These principles can never be reiterated enough. And so refreshing to see a whole video all about skills, experience and technique with no gear reviews. And a whole-body YES to the message that there are so many ways to experience nature and the backcountry. The backpacking community needs more of this on TH-cam.
John, thank you! Absolutely, we all come from different backgrounds and such and putting the experience into one box is so limiting. No boxes, just fun in how it works for you. 😊😊
"Plan to be colder than you think you will be" I remember Homemade Wanderlust saying she brings her puffy jacket always...even in the middle of summer in Alabama...you just never know. (learning the hard way sucks)
I think that's good advice. Even in the summer you could get wet, and it could get windy and that could be enough to get you into an early stage of hypothermia.
Yeah, I’m from Utah, and bringing a puffy is mandatory, even in 80 degree heat. High in the mountains, or in the desert, the weather can change in an instant, and the local forecast temperature is rarely correct at night. I’ve had days of 90 degree heat, and it drop to 14 degrees in the evening.
I always have a long sleeve shirt, always. Decades ago I read a book that said you can roll long sleeves up but you can't roll short sleeves down 😂😂😂. Simple yet genius.
Regarding tip #1, I would say do some research and then go on a short trip closer to home for your first trip if you can't get out with an experienced friend. I would probably never have started backpacking if I waited for someone to go with.
Great tips! Here in Norway we are allowed to basically use all forest for hiking. You can pop up a tent 150meters from houses or cabins and camp there for 2 nights, Norwegians are kinda shy people so most people camp far into the forest. There are only rules you need to follow if you wanna camp in national parks. I wish I didn't spend so much money on bad cheap hiking equipment, because my experience is that the more mid-high end equipment is worth it's price, it gives more comfort and last longer. Never underestimate the cold, heat you can undress from, cold you can't escape, and it Will destroy your sleep completely, even kill you if you really underestimated the weather. So many have told themselves, I'll just put on another sweater or trouser and even that isn't enough. Sleeping near water will even during summer drain your body heat with the moist in the air. One of the most underrated tip is to really get to know your equipment and how it works, especially during nordic climate. Are you hiking in the mountains, weather can suddenly turn from bright warm sun to ice cold rainstorm. I'm always bringing worst case scenario clothing when I'm hiking in Norway, the weather is not something you can trust. I always bring 3 mylar blankets, they are genius to use as ground sheets for your tent, when you wake up in the morning and you want some cover they will be great, even to sit on if you bring a chair. Keep up the great work your doing 😊
Another great video, Devin. So helpful and informative for beginning backpackers and those who might need a bit of a refresher about what’s needed. I knew you did the backpacking courses and are the guide for the trips, but would love to be able to go on a trip like that (I’m o up in Idaho, so I can’t take one of your courses).
Thanks. Guided trips are a blast. They have their own unique experience when in a group setting and there’s a level of education involved in the process.
Huh, thanks for sharing that feedback. I hadn't noticed it until I really turned the volume up pretty loud. I'll look into what's causing that. Hope it wasn't too distracting for you.
just get yourself out there is such a great tip. It doesn't have to be an epic adventure. It can be in your back yard or within sight of your car. Just get out there and see what you like.
Nice one. The start of my backpacking journey was my favorite. Or any rabbit hole. That's when I learned the most. Just getting out there and figuring it out. I like making my own custom routes. It's almost essential for getting to available water sources throughout the year. The hardest part is getting to the trailhead.
These principles can never be reiterated enough. And so refreshing to see a whole video all about skills, experience and technique with no gear reviews. And a whole-body YES to the message that there are so many ways to experience nature and the backcountry. The backpacking community needs more of this on TH-cam.
John, thank you! Absolutely, we all come from different backgrounds and such and putting the experience into one box is so limiting. No boxes, just fun in how it works for you. 😊😊
"Plan to be colder than you think you will be" I remember Homemade Wanderlust saying she brings her puffy jacket always...even in the middle of summer in Alabama...you just never know. (learning the hard way sucks)
I think that's good advice. Even in the summer you could get wet, and it could get windy and that could be enough to get you into an early stage of hypothermia.
40 degrees wet and windy can be bad. The temperature up 5000 ft can be night and day worse.
Yeah, I’m from Utah, and bringing a puffy is mandatory, even in 80 degree heat.
High in the mountains, or in the desert, the weather can change in an instant, and the local forecast temperature is rarely correct at night.
I’ve had days of 90 degree heat, and it drop to 14 degrees in the evening.
I always have a long sleeve shirt, always. Decades ago I read a book that said you can roll long sleeves up but you can't roll short sleeves down 😂😂😂. Simple yet genius.
Regarding tip #1, I would say do some research and then go on a short trip closer to home for your first trip if you can't get out with an experienced friend. I would probably never have started backpacking if I waited for someone to go with.
I think learning and refining skills is something we should never stop doing.
You can pretty much cover your entire tent pad site in mylar blankets for a fraction of the weight of a nylon tarp. I also love garbage bags
Great tips! Here in Norway we are allowed to basically use all forest for hiking. You can pop up a tent 150meters from houses or cabins and camp there for 2 nights, Norwegians are kinda shy people so most people camp far into the forest. There are only rules you need to follow if you wanna camp in national parks.
I wish I didn't spend so much money on bad cheap hiking equipment, because my experience is that the more mid-high end equipment is worth it's price, it gives more comfort and last longer. Never underestimate the cold, heat you can undress from, cold you can't escape, and it Will destroy your sleep completely, even kill you if you really underestimated the weather. So many have told themselves, I'll just put on another sweater or trouser and even that isn't enough. Sleeping near water will even during summer drain your body heat with the moist in the air.
One of the most underrated tip is to really get to know your equipment and how it works, especially during nordic climate. Are you hiking in the mountains, weather can suddenly turn from bright warm sun to ice cold rainstorm. I'm always bringing worst case scenario clothing when I'm hiking in Norway, the weather is not something you can trust. I always bring 3 mylar blankets, they are genius to use as ground sheets for your tent, when you wake up in the morning and you want some cover they will be great, even to sit on if you bring a chair.
Keep up the great work your doing 😊
Another great video, Devin. So helpful and informative for beginning backpackers and those who might need a bit of a refresher about what’s needed. I knew you did the backpacking courses and are the guide for the trips, but would love to be able to go on a trip like that (I’m o up in Idaho, so I can’t take one of your courses).
Thanks. Guided trips are a blast. They have their own unique experience when in a group setting and there’s a level of education involved in the process.
hey, just wanted to let you know there's a slight bit of static noise in the background throughout the video
Huh, thanks for sharing that feedback. I hadn't noticed it until I really turned the volume up pretty loud. I'll look into what's causing that. Hope it wasn't too distracting for you.
just get yourself out there is such a great tip. It doesn't have to be an epic adventure. It can be in your back yard or within sight of your car. Just get out there and see what you like.
1000%!
Nice one. The start of my backpacking journey was my favorite. Or any rabbit hole. That's when I learned the most. Just getting out there and figuring it out.
I like making my own custom routes. It's almost essential for getting to available water sources throughout the year.
The hardest part is getting to the trailhead.
Thanks! I am the personality that researches everything I can when I am starting something new. I think many are that way too. ha
❤ALL excellent advice, thank you, Devin, I always need refreshers!! Have a Happy day 😊
Thank you!
I feel like a whole video breaking down tip 4 would be really valuable for new back packers.
I'll add it to the list, cause I agree. Super important.