Hi David, Thank you for your videos. Please keep them coming! I like the videos of your trips, and If you get the itch to do more gear videos, I would love to watch. Things like pack evolution, and how you arrived at your current set up through trial and error etc. are fun to watch! Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing! Just found your channel last week really good stuff! You have your gear dialed in nicely especially what works best for you, i really like your setup. I'm planning to purchase an arc blast or arc haul soon. The zpacks packs seem to have everything you need and nothing you dont. My hiking gear weighs enough as it is and a lightweight pack would really help. I like the fact its practically a dry bag and the shoulder straps and waistbelt are nicely padded and the arc system itself is a nice feature, keeping your back cool is important. I started out hiking years ago using the osprey stratos and the back arc and mesh was a big deal for me at the time. Since then i've tried a ton of other packs out there some of which i do like and some i dont, but its boiling down to pulling the trigger a a zpacks pack at this point. I happy with the rest of my gear im just always in search of the right pack. Although zpacks ditty bags and dry bags seem pretty nice too. Single wall tents just arent my thing but to each his or hers own right. Gonna check out more of your content. Happy hiking!
Great gear show! I have a lot of the same gear, I love my ArcBlast 52 also, mine has strap right below the front mesh pocket. That's where I strap my Therm-A-Rest Z-Seat. The thing I like about it being there is when I take off my pack and set it on the ground it helps it stand up if I'm not going to use it to set on. I also keep my Duplex in the front mesh pocket (or my ZPacks tarp w/doors when using my hammock). This way it's the first think I grab if it's raining. I'm no trying to tell you how to pack, after watching some of your video I've learned much. Thanks for sharing, I think I'll go watch the Holy Cross Wilderness video now.
Another great video David . I to am slowly getting to ultralight gear. I'm 62 and retired but still blessed to be able to backpack. If my wife knew what I spent to "go ultralight " she would freak out. Hundreds of miles under my belt and cant wait till March to get out there again. If your travels take you to RRG, let me know , I know the area very well and am always looking for someone to hike with, my wife and adult kids freak out when I head out alone and I tell them rarely are you alone because the trails are full of good people , probably safer than the streets of Louisville, keep up the hiking!
This is a very good gear video. It is not too long and gives just enough information about your stuff. I could watch it without skipping forward because you, in essence, did that for me. Thanks for your perspective on equipment. Somewhere in there I think I heard something about "Z Packs".
Thank you for the nice feecback. Yes, there may have been a few Zpacks references along the way! :-). I've since moved away from the Zpacks Arc Blast pack (the main load bearing strap failed before the 2019 Yellowstone trip), but I'm still using the Zpacks Hexamid Solo Plus shelter, Zpacks rain gear, and Zpacks cuben stuff sacks. And I've actually switched from the Montbell super-stretch sleeping bag to the Zpacks 20degF bag (great sleeping bag, and actually 1/4 pound lighter than the 30degF Montbell bag I had in this video). No, I'm not a rep for Zpacks or affiliated in any way with them, but they make great gear at a relatively good price (though it seems they're getting more expensive the more popular they become - they were much less expensive when I first discovered them years ago). It's probably time for me to look into other 'cottage' gear companies that are more 'hungry' than Zpacks - there are a bunch of great ones out there.
David, it's good to see you do another video. I purchased the z-packs "arc-haul" pack and the eno ultralight hammock after your last gear video, thanks for the inspiration. Both are great. Looking forward to your next adventure. You're still #1 in the outdoor videos. Thanks, jeff in Colorado.
Excellent as always. I could not do anything in 2016 after snapping my ankle in June and having to cancel 2 trips I had planned. However, your videos made me smile and gave me something to look forward this year.
Thanks for another informative posting. Z Packs was the key to getting my base done to 9 lbs. As a hammock guy, my big three are ZPacks Arcblast in Cuben, ENO Technest & Helios suspension with ZPacks tarp and Kevlar ridgeline. Two 900 fill down top/under quilts come to 4lbs 8 oz. Found the arcblast in Cuben to be sturdy and waterproof so following a practical experiment on a stormy three nighter, ditched the Cuben pack liner and stuff sacks for quilts and tarp to save total of 14 oz. For just 14 oz penalty, may return to the convenience. Thanks for sharing. Greg
You are such a good resource for information! I’ve used the hydration and recovery products you recommended and they have been a game changer! Thanks David!
Nice Video David! I am a bit of a gear junkie and I had a bad habit of overpacking duplicates (2 hats, 2 flashlights, socks, cordage bundles, etc) , and I moved to stuff sacks as a way to force myself to trim those items and more. I like Sea-to-Summit bags because they have a wide range of bright colors, easily visible in low-light. My stuff sacks: Orange is food, Blue is clothing, Red is Fire and First Aid, Green is my Kitchen. A place for everything, and everything in its place. It really helped me be more disciplined about what I pack. I suspect alot of people who have "engineering-type" minds, are the same way in that regard.
Thanks David! My son is going on his 1st 10 day back packing trip in New Mexico (we live in VA) and I nervous for him. Your videos are comforting and I have referred to this one several times when helping him pack for training hikes.
Wow, a 10 day trip. Good for him. I love New Mexico and would love to get there for a trip of my own someday soon. I know what you mean about being nervous, as well as having information like what is contained in youtube videos (my own as well as many other people's) helping to manage the 'nerves'. From my own experience being prepared and informed is the best way to make sure that backpacking trips are a positive, enjoyable experience, and more importantly, safe.
Always glad to see your videos. Thanks for adding some early January content! My only suggestion is that it seems your "emergency bag" is not as readily accessible as it could be.
David liked your video I also use stuff sacks works for me i am just getting back in to backpacking again I use to do it 20 years ago. I am 58 I have a new lease on life I can't wait I am getting all new gear it's fun
The mesh pouch on the bag is a must have for me. I hammock camp in Florida and with the humidity , Dew or Rain everything exposed is guaranteed to be wet. The cuben fiber rain fly , water system and anything that is wet goes in there. Inside the pack my hammock and everything else is dry and stays dry. The Z-Packs Cuben Fiber pack liner is a nice luxury item. With it you know your gear will stay dry. I also like the Z-Packs Bear ( Food ) Bag , holds a lot and weighs very little. My kitchen bag is small but bright orange so there is no way it can be misplaced.
Dave, I really enjoy your videos. It's nice to see someone from Indiana on here. Avon is where I roam. I'm new to all of this and just getting started. My gear list is about complete(for now) with only a few decisions to make with sleeping gear. I hope to see you on some local trails in 2017. You and your dogs seem to be a blast. Thanks, Brian
From Central IL here. I'd put the insulated blow-up pad in the hammock. I run a 25" wide well-insulated Exped mummy-shaped pad in my lightweight hammock. The mummy shape & 25" is nice for particular air placement underneath you while in the hammock. If I need to go to the ground I can set the pad straight on the hammock & a tarp as highlighted over top. Been using custom Z-Packs pack liners as my main rucksack, strapped to my ULA Epic suspension & no troubles with wet stuff. Shout out to Z-Packs for my custom-sized liners. (so the liner inside the pack might be a little overkill, but hey--peace-of-mind counts. Most of my little sub-bags are pretty water tight, as I imagine yours are, so it's pretty water safe. But your pack system could float down a river a little longer than mine. (Lol hopefully not..) Imagine being from the Midwest we use similar ways to get out to the trails. I never even use a car--just try to find trail systems close enough to planes, trains, & buses--& minimize the road walking. I'm always open to some good expedition suggestions? I am working on a map that links all the trains, buses, planes, and trails. It will take me forever. See you out there! And thanks for highlighting the camera gear. I am trying to learn what to make good pictures and video with. The pic of the garage helped me get an idea. Thanks for all the work to bring these places to people. It is very important. I hope to make a big adventure movie someday with some awesome places and maybe even a bit of a Hollywood-style plot.
Awesome look at your gear and how you pack it, thanks David! With all those water bags I would suggest you do a gravity water filter once you hit camp. Let it do the work while you set up camp & relax after a long day on the trail.
I'm seriously thinking about getting a gravity system for this upcoming season. I really like the idea of hanging it and just letting it do it's thing!
I can absolutely second this opinion that gravity water filtering is the way to go. That is the one system that works well for all occasions: 1L water bottles or bags, 2L water bottles or bags, 3L water bladders and bags, and then just having the "Dirty" bag filled with water overnight ready for filtering before you hit the trail the next morning. Easy, quick, hands free, and the most efficient water filtering system that exists in my opinion.
That was a very interesting pack show-and-tell. Thanks for not going through an itemized account of every piece of gear; that gets a little fatiguing. I will give some thought to a bag system for my bag now. Thanks!
I do the same thing with 'organization": fire/cooking (red), water filter etc (blue), food (usually several 1 gal freezer bags so I can see bfast, lunch and dinner, large zipock bag for clothing. FAK is its own bundle. I also have a 'hygene" bag - I keep washing and potty stuff separate from everything else. I also use a hamock (skeeter beater pro), a warbonnet fly, a snugpack sleeping bag and maybe a pad of some kind. But the idea is everything is compartmentalized.
Well, we now know who paid Joe's Christmas bonus! LOL. I hope to graduate to Zpacks someday but I'm just trying to find the time to get out and go. Happy New Year!
Thank you, John. It was great seeing you this weekend as well. It never ceases to amaze me when this virtual youtube world merges with the real world! Enjoy your Uinta Mountains Highline Trail hike. After talking with you I did some research on the Highline Trail and I'm certainly adding it to my destination 'wish list' - looks awesome.
Thanks for another great video. We look forward to seeing all your trips. My wife and I did 2 weeks in RMP in late august early September. Lots of short overnight trips, it was incredible. We did the same loop as you did only in the opposite way, Tonohutu to Renegade, flat top to north inlet falls and out to the car. spent most of our time on day 2 saying we were happy to be going down all those switchbacks and not up. quite a wonderful trip. please keep up posting your incredible trips. We are Indy born Florida transplants longing for the mountain trips your videos depict so well. Thanks for sharing. how about a video on the famous Cheddar Cheese Spread?
I'm glad you were able to get to RMNP and do that same loop. You're description of all the campsites brings back fond memories. Ahhh... a cheese spread video. I hadn't thought of that one. I'm afraid it would probably be a pretty short video, because I actually buy the stuff from a company called Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). I think all I'd be able to show is opening the package, putting in some water, waiting 30 minutes or so, and eating it (which is already seen on just about every video). But, hey, any excuse to consume some more cheese spread is a great idea to me!
Regarding the tripod, I just did a trip in Colorado and tried the Trailpix Trekking Pole tripod, was surprisingly impressed. It worked really well even for timelapse in wind and weighs only 2.4oz.
Hmmm... interesting. I'd never heard of the Trailpix, but I'll certainly check it out. The 2.4oz weight definitely caught my attention! I love the Sirui T-025X I'm currently using, but not it's 1.5 pound weight. Thank you for the heads up.
Well, I checked out the Trailpix, and I ordered one! Stability doesn't look to be an issue, and they even have an accessory available to allow you to use ARCA-mount system that I use for both of my cameras (quick mount plate system) so I bought that too. I'm not sure how easy or quick it will be to use out in the field, but I'm willing to give it a try on my next trip to see how well it will work for me. Again, thank you very much for pointing out the Trailpix tripod system to me (oh, and for watching the video!).
No, not military, but you almost need (or develop) that sort of precision when it comes to your gear. I took a couple of early backpacking trips prior to working on getting organized and it was sort of a stressful mess (forgot key stuff... couldn't find things easily... etc.). Backpacking, especially solo backpacking, can be stressful enough on it's own - adding even more unnecessary stress can lead to all sorts of potentially dangerous 'bad things' happening.
not sure if someone already mentioned it, but what about bear spray? sometimes i'll go around my water bottle a few times with duct tape- always handy to have a little bit of tape for a backcountry curve ball. great videos, please keep sharing.
I do carry bear spray but only when I'm in grizzly territory (e.g. Glacier). I also always carry duct tape in my 'emergency' bag - typically wrapped around a medicine bottle that I have filled with 'fire starter' cotton balls. I'll have some more videos coming out soon, both gear videos and the start of my 2017 trips. Thank you for watching!
I also live in central Indiana on the south side of Indy. You have great videos. I just started Backpacking about two and a half years ago. I am also into bushcraft and survival. Would love to go backpacking sometime with you or find a group to go. I am trying to train to hike high miles.
Fantastic video! Two questions. What bag did you use to protect your pack on the flight to Denver? Also, let us know if you figure out a lightweight solution to taking photos/video on the trail. Your photos and videos are stunning, but at 5'4", I don't want to take on the extra added weight. BTW, I'm going on a 5-day trip to RMNP this July 16-20 with a group that Andrew Skurka organized. We'll be covering some of the same terrain as you did on your Day2 and Day3. Your video was a great introduction to some of what we have to look forward to. Thank you! I look forward to watching more.
The bag I use to protect my pack while flying is a simple army surplus duffel bag. I actually have two - one for me and one for my son Christian when we go together. They're nearly identical, and I bought them for about $15-$20 each - the first one in Fairbanks, Alaska when I traveled there for work and my suitcase disintegrated, and the other at a local Indianapolis surplus store. I'm still using my heavy Canon Vixia G40 video camera and Nikon D810 DSLR, but I am really looking seriously at the Sony Alpha A7r III - the only roadblock being the $5,000 I would need for the camera body and 12-24mm lens I want! (but seriously, that does look like the ideal camera and lens for my needs, and I really am trying to figure out how to get one eventually - hopefully the price comes down or I get one used on Ebay, like I have for almost all my camera gear).
I promise that I'll do more. I have plans for a number of gear videos... with the audio 'scripts' running through my head in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping... but my 'day job' has sadly consumed my time and attention over the last few months of winter this year. But I'll get to them at some point soon.
Thanks for the video!!! You ever tried pullouts, from kifaru? or the zip drybags from kuiu? They are lightweight, and work great for gear organization.
Love your videos! My son is backpacking for 10 days in New Mexico next week....the debate among adult advisers is camp shoes/shoes for light hiking .... they are advising to pack running shoes. I'm thinking closed toed Crocs (for airing out feet, rainy weather).....would love to know what you'd pick if you had to choose between sneakers or crocs for only other shoes besides boots. They will cover 80 miles in 10 days. Thank you!
For camp shoes I'd choose Crocs over sneakers every time. The weight difference is substantial and the Crocs are super-simple and comfortable. Good for river crossings too if they have any of those. Actually, though I have, and use, Crocs on occasion (2017 Dolly Sods Wilderness trip for example) my camp shoe of choice now are UnShoes (www.unshoesusa.com). They weigh about half as much as Crocs, and work well for me. Tell your son 'good luck' from me - that sounds like a great adventure for him, and he'll likely never forget it.
As usual another great post and such good information. Please keep on sharing. So what is your pack weight with a bear can like a bv500? How difficult and also how did you fit your bearcan and all your stuff into that pack? Thank you
I'm wondering how you chose your hexamid plus tent over some of the other options from zpacks. I have thought that the hexamid was the best option also but I'm starting to think of going with the duplex. it is a similar weight with more room and a built in bathtub floor.
The various Zpacks 'Plex' tents weren't available when I purchased my Hexamid. If they would have been available at the time I probably would have gone with the Altaplex (it's a 'tall' tent, and at 6' 4" I can use all the extra room I can get). But it would have been a toss up between the Altaplex and the Duplex. The hexamid has been great, but the sewn in bathtub floor of the Plex tents would be awesome.
Starting my first backpacking adventure in Aug to Big Sandy... while researching I found your video and have enjoyed you other videos too. Thank you for sharing your adventures. I wanted to ask how long did it take you to build your current gear list as zpack is not cheap? I also wanted to get your take on water shoes vs the camp shoes you currently use. Are they because they are lighter than water shoes and or more comfortable? it also looks like in your other videos that you vacuum seal your own food, how does that stack up to weight compared to freeze dried meals?
I started backpacking in 2010 and I've basically been 'tweaking' my gear that entire time, one purchase at a time usually. Getting started is certainly the biggest one-time expense, or at least it was for me because I didn't have any gear at all - had to buy pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and everything else. I didn't start with any Zpacks stuff at all - in fact, hadn't even heard of them until 2015 or so. I discovered them about the same time I was really trying to lighten up my gear (something everyone goes through I think after suffering with early heavy packs!), and about the same time I discovered cuben fiber. First purchase (I think) was just some cuben stuff sacks, which I may have bought when looking at their Arc Blast pack (just a little over a pound - nice!). But you're right... it gets expensive really fast so I built it up slowly, and through using Birthday and Xmas gifts to get stuff using money that was going to be spent on gifts anyway. For camp/water shoes, I actually did purchase some water shoes once but they were way heavier than the various camp shoes I was using back then - Crocs (heaviest), UnShoes, and the current Xeroshoe Z-trails I use currently 6+ ounces each. I'd love to find something lighter but the Z-Trails work well, and they're durable enough I could hike in them if necessary. I can't comment on comfort since I've never really given water shoes a fair try, but the Z-Trails are plenty comfortable for me, but probably not as comfortable as a water shoe (just guessing though). I have vacuum sealed various meals over time, now doing that primarily for breakfasts (cereal with Nedo instant milk powder). In terms of weight, it will depend on what you're vacuum sealing, but in my experience the vacuum sealed meals are always much heavier than a Mountain House freeze-dried meal - I would always eat the vacuum sealed meals first because they were usually 2X heavier than MH meals (but again, depends on what meals you're vacuum sealing). The real advantage of vacuum sealing is that you can make tastier/healthier/better meals with any ingredients you want, plus they generally take up less room in the pack.
Very good video. Very good assortment of backpacking gear. Not cheap though. I liked it so much I just subscribed to your channel and gave you a like. I also care with me a piece of close cell foam pad to sit on. There’s nothing better and lighter. How much does your backpack weights with all that? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
I actually have the Thermarest Z sit pad (foam sitting pad). Cheap, light, and one of my favorite pieces of gear. I keep it in the bag of the pack for any occasion when we stop to sit on rocks, downed trees, etc.. My pack weight varies by the type of trip I'm doing, season, etc. but for the 'kit' I showed in the pack explosion video it was probably a bit under 25 pounds fully loaded, not including camera gear. But when I add all the camera gear - camera, lens, microphone, tripod, spare batteries, filters, etc. it's certainly over 30 pounds. I try to keep things as light as I can to offset the extra weight of the camera gear, but I am certainly NOT ultralight!
Hello and thank you for some great videos. We are heading to glacier this summer. Can you tell me the exact measurements of your thermarest Neoair sleeping pad. I see they have a 20x72 or 25x77
I have two Neoair sleeping pads. The 'normal' yellow one and the NeoAir 'XTherm'. I can't recall the exact dimensions of either of them but they are both the largest size available so probably the 25X77. I'm a very large person (6'4", 240lbs) and I typically sleep very poorly in general, and especially so when the the wilderness, so anything I can do to make my sleep better (i.e.BIG, soft, warm sleeping pad) is many well-spent and weight well-carried. I'm sure I have the 25X77 size.
David, once again, a great video. have you ever tried hammock camping? I spend a fair amount of time in the woods as well, switched to Hammocks several years ago, will never go back to tents. This year spent 9 days in the Canadian boundary waters. Need to hook up sometime, I'm in south central Indiana, we can hike the Tecumseh
I do own a Warbonnet Blackbird hammock but the only times I've used it have been in my front yard. And I'm kind of kicking myself for getting the wrong size Blackbird - I bought the regular length but at 6'4" I really should have bought the XL version. In my front yard tryouts I've found the regular length to be a bit cramped. I do plan to pull the trigger on some hammock outings, but just haven't done it yet. I'd love to get together and do the Tecumseh, but it will probably have to wait until the spring time.
After 6+ years of sleeping on the ground I recently pulled the trigger on the Blackbird XLC (I am 6'2'') single layer, and got a cuben fiber tarp. It is the way to go! I don't think I'll ever go back to ground sleeping.
No Xmas cards, but plenty of stickers. Unfortunately, they weren't really free - they put one in each box they send me so I have a fairly nice stack of them now, but at a cost!
The only firm trip I have planned right now is the Grayson Highlands on the Appalachian Trail in late April. My son Christian and I will take another trip together in August, but I'm still working on where we'll go - I'm considering the Wind River Range in Wyoming as well as various destinations in Colorado (Weminuche Wilderness, Zirkel Wilderness, etc.). For my big solo trip I would really like to do the entire 93-mile Wonderland Trail in Washington but I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a permit with the new permit system they will put in place this year. I'll also apply for a Glacier National Park permit as a 'backup' in case the Wonderland permit doesn't happen (not a bad ''backup'!). Regarding the Ozarks and the Long Trail, I have actually thought about both, and want to get to both of them sometime soon. I've read a couple trip reports about the Highland Trail in the Ozarks and it really peaked my interest. I absolutely love Vermont, and the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail through Vermont has always been on my 'list'. Too many places to go and not nearly enough vacation!
Your videos are excellent. I live in the Cincinnati area. Do you have any suggestions for a good weekend hike in southern Indiana or southern Ohio? I plan on doing a section hike on the AT late spring and was looking for somewhere relatively close to do a few practice hikes. I also started using the MSR drip filter. It is much better than instant. Believe it or not, when I was much younger I carried a coffee pot.
One suggestion close to Cincinnati is the Adena Trace trail around the Brookville reservoir. It's a 25-mile loop with a couple camping options. I've never done it myself yet, but plan to at some point. A few in southern Indiana that are a little further away are the Knobstone Trail (46 mile linear trail - but shuttles available), the Adventure Hiking Trail (22 mile loop) and the Two Lakes Loop Trail (16 mile loop). I'm not sure about options in Ohio close to Cincinnati since I've never really hiked there myself. Good luck!
Mike, (I am in Lawrenceburg, IN) and I take my Boy Scout Troop to East Fork Reservoir each year. That is decent hiking, although a few too many horse trails. Hueston Woods (Oxford, OH) has decent mileage, but relatively flat Adena Trace (Brookville) is good, too. But, if you're looking for primitive backcountry camping, there is not much....pretty hard to come by. You almost have to go to Red River Gorge in KY, or Tecumseh Trail near Nashville, IN
Chris Nutley Thanks for the information. I have been to East Fork several times and I agree it is decent. I usually park at the office and hike to back country site #2. I will look at the other places you mentioned. Thanks again.
Hey David love the video, and all of your videos! Planning on going to Hoosier National Forest for a weekend backpacking trip. Just an over nighter maybe two if we are feeling good. Me and my brothers are going. And I have learned from your videos that that is around the area you are from and I know you've been there multiple times! Just picking an experienced savvy veterans brain here. What do you think is the BEST trail for me and my brothers to hit up. We are all young and in decent shape and love a challenge. So the hardest and most scenic trail there that we can hit up for an over nighter. Let me know what you think! Up for anything! I've done some decent research on the area so I'm pretty familiar so fire away. Again love your videos, hope I get out and enjoy life as much as you do even when I'm your age(no offense).
I've hiked in the Hoosier National Forest a number of times but have only done one backpacking trip there - my very first overnight backpacking trip on the Peninsula Trail - so I'm not certain what the one best backpacking trail is in the whole National Forest. The Peninsula Trail is a nice hike for a first backpacking trip, but it is certainly not challenging (flat, and only 5 miles each way, plus an out-and-back rather than a loop). I've also day-hiked the Sycamore Trail a couple times. It is a loop, a bit longer, has some more challenging terrain, and some really good camping spots, but also not much of a challenge. I haven't done it personally but I've heard good things about the Grubb Ridge Loop - Cope Hollow Trail combo. That would be considerably longer and more challenging, but it could be done as a rather tough overnight trip, or stretch it into two nights. Another option to consider if you're willing to drive a little further is the northern section of the Tecumseh Trail in Morgan Monroe State Forest. A really nice hike with challenging terrain is to start at the northern trailhead at the State Forest headquarters building, hike south for the first ~15 miles of the Tecumseh to the Fox Den Shelter, and then return the next day, either the same 15 miles or shorten it to 8 miles by taking the Orcutt Road (Low Gap Trail) which serves as a 'short cut' back to the HQ area. If you wanted to extend that into two nights you could camp in the Sugar Creek area at 7 miles or so, then out to the Fox Den Shelter for night #2, then back. Whatever you choose, good luck and have a great hike.
That is a Zpacks shoulder strap pouch. It has a fairly 'generic' mounting system so it shouldn't be a problem to use it with any backpack. You can get them at www.zpacks.com in the backpacks section. It looks like they've changed the design a bit since I bought mine, adding a mesh pocket on the outside, but still about the same as what I have.
Yes, I have used it with the BV500 on my Colorado Four Pass Loop trip (video on youtube). I was skeptical at the beginning of that trip as well, and we actually did the first two days with the BV500 strapped to the top of the pack - which worked, but was a pain, especially when I had to pull my rain gear out quickly on a steep section of trail (I wish I would have had that sequence on video, but we were getting poured on with sleet, hail, and rain). But by day #3 we figured out how to make the BV500 work on the inside of the pack - very tight but do-able. The BV500 only fits vertically, but it leaves you enough room that you can pack some small things around the outside.
Cheers - Thanks, I'll check out that video. I currently have the ULA Circuit at 41 oz and was thinking of selling it and getting the blast (21 oz) for a planned JMT this fall - subject to a pending lottery win in the next 5 days. Don't really want to start the JMT after the 12 sept.
The stuff sacks are thin cuben fiber, almost translucent, so the colors aren't very vibrant but they are all different - green is 'kitchen' (coffee, coffee drip filter, fuel canister, lighter, Dr. Bronners soap, etc.), white is 'emergency' (first aid kit, headlamp, duct tape, leukotape, fire starting kit, compass, etc.), blue is personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens stuff, medicine, advil, etc.). Those are the key sacks that I need the color variation for. I also use other stuff sacks for various uses that are duplicate colors of those but the size makes the use obvious - tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.
I really enjoy watching your videos. Thank you. I just went on a day hike in Colter Bay in Grand Teton National park. I could have used a GPS! What do you use as a gps?
Hi David, I have a question about insulated jackets please. Apologies if you have already covered this topic, but do you prefer down or synthetic insulated jackets? I am a day hiker who is currently researching with a view to buying a lightweight insulated jacket for the Autumn (UK!) hiking season. I do quite long day hikes of up to around 15 miles, but no overnight stays. I am quite impressed with the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody and the Mountain Equipment Arete (down) Hoody. However, the UK Autumn is often quite wet, and never having owned a down lightweight jacket before I am concerned about performance if the down got wet, so am also considering synthetic options. I do have a microlight Montane rain jacket which could shield the insulated jacket from the worst of the weather. Any advice would be gratefully received, not necessarily product-specific. I hope you manage to make more great videos soon, I can't get enough of your wonderful countryside!
Wow, some very good questions and a topic I haven't really discussed before. My preference is for down because of it's far superior warmth-to-weight advantage over synthetic as well as it's better size compression, but the big downside to down is precisely what you mentioned - i.e. you REALLY don't want to get it soaked through or it's essentially worthless (same holds for down sleeping bags). You must keep down dry, and if you think you'll be in a situation where that isn't possible then synthetics start to look pretty attractive. I'm so 'moisture protective' of my down gear that I triple protect my sleeping bag against moisture and I would never wear my down jacket while actually hiking unless it was a life threatening situation (because I sweat so much that I would 'wet it out' from the inside fairly quickly - it is only for camp and sleeping in. One other thing to think about that I haven't researched fully is the new generation of 'water resistant' down (e.g. Dri-Down, Q-Shield) which seems to offer a good compromise between traditional down and synthetic.
Wow, some very good questions and a topic I haven't really discussed before. My preference is for down because of it's far superior warmth-to-weight advantage over synthetic as well as it's better size compression, but the big downside to down is precisely what you mentioned - i.e. you REALLY don't want to get it soaked through or it's essentially worthless (same holds for down sleeping bags). You must keep down dry, and if you think you'll be in a situation where that isn't possible then synthetics start to look pretty attractive. I'm so 'moisture protective' of my down gear that I triple protect my sleeping bag against moisture and I would never wear my down jacket while actually hiking unless it was a life threatening situation (because I sweat so much that I would 'wet it out' from the inside fairly quickly - it is only for camp and sleeping in. One other thing to think about that I haven't researched fully is the new generation of 'water resistant' down (e.g. Dri-Down, Q-Shield) which seems to offer a good compromise between traditional down and synthetic.
Thanks David, you make excellent points. In the UK the temperature rarely drops much below freezing point and moisture levels in the air are normally relatively high, so traditional down jackets are problematic. Traditional down tends to work well in Scandinavia and the European Alps where it is usually much colder/drier and down jackets may be worn as an outer or mid layer depending on conditions. I agree that "water resistant" down looks promising, and I've managed to get a Mountain Equipment Arete Down jacket with this specially treated down at half price in the Summer sales, so I'll give this a go. Mountain Equipment describe this as a mid layer, which makes sense. Thanks again :-)
Absolutely. You probably don't even need the bug net. When I was there it was the perfect situation for just a tarp, or even cowboy camping. No threat of rain... no bugs... nice temps.
Hey David. Love your videos! I want to start filming my trips as well. What do you use for video cameras. I have a mirrorless camera for stills but not sure what to get for a video camera. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I currently use a Canon Vixia G30 for the video, but I am starting to look at DSLRs which do a good job with video too. Plus I'd like to upgrade to 4K at the same time. The Vixia G30 is an awesome video camera but it is heavy and not 4K capable. If you're going to start from scratch making videos I'd recommend you look at 4K video cameras - unfortunately, I'm just starting my own research on 4K cameras so I don't really have specific recommendations right now.
What brand of cheese spread do you use?Thanks for all of your helpful videos! Since I live near Denver,CO all those hikes you have been doing i will do too, soon!
Thank you, and I hope you're able to get out and hike all the wonderful trails around you in Colorado. The cheese spread is from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). It's called 'smoked cheddar jack cheese spread' and you can find it in their 'spreads' section. Really pricey ($6.99 each) but really good. When I go solo I divide each package into two and repackage them in a vacuum seal bag - perfect amount for one person and makes it a bit more affordable.
David - I just purchased a used Solplex used. I haven't taken it in the field yet and am a little concerned about room for gear. With your Hexamid Solo-plus, do you have room for your gear? Also, I didn't see you refer to the groundsheet...are you using a Zpacks bathtub floor - or something else?
No zpacks sleeping bag? Hehe. Wow! That's some serious coin. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy my way to ultralight. So happy for you that you can. So much easier. And best of all it looks well used. My only problem with zpacks stuff sacks is they aren't dry bags. At least your liner is one.
I was actually just looking at the Zpacks quilts! :-) But, as you say, really expensive, and hard to justify spending $400+ to save a few ounces - I'll stick with my Montbell. Most of my Zpacks stuff has come from having it on my Xmas and birthday lists every year since I started backpacking, or at least since I discovered them - have my family foot some of the bill!
I've salivated over their door tarps for my hammock most recently. That and an under quilt will do me for a while. Just watching your September CDT loop hike video now. Good stuff!
I have both quilt & zip bag. No dif. in summer, obviously winter is a little tricky pertaining to the quilt. Just IF U GET A Quilt, get the bottom sewn. Don't like sloppy draw cords flopping all over & extra weight of snaps or zippers. With that, the simplicity of the quilt has a slight chance of edging a bag with bulky zippers.
Started with a big Warbonnet tarp, doors & all. Lots of material to flop in the wind & extra bulk. Additionally: the sill nylon does mist (light coat of camo spray paint over ridge fixes). And the multiple tie outs actually get annoying. Now I run $40 Yukon Outfitters tarps. A thicker, more simplistic tarp (Add 4 quick zip line locks)--it works great. Warbonnet sits in box but works well with another person. I don't buy that the doors greatly help--pick a smart place in a ravine out of the wind. Use a shorter hammock.
Most ultralight thru-hikers aren't made of money and do not spend money they don't have on expensive gear. Use what you have, invest in the big three over time, and bring slightly less than what you think you need. Plenty of resources out there to lighten your load. Also, "ultralight" too often becomes "stupid-light."
It fits nearly perfectly to the inside of the 52 liter Arc Blast pack. In fact, I'm confident the Zpacks guys designed it specifically for the dimensions of their packs.
I think the Arc Haul is slight larger but the same depth and width, or close to it. The pack liner is a bit taller height-wise than the Arc Blast so I think it would work perfectly in the Haul.
Hey Dave, haven't seen a video from you in a few months. Will you be doing a "what it eat on the trail" video? Weather in Wisconsin has been warm considering the season. I'm sure I'll be hitting the trail early this year like you. I'm hiking the Ansel Adams Wilderness area this August. Do think the snow will be gone by then? We're doing the same route you did! Pete
Sorry about no videos in a few months. It's been a bit crazy with work. I have a bunch of ideas but just haven't pulled the trigger yet. But there will be a couple gear videos soon, and then the backpacking trip videos will start with my late-April AT hike in the Grayson Highlands.I'm definitely planning on a food video soon. Regarding the Ansel Adams Wilderness trip in August, you should be fine with snow, and I say that even though it's certainly been a very high snow season out there. Altitude is pretty low on that trail (nothing higher than 10,000 feet) in the area that I did it, so you should be fine, even if you were starting as early as late July. But I'm no expert so it probably wouldn't hurt to check the various 'snow depth' reporting stations for that area (just google 'mammoth lakes snow depth' and I'm certain you'll find some sites that keep up-to-date snow depth data).
David Gray, thanks for the update. My nieces and I love watching your videos. You always give us great ideas for our future backpacking trip! We appreciate all your videos and responses to all our questions. Keep up the great work on your videos, I'm sure it's a labor of love!
Hey Dave. Since you've now had your Arc Blast for some time now, wondering what your current thoughts are. I'm going to finally replace my 'vintage' Kelty Red Cloud I bought new about 25 years ago--5.6 pounds, at least 90 liters, seemingly 9' of ground clearance required due to it's height, etc. Albeit a great pack when I bought it, just way too large and heavy for me now. I've been looking at the Arc Blast, along with some Ospreys, ULAs and Gregorys; all in the lightweight or ultralight category. I think you and I are about the same age (50's), so I'd like your thoughts on the overall comfort of the design from someone who still probably enjoys 70's and 80's music :) The ubiquitous reviews on this pack are mainly from the younger folks. What are the things you don't like? Is the size/capacity working for you? Is it showing any significant wear? With some years and miles behind you with this pack, would you buy it again?Unfortunately, I can't just go to the REI in Brentwood, TN and try one on. Thanks for any help on this!
The Arc Blast has been a great pack for me, and it's served me well over the 4 seasons I've used it. The size of the 'old' version that I have (52 liters) is adequate for my needs, though barely when I carry a bear canister. The new version is slightly larger (55 liters) so that would certainly help. But, in any case it is a fairly small pack so keep that in mind if you tend to carry more 'volume'. The comfort of the pack has been good when I keep the loads below 30 pounds or so, but unfortunately with all the camera gear I carry my total load, especially at the beginning of a trip, is generally ~35 pounds, and the pack struggles a bit (the hip belt slides down causing more weight to be carried by my shoulders). I find myself having to 'adjust' the pack fit (lift up the pack, re-tighten hip belt) fairly often. Now, having said that, the shoulder strap and hip belt design of the latest Arc Blast pack design appear to be much different than my old design - and from appearances in the pictures on the Zpacks website the design appears to be more 'robust' in dealing with the exact issue I just described - wider hip belt with multiple tightening straps on each side, and wider shoulder strap/pads. But unfortunately I can't speak to the new design's performance from personal experience - just looks improved to me. Regarding durability, I've had two issues with my Arc Blast - the hip belts started to tear from the bottom of the belt towards the top, where it connected with the body of the pack (though never failed completed), and I created a bunch of holes in the webbing on the back pouch (my own fault, not Zpacks). Eventually, late last year I actually bought a new Arc Blast pack, but after receiving it decided I would try to get my old pack repaired during the off-season, and sent my new pack back to Zpacks. They refunded my money for the new pack, and repaired the old pack at no charge (nice customer support!) - I used the repaired pack all this season and it has held up perfectly. The issues I had with the hip belt tearing would not be a problem with the new pack design - it uses a completely different hip belt design (my pack has a cuben fiber hip belt sewn directly into the pack body - it was at the junction point that my tear developed - I think they changed/improved the design specifically to address issues like what I experienced). What I like most about the Arc Blast is the ridiculously light weight - mine weighs just over a pound. It isn't as comfortable as other packs I've used, but comfort is adequate for me even with heavy loads, and perfectly acceptable when my loads get lighter later in a trip. The one thing I haven't liked about my old design is that I find it difficult to get my water bottle back in the side pouch (about puts my shoulder out of socket, if I'm able to do it at all - often had to do a 'Travis, will you put my water bottle back in the pocket... please?!'). Again, having said that, it appears the new pack design is much improved in this regard to - the water bottle pouch seems much larger and angled to make it more accessible. Bottom line of all this is that I am quite happy with the 'old' design Arc Blast I have, though it is certainly not perfect, and the new design of the Arc Blast appears to have addressed most/all of the issues I experienced with my 'old' design. Would I buy it again...? Maybe! I bought mine at the time because there wasn't really anything else available anywhere near that light weight with a frame system. Packs have been evolving over time, and there may now be packs in the 2 pound range that would provide more comfort with heavier loads. I wouldn't get a pack that weighed much more than 2 pounds.
Wow! This is some great information and will certainly help in my analysis of these type packs. I'm glad that Zpacks apparently continues to make necessary imrovements that result in a better product. Sounds like it needs to stay on my list. Thank you, David! On a final note, how do you like the way this pack vents against your back? I see the claims and I see the design, but do you actually get good ventilation? My back tends to get very hot and sweaty unless I get relief from some air space/ventilation.
I think the ventilation would be fine if I ever used the pack as its intended to be used, that is with the carbon fiber 'frame' arc'd a couple inches. I try to put the arc in the pack but the problem I often run into is that I pack so much stuff into it that it eliminates the arc resulting in the pack sitting essentially flat on my back (i.e. no ventilation). It's never really bothered me, but the back ventilation is certainly poor to non-existent with my use case (i.e. no arc). I could probably spend more time working on making sure the arc stays in place, but I've never worried about it that much.
Thanks! BTW, if you're interested in a winter hike a little south of you where it's warmer shoot me an email. My email is in the 'about' section of my channel, under 'business inquiries.' My channel is mainly used as a backup for our family home videos. So publicly, it's pretty bare! Also one of our daughters, Allie, lives and works in Jackson Hole. If she's not working, she's hiking or doing something outdoors. So, I'd like to get out there to see her and combine that with a hike next year.
Where did you get the pouch that you keep your .5 liter of water in on your shoulder strap? I have been looking for something similar, and haven't found anything.
That shoulder strap bag is a Zpacks 'Shoulder Pouch' which can be found at www.zpacks.com in their Accessories section. I just checked their website and it looks like the design has changed slightly. The shoulder pouch now comes with a small mesh front pocket that can be used to hold small items (or I suppose you could cut it off if you want the 'old-style' design like what I have). The Shoulder Pouch is $25 for one or $45 for two.
Thanks. Love the videos by the way. Planing on taking my daughter, 16 and possibly wife on the Northern Circle trip in Glacier this summer. Your video gave me the idea. We are all first time backpackers, (Starting at 53) although I have plenty of experience being out hunting everything, and sleeping in the snow at -30.
Go for it! The Northern Circle is a bucket-list experience, and taking the whole family would be an incredible bonding, and individual, experience for all of you. Even as a first time experience it's certainly 'do-able'.
I have an old Garmin 60CSX GPS. Still works just fine for my needs. I could get something newer, lighter, better and with more features, but everytime I think about it I just don't think it's worth spending the money on an upgrade. If I was going to buy a new one I'd probably go with the Garmin eTrex 30X (5 ounces) but I haven't researched the latest offerings in a while.
Yes, on some trips I now carry both. It depends on whether I think I'll experience much rain when I'm in camp. In the Sierra Nevada, or a desert trip, etc. I would never expect much rain and wouldn't carry the tarp. In the mountains of Colorado in late July or August, where it is highly likely you'll get a thunderstorm, rain, and hail every afternoon, I will now always carry one (see my Holy Cross Wilderness video to get a feel for that type of weather). In the midwest in summer or fall, when it rarely rains - I would leave the tarp at home. I just think carefully about it prior to each trip, and check the weather forecast, and make the call just before leaving on any trip. So, short answer... it depends!
David Gray makes sense. I saw your Holy Cross video. I'm slowly getting into photography and videography at nearly the age 50. It is a bit daunting. Really makes me appreciate vloggers like yourself and all that goes into it. What software do you use for photo and video editing? I'm a " Mac " guy! Thank you
I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for still picture organization and editing. For video editing I use Sony Vegas Pro, and for high dynamic range (HDR) still picture creation I use SNS-HDR Pro and Photomatix Pro. I'm primarily use Windows-based PC's but I'm starting to play around with a Mac, so we'll see if I end up as a Mac guy too!
I'm still in the planning stages but I can say that I submitted my application for a Wonderland Trail permit (93-miles around Mt. Rainier, WA) at exactly 9:00AM yesterday seconds after the new permit system went online. If I'm successful, and physically capable come September, I'm planning to do the entire Wonderland Trail in mid-September as my 'epic' 2017 hike. As warm up hikes to that I plan to do the Grayson Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail in mid-April 2017 and then my annual western hike with my son Christian and the dogs (not sure where yet as there are many, many complicating factors this year including my daughter being in Boulder for the summer and plans to tie it all in with a family 'camping' trip to Colorado). I'd really like to add in something a bit 'different' this year (North Country Trail, Ozark Mountains, something in Pennsylvania or even upstate New York) but it's looking like I'm going to be seriously 'vacation-day challenged' this year - way too many things I'd like to do and way too few vacation days.
David Gray i have done part of the ozark highland trail in 2001. Got into Poison Ivy. Ugh. My mom had retired to Mountain Home Ar. She has since passed on. Good luck and i will be watching you here!
Thanks for the video David! Nice to get see how you load up your pack. I'm in the process of lightening my pack weight but I can't afford all that zpack lightweight gear so I'm doing what I can "on the cheap". On another note, do you have any western trips planned for this year?
I understand what you're saying with the cost of the Zpacks stuff. I wish it was cheaper - I should be part owner by now! It's been a long process to collect what I have, and it's monopolized my gift lists for a while. Regarding western trips, I'm definitely planning to do at least two in 2017, hopefully 3 if I can figure out a way. I'll do one in August with my son Christian. Not sure where we're going yet but the Wind River Range in Wyoming is one possibility, as is the Weminuche wilderness in Colorado. Still mulling over possibilities. For my big solo trip I'm hoping to do the entire Wonderland Trail in Washington, though I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a permit with the new permit system they're rolling out this year - I guess we'll all get to see how it works out! I will also likely apply for a Glacier NP permit as a backup option. Either way, that trip will certainly be an early to mid-September trip.
David Gray I recommend the North Lake to South Lake loop in the Sierras. I did it last summer and it was a great hike. Real classic Sierra section. Enjoy your videos.
I've actually looked at the Elk Park - Needleton Loop many times, and I'll work it into my plans in the near future. The one problem I have is that my Colorado trips have always been with my dogs, and that creates a problem for the train ride (only 'service' dogs allowed on the train, and my dogs are anything but service dogs!) that is required to complete that loop. I've actually looked at other ways to do the entire loop, or a big chunk of it, without the train but haven't come up with a great option yet. But I will figure out a way to do it soon - perhaps solo or without dogs - and when I go I will definitely be making a video of it (wouldn't want to do all that work and come away without a video!).
Where do you get the Zpacks? I would love to get my camera off my neck while hiking but not have to take my pack/ child off my back to access my camera gear!
The Zpacks website is www.zpacks.com. I think you have to buy their products directly from the website - I've never seen it distributed to any of the major brick-and-mortar places (REI, North Face, Dick's, etc.). Their 4-in-1 pack that I use for the still camera is really nice, and very versatile. You can check out all the ways you can use it on their website. My only wish is that it was larger, or that they had options for larger sizes - I'd love to use it for my video camera but it isn't large enough.
No, but I probably should start making a habit of that. A number of people have asked me the same question. I do keep track of my gear for each trip using a free app called Gram Weenie, and according to it I was right about 27 pounds for my Rocky Mountain National Park trip in September 2017, which I think was pretty accurate. I was carrying some 'luxury' items on that trip (e.g. hammock for lounging around, extra tarp, etc.) so my pack was a few pounds heavier than I could easily get it down too. But that doesn't include my camera gear, which adds about another 12 pounds (ouch!).
About 20-25 pounds, minus the camera gear. The cameras and associated photo gear for a typical trip add a whopping 10 pounds or so (two cameras, tripod, extra batteries, microphones, filters, shutter release, etc.). Thus, total weight including camera gear is between 30-35 pounds depending on the specifics of that trip (i.e. how many days... with or without dogs... with other people... time of year... etc.). I've been researching cameras that can do a good job of both stills and video so that I can shed half my camera gear weight (or perhaps more than half), and there are starting to be some good alternatives now, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet due to the cost - $5000+ for the Sony Alpha R3 and lens that I would like to get.
Actually, the 20-25 pounds is my total pack weight which includes all my 'consumables' (food, water, fuel, etc.). My normal base weight (for the gear alone) is probably right around 10 pounds, depending on the specifics of the trip. My minimum base weight is well under 10 pounds on a solo trip without dogs - ZPacks Arc Blast pack, Hexamid Solo shelter, etc.
'Controversial' may be a bit strong, but I've found there are generally two schools of thought on weather protection for your pack - use it in the inside... or use it on the outside (i.e. pack cover). I actually do both, which is what I labeled 'controversial' (or perhaps 'overkill' might be what some might call it. The protection I use on the inside of my pack - a Zpacks cuben fiber pack liner, basically a huge dry bag - is far superior to a pack cover in terms of effectively keeping my gear dry, but the pack liner adds another layer of protection, and, more importantly, keeps my pack and all the stuff on the outside of it from getting soaked which can add more weight than you might think.
I actually buy the cheese spread from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). You can find it in their 'spreads' section. It's basically freeze-dried cheese and various spices - very tasty.
Have you considered getting a poncho/tarp such as the Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp/Poncho (www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Ultra-Sil%26reg%3B+Nano+Tarp+Poncho&o1=0&o2=0&o3=189-41). This one item serves up to four different purposes: (1) pack cover, (2) rain gear, (3) tarp, and (4) ground cloth. I use one and it is excellent for all of these purposes. I notice that you currently pack a separate pack cover, rain pants and jacket, and tarp so this may be something you may want to consider. The only issue you may have being so tall is that your lower legs may stick out from underneath the poncho. If that is the case, you could still carry your rain pants but drop everything else mentioned above.
My base weight varies depending on the type of trip - solo... with dogs... with dogs and my son... a trip with other people... - but my lightest base weight would be a solo trip without dogs, and for that type of trip it would be around 10 pounds. But that doesn't take into account my camera gear, which adds about another 12 pounds! (ouch). Also, lately I've been taking more 'luxury' items, like the extra cuben fiber tarp and hammoock, which add a little over a pound making my base weight on those trips closer to 11 or 12 pounds. Two of the main gear items that can add up to quite a bit of weight, my backpack and shelter, and both very light (just over one pound each) so if I set my mind to it I could probably get my base weight, and entire packout weight, down to a respectable level. But my entire kit, minus camera gear, weighs 23-25 pounds for a five day trip which is perfectly acceptable for me.
When I go backpacking I use a Canon Vixia G30 for video and a Nikon D700 with 20mm Nikkor f2.8 Nikkor prime lens for the stills. To make the Gear Explosion video I also used a Canon Vixia G10 as a secondary camera for the green screen clip.
I checked out z-pacs website oh my I might be able to afford one thing from there. It's so expensive for tents and packs. I'm poor. I guess I cant run with the big boys.😢😢
Almost all of my cuben fiber stuff sacks were purchased from Zpacks (www.zpacks.com). I have a few that I've purchased from other suppliers, but the Zpacks bags are perfect for my needs, and the price is about as low as you'll find (though still really expensive). Except for my initial purchase, which was for a few stuff sacks, I tend to purchase them one at a time, after a specific need has arisen during a trip.
Great video, thanks. Thoughtfully filmed. I'm going to rethink the conventional wisdom of putting the heaviest items at the bottom of my pack from now on. A GPS is an essential item on long remote hikes. Love stuffsacks - they take the stress out of looking for stuff:) Please advise the weight of your 'exploded' load?
My pack weight varies depending on the type of trip I'm doing (e.g. solo... with my son and dogs... with other people...) but for a solo trip, like my Rocky Mountain National Park Trip, my pack weight at the beginning was probably about 25-27 pounds. Remember, to that I have to add about 12 pounds of camera gear. Also, I was carrying quite a few 'luxury' pieces of gear on that trip - hammock, extra tarp, etc.. If I was really to set my mind to doing a solo, maximum ultralight trip without 'extras' I have no doubt I could easily keep my pack weight under 25 pounds.
Cool, thanks for that. The camera kit sure adds up! Yeah, I like to sneak in some luxuries too - provided I know I can carry them - usually some real food for the first couple of days (provided it's not too hot).
Yes, the price I pay for making TH-cam videos! As we enter the 4K video era I've actually been looking into options that would allow me to not only capture 4K video but also get down to one camera that can both take excellent stills and excellent 4K video. Unfortunately, I don't feel the current technology is quite there yet. The Sony A99 II comes the closest in my opinion, but not quite what I'm looking for, at least for the $3K+ pricetag (plus having to buy a lens - ouch!). I'll stick with what I have for now.
Hamhock has not posted on their Facebook site since 2014, and their item is not available at Amazon. As another commentator mentioned Packit Gourmet has one weighing 1.4oz/39.7gm www.packitgourmet.com/CookinCozy.html. I have an Optimus (H)eat (2.7oz/76.5gm) available from Amazon, Walmart (a few left), no longer at REI. There are many youTube videos that show a DIY version.
I know that the Hamhock Outdoor Gear version is no longer available. A while back I received a direct message from the daughter of the owner/founder of Hamhock, and she informed me that he had passed away and that the cozy would no longer be available. Sad. Last year I purchased a cozy on Amazon from Big Sky International called the 'Insulite Pouch', but I just checked Amazon and they are no longer available either! Too bad too because the Big Sky International cozy is great - it's still what I'm using on the trail. I actually made a couple myself prior to searching for a commercial version - I never really liked the DIY versions, and wanted something a bit more durable.
Have you heard of the Buffalo Windshirt that is from the UK? I just heard about it and it doesn't have any dwr from what I can tell. I think you were looking for one like that. They also have Buffalo fleece type shirts that you can wear under it. th-cam.com/video/QU3O5G9Rm3o/w-d-xo.html www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/buffalo-mens-windshirt-A1612002.html www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/?gender=&activity=hiking-trekking&insulation=&system=
No, I'd never heard of the Buffalo windshirt but I'll certainly take a look. I'm also interested in a nice, lightweight fleece layer as well so I'll check that out too. I have a Patagonia R1 fleece pullover but the fit is a bit uncomfortable for my body shape (i.e. grande!).
Hi David,
Thank you for your videos. Please keep them coming! I like the videos of your trips, and If you get the itch to do more gear videos, I would love to watch. Things like pack evolution, and how you arrived at your current set up through trial and error etc. are fun to watch!
Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing! Just found your channel last week really good stuff! You have your gear dialed in nicely especially what works best for you, i really like your setup. I'm planning to purchase an arc blast or arc haul soon. The zpacks packs seem to have everything you need and nothing you dont. My hiking gear weighs enough as it is and a lightweight pack would really help. I like the fact its practically a dry bag and the shoulder straps and waistbelt are nicely padded and the arc system itself is a nice feature, keeping your back cool is important. I started out hiking years ago using the osprey stratos and the back arc and mesh was a big deal for me at the time. Since then i've tried a ton of other packs out there some of which i do like and some i dont, but its boiling down to pulling the trigger a a zpacks pack at this point. I happy with the rest of my gear im just always in search of the right pack. Although zpacks ditty bags and dry bags seem pretty nice too. Single wall tents just arent my thing but to each his or hers own right. Gonna check out more of your content. Happy hiking!
Great gear show! I have a lot of the same gear, I love my ArcBlast 52 also, mine has strap right below the front mesh pocket. That's where I strap my Therm-A-Rest Z-Seat. The thing I like about it being there is when I take off my pack and set it on the ground it helps it stand up if I'm not going to use it to set on. I also keep my Duplex in the front mesh pocket (or my ZPacks tarp w/doors when using my hammock). This way it's the first think I grab if it's raining. I'm no trying to tell you how to pack, after watching some of your video I've learned much. Thanks for sharing, I think I'll go watch the Holy Cross Wilderness video now.
I really enjoy how you make your video's, you put humor and a lot of good info. Thank you for sharing what you carry.
Another great video David . I to am slowly getting to ultralight gear. I'm 62 and retired but still blessed to be able to backpack. If my wife knew what I spent to "go ultralight " she would freak out. Hundreds of miles under my belt and cant wait till March to get out there again. If your travels take you to RRG, let me know , I know the area very well and am always looking for someone to hike with, my wife and adult kids freak out when I head out alone and I tell them rarely are you alone because the trails are full of good people , probably safer than the streets of Louisville, keep up the hiking!
This is a very good gear video. It is not too long and gives just enough information about your stuff. I could watch it without skipping forward because you, in essence, did that for me. Thanks for your perspective on equipment. Somewhere in there I think I heard something about "Z Packs".
Thank you for the nice feecback. Yes, there may have been a few Zpacks references along the way! :-). I've since moved away from the Zpacks Arc Blast pack (the main load bearing strap failed before the 2019 Yellowstone trip), but I'm still using the Zpacks Hexamid Solo Plus shelter, Zpacks rain gear, and Zpacks cuben stuff sacks. And I've actually switched from the Montbell super-stretch sleeping bag to the Zpacks 20degF bag (great sleeping bag, and actually 1/4 pound lighter than the 30degF Montbell bag I had in this video). No, I'm not a rep for Zpacks or affiliated in any way with them, but they make great gear at a relatively good price (though it seems they're getting more expensive the more popular they become - they were much less expensive when I first discovered them years ago). It's probably time for me to look into other 'cottage' gear companies that are more 'hungry' than Zpacks - there are a bunch of great ones out there.
David, it's good to see you do another video. I purchased the z-packs "arc-haul" pack and the eno ultralight hammock after your last gear video, thanks for the inspiration. Both are great. Looking forward to your next adventure. You're still #1 in the outdoor videos. Thanks, jeff in Colorado.
Excellent as always. I could not do anything in 2016 after snapping my ankle in June and having to cancel 2 trips I had planned. However, your videos made me smile and gave me something to look forward this year.
Thanks for another informative posting.
Z Packs was the key to getting my base done to 9 lbs. As a hammock guy, my big three are ZPacks Arcblast in Cuben, ENO Technest & Helios suspension with ZPacks tarp and Kevlar ridgeline. Two 900 fill down top/under quilts come to 4lbs 8 oz.
Found the arcblast in Cuben to be sturdy and waterproof so following a practical experiment on a stormy three nighter, ditched the Cuben pack liner and stuff sacks for quilts and tarp to save total of 14 oz. For just 14 oz penalty, may return to the convenience.
Thanks for sharing. Greg
You are such a good resource for information! I’ve used the hydration and recovery products you recommended and they have been a game changer! Thanks David!
Nice Video David! I am a bit of a gear junkie and I had a bad habit of overpacking duplicates (2 hats, 2 flashlights, socks, cordage bundles, etc) , and I moved to stuff sacks as a way to force myself to trim those items and more. I like Sea-to-Summit bags because they have a wide range of bright colors, easily visible in low-light. My stuff sacks: Orange is food, Blue is clothing, Red is Fire and First Aid, Green is my Kitchen. A place for everything, and everything in its place. It really helped me be more disciplined about what I pack.
I suspect alot of people who have "engineering-type" minds, are the same way in that regard.
Nice gear, well organized !! I had that same pac for a while, good pac , but doesn't do well above 30 lbs . thanks for sharing !!
Thanks David! My son is going on his 1st 10 day back packing trip in New Mexico (we live in VA) and I nervous for him. Your videos are comforting and I have referred to this one several times when helping him pack for training hikes.
Wow, a 10 day trip. Good for him. I love New Mexico and would love to get there for a trip of my own someday soon. I know what you mean about being nervous, as well as having information like what is contained in youtube videos (my own as well as many other people's) helping to manage the 'nerves'. From my own experience being prepared and informed is the best way to make sure that backpacking trips are a positive, enjoyable experience, and more importantly, safe.
Always glad to see your videos. Thanks for adding some early January content! My only suggestion is that it seems your "emergency bag" is not as readily accessible as it could be.
David liked your video I also use stuff sacks works for me i am just getting back in to backpacking again I use to do it 20 years ago. I am 58 I have a new lease on life I can't wait I am getting all new gear it's fun
Haa, haa...I'm 57 and just restarting myself. Good luck out there!
I'm 54 and getting back into back packing as well. Seems to be a common theme :) Cheers
Same here. 54 and started again 4 years ago. haven't done it since i was 20. loving it.
Kelly Burdette i'm 15 and i hope to still be backpacking well into my 70s
The mesh pouch on the bag is a must have for me. I hammock camp in Florida and with the humidity , Dew or Rain everything exposed is guaranteed to be wet. The cuben fiber rain fly , water system and anything that is wet goes in there. Inside the pack my hammock and everything else is dry and stays dry. The Z-Packs Cuben Fiber pack liner is a nice luxury item. With it you know your gear will stay dry. I also like the Z-Packs Bear ( Food ) Bag , holds a lot and weighs very little. My kitchen bag is small but bright orange so there is no way it can be misplaced.
Best Gear Video Explosion on TH-cam..straight to the point !! Thank you David !
Great information, very useful. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Dave, I really enjoy your videos. It's nice to see someone from Indiana on here. Avon is where I roam. I'm new to all of this and just getting started. My gear list is about complete(for now) with only a few decisions to make with sleeping gear. I hope to see you on some local trails in 2017. You and your dogs seem to be a blast. Thanks, Brian
Great video! Love looking through other peoples gear for new ideas!
From Central IL here. I'd put the insulated blow-up pad in the hammock. I run a 25" wide well-insulated Exped mummy-shaped pad in my lightweight hammock. The mummy shape & 25" is nice for particular air placement underneath you while in the hammock. If I need to go to the ground I can set the pad straight on the hammock & a tarp as highlighted over top. Been using custom Z-Packs pack liners as my main rucksack, strapped to my ULA Epic suspension & no troubles with wet stuff. Shout out to Z-Packs for my custom-sized liners. (so the liner inside the pack might be a little overkill, but hey--peace-of-mind counts. Most of my little sub-bags are pretty water tight, as I imagine yours are, so it's pretty water safe. But your pack system could float down a river a little longer than mine. (Lol hopefully not..) Imagine being from the Midwest we use similar ways to get out to the trails. I never even use a car--just try to find trail systems close enough to planes, trains, & buses--& minimize the road walking. I'm always open to some good expedition suggestions? I am working on a map that links all the trains, buses, planes, and trails. It will take me forever. See you out there! And thanks for highlighting the camera gear. I am trying to learn what to make good pictures and video with. The pic of the garage helped me get an idea. Thanks for all the work to bring these places to people. It is very important. I hope to make a big adventure movie someday with some awesome places and maybe even a bit of a Hollywood-style plot.
Nice job David really get a lot out of your stuff,have a great year
Awesome look at your gear and how you pack it, thanks David!
With all those water bags I would suggest you do a gravity water filter once you hit camp. Let it do the work while you set up camp & relax after a long day on the trail.
I'm seriously thinking about getting a gravity system for this upcoming season. I really like the idea of hanging it and just letting it do it's thing!
With the Big Zip and Sawyer you are 66% there already.
I can absolutely second this opinion that gravity water filtering is the way to go. That is the one system that works well for all occasions: 1L water bottles or bags, 2L water bottles or bags, 3L water bladders and bags, and then just having the "Dirty" bag filled with water overnight ready for filtering before you hit the trail the next morning. Easy, quick, hands free, and the most efficient water filtering system that exists in my opinion.
That was a very interesting pack show-and-tell. Thanks for not going through an itemized account of every piece of gear; that gets a little fatiguing. I will give some thought to a bag system for my bag now. Thanks!
Thanks David for the video on the pack explosion very informative well done
I do the same thing with 'organization": fire/cooking (red), water filter etc (blue), food (usually several 1 gal freezer bags so I can see bfast, lunch and dinner, large zipock bag for clothing. FAK is its own bundle. I also have a 'hygene" bag - I keep washing and potty stuff separate from everything else. I also use a hamock (skeeter beater pro), a warbonnet fly, a snugpack sleeping bag and maybe a pad of some kind. But the idea is everything is compartmentalized.
Well, we now know who paid Joe's Christmas bonus! LOL. I hope to graduate to Zpacks someday but I'm just trying to find the time to get out and go. Happy New Year!
great to meet you this weekend at low gap parking lot. Enjoy the at hike!
Thank you, John. It was great seeing you this weekend as well. It never ceases to amaze me when this virtual youtube world merges with the real world! Enjoy your Uinta Mountains Highline Trail hike. After talking with you I did some research on the Highline Trail and I'm certainly adding it to my destination 'wish list' - looks awesome.
If you need a hiking buddy in the area hit me up some time.
Great video...very helpful for a newbie or anyone....good reasons for how you do it....thanks for sharing that !!!
Nice gear and system. I like stuff sacks also. Take care, Al
Thanks for another great video. We look forward to seeing all your trips. My wife and I did 2 weeks in RMP in late august early September. Lots of short overnight trips, it was incredible. We did the same loop as you did only in the opposite way, Tonohutu to Renegade, flat top to north inlet falls and out to the car. spent most of our time on day 2 saying we were happy to be going down all those switchbacks and not up. quite a wonderful trip. please keep up posting your incredible trips. We are Indy born Florida transplants longing for the mountain trips your videos depict so well.
Thanks for sharing. how about a video on the famous Cheddar Cheese Spread?
I'm glad you were able to get to RMNP and do that same loop. You're description of all the campsites brings back fond memories. Ahhh... a cheese spread video. I hadn't thought of that one. I'm afraid it would probably be a pretty short video, because I actually buy the stuff from a company called Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). I think all I'd be able to show is opening the package, putting in some water, waiting 30 minutes or so, and eating it (which is already seen on just about every video). But, hey, any excuse to consume some more cheese spread is a great idea to me!
Very helpful video to see your gear and process, thanks!
That's was a funny start. Good job man!
Keep em comming David. This downtime is killer. Lol
David left you another PM. thanks for the info. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Regarding the tripod, I just did a trip in Colorado and tried the Trailpix Trekking Pole tripod, was surprisingly impressed. It worked really well even for timelapse in wind and weighs only 2.4oz.
Hmmm... interesting. I'd never heard of the Trailpix, but I'll certainly check it out. The 2.4oz weight definitely caught my attention! I love the Sirui T-025X I'm currently using, but not it's 1.5 pound weight. Thank you for the heads up.
Well, I checked out the Trailpix, and I ordered one! Stability doesn't look to be an issue, and they even have an accessory available to allow you to use ARCA-mount system that I use for both of my cameras (quick mount plate system) so I bought that too. I'm not sure how easy or quick it will be to use out in the field, but I'm willing to give it a try on my next trip to see how well it will work for me. Again, thank you very much for pointing out the Trailpix tripod system to me (oh, and for watching the video!).
Glad to help. It was definitely nice to leave the tripod in the car. Now i just need someone to invent a 2.4oz bear canister...lol.
Great organization! You must have been a military man :). I had to take a picture of the chart you placed in the video...thank you for that.
No, not military, but you almost need (or develop) that sort of precision when it comes to your gear. I took a couple of early backpacking trips prior to working on getting organized and it was sort of a stressful mess (forgot key stuff... couldn't find things easily... etc.). Backpacking, especially solo backpacking, can be stressful enough on it's own - adding even more unnecessary stress can lead to all sorts of potentially dangerous 'bad things' happening.
Great video my wife and I are getting into hiking and trying to figure what we need and don’t need
not sure if someone already mentioned it, but what about bear spray? sometimes i'll go around my water bottle a few times with duct tape- always handy to have a little bit of tape for a backcountry curve ball. great videos, please keep sharing.
I do carry bear spray but only when I'm in grizzly territory (e.g. Glacier). I also always carry duct tape in my 'emergency' bag - typically wrapped around a medicine bottle that I have filled with 'fire starter' cotton balls. I'll have some more videos coming out soon, both gear videos and the start of my 2017 trips. Thank you for watching!
I also live in central Indiana on the south side of Indy. You have great videos. I just started Backpacking about two and a half years ago. I am also into bushcraft and survival. Would love to go backpacking sometime with you or find a group to go. I am trying to train to hike high miles.
Fantastic video! Two questions. What bag did you use to protect your pack on the flight to Denver? Also, let us know if you figure out a lightweight solution to taking photos/video on the trail. Your photos and videos are stunning, but at 5'4", I don't want to take on the extra added weight. BTW, I'm going on a 5-day trip to RMNP this July 16-20 with a group that Andrew Skurka organized. We'll be covering some of the same terrain as you did on your Day2 and Day3. Your video was a great introduction to some of what we have to look forward to. Thank you! I look forward to watching more.
The bag I use to protect my pack while flying is a simple army surplus duffel bag. I actually have two - one for me and one for my son Christian when we go together. They're nearly identical, and I bought them for about $15-$20 each - the first one in Fairbanks, Alaska when I traveled there for work and my suitcase disintegrated, and the other at a local Indianapolis surplus store. I'm still using my heavy Canon Vixia G40 video camera and Nikon D810 DSLR, but I am really looking seriously at the Sony Alpha A7r III - the only roadblock being the $5,000 I would need for the camera body and 12-24mm lens I want! (but seriously, that does look like the ideal camera and lens for my needs, and I really am trying to figure out how to get one eventually - hopefully the price comes down or I get one used on Ebay, like I have for almost all my camera gear).
Is the z-packs bottomless? Wow. I need a new backpack. Going to have to check this one out!
David, really enjoy your videos! Let us know when you think your next trip video will post, spring is sprung :)
Please do more gear videos! Shoes, clothes, food, etc. maybe some detail reviews on the items in each of your sacks.
I promise that I'll do more. I have plans for a number of gear videos... with the audio 'scripts' running through my head in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping... but my 'day job' has sadly consumed my time and attention over the last few months of winter this year. But I'll get to them at some point soon.
David Gray looking forward to them!
I love your videos! I am planning a 4 night loop in Ansel Adams wilderness. Your vid helped me do some planning.
Thank You
Happy 2017 Adventures.
Thanks for the video!!! You ever tried pullouts, from kifaru? or the zip drybags from kuiu? They are lightweight, and work great for gear organization.
Love your videos! My son is backpacking for 10 days in New Mexico next week....the debate among adult advisers is camp shoes/shoes for light hiking .... they are advising to pack running shoes. I'm thinking closed toed Crocs (for airing out feet, rainy weather).....would love to know what you'd pick if you had to choose between sneakers or crocs for only other shoes besides boots. They will cover 80 miles in 10 days. Thank you!
For camp shoes I'd choose Crocs over sneakers every time. The weight difference is substantial and the Crocs are super-simple and comfortable. Good for river crossings too if they have any of those. Actually, though I have, and use, Crocs on occasion (2017 Dolly Sods Wilderness trip for example) my camp shoe of choice now are UnShoes (www.unshoesusa.com). They weigh about half as much as Crocs, and work well for me. Tell your son 'good luck' from me - that sounds like a great adventure for him, and he'll likely never forget it.
As usual another great post and such good information. Please keep on sharing. So what is your pack weight with a bear can like a bv500? How difficult and also how did you fit your bearcan and all your stuff into that pack?
Thank you
I'm wondering how you chose your hexamid plus tent over some of the other options from zpacks. I have thought that the hexamid was the best option also but I'm starting to think of going with the duplex. it is a similar weight with more room and a built in bathtub floor.
The various Zpacks 'Plex' tents weren't available when I purchased my Hexamid. If they would have been available at the time I probably would have gone with the Altaplex (it's a 'tall' tent, and at 6' 4" I can use all the extra room I can get). But it would have been a toss up between the Altaplex and the Duplex. The hexamid has been great, but the sewn in bathtub floor of the Plex tents would be awesome.
Nice gear list. thanks for the video.
happy new year David.
Starting my first backpacking adventure in Aug to Big Sandy... while researching I found your video and have enjoyed you other videos too. Thank you for sharing your adventures. I wanted to ask how long did it take you to build your current gear list as zpack is not cheap? I also wanted to get your take on water shoes vs the camp shoes you currently use. Are they because they are lighter than water shoes and or more comfortable? it also looks like in your other videos that you vacuum seal your own food, how does that stack up to weight compared to freeze dried meals?
I started backpacking in 2010 and I've basically been 'tweaking' my gear that entire time, one purchase at a time usually. Getting started is certainly the biggest one-time expense, or at least it was for me because I didn't have any gear at all - had to buy pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and everything else. I didn't start with any Zpacks stuff at all - in fact, hadn't even heard of them until 2015 or so. I discovered them about the same time I was really trying to lighten up my gear (something everyone goes through I think after suffering with early heavy packs!), and about the same time I discovered cuben fiber. First purchase (I think) was just some cuben stuff sacks, which I may have bought when looking at their Arc Blast pack (just a little over a pound - nice!). But you're right... it gets expensive really fast so I built it up slowly, and through using Birthday and Xmas gifts to get stuff using money that was going to be spent on gifts anyway. For camp/water shoes, I actually did purchase some water shoes once but they were way heavier than the various camp shoes I was using back then - Crocs (heaviest), UnShoes, and the current Xeroshoe Z-trails I use currently 6+ ounces each. I'd love to find something lighter but the Z-Trails work well, and they're durable enough I could hike in them if necessary. I can't comment on comfort since I've never really given water shoes a fair try, but the Z-Trails are plenty comfortable for me, but probably not as comfortable as a water shoe (just guessing though). I have vacuum sealed various meals over time, now doing that primarily for breakfasts (cereal with Nedo instant milk powder). In terms of weight, it will depend on what you're vacuum sealing, but in my experience the vacuum sealed meals are always much heavier than a Mountain House freeze-dried meal - I would always eat the vacuum sealed meals first because they were usually 2X heavier than MH meals (but again, depends on what meals you're vacuum sealing). The real advantage of vacuum sealing is that you can make tastier/healthier/better meals with any ingredients you want, plus they generally take up less room in the pack.
Very good video. Very good assortment of backpacking gear. Not cheap though. I liked it so much I just subscribed to your channel and gave you a like. I also care with me a piece of close cell foam pad to sit on. There’s nothing better and lighter. How much does your backpack weights with all that? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.
I actually have the Thermarest Z sit pad (foam sitting pad). Cheap, light, and one of my favorite pieces of gear. I keep it in the bag of the pack for any occasion when we stop to sit on rocks, downed trees, etc.. My pack weight varies by the type of trip I'm doing, season, etc. but for the 'kit' I showed in the pack explosion video it was probably a bit under 25 pounds fully loaded, not including camera gear. But when I add all the camera gear - camera, lens, microphone, tripod, spare batteries, filters, etc. it's certainly over 30 pounds. I try to keep things as light as I can to offset the extra weight of the camera gear, but I am certainly NOT ultralight!
Great video David. Thanks for sharing.
Hello and thank you for some great videos. We are heading to glacier this summer. Can you tell me the exact measurements of your thermarest Neoair sleeping pad. I see they have a 20x72 or 25x77
I have two Neoair sleeping pads. The 'normal' yellow one and the NeoAir 'XTherm'. I can't recall the exact dimensions of either of them but they are both the largest size available so probably the 25X77. I'm a very large person (6'4", 240lbs) and I typically sleep very poorly in general, and especially so when the the wilderness, so anything I can do to make my sleep better (i.e.BIG, soft, warm sleeping pad) is many well-spent and weight well-carried. I'm sure I have the 25X77 size.
David, once again, a great video. have you ever tried hammock camping? I spend a fair amount of time in the woods as well, switched to Hammocks several years ago, will never go back to tents. This year spent 9 days in the Canadian boundary waters. Need to hook up sometime, I'm in south central Indiana, we can hike the Tecumseh
I do own a Warbonnet Blackbird hammock but the only times I've used it have been in my front yard. And I'm kind of kicking myself for getting the wrong size Blackbird - I bought the regular length but at 6'4" I really should have bought the XL version. In my front yard tryouts I've found the regular length to be a bit cramped. I do plan to pull the trigger on some hammock outings, but just haven't done it yet. I'd love to get together and do the Tecumseh, but it will probably have to wait until the spring time.
After 6+ years of sleeping on the ground I recently pulled the trigger on the Blackbird XLC (I am 6'2'') single layer, and got a cuben fiber tarp. It is the way to go! I don't think I'll ever go back to ground sleeping.
I made the switch this year to hammock and if there is a tree I am using it while camping.
Good job Dave. I hope Z Packs has you on their Xmas card list. Or at least sends you a few free stickers. :)
No Xmas cards, but plenty of stickers. Unfortunately, they weren't really free - they put one in each box they send me so I have a fairly nice stack of them now, but at a cost!
Enjoy your videos. Do you have any trips planned, yet for this year? Have you ever thought about the Ozarks or The Long Trail in Vermont?
The only firm trip I have planned right now is the Grayson Highlands on the Appalachian Trail in late April. My son Christian and I will take another trip together in August, but I'm still working on where we'll go - I'm considering the Wind River Range in Wyoming as well as various destinations in Colorado (Weminuche Wilderness, Zirkel Wilderness, etc.). For my big solo trip I would really like to do the entire 93-mile Wonderland Trail in Washington but I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a permit with the new permit system they will put in place this year. I'll also apply for a Glacier National Park permit as a 'backup' in case the Wonderland permit doesn't happen (not a bad ''backup'!). Regarding the Ozarks and the Long Trail, I have actually thought about both, and want to get to both of them sometime soon. I've read a couple trip reports about the Highland Trail in the Ozarks and it really peaked my interest. I absolutely love Vermont, and the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail through Vermont has always been on my 'list'. Too many places to go and not nearly enough vacation!
Your videos are excellent. I live in the Cincinnati area. Do you have any suggestions for a good weekend hike in southern Indiana or southern Ohio? I plan on doing a section hike on the AT late spring and was looking for somewhere relatively close to do a few practice hikes. I also started using the MSR drip filter. It is much better than instant. Believe it or not, when I was much younger I carried a coffee pot.
One suggestion close to Cincinnati is the Adena Trace trail around the Brookville reservoir. It's a 25-mile loop with a couple camping options. I've never done it myself yet, but plan to at some point. A few in southern Indiana that are a little further away are the Knobstone Trail (46 mile linear trail - but shuttles available), the Adventure Hiking Trail (22 mile loop) and the Two Lakes Loop Trail (16 mile loop). I'm not sure about options in Ohio close to Cincinnati since I've never really hiked there myself. Good luck!
Mike,
Check out Lake Vesuvius (in WNF). There is also Zaleski state forest too.
Mike, (I am in Lawrenceburg, IN) and I take my Boy Scout Troop to East Fork Reservoir each year. That is decent hiking, although a few too many horse trails.
Hueston Woods (Oxford, OH) has decent mileage, but relatively flat
Adena Trace (Brookville) is good, too.
But, if you're looking for primitive backcountry camping, there is not much....pretty hard to come by. You almost have to go to Red River Gorge in KY, or Tecumseh Trail near Nashville, IN
Chris Nutley Thanks for the information. I have been to East Fork several times and I agree it is decent. I usually park at the office and hike to back country site #2. I will look at the other places you mentioned. Thanks again.
Schillke1 Thanks, I will give it a look.
Hey David love the video, and all of your videos! Planning on going to Hoosier National Forest for a weekend backpacking trip. Just an over nighter maybe two if we are feeling good. Me and my brothers are going. And I have learned from your videos that that is around the area you are from and I know you've been there multiple times! Just picking an experienced savvy veterans brain here. What do you think is the BEST trail for me and my brothers to hit up. We are all young and in decent shape and love a challenge. So the hardest and most scenic trail there that we can hit up for an over nighter. Let me know what you think! Up for anything! I've done some decent research on the area so I'm pretty familiar so fire away. Again love your videos, hope I get out and enjoy life as much as you do even when I'm your age(no offense).
I've hiked in the Hoosier National Forest a number of times but have only done one backpacking trip there - my very first overnight backpacking trip on the Peninsula Trail - so I'm not certain what the one best backpacking trail is in the whole National Forest. The Peninsula Trail is a nice hike for a first backpacking trip, but it is certainly not challenging (flat, and only 5 miles each way, plus an out-and-back rather than a loop). I've also day-hiked the Sycamore Trail a couple times. It is a loop, a bit longer, has some more challenging terrain, and some really good camping spots, but also not much of a challenge. I haven't done it personally but I've heard good things about the Grubb Ridge Loop - Cope Hollow Trail combo. That would be considerably longer and more challenging, but it could be done as a rather tough overnight trip, or stretch it into two nights. Another option to consider if you're willing to drive a little further is the northern section of the Tecumseh Trail in Morgan Monroe State Forest. A really nice hike with challenging terrain is to start at the northern trailhead at the State Forest headquarters building, hike south for the first ~15 miles of the Tecumseh to the Fox Den Shelter, and then return the next day, either the same 15 miles or shorten it to 8 miles by taking the Orcutt Road (Low Gap Trail) which serves as a 'short cut' back to the HQ area. If you wanted to extend that into two nights you could camp in the Sugar Creek area at 7 miles or so, then out to the Fox Den Shelter for night #2, then back. Whatever you choose, good luck and have a great hike.
David Gray Well I will take all that into consideration! Thank you very much sir
Hey David, what is the shoulder strap bag that you keep your water in? I'm looking for one and that looks perfect.
That is a Zpacks shoulder strap pouch. It has a fairly 'generic' mounting system so it shouldn't be a problem to use it with any backpack. You can get them at www.zpacks.com in the backpacks section. It looks like they've changed the design a bit since I bought mine, adding a mesh pocket on the outside, but still about the same as what I have.
Great, thanks David. I cant get bottles back in my side pockets without dislocating my shoulder first so this will be great.
Really like the pack size. Have you tried it with the bear can BV500? I assume somthing has to give?
Yes, I have used it with the BV500 on my Colorado Four Pass Loop trip (video on youtube). I was skeptical at the beginning of that trip as well, and we actually did the first two days with the BV500 strapped to the top of the pack - which worked, but was a pain, especially when I had to pull my rain gear out quickly on a steep section of trail (I wish I would have had that sequence on video, but we were getting poured on with sleet, hail, and rain). But by day #3 we figured out how to make the BV500 work on the inside of the pack - very tight but do-able. The BV500 only fits vertically, but it leaves you enough room that you can pack some small things around the outside.
Cheers - Thanks, I'll check out that video. I currently have the ULA Circuit at 41 oz and was thinking of selling it and getting the blast (21 oz) for a planned JMT this fall - subject to a pending lottery win in the next 5 days. Don't really want to start the JMT after the 12 sept.
A very interesting video, although I must admit I couldn't see much colour variation in your stuff sacks!
The stuff sacks are thin cuben fiber, almost translucent, so the colors aren't very vibrant but they are all different - green is 'kitchen' (coffee, coffee drip filter, fuel canister, lighter, Dr. Bronners soap, etc.), white is 'emergency' (first aid kit, headlamp, duct tape, leukotape, fire starting kit, compass, etc.), blue is personal hygiene kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens stuff, medicine, advil, etc.). Those are the key sacks that I need the color variation for. I also use other stuff sacks for various uses that are duplicate colors of those but the size makes the use obvious - tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.
I really enjoy watching your videos. Thank you. I just went on a day hike in Colter Bay in Grand Teton National park. I could have used a GPS! What do you use as a gps?
Hi David, I have a question about insulated jackets please. Apologies if you have already covered this topic, but do you prefer down or synthetic insulated jackets? I am a day hiker who is currently researching with a view to buying a lightweight insulated jacket for the Autumn (UK!) hiking season. I do quite long day hikes of up to around 15 miles, but no overnight stays. I am quite impressed with the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody and the Mountain Equipment Arete (down) Hoody. However, the UK Autumn is often quite wet, and never having owned a down lightweight jacket before I am concerned about performance if the down got wet, so am also considering synthetic options. I do have a microlight Montane rain jacket which could shield the insulated jacket from the worst of the weather. Any advice would be gratefully received, not necessarily product-specific. I hope you manage to make more great videos soon, I can't get enough of your wonderful countryside!
Wow, some very good questions and a topic I haven't really discussed before. My preference is for down because of it's far superior warmth-to-weight advantage over synthetic as well as it's better size compression, but the big downside to down is precisely what you mentioned - i.e. you REALLY don't want to get it soaked through or it's essentially worthless (same holds for down sleeping bags). You must keep down dry, and if you think you'll be in a situation where that isn't possible then synthetics start to look pretty attractive. I'm so 'moisture protective' of my down gear that I triple protect my sleeping bag against moisture and I would never wear my down jacket while actually hiking unless it was a life threatening situation (because I sweat so much that I would 'wet it out' from the inside fairly quickly - it is only for camp and sleeping in. One other thing to think about that I haven't researched fully is the new generation of 'water resistant' down (e.g. Dri-Down, Q-Shield) which seems to offer a good compromise between traditional down and synthetic.
Wow, some very good questions and a topic I haven't really discussed before. My preference is for down because of it's far superior warmth-to-weight advantage over synthetic as well as it's better size compression, but the big downside to down is precisely what you mentioned - i.e. you REALLY don't want to get it soaked through or it's essentially worthless (same holds for down sleeping bags). You must keep down dry, and if you think you'll be in a situation where that isn't possible then synthetics start to look pretty attractive. I'm so 'moisture protective' of my down gear that I triple protect my sleeping bag against moisture and I would never wear my down jacket while actually hiking unless it was a life threatening situation (because I sweat so much that I would 'wet it out' from the inside fairly quickly - it is only for camp and sleeping in. One other thing to think about that I haven't researched fully is the new generation of 'water resistant' down (e.g. Dri-Down, Q-Shield) which seems to offer a good compromise between traditional down and synthetic.
Thanks David, you make excellent points. In the UK the temperature rarely drops much below freezing point and moisture levels in the air are normally relatively high, so traditional down jackets are problematic. Traditional down tends to work well in Scandinavia and the European Alps where it is usually much colder/drier and down jackets may be worn as an outer or mid layer depending on conditions. I agree that "water resistant" down looks promising, and I've managed to get a Mountain Equipment Arete Down jacket with this specially treated down at half price in the Summer sales, so I'll give this a go. Mountain Equipment describe this as a mid layer, which makes sense. Thanks again :-)
do you think I could just take a bug net bivy for the JMT? thanks
Absolutely. You probably don't even need the bug net. When I was there it was the perfect situation for just a tarp, or even cowboy camping. No threat of rain... no bugs... nice temps.
Hey David. Love your videos! I want to start filming my trips as well. What do you use for video cameras. I have a mirrorless camera for stills but not sure what to get for a video camera. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I currently use a Canon Vixia G30 for the video, but I am starting to look at DSLRs which do a good job with video too. Plus I'd like to upgrade to 4K at the same time. The Vixia G30 is an awesome video camera but it is heavy and not 4K capable. If you're going to start from scratch making videos I'd recommend you look at 4K video cameras - unfortunately, I'm just starting my own research on 4K cameras so I don't really have specific recommendations right now.
Thanks for the input David. I'm going to look into 4K as well. Already looking forward to your videos this upcoming season!
What brand of cheese spread do you use?Thanks for all of your helpful videos! Since I live near Denver,CO all those hikes you have been doing i will do too, soon!
Thank you, and I hope you're able to get out and hike all the wonderful trails around you in Colorado. The cheese spread is from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). It's called 'smoked cheddar jack cheese spread' and you can find it in their 'spreads' section. Really pricey ($6.99 each) but really good. When I go solo I divide each package into two and repackage them in a vacuum seal bag - perfect amount for one person and makes it a bit more affordable.
David - I just purchased a used Solplex used. I haven't taken it in the field yet and am a little concerned about room for gear. With your Hexamid Solo-plus, do you have room for your gear? Also, I didn't see you refer to the groundsheet...are you using a Zpacks bathtub floor - or something else?
No zpacks sleeping bag? Hehe. Wow! That's some serious coin. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy my way to ultralight. So happy for you that you can. So much easier. And best of all it looks well used. My only problem with zpacks stuff sacks is they aren't dry bags. At least your liner is one.
I was actually just looking at the Zpacks quilts! :-) But, as you say, really expensive, and hard to justify spending $400+ to save a few ounces - I'll stick with my Montbell. Most of my Zpacks stuff has come from having it on my Xmas and birthday lists every year since I started backpacking, or at least since I discovered them - have my family foot some of the bill!
I've salivated over their door tarps for my hammock most recently. That and an under quilt will do me for a while. Just watching your September CDT loop hike video now. Good stuff!
I have both quilt & zip bag. No dif. in summer, obviously winter is a little tricky pertaining to the quilt. Just IF U GET A Quilt, get the bottom sewn. Don't like sloppy draw cords flopping all over & extra weight of snaps or zippers. With that, the simplicity of the quilt has a slight chance of edging a bag with bulky zippers.
Started with a big Warbonnet tarp, doors & all. Lots of material to flop in the wind & extra bulk. Additionally: the sill nylon does mist (light coat of camo spray paint over ridge fixes). And the multiple tie outs actually get annoying. Now I run $40 Yukon Outfitters tarps. A thicker, more simplistic tarp (Add 4 quick zip line locks)--it works great. Warbonnet sits in box but works well with another person. I don't buy that the doors greatly help--pick a smart place in a ravine out of the wind. Use a shorter hammock.
Most ultralight thru-hikers aren't made of money and do not spend money they don't have on expensive gear. Use what you have, invest in the big three over time, and bring slightly less than what you think you need. Plenty of resources out there to lighten your load. Also, "ultralight" too often becomes "stupid-light."
David,
How well does the pack liner fit the inside of the pack? Is there left over room on any side or does it fit relatively exact?
Thanks!
It fits nearly perfectly to the inside of the 52 liter Arc Blast pack. In fact, I'm confident the Zpacks guys designed it specifically for the dimensions of their packs.
I have the Arc Haul, but I think they are basically identical. Will probably go ahead and get one.
I think the Arc Haul is slight larger but the same depth and width, or close to it. The pack liner is a bit taller height-wise than the Arc Blast so I think it would work perfectly in the Haul.
Hey Dave, haven't seen a video from you in a few months. Will you be doing a "what it eat on the trail" video? Weather in Wisconsin has been warm considering the season. I'm sure I'll be hitting the trail early this year like you. I'm hiking the Ansel Adams Wilderness area this August. Do think the snow will be gone by then? We're doing the same route you did! Pete
Sorry about no videos in a few months. It's been a bit crazy with work. I have a bunch of ideas but just haven't pulled the trigger yet. But there will be a couple gear videos soon, and then the backpacking trip videos will start with my late-April AT hike in the Grayson Highlands.I'm definitely planning on a food video soon. Regarding the Ansel Adams Wilderness trip in August, you should be fine with snow, and I say that even though it's certainly been a very high snow season out there. Altitude is pretty low on that trail (nothing higher than 10,000 feet) in the area that I did it, so you should be fine, even if you were starting as early as late July. But I'm no expert so it probably wouldn't hurt to check the various 'snow depth' reporting stations for that area (just google 'mammoth lakes snow depth' and I'm certain you'll find some sites that keep up-to-date snow depth data).
David Gray, thanks for the update. My nieces and I love watching your videos. You always give us great ideas for our future backpacking trip! We appreciate all your videos and responses to all our questions. Keep up the great work on your videos, I'm sure it's a labor of love!
Hey Dave. Since you've now had your Arc Blast for some time now, wondering what your current thoughts are. I'm going to finally replace my 'vintage' Kelty Red Cloud I bought new about 25 years ago--5.6 pounds, at least 90 liters, seemingly 9' of ground clearance required due to it's height, etc. Albeit a great pack when I bought it, just way too large and heavy for me now. I've been looking at the Arc Blast, along with some Ospreys, ULAs and Gregorys; all in the lightweight or ultralight category. I think you and I are about the same age (50's), so I'd like your thoughts on the overall comfort of the design from someone who still probably enjoys 70's and 80's music :) The ubiquitous reviews on this pack are mainly from the younger folks. What are the things you don't like? Is the size/capacity working for you? Is it showing any significant wear? With some years and miles behind you with this pack, would you buy it again?Unfortunately, I can't just go to the REI in Brentwood, TN and try one on. Thanks for any help on this!
The Arc Blast has been a great pack for me, and it's served me well over the 4 seasons I've used it. The size of the 'old' version that I have (52 liters) is adequate for my needs, though barely when I carry a bear canister. The new version is slightly larger (55 liters) so that would certainly help. But, in any case it is a fairly small pack so keep that in mind if you tend to carry more 'volume'. The comfort of the pack has been good when I keep the loads below 30 pounds or so, but unfortunately with all the camera gear I carry my total load, especially at the beginning of a trip, is generally ~35 pounds, and the pack struggles a bit (the hip belt slides down causing more weight to be carried by my shoulders). I find myself having to 'adjust' the pack fit (lift up the pack, re-tighten hip belt) fairly often. Now, having said that, the shoulder strap and hip belt design of the latest Arc Blast pack design appear to be much different than my old design - and from appearances in the pictures on the Zpacks website the design appears to be more 'robust' in dealing with the exact issue I just described - wider hip belt with multiple tightening straps on each side, and wider shoulder strap/pads. But unfortunately I can't speak to the new design's performance from personal experience - just looks improved to me. Regarding durability, I've had two issues with my Arc Blast - the hip belts started to tear from the bottom of the belt towards the top, where it connected with the body of the pack (though never failed completed), and I created a bunch of holes in the webbing on the back pouch (my own fault, not Zpacks). Eventually, late last year I actually bought a new Arc Blast pack, but after receiving it decided I would try to get my old pack repaired during the off-season, and sent my new pack back to Zpacks. They refunded my money for the new pack, and repaired the old pack at no charge (nice customer support!) - I used the repaired pack all this season and it has held up perfectly. The issues I had with the hip belt tearing would not be a problem with the new pack design - it uses a completely different hip belt design (my pack has a cuben fiber hip belt sewn directly into the pack body - it was at the junction point that my tear developed - I think they changed/improved the design specifically to address issues like what I experienced). What I like most about the Arc Blast is the ridiculously light weight - mine weighs just over a pound. It isn't as comfortable as other packs I've used, but comfort is adequate for me even with heavy loads, and perfectly acceptable when my loads get lighter later in a trip. The one thing I haven't liked about my old design is that I find it difficult to get my water bottle back in the side pouch (about puts my shoulder out of socket, if I'm able to do it at all - often had to do a 'Travis, will you put my water bottle back in the pocket... please?!'). Again, having said that, it appears the new pack design is much improved in this regard to - the water bottle pouch seems much larger and angled to make it more accessible. Bottom line of all this is that I am quite happy with the 'old' design Arc Blast I have, though it is certainly not perfect, and the new design of the Arc Blast appears to have addressed most/all of the issues I experienced with my 'old' design. Would I buy it again...? Maybe! I bought mine at the time because there wasn't really anything else available anywhere near that light weight with a frame system. Packs have been evolving over time, and there may now be packs in the 2 pound range that would provide more comfort with heavier loads. I wouldn't get a pack that weighed much more than 2 pounds.
Wow! This is some great information and will certainly help in my analysis of these type packs. I'm glad that Zpacks apparently continues to make necessary imrovements that result in a better product. Sounds like it needs to stay on my list. Thank you, David! On a final note, how do you like the way this pack vents against your back? I see the claims and I see the design, but do you actually get good ventilation? My back tends to get very hot and sweaty unless I get relief from some air space/ventilation.
I think the ventilation would be fine if I ever used the pack as its intended to be used, that is with the carbon fiber 'frame' arc'd a couple inches. I try to put the arc in the pack but the problem I often run into is that I pack so much stuff into it that it eliminates the arc resulting in the pack sitting essentially flat on my back (i.e. no ventilation). It's never really bothered me, but the back ventilation is certainly poor to non-existent with my use case (i.e. no arc). I could probably spend more time working on making sure the arc stays in place, but I've never worried about it that much.
Thanks! BTW, if you're interested in a winter hike a little south of you where it's warmer shoot me an email. My email is in the 'about' section of my channel, under 'business inquiries.' My channel is mainly used as a backup for our family home videos. So publicly, it's pretty bare! Also one of our daughters, Allie, lives and works in Jackson Hole. If she's not working, she's hiking or doing something outdoors. So, I'd like to get out there to see her and combine that with a hike next year.
How many thousands of dollars worth does that add up to?
Where did you get the pouch that you keep your .5 liter of water in on your shoulder strap? I have been looking for something similar, and haven't found anything.
That shoulder strap bag is a Zpacks 'Shoulder Pouch' which can be found at www.zpacks.com in their Accessories section. I just checked their website and it looks like the design has changed slightly. The shoulder pouch now comes with a small mesh front pocket that can be used to hold small items (or I suppose you could cut it off if you want the 'old-style' design like what I have). The Shoulder Pouch is $25 for one or $45 for two.
Thanks. Love the videos by the way. Planing on taking my daughter, 16 and possibly wife on the Northern Circle trip in Glacier this summer. Your video gave me the idea. We are all first time backpackers, (Starting at 53) although I have plenty of experience being out hunting everything, and sleeping in the snow at -30.
Go for it! The Northern Circle is a bucket-list experience, and taking the whole family would be an incredible bonding, and individual, experience for all of you. Even as a first time experience it's certainly 'do-able'.
What gps device do you currently use? I'm looking into them as well.
I have an old Garmin 60CSX GPS. Still works just fine for my needs. I could get something newer, lighter, better and with more features, but everytime I think about it I just don't think it's worth spending the money on an upgrade. If I was going to buy a new one I'd probably go with the Garmin eTrex 30X (5 ounces) but I haven't researched the latest offerings in a while.
Hi David. Do you still carry your tarp with you in addition to your tent? Trying to decide if I should sell my tarp or not. Thank you
Yes, on some trips I now carry both. It depends on whether I think I'll experience much rain when I'm in camp. In the Sierra Nevada, or a desert trip, etc. I would never expect much rain and wouldn't carry the tarp. In the mountains of Colorado in late July or August, where it is highly likely you'll get a thunderstorm, rain, and hail every afternoon, I will now always carry one (see my Holy Cross Wilderness video to get a feel for that type of weather). In the midwest in summer or fall, when it rarely rains - I would leave the tarp at home. I just think carefully about it prior to each trip, and check the weather forecast, and make the call just before leaving on any trip. So, short answer... it depends!
David Gray makes sense. I saw your Holy Cross video. I'm slowly getting into photography and videography at nearly the age 50. It is a bit daunting. Really makes me appreciate vloggers like yourself and all that goes into it. What software do you use for photo and video editing? I'm a " Mac " guy! Thank you
I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for still picture organization and editing. For video editing I use Sony Vegas Pro, and for high dynamic range (HDR) still picture creation I use SNS-HDR Pro and Photomatix Pro. I'm primarily use Windows-based PC's but I'm starting to play around with a Mac, so we'll see if I end up as a Mac guy too!
Great! Thank you!
Whats planned for this year, David?
I'm still in the planning stages but I can say that I submitted my application for a Wonderland Trail permit (93-miles around Mt. Rainier, WA) at exactly 9:00AM yesterday seconds after the new permit system went online. If I'm successful, and physically capable come September, I'm planning to do the entire Wonderland Trail in mid-September as my 'epic' 2017 hike. As warm up hikes to that I plan to do the Grayson Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail in mid-April 2017 and then my annual western hike with my son Christian and the dogs (not sure where yet as there are many, many complicating factors this year including my daughter being in Boulder for the summer and plans to tie it all in with a family 'camping' trip to Colorado). I'd really like to add in something a bit 'different' this year (North Country Trail, Ozark Mountains, something in Pennsylvania or even upstate New York) but it's looking like I'm going to be seriously 'vacation-day challenged' this year - way too many things I'd like to do and way too few vacation days.
David Gray i have done part of the ozark highland trail in 2001. Got into Poison Ivy. Ugh. My mom had retired to Mountain Home Ar. She has since passed on. Good luck and i will be watching you here!
Thanks for the video David! Nice to get see how you load up your pack. I'm in the process of lightening my pack weight but I can't afford all that zpack lightweight gear so I'm doing what I can "on the cheap".
On another note, do you have any western trips planned for this year?
I understand what you're saying with the cost of the Zpacks stuff. I wish it was cheaper - I should be part owner by now! It's been a long process to collect what I have, and it's monopolized my gift lists for a while. Regarding western trips, I'm definitely planning to do at least two in 2017, hopefully 3 if I can figure out a way. I'll do one in August with my son Christian. Not sure where we're going yet but the Wind River Range in Wyoming is one possibility, as is the Weminuche wilderness in Colorado. Still mulling over possibilities. For my big solo trip I'm hoping to do the entire Wonderland Trail in Washington, though I'm not sure how easy it will be to get a permit with the new permit system they're rolling out this year - I guess we'll all get to see how it works out! I will also likely apply for a Glacier NP permit as a backup option. Either way, that trip will certainly be an early to mid-September trip.
David Gray I recommend the North Lake to South Lake loop in the Sierras. I did it last summer and it was a great hike. Real classic Sierra section. Enjoy your videos.
If you hike in the Weminuche, do the elk park needleton loop. Would love to see a decent video on it. I plan on doing it next year myself.
I've actually looked at the Elk Park - Needleton Loop many times, and I'll work it into my plans in the near future. The one problem I have is that my Colorado trips have always been with my dogs, and that creates a problem for the train ride (only 'service' dogs allowed on the train, and my dogs are anything but service dogs!) that is required to complete that loop. I've actually looked at other ways to do the entire loop, or a big chunk of it, without the train but haven't come up with a great option yet. But I will figure out a way to do it soon - perhaps solo or without dogs - and when I go I will definitely be making a video of it (wouldn't want to do all that work and come away without a video!).
Where do you get the Zpacks? I would love to get my camera off my neck while hiking but not have to take my pack/ child off my back to access my camera gear!
The Zpacks website is www.zpacks.com. I think you have to buy their products directly from the website - I've never seen it distributed to any of the major brick-and-mortar places (REI, North Face, Dick's, etc.). Their 4-in-1 pack that I use for the still camera is really nice, and very versatile. You can check out all the ways you can use it on their website. My only wish is that it was larger, or that they had options for larger sizes - I'd love to use it for my video camera but it isn't large enough.
Thanks!
Nice Video David! Have you ever weighed out your loaded pack?
No, but I probably should start making a habit of that. A number of people have asked me the same question. I do keep track of my gear for each trip using a free app called Gram Weenie, and according to it I was right about 27 pounds for my Rocky Mountain National Park trip in September 2017, which I think was pretty accurate. I was carrying some 'luxury' items on that trip (e.g. hammock for lounging around, extra tarp, etc.) so my pack was a few pounds heavier than I could easily get it down too. But that doesn't include my camera gear, which adds about another 12 pounds (ouch!).
What is the combined weight of all this gear?
About 20-25 pounds, minus the camera gear. The cameras and associated photo gear for a typical trip add a whopping 10 pounds or so (two cameras, tripod, extra batteries, microphones, filters, shutter release, etc.). Thus, total weight including camera gear is between 30-35 pounds depending on the specifics of that trip (i.e. how many days... with or without dogs... with other people... time of year... etc.). I've been researching cameras that can do a good job of both stills and video so that I can shed half my camera gear weight (or perhaps more than half), and there are starting to be some good alternatives now, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet due to the cost - $5000+ for the Sony Alpha R3 and lens that I would like to get.
Actually, the 20-25 pounds is my total pack weight which includes all my 'consumables' (food, water, fuel, etc.). My normal base weight (for the gear alone) is probably right around 10 pounds, depending on the specifics of the trip. My minimum base weight is well under 10 pounds on a solo trip without dogs - ZPacks Arc Blast pack, Hexamid Solo shelter, etc.
Cool bro! Thanks for sharing!!!
Why would a rain cover be controversial? Do people not use them?
'Controversial' may be a bit strong, but I've found there are generally two schools of thought on weather protection for your pack - use it in the inside... or use it on the outside (i.e. pack cover). I actually do both, which is what I labeled 'controversial' (or perhaps 'overkill' might be what some might call it. The protection I use on the inside of my pack - a Zpacks cuben fiber pack liner, basically a huge dry bag - is far superior to a pack cover in terms of effectively keeping my gear dry, but the pack liner adds another layer of protection, and, more importantly, keeps my pack and all the stuff on the outside of it from getting soaked which can add more weight than you might think.
David Gray Ahh ok got it! Thank you!
What cheese powder do you use for your cheese spread?
I actually buy the cheese spread from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). You can find it in their 'spreads' section. It's basically freeze-dried cheese and various spices - very tasty.
Thanks. I'll look into it. Looks like a good happy hour item for the backcountry.
Have you considered getting a poncho/tarp such as the Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp/Poncho (www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Ultra-Sil%26reg%3B+Nano+Tarp+Poncho&o1=0&o2=0&o3=189-41). This one item serves up to four different purposes: (1) pack cover, (2) rain gear, (3) tarp, and (4) ground cloth. I use one and it is excellent for all of these purposes. I notice that you currently pack a separate pack cover, rain pants and jacket, and tarp so this may be something you may want to consider. The only issue you may have being so tall is that your lower legs may stick out from underneath the poncho. If that is the case, you could still carry your rain pants but drop everything else mentioned above.
First of all, the beginning of your video is hilarious. Second, what's your weight before fuel, food, and water?
My base weight varies depending on the type of trip - solo... with dogs... with dogs and my son... a trip with other people... - but my lightest base weight would be a solo trip without dogs, and for that type of trip it would be around 10 pounds. But that doesn't take into account my camera gear, which adds about another 12 pounds! (ouch). Also, lately I've been taking more 'luxury' items, like the extra cuben fiber tarp and hammoock, which add a little over a pound making my base weight on those trips closer to 11 or 12 pounds. Two of the main gear items that can add up to quite a bit of weight, my backpack and shelter, and both very light (just over one pound each) so if I set my mind to it I could probably get my base weight, and entire packout weight, down to a respectable level. But my entire kit, minus camera gear, weighs 23-25 pounds for a five day trip which is perfectly acceptable for me.
Cameras used?
When I go backpacking I use a Canon Vixia G30 for video and a Nikon D700 with 20mm Nikkor f2.8 Nikkor prime lens for the stills. To make the Gear Explosion video I also used a Canon Vixia G10 as a secondary camera for the green screen clip.
I checked out z-pacs website oh my I might be able to afford one thing from there. It's so expensive for tents and packs. I'm poor. I guess I cant run with the big boys.😢😢
where do you buy your bags?
Almost all of my cuben fiber stuff sacks were purchased from Zpacks (www.zpacks.com). I have a few that I've purchased from other suppliers, but the Zpacks bags are perfect for my needs, and the price is about as low as you'll find (though still really expensive). Except for my initial purchase, which was for a few stuff sacks, I tend to purchase them one at a time, after a specific need has arisen during a trip.
Very good video, thank you.
That's a great video.
Great video, thanks. Thoughtfully filmed. I'm going to rethink the conventional wisdom of putting the heaviest items at the bottom of my pack from now on. A GPS is an essential item on long remote hikes. Love stuffsacks - they take the stress out of looking for stuff:) Please advise the weight of your 'exploded' load?
My pack weight varies depending on the type of trip I'm doing (e.g. solo... with my son and dogs... with other people...) but for a solo trip, like my Rocky Mountain National Park Trip, my pack weight at the beginning was probably about 25-27 pounds. Remember, to that I have to add about 12 pounds of camera gear. Also, I was carrying quite a few 'luxury' pieces of gear on that trip - hammock, extra tarp, etc.. If I was really to set my mind to doing a solo, maximum ultralight trip without 'extras' I have no doubt I could easily keep my pack weight under 25 pounds.
Cool, thanks for that. The camera kit sure adds up! Yeah, I like to sneak in some luxuries too - provided I know I can carry them - usually some real food for the first couple of days (provided it's not too hot).
Yes, the price I pay for making TH-cam videos! As we enter the 4K video era I've actually been looking into options that would allow me to not only capture 4K video but also get down to one camera that can both take excellent stills and excellent 4K video. Unfortunately, I don't feel the current technology is quite there yet. The Sony A99 II comes the closest in my opinion, but not quite what I'm looking for, at least for the $3K+ pricetag (plus having to buy a lens - ouch!). I'll stick with what I have for now.
Look at the Sony A7R2 full frame, 42 megapixels with 4k video, or its brother Sony A6500 APS-C that does amazing 4k
Hamhock has not posted on their Facebook site since 2014, and their item is not available at Amazon. As another commentator mentioned Packit Gourmet has one weighing 1.4oz/39.7gm
www.packitgourmet.com/CookinCozy.html. I have an Optimus (H)eat (2.7oz/76.5gm) available from Amazon, Walmart (a few left), no longer at REI. There are many youTube videos that show a DIY version.
I know that the Hamhock Outdoor Gear version is no longer available. A while back I received a direct message from the daughter of the owner/founder of Hamhock, and she informed me that he had passed away and that the cozy would no longer be available. Sad. Last year I purchased a cozy on Amazon from Big Sky International called the 'Insulite Pouch', but I just checked Amazon and they are no longer available either! Too bad too because the Big Sky International cozy is great - it's still what I'm using on the trail. I actually made a couple myself prior to searching for a commercial version - I never really liked the DIY versions, and wanted something a bit more durable.
zPacks commercial?
Z-packs bought a new Mercedes because of you
I think I've given them enough revenue that they not only bought the Mercedes but also built a new building to park it in!
knife??
Cool camper guy !!!
Starts at 5:28....
Have you heard of the Buffalo Windshirt that is from the UK? I just heard about it and it doesn't have any dwr from what I can tell. I think you were looking for one like that. They also have Buffalo fleece type shirts that you can wear under it.
th-cam.com/video/QU3O5G9Rm3o/w-d-xo.html
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/buffalo-mens-windshirt-A1612002.html
www.buffalosystems.co.uk/products/?gender=&activity=hiking-trekking&insulation=&system=
No, I'd never heard of the Buffalo windshirt but I'll certainly take a look. I'm also interested in a nice, lightweight fleece layer as well so I'll check that out too. I have a Patagonia R1 fleece pullover but the fit is a bit uncomfortable for my body shape (i.e. grande!).