Відео

Brava! Here's to your next adventure!

Kelly Knob….it still haunts me! Great job today!

I agree, backpacking is more fun with others but I will tell you from experience, the more backpacking you do the desire to go back out again will grow as well and when you have hiking buddies who can't make it for whatever reason, you will find yourself going without them as the desire to get out there will be too strong. Backpacking partners will come and go and often times you can reunite with those folks you haven't hiked with in a long time, it's always fun. Every hike is different and I think in time you will find your solo backpacks will be just as special to you but for different reasons. Thanks for sharing and stay safe out there!

Outstanding atmosphere my friend!

Way to go!! 🎉

Congratulations on finishing your first solo hike! Sounds as though the “shakedown” part did its job, as you learned about your gear, your body, and your mind. Are you training for your first through-hike? If so, why are you starting with the CDT, the scariest one?! Lol.

I thought u going to do thru hike in 2025

Beautiful views

You're hiking good! 15 miles on the second day is strong hiking. geek

If your gear is dry, always stay in the shelter if there is room. You will stay dry, your gear will stay dry, it will be lighter without being soaked and it will be easier to pack up and get moving in the morning. With that said, Tray is the coldest shelter on the A.T. I would keep the rain jacket, but it will make you sweat and be wet anyway in the rain, but it will keep you warm in high winds or cold temps with layers under it. I would keep the umbrella for the rain and sun. I thought that I heard you say CDT, the CDT will usually be too windy for a rain poncho. Good luck on your hike and have fun! Hike safe, Hike strong, Have fun! geek A.T. 1990 & 2002, PCT 2008

As someone hoping to do his first solo hike this coming season, I'm enjoying watching yours! Even enjoy hearing your honest thoughts, your doubts, your loneliness -- I mean I don't enjoy your discomfort; just saying it's all useful to hear.

Congrats on getting the first day of a solo hike under your belt! How many days is this trip?

😊would you please tell me where I can get the yellow fleece hoodie!! I love it

There’s nothing like having your best friend with you!!!

Do you not hike with a brimmed hat? Weird choice.

Such a beautiful episode! Forest looks so enjoyable

I remember literally laughing out loud when I saw that bench when I did this section😂.

Congrats on the 20 miles and doing this solo! Neither are easy

Hi does anyone ever out a message i the pipe on that tree How wonderful it would be to leave a message or find one. Shirley

Glad to see the fog finally lifted, looked like a pretty nice day after that.

Best way to test the rain gear, not that it makes a cold rainy day any more fun.

Rae! Fog City. Nasty 2 day start. Once, after the first step of the first hour of the first day of a 3 day hike up the Conasauga River, I slipped and fell into said river and me and everything in my pack got wet. It was a foggy fall day and none of my stuff ever really dried out. Fortunately, I had a synthetic sleeping bag. Since then I’ve always used a hiking stick, especially because of river crossings. The curious chipmunk was funny. 😁

You are right - that climb up Rocky Mountain ain’t no joke! I’ve only done it once - as a loop hike and it just about kicked my tail. It was icy that day so we had to walk VERY carefully on each of those rock steps. Even with the ice, we were sweating on the way up. And it does have a beautiful view. I’ve only been up to Tray in a Jeep. Haven’t hiked it yet. The colors were past peak but still hanging on last weekend. Very pretty! Enjoy your time in GA 😊

in the cold I think rain jacket and pants work best but in the summer time I like an umbrella and a light jacket with a rain kilt. Rain kilt weighs nothing and way more breathable. I always get wet in a rain pancho. Thanks for sharing! I do trail work on the Rocky Mtn Spur trail which you passed on your journey up Rocky Mtn. Stay safe!

Greetings from Australia I guess There is always a Packa (jacket/pack cover and poncho combo) but its good you are finding out what works for you

Rainy and the Georgia section of the AT seem to go hand in hand ... my next to last section I did I had rain all three days (not consistent rain - but pop up thunderstorms). Rain gear wise - everybody is different ... I just do a rain jacket and an umbrella with an rei pack cover over my pack. I can't do rain pants - I just overheat. I'm surprised you went with waterproof shoes ... I've always used trail runners ... while they don't dry out at least they're breathable. I do sleep in my wet/damp clothes/socks ... just so they'll dry out for the following day's hiking - the alpha fleece pants/hoody/socks are great for that! Hopefully you had better weather for the rest of your trip - congratulations on going solo! Really enjoyed Tray Mountain shelter ... that little side area was perfect for dinner time :)

Hi Rea! Howzyamomanem? Fine fine I hope. Well now, it is dear season in Georgia and plenty of hunters out in and around Trey Mountain. Believe me I know. That used to be one of my spots. All along the trail! In fact I had a small incident once many years ago when a hiker came up on me and wondered what the heck I was doing with a rifle out there. They had no clue and didn’t want to hear me. I was just walking to my spot and hearing something coming down the trail, I was ready 😟 And no! You can’t tell a human from a dear walking in the woods.

ALVIN!!! Glad I'm not the only one that gets bad weather on trips. I was supposed to lead a group on a three day camping trip but luck behold Mother Nature decided to end the drought that same weekend with rain, thunder and hail.

Good to learn what works for you and what doesn't!

When y'all were setting up camp in the shelter I thought to myself, "I've never actually seen anyone spend the night in that shelter" I'm thinking I know one reason now. lol

Ultra-light isn't for everyone. I try to be as light as possible but there is gear that I won't leave home without or enjoy too much to give up. Everything is a concession. Where can I cut weight so I can carry that USB fan that I have to have in my tent at night so I can sleep? Seasons definitely play into packweight since in summer you can get a way with a lighter set up than you can in the winter. Basically carry what you need and feel comfortable with and don't worry about what the other person is carrying.

I’ve got the same problem as you. I emailed LMNT twice asking if they were using natural or synthetic malic acid (ingredient #2) and what country it came from. They didn’t answer either of my emails.

if you have a ferrari, you'll want this years model too, because it's 0.005 seconds faster. That's what trying to go ultralight is - buying new gear is exciting.

Great story. After 5 years of backpacking I got down to 11lbs with my Zpacks ArcAir and X-mid pro2. On the PCT there are places where a bear can is needed, which ads 2.5lbs, so whatever. Go lighter than you think you can, but you don't need to go ultra. Enjoy your hike!

Great video, all I can say is Amen! I try really hard to get total "carried" weight to 30 lbs or less. Sometimes I go a little over, rarely do I go under, unless it's just a couple nights. I always end up carrying more food and water than I need, just can't bring myself to carry what I believe to be the "exact" amount I'll use.

i am right there with you sister. 26lb for a 5 day trip all in, food water and a chair. im old. all about what you're willing to spend and what you're willing yo carry. oh yeah, dont forget the bv250.

I totally agree. I have a brand new Z Packs Arc Haul but I prefer my Granite Gear V60 which is heavier but is more comfortable for me. Infact I need to sell that Arc Haul.

The thing I like about my Osprey Aura 50l AG is the trampoline back... which is why I'm trying the Zpacks arc haul (70l) so I can camp in colder weather... maybe it might be good for you too?😊

I love this! I always hated all the straps on these types of packs. This is always something I have done too. I’m pretty slim so a lot of extra length gets cut. I always thought I’m the only one!!

Rae! These days I camp out of a car, but I still find myself trying to cut down on what I carry. I think it’s some sort of frugal habit. Wish I could do that with money! Looking forward to your hike.

Ladies and gentlemen, need to learn fighting

Yeah I agree with your big point about the weight not being the goal. My own personal goal was to be as lightweight as possible but still within my budget. I’m down to 15 lbs with the bear can, 13 without. I think the ultralight mentality, like you said, where you’re thinking critically about everything you’re packing is the real gem from that community. Maybe you do value comfort too much to sleep on those little foam pads so you carry the blow up one. I think that’s valid as long as you’ve truly thought about it. And also considered how items work with each other. Those 1lb frameless packs with no waist belt don’t really work unless you’re full crazy about the weight. So I wouldn’t consider it because I don’t want to make the sacrifices to hit 8 lb baseweights. But leaving behind all the things you don’t truly need saves weight already! I bought most of my stuff on clearance/sale or used. And clothes I just bought at wal mart or thrift stores or stole from my father in laws closet lol (jk he gave me some old stuff that didn’t fit anymore). Have fun out there! Being in the beauty of nature and taking in the sweet mountain air is the true gift here! Haha

There's another youtuber whose pack (empty) is 5.5 pounds, but he said it's so comfortable that it feels like it's much lighter. Comfort is key.

You do you girl. I appreciate your transparency. Honestly, I'm so sick and tired of the gear head "influencers" on YT that make you feel like you have to have the latest, greatest, lightest, most popular piece of gear that nobody can afford simply because they got it for free. Thank you for keeping it real.

Thanks for the tip!

Love all the ideas. There are so many more options now. You're prepared and will be good to go for your thru hike. Keep shining bright.

I completely agree. It's being really honest and experiencing shakedown hikes to know what you need, don't need or prefer to have comfort wise. The things that have helped me stay on budget in order to get lighter gear was patience. I'll wait for items to be put on sale due to overstock or holidays. There are budget friendly places for used gear that it's not necessary for it to be new. In the end, you're not asking anyone to carry your pack. So, you do what you have to do and keep shining bright.

It's true, there is a lot of hype on the ultralight. Ya gotta be comfortable doing what you are doing. No one else is carrying your pack for you. I use a half of a sham-wow cloth (used for cleaning cars) which is really absorbent and I fold it and place it against my skin and the small of my back and that collects the sweat that would want to run down to my crack. I can tell you it is no bueno when your nether-regions get rashy while on a backpack. So I use this absorbent rag to collect the "Jeff-Juice". I know that's gross but I think you've been backpacking long enough to know what I'm talking about. Thanks for sharing! I never got to Ultralight status either and I could care less, There has to be comfort out there otherwise why do it?

You've got it figured out. If you have any troubles when you are out on trail may I suggest you look at ULA packs. They have the best hip belts in the business in my opinion and you won't be sorry. I know you'll see many of them on CDT for sure. I have the Circuit in robic black and the Ohm 2.0 in robic grey. They are bomb proof and amazingly comfortable. I got mine fitted at MountainCrossings at Neel Gap.Tell me your thoughts, you may have already tried ULA but for me they are amazing, I've never had any issues. Love your content and when do you guys leave? March? April?