Great to see you post a video since Katahdin. If you feel up to it please post a video on what happened after K day. We'd love to hear about the reentry back to non-trail life.
Honestly, I think I've only ever had 3 or 4 Mountain House meals, so I may not be the best one to answer your questions. The one I remember having was a beef stroganoff one and it was quite tasty. From my limited experience with them, I would say that they taste great and provide enough nutrition for hiking, but it is hard to justify their high cost, when other alternatives are 1/4 of the price.
Thank you! Because of you I took my AquaMira drops out and swapped for the Sawyer Squeeze... Not only did I love it, but everyone on the AT was asking about it. Excellent piece of equipment! Much appreciated my friend.
Great gear review, hope that you wont stop making videos! I am happy to here that you liked the Sawyer Squeete, I will use this guy on my thru in 2015, too. Thanks for sharing all the great moments of your hike with the world!
I am 15 years old, and in 2016 I will be thru-hiking. I just want to say, thank you so much. Your're videos help me out so much with my planning. Also, I also have had a bad experience with black diamond, and I agree- poor customer service.
Always good to hear someone else's idea and experience. I like how you're more relaxed about, "if you have a problem, you can borrow / get help from someone else." Especially on the AT, that is so very true and could save so many pounds that get carried when people "pack their fears". People like to help each other on the trail. Maybe you just mis-spoke, but people shouldn't "wash in a creek" even with a biodegradable soap. Take some water away from the creek and wash yourself and your utensils away from surface water. You mention the full-sized Swiss Army Knife as being too much and I'd agree. A SAK Classic has a small blade, nail file, scissors (!!!), and tweezers at 0.7 ounces versus 2.2 ounces for a full-sized SAK. Having a scissors, IMNSHO, is a big improvement in safety for cutting open packages, trimming moleskin, etc, compared to a knife blade - no one ends up getting stitches in the ER from using scissors. If you need a can opener, a folding, GI-style one is small and light.
People do like to help each other on the trail, but don't let your guard down. Two years back I had a Canadian guy steal some of my kit from a drying room up in the Swedish Arctic. He'd had already been spotted as poorly equipped and he clearly realised he's bitten off more than he could chew. So, he spent the night in a hut and set off back the way he came, with my rain pants. Truly an upsetting incident, not one we expect.
In general, you can camp almost anywhere you want in most places along the trail. The shelters provide a nice place for people to gather and camp. They also allow the large amount of traffic the trail sees to leave less of an impact on the woods along the trail by creating a focused spot for camping. Hostels are offered as a break from the trail. They are a bit of a luxury, offering a comfy bed (sometimes), food, and showers.
Thanks man! I'm starting March 12.Definitely gonna take my time, I'm actually a bit worried I'll be going too slow to have friends to hike with lol. All your videos are great to watch and make me even more excited to start. Just from this video, I decided to return a black diamond headlamp I had and buy a petzl with the rechargeable battery.
Hey thanks for posting all your videos... I work at an REI and have been there for a little over 3 years. The wildcats are my favorite shoes we carry in the store, and the sawyer filter is great as well. I'm planning on thru hiking the Long Trail next month. I enjoyed your Long Trail videos as well, makes me want to get out there right now.
Tyvek is a great breathable fabric. I pushed carts for about a year and got to experiment with a lot of rain gear. Tyvek kept me dry yet wasn’t windproof so I would rarely get wet.
I have a few decades of ultralighting behind me and it's always interesting to see what works for other hikers. Optimus, Sea to Summit, Vargo, and Toaks all make long Ti spoons. The Optimus (yours) is slightly heavier but is the only spoon with a polished bowl. Been using Platys since they were introduced. Without exaggerating I have about 30 in a host of different sizes so regardless of where I'm going or for how long I can find a combination that can handle it. Just to be safe though I carry a Platy Patch and a spare cap. I adapted my bags so I can fill them directly from my Sawyer Mini Filter. When I'm done filling I give the Platy a quick squeeze which backflushes the filter and I don't need to carry the backflush syringe. Petzls are my favorite headlamp although I can't comment on their rechargeable batteries. I have a pair of Zipkas with retractable headbands. I bought that model to save weight. A Petzl with a regular headband would be a lot more comfortable if you have to wear it for a long time. As an aside, I haven't climbed in a gazillion years, but all my technical gear is Petzl...biners, ascenders, belay and rappelling gear, etc. I use fuel tablet stoves exclusively for solo/duo trips but I have a Snow Peak Gigapower Ti for group trips. I think Snow Peak has the best cartridge stoves around. Wish I could say the same about their crappy cookware. Glad it worked for you.
Campfires. It was very easy, even in light rains. The only times I didn't build fires were during/right after heavy rains or in places where fires weren't allowed. In these places I used my stove. Most people on the AT don't make fires, but almost everyone enjoys sitting around them. So they provide several benefits (heat, cooking, gathering place, fun).
Great video, great idea!! A dream of mine is to thru-hike the AT, maybe in 2020. I've seen numerous AT videos, but thanks for showing us what WORKS! Peace..
March 24th to October 7th. My personal advice is to take your time and enjoy it, though some people find joy in doing it fast as well. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Good luck and thanks.
-I normally backwashed by pushing water back through with my mouth. However, sometimes I would use a syringe that my friend was carrying. So I did both actually, but I did not carry the syringe. -Honestly, either will work just fine. I chose the Snow Peak for its compactness, weight, and for the measuring marks it has on the inside of the pot. It is really just a matter of preference though. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I was using an older bag apparently. They changed their design at some point and the new bags no longer fit right. I would recommend using Evernew brand bags now, as they have been shown to work well.
Funny. It is a great pack and could certainly last you the entire trail. Some of the comments below describe why I switched packs. I carried it for a while and loved it. The only problem was that I got mine used and there was an issue with a brace on the back panel that kept popping out.
I remember the store. Unfortunately, I got in after it was already dark, so I just kept going over into Hanover. I wanted to visit the store but ultimately laziness kept me from walking back across the river the next day. I did hear great things about it from other hikers though. When are you planning to hike the trail?
Thanks for sharing. It's kinda like a "behind the scenes" look at your journey. Hope life is treating you well off the trail. I look forward to hearing plans for you next big adventure? Maybe hike the PCT with FM and Loner?
Hey there. I have the medium Jam 50. I have a 32" waist and by the end of the hike I had the buckles cinched all the way up. If I had lost any more weight I would have been in trouble. Golite should really allow a little more tightening room in their hip-belt. I would say go with a small, but the back panel might not be long enough for comfort then (mine barely was). You may just have to try one on somewhere and see. I've got tons of tips, maybe I'll make some videos with them sometime soon.
No, but I have heard that some people struggle to get a tight fit with the newest Platypus bags. Apparently Platypus changed their design. Sawyer did say that they were beefing up their included water bags though, so hopefully those will be a viable option now.
Thanks for the vid, and the input. If you don't mind what hammock did you use and tarp ?. Those shoes seemed like a great product. I just received the sawyer filter, seems like a keeper ! Thanks for your trek vids ,they were awesome ! and congrats.Peace
While they do save weight, there are some downsides to think about. For me, I think that the poncho/pack cover setup would be a hassle. If you were wearing it and needed to get into your pack (and it was raining) it seems like it might be a little hard to remove the pack and get inside of it. Ponchos are also a little harder to adjust for overheating with, as they are usually all on or all off. They also become like sails in windy weather, pushing you around and lifting up.
It is a great pack. I bought it used and ended up having to replace a support strut but Osprey mailed me a new one no questions asked. I just didn't have time to wait for the strut to come in the mail, so I bought the Jam and never looked back.
The Salomon shoes quickly became too small as my feet grew and expanded. The Exos had a frame strut that kept popping out on me. I bought the pack at an REI garage sale and the tag stated that this was a problem, I just didn't feel like it was that big of a problem for the price of ~$35. Osprey later replaced the bar no questions asked and fixed the problem, but I had to get back on trail quick so I ordered the Jam, which I had always wanted to try. At the time it was on sale for $64.
Don't worry, there are people hiking at every pace possible. I had a group that I was often with and we all hiked around the same pace. There were always fast groups passing us and slow groups behind us. You'll find a niche. The petzl is great, especially since you can constantly top it off and never have to worry about running on low batteries.
Do you remember stopping in Norwich Vermont? Across the river from Dartmouth college? A small little store named "Dan and Whits"? A quite inn next door? The free burger you got from finding the back of the store? If you hike the trail again, make sure to visit the store! If a kid working there came up and started talking to you about the trail and what you brought, it was probably me, I plan to hike the trail and tried to talk to every hiker in 2012
wow I'm amazed at your trouble with black diamond. my experience with their poles and some other gear has been great. very surprising to see your trouble.
A few people I saw used the bleach method, it can work. My advice would be to try it at home. I tried it and found the taste way too overbearing. Aqua Mira is another option with a less overpowering taste (though still too strong for my preference). I would definitely recommend the Sawyer Squeeze. You get to taste the natural taste of the water for about the same weight as Aqua Mira. I am getting ready to do a review of the SS soon so stay tuned. (Also check Amazon for the SS. It's about $42)
Just wondering why you switched backpacks, I also have the Jam and I am planning on using it on my through hike. I saw your original gear video and you were using an Osprey.
All good here Apache, enjoyed running into you on the trail and all your videos. Me and my girlfriend plan to hike the Foothills trail in SC/NC this summer. Have most of our gear ready. It's only 80 miles but will be fun. Really like your gear videos too man. Later
Thanks, I upgraded all my equipment over the last 2 years. My Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 (HumbleOutdoors $255 w/free footprint) has been a great investment. Yea for Dr. Brommers, love the stuff.
thanks for the info, most of the vids I see mention the shelter and hostels, but never saw one where someone just camped off in the woods on their own. Good to know it is at least allowed as getting away from people is my main reason for backpacking.
Great video, thank you for sharing! As you said, you cooked on fires most nights, do you mean campfires by that, or did you carry a wood burning stove? Was it always easy to make a fire?
What size was your Golite Jam 50(S,M,L). I have a 30in waist and have heard that the new Jams might not get tight enough on the waist belt? I know you have vids on the hammock but an update to see how things still look any maybe any tips/tricks you learned on the trail. just pulled the trigger on a top quilt once it warms up I'll try the hammock. Thanks Link
You mentioned a rain jacket over a poncho. What do you think of those poncho/pack cover/tarp combos? I'm thinking it would be a way to go lighter & get multiple uses out of equipment I already have.
I didn't end up taking it. I did have time to read now and then, and actually carried a book sometimes. The kindle would have been nice and light, but I imagine it wouldn't have lasted long given the conditions.
It's uncanny how similar our gear lists are! I felt like you were doing a video all about my stuff. That being said...I was surprised to not see the Ospry Exos 46 that you had in one of your previous videos. I've got the same pack and was wondering if you had taken it out on the AT, and if so, how it worked out. ...or I guess, how long it lasted.
great info. I currently use a sog backpack for both hiking and college/high school. Honestly the books and what not for school have worn the bottom of the backpack out more than the outdoorsing XD I was looking at a 5.11 medium backpack and was wondering what you thought of those. Thanks man :)
Great gear vid Apache! All great stuff - except for the poles. My spoon was one of my favorite things too even though it was hard plastic, broke my heart when I cracked it but it still made it the whole hike. Later
I would carry around $60 bucks in cash, but I was able to use my debit card almost everywhere. It is really only in northern Maine where you need cash. Some hostels only take cash though so keep that in mind.
Also one random thing, the sawyer squeeze looks great but it's a little expensive...what are your thoughts on using like 2-3 drops of bleach per L to purify water? Do you think the sawyer squeeze is definitely worth the money?
Nice gear review, no Great review. I'm glad I watched. I have the Golite Peak pack, great stuff. Check their warranty and get yours fixed or replaced. Have the Petzl Tikka 2 I like the charger idea! I use a Leatherman Micra smallest 1 they make and has tools. Where'd you get the towel? I want one. What kind of stove did you use when needed? Just got the Sawyer 3 way inline. Great filter with a Platypus. Wouldn't go out with out the rain coat I have a Northface Hyvent similar jacket. What stove?
I'm really sorry if you've already answered this elsewhere, but I coudn't find it. When was your start and finish date? I'm starting my thru hike this March and your videos have been awesome and insanely helpful. Thanks for posting. :)
For those interested as I was... I believe the long handle titanium spoon is made by Vargo. At least that's what I found after searching. Around $13 on Amazon.
It is actually an Optimus titanium long handle spoon. I much prefer the Optimus one, because of the smooth spoon section. The Vargo one has a gritty spoon part that feels weird on your teeth. Just my preference though. The Optimus is also on Amazon.
It was more than big enough. I would actually recommend against a 70L pack because having all that extra space will tempt you to bring items you don't need.
Thanks for offering your opinions. Nothing like a review from someone who knows from experience. It may seem redundant but if you carry a frogg toggs rain suit, would you also carry a rain jacket?
+Vincent Miceli No, and honestly I wouldn't really recommend frogg toggs anymore, other than if you need rain gear for a brief stint. Though they work decently they just aren't durable enough.
Ehh I am really on the fence...I've used bleach for a few weeks while traveling and didnt mind the taste, but I wasn't really exercising or drinking a lot of water at that time either. I'll probably end up getting the sawyer squeeze haha. Thanks so much for all your help!! :)
Hi there. Just a small point and it may not effect you guys n the US. I teach bushcraft in New Zealand and when it comes to lighters I would invariably turn people away from Bic and flint type lighters in the same way that I would recommend they don't use regular matches - once they are wet they're useless! I use a storm proof butane lighter - the two that I have are Primus and a Turboflame. They cost a fair bit but are far more reliable in bad conditions. Also I teach people to carry a backup for safety...
Don't teach them that. They may give up and think the Bic will never light again once wet and try something really difficult like fire-by-friction. Yes there are more suitable lighters for the field which they should carry but Bic type lighters work perfectly fine no matter how wet they get, just shake the excess water off and keep flickin' yer Bic till enough of the water is thrown off the flint and striker wheel to get a spark. May take several dozen or more "flicks" but it will eventually work, there are numerous videos available.demonstrating this. Try it yourself and see.
I did. It was a DIY hammock that I made, i've got some videos of my entire hammock system on my channel if you want to check it out. I 100% recommend using a hammock. Super comfortable, light, and very convenient.
Hey, I'm interested in hiking the PCT, do you have a list of this gear in a text format? Or maybe an account on Trail Journal or something similar where I can look up your gear?
Tell me about it. The fact that their customer support people told me that their gear is not designed to hold up to the "rigors" of the AT is enough to keep me from ever getting another Black Diamond product, no matter how good it seems.
do you have a link to the headlamp charging adaptor? I also have a petzl tikka and it would be super handy to not have to always buy new batteries if I can charge it in town instead. thanks!
+Alyssa Thru Hikes Unfortunately, they stopped making the adapter for some reason. It's nearly impossible to find now. They do make some new headlamps that are rechargeable, but they aren't cheap.
I have that sawyer Water filter and I can atone to that the filter works and everyone should be buying one. I mean 1million gallons you will never need to buy another only if you loose it.
Yeah. I saw a couple BA tents on the trail and they seemed to be built tough. They are definitely one of the better lightweight production tents. You may need to reseal the seams on the tent once or twice throughout the hike though. I own an older BA UL1 and it has served me well (though I honestly haven't used it much). There is no need for bear spray. Most bears simply run away from you.
I'm not entirely sure as to what model it is, I picked it up at an REI garage sale for $50. That said, it has been a great jacket. Both for the entirety of the AT and for the state of Washington on the PCT. Also remember that arcteryx gear has a great warranty, so they could fix it up (I think for free) if it doesn't hold up. Mine has held up very well through both trails and I still use it in regular life as well. I'd say go for it!
Thank you for the answer :D I like anything about campfires, even making them, lets me come down after a long day...quite relaxing!
I almost never slept in shelters on the trail, but they are convenient stops, since most offer privies to use.
Great to see you post a video since Katahdin. If you feel up to it please post a video on what happened after K day. We'd love to hear about the reentry back to non-trail life.
Gear videos aren't lame ..nice to know what works:) Thanks!
what u said about your hiking poles, stuff like that is why I carry the same hiking stick that I picked up in the woods nearly 10 or 11 years ago.
Honestly, I think I've only ever had 3 or 4 Mountain House meals, so I may not be the best one to answer your questions. The one I remember having was a beef stroganoff one and it was quite tasty. From my limited experience with them, I would say that they taste great and provide enough nutrition for hiking, but it is hard to justify their high cost, when other alternatives are 1/4 of the price.
Thank you! Because of you I took my AquaMira drops out and swapped for the Sawyer Squeeze... Not only did I love it, but everyone on the AT was asking about it. Excellent piece of equipment! Much appreciated my friend.
Great gear review, hope that you wont stop making videos! I am happy to here that you liked the Sawyer Squeete, I will use this guy on my thru in 2015, too. Thanks for sharing all the great moments of your hike with the world!
I am 15 years old, and in 2016 I will be thru-hiking. I just want to say, thank you so much. Your're videos help me out so much with my planning. Also, I also have had a bad experience with black diamond, and I agree- poor customer service.
Always good to hear someone else's idea and experience. I like how you're more relaxed about, "if you have a problem, you can borrow / get help from someone else." Especially on the AT, that is so very true and could save so many pounds that get carried when people "pack their fears". People like to help each other on the trail.
Maybe you just mis-spoke, but people shouldn't "wash in a creek" even with a biodegradable soap. Take some water away from the creek and wash yourself and your utensils away from surface water.
You mention the full-sized Swiss Army Knife as being too much and I'd agree. A SAK Classic has a small blade, nail file, scissors (!!!), and tweezers at 0.7 ounces versus 2.2 ounces for a full-sized SAK. Having a scissors, IMNSHO, is a big improvement in safety for cutting open packages, trimming moleskin, etc, compared to a knife blade - no one ends up getting stitches in the ER from using scissors. If you need a can opener, a folding, GI-style one is small and light.
People do like to help each other on the trail, but don't let your guard down. Two years back I had a Canadian guy steal some of my kit from a drying room up in the Swedish Arctic. He'd had already been spotted as poorly equipped and he clearly realised he's bitten off more than he could chew. So, he spent the night in a hut and set off back the way he came, with my rain pants. Truly an upsetting incident, not one we expect.
Great real life review, congrats on your thruhike! Peace
In general, you can camp almost anywhere you want in most places along the trail. The shelters provide a nice place for people to gather and camp. They also allow the large amount of traffic the trail sees to leave less of an impact on the woods along the trail by creating a focused spot for camping. Hostels are offered as a break from the trail. They are a bit of a luxury, offering a comfy bed (sometimes), food, and showers.
Thanks man! I'm starting March 12.Definitely gonna take my time, I'm actually a bit worried I'll be going too slow to have friends to hike with lol. All your videos are great to watch and make me even more excited to start. Just from this video, I decided to return a black diamond headlamp I had and buy a petzl with the rechargeable battery.
Hey thanks for posting all your videos... I work at an REI and have been there for a little over 3 years. The wildcats are my favorite shoes we carry in the store, and the sawyer filter is great as well. I'm planning on thru hiking the Long Trail next month. I enjoyed your Long Trail videos as well, makes me want to get out there right now.
Tyvek is a great breathable fabric. I pushed carts for about a year and got to experiment with a lot of rain gear. Tyvek kept me dry yet wasn’t windproof so I would rarely get wet.
Love the Videos you do, they are great and informative.
Please Please do a video on how you clean, maintain, and store your gear to keep it in shape
I have a few decades of ultralighting behind me and it's always interesting to see what works for other hikers. Optimus, Sea to Summit, Vargo, and Toaks all make long Ti spoons. The Optimus (yours) is slightly heavier but is the only spoon with a polished bowl.
Been using Platys since they were introduced. Without exaggerating I have about 30 in a host of different sizes so regardless of where I'm going or for how long I can find a combination that can handle it. Just to be safe though I carry a Platy Patch and a spare cap. I adapted my bags so I can fill them directly from my Sawyer Mini Filter. When I'm done filling I give the Platy a quick squeeze which backflushes the filter and I don't need to carry the backflush syringe.
Petzls are my favorite headlamp although I can't comment on their rechargeable batteries. I have a pair of Zipkas with retractable headbands. I bought that model to save weight. A Petzl with a regular headband would be a lot more comfortable if you have to wear it for a long time. As an aside, I haven't climbed in a gazillion years, but all my technical gear is Petzl...biners, ascenders, belay and rappelling gear, etc.
I use fuel tablet stoves exclusively for solo/duo trips but I have a Snow Peak Gigapower Ti for group trips. I think Snow Peak has the best cartridge stoves around. Wish I could say the same about their crappy cookware. Glad it worked for you.
Campfires. It was very easy, even in light rains. The only times I didn't build fires were during/right after heavy rains or in places where fires weren't allowed. In these places I used my stove. Most people on the AT don't make fires, but almost everyone enjoys sitting around them. So they provide several benefits (heat, cooking, gathering place, fun).
Great video, great idea!!
A dream of mine is to thru-hike the AT, maybe in 2020. I've seen numerous AT videos, but thanks for showing us what WORKS! Peace..
March 24th to October 7th. My personal advice is to take your time and enjoy it, though some people find joy in doing it fast as well. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Good luck and thanks.
-I normally backwashed by pushing water back through with my mouth. However, sometimes I would use a syringe that my friend was carrying. So I did both actually, but I did not carry the syringe.
-Honestly, either will work just fine. I chose the Snow Peak for its compactness, weight, and for the measuring marks it has on the inside of the pot. It is really just a matter of preference though. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I was using an older bag apparently. They changed their design at some point and the new bags no longer fit right. I would recommend using Evernew brand bags now, as they have been shown to work well.
Funny. It is a great pack and could certainly last you the entire trail. Some of the comments below describe why I switched packs. I carried it for a while and loved it. The only problem was that I got mine used and there was an issue with a brace on the back panel that kept popping out.
I remember the store. Unfortunately, I got in after it was already dark, so I just kept going over into Hanover. I wanted to visit the store but ultimately laziness kept me from walking back across the river the next day. I did hear great things about it from other hikers though. When are you planning to hike the trail?
Thanks for sharing. It's kinda like a "behind the scenes" look at your journey. Hope life is treating you well off the trail. I look forward to hearing plans for you next big adventure? Maybe hike the PCT with FM and Loner?
Hey there. I have the medium Jam 50. I have a 32" waist and by the end of the hike I had the buckles cinched all the way up. If I had lost any more weight I would have been in trouble. Golite should really allow a little more tightening room in their hip-belt. I would say go with a small, but the back panel might not be long enough for comfort then (mine barely was). You may just have to try one on somewhere and see. I've got tons of tips, maybe I'll make some videos with them sometime soon.
No, but I have heard that some people struggle to get a tight fit with the newest Platypus bags. Apparently Platypus changed their design. Sawyer did say that they were beefing up their included water bags though, so hopefully those will be a viable option now.
Thanks for the vid, and the input. If you don't mind what hammock did you use and tarp ?. Those shoes seemed like a great product. I just received the sawyer filter, seems like a keeper ! Thanks for your trek vids ,they were awesome ! and congrats.Peace
While they do save weight, there are some downsides to think about. For me, I think that the poncho/pack cover setup would be a hassle. If you were wearing it and needed to get into your pack (and it was raining) it seems like it might be a little hard to remove the pack and get inside of it. Ponchos are also a little harder to adjust for overheating with, as they are usually all on or all off. They also become like sails in windy weather, pushing you around and lifting up.
It is a great pack. I bought it used and ended up having to replace a support strut but Osprey mailed me a new one no questions asked. I just didn't have time to wait for the strut to come in the mail, so I bought the Jam and never looked back.
Thanks for the advice great review of the gear i hope to see more vids. Keep them coming.
The Salomon shoes quickly became too small as my feet grew and expanded. The Exos had a frame strut that kept popping out on me. I bought the pack at an REI garage sale and the tag stated that this was a problem, I just didn't feel like it was that big of a problem for the price of ~$35. Osprey later replaced the bar no questions asked and fixed the problem, but I had to get back on trail quick so I ordered the Jam, which I had always wanted to try. At the time it was on sale for $64.
Don't worry, there are people hiking at every pace possible. I had a group that I was often with and we all hiked around the same pace. There were always fast groups passing us and slow groups behind us. You'll find a niche. The petzl is great, especially since you can constantly top it off and never have to worry about running on low batteries.
Do you remember stopping in Norwich Vermont? Across the river from Dartmouth college? A small little store named "Dan and Whits"? A quite inn next door? The free burger you got from finding the back of the store? If you hike the trail again, make sure to visit the store! If a kid working there came up and started talking to you about the trail and what you brought, it was probably me, I plan to hike the trail and tried to talk to every hiker in 2012
wow I'm amazed at your trouble with black diamond. my experience with their poles and some other gear has been great. very surprising to see your trouble.
A few people I saw used the bleach method, it can work. My advice would be to try it at home. I tried it and found the taste way too overbearing. Aqua Mira is another option with a less overpowering taste (though still too strong for my preference). I would definitely recommend the Sawyer Squeeze. You get to taste the natural taste of the water for about the same weight as Aqua Mira. I am getting ready to do a review of the SS soon so stay tuned. (Also check Amazon for the SS. It's about $42)
How long were you on the trail? Thanks for posting. Anthony.
Just wondering why you switched backpacks, I also have the Jam and I am planning on using it on my through hike. I saw your original gear video and you were using an Osprey.
I can vouch for Leki's customer service. They will go above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied!
All good here Apache, enjoyed running into you on the trail and all your videos. Me and my girlfriend plan to hike the Foothills trail in SC/NC this summer. Have most of our gear ready. It's only 80 miles but will be fun. Really like your gear videos too man. Later
Thanks, I upgraded all my equipment over the last 2 years. My Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 (HumbleOutdoors $255 w/free footprint) has been a great investment. Yea for Dr. Brommers, love the stuff.
thanks for the info, most of the vids I see mention the shelter and hostels, but never saw one where someone just camped off in the woods on their own. Good to know it is at least allowed as getting away from people is my main reason for backpacking.
Great video, thank you for sharing! As you said, you cooked on fires most nights, do you mean campfires by that, or did you carry a wood burning stove? Was it always easy to make a fire?
Loner! How's it going? Are you planning any more hikes or adventures?
What size was your Golite Jam 50(S,M,L). I have a 30in waist and have heard that the new Jams might not get tight enough on the waist belt?
I know you have vids on the hammock but an update to see how things still look any maybe any tips/tricks you learned on the trail. just pulled the trigger on a top quilt once it warms up I'll try the hammock. Thanks Link
You mentioned a rain jacket over a poncho. What do you think of those poncho/pack cover/tarp combos? I'm thinking it would be a way to go lighter & get multiple uses out of equipment I already have.
I didn't end up taking it. I did have time to read now and then, and actually carried a book sometimes. The kindle would have been nice and light, but I imagine it wouldn't have lasted long given the conditions.
thanks for the tip, I'm hiking Old Rag this weekend
Thanks for sharing... Sawyer filters are awesome.
A Snowpeak Litemax. Lightweight and is still working great.
Very good info. What about your Kindle? Did you find that you had little time to do any reading?
It's uncanny how similar our gear lists are! I felt like you were doing a video all about my stuff. That being said...I was surprised to not see the Ospry Exos 46 that you had in one of your previous videos. I've got the same pack and was wondering if you had taken it out on the AT, and if so, how it worked out. ...or I guess, how long it lasted.
great info. I currently use a sog backpack for both hiking and college/high school. Honestly the books and what not for school have worn the bottom of the backpack out more than the outdoorsing XD I was looking at a 5.11 medium backpack and was wondering what you thought of those. Thanks man :)
which mountain house meal did you have? was it any good? any recommendations on which ones to get? thanks for the vid brother!
Great gear vid Apache! All great stuff - except for the poles. My spoon was one of my favorite things too even though it was hard plastic, broke my heart when I cracked it but it still made it the whole hike. Later
I would carry around $60 bucks in cash, but I was able to use my debit card almost everywhere. It is really only in northern Maine where you need cash. Some hostels only take cash though so keep that in mind.
Also one random thing, the sawyer squeeze looks great but it's a little expensive...what are your thoughts on using like 2-3 drops of bleach per L to purify water? Do you think the sawyer squeeze is definitely worth the money?
Nice gear review, no Great review. I'm glad I watched. I have the Golite Peak pack, great stuff. Check their warranty and get yours fixed or replaced. Have the Petzl Tikka 2 I like the charger idea! I use a Leatherman Micra smallest 1 they make and has tools. Where'd you get the towel? I want one. What kind of stove did you use when needed? Just got the Sawyer 3 way inline. Great filter with a Platypus. Wouldn't go out with out the rain coat I have a Northface Hyvent similar jacket. What stove?
I'm really sorry if you've already answered this elsewhere, but I coudn't find it. When was your start and finish date? I'm starting my thru hike this March and your videos have been awesome and insanely helpful. Thanks for posting. :)
For those interested as I was... I believe the long handle titanium spoon is made by Vargo. At least that's what I found after searching. Around $13 on Amazon.
It is actually an Optimus titanium long handle spoon. I much prefer the Optimus one, because of the smooth spoon section. The Vargo one has a gritty spoon part that feels weird on your teeth. Just my preference though. The Optimus is also on Amazon.
Thank you, I appreciate your response. I almost ordered the wrong spoon. :)
Hey. Didn't you use a hammock on the AT? What kind of hammock was it and how well did it work out? Would you recommend going tent or hammock?
It was more than big enough. I would actually recommend against a 70L pack because having all that extra space will tempt you to bring items you don't need.
Thanks for offering your opinions. Nothing like a review from someone who knows from experience. It may seem redundant but if you carry a frogg toggs rain suit, would you also carry a rain jacket?
+Vincent Miceli No, and honestly I wouldn't really recommend frogg toggs anymore, other than if you need rain gear for a brief stint. Though they work decently they just aren't durable enough.
Were any of these things awesome?
The hammock and tarp were both homemade. There are some videos of them on my channel if you would like to see them. Thanks.
Ehh I am really on the fence...I've used bleach for a few weeks while traveling and didnt mind the taste, but I wasn't really exercising or drinking a lot of water at that time either. I'll probably end up getting the sawyer squeeze haha. Thanks so much for all your help!! :)
I have BERKEY ( home use) and a Katadyn for my BOB.. I haven't heard of the Sawyer..Thanks for the Video!!
Hi there. Just a small point and it may not effect you guys n the US. I teach bushcraft in New Zealand and when it comes to lighters I would invariably turn people away from Bic and flint type lighters in the same way that I would recommend they don't use regular matches - once they are wet they're useless! I use a storm proof butane lighter - the two that I have are Primus and a Turboflame. They cost a fair bit but are far more reliable in bad conditions. Also I teach people to carry a backup for safety...
Don't teach them that. They may give up and think the Bic will never light again once wet and try something really difficult like fire-by-friction. Yes there are more suitable lighters for the field which they should carry but Bic type lighters work perfectly fine no matter how wet they get, just shake the excess water off and keep flickin' yer Bic till enough of the water is thrown off the flint and striker wheel to get a spark. May take several dozen or more "flicks" but it will eventually work, there are numerous videos available.demonstrating this. Try it yourself and see.
Hey man nice video. By others got a sawyer, do you mean Maggie and Sasha by chance?
What happend to the Osprey Exos? What are your thoughts on how it worked.
what's the deal with hostels and shelters along the trail? are people not allowed to set up tents / camps on their own?
I did. It was a DIY hammock that I made, i've got some videos of my entire hammock system on my channel if you want to check it out. I 100% recommend using a hammock. Super comfortable, light, and very convenient.
Hey, I'm interested in hiking the PCT, do you have a list of this gear in a text format? Or maybe an account on Trail Journal or something similar where I can look up your gear?
Check out my PCT gear video and the gear grams link in the description.
th-cam.com/video/PpcfnGTrtIk/w-d-xo.html
Tell me about it. The fact that their customer support people told me that their gear is not designed to hold up to the "rigors" of the AT is enough to keep me from ever getting another Black Diamond product, no matter how good it seems.
Have you considered doing the CDT or the PCT?
Great video, good info is never a waste of time.
Hey brother, does your sawyer leak when you use it with the platy?
Oh, I have 2 Black diamond lanterns ( Appollo and the Titan) and LOVE them!! Sorry to hear about their customer No Service!!
do you have a link to the headlamp charging adaptor? I also have a petzl tikka and it would be super handy to not have to always buy new batteries if I can charge it in town instead. thanks!
+Alyssa Thru Hikes Unfortunately, they stopped making the adapter for some reason. It's nearly impossible to find now. They do make some new headlamps that are rechargeable, but they aren't cheap.
+Joe Brewer darn. Well thanks for checking anyway, and thx for the reply!
Thanks for the quick reply
I have that sawyer Water filter and I can atone to that the filter works and everyone should be buying one. I mean 1million gallons you will never need to buy another only if you loose it.
What kind of boots do you reccomend for the AT?
I didn't end up taking it. I did have time to read now and then, but not too much.
Do you think a big agnes ultra light tent would last a thru hike? Also, do you need to bring a bear spray with the hike?
Yeah. I saw a couple BA tents on the trail and they seemed to be built tough. They are definitely one of the better lightweight production tents. You may need to reseal the seams on the tent once or twice throughout the hike though. I own an older BA UL1 and it has served me well (though I honestly haven't used it much). There is no need for bear spray. Most bears simply run away from you.
Ok Thanks! Thanks for sharing your experiences man!
Hey is that a Beta AR? I've been debating bringing mine I'm worried it won't hold up to the trail... what do you think... worth the $500 risk?
I'm not entirely sure as to what model it is, I picked it up at an REI garage sale for $50. That said, it has been a great jacket. Both for the entirety of the AT and for the state of Washington on the PCT. Also remember that arcteryx gear has a great warranty, so they could fix it up (I think for free) if it doesn't hold up. Mine has held up very well through both trails and I still use it in regular life as well. I'd say go for it!
Thanks for the review
Great, I will check them out.
And BTW... I second that on the rain jacket... You're nuts not to take one!
JoeGre: I hear it's a relief to have one in mosquito country!
Im going to do it the summer after I graduate high school
what stove did ya use?
upvoted for not being part of the mass self-deception that "breathable" water-proof fabrics(or anything really) actually work.
How much money did you take on the AT?
How do you afford all these gear?! They are so expensive!
How in the name of God's Green Earth did you get the Sawyer squeeze to work with a platy without leaking???? There's no way it can work!
I enjoyed that. Thank you.
i love the sawyer
Where are you from? What accent is that?
You wouldn't bring a rain jacket if you live in Southern California and it rains once every three years.
you did have problems with the bag it came apart
Good discussion, but the constant fiddling with the objects is distracting.