Love to hear other people still use them too! Also if you're with someone you can have wonderful conversations going back and forth about why what you see in the horizon is this point on the map and not some other point. Cell phones/gps have their place but paper maps can be very engaging and fun.
My gear is all UL but mostly because I am much older than you, 65 and I hike with my dog. I not only carry my gear but hers and all of her dog food. At this point in my life I could not actually enjoy hiking with normal gear any longer. I went all in on Zpacks and other UL gear and it’s been a game changer. That all said you can certainly hike with heavier gear and have a great time. There are endless nice lower cost hiking options. You don’t really need to spend a lot of money. I just picked up a InReach for a 100 dollars off at REI. I will be hiking you CT the end of August 2025 with my dog Maggie. I can’t wait. As an East Coast hiker I am looking forward to switch backs. Your gear list seems very nice. I have a Tiger Wall and always loved it. I switched to a trekking pole tent a few years ago. Sometimes I prefer the TW because of the condensations issues with a single wall tent. Congratulations on your thru hike.
This is a great take - sounds like you've made a conscious effort over the years to trim down on weight just based on how you hike now as opposed to how you did it years ago. You're going to love how the CT is graded coming from the East Coast; I grew up doing East TN hiking which is mostly straight up and straight down as I'm sure you know, and it makes the CT feel like a breeze (other than the lack of air!).
It was all in good taste so no harm, but yeah most people just rely on their phones now. I broke mine on Mt. Hood in a snow storm once and luckily had a paper backup.
I keep my top quilt in a 8L ultralight dry bag. It barely weighs any different than the stuff sack it came with. I think it's nicer than a garbage bag lol.
If a new person is getting into backpacking, they should get budget UL gear , having a 50 pound pack for someone that isnt fit doesn't make sense, they will hate it , anyways my 2 cents
@Pietop also! It occurs to me that, in regards to some people teasing us about packing a compass and whistle- that they just don't know how to use a compass yet, and they laugh when they get nervous 😆 be well! 73♡
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I love that you allowed your brain to work for you using a compass and a paper map. We do too!
Love to hear other people still use them too! Also if you're with someone you can have wonderful conversations going back and forth about why what you see in the horizon is this point on the map and not some other point. Cell phones/gps have their place but paper maps can be very engaging and fun.
My gear is all UL but mostly because I am much older than you, 65 and I hike with my dog. I not only carry my gear but hers and all of her dog food. At this point in my life I could not actually enjoy hiking with normal gear any longer. I went all in on Zpacks and other UL gear and it’s been a game changer. That all said you can certainly hike with heavier gear and have a great time. There are endless nice lower cost hiking options. You don’t really need to spend a lot of money. I just picked up a InReach for a 100 dollars off at REI. I will be hiking you CT the end of August 2025 with my dog Maggie. I can’t wait. As an East Coast hiker I am looking forward to switch backs. Your gear list seems very nice. I have a Tiger Wall and always loved it. I switched to a trekking pole tent a few years ago. Sometimes I prefer the TW because of the condensations issues with a single wall tent. Congratulations on your thru hike.
This is a great take - sounds like you've made a conscious effort over the years to trim down on weight just based on how you hike now as opposed to how you did it years ago. You're going to love how the CT is graded coming from the East Coast; I grew up doing East TN hiking which is mostly straight up and straight down as I'm sure you know, and it makes the CT feel like a breeze (other than the lack of air!).
I did a half dozen sections of the CT with almost this exact set-up. Worked very well! A nice balance between light and comfy.
love hearing that! Yeah there comes a point where you get so light it's not comfy anymore; you're just missing too much.
Why would anybody make fun of you for using a compass & paper maps?! Those are indispensable skills to have in the backcountry.
It was all in good taste so no harm, but yeah most people just rely on their phones now. I broke mine on Mt. Hood in a snow storm once and luckily had a paper backup.
Very helpful. Def gonna take two sleeping pads now.^^
It's something you'll never go without again!
I keep my top quilt in a 8L ultralight dry bag. It barely weighs any different than the stuff sack it came with. I think it's nicer than a garbage bag lol.
I could see this being a future upgrade for me.
Great video with lots of helpful information! We really enjoyed watching👍😊
Thanks runningmama! Always look forward to seeing your comments 😊
Great job with your video!
Hey thanks! happy hiking this fall!
Great video and great gear choices. New follower here. Crow
welcome to the fun, Crow! 🤘
Excellent
Could you spray seal your pack like you can on boots?
you can, I imagine it would work as a good first line of defense but i think I'd still line my pack with a trash bag. Something to try sometime.
i do with both bug spray first then lock that in with fabric guard. works well
If a new person is getting into backpacking, they should get budget UL gear , having a 50 pound pack for someone that isnt fit doesn't make sense, they will hate it , anyways my 2 cents
yeah nothing wrong with that, just whatever works and gets you out there.
A very refreshing perspective 🔥👍❤️
Really appreciate that! It's nice to have another option outside of ultra light I think.
@Pietop also! It occurs to me that, in regards to some people teasing us about packing a compass and whistle- that they just don't know how to use a compass yet, and they laugh when they get nervous 😆 be well! 73♡