember it. Both the backyard tip and the short hike tip I think are great!
Thank you for the amazing vids. I've been practicing in my backyard which is Mt Hood. I've been hiking the canyons, parts of the PCT up there, spending a night or two, going even if it's rainy or cold, getting stronger, starting to be able to power walk the inclines for awhile, losing weight, I'm hooked... Happy trails... :-)
How it's done! I got into hiking living in the hills in North Wales (Snowdonia). We were super poor and working shifts, with no money to go anywhere, so this is how we did. Still use what I learnt to this day .
Thank you Jupiter for all the knowledge you pass on to us. Since joining your channel I've switched from a framed pack to frameless and has really helped with my lower back problems. My base weight is also down to 11lbs for 3 season camping.
Whenever people ask me "How do you train for a through hike?", I always tell them "I go on short hikes". It's really the only thing that works. Hiking and backpacking is such an iterative process. You can do it for a while and then look back at where you started and see all the changes and improvements you made. You can also look back at all the stuff that didn't work out as well. Last week I tried hiking with a pedometer, because I am trying to find ways of using my phone less often. It didn't work out. The pedometer rubbed my waist wrong and wound up creating a nasty bit of chaffe. It was good at measuring my pace, but not worth the literal pain. I will probably try an ABC watch with a step counter next time. Figuring out what works and what doesn't work is like half of the fun for me.
I remember maybe 5 years ago a friend asked a well known hiker with 40,000 miles of thru hiking experience, how to train for a thru hike. They responded with 'go hiking!' I always thought that was so funny as my friend was hoping for gym exercises or some secret trick.
Thanks so much my guy. This was the most helpful advice I've received. I made the decision to do the triple crown before I get on outta here. Thanks again. Peace.
Jupiter...sure appreciate your presentation style and content! There are no trails near me, but I'm fortunate enough to own a piece of property where I've cut a circuit ... a little over 4 miles worth of trail. When I want to do longer distances in my training, I just repeat the trail loop until I get to the desired distance, then camp near that point. Yodo
Great video. Matter of fact I just pushed my limits from comfortable with 15 mile days and did a 23.5 and then a 14.3 the next day. Happy trails man 🤘🥾
Congrats on 50k! I just did my first 50k day yesterday (31mi that is), beginning to prepare myself to take on the TRT in under a week. My first thru-hike of any significance. I've just been doing day hikes recently but next week it's time to start some overnighters. Despite half of it burning down, the Santa Cruz Mountains still make a good training ground! I have a setup with solid ingredients, but it needs more honing in the real world. Thanks for all the hard-earned wisdom!
Oh and I decided to do that 31mi in new, unfamiliar shoes... 🤦♂️ Altra Lone Peak 5s. NOT a fan. Haven't got blisters in my Merrell Trail Glove (1,2,3,4)s almost ever, even doing trail marathons and 20mi days with a full pack. They just didn't move with my foot like the Trail Gloves do, and I had blisters before the halfway despite Leukotaping and Darn Toughs. The added sole thickness felt like an ankle-roll liability too. Grateful for REI's generous return policy and $40 new-old-stock Merrells on eBay!
Awesome!!! That will definitely be a fun adventure at your pace. I started at heavenly resort and resupplied in tahoe city. Water and staying hydrated out there was a big thing for me. Some sections were better than others of course but the dryness was sneaky. Enjoy!
I did my first 30-mile last year. Three separate ascends along the way. 6000ft in total. The last one almost broke me but man... Did I learn a lot about myself.
Hey Jupiter! Congrats on 50k! Heres to the next million! What a great and helpful video. It really has inspired me to find some new camp spots and get out there and do some of the things I have been waiting to try. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well. -Grateful
Oh man I will probably never reach a million but maybe 100k is a good goal to have! I hope you find some cool new camp spots! Even if they aren't cool it's always nice to know that as well from personal experience to then share with others to maybe avoid
@@JupiterHikes you totally deserve a million+! I will keep sending people your way when ever possible. I hope your other viewers do that same. In all seriousness , your videos are a such great resource for info and always inspirational. Let’s hope I find some good sites, but if not, what’s not to love about being on trail! Be well my friend and thanks again for the epic content🙏
HOT DAMN. Yay for the 50 THOUSAND subscribers. Speaking for me, and I bet many more, you are quite an inspiration. Not to mention great, good, objective, interesting info about all aspects of hiking. Thanks ever so much
Thank you jhon! All of the nice comments over the years definitely keeps me doing it! Along with hoping I can add some information or help to the community and future hikers out there
Really good tipps and great video overall! I have found that even just taking say, your cooking gear and a tarp with you, having your lunch or supper out on the trail or a campsite helps a lot. Especially if you have some new gear or are completely new to camping specificly. This can also help with that kinda "hurdle" feeling doing an overnight or through hike can have. I shure know I´ve had that that and doing these small outings, just at the end of the day or on a day off, has helped a LOT with that :-)
I walk the mile or so from the house to the Florida Trail, then another mile or two down the trail beside the river to one of the two campsites. In the summer I can leave as late as 4pm and still have daylight to set up my shelter.
I have an ex bf who’s been hiking and backpacking like you since college days. His gear, food, and clothing choices were done to absolutely necessary and no frill from years of try and true. I was new in hiking at the time so I was enamored with gear, clothing, and gadgets. He always chuckled seeing what I packed. One thing I did right was always having a packing list containing everything down to a tea bag. I would cross out items not used and highlight items not as useful. Over time my packing got really tight and no forgetfulness. Packing list helps not just for hiking and backpacking, every type of trips benefited from packing absolutely necessities and no overpacking.
Glad it was helpful! The short trips have been so good to me over the years! A ton of fun but even more learning! Hope you have the same fun out there I have :)
i got one you can do in the back yard set up camp in total dark and then try full on rain , it is going to happen sooner or later may as well be ready. ray.
Thanks for the info “jupe” you rock! That vid you did on blister/footcare was spot on! That is what they taught in the army/marines 30 plus years ago,nothing has changed. When we did 20 plus mile road marches while wearing 80-110 lbs on our backs I used to use the wife’s shhhhhhhh! ,panty hoes under my socks. lol, they didn’t have sock liners or injinji socks back then. We wore leather boots that made our feet sweat profusely and insoles that were super thin. Keep sharing such top notch info brother. Heading out for my first they hike in 50 years on march 30 th, doin the a.t. , so stoked I can’t sleep , ha ha ! Cheers bro !
The backyard works, too, if you have extremes of weather. Go for a walk until you get sweaty (not recommended, but sometimes unavoidable on a long hike). Go home and figure out what you need to do to get warm once your body cools down. Don't go back in the house until you get very cold, then figure out what you need to do differently in the same conditions. Soak your "warm when wet" insulation and underwear and see exactly HOW warm when HOW wet. Then try some actual hiking, preferably with a friend. Thanks for all of your helpful tips, Jupiter.
It has definitely helped me A LOT so I hope it helps others! I know in many cases my way of approaching planning and preparing isn't necessary, but it's always good to be prepared I think and take some of the risk out of things. If someone takes just one little thing from me that is cool!
ive been thinking of running tests at a 26 mile trail that should be 1 or 2 days then load the car up with extra food and water etc so if there is a miscalculation i can just goto the car and address that issue (mainly just dialing in the amount of food actually used ) ive been setting my tarp up on cold damp nights nights without any lights in my backyard and found that if im not snugging with the pup the pad is not going to be fun in the low 30s after setting up the tarp in the dark a few times it made it so easy to do with light i totally agree with challenging yourself so the real hike is easier in comparison
I F’n love U’r channel Jupiter! I think I have to make my own mistakes to progress as a hiker/backpacker. I can take all the advice I can, but in the end it has to B me that has success & failures. I have very little experience, but I sure do love to strap on my POS hydration pack & crank out 5-10 miles around the city. I hike where & when I can. My biggest problem is my spouse. She hates it when I go hike’g, it’s WW3 if I buy any new gear. According to her I have no business playing in the woods, lol! It’s a struggle…it’s my struggle, lol!
In the end I try to provide the tools or the mindset, instead of 'do this do that' specifics. Everyone enjoys different things, and everyone has a different style. It is up to the individual to find that enjoyment and style! Thank you for watching and the comment! I hope the wife doesn't mind too much. I'm sure you've tried but I wonder how to make these trips more fun for her. Car camping? Travel to a new city to explore then camp at a state park instead of a hotel? I am not sure, but you enjoy what you do and that is important!
I try! I've definitely mentioned this advice before but I felt that these types of trips have given me so much in the way of learning new things that it was definitely worth it's own video. Just as well I am sure we've all heard of people starting a thru hike where that is their first ever backpacking experience, so this is also in hopes to get more folks outside enjoying the trail and the learning process before the long trip.
Great suggestions! The older I get, the more important I find maintaining proper hydration and snackage. It can mean the difference between a terrible 10k day and a fantastic 25k day.
I am glad you have picked up some info from my videos! I definitely try to be helpful and add to the community. Thank you for watching and coming along!
Myakka is awesome!! This was one of the first places I ever went backpacking 10 years ago so this was an anniversary trip of sorts. I spent last week hanging around Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Bradenton before and after my hike. Then explored st Petersburg, clearwater, and Tampa on my way out. I think in Florida Sarasota is one of my favorite cities. So beautiful, nice weather, and still has that small town feel in many ways.
Great tips! I'm definitely planning to try these things once the weather is slightly warmer (although tbh I would probably be fine with these temperatures we're having, it's a very mild winter so far). I'm kinda sad I live somewhere where you're not allowed to camp except for on campsites (that you pay for). But then again, my longer trip I have planned will also be like that, so might as well give 'finding the good campsites' a try as well...
The hike I did in this video I had to stay at a designated campsite I payed for. I think it was 5$ but I've definitely payed more for camping. It's maybe not ideal but still great and a lot can be gained from these places and trips even if it takes that extra step of prep to get the permit. Personally during this trip although I had to stay at a specific spot I did still use my normal method of surveying the small camping are for the best place to physically setup. Trees above, a breeze coming through, away from anyone else that may come by. Opposed to just setting up right next to the popular fire ring at the head of the campsite in the open. Not ideal but still works!
I'd make one recommendation for food and persons with food allergies to consider. If you have food allergies is first to test everything at home first to make sure it's safe. Once you know how you'll react at home, then it's good to test out on the trail. Because of my many food allergies - NO new to me food or the trail.
I see the location tag says you were at Mayakka. I hiked the whole outer loop in December and the far eastern part of the loop was so overgrown that I was basically bushwhacking through the prairie for a few miles. I was wondering if you went out that far and if it was still like that.
I did go out that far, did the whole loop! I personally did not have that experience, but I was just using a paper map and often times could have just been on a different trail that had been maintained. But I think more likely... the FTA chapter that maintains the hiking trails probably just hadn't gotten to it when you had hiked it. I know in palm beach county most trail maintenance doesn't begin until late november, and isn't completely done until late february! And we're talking a group of 50-80 year olds doing this work. I volunteered for a few years helping but it's still a very long process and hard work to get done quickly.
I would be curious to know how many calories you eat and drink per miles or what ever calculations you have figured out. Also specifics amounts on electrolytes. I know everybody is different but it would be interesting to here specifics on what you have discovered for yourself
This trip was over on the Gul Coast of Florida in Myakka River State Park! Though I have done a few trips further south in the everglades, this is the northern most part of that watershed.
the only way to get better at something is keep doing it... you will always learn......just get out and do it...... what everyone tells you otherwise is redundant, only you can learn how to be a better you
This is Myakka River State Park over in Sarasota! It is a 30+ mile loop I did while filming this video and testing some stuff out myself. It was actually home of one of my first ever backpacking trips 10 years ago(the photo in the video thumbnail image) so this is sort of an anniversary hike
I've never personally had a favorite but Nuun is often readily available so I seem to use it with some frequency. It's pretty good, somewhat annoying to break the tablet to fit it in a water bottle so I think if I had a choice I would likely go with a powder, and probably specifically from what I've tried, the "ultima" brand electrolyte powder packets. They aren't nearly as available though
You’re an absolute star, keep up the good work inspiring and promoting the single best, most sustainable, natural activity know to us humans…..being out in nature, hiking, camping or whatever our individual circumstances allow. Love your message about remembering to have fun 😊
