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More control over flame. Better stability of pot on burner.

@@juanbackpacksbut your pot is 0.5 liters. isnt it stable?

Thanks for the positive comment. Much appreciated.

All the straps are "static" no stretch or very very low stretch.

@@juanbackpacks thats very nice. and what about the belt?

@@texmexia49 I believe it is possible. It’s something that I’m going to try to test here in PA during November. I have a thru hike planned for the Laural Highland Trail.

@@juanbackpacks great, please let us know how it worked for you. I’m using a Torrid right now, but I think the Ventus would be more versatile and durable if I could use it as an active layer and to replace my Torrid.

I’ve used it through two cold seasons now and it’s been great. Combined with a mid layer it’s been good down into the 30’s

We acclimated for two days in mammoth then almost a full day at the cottonwood trailhead. We flew into Reno then rented a one way car. We had the car in mammoth then drove to Bishop dropped off the car then used a private shuttle to the trailhead. I made the car rental reservation almost 6 months ahead of time. Since the one way rental prices are rediculous. We used the buses the next year when we did the High Sierra trail because now one way rentals are too expensive. Maybe it will change in the future.

@@juanbackpacks Thank you. That’s useful. I’m also thinking of acclimating three days in Mammoth Lakes, then taking a YARTS to Yosemite Valley and hiking SOBO. Thinking I’ll fly in and out of Mammoth Lakes.

@@StamfordBridge We would have flown into mammoth probably depending pricing but the airport was closed because we did the trail in 2021 at the trail end of COVID.

That’s a good idea to use Yarts… we were going NOBO so our logistics were a little more complicated.

@@juanbackpacks I see. Yeah, I haven’t yet peeked at prices for a flight to such a small airport. I’ll brace for it and look if/when I win a permit in the lottery.

It was definitely a quality control issue or maybe a minor design flaw. I gave them another try and the cap screws on now WAY easier. I think they’ve corrected the issue. I’m not the only person to have similar issues with the treading on the cap. My main complaint is that the company never responded to me. Yes those bags are not very good. I bought a Cnoc with the new filter.

Glad it helped!

It’s a good tip and saves fuel.

I didn’t make it this year. I’ll make a video about what went wrong. I’ll try again next year.

@@juanbackpacks, I'll look forward to that update. After watching your videos, I'm considering putting the Allegheny 100 Challenge on my radar... no promises! However, I'd be happy to discuss and help with your goals for next year. (I'm a 23-year, injury-free, Ironman Triathlete & Coach (side hustle)).

They are a brand of biking gloves. Full finger for summer. Worked out really well.

You are absolutely right. I’m running a deficit intentionally. I’ve done it many times on my long trips up to 260 miles. I know my body and its tolerances. I function perfectly fine at 2,500 to 3,000 calories daily on hikes up to around 200 miles. I do it because it is impossible to carry higher calories per day on big stretches where resupply is not possible and I simply do not have room for more food.

I completely agree. Get the gear you can afford and get out there. That being said age catches up with you so being light helps me at 58 hike more miles daily and endure more miles overall. I am considered in excellent shape for any age but the lighter load makes the miles come easier given my body and old injuries. Also remember a lot of people don’t have extra time to train up to carry heavy loads.

That’s a good point if your preference is to not cross rivers in trail runners or boots. I cross in my trail runners. I don’t like crossing rivers in any kind of open toe shoe.

Thanks for sharing that info! I thought about waiting too… the only thing I didn’t like is no option for straps at the moment

Glad you enjoyed it!

@@juanbackpacks keep it up!!

Very true! His designs are thoughtful and many times unique. Catch any fish? I’m taking my Tenkara rod on my thru hike of the Unita Highline in July.

@@juanbackpacks I was using a 3 weight in the Golden Trout Wilderness. Hiked up a stream in a meadow and got 3 successive bites but since I’m a klutz with a barbless hook they all got off. The rest of the trout on my trip were small, spooky and not at all attracted to what I was offering them, plus it got variously hot , windy, and the pressure in numbers was greater than the trout census. I love small streams and will stick to the far off places next time.

@@juanbackpacks and have had great hike!

I pulled the trigger too soon and kind of thought they would design some kind of aftermarket strap but looks like they will just offer as an option on new ones. Oh well. I like them and will use them for most of my backpacking.

Congratulations! I got 50 for the second year in a row. I really should have kept going to 75 at least but talked myself out of it. lol.

Congratulations! I fell behind at the mid point in time by about 5 miles so I was feeling a little deflated knowing that I couldn't finish the 100. I should have gone for the 75 but stopped at 50. Last year I was ahead by 5 miles at the same point but dropped due to an injury. I think the third time will be a charm for me! I'll be back next year.

I’m looking at doing it in 2025 as well. Anything to share on what happened this year and how to better prepare to complete it next year?

it was great chatting with you! Unfortunately, I fell behind at the mid point in time by about 5 miles so I was feeling a little deflated knowing that I couldn't finish the 100. I should have gone for the 75 but stopped at 50. Last year I was ahead by 5 miles at the same point but dropped due to an injury. The third time will be a charm for me! I'll be back next year.

@@juanbackpacks that's a bummer! What an experience that was...I loved it!

The electrolytes are “Salt Stick” brand. I picked them because they are very popular among ultra runners and seem to be a reputable company. The are also one of the only companies that give real directions on how to use them.

I like not cooking when fast packing because the focus is on covering miles and not necessarily on lounging at camp. Don’t get me wrong, when I’m just backpacking I really prefer preparing one hot meal at the end of the day. The cool thing about how I do my “no cook’ food plan is that I basically just buy bulk packs of things (cheaper) figure out the number of days and calorie count I want teach day then make sure I have enough total calories for each day in all the bulk foods I bought… I then just repackage things and divide up into days. One one gallon zip lock for each day typically.

@BackcountryPilgrim, you may also want to check out Hammer Nutrition products especially for electrolytes and endurance nutrition.

Thanks! I’m hoping to finish this year if I can stay injury free.

I really appreciate your thougfull comments and insight.. great post. I’m actually gong to circle back to that filer for my thru hike of the Uinta Highline this July. Mainly because I think they may have resolved the threading issue.. Mine was pobably one of the first runs of the products. I’ve worked with outdoor companies to design products that cost in access of $2,000 for a single product. My biggest problem with this company is that I could tell they had an issue but after two emails they never responded once. I’ve been on that end of product developement and I believe you have to respond to your customers…. I just didn’t want to have to keep trying to get answers to my questions… not worth my time to chase them down.. so I just gave up. Now a few years down the road I’m willing to give them another shot.

True but after guiding for 15 years, i don’t trust any forecast that is longer than about 48 hours out…. The are wrong A LOT… LOL

Thank you very much!

They will take about any fly. That being said, size 12 Elk Hair Caddis have been a great producer for me in the Sierra. Most of the time it’s the only fly I use and I’ve always caught fish.

That’s pretty much what they are made of. I’m just not much of a DIY kind of backpacker. lol

I fold mine and put it inside the pack just above my sleeping quilt.

Glad you like the videos! Thanks so much for the positive feedback!

I use Nathan flasks. There are cheaper decent options on Amazon as well that I use and work fine. www.nathansports.com/collections/water-bottles-flasks

It uses simple clips so it would be very easy to remove and add in the field. Very uncomplicated. I like simple!

Thank you so much for the positive feedback!!

That is awesome! I film a lot in cinematic mode. That’s a good point. I may have to start filming some segments in regular mode to take advantage of the incredible surroundings.

Water Resistance: WP Rating 1500 mm HH. You are right robic will absorb water but that doesn’t mean it will pass through. I know that sounds completely counter initiative but it is true. My tent is made of robic and it gets heavier from water but does not leak. It is likely that your seems and the zipper account for any water in your pack.

It is my belief that the thread issue was resolved in later runs of the product or it may have just been a bad run. I’m not the only person who experienced the same thing. There were several reports of it I saw by searching the web when I reported it but none since then. The bag failed on the third use. I’m just reporting the facts of my experience for people to consider that all. I don’t use those welded bags for that reason. They fail more generally speaking. Complexity is in the eye of the beholder. For me it’s just too many pieces to keep track of for my liking. Personal preference that’s all.

Thanks for the comment. This is simply my factual experience with the product. It may be atypical but it was my experience. My biggest problem was the lack of follow up by customer service. I’ve worked in the outdoor space with companies developing products with their designers so I was mainly just trying give them feedback in case others experienced the same thing. That’s an important feedback loop.

I love my G420 and will keep it. I’m a huge fan of the shelter pocket. There’s a lot to unpack with your question. I’m going to file this away so I can make a video about it.

@juanbackpacks yes, the one fits so nice in it and I love how you I can put my half foam mattress where the sit pad used to go...

@juanbackpacks I've also been eyeballing the Mariposa. I'm interested in how the new one is better and if the double side pocket can fit a one liter with a filter on top without effecting the top pocket. One more thing what do you think of black diamonds new pack the beta? I have the g420 and need something bigger for the jmt...

I wish I could give you an answer regarding the new Mariposa but I don’t really know for sure. It depends on the distance between the pockets. GG has always been good about answering my questions in the past using the form on their website.. I would recommend that. I saw a few videos on the BD backpack…. I don’t have any experience but it is a quality company so I can’t imaging it’s not a decent pack.

Working, hiking and fishing is my life. lol

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks for the comment! I just need to work out logistics now.