Thank you for watching! If you're already a subscriber, thank you!! If you haven't yet subscribed, please consider supporting this channel by subscribing. Comments, likes and shares all help as well! Share these videos so that we can get the word out, and help more people enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
My gym shut down during Covid in 2020 and I began working out at home. I never rejoined the gym and I don’t own a stair master, but needed to get my legs stronger for my first backpacking trip this past June, culminating at 9500 feet. On the days I couldn’t get out for a conditioning hike, I did the stairs in my house with 28 lbs in my pack. I’m happy to say that all of the stair work, strength workouts, and conditioning hikes really helped me enjoy backpacking in Yosemite and 5 days in the Olympic Mountains this summer! I bought as much used gear as I could, and aimed for ultralight to honor my wrecked spine.
Great tips. It amazes me how many people I encounter who bring brand new gear without bothering to try it out beforehand. Or even glance at the instructions. 🥴
All the time! I think it's easy to take for granted how easy something will be to use, but if you don't walk through it at least once first, you're set up for failure!
We are day hikers and working our way up to backpacking trips. There’s so much to consider (and buy!) to get prepared. These are great tips and we plan to follow them for sure. 😊
Great tips. I particularly like the shakedown suggestion bc I am a pack allllll the things person and need the shorter outings to refine my equipment list.
Thanks, Yvette! A shakedown hike or trip can help so much. I have literally been out with a 60+ lb pack because I didn’t do a shakedown first, and it was rough!
I also do a trial for the weight and comfort of my back bag. I pack all my gear and go for an extended walk. If it feels too heavy after 90 minutes or less and/or the back bag starts chafing, I definitely have to change something. I know to always stay under 12 kg; less is even better now as I get older. On my first trip 40 years ago, I had an ill-fitting 20kg back bag in the desert. That taught me a lesson! On my second trip, I had new shoes...ouch. You live and learn, and I am still learning! ;-)) Thanks for your videos! Good advice, well explained, and very informative - I subscribed immediately.
Great tips AND reminders! Great advice to go out and do small trips to gauge what works for you. I can relate to the over researching and under researching. Researching the weather conditions where you're going is so important. Thank you for another great video! Looking forward to the next one :) 😺
Excellent advice as usual! I laughed when “even an x-mid” popped up in the screen…I did order on 😂 In my defense, I’m not a newbie and I need to cut weight. I still don’t prep or check my water filter. I ALWAYS forget…🙄
Haha my husband and I are newbies and buying our gear. We plan to go with the Xmid 2 because of the weight and overall space/design for two people. I feel like I’ve researched like crazy and this one makes the most sense for us but I do worry there might be something more suited to our situation that I haven’t seen.
@@ayela562 I will say that even after backpacking for about 15 years I do prefer the ease of a freestanding/semi freestanding tent. I love my tiger wall UL2 but it’s nearly 2x as heavy. I hope I like the Xmid!
Nice job on the editing! I really like the text drop ins. Very good advice for hiking. I watched this all the way to the end. You were really good! From Jay, a VRA member!
Great tips! I lost my big toenail a couple of weeks after running a marathon in newer but broken-in shoes. I didn't account for downhills at the marathon, and I needed more room in the toe box to account for downhills. I wish REI and other stores would install a treadmill in their shoe section that you can test both up/downhills to help determine how much room you need for your toes. I usually give myself a generous thumb of extra space between my big toe and the end of the shoe, and I always try on new shoes in the late afternoon/evening when my feet are expanded.
Ouch! Downhill is definitely its own channels for footwear. A couple of things that may help (after having sold footwear at REI!): Completely loosen the laces of shoes you’re trying on, and tap your toes into the front of the shoe/boot. You should be able to easily slide a finger behind your heel when you stand after that, but it shouldn’t be able to flop around in there. If you have to work to jam it in, go up a size. Try a heel lock lace in your shoes to help keep your foot from sliding forward as much. You can Google this (hard to explain without a visual, though I should make a Short of this!). I do it with all my shoes. Between those two tips, that should help keep your toenails intact! 😊
@@WanderingSwitchback Thank you, I do the heel lock lace on my sneakers, walking shoes, and hiking footwear. I have wide Fred Flintstone feet, so I usually purchase men's shoes to fit the width, but I have narrow lady heels. I've learned about the heel lock lace from the kind people at Fleet Feet that hooked me up back in my running days. 🙂
So helpful! I've gone down the analyze gear rabbit hole, LoL. Starting to finally make some decisions and hope for the best. My first trip is going to be backpack-lite. Backpacking into a primitive campsite on a 1-1/2 mile trail. If I hate it, I can walk back to my car. 😂 The campsite even has a porta potty!!
The footwear topic reminded me of getting a brand new pair of shoes. Didn't get to wear them more than an hour or 2 around the house. When I went on my backpacking trip that weekend, I threw them on and headed to my first camp spot. No problems since it was a very late start and first site was only 2 miles in. It was pretty hot out and next day was only planning 6.7 miles of mostly ridge walking. Too lazy to put my socks on because it was hot. About 4 miles in I started developing blisters all over my feet. Stopped, put some socks on and limped my way through typical PA rocky trail. By the time I got to camp my feet hurt terribly. Not just from the blisters. Morning of day 3 I made a phone call and hiked back out 2.5 miles to a road and waited for my ride. What was supposed to be a 5 day hike ended in disaster because 1, I didn't break in the shoes. 2, decided to go sockless (which I do on occasion) in said new shoes. And 3, didn't stop at the first sign of hot spots. Eager me kept pushing. Lessons learned. Funny thing is. I still have those same shoes and love them. Even hike without socks in them occasionally. But, they are broke in now.
Hmm…I’ve made a few of those mistakes already. Makes me think of a couple “trip enders” or “almost trip enders” I’ve had. Probably my biggest eye opener is when I took Rx Diamox to prevent altitude sickness and the side effects for me were worse than when I had altitude sickness in the past and I had to call for help getting out. No more Diamox for me, lol. I had to leave the prior trip early bc even though I’ve hiked at 11k feet before, I’d never made camp at 11k before, and my body said, “Nope. You don’t get to do this” and I had to descend (frustrating!). I also didn’t test out a quilt in cold weather, because I didn’t have access to cold weather, prior to a trip and I froze all night and couldn’t sleep. These are all mistakes I probably won’t make again ;)
Oh no! I hate the way Diamox makes me feel. A lot of people talk about it like no big deal, but it’s definitely not the right solution for everyone. I like to say that some lessons are learned harder than others. Ugh. 😂
Love the videos! I have been hiking around on local city trails, choosing “difficult” so there’s rocks/roots, etc on the path. I am a plus size woman and I go through 7 mile hikes pretty easily (red and sweaty LOL) however! Do you (or anyone else reading this) ever have issues with a sore knee/ankle? If my knee twinges outside of an uphill burn I stop and let it rest because I don’t want to hurt it. Does anyone have a recommendation for an emergency brace/tape/etc for mid trail while backpacking unlike on a city trail where I can just spin back to the car
Awesome! Keep up the hiking!! I have arthritis in my right knee and issues with both. Worst is when going downhill. I don’t use a brace or tape, though I have used K Tape for lateral (outside) knee pain from my IT band. I really try to let my knee get strong rather than relying on external support (it works for me, not the right answer for everyone, of course!). Have you had your knee examined? Chase Mountains has a great YT channel about trail fitness, and I believe he has some specific to knee pain that may be helpful. I love his approach!
Thank you for watching! If you're already a subscriber, thank you!! If you haven't yet subscribed, please consider supporting this channel by subscribing. Comments, likes and shares all help as well! Share these videos so that we can get the word out, and help more people enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly.
My gym shut down during Covid in 2020 and I began working out at home. I never rejoined the gym and I don’t own a stair master, but needed to get my legs stronger for my first backpacking trip this past June, culminating at 9500 feet. On the days I couldn’t get out for a conditioning hike, I did the stairs in my house with 28 lbs in my pack. I’m happy to say that all of the stair work, strength workouts, and conditioning hikes really helped me enjoy backpacking in Yosemite and 5 days in the Olympic Mountains this summer! I bought as much used gear as I could, and aimed for ultralight to honor my wrecked spine.
Well done, Lynne! You chose some amazing and challenging terrain, that’s for sure! That training makes a difference!!
Great tips. It amazes me how many people I encounter who bring brand new gear without bothering to try it out beforehand. Or even glance at the instructions. 🥴
All the time! I think it's easy to take for granted how easy something will be to use, but if you don't walk through it at least once first, you're set up for failure!
We are day hikers and working our way up to backpacking trips. There’s so much to consider (and buy!) to get prepared. These are great tips and we plan to follow them for sure. 😊
I hope you get out overnight soon! It’s so much fun to wake up in nature!
Great tips. I particularly like the shakedown suggestion bc I am a pack allllll the things person and need the shorter outings to refine my equipment list.
Thanks, Yvette! A shakedown hike or trip can help so much. I have literally been out with a 60+ lb pack because I didn’t do a shakedown first, and it was rough!
I also do a trial for the weight and comfort of my back bag. I pack all my gear and go for an extended walk. If it feels too heavy after 90 minutes or less and/or the back bag starts chafing, I definitely have to change something. I know to always stay under 12 kg; less is even better now as I get older. On my first trip 40 years ago, I had an ill-fitting 20kg back bag in the desert. That taught me a lesson! On my second trip, I had new shoes...ouch. You live and learn, and I am still learning! ;-)) Thanks for your videos! Good advice, well explained, and very informative - I subscribed immediately.
Thank you so much! All excellent points, and boy, am I still learning as I go! Welcome to the channel! 😊
Great tips AND reminders! Great advice to go out and do small trips to gauge what works for you. I can relate to the over researching and under researching. Researching the weather conditions where you're going is so important. Thank you for another great video! Looking forward to the next one :) 😺
Thanks, Kat! It's so easy to get buried in the research! I know I'm guilty of it!
Excellent advice as usual! I laughed when “even an x-mid” popped up in the screen…I did order on 😂
In my defense, I’m not a newbie and I need to cut weight. I still don’t prep or check my water filter. I ALWAYS forget…🙄
Haha my husband and I are newbies and buying our gear. We plan to go with the Xmid 2 because of the weight and overall space/design for two people. I feel like I’ve researched like crazy and this one makes the most sense for us but I do worry there might be something more suited to our situation that I haven’t seen.
It’s still easy to fall into these traps!
I will say, the X-Mid is amazing! My 2P is finally here, and I can’t wait to try it out this week!
@@WanderingSwitchback Please do a walk-through video of it!
@@ayela562 I will say that even after backpacking for about 15 years I do prefer the ease of a freestanding/semi freestanding tent. I love my tiger wall UL2 but it’s nearly 2x as heavy. I hope I like the Xmid!
@@WanderingSwitchback too easy!!!!! 😂
Nice job on the editing! I really like the text drop ins. Very good advice for hiking. I watched this all the way to the end. You were really good! From Jay, a VRA member!
Thank you so much, Jay! This is the first time I’ve used those titles, and I like how they turned out. I appreciate your support!
Great tips! I lost my big toenail a couple of weeks after running a marathon in newer but broken-in shoes. I didn't account for downhills at the marathon, and I needed more room in the toe box to account for downhills. I wish REI and other stores would install a treadmill in their shoe section that you can test both up/downhills to help determine how much room you need for your toes. I usually give myself a generous thumb of extra space between my big toe and the end of the shoe, and I always try on new shoes in the late afternoon/evening when my feet are expanded.
Ouch! Downhill is definitely its own channels for footwear. A couple of things that may help (after having sold footwear at REI!):
Completely loosen the laces of shoes you’re trying on, and tap your toes into the front of the shoe/boot. You should be able to easily slide a finger behind your heel when you stand after that, but it shouldn’t be able to flop around in there. If you have to work to jam it in, go up a size.
Try a heel lock lace in your shoes to help keep your foot from sliding forward as much. You can Google this (hard to explain without a visual, though I should make a Short of this!). I do it with all my shoes.
Between those two tips, that should help keep your toenails intact! 😊
@@WanderingSwitchback Thank you, I do the heel lock lace on my sneakers, walking shoes, and hiking footwear. I have wide Fred Flintstone feet, so I usually purchase men's shoes to fit the width, but I have narrow lady heels. I've learned about the heel lock lace from the kind people at Fleet Feet that hooked me up back in my running days. 🙂
I hear ya on the wide feet. Even when I was thinner, I had my super wide feet. Narrow heels can be challenging. Glad you know the heel lock!
So helpful! I've gone down the analyze gear rabbit hole, LoL. Starting to finally make some decisions and hope for the best. My first trip is going to be backpack-lite. Backpacking into a primitive campsite on a 1-1/2 mile trail. If I hate it, I can walk back to my car. 😂
The campsite even has a porta potty!!
That sounds like the perfect first trip! I hope it's amazing!
The footwear topic reminded me of getting a brand new pair of shoes. Didn't get to wear them more than an hour or 2 around the house. When I went on my backpacking trip that weekend, I threw them on and headed to my first camp spot. No problems since it was a very late start and first site was only 2 miles in. It was pretty hot out and next day was only planning 6.7 miles of mostly ridge walking. Too lazy to put my socks on because it was hot. About 4 miles in I started developing blisters all over my feet. Stopped, put some socks on and limped my way through typical PA rocky trail. By the time I got to camp my feet hurt terribly. Not just from the blisters. Morning of day 3 I made a phone call and hiked back out 2.5 miles to a road and waited for my ride. What was supposed to be a 5 day hike ended in disaster because 1, I didn't break in the shoes. 2, decided to go sockless (which I do on occasion) in said new shoes. And 3, didn't stop at the first sign of hot spots. Eager me kept pushing. Lessons learned. Funny thing is. I still have those same shoes and love them. Even hike without socks in them occasionally. But, they are broke in now.
It’s amazing what breaking in your shoes can do! It’s also SO easy to not stop when you feel hot spots because you just want to keep going!!
@@WanderingSwitchback Absolutely!
Hmm…I’ve made a few of those mistakes already. Makes me think of a couple “trip enders” or “almost trip enders” I’ve had. Probably my biggest eye opener is when I took Rx Diamox to prevent altitude sickness and the side effects for me were worse than when I had altitude sickness in the past and I had to call for help getting out. No more Diamox for me, lol. I had to leave the prior trip early bc even though I’ve hiked at 11k feet before, I’d never made camp at 11k before, and my body said, “Nope. You don’t get to do this” and I had to descend (frustrating!). I also didn’t test out a quilt in cold weather, because I didn’t have access to cold weather, prior to a trip and I froze all night and couldn’t sleep. These are all mistakes I probably won’t make again ;)
Oh no! I hate the way Diamox makes me feel. A lot of people talk about it like no big deal, but it’s definitely not the right solution for everyone.
I like to say that some lessons are learned harder than others. Ugh. 😂
Great tips and advice! I made almost all of these mistakes by myself when I started hiking ;)
Thank you! I’ve made plenty of these myself. It’s easy to do!
Nice job with these tips! Love the script, I need to take notes 📝📝
Thanks, Jillian! I have more of these in the works, so stay tuned!
Great advice!
Thank you!
Love the videos! I have been hiking around on local city trails, choosing “difficult” so there’s rocks/roots, etc on the path.
I am a plus size woman and I go through 7 mile hikes pretty easily (red and sweaty LOL) however!
Do you (or anyone else reading this) ever have issues with a sore knee/ankle? If my knee twinges outside of an uphill burn I stop and let it rest because I don’t want to hurt it.
Does anyone have a recommendation for an emergency brace/tape/etc for mid trail while backpacking unlike on a city trail where I can just spin back to the car
Awesome! Keep up the hiking!!
I have arthritis in my right knee and issues with both. Worst is when going downhill. I don’t use a brace or tape, though I have used K Tape for lateral (outside) knee pain from my IT band. I really try to let my knee get strong rather than relying on external support (it works for me, not the right answer for everyone, of course!). Have you had your knee examined?
Chase Mountains has a great YT channel about trail fitness, and I believe he has some specific to knee pain that may be helpful. I love his approach!
Good job...thank you...
Thank you, Melvin!
GREAT tips!!
Thanks, Elaine!
I want that zinbivy.
I hear many people love them!
Great work my friend!!!
Thanks, Tim!