Great video! I was thinking about what you said at the start about the challenge of being able to survive off your backpack in the backcountry. Well, you have to get back to civilization to restock on gear and food every week or so. So if you want a real survival backpack, the kind of backpack that will let you truly live indefinitely in the backcountry, it really only has a bunch of tools that can make tools. Plus enough food and gear to get started. Try to live 6 months off of the land on a long trail, (fishing/hunting/foraging… anything goes). If you can do that comfortably, then you know that if something horrible happens to civilization and you have to evacuate into the backcountry, you have the backpack to do it.
I to have noticed how many people hang everything but the kitchen sink to the outside of their pack. My last hike I was amazed by the sighting of a backpack with its own backpack. That beat the previous trip where I sighted a ceramic coffee cup along for a ride.
Obviously experienced with a set and reliable practice and procedure. One tiny suggestion: Given HMG is two-pounds and frameless (eg LiteAF) is one-pound, it is possible to have just as sturdy and rigid pack that transfers weight to hips by packing slightly differently and save carrying that extra pound? Yes, food goes right up against lower-back. Next roll everything that can be rolled into long, thin structures. Then place them vertically in the pack, so they add structure to the pack. With the added benefit of having everything (except food-bag) accessible without digging down to access, since everything is now side-by-side. Lastly, put poop-kit in a ziplock and carry in external mesh pocket, not inside pack? As always, hike your own hike... (preferably carrying one-pound less?).
Depends on the person really, having a frameless backpack is sweet if your base weight is pretty low. I like this bag because I know it’s fine to carry up to 40lbs. That’s a huge plus because TA has a lot of longer food carry sections. My next bag I purchase will be a frameless. I particularly like the zpack Nero bag. And yeah for some reason here in NZ there’s so many pit toilets I don’t think I had to dig a single hole the entire 5 months. So it stayed pretty clean . Good tip though.
Everybody loves gear list and packing videos. Just start doing reviews and you’ve completed the trifecta. Just buy things from REI and send them back for the win.
If you wanna score 15% off at www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/ use code MOVEWITHMURPH15
Great video! I agree, that is my favorite part of backpacking...just putting all you need in a pack and getting out there. New follower here. Crow
Great video! I was thinking about what you said at the start about the challenge of being able to survive off your backpack in the backcountry. Well, you have to get back to civilization to restock on gear and food every week or so. So if you want a real survival backpack, the kind of backpack that will let you truly live indefinitely in the backcountry, it really only has a bunch of tools that can make tools. Plus enough food and gear to get started. Try to live 6 months off of the land on a long trail, (fishing/hunting/foraging… anything goes). If you can do that comfortably, then you know that if something horrible happens to civilization and you have to evacuate into the backcountry, you have the backpack to do it.
I honestly think I like burritos too much to seriously consider going off grid for that long lol
I to have noticed how many people hang everything but the kitchen sink to the outside of their pack. My last hike I was amazed by the sighting of a backpack with its own backpack. That beat the previous trip where I sighted a ceramic coffee cup along for a ride.
Obviously experienced with a set and reliable practice and procedure. One tiny suggestion: Given HMG is two-pounds and frameless (eg LiteAF) is one-pound, it is possible to have just as sturdy and rigid pack that transfers weight to hips by packing slightly differently and save carrying that extra pound? Yes, food goes right up against lower-back. Next roll everything that can be rolled into long, thin structures. Then place them vertically in the pack, so they add structure to the pack. With the added benefit of having everything (except food-bag) accessible without digging down to access, since everything is now side-by-side.
Lastly, put poop-kit in a ziplock and carry in external mesh pocket, not inside pack?
As always, hike your own hike... (preferably carrying one-pound less?).
Depends on the person really, having a frameless backpack is sweet if your base weight is pretty low. I like this bag because I know it’s fine to carry up to 40lbs. That’s a huge plus because TA has a lot of longer food carry sections. My next bag I purchase will be a frameless. I particularly like the zpack Nero bag.
And yeah for some reason here in NZ there’s so many pit toilets I don’t think I had to dig a single hole the entire 5 months. So it stayed pretty clean . Good tip though.
Great job. Thank you.
Everybody loves gear list and packing videos. Just start doing reviews and you’ve completed the trifecta. Just buy things from REI and send them back for the win.
No REI in New Zealand unfortunately. Looks like I'm going to have to do it the old fashioned way and just buy gear that I use.
Synthetic sleeping bag solves the wet sleeping bag issue!
I save the synthetic bag for the winter. Too much bulk for my summer trips.