I’ve been been an obsessive gun, then bow hunter, from Tennessee to Texas, to Washington state, to Hawaii, to Alaska, to Central America, to Africa, to the Middle East, to Germany. I have hiked and camped for more than 50 years. My outdoor credentials have humbled me, made me realize that experience teaches this humility. I have been hot (127 degrees F), cold (32 degrees below zero, F), wet, tired (literally sleeping while standing), hungry and thirsty and injured, a long way from home. Not bragging, just to say, “Thank you for your straightforward talks/lectures”. I think other hikers would do well to listen to you. I have binged your videos and have found nothing to disagree with. Well done, Sir. Thanks again, from Jeff.
A thing to consider as well when discussing backpacking innovations: lighter gear makes it possible for some folks to actually get on the trail, where it would've been extremely difficult or even impossible before. I'm a small middle-aged woman and I would likely struggle with a more traditional/heavy kit. By using some "high tech" items I'm able to actually get out there and make longer miles. That being said, the cost of "lighter gear" is that one has to work to gain proficiency using it and know it's limitations accordingly. There is definitely a fiddle factor that you have to get comfortable with in this hobby!
I like your discussions of the philosophy behind your hiking. The deciding WHY is the first step that must be taken before selecting gear, place, time or distance. I have a container of iodine crystals. You add water and let it set, yielding a saturated solution of standard strength. You then count out a number of drops. It has worked for years.
You must be talking about Polar Pure, right? I also have had a bottle for years. They were forced to go out of business because they were too small to meet the costs of some federal regulation, as I recall. Very regrettable! I'm glad you like the channel and thanks a million for being a viewer!
Now that's an idea. But I'm afraid with a number of items, I'd end up saying, "Uhh, I wouldn't buy this." haha. For example, every time I visit I see some very expensive knives, when there are less costly models that would work just as well. And thanks again for being a viewer!!!!
The ponchos that I like are military. You can make a tent with them, as well as a sleeping bag. But you will need a liner to do the sleeping bag. Today they cost around 70 bucks.
I attempted a thruhike on the Appalachian Trail this year at the age of 69, turning 70 in July. I fell in Virginia and got a deep bruise on my thigh and had to take 4 days off. I developed plantar fasciitis around the same time. I walked with it the rest of the trip, getting Norovirus in Glasgow Va. before going home for a 3 week R&R break. Back on trail later in the month, in Massachusetts, I limped through the northern part of that state, Vermud (rained almost every single day), into NH, where I slipped in the mud at the foot of Mt. Cube, hurting my knee. I struggled over Moosilauke and the Kinsman Mountains, and decided to go home to get my knee checked out. A double meniscus tear ended my hike there. It continues to be unstable and may need to be replaced. I have 6 miles to go to have completed half of the total trail mileage. I will try to get that done. Take care ! Fwiw, I used an ultralight hammock setup that weighed about 4 pounds including everything (yes, sleeping bag, tarp, stakes, and bug net included). Total pack weight with food and water averaged around 21-24 lbs. Tinker, halfway, 2023
Great video. Informative. I use a filter to remove the big protozoa, Crypto esp, Giardia and bacteria which is sufficient for many water sources on the AT and other trails I've been on. For the rest, either tablets or Aquamira to handle the viruses. It can take 4+hrs for the big stuff like Crypto to be killed while a filter takes them out easily leaving the viruses for the chemical purification. Gear Skeptic has a great YT video about this. Carrying some extra tablets (super lightweight) or my Aquamira bottles gives belt and suspender protection and redundancy and reduces the risk of viral infection. Edit: clarified Crypto
"After combining Parts A and B and waiting 5 minutes for activation, the solution should be added directly to the water being treated and wait for 15 minutes to kill giardia, bacteria and viruses." -- aquamira.com/blogs/frequently-asked-questions?page=5#:~:text=After%20combining%20Parts%20A%20and,kill%20giardia%2C%20bacteria%20and%20viruses. And thanks for watching!
Thanks for responding. Great videos and I'm also a Gatewood Cape user (among other stuff) Don't know why I wrote Giardia as needing 4hrs when it's Cryptosporidium that needs to be treated for that long. A filter takes all those out, and I just need to decide if viruses are an issue to be treated. Fortunately viruses not found much in the US wilderness areas but that can be site specific. With the huge increase in wilderness visits by those who are less than careful with fecal deposits, I will continue to filter primarily and in busy areas probably throw in a tablet or some drops depending on what I'm carrying. Crypto is an increasing problem where folks like to hike and filter removes it and I can drink right away. Also, some new folks may not know that cold water needs an extra 10-15 minutes dwell time to kill the germs with chemical treatment.
Thanks for another great video! The best value in ponchos has to be the River Country Products “Poncho Rain Fly Tarp”. Four corner ties, seam sealed. $9.95! I carry it on all my hikes.
I filter water to keep big stuff out like mosquito larvae then use regular Clorox to purify water, buy a fresh bottle before trip and put in a 30ml plastic dropper bottle which is enough for weeks, 2 drops per quart- 30 minutes, taste like city water to me.
The number of people I run into on the trail is smaller because I section hike in the off season. I’m only out for a few days at a time. The weather is usually colder. That’s what I like.
Every hiker has do discover what works for them over time in different conditions. Whenever possible, I use my hammock and a tarp with an underquilt and a top quilt. I also carry a 1/4 inch foam pad or piece of Reflectix to use as a sit pad, kneeling and an emergency sleep pad. On the AT, it's quite rare not to find a place to hang. I have a flat tarp and hiking poles, so it can be pitched any number of ways if I'm sleeping on the ground. I avoid shelters when possible. I carry a Sawyer filter with some tablets as backup, and I tend to be pretty selective of my water sources. Much of that depends on how dry the year is. Wet years, water is all over the place. The rain thing tends to be pretty individual. In the summer, I just get wet. Winter, a jacket tends to hold in more heat. Most of the time, I use one of Cedar Tree's Packa's which has all the advantages of wearing a poncho, a jacket or a pack cover without the problems the other three have. I also tend to hike in Bedrock sandals until temps remain below the 40s and try to avoid anything with Gore-Tex when it's cooler.
Solid advjce. I alway love and respect your thoughst on backpacking.:) Made me rethink how I handle. water. Thru-hiker- type of long distance hikers need gear that works in a wide range of outdoor condtions than local hikers.. They also must factor in longevity and gear replacemnet. . Thinking aboutt this because yesterday as I I hrew out a pair of comfy wool socks with holes; Good sock, fine for local hikes, but there are brands that are more durable. Not sure my light REI hiking pants would last either as they get hokes in the knees and abrade.
Thanks for the video! I just recently recommended a poncho to someone who thinks about doing the AT. When I did it I got a cagoule which is like a closed poncho or longer rain jacket. These days I prefer a waterproof rain jacket with pit zips for mechanical ventilation. I combine it with a rain skirt which I can roll up and down in a few seconds so I still get ventilation when possible. The aspect of protecting the backpack has become a non issue if one uses modern materials like DCF, Ultra, VX, Liteskin and uses a pack liner which is mandatory even with a poncho. With a sil nylon pack that absorbs water, a poncho pays off. I will eventually get a poncho tarp to play around with as this concept seems interesting. How do you deal with ticks in the floorless shelter? Lime is a big worry on the AT and I would refrain from bringing a floorless shelter there (but carried one for the PCT). Re filters, it's a trade off. I have gotten Noro virus. If it's around, one will get it when exposed and I got it in the past from sharing a pen at trail magic. Everyone got it. They had to close a hostel because it spread so fast. Hence, carrying water treatment that has to be replaced isn't worth it for most on a thru hike over carrying a regular water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze, Kathadin or Platypus. For the CDT which has much worse water, I would probably bring Aquatabs as a backup and a pre-filter. Appreciate your content!
A Google search reveals that no tick has been seen to travel more than 110 cm (about 42 inches) to reach a host. Most ticks lay in ambush on the tips of grass and brush, and they key on body heat and odor to help identify hosts. Along the AT, most prepared tent sites are quite free of vegetation and at least 42 inches from dense grass and brush. I have camped at unprepared sites routinely and it has been fairly easy for me to find spots free of vegetation. I tell about it here -- th-cam.com/video/4NDERevt1-k/w-d-xo.html -- and I show a number of such possible unprepared sites. I also would point out that a floorless tent with walls pitched on the ground reduces a hiker's heat and odor signature, almost certainly better than a tent with elevated walls. I also would expect a determined tick to be able to climb into the bathtub wall of a tent with elevated walls as easily as they could crawl under a tent wall. Having said all that, I have considered and can make a bug net insert for my tents if needed. I have a sewing machine and plenty of experience with it. It hasn't happened because on all my AT hikes, insects in the tent has basically been a non-issue. If I ever do a hike in a desert, where there are scorpions, I'm likely to make that net. Besides bug spray and Permethrin, I think our best defense against ticks is to steer clear of tall vegetation and never go wading through the stuff. Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
@@flatbrokeoutside6921 Thanks for your reply. Interesting about the ticks. I will check out the link to your video. I don't really understand which tents you refer to which have "elevated walls". The ones I used were the Zpacks Duplex and Xmid Pro both of which have bathtub floors that are sewn to bug mesh. So they are enclosed. The ones without that which I know are tarps with bath tub floors. They are modular and people can buy a Sea2Summit bug tent to add when bug pressure warrants it. Scorpions are a non issue on the PCT. Maybe other desert regions are different. The only precautions necessary is shake out the shoes in the morning. Never saw any problems with them or heard of anyone having any. So you can continue floor less.🙂
Seems like hikers don't plan for daily caloric needs and make day bags for food. Also if the AT gets snow, wind, cold in the teens or below....why no zero or -15 degree bags? And more ankle protection, and therefore snake protection, 8" high boots, is not being used. On a 2000 mile hike, spring, summer, sunny days, you're going to come upon a snake sunning itself on trail. Eastern diamondback would be a great concern. One step on one and it's not good. Shorts? No. For many reasons. Loose fitting cargo pants, a blend, good.
im so gratefull i hiked the trail when i did (15) the trail has been going downhill every since, so has the quality of people. its a shame really. soon i bet it will be a tourist attraction you will have to lottery a permit and it will paracticaly be paved the whole way. this country is in trouble. the gear isnt any better iether just more disposable.
The trail is better maintained today, the people can largely be avoided (and are mostly still great!), no one is paving anything on the AT. In fact, it is better protected today against non hiking use than it ever was. Gear is much lighter and durable enough. How durable is a hikers body carrying indestructible weight over mountains? Of course, all depends on the amount of miles hiked.
I agree the trail is a hipsters paradise these days. Nothing like it used to be. Now people just do it for social media fame. It's crawling with people.
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It’s a good day when flatbrokeoutside posts a video
Thanks for your support and thanks a million for being a viewer!
I’ve been been an obsessive gun, then bow hunter, from Tennessee to Texas, to Washington state, to Hawaii, to Alaska, to Central America, to Africa, to the Middle East, to Germany. I have hiked and camped for more than 50 years. My outdoor credentials have humbled me, made me realize that experience teaches this humility. I have been hot (127 degrees F), cold (32 degrees below zero, F), wet, tired (literally sleeping while standing), hungry and thirsty and injured, a long way from home. Not bragging, just to say, “Thank you for your straightforward talks/lectures”. I think other hikers would do well to listen to you. I have binged your videos and have found nothing to disagree with. Well done, Sir. Thanks again, from Jeff.
Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you made it through! And thanks for watching!
I'm not a hiker and never will be but I enjoy this channel.
And I'm glad to have you as a great viewer! And, as always, thanks a million for watching!!
A thing to consider as well when discussing backpacking innovations: lighter gear makes it possible for some folks to actually get on the trail, where it would've been extremely difficult or even impossible before. I'm a small middle-aged woman and I would likely struggle with a more traditional/heavy kit. By using some "high tech" items I'm able to actually get out there and make longer miles. That being said, the cost of "lighter gear" is that one has to work to gain proficiency using it and know it's limitations accordingly. There is definitely a fiddle factor that you have to get comfortable with in this hobby!
You make good points! Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching!
I always look forward to your videos- no fluff or shilling product. Just like rec.backpacking back in the usenet days. Thank you.
Thanks for watching and for being a great viewer!
Another great video! I love your no nonsense approach of discussing the trials and tribulations of hiking the AT.
Glad you liked the video and thanks again for being a great viewer!
I like your discussions of the philosophy behind your hiking. The deciding WHY is the first step that must be taken before selecting gear, place, time or distance.
I have a container of iodine crystals. You add water and let it set, yielding a saturated solution of standard strength. You then count out a number of drops. It has worked for years.
You must be talking about Polar Pure, right? I also have had a bottle for years. They were forced to go out of business because they were too small to meet the costs of some federal regulation, as I recall. Very regrettable! I'm glad you like the channel and thanks a million for being a viewer!
Would be cool someday to see a narrated visit to an REI store. I do like to wander through them frequently.
Now that's an idea. But I'm afraid with a number of items, I'd end up saying, "Uhh, I wouldn't buy this." haha. For example, every time I visit I see some very expensive knives, when there are less costly models that would work just as well. And thanks again for being a viewer!!!!
I really enjoyed this content! Thank you and keep up the good work 🌲
Glad you like the video and thanks again for being a great viewer!
Happy to see some love for the much underrated poncho.
Agreed! Thanks for watching and thanks for being a great viewer!
The ponchos that I like are military. You can make a tent with them, as well as a sleeping bag. But you will need a liner to do the sleeping bag. Today they cost around 70 bucks.
Glad I bought mine back when they were cheaper than 70 bucks! Thanks for sharing and thanks for being a viewer!
Your comments and wisdom are always appreciated.
Thanks for the endorsement and thanks for being a great viewer!
You’re my favorite hiking channel. I LOVE your videos. Always great to hear your voice
Stay happy healthy and fluid my friend
Keep hiking and thanks for watching!
I attempted a thruhike on the Appalachian Trail this year at the age of 69, turning 70 in July. I fell in Virginia and got a deep bruise on my thigh and had to take 4 days off. I developed plantar fasciitis around the same time. I walked with it the rest of the trip, getting Norovirus in Glasgow Va. before going home for a 3 week R&R break. Back on trail later in the month, in Massachusetts, I limped through the northern part of that state, Vermud (rained almost every single day), into NH, where I slipped in the mud at the foot of Mt. Cube, hurting my knee. I struggled over Moosilauke and the Kinsman Mountains, and decided to go home to get my knee checked out. A double meniscus tear ended my hike there. It continues to be unstable and may need to be replaced. I have 6 miles to go to have completed half of the total trail mileage. I will try to get that done.
Take care !
Fwiw, I used an ultralight hammock setup that weighed about 4 pounds including everything (yes, sleeping bag, tarp, stakes, and bug net included). Total pack weight with food and water averaged around 21-24 lbs.
Tinker, halfway, 2023
Thanks for sharing and good luck on your future miles! And thanks for watching!
Keep moving😂
Another great video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it and thanks for being a viewer!
Awesome video thank you for sharing it
Glad you liked it and thanks a million for watching!
😊oh its so good to see a video from you! Long time fan!
And it's great to see one my very best viewers!!
Great video. Informative. I use a filter to remove the big protozoa, Crypto esp, Giardia and bacteria which is sufficient for many water sources on the AT and other trails I've been on. For the rest, either tablets or Aquamira to handle the viruses. It can take 4+hrs for the big stuff like Crypto to be killed while a filter takes them out easily leaving the viruses for the chemical purification. Gear Skeptic has a great YT video about this. Carrying some extra tablets (super lightweight) or my Aquamira bottles gives belt and suspender protection and redundancy and reduces the risk of viral infection.
Edit: clarified Crypto
"After combining Parts A and B and waiting 5 minutes for activation, the solution should be added directly to the water being treated and wait for 15 minutes to kill giardia, bacteria and viruses." -- aquamira.com/blogs/frequently-asked-questions?page=5#:~:text=After%20combining%20Parts%20A%20and,kill%20giardia%2C%20bacteria%20and%20viruses.
And thanks for watching!
Thanks for responding. Great videos and I'm also a Gatewood Cape user (among other stuff)
Don't know why I wrote Giardia as needing 4hrs when it's Cryptosporidium that needs to be treated for that long. A filter takes all those out, and I just need to decide if viruses are an issue to be treated. Fortunately viruses not found much in the US wilderness areas but that can be site specific. With the huge increase in wilderness visits by those who are less than careful with fecal deposits, I will continue to filter primarily and in busy areas probably throw in a tablet or some drops depending on what I'm carrying. Crypto is an increasing problem where folks like to hike and filter removes it and I can drink right away. Also, some new folks may not know that cold water needs an extra 10-15 minutes dwell time to kill the germs with chemical treatment.
Great information, as always. How about a medical kit video?
Good idea! It's on my list. And thanks for watching!
You covered a lot of ground and covered it very well. I appreciate especially your covering chemical water treatment. Thanks.
Glad you liked the video and thanks to you for being a great viewer!
Thanks for another great video! The best value in ponchos has to be the River Country Products “Poncho Rain Fly Tarp”. Four corner ties, seam sealed. $9.95! I carry it on all my hikes.
Now that is a good tip! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
I filter water to keep big stuff out like mosquito larvae then use regular Clorox to purify water, buy a fresh bottle before trip and put in a 30ml plastic dropper bottle which is enough for weeks, 2 drops per quart- 30 minutes, taste like city water to me.
Good tip. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Another excellent video. Thank you for this information.
Glad you liked it and thanks a million for being a viewer!
The number of people I run into on the trail is smaller because I section hike in the off season. I’m only out for a few days at a time. The weather is usually colder. That’s what I like.
I know what you mean, I like the off season too. And thanks for watching!
Always good to see you post new videos!
And it's always good to have you as a viewer, my friend!
Most ultralight gafs would cry if they had to use old school backpacking gear from the 70's and 80's.
Great video and always glad to see your videos!
Thanks a lot and thanks for watching!
The onewind poncho is worth checking out. It’s very hiker friendly.
Good tip. And thanks for watching!
Every hiker has do discover what works for them over time in different conditions.
Whenever possible, I use my hammock and a tarp with an underquilt and a top quilt.
I also carry a 1/4 inch foam pad or piece of Reflectix to use as a sit pad, kneeling and an emergency sleep pad. On the AT, it's quite rare not to find a place to hang. I have a flat tarp and hiking poles, so it can be pitched any number of ways if I'm sleeping on the ground.
I avoid shelters when possible.
I carry a Sawyer filter with some tablets as backup, and I tend to be pretty selective of my water sources. Much of that depends on how dry the year is. Wet years, water is all over the place.
The rain thing tends to be pretty individual. In the summer, I just get wet. Winter, a jacket tends to hold in more heat. Most of the time, I use one of Cedar Tree's Packa's which has all the advantages of wearing a poncho, a jacket or a pack cover without the problems the other three have.
I also tend to hike in Bedrock sandals until temps remain below the 40s and try to avoid anything with Gore-Tex when it's cooler.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Solid advjce. I alway love and respect your thoughst on backpacking.:) Made me rethink how I handle. water. Thru-hiker- type of long distance hikers need gear that works in a wide range of outdoor condtions than local hikers.. They also must factor in longevity and gear replacemnet. . Thinking aboutt this because yesterday as I I hrew out a pair of comfy wool socks with holes; Good sock, fine for local hikes, but there are brands that are more durable. Not sure my light REI hiking pants would last either as they get hokes in the knees and abrade.
You make good points, thanks for sharing. And thanks for being one of my best viewers!
I carry a Sawyer filter even when I car camp in case the park's water system fails.
Good plan! And thanks for watching!
I like my poncho too :)
That's the spirit! :) And thanks for watching!
Amazon has $21 d50 14 oz air mattresses same quality as $200-279 namebrands.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! I just recently recommended a poncho to someone who thinks about doing the AT. When I did it I got a cagoule which is like a closed poncho or longer rain jacket. These days I prefer a waterproof rain jacket with pit zips for mechanical ventilation. I combine it with a rain skirt which I can roll up and down in a few seconds so I still get ventilation when possible. The aspect of protecting the backpack has become a non issue if one uses modern materials like DCF, Ultra, VX, Liteskin and uses a pack liner which is mandatory even with a poncho. With a sil nylon pack that absorbs water, a poncho pays off. I will eventually get a poncho tarp to play around with as this concept seems interesting.
How do you deal with ticks in the floorless shelter? Lime is a big worry on the AT and I would refrain from bringing a floorless shelter there (but carried one for the PCT).
Re filters, it's a trade off. I have gotten Noro virus. If it's around, one will get it when exposed and I got it in the past from sharing a pen at trail magic. Everyone got it. They had to close a hostel because it spread so fast. Hence, carrying water treatment that has to be replaced isn't worth it for most on a thru hike over carrying a regular water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze, Kathadin or Platypus. For the CDT which has much worse water, I would probably bring Aquatabs as a backup and a pre-filter.
Appreciate your content!
A Google search reveals that no tick has been seen to travel more than 110 cm (about 42 inches) to reach a host. Most ticks lay in ambush on the tips of grass and brush, and they key on body heat and odor to help identify hosts. Along the AT, most prepared tent sites are quite free of vegetation and at least 42 inches from dense grass and brush. I have camped at unprepared sites routinely and it has been fairly easy for me to find spots free of vegetation. I tell about it here -- th-cam.com/video/4NDERevt1-k/w-d-xo.html -- and I show a number of such possible unprepared sites. I also would point out that a floorless tent with walls pitched on the ground reduces a hiker's heat and odor signature, almost certainly better than a tent with elevated walls. I also would expect a determined tick to be able to climb into the bathtub wall of a tent with elevated walls as easily as they could crawl under a tent wall. Having said all that, I have considered and can make a bug net insert for my tents if needed. I have a sewing machine and plenty of experience with it. It hasn't happened because on all my AT hikes, insects in the tent has basically been a non-issue. If I ever do a hike in a desert, where there are scorpions, I'm likely to make that net. Besides bug spray and Permethrin, I think our best defense against ticks is to steer clear of tall vegetation and never go wading through the stuff. Thanks for your comments and thanks for watching!
@@flatbrokeoutside6921 Thanks for your reply. Interesting about the ticks. I will check out the link to your video.
I don't really understand which tents you refer to which have "elevated walls". The ones I used were the Zpacks Duplex and Xmid Pro both of which have bathtub floors that are sewn to bug mesh. So they are enclosed. The ones without that which I know are tarps with bath tub floors. They are modular and people can buy a Sea2Summit bug tent to add when bug pressure warrants it.
Scorpions are a non issue on the PCT. Maybe other desert regions are different. The only precautions necessary is shake out the shoes in the morning. Never saw any problems with them or heard of anyone having any. So you can continue floor less.🙂
--- bathtub floors that are sewn to bug mesh -- Glad to hear that, considering the price! :) And thanks for the tip on scorpions.
Boiling water for 10 minutes minimum works . But you got to wait for the water to get cool.
Seems like hikers don't plan for daily caloric needs and make day bags for food. Also if the AT gets snow, wind, cold in the teens or below....why no zero or -15 degree bags? And more ankle protection, and therefore snake protection, 8" high boots, is not being used. On a 2000 mile hike, spring, summer, sunny days, you're going to come upon a snake sunning itself on trail. Eastern diamondback would be a great concern. One step on one and it's not good. Shorts? No. For many reasons. Loose fitting cargo pants, a blend, good.
Good questions for which I have no quick answer. And thanks for watching!
im so gratefull i hiked the trail when i did (15) the trail has been going downhill every since, so has the quality of people. its a shame really. soon i bet it will be a tourist attraction you will have to lottery a permit and it will paracticaly be paved the whole way. this country is in trouble. the gear isnt any better iether just more disposable.
The trail is better maintained today, the people can largely be avoided (and are mostly still great!), no one is paving anything on the AT. In fact, it is better protected today against non hiking use than it ever was.
Gear is much lighter and durable enough. How durable is a hikers body carrying indestructible weight over mountains? Of course, all depends on the amount of miles hiked.
@@wio2189 cool story
I agree the trail is a hipsters paradise these days. Nothing like it used to be. Now people just do it for social media fame. It's crawling with people.
Hiker trash video, put it in the search. Some of the best real content ever produced on TH-cam
@@wio2189 15 nobo started March 21. Finished in 122days. What year did you thru hike?