dixie, i love you so much. so many hiking videos are about SOLO TRIP IN HARD WEATHER! or GEAR I HATE NOW or WHAT YOU'RE DOING WRONG and you are so much about gracious friendly advice and i love that you revisit concepts to reevaluate. you just talk straight to us and you're not clickbaity. thank you. and may your new year be full of blessings.
Bear spray vs hornet best. On my thru hikes, I’ve😅 encountered some sketchy humans yet never in so much pain as to when we crossed and offended a yellow jacket nest.
I've also had very good experiences with Anker power banks. I have 10k one (Astro E3) from ~2012 and have since retired that one to urban usage, but I've picked up two more Powercore 10k banks and prefer carrying two banks rather than one for a couple reasons. Last I checked, the Powercore 20100 weighs 356g and two Powercore 10000s weigh 354g. Add in the little carrying bag and the 20k might win by a couple of grams, but it's really close. Note that the Powercore PD banks are a trap unless you need the higher output. They are significantly heavier for the same capacity. The same thing applies to the Powercore Lite, Slim, Redux and + models. Two power banks also allow me to have a much better feel for how much power I have left and makes it easier to make sure I'm reserving enough power for the more critical needs. Finally, if I were to have a power bank fail, it's nice that I likely only lose part of my power. You might take another look at the 20k+10k setup that you ran for awhile. On a related note, we got a stark reminder this last fall that electronics can and will fail on the trail. Carrying redundancy and/or alternatives when reasonable is a good idea. I thankfully haven't had a power bank fail yet, but we had the lamp burn out on a Steripen (UV light water purification) midway through our last trip. I'm estimating it was about 20% through its expected life so it was a surprise to have it fail. As a group of 5 on that trip, we had planned redundancy built in so we all fell back on a MSR pump filter that a friend was using. Two or three liters later, the handle on the pump snapped off. We had a fuel reserve for boiling water and most of us had a small emergency supply of chemical treatment as well so we were not at risk, but it was a sobering reminder that a cascade of failures can change the complexion of a trip in a hurry.
Umbrella ☂ is a must for me. Unshaded ☀️ trail, desert 🌵 as well as rain 🌧 make the UV umbrella I carry an absolute must. The difference between being able to hike or not under these circumstances.
I have the Enigma and it's awesome, but if you're concerned about transitioning to a quilt (it's an easy switch, but I get it), you can get the Convert from Enlightened Equipment. It's very similar to the Enigma, but zips fully out to a full quilt (no foot box) and all the way up to a full sleeping bag. That's what I use for winter (the -10 degree version) so I can zip all the way in when it's really drafty.
Correction: Just went through my gear. My 3-season quilt is the Revelation, not the Enigma. Fairly similar quilts though. You can't really go wrong with EE gear.
Nice! Love the gear videos. Just a note regarding the wall chargers, make sure you get one with a high output. It will make the difference between you 20.000 powerbank charging in 20h or 4h 😉.
Thanks, great video. I would suggest Costco's Cascade Mountain Tech trecking poles. Best deal out there. They are $30 for a pair of carbon fiber 8oz poles. They are rated for the PCT as 4th best and that at $60 instead of 30. I even got mine on sale for $23 at costco and bought multiple pairs for self and family. Now Coscto needs a deal w/ ULA and Big Agnes!
Hi Dixie.. I was watching how you kept your feet warm in the shoes you wore, as opposed to heavy duty hiking boots, and were your feet dry? And apart from the issue of weight, why did you choose shoes over boots? Thanks, Steve.
I somehow managed to bend and break four pairs of cheapish hiking poles in the Whites. Finally asked my thru-hiking friend for advice, and she told me to buy Black Diamond poles. If you’re rough on your poles, definitely go Black Diamond. I could have saved so much money by buying them the first time around.
You should really try the Platypus Quickdraw. It's like the comparison of your gravity system to the Sawyer. The Quickdraw is soooo much better than the Sawyer! Used it on the CDT this year and the flow on it leaves the Sawyer in the dust. I'd be surprised if Sawyer doesn't change their design to be similar in the next year or so. :)
Something you might add to your cold trips, and I started using this year is a Buff. They are great around the neck and like base layers, help a lot at personal temperature regulation, and t add protection from teens and single digits of wind, you can pull it up on the chin also.
I think she might just not have remembered to mention it because they're so ubiquitous. I bought my first Buff several years ago after Dixie was raving about how they're basically indispensable.
I have my merino buff on my lap right now. Heat went out in the house just when the snow storm hit so it was chilly in here. Had on my buff and down vest. Thankfully heating company came and fixed it today.
I can listen to her for hours. Common sense driven by experience…her advice is good for all levels of hikers. We can argue with some of her choices but she considers most angles and is researches topics very well. Well worth the watch.
3 years ago I was rocking a 3.75 lb pack....now I use the Zpacks Nero 38 and it makes hiking so much more fun. No need to have 1/5th of your base weight in your pack alone.
Yup! After simply choosing what to leave behind, I usually tell people who are trying to shave weight that the first place to look is for a new pack, but don't bother with REI or any big store. Look to Z or HMG, or ULA, etc etc. Most people can shed 2-3 pounds right there. When I was a kid, I used my 70L mountaineering pack for ALL my backpacking because I couldn't afford multiple packs - of course, back then the lightest packs available were still 3.5 lbs or more. I think my mountaineering pack was about 5.5 lbs empty...
@@backpacker3421 if I remember correctly Dixie had a trail family member on the AT that was toting a 75 to 100 lb pack. She joked that you couldn't see him if you were hiking behind him....just a pair of legs...lol.
I'm looking for a backpack which fits my needs. My current one is 2.2kg but so comfy, I can carry a 20kg load with ease. I'd love to have a lighter one since my normal load is about 10kg with food and water. But I won't replace the comfort. Even though I'm searching, I think I'll have to hike the CDT next year with a 2.2kg model.
Sensible advice as always. Gear is a journey, not a destination and all of us who hike learn something every time we go out. Otherwise it would just be walking! Thanks Dixie.
Great video. Two suggestions for the "food" section. The Humangear Gobites Duo spoon and fork combo is bomb proof and light. Also I am in agreement with Andrew Skurka and don't do a traditional bear hang any more. Unless I am required to use a bear canister I use an Ursack in bear country. For gloves I have a pair of windproof and insulated mittens from Decathlon. You can flip back the "mitt" and you then have fingerless gloves. A thin pair of Merino liners make this a very warm combination. For rain gear I prefer a poncho. Because it can act as a pack cover as well as keep me dry. Keeping your stuff dry inside of the pack is great but the pack itself, unless it's made out of a waterproof material, The pack itself will absorb water and can easily gain well over a pound in water weight, especially if you have well padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Those completely act like sponges.
Hey Dixie...on the subject of trekking poles, I bought mine (Outdoor Products) at Walmart about 5 years ago for $14.95. They have locking mechanisms for length, cork hand grips with adjustable straps, rubber "booties" on the bottom of the poles for hard surfaces which can be removed for non rocky areas, lightweight (compared them to my girlfriends "high end" poles and they weighed the same) AND they come with a little "basket" near the bottom of the poles for trekking in the snow! I have used them with no problems and I would definitely recommend them! Great video!
Great video, thanks for the rundown! One of the unspoken lessons here is also to recognize that sometimes a fresh hiker just needs to get out there and hike in order to work out what works for them.
FYI, polycryo (or polycro) comes in different varieties. The really light stuff (usually 0.7 mil) is used for window insulation, and will protect against water and provide some insulation (not much - it mainly insulates windows by preventing drafts), but it's VERY fragile stuff and will tear easily. Painter's drop cloth polycro sheeting is usually 1.5 or 2 mil, and will stand up to a lot more abuse and insulate more, but will also be about as heavy as Tyvek, maybe heavier. Tyvek is great against water, but provides only slight insulation benefits. It is however, pretty darn durable, and after being broken in, folds just like any lightweight cloth. Plus, it has the added benefit of being white, meaning you can use a sharpie and make your groundsheet do double duty as multiple signs ("hiker to town" "hiker to trail", etc etc - just fold it so the sign you want is visible). Bottom line, poly and Tyvek are both already very lightweight and do the footprint job well, but the only way to really save more weight (you're not saving much) is to trade in on durability. I'd go with 1.5 mil poly if you don't like Tyvek. Personally, I have a roll of Tyvek in my DIY box, and until I use that up I'm not using anything else. It does a great job and one sheet lasts multiple seasons.
I agree. I go with Tyvek for the simple reason that the first piece I used is still going. I'm not a thru-hiker, so maybe this is not so crucial, but for general backpacking, a bit more substantial protection often comes in handy, especially with an inflatable mattress.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 Personally, I think the durability plays an even bigger factor in long hikes, especially when resupplies are fewer and further between. As with most gear, it's a balancing act between weight and durability (and cost). As the old adage goes, cheap, durable, light - pick 2 cuz you can't have all three. In this case, their all pretty cheap and light and Tyvek is also durable. I just think the durability trade off is nowhere near the weight benefit with this one.
This is such a great video! Everyone's gear choices will change over time. It's a good reminder to never be 'married' to the gear you have as you progress in your experience or encounter different conditions. And also that we shouldn't hold others (or ourselves) accountable for bad choices they may have made previously. Thanks for sharing!
Really nice to go down memory lane, so to speak, with you. As far as the "quality" of the video(s) back then, it was just fine. In fact, although lacking the better equipment and the expertise of Aaron, the videos of your AT thru hike are some really good screen time. I've watched the movie(your whole hike in one video) a bunch of times, and it warms my heart and gets me excited about hiking each time. Today's video is a really good one. Thank you for it.
+1 for ULA packs. I have the Catalyst (slightly larger than the Ohm but otherwise very similar). I lovelovelove that pack. It's the only pack I use anymore. Nearly as light as the HMG or Zpacks, but MUCH more durable and more comfortable, IMO. I also agree that limiting your pack capacity is a VERY good idea. TBH, if you can't fit it in 40 liters, you probably don't need it unless you're going into some seriously sketchy terrain and need extra gear - though for winter camping, an extra 10L or so is good for the extra room your sleeping bag will take up (that's why I have the Catalyst instead of the Ohm - one pack for year round fun).
❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓ Can someone plz recommend the *BEST GEAR for BUGGINGOUT* .... for an Emergency Evacuation ❓❓❓ (Wild Fire, Power Outage, Mass Flooding, Snow Storm, WORL, and any other SHTF that forces a single/ Family to Get Out of Dodge )
I always like using large ziplock bags for my sleeping clothes(top/bottom/socks). Keeps them separate so I can find them easily, and they will for sure be dry in there.
I like the REI goretex mittens for rain/wind protection. Almost as light as the Zpacks/EE versions, but Goretex still beats those for water and wind protection.
... Dixie's your video's are always a great watch ... Started watching from the beginning of the AT and enjoy them all ... watching you put in the work to not only hike crazy long trails but video them as well .You create inspiration for SO many and good sense information for those starting out on a thru hike for the first time ... Gear choices first come from a personal budget until experience comes into play ,, sometimes the cheap and basic get the job done ,but the trail and time will dictate that ... Your written works as well are impressive and the personal touches to some to reach into themselves ,,Remembering a young lady so inspired by one of your slogans of inner strength ,, she had it tattooed on her arm .... and that was early in your hiking program .. In trail talks,, I don't know anyone that doesn't know of Dixie ,,Homemade Wanderlust ,, and not have anything but positive things to bring up ... .. I can't imagine what a thru hiker learns about themself but after all you have done ,,I would guess the self talk would be an Oscar winner .. To reflect back on what gear choices might be swapped can be a fun afternoon but you did it with what you had ,, and did it well .. All along the way has been a blast to watch this southern girl tame the trails ,even swamps,, and some very rugged mountains and always finish with a smile ... .... Looking forward for what's to come ......Stay Safe and God Bless .....
I kinda feel like having multiple 10,000 mAh packs is better than carrying a single 20K or 30K one, because it gives you more flexibility to carry less for shorter hikes, charge one while using another (maybe charge one in the hotel room while charging your phone with another while out at dinner in town), and two separate units with two wall warts will probably charge faster than one big one. I doubt two 10K units weighs much more than one 20K unit and they're probably easier to pack.
For decent quality cheap gear Decathlon takes a bit of beating, I just took their £30 synthetic trekking hooded jacket to Scotland for 10 days it’s no frills but worked well even at sub zero temperatures and let’s face it for £30 if it gets damaged it’s replaceable
Decathlon is a large multi sport store all over in Europe. They are now available online in the USA. So probably this jacket can be purchased online and the items are already within the USA so arriving in a timely way. I'd actually purchased a fanny pack in Italy at a Decathlon for 2 euro about 3 dollars. It made thru half of the PCT, but at that price I had a back-up 😀.
I LOVE decathlon. I think what I like most is that they have three tiers of price for most things, which as a student getting into sport was so helpful. And now as I'm older, I've got the money to pay a little more than say £5 for a daypack etc. But decathlon still serves me well.
I used inexpensive Mountainsmith trekking poles that came as a bonus for free with another pack that I got. They worked fine on the CT for me in 2018. I think the model is called Pinnacle.
Thank you for this video Dixie! It's nice to see how your experience and available gear have evolved over the years. Would love to see an update on your gear picks for the PCT as well!
I have Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles. They were $35 at the time, and are about $45 now, for the carbon fiber cork version. (The aluminum ones are only $20.) I haven’t done a through hike with them, but have had them for 3 years, and several hundred miles They are still going strong. If someone handed you these, and a pair of Black Diamonds anyone would correctly guess which was the more expensive pair, but you would probably think they were $20-30 cheaper. Not a third of the price.
I just posted about those very same poles. They’ve become my second hands. Don’t go anywhere without them. Agree fully on your review. Can’t tell the difference between more expensive ones.
Dixie, one of the BEST features of the Flycreek UL2 was the ability to pitch it using just the footprint & rainfly. Spead out footprint, install poles in grommets, drape rainfly over poles and secure to footprint with the plastic snap buckles. You can the pitch your tent under the erected fly & poles. Great in a sudden mountain rainstorm, or if bugs aren't a concern and you don't want to bother with the tent body. But you have to pony up for the footprint to realize the benefits.
To avoid the expense and weight of the footprint, there's another option for bad weather if you are willing to crawl on your Fly Creek. Leave the fly attached except for one of the front corners. To pitch, lay the tent flat, assemble and slide the pole under the fly, insert its ends into the grommets, GENTLY crawl under the fly to attach the clips, attach the last corner of the fly, and stake down as needed.
A couple of years ago we watched one of your videos in which you mentioned Lone Peak 4.5 trail runners. Since I have had foot problems as in my feet hurt a lot from to much standing or walking. I checked out a pair at rei and wore them out of the store. I guess my feet needed the wide toe box and the 0 drop. Thank you so much for helping my hiking and just general life. After 3 years I just about have wore out that first pair. I have two more in reserve. Other than dress shoes its all I wear. Thanks for your videos.
Thank you so much for this review. I’m going to pick up the gloves for a trip in February- perfect timing! I’ve hiked almost 200 miles (half that on the PCT) with the cascade mountain tech trekking poles and haven’t had any problems. I’ve splurged on several other items but for carbon fiber poles with cork grips, they’re a great deal and have worked well enough that I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. They’re $45 right now on Amazon but a bit cheaper at Costco if that’s an option.
I started the PCT with $30 Trekology poles. Function wise they were perfectly fine however I went through 2 pairs, each lasted about 400 miles before the tips cracked and fell off. So overall I think cheap poles are great, but for a thru hike the more expensive ones are worth it for the durability. My Lekis got me the last ~1200 miles and are still in great shape!
I really appreciate your comment about 2 liters of water being too much. I also carried 2 liters in a platypus type bladder and after my section hike realized that at least on the south part of the trail, there is literally water everywhere.
Lots of excellent recommendations here IMO, but note that what rating you need on the quilt/sleeping bag varies a lot from person to person. I was perfectly happy with a 30 degree bag on the AT, but that's obviously not for everyone and it really depends on personal preferences. For me a foam pad can work in a tent, but not at all on a wooden shelter floor. I've friends though that was happy (I assume) with a foam pad in shelters so again it's very different from person to person. I started with a metal spoon, but switched to a plastic one when I found a really light one. IMO a long (metal) spoon is super useful if you prepare meals in the packaging (like the freeze dried ones), but I used mostly cheaper stuff like Raman noodles and cooked them in the pot and then a small plastic spoon was all I needed.
I really appreciate your reviews. I think you are saving many of us money in the long run by sharing gear which works for you and pointing out improvements in what you carry over your earlier choices. I too have an EE Revelation and an EE Torrid. Kept me toasty at Thanksgiving camping in the high Sierras in Northern California! Thanks to input through your videos. I do a lot of boat and canoe camping too, and feel more secure in synthetic rather than down (but still want to keep everything dry).
I have some long sleeved T-shirt fishing shirts that are made of polyester and are stretchy. They have a dark woodland camo pattern and I picked it because dark colours have more UV absorbancy than light and white colours. Unlike cotton, they don't absorb moisture so they dry much faster than cotton and are less stinky in hot conditions from BO. I also have some buffs that are also stretchy thin synthetic material and long enough so you can pull them up in a balaclava type setup that also covers your nose and head and still keeps your neck covered. The buffs, with a brimmed hat and sunglasses, keeps almost all of your face covered so you don't need to use much, if any, sunscreen. The shirts are also available in a polo neck design. Oh, yeah, I used the buffs without incident during mask mandates. The shirts and buffs are summer weight but I have ridden with the buffs during winter when the temps were less that 5℃ without freezing my throat and neck.
I love to have a cup too! However, after burning myself a few times from grabbing the flexible collapsible cup too aggressively, I personally recommend a hard plastic cup. Thank you for the tip on a backpack. I’ve been afraid to switch to a UL backpack because my back is old and hunched, but I swear the Ospreys are getting even heavier these days. Yea, Farm to Feet is one of my favorite socks too. Great video as always.
I camp with a canoe or a motorcycle, so backpackers may not like this approach. Foot prints for a tent benefit the tent company much more than the camper. Tent floors will develop leaks, inevitably. A foot print (1) delays the first hole in the tent floor, but (2) does not stop water from entering your tent.. Tent floors will leak (let in water directly) through ground water entering through holes, or from outside flooding or puddles entering directly. Also, tent floors are not water proof - they are only highly water resistant. Water can seep right on through, particularly at pressure points where weight is applied to the floor. I think that it is more important to protect the camper than it is to try to protect a tent floor. To do that, I buy an inexpensive piece of visqueen plastic, and make a “bathtub” for the tent. An example would be a tent floor 2’X8’. I get one, single integral piece at least 1’ longer and 1’ wider than the tent floor. In this example the plastic is 9’X3’. I fold up a 6” wide cuff on all four sides, fold the corners in and secure them with duct tape. This bathtub, inside the tent, is waterproof. Even when water leeks or seeps in through the floor, the camper and gear dies not get wet from that. If a bathtub gets punctured (so far, none of mine have, but there’s always a first time) a couple of pieces of duct tape (inside and outside) fixes that. In my experience, this has always kept water out of my tents, always. It folds and rolls and fits inside my tent bags. Probably won’t fit into every tent bag along with a tent. But size and weight are generally only a bit more than a footprint. And, way less expensive and way more water proof. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Thank you for this update. The AT is unique. I am amazed at how much I can still learn from your experience and I have been hiking for five decades plus. What you have to share on base layers and sleep wear and the difference is especially important. And still have few differences on choices on water filtering and carries because of the environment and climate I hike in. I have all the zones of the CDT except Chihuahua desert of Southern New Mexico within 100 miles of me.
Always glad to see another video. I’ll be hiking the AT 2022 and your videos were a big part of my research. I’m only using a few pieces of this gear/your current gear, but your experience was super helpful in every decision I’ve made.
I have a RAVPower 15K power bank that I like because I can plug up to three things into it and plug it into the wall, and in the morning all of those three things AND the power bank are all charged. It also supports QC 3.0 which Anker seems to be allergic to (few of their banks support it).
Thank you so much for sharing this all. Your channel has been a huge inspiration to get out & on trail. Did my first backpacking trip last year & am planning multiple ones this year. Your videos made me feel much safer going out & knowledgeable even as a beginner.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regards to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
Bought a pair of Cascade Mtn Tech cork handles, from Amazon $22.99 for my AT thru hike attempt this coming February. I’ll let ya know how they do hopefully sometime in August.
I don't know when I've seen a more informative video with simple delivery. No dang music or special effects, which aren't needed on informative videos but too often get them. Thank you for this excellent video.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regard to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
Thanks Dixie for a great video. The glove idea sounds great and I'll have to try it. I do use the Platypus Gravity Works 2L and I like it. I tend to drink a lot of water on trail, and like the large capacity bladder. Also getting into camp. I can get my dirty water bag filled and set up my tent, etc., while the water is filtered. The extra weight doesn't bother me, but than I don't carry a whole bunch of camera equipment either.
You are awesome! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. I commented once about the contractor bag and didn't realize that you were using trash compacter bags. I feel bad for ever saying anything... I was wrong also. Keep doin what you do! Thank you so much for your valuable content!
Just a note on power outlet/USB chargers: get one that has high output. USB chargers are not all the same. A high-output charger (e.g. 40W or above) will charge your phone in a fraction of the time as a slower, lower output charger.
Dixie thank you for all the videos and info this past year. Happy New Year too and all the Family. may it be safe and Prosperous .say hello too Mom Dad Montana Fancy and everybody. safe safe and warm.
I believe this is the only time I mean the second time I’ve made a comment I can’t believe I’ve been with you for 6 1/2 years. Awesome job and awesome content. Stay safe Dixie
Jessica, Congrats An excellent presentation And you present yourself wonderfully Been following you a long time now Amazing to see how you have grown Keep up the good work Best of luck to you
Great video and I have possibly a weird question for you Dixie. Does a video like this take you a long time to make since you have to find all those back footage shots to cut in as references? Like you talk about using a hat instead of a hood and then show old footage of that. I am not a UA-camr but just curious since organizing all this seems like a ton of work but I appreciate it when you do it.
One thing I'll add from my experience with headlamps - I have had some name brand ones that disappointingly didn't last very long. One in particular was only used a few times over several years and then had the on switch fail completely. I just purchased a pair of rechargeable headlamps on Amazon (from China of course) which weigh 2 oz each., have a lower and brighter setting for both the center LED and the side LED mode, a red mode, and a flashing red mode. And the pair of them cost only $15 including the recharging cords. Can't report yet on high long they'll hold a charge (although the reviews sounded decent), or how long they'll last. But considering the experiences I've had so far with the well-known-brand $35-60 ones, it doesn't seem that more money and a name necessarily gets you a better product. I'll see what happens.
Hey, what kind of gear do I need if I'm section hiking the AT sobo from where it starts in NJ into PA in late July/early August? And is there any gear I _don't_ need?
Great video as always. Suggestion as far as the PLB, RENT the device if it’s just for like a month or less. Much cheaper than purchasing the PLB and the service.
A lot of Osprey packs are now way too heavy. I have a older style 44 Talon that weighs 1.0kkg (even that is too heavy), the newer ones are 1.3kg, bugger that. A huge step backwards by Osprey.
Great hindsight equipment vid. too many equipment vids are before a hike with no feedback on how the gear worked out. I had a $20 "big box store" trekking poles on the Timberline Trail. I would still be using them, if I hadn't lost one in the Sandy River
I swear they only make lightweight stuff, like sleeping bags, for certain body types. I can't zip my sleeping bag because my hips are very wide. And what some may call a splurge is a necessity...like an inflatable pad. :)
Quick question: You said you can use any stuff sack to bear bag your food. What if it rains overnight? How do you keep your food from being a soggy mess? Or do you have everything in ziplocks inside the stuff sack?
Oh lol, I had heard people talking about wearing ‘loaner clothes’ in town but I didn’t catch on and I thought they were saying ‘loner clothes’, as in what you wear if you’re billy-no-mates.
Southerner preparing for a Pinhoti thru-hike, ty for the gear tips. Doubt I'll need the micro spikes for the Pin but I'm like you lol I didnt know they even existed.
I have the squeeze and the gravity and I must say I prefer the gravity for most things. I found the squeeze tedious and time consuming, the gravity is easy - on a break I hang it right away. Couple min later it’s ready and I can choose which bottle or bladder to use.
I buy sleeping bags at thrift stores and give them out to the homeless. Because I got my own gear I like just fine. But geez. I got a down packable puffy coat for 4.40. I got a down sleeping bag for 4.49. I didn't even know it was down until I washed it, hung it up to dry and noticed it was lumpy on the bottom. I managed to catch it throw it in the dryer on air fluff and I didn't ruin it. I found a sleeping bag compression sack for a buck. I found an original boy scouts of America cook kit for three dollars. I mean I don't know! I get a good feeling finding a deal because I'm pretty rough on my stuff and I do prefer to do a bit of cooking on the trail. Its like I just shelled out a couple hundred dollars for something and then found it for a dollar. I also found a l.l. bean extreme light weight wind jacket for four dollars. So sometimes I don't know what to do because I originally acquired these things to give them away and these I don't want to. So if your on a strict budget and have once a week to thrift shop you can find some serious good deals. The employees there don't usually know the difference alot of times. I found a stadium blanket for 5.99. I love the thing! Its for day to day use though because that one a bit heavy for hiking but I will throw that one on my bike when I ride it to the beach.
Hi Dixie. You said you are allergic to down. May I ask if you dry clean your down or wash it? I love down and I never dry clean it. Put it in the washer and dryer. Drying takes a long time but worth it. I have no problems with my down items now that I wash them.
Awesome video! Wondering what you think of the Altus poncho you got on the Camino and whether that would be good on trails like AT? I love my poncho on the Camino and found it protected me and the pack from wind and rain (and windy rain!) and was an extra layer of warmth when needed.
I'm sorry but I could not make out the name brand or style of the stocks you now recommend. Would you mind replying with type and style. Thank you for all your informational videos!
dixie, i love you so much.
so many hiking videos are about SOLO TRIP IN HARD WEATHER! or GEAR I HATE NOW or WHAT YOU'RE DOING WRONG and you are so much about gracious friendly advice and i love that you revisit concepts to reevaluate.
you just talk straight to us and you're not clickbaity.
thank you.
and may your new year be full of blessings.
Bear spray vs hornet best. On my thru hikes, I’ve😅 encountered some sketchy humans yet never in so much pain as to when we crossed and offended a yellow jacket nest.
"Negative" titles get more clicks. While her videos are informational, that's just smart marketing lol.
I've also had very good experiences with Anker power banks. I have 10k one (Astro E3) from ~2012 and have since retired that one to urban usage, but I've picked up two more Powercore 10k banks and prefer carrying two banks rather than one for a couple reasons. Last I checked, the Powercore 20100 weighs 356g and two Powercore 10000s weigh 354g. Add in the little carrying bag and the 20k might win by a couple of grams, but it's really close. Note that the Powercore PD banks are a trap unless you need the higher output. They are significantly heavier for the same capacity. The same thing applies to the Powercore Lite, Slim, Redux and + models. Two power banks also allow me to have a much better feel for how much power I have left and makes it easier to make sure I'm reserving enough power for the more critical needs. Finally, if I were to have a power bank fail, it's nice that I likely only lose part of my power. You might take another look at the 20k+10k setup that you ran for awhile.
On a related note, we got a stark reminder this last fall that electronics can and will fail on the trail. Carrying redundancy and/or alternatives when reasonable is a good idea. I thankfully haven't had a power bank fail yet, but we had the lamp burn out on a Steripen (UV light water purification) midway through our last trip. I'm estimating it was about 20% through its expected life so it was a surprise to have it fail. As a group of 5 on that trip, we had planned redundancy built in so we all fell back on a MSR pump filter that a friend was using. Two or three liters later, the handle on the pump snapped off. We had a fuel reserve for boiling water and most of us had a small emergency supply of chemical treatment as well so we were not at risk, but it was a sobering reminder that a cascade of failures can change the complexion of a trip in a hurry.
Umbrella ☂ is a must for me. Unshaded ☀️ trail, desert 🌵 as well as rain 🌧 make the UV umbrella I carry an absolute must. The difference between being able to hike or not under these circumstances.
I have the Enigma and it's awesome, but if you're concerned about transitioning to a quilt (it's an easy switch, but I get it), you can get the Convert from Enlightened Equipment. It's very similar to the Enigma, but zips fully out to a full quilt (no foot box) and all the way up to a full sleeping bag. That's what I use for winter (the -10 degree version) so I can zip all the way in when it's really drafty.
Correction: Just went through my gear. My 3-season quilt is the Revelation, not the Enigma. Fairly similar quilts though. You can't really go wrong with EE gear.
Nice! Love the gear videos. Just a note regarding the wall chargers, make sure you get one with a high output. It will make the difference between you 20.000 powerbank charging in 20h or 4h 😉.
Brilliant as always!
Thanks, great video. I would suggest Costco's Cascade Mountain Tech trecking poles. Best deal out there. They are $30 for a pair of carbon fiber 8oz poles. They are rated for the PCT as 4th best and that at $60 instead of 30. I even got mine on sale for $23 at costco and bought multiple pairs for self and family. Now Coscto needs a deal w/ ULA and Big Agnes!
Hi Dixie.. I was watching how you kept your feet warm in the shoes you wore, as opposed to heavy duty hiking boots, and were your feet dry? And apart from the issue of weight, why did you choose shoes over boots? Thanks, Steve.
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing and for returning to the beginning for us. Your vlog inspired me to hike the AT this year! 💛
Thanks so much Dixie, you’ve inspired me to do the a.t. and bought 90% of the items you suggested
Excellent wrap-up. Thanks Dixie.
I love your gear reviews. Thank you!
I somehow managed to bend and break four pairs of cheapish hiking poles in the Whites. Finally asked my thru-hiking friend for advice, and she told me to buy Black Diamond poles. If you’re rough on your poles, definitely go Black Diamond. I could have saved so much money by buying them the first time around.
Sawyer squeeze is 30.00 at Walmart
You should really try the Platypus Quickdraw. It's like the comparison of your gravity system to the Sawyer. The Quickdraw is soooo much better than the Sawyer! Used it on the CDT this year and the flow on it leaves the Sawyer in the dust. I'd be surprised if Sawyer doesn't change their design to be similar in the next year or so. :)
Excellant Video...
Dixie!!
Something you might add to your cold trips, and I started using this year is a Buff. They are great around the neck and like base layers, help a lot at personal temperature regulation, and t
add protection from teens and single digits of wind, you can pull it up on the chin also.
Get the longer ones and you can wear it as a balaclava
I think she might just not have remembered to mention it because they're so ubiquitous. I bought my first Buff several years ago after Dixie was raving about how they're basically indispensable.
@@neemancallender9092
I where one on my head sometimes.
Get a proper one made of wool (e.g. merino wool). Unbelievably nice!
I have my merino buff on my lap right now. Heat went out in the house just when the snow storm hit so it was chilly in here. Had on my buff and down vest. Thankfully heating company came and fixed it today.
I can listen to her for hours. Common sense driven by experience…her advice is good for all levels of hikers. We can argue with some of her choices but she considers most angles and is researches topics very well. Well worth the watch.
3 years ago I was rocking a 3.75 lb pack....now I use the Zpacks Nero 38 and it makes hiking so much more fun. No need to have 1/5th of your base weight in your pack alone.
Yup! After simply choosing what to leave behind, I usually tell people who are trying to shave weight that the first place to look is for a new pack, but don't bother with REI or any big store. Look to Z or HMG, or ULA, etc etc. Most people can shed 2-3 pounds right there. When I was a kid, I used my 70L mountaineering pack for ALL my backpacking because I couldn't afford multiple packs - of course, back then the lightest packs available were still 3.5 lbs or more. I think my mountaineering pack was about 5.5 lbs empty...
@@backpacker3421 if I remember correctly Dixie had a trail family member on the AT that was toting a 75 to 100 lb pack. She joked that you couldn't see him if you were hiking behind him....just a pair of legs...lol.
Yup - my beginners pack was Deuter (sp?) but I’ve switched to a 2 lb. Mariposa medium
@@meinthewild my Zpacks Nero comes in at a whopping 10.2 oz.
I'm looking for a backpack which fits my needs. My current one is 2.2kg but so comfy, I can carry a 20kg load with ease. I'd love to have a lighter one since my normal load is about 10kg with food and water. But I won't replace the comfort. Even though I'm searching, I think I'll have to hike the CDT next year with a 2.2kg model.
Sensible advice as always. Gear is a journey, not a destination and all of us who hike learn something every time we go out. Otherwise it would just be walking! Thanks Dixie.
Dixie is going to empty my wallet. At least I take good care of my gear.
Great video. Two suggestions for the "food" section. The Humangear Gobites Duo spoon and fork combo is bomb proof and light. Also I am in agreement with Andrew Skurka and don't do a traditional bear hang any more. Unless I am required to use a bear canister I use an Ursack in bear country.
For gloves I have a pair of windproof and insulated mittens from Decathlon. You can flip back the "mitt" and you then have fingerless gloves. A thin pair of Merino liners make this a very warm combination. For rain gear I prefer a poncho. Because it can act as a pack cover as well as keep me dry. Keeping your stuff dry inside of the pack is great but the pack itself, unless it's made out of a waterproof material, The pack itself will absorb water and can easily gain well over a pound in water weight, especially if you have well padded hip belt and shoulder straps. Those completely act like sponges.
Thanks Dixie! Your videos definitely helped get us through the last two pandemic years! Love your approach!
Thank you for suffering through watching tour old self for us! This is helping me prep for the PCT this year!
Hey Dixie...on the subject of trekking poles, I bought mine (Outdoor Products) at Walmart about 5 years ago for $14.95. They have locking mechanisms for length, cork hand grips with adjustable straps, rubber "booties" on the bottom of the poles for hard surfaces which can be removed for non rocky areas, lightweight (compared them to my girlfriends "high end" poles and they weighed the same) AND they come with a little "basket" near the bottom of the poles for trekking in the snow! I have used them with no problems and I would definitely recommend them!
Great video!
Great video, thanks for the rundown! One of the unspoken lessons here is also to recognize that sometimes a fresh hiker just needs to get out there and hike in order to work out what works for them.
100%
FYI, polycryo (or polycro) comes in different varieties. The really light stuff (usually 0.7 mil) is used for window insulation, and will protect against water and provide some insulation (not much - it mainly insulates windows by preventing drafts), but it's VERY fragile stuff and will tear easily. Painter's drop cloth polycro sheeting is usually 1.5 or 2 mil, and will stand up to a lot more abuse and insulate more, but will also be about as heavy as Tyvek, maybe heavier. Tyvek is great against water, but provides only slight insulation benefits. It is however, pretty darn durable, and after being broken in, folds just like any lightweight cloth. Plus, it has the added benefit of being white, meaning you can use a sharpie and make your groundsheet do double duty as multiple signs ("hiker to town" "hiker to trail", etc etc - just fold it so the sign you want is visible).
Bottom line, poly and Tyvek are both already very lightweight and do the footprint job well, but the only way to really save more weight (you're not saving much) is to trade in on durability. I'd go with 1.5 mil poly if you don't like Tyvek. Personally, I have a roll of Tyvek in my DIY box, and until I use that up I'm not using anything else. It does a great job and one sheet lasts multiple seasons.
I agree. I go with Tyvek for the simple reason that the first piece I used is still going. I'm not a thru-hiker, so maybe this is not so crucial, but for general backpacking, a bit more substantial protection often comes in handy, especially with an inflatable mattress.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 Personally, I think the durability plays an even bigger factor in long hikes, especially when resupplies are fewer and further between. As with most gear, it's a balancing act between weight and durability (and cost). As the old adage goes, cheap, durable, light - pick 2 cuz you can't have all three. In this case, their all pretty cheap and light and Tyvek is also durable. I just think the durability trade off is nowhere near the weight benefit with this one.
@@backpacker3421 so are you saying youd' rather go with polycro?
Thanks man. You just saved me hours of you tubing.
This is such a great video! Everyone's gear choices will change over time. It's a good reminder to never be 'married' to the gear you have as you progress in your experience or encounter different conditions. And also that we shouldn't hold others (or ourselves) accountable for bad choices they may have made previously. Thanks for sharing!
Really nice to go down memory lane, so to speak, with you. As far as the "quality" of the video(s) back then, it was just fine. In fact, although lacking the better equipment and the expertise of Aaron, the videos of your AT thru hike are some really good screen time. I've watched the movie(your whole hike in one video) a bunch of times, and it warms my heart and gets me excited about hiking each time.
Today's video is a really good one. Thank you for it.
Dixie’s old videos are a hoot!
+1 for ULA packs. I have the Catalyst (slightly larger than the Ohm but otherwise very similar). I lovelovelove that pack. It's the only pack I use anymore. Nearly as light as the HMG or Zpacks, but MUCH more durable and more comfortable, IMO.
I also agree that limiting your pack capacity is a VERY good idea. TBH, if you can't fit it in 40 liters, you probably don't need it unless you're going into some seriously sketchy terrain and need extra gear - though for winter camping, an extra 10L or so is good for the extra room your sleeping bag will take up (that's why I have the Catalyst instead of the Ohm - one pack for year round fun).
❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓
Can someone plz recommend the *BEST GEAR for BUGGINGOUT* .... for an Emergency Evacuation ❓❓❓
(Wild Fire, Power Outage, Mass Flooding, Snow Storm, WORL, and any other SHTF that forces a single/ Family to Get Out of Dodge )
I always like using large ziplock bags for my sleeping clothes(top/bottom/socks). Keeps them separate so I can find them easily, and they will for sure be dry in there.
Woman from Alabama wearing Possum gloves..... this should be a song. 😄
"It's not the Arrow, It's the Indian." Dixie, you are made of the right stuff. Thanks.
I like the REI goretex mittens for rain/wind protection. Almost as light as the Zpacks/EE versions, but Goretex still beats those for water and wind protection.
Him Dixie…I was wondering why, apart from the issue of weight, you chose shoes over heavy duty hiking boots, and were your feet warm and dry?
... Dixie's your video's are always a great watch ... Started watching from the beginning of the AT and enjoy them all ... watching you put in the work to not only hike crazy long trails but video them as well .You create inspiration for SO many and good sense information for those starting out on a thru hike for the first time ... Gear choices first come from a personal budget until experience comes into play ,, sometimes the cheap and basic get the job done ,but the trail and time will dictate that ... Your written works as well are impressive and the personal touches to some to reach into themselves ,,Remembering a young lady so inspired by one of your slogans of inner strength ,, she had it tattooed on her arm .... and that was early in your hiking program .. In trail talks,, I don't know anyone that doesn't know of Dixie ,,Homemade Wanderlust ,, and not have anything but positive things to bring up ...
.. I can't imagine what a thru hiker learns about themself but after all you have done ,,I would guess the self talk would be an Oscar winner .. To reflect back on what gear choices might be swapped can be a fun afternoon but you did it with what you had ,, and did it well .. All along the way has been a blast to watch this southern girl tame the trails ,even swamps,, and some very rugged mountains and always finish with a smile ... .... Looking forward for what's to come ......Stay Safe and God Bless .....
I kinda feel like having multiple 10,000 mAh packs is better than carrying a single 20K or 30K one, because it gives you more flexibility to carry less for shorter hikes, charge one while using another (maybe charge one in the hotel room while charging your phone with another while out at dinner in town), and two separate units with two wall warts will probably charge faster than one big one. I doubt two 10K units weighs much more than one 20K unit and they're probably easier to pack.
For decent quality cheap gear Decathlon takes a bit of beating, I just took their £30 synthetic trekking hooded jacket to Scotland for 10 days it’s no frills but worked well even at sub zero temperatures and let’s face it for £30 if it gets damaged it’s replaceable
Decathlon is a large multi sport store all over in Europe. They are now available online in the USA. So probably this jacket can be purchased online and the items are already within the USA so arriving in a timely way. I'd actually purchased a fanny pack in Italy at a Decathlon for 2 euro about 3 dollars. It made thru half of the PCT, but at that price I had a back-up 😀.
I LOVE decathlon. I think what I like most is that they have three tiers of price for most things, which as a student getting into sport was so helpful. And now as I'm older, I've got the money to pay a little more than say £5 for a daypack etc. But decathlon still serves me well.
I used inexpensive Mountainsmith trekking poles that came as a bonus for free with another pack that I got. They worked fine on the CT for me in 2018. I think the model is called Pinnacle.
Thank you for this video Dixie! It's nice to see how your experience and available gear have evolved over the years. Would love to see an update on your gear picks for the PCT as well!
I have Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles. They were $35 at the time, and are about $45 now, for the carbon fiber cork version. (The aluminum ones are only $20.) I haven’t done a through hike with them, but have had them for 3 years, and several hundred miles They are still going strong.
If someone handed you these, and a pair of Black Diamonds anyone would correctly guess which was the more expensive pair, but you would probably think they were $20-30 cheaper. Not a third of the price.
I just posted about those very same poles. They’ve become my second hands. Don’t go anywhere without them. Agree fully on your review. Can’t tell the difference between more expensive ones.
have the same
Dixie, one of the BEST features of the Flycreek UL2 was the ability to pitch it using just the footprint & rainfly. Spead out footprint, install poles in grommets, drape rainfly over poles and secure to footprint with the plastic snap buckles. You can the pitch your tent under the erected fly & poles. Great in a sudden mountain rainstorm, or if bugs aren't a concern and you don't want to bother with the tent body. But you have to pony up for the footprint to realize the benefits.
To avoid the expense and weight of the footprint, there's another option for bad weather if you are willing to crawl on your Fly Creek. Leave the fly attached except for one of the front corners. To pitch, lay the tent flat, assemble and slide the pole under the fly, insert its ends into the grommets, GENTLY crawl under the fly to attach the clips, attach the last corner of the fly, and stake down as needed.
A couple of years ago we watched one of your videos in which you mentioned Lone Peak 4.5 trail runners. Since I have had foot problems as in my feet hurt a lot from to much standing or walking. I checked out a pair at rei and wore them out of the store. I guess my feet needed the wide toe box and the 0 drop. Thank you so much for helping my hiking and just general life. After 3 years I just about have wore out that first pair. I have two more in reserve. Other than dress shoes its all I wear. Thanks for your videos.
Thank you so much for this review. I’m going to pick up the gloves for a trip in February- perfect timing!
I’ve hiked almost 200 miles (half that on the PCT) with the cascade mountain tech trekking poles and haven’t had any problems. I’ve splurged on several other items but for carbon fiber poles with cork grips, they’re a great deal and have worked well enough that I haven’t felt the need to upgrade. They’re $45 right now on Amazon but a bit cheaper at Costco if that’s an option.
I have these poles and really like them, im planning on using them on my AT thruhike
i have the same
I started the PCT with $30 Trekology poles. Function wise they were perfectly fine however I went through 2 pairs, each lasted about 400 miles before the tips cracked and fell off. So overall I think cheap poles are great, but for a thru hike the more expensive ones are worth it for the durability. My Lekis got me the last ~1200 miles and are still in great shape!
I really appreciate your comment about 2 liters of water being too much. I also carried 2 liters in a platypus type bladder and after my section hike realized that at least on the south part of the trail, there is literally water everywhere.
Lots of excellent recommendations here IMO, but note that what rating you need on the quilt/sleeping bag varies a lot from person to person. I was perfectly happy with a 30 degree bag on the AT, but that's obviously not for everyone and it really depends on personal preferences.
For me a foam pad can work in a tent, but not at all on a wooden shelter floor. I've friends though that was happy (I assume) with a foam pad in shelters so again it's very different from person to person.
I started with a metal spoon, but switched to a plastic one when I found a really light one. IMO a long (metal) spoon is super useful if you prepare meals in the packaging (like the freeze dried ones), but I used mostly cheaper stuff like Raman noodles and cooked them in the pot and then a small plastic spoon was all I needed.
I always love the ridiculously funny comment imbedding in the middle of the discussion - Sell a kidney on the black market!! hahahaha
Perfect timing! I’m prepping to do my first thru hike this coming season
I really appreciate your reviews. I think you are saving many of us money in the long run by sharing gear which works for you and pointing out improvements in what you carry over your earlier choices.
I too have an EE Revelation and an EE Torrid. Kept me toasty at Thanksgiving camping in the high Sierras in Northern California! Thanks to input through your videos. I do a lot of boat and canoe camping too, and feel more secure in synthetic rather than down (but still want to keep everything dry).
I have some long sleeved T-shirt fishing shirts that are made of polyester and are stretchy. They have a dark woodland camo pattern and I picked it because dark colours have more UV absorbancy than light and white colours. Unlike cotton, they don't absorb moisture so they dry much faster than cotton and are less stinky in hot conditions from BO. I also have some buffs that are also stretchy thin synthetic material and long enough so you can pull them up in a balaclava type setup that also covers your nose and head and still keeps your neck covered. The buffs, with a brimmed hat and sunglasses, keeps almost all of your face covered so you don't need to use much, if any, sunscreen. The shirts are also available in a polo neck design. Oh, yeah, I used the buffs without incident during mask mandates. The shirts and buffs are summer weight but I have ridden with the buffs during winter when the temps were less that 5℃ without freezing my throat and neck.
I love to have a cup too! However, after burning myself a few times from grabbing the flexible collapsible cup too aggressively, I personally recommend a hard plastic cup. Thank you for the tip on a backpack. I’ve been afraid to switch to a UL backpack because my back is old and hunched, but I swear the Ospreys are getting even heavier these days. Yea, Farm to Feet is one of my favorite socks too. Great video as always.
I camp with a canoe or a motorcycle, so backpackers may not like this approach. Foot prints for a tent benefit the tent company much more than the camper. Tent floors will develop leaks, inevitably. A foot print (1) delays the first hole in the tent floor, but (2) does not stop water from entering your tent..
Tent floors will leak (let in water directly) through ground water entering through holes, or from outside flooding or puddles entering directly. Also, tent floors are not water proof - they are only highly water resistant. Water can seep right on through, particularly at pressure points where weight is applied to the floor.
I think that it is more important to protect the camper than it is to try to protect a tent floor. To do that, I buy an inexpensive piece of visqueen plastic, and make a “bathtub” for the tent. An example would be a tent floor 2’X8’. I get one, single integral piece at least 1’ longer and 1’ wider than the tent floor. In this example the plastic is 9’X3’. I fold up a 6” wide cuff on all four sides, fold the corners in and secure them with duct tape. This bathtub, inside the tent, is waterproof. Even when water leeks or seeps in through the floor, the camper and gear dies not get wet from that. If a bathtub gets punctured (so far, none of mine have, but there’s always a first time) a couple of pieces of duct tape (inside and outside) fixes that.
In my experience, this has always kept water out of my tents, always. It folds and rolls and fits inside my tent bags. Probably won’t fit into every tent bag along with a tent. But size and weight are generally only a bit more than a footprint. And, way less expensive and way more water proof.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
Thank you for sharing your hiking expertise.
Hi
Thanks Jessica! great vid, as always! as one who suffers from analysis paralysis when it comes to gear, your opinion really helps!
Thank you for this update. The AT is unique. I am amazed at how much I can still learn from your experience and I have been hiking for five decades plus. What you have to share on base layers and sleep wear and the difference is especially important. And still have few differences on choices on water filtering and carries because of the environment and climate I hike in. I have all the zones of the CDT except Chihuahua desert of Southern New Mexico within 100 miles of me.
Always glad to see another video. I’ll be hiking the AT 2022 and your videos were a big part of my research. I’m only using a few pieces of this gear/your current gear, but your experience was super helpful in every decision I’ve made.
I have a RAVPower 15K power bank that I like because I can plug up to three things into it and plug it into the wall, and in the morning all of those three things AND the power bank are all charged. It also supports QC 3.0 which Anker seems to be allergic to (few of their banks support it).
"I was tired of not sleeping." Literally.
Thank you so much for sharing this all. Your channel has been a huge inspiration to get out & on trail. Did my first backpacking trip last year & am planning multiple ones this year. Your videos made me feel much safer going out & knowledgeable even as a beginner.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regards to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
To me, polycro vs tyvek is like comparing saran wrap to dyneema. I want a ground cloth to protect my tent floor from pointy things as well as mud.
Bought a pair of Cascade Mtn Tech cork handles, from Amazon $22.99 for my AT thru hike attempt this coming February. I’ll let ya know how they do hopefully sometime in August.
I don't know when I've seen a more informative video with simple delivery. No dang music or special effects, which aren't needed on informative videos but too often get them. Thank you for this excellent video.
I absolutely love the nuance in his video in regard to weight saving, where you might choose to carry a bit more for comfort/practicality's sake and what you can easily do without. All too often, recommendations are along the lines of "if you can save the weight without great bodily harm, you should".
The "Sawyer squeeze" sounds like a good idea. Thank you for the gear review.
I hope it gets everything
Thanks Dixie for a great video. The glove idea sounds great and I'll have to try it. I do use the Platypus Gravity Works 2L and I like it. I tend to drink a lot of water on trail, and like the large capacity bladder. Also getting into camp. I can get my dirty water bag filled and set up my tent, etc., while the water is filtered. The extra weight doesn't bother me, but than I don't carry a whole bunch of camera equipment either.
You are awesome! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many. I commented once about the contractor bag and didn't realize that you were using trash compacter bags. I feel bad for ever saying anything... I was wrong also. Keep doin what you do! Thank you so much for your valuable content!
this is great info dixie! love it!
Just a note on power outlet/USB chargers: get one that has high output. USB chargers are not all the same. A high-output charger (e.g. 40W or above) will charge your phone in a fraction of the time as a slower, lower output charger.
Dixie thank you for all the videos and info this past year. Happy New Year too and all the Family. may it be safe and Prosperous .say hello too Mom Dad Montana Fancy and everybody. safe safe and warm.
I believe this is the only time I mean the second time I’ve made a comment I can’t believe I’ve been with you for 6 1/2 years. Awesome job and awesome content. Stay safe Dixie
Wondering why you keep saying AC. I'm thinking Appalachian trail... Wouldn't that be AT?
Jessica,
Congrats
An excellent presentation
And you present yourself wonderfully
Been following you a long time now
Amazing to see how you have grown
Keep up the good work
Best of luck to you
Best advice -- "Don't fall off the frickin' mountain!!"
Good insight into equipment that will get it done, and what will get it done lighter. Very useful information. Thanks, Dixie! 👍
Great video and I have possibly a weird question for you Dixie. Does a video like this take you a long time to make since you have to find all those back footage shots to cut in as references? Like you talk about using a hat instead of a hood and then show old footage of that. I am not a UA-camr but just curious since organizing all this seems like a ton of work but I appreciate it when you do it.
Love it ! Solid advice from experience for anyone who is considering a long distance hike. Thanks for sharing !
One thing I'll add from my experience with headlamps - I have had some name brand ones that disappointingly didn't last very long. One in particular was only used a few times over several years and then had the on switch fail completely. I just purchased a pair of rechargeable headlamps on Amazon (from China of course) which weigh 2 oz each., have a lower and brighter setting for both the center LED and the side LED mode, a red mode, and a flashing red mode. And the pair of them cost only $15 including the recharging cords. Can't report yet on high long they'll hold a charge (although the reviews sounded decent), or how long they'll last. But considering the experiences I've had so far with the well-known-brand $35-60 ones, it doesn't seem that more money and a name necessarily gets you a better product. I'll see what happens.
Did she say Micro Spikes and not macro spaks? I heard "ass axe."
BTW; I used my titanium spoon for a knife, screwdriver, fork, cauterizer, AND spoon.
This is a perfect video to watch as I am aspiring to thru-hike the AT within the next 5 years and just started buying gear.
Hey, what kind of gear do I need if I'm section hiking the AT sobo from where it starts in NJ into PA in late July/early August?
And is there any gear I _don't_ need?
Great video as always. Suggestion as far as the PLB, RENT the device if it’s just for like a month or less. Much cheaper than purchasing the PLB and the service.
carrying 2L of water IS NEVER EXCESSIVE, the day u find yourself in the middle of no where with no water is the day u will understand me. lol
A lot of Osprey packs are now way too heavy. I have a older style 44 Talon that weighs 1.0kkg (even that is too heavy), the newer ones are 1.3kg, bugger that. A huge step backwards by Osprey.
Great hindsight equipment vid. too many equipment vids are before a hike with no feedback on how the gear worked out. I had a $20 "big box store" trekking poles on the Timberline Trail. I would still be using them, if I hadn't lost one in the Sandy River
I swear they only make lightweight stuff, like sleeping bags, for certain body types. I can't zip my sleeping bag because my hips are very wide. And what some may call a splurge is a necessity...like an inflatable pad. :)
I would be sooo unhappy if I was allergic to down, I have down jackets, a down quilt on my bed, a down quilt for camping, a down vest. I live in down.
What's the location of that scene @20:30? Breath-taking view!
Edit: Is it the CDT Wyoming?
Quick question: You said you can use any stuff sack to bear bag your food. What if it rains overnight? How do you keep your food from being a soggy mess? Or do you have everything in ziplocks inside the stuff sack?
Oh lol, I had heard people talking about wearing ‘loaner clothes’ in town but I didn’t catch on and I thought they were saying ‘loner clothes’, as in what you wear if you’re billy-no-mates.
Southerner preparing for a Pinhoti thru-hike, ty for the gear tips. Doubt I'll need the micro spikes for the Pin but I'm like you lol I didnt know they even existed.
I have the squeeze and the gravity and I must say I prefer the gravity for most things. I found the squeeze tedious and time consuming, the gravity is easy - on a break I hang it right away. Couple min later it’s ready and I can choose which bottle or bladder to use.
I buy sleeping bags at thrift stores and give them out to the homeless. Because I got my own gear I like just fine. But geez. I got a down packable puffy coat for 4.40. I got a down sleeping bag for 4.49. I didn't even know it was down until I washed it, hung it up to dry and noticed it was lumpy on the bottom. I managed to catch it throw it in the dryer on air fluff and I didn't ruin it. I found a sleeping bag compression sack for a buck. I found an original boy scouts of America cook kit for three dollars. I mean I don't know! I get a good feeling finding a deal because I'm pretty rough on my stuff and I do prefer to do a bit of cooking on the trail. Its like I just shelled out a couple hundred dollars for something and then found it for a dollar. I also found a l.l. bean extreme light weight wind jacket for four dollars. So sometimes I don't know what to do because I originally acquired these things to give them away and these I don't want to. So if your on a strict budget and have once a week to thrift shop you can find some serious good deals. The employees there don't usually know the difference alot of times. I found a stadium blanket for 5.99. I love the thing! Its for day to day use though because that one a bit heavy for hiking but I will throw that one on my bike when I ride it to the beach.
Happy New Year, thank you for your videos, be safe take care God bless
So, you did not have quality issues with the Sawyer Squeeze? I've cleaned up many broken ones off the Tahoe Rim trail over the years.
Hi Dixie. You said you are allergic to down. May I ask if you dry clean your down or wash it? I love down and I never dry clean it. Put it in the washer and dryer. Drying takes a long time but worth it. I have no problems with my down items now that I wash them.
Awesome video! Wondering what you think of the Altus poncho you got on the Camino and whether that would be good on trails like AT? I love my poncho on the Camino and found it protected me and the pack from wind and rain (and windy rain!) and was an extra layer of warmth when needed.
I'm sorry but I could not make out the name brand or style of the stocks you now recommend. Would you mind replying with type and style. Thank you for all your informational videos!