@@allenshiflett Thank you! Sorry it took so long. I will have a lessons learned and thoughts on the trail coming soon. Also I will announce my next Thur-hike as well. Take care and stay tuned!
@@Wolfmanhikes Thanks Wolfman and I hope you are doing well brother! Yes, it’s a great backpack and I am glad I bought it ( it’s a little pricey). I plan to use it on the Colorado trail this Summer.
So happy to see this video! The wife and I miss watching your travels. I’m hitting the trail February of 2026 so I can’t wait to hear about your lessons from the trail. Also, I’ll be 58 next February so I would love to hear your tips for “mature “ hikers! 😂
@@robertrossi4038 Glad to hear that you liked the video. It is an awesome adventure. Yes, the lessons learned video will be out soon and I am also going to announce my next Thur-hike as well. Stay tuned!🙂
Hey, Beatnik! Thanks for the video. I'm a section hiker and I've done a little over 600 miles of the trail. Have some of the same gear. Did you have wear spots on the bottom of your HMG pack? I have a black Junction 3400 (55). Had several wear spots, including a 3/8-inch chunk of fabric missing. HMG offered to sew in a new bottom, so it's up in Maine right now. Otherwise the pack is in superb condition. I got a Lunar Solo a few months ago to save on weight. Have only used it a few times so far but looking forward to it this year. I like having a trekking pole available at camp after I set up, to hike down steep blue-blaze trails as needed, so the Lunar Solo works for that. I also have a Bishop Pass 0° down bag. It is nice and warm and well made but bulky and kind of heavy. I recently got a Katabatic Gear Flex 22 down quilt, finally getting over my quilt skepticism. It weighs 1.5 lb, versus 3 lb for the Bishop Pass and packs much smaller. I usually use a Bear Vault canister, so that's a bit over 2 lb right there 😜 but I love the convenience compared with hanging. Thanks again for the video.
@@jefferymiller2488 Thanks Jeff! I hope you are doing well! I have been thinking about coming to Italy this Summer and hiking the Alta Via 1 through the Dolomites. I will keep you posted on what I decide. Take care!
@@MaynardHikesall is well. Yes. Keep me informed on your Italy Alta Via 1 trip. That's in my neighborhood. I'm sure we would be able to see each other.
@@robertrossi4038 Yes, I did consider it. If I had to do it over again I would definitely bring one. And I did see a few people using them while I was hiking the trail.
Hey Maynard, your video brightened my day and got me wanting to get back into the Smokies ( it’s been a couple weeks). How did your area do with Helene?
Thank you for your gear review. Enjoyed hearing from you again😀
@@allenshiflett Thank you! Sorry it took so long. I will have a lessons learned and thoughts on the trail coming soon. Also I will announce my next Thur-hike as well. Take care and stay tuned!
Great gear review. A pleasure hiking with you brother on the AT last year. I wish I had that pack that u rocked during those va rain storms.
@@Wolfmanhikes Thanks Wolfman and I hope you are doing well brother! Yes, it’s a great backpack and I am glad I bought it ( it’s a little pricey). I plan to use it on the Colorado trail this Summer.
So happy to see this video! The wife and I miss watching your travels. I’m hitting the trail February of 2026 so I can’t wait to hear about your lessons from the trail. Also, I’ll be 58 next February so I would love to hear your tips for “mature “ hikers! 😂
@@robertrossi4038 Glad to hear that you liked the video. It is an awesome adventure. Yes, the lessons learned video will be out soon and I am also going to announce my next Thur-hike as well. Stay tuned!🙂
Great to see you Beatnik. Thanks for your gear review. Looking forward to your next video.😊❤
@@sulj3373 Thanks, it will be out soon! I’m also going to announce my next Thur-hike as well. Stay tuned!🙂
Hey, Beatnik! Thanks for the video. I'm a section hiker and I've done a little over 600 miles of the trail. Have some of the same gear. Did you have wear spots on the bottom of your HMG pack? I have a black Junction 3400 (55). Had several wear spots, including a 3/8-inch chunk of fabric missing. HMG offered to sew in a new bottom, so it's up in Maine right now. Otherwise the pack is in superb condition. I got a Lunar Solo a few months ago to save on weight. Have only used it a few times so far but looking forward to it this year. I like having a trekking pole available at camp after I set up, to hike down steep blue-blaze trails as needed, so the Lunar Solo works for that. I also have a Bishop Pass 0° down bag. It is nice and warm and well made but bulky and kind of heavy. I recently got a Katabatic Gear Flex 22 down quilt, finally getting over my quilt skepticism. It weighs 1.5 lb, versus 3 lb for the Bishop Pass and packs much smaller. I usually use a Bear Vault canister, so that's a bit over 2 lb right there 😜 but I love the convenience compared with hanging. Thanks again for the video.
Nice hearing from you Beatnik
@@jefferymiller2488 Thanks Jeff! I hope you are doing well! I have been thinking about coming to Italy this Summer and hiking the Alta Via 1 through the Dolomites. I will keep you posted on what I decide. Take care!
@@MaynardHikesall is well. Yes. Keep me informed on your Italy Alta Via 1 trip. That's in my neighborhood. I'm sure we would be able to see each other.
As an older hiker... did you consider or did anyone you were hiking with bring a ultra lightweight backpacking chair for when you got to camp?
@@robertrossi4038 Yes, I did consider it. If I had to do it over again I would definitely bring one. And I did see a few people using them while I was hiking the trail.
You forgot to show your self-recording set-up! And what is that very thick bodied guitar hanging there? Does Val play?
Hey Maynard, your video brightened my day and got me wanting to get back into the Smokies ( it’s been a couple weeks). How did your area do with Helene?
Only one set of clothes? No back up on the day to day clothes?
Play us a song in the guitar 😃