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Thank you!

I used the Salomon XA 25. Just about enough space. I could maybe have done with a few more litres though.

@@matsmith1984 thanks. Are you satisfied with the pack?

Thank you! Cheers!

Thank you!

Thank you so much. It was fantastic and would recommend it. Hard but the trails were great and the scenery was breathtaking too. I believe September is the last(ish) month before most places start shutting up for Winter so I think it's quieter than the height of summer. Some days it was fairly busy though, particularly closer to Chamonix but some days it was relatively quiet. Getting an earlyish start each day helped. My biggest advice is book the refuges far in advance!

@@matsmith1984 cheers Mat. 👍

Thank you so much. It was exciting seeing the finish for TdG. Cool atmosphere and got me wanting to give that a try one day!

Thank you so much. Very, VERY kind words. Thank you for checking it out.

Great video, man. 👊

This one is the XA25 🙂

Thanks!

Thank you, Sage! It's a lovely route.

It's been abysmal here recently! Where'd the sun go!?

Thank you for checking it out. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you so much! The pack I use is the XA25.

@@matsmith1984 Thank you. XA25 got it. Too bad not available in the market anymore

@@sunburnsam I think Salomon still do it? I wouldn't be surprised if they bring out a newer/update to it at some point soon.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Hi Tommy! Thank you. I'm not sure what the weight was in the end. It didn't feel too bad though. Next time I get out (soon, hopefully!) I'll weigh it as I'll be taking all the same gear, pretty much and maybe make a gear list or video of it. There is a flat lay photo on my Instagram of all the gear I took if you are interested. I think it helped not taking a tent although the trade off is that my sleeping bag isn't the smallest. My pack (25litre) was full to the brim.

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!😁

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it. Always nice spending time in the Peak District.

Sage! Thank you so much, bud. I appreciate it.

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. That's the XA 25.

Hello! Not sure if I've missed something. A message? Apologies if I have.

Haha, thank you so much, dude. Very kind words and always appreciated.

Haha thank you, man! I appreciate the kind words. Hopefully getting back at it sooner rather than later but maybe a little bit slower.

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you! Get out and try it, it's loads of fun, sometimes in that Type 2 fun kind of way haha.

Hi Lilla, thank you so much for the kind words. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video! I was planning on making a host of other videos and possibly a 'Gear' video too. Unfortunately I've not been able to get out for more Fastpacks as I'd liked due to one thing and another but I'm hoping to get back into doing some more this year/soon, especially with the nicer weather becoming more frequent. If you've not, I'd strongly suggest giving it a go! Jeff Pelletier has some really good videos on Fastpacking and I'd also highly recommend the Cicero Fastpacking book if you're really interested! Thank you for the heads up about Instagram, I've updated it now! Feel free to give me a follow.

@@matsmith1984 Thanks for the reply! Look forward to more of your videos 😊 it's a shame you've not been able to do more fastpacking but hopefully you'll get a chance again soon. I'm planning a long trip to the Lake District soon and just having trouble making up my mind about tents and lightweight gear that'll be good for fastpacking and (relatively) comfy multi-day hiking too. There's so many choices but like the prices are limiting. I don't know if I can handle a bivi only instead of a tent if it's raining lots, although I guess with a tarp it might be alright. Have you heard of Jenny Tough? I just found her recently on TH-cam and she does fastpacking and bikepacking. She did a good video on fastpacking gear (I found it after I commented on your video). Thanks for the suggestions! I like Jeff Pelletier's videos, they're really good and informative but I find them a bit intimidating because he's on a whole nother level compared to me 😂 I think I saw the Cicero book on fastpacking online a while ago when I was first learning about it but I forgot about it until watching your video. I'll get it now cause it'll be helpful so thanks for recommending it!

@@lillaorban8540 Oh no worries! It's really hard to decide on what to take, isn't it! Something that will come with repeat outings. For example, I know I'd absolutely take a tarp with me next time with hiking poles to make a shelter. That Cicerone fastpacking book is really great for ideas and suggestions and practical info (and some cool, inspiring articles too). Ultimately it's best to take what you think is going to be most comfortable to you. For multi day use, a tent might be better! I wouldn't mind getting one in the future to try out. My biggest advice would be to try everything out before doing anything longer/more remote! Love Jenny Tough's videos! Really inspiring and useful info. Bikepacking is something I'd love to try one day too. Jeff's videos are really cool but I know what you mean, he does some really crazy big stuff! There must be some websites out there on it but it's been a while since I've looked. Reddit is another one to check for ideas, help and inspo!

@@matsmith1984 Hey thanks again for the reply! 😊 Yeah it seems like a difficult balance between comfort, necessity, and weight. Yeah I think you're right about taking a tarp with you next time cause the weather can turn so quickly, especially in the UK, and weather predictions can be way off. I did see a video where someone accidentally left their hiking poles at home and ended up using some branches for tarp/tent support instead 😂 it was on a channel called Outdoor Magic for a fastpacking trip from London down to the coast. Trying the gear out on a shorter trip is definitely a good idea! It's good for checking what works or what's annoying and needs adjustments or isn't actually necessary. Like doing a weekend trip before doing anything longer. Oh that's awesome you like Jenny Tough's videos too! She's great 😁 Yeah bikepacking seems fun too, I definitely want to try that as well. Thanks for the suggestion about Reddit, that's a really good place for any sort of help for sure! I did find a good blog post about fastpacking gear on a site called fionaoutdoors.co.uk I think I just googled "fastpacking gear list" and it was one of the top results.

Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. The Jacket is the OMM Halo Smock (so a half zip style pull over). It's really nice and light weight. Packs down really small (Tennis ball size, pretty much). They also do it in a full zip jacket. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you so much for the kind words! Glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you so much for the kind words and I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! I'm hoping to make more this year. I use a GoPro9 for all my filming (with the occasional, still shot, from an iPhone). I hope you get to visit one day! I'd love to visit the Netherlands.

Thank you! Glad you like it. I need to get some more under my belt!

​@@matsmith1984 great video! May I ask what do you sleep in? a waterproof sleeping bag or a tent?

Hi! I have a Mountain Equipment synthetic sleeping bag, it's not the smallest when packed down but small enough. I paired it with a bivvy bag in this video to keep any rain off and for some extra warmth. On my next Fastpack I think I'm going to try making a tarp shelter a bit more. Thank you for watching and checking this video out. I appreciate it.

Also, did you have filters on your flasks?

Thank you, James! Appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed it. I'd love to try it with a tent but it's one of those things I guess - bring one thing, leave another? It worked pretty well with a sleeping bag + divvy bag (plus a tarp). Can't imagine that would be so good in poorer weather though. I actually want to get trying making some more tarp shelters (I've recently acquired some poles). The XA25 is a really great pack though, I use it for hiking too.

I took a small filter with me although it wasn't the Salomon soft flask filter which, I'd like to pick up and would be much more useful (and convenient!)

@@matsmith1984 great, good to know ! Thanks

Thank you! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it. It was a cool weekend. I really need to get some more under my belt! I used a divvy bag and sleeping bag and it did the job!

Thank you! I'm certainly a slow runner and don't mind taking it easy, which in turn always helps if I want to go a bit further. With all the up and down sometimes it's just a lot of power hiking with 'some running' Hah!

@@matsmith1984 Some one said that to me before... do lots of power walking (as I entered Xterra Trail Marathon Snowdonia)... and I have a felling this will be my slowest marathon 😅 😂 🤣

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. I always wear trail shoes, usually Nike Wildhorse 6's which are really comfy. In this video I was wearing The North Face's new shoe, the Flight Vectiv which is actually, as it turns out, not so great for scrambling. Much better for trails and paths.

@@matsmith1984 Many thanks Mathew much appreciated

It was lovely and quiet! Haha - I managed to dodge going 'au natural' on this trip out.