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Hey JR. You made the right call there, sometimes the hardest thing to do is quit so well done buddy. Great videos, enjoyed them and sure you will be back to complete the JMT one day!

I’m in the market so this was a handy tip to see

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!

You’re using a Hyperlite pack. Did you have an interest in their bottle pocket?

Black racers, not venomous but snake bites are bad from any snake, your area only venomous snakes are rattlers and copperhead. Have fun for the love🥾🥾

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Thanks for making a tough, but responsible, decision. Even this relatively short section of the JMT is an amazing hike!

2 years later, 2 years since a video, what happened? Everything good? I take it we aren't getting a waterproof test then?

lol …

Chicken Tramper has, I think 3 different sizes tailored to the bottle you are using. I have the 1L Smart Water size. It's great, effortless one handed operation. The easier it is to get to your water, the better you stay hydrated.

Do you still make videos? I hope so.

I am wondering if these will fit a different brand of pack or not.

Look at the size of that pack 😳

Well done. You were looking for 150 and now you've 1.59K.

Thank you, I was just hesitating between both products ! My choice is made :)

Hi, this is great. Did things change for 2024? I plan on doing a NOBO Thru hike on the JMT starting at Whitney Portal and including a summit of Mt Whitney in the Summer of 2024. This video and the link to the website with the Lottery information both say "Planning to hike Mt. Whitney in 2023" (www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5150055). Is the information for 2024 the same as it was in 2023? Does the lottery opens on Feb 1st of 2024 or has it changed? Do the first come first served permits come available on April 22 of 2024? Can you please confirm?

JR - you will be back. Living here in CA and loving these mountains can certainly humble us- immediately. I sense you just need a few good days at elevation and you'll be able to do this again. I'm sure you've had a lot of support and advice about how to prepare for altitude "before" your trip. Electrolytes, lots of water, well before your trip. and I stay away from alcohol before hand too. I'm 61, I long to do the JMT, but have spent time at elevation and climbing mountain roads on bike. It takes a few days to acclimate - even if you've been in the mountains before. You'll be back. I'm sure. :) Love your prep videos. Thank you. p.s. my wife is a migraine sufferer and she too has been at elevation for 30 years and loves it!!

You think you’ll try again?

Hey I’m on the round the mountain walk we found your note at the mangaehu hut

Sir thank you for the videos. I am going to the FHT the week after Christmas. I am out of Newport News VA. If you ever want to go hiking thanks

playing deck 51😆😆😆😁😁

Failure is how we learn. I made an announcement back in 2017 that I was going to thru hike 500 miles north to south to east to west just to check out Indiana better. Failed 50 miles into it. What I learned....left way too late in the season(started on Labor Day), didn't bring any credit cards and barely any cash, and then I got a nasty case of poison ivy while locating an emergency bathroom in a forest. I am glad I didn't complicate things further by pushing onward. Every fail is a valuable lesson learned, good luck in the future and stop eating sugar 👍

i had the same problem and frustration with the bottle rocket. very very frustrated. now I use it to cary things like energy bars and stuff. another question I have is, why did they put the velcro straps vertical instead of horizontal? I have 4 backpacks and no one has loops to mount the holder vertical. any suggestion?

Ah yes indianas 100 mile wilderness

excellent video

excellent video

It is easier if you loosen the blue straps before putting the bottle back in the GG bottle rocket. another thing I like about the GG bottle rocket is that I can hang my ball cap from it, when not in use Pass the shock cord thru the back loop of the ball cap and then put the shock cord over the bottle cap as normal.

1 carabiner, 2 cable ties and a loop of shock cord. Cost about £1.

Isn't it more practical to use a classic fold top watertight bag for the sleeping system? I'm looking into pods but having a hard time understanding what I would gain in using a pod instead of my old Sts watertight bag?

Could you fit a full katadyn be free 1L in on of those (with not much effort)?

Thanks Ya'll!!😅

great series, great music! I like your spirit and appreciation of the beauty around you!

What size drawstring stuff sack are you using inside the small pod?

WOW INCREASABLE! How much weight did you guys carry! What pack did you use? Who carried the max weight and how much was it? I'm gonna start practicing and hopefully working towards being able to handle 60 pounds 10 miles a day!

Thank you!!! These videos are so helpful. I’m planning on doing this trail next month.

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

You've got fat fingers and you've got the GG holder situated higher up on your shoulder strap, giving you less mobility to manipulate it. Also, the blue tab at the front top, pull on that and stretch the thing out that way.

Watched every episode JR! Magnificently done! Thank you for sharing your magical journey with Adriana. Speaking of her... Andriana YOU ROCK!!!

Excellent review. I had already settled on the Two for my upcoming hike in March 2023 of the Appalachian Trail. Although I ordered the ground cloth from Gossamer, I preferred another option that is more rugged in design. I just ordered the Tyvek sheet and a nice grommet tool kit to finish the setup. I did order the top shelf for this tent and will try it out along the hike. Looks like it will serve two purposes. A place to store things in the pockets and a place to hang socks and shirts to dry inside the tent.

Fuel canister volume varies by manufacturer. There is a chart somewhere. I prefer a larger canister. Just because I'm in Canada and colder weather.

Just found your video after lots of searching for this specific info on TH-cam. You’re video is one of the only ones I’ve watched that has been the most helpful so far. My husband and I are planing on taking the SOBO route and I’ve been hunting for a video on the hike length, which resupply stops to take, and what 5 days of meals looks like in a bear can. Also your info on VVR SOOOOO helpful! We will be keeping an eye on that. And how you packed your resupply boxes, again so extremely helpful. Thank you so much for this post. This will be our first major hike and getting all this information is a little overwhelming, this video made it less stressful. Thank you!

I have two HMG packs. Really need to get these pods! Great video!

I just received my Gossamer Gear Bottle Rocket today and installed it on my Osprey Rook 65L pack. I found that the large Smartwater bottle is too wide to fit into the holder without major frustration. I found that the 20oz fits just fine though. I will just have to refill from the larger bottles whenever I stop for a break. This should work for my needs. At least now I have a better option and I can eliminate the need to carry my water bladder.

Was this August 2021? Jeff and Ethan sure look familiar. I can swear we were leapfrogging each other on my 2021 hike on the JMT. A couple guys just their age from so cal. Cheers…

Hey JR, I can relate. I’ve done a few hikes on the JMT, I’ve yet to thru hike it. Two were week long hikes in the Yosemite/TM area. Last summer I hoped to do the whole thing but bailed at Bishop due to equipment failure (lost tent) the altitude kicks my ass as well. I know for a fact I couldn’t do that hike with more than 36 pounds total with food. I’m going to attempt again next summer. Feel your pain, shed your same tears last summer. Don’t give up. A few things I’ll work on next summer to get through the altitude sickness. I know brain fog can bring an end to the hike, losing entire days due to backtracking in the opposite direction, that and losing essential gear on the trail, etc., etc.. someone recommended ginger chews to combat the nausea. I learned eventually that mid day naps helped the tiredness. I get up a 430am start hiking at first light, it’s when I feel the most alert. I will crash at noonish, for an hour or better, bathe and try to eat, then resume. The biggest thing I’ve learned about myself over the last few years of thru hiking is that I am capable of far more than I can ever realize.

Great review! Covers the two things you need ti know: how they attach and what's it like to get the bottle in and out. Thanks!

Great review. My problem with the Zpacks model is that the 1 L bottle I carry sticks up so high it hits me in the face when I turn my head. I am returning the water sleeve for a refund.

Try use a soft flask

I have been using the hyperlite pods for a few weeks on the Camino del Norte. Without overpacking, each pod has a seam that came apart. Crazy high price for subpar quality.

U gave sane gossamer gear sleeve have same exact issue

Tnx for the video. I also have both and GG holder isn't user friendly. The problem with GG as a company is that ALL their products are 5 star reviewed as they don't allow anything below that. I have first hand experience with them ignoring less than stellar reviews That's pretty sneaky and I'm done with them. Zpacks and their bottle holder is all good imo