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Awesome information

I would have dug a hole and buried the stuffing.

Outstanding John! Highly informative and chock-full of invaluable insight! Thank you for sharing and inspiring all of us to go the distance!

It's the worst when you hydrate something that you don't like and you have to eat it!!

Do the stuffing right! 😅

The power of electrolytes is HUGE! Great call out. On one of our recent meetups on food, I was going to ask a question if the right segue would have presented itself. If I have food that is huge carbs like a ramen bomb, I find that my blood sugar can absolutely crash a couple hours later and I feel very very off. I do not have diabetes and am not taking anything for blood sugar, but rather this happens naturally. I’m curious how many others can relate to this.

Have gout also! But great finish!!

For prevention, I’ve been using seamless sock liners for a couple decades. They’re definitely not a “catch all” solution, but I’ve found they help very much. The only time I’d use a bandaid *after* a blister has occurred, is if I’m worried about tape painfully sticking to my skin at the blister site. Sometimes the non-stick pad of the bandaid can be handy to go *under* the tape I put over it, and the tape prevents the bandaid from coming off. This would only be for certain circumstances, but sometimes it’s been a handy method. But to Cheer’s point, it all boils down to what works for each individual in the particular situation.

I have the same setup as you. Only differences are I bring soap sheets. I just use a clear plastic bag. I don’t care if others see my poop kit. Also I’m I agree with wipes. I always have a big pack of baby wipes. I use them from wiping after #2. I also wipe down my feet, legs, seams and entires body in my tent every night. My luxury item. I have been doing this strategy for the AT, PCT, and Long Trail.

I always bring soap sheets and wash my hands after going #2 because hand sanitizer doesn't kill norovirus, but soap will wash it away. Most of the time, when people get sick with any kind of stomach bug, it's norovirus, and you can re-infect yourself with it!

Great job as always! As opposed to doubling up ziplock bags, I’ve started appreciating the durability of the freezer version for these jobs. 🙂

Thank you so much!!! So helpful! I wanted to start in March and your explanations are encouraging when I was beginning to worry it would be too early.

I'm planning a March start for 2025 - I have quite a bit of winter mountaineering and snow travel experience. I know that traditionally people nowadays are wearing trail runners, but for crampon-assisted travel it sounds like you agree that a boot is going to be a better option. Would you wear boots all the way to the Sierra, or swap into and out of them for the areas (like San Jacinto/Bayden Powell and then the HS) that you will need them, planning to send them out/have them mailed back as the sections arise where you know they will be useful?

great

Lovely episode my friend!

Scaning around will not prevent you from forgeting/losing gear 100%. The best way and by far is very simple. Remove the heavy stuff from your tent then pull out the ground sheet and place everything on the ground sheet before packing. Not only this will help keep your gear clean, but all of your gear will be at the same place. THEN, do a quick scan to double check.

Looking forward to your next adventure !!

What were the insoles mentioned? The only reason I haven’t gone to trail runners is because rocky trails hurt my feet more than heavy boots.

Lovely episode my friend, 👏

Paint everything fluorescent orange and yellow. Everything. Poles (tent and kiking), stakes, head lamp, stove and fuel, lighter, pot sides, spork handle, smart phone & charger, power bank, toothbrush, travel toothpaste, ZipLock bags, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.

I always do this to the point of saying “Here goes my OCD again”. 🙂 Some times I can’t help but add an extra scan or two in addition to my routine.

I don't know why it's so effective, but pointing your finger focuses attention to where you are pointing, so as you move you are now you are scanning in a focused way. Tent stakes are quite hard to see with a general scan but easier with a focused scan...😊

When purchasing a product, I try where possible to buy a non natural color / bright color to be able to spot something more easily. Avoid brown, green as these could easily be overlooked and camouflaged. Only drawback is if you have bright Colorado - less easy to ‘stealth’ camp!

Great tip, Cheer! Definitely do that at campsites for following LNT, but doing it at break sites from now on, mainly due to losing a shirt at one........thankfully it wasn't a vital piece of gear. Happy Hiking!!!😁

So far, I've been pretty good about checking my campsites before I leave. But I did leave a charger behind at a trail angel's house, and I left my trekking poles (but recovered them later) at a post office because I leaned them against a wall to pick up my resupply package with both hands. Moral of the story: double-check your campsite -- and every other break location -- before you leave. Thanks for the reminder!

You’re back! 😊

Nothing good with starting so early. WOULDN'T touch the Sierras till 2nd week in June.

Couldn't listen to this guy, but I'm gonna check out more of your videos, I'm following your channel. 👍

3-7-2024 I am thankful that I stumbled upon you and your series I'm quite accustomed to cold , snowy conditions (lots of life in N. Idaho , Summit County Colorado , and Wyoming) and actually prefer them to blazing hot dry conditions ( my mother is in Yuma) thank you for all this information too many VLOGS are presented like an old MTV music video and don't touch on ANY of what you have 👍hans

I love the COLD and SNOW more than HEAT i grew up in N. Idaho , Kansas , and Summit County like it's said nothing such as bad weather just a bad choice of gear and clothing 3-7-24 start in Campo thanks for all of this information 😊

Thank you!

You should go in early, thats what I did this year. Was nr 35 thrue this year. I couldn't belive people that thought they should wait for the melt. Thry had it so hard or most didn't make it thrue and had to quit. The snow isn't the problem. The melt and river crossings are. Water was no problem at all. It was great to have all those snowbridges to walk on

Excellent advice thank you

I'm going NB trying to finish early Oct.

South bounders also have to worry about 1st snow further south of the Sierra's in the San Bernardino Mts.

Thank you, John Ladd, for everything you do for the hiking community. Your generosity is exceptional.

Nice dog 😊 thanks for the info

Definitely not dry winter anywhere

I think the pros outweigh the cons of starting March from campo, I don’t want to rush so starting early at campo sounds like the best option for me

I start March 27

I’m starting this March, I’m concern about snow in the Sierra, what temps should I expect in the sierras if I start March from campo ?

Ridgeline was probably at Elk Pass?

Can't believe this channel does not have 10k subs.

Sour patch kids for the win 🏆 👏

I relate to the “Type A” struggles. It can be hard to go with the flow sometimes.

Hot food is a small joy when backpacking. I don’t think I could ever cold soak.

I’ve heard that a coyote symbolizes personal transformation through self reflection. Listening to this story, that seems fitting. ❤

💯👏👍🫶

Thanks for the video's. I start march 13th. I'm eager to experience it all.

Awww nice. Met Ballsack at Campo when learning about Trail Angeling which I am setting up my house to host this year, 2023 because of the wind near 209. I had 60 hikers during 1 week in April. Class of 2023 - PM me if you need help.