Wonderful series Ben, great message at the end too. We have a similar problem with folk carving their names into trees. Sadly there's nothing that can be done about it. Your efforts to leave the place better than you found it are much appreciated, just wish more people would share your outlook on the world. 👍👍
Thanks Ian! It sure is sad to see how people will treat these locations. In some ways, I wonder if because they don't see the beauty, they don't think others can see it either. Perhaps they don't think people actually venture into these canyons, or look at the trees. Sadly they don't realize that there are many people who enjoy these locations for what they are, pristine, untouched.
This is the first time I’ve been able to watch an entire series on my living room TV, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing your video production in a full scale size. The early morning shots are really great and your color grading is subtle and blends in so well. It’s something I’m trying to be more mindful of in my next production. Despite the changes and challenges, I’m glad to know you felt that you had a good trip, and that you found some solitude and peace that always makes Zion so special. Thanks for bringing us along and sharing the story.
Thanks as always Diego! It was a strange trip for sure, but I'm glad in the end that it started to feel a bit more normal. Now that I have a better strategy for staying energized in the field, I look forward to my winter trip next week. I'll be revisiting Zion along with another location I've never visited during the winter. Looks like there might be some snow in the forecast. We'll see. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Diego.
Your work is inspirational, Ben. We will never win the battle for perfection, as you suggest. The path of continuous improvement, however, offers a pleasing journey. Thanks for all you do.
Once again, Ben, thank you for doing your part to take care of our public lands and spreading the message of awareness. I can attest that smoky sky ruins the light and colors, making everything looking like it just had a mud bath. Onward to the next adventure!
Your videos are always such a joy to watch, Ben, regardless of the level of ‘success’ you feel you’ve had photographically. The honesty in your style and the care you so obviously feel for your environment shines through every time, once again I’ve been so privileged to follow along in your journey. Thankyou 🙏🏻🙌🏻 Not to mention just how sublime the b-roll always is!
I backpacked into a campsite here in Washington and even though there was a pit toilet just 10 yards from the camp, people decided to use a spot behind a log as their toilet and left piles of toilet paper. Luckily my hiking buddy and I carry rubber gloves in our 1st aid kits and I spent several minutes picking up their disregard for nature to pack out. Thank you for your love of this magical place. I look forward to your trips - almost feel as if I am there myself.
If I ever need therapy i like a therapist with the voice of Ben. God I could watch and listen for hours!. Despite the content which was again great. Regards from germany
Nice way to end the series, Ben. Sorry the conditions at the end were not ideal, but "Ash Crack" is a WINNER! And, thank you for taking the time to clean up along the way. LEAVE NO TRACE!!
“Looking like a big Chicken McNugget”. Ya need some BBQ sauce in one of your pockets - be a combo meal!! It’s good you know and respect the challenges of the back country. So many people don’t. You are truly a steward of the environment Ben and an inspiration to all. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had even a tenth of the admiration for the land as you do. Great video - keep the spirit.
Ben, thank you for sharing. I wish more people would take the time to leave it better than they found it. I have the same experience this year with people trashing places near me. I look forward to seeing you next time. Peace and Safe Travels.
Although there were 'less shots' on this year's trip, I thoroughly enjoyed this fall 2020 episodes. I seriously applaud your efforts to make a well crafted stories, each immersive and thought provoking in equal measures. Interested to see the images you took on the Sony A7r IV. I think you mentioned you may do a separate video on that..
the reflective light thing is so important, as I have come to realise in the many years I have been following your photographic journey. That even such beautiful places as in this video on your way to the "cactus" were not worth photographing. What a magnificent landscape this is. I would probably photograph everything I came across from sensory overload ;-) What a shame this rubbish is everywhere in the world where people pass through in droves they leave behind their waste (toilet tissues, handkerchiefs and worse) I had hoped that it would be different in Zion National Park. But I guess I was wrong;-( ... Nice to see how happy you were when you found your car key again! Your videos are so full of inspiration, thanks for that! greetings from Germany
Thanks Mike! Zion is definitely a place of sensory overload. There is so much going on in every direction, but once you find a great subject in reflected light, it makes life so much easier. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy doing the videos though, it allows me to show some of the dramatic landscape even at times when the light is harsh and not quite as ideal for still photography. It truly is sad that so many locations (Zion included) have been trashed by so many self-centered people. It's sad how that aspect of our society only seems to be getting worse with time. Thanks for watching and commenting Mike!
Thanks Ben for showing your trips so open and candidly! I enjoy it every single time. Looking forward to your new ideas and appraches of covering future trips. I guess for me even showing you final images and talking about how to shot them in your studio would work for me just fine 👍
It's a shame that there are always people not respecting nature... we can find those anywhere. Thanks Ben for such a good example given cleaning after others!
That sure was a cool scene with the pink maples. It's an area I hope to perhaps revisit with my camera next year. I was so sluggish at that point in the trip that hauling my 8x10 over there wouldn't have been fun. You'll see the Manzanita shot in the film reveal. Good subject, but less than ideal light. There's a big sandstone wall behind the Manzanita that looks like it will catch some direct sunlight in the late afternoon casting warm reflected light on the subject, but I'll have to scope that out next year. Thanks as always for watching John!
perspective is a funny thing: probably about the same time you were looking for bright skies and good light, i was wandering around my city with a view camera looking for a shot that showed all the smoke that had wandered in. im in the PNW and every few years we get wildfire smoke from the interior of BC or Washington State. not nearly as dramatic as SF last year, but always a reminder that things are changing...
Yes Ben, I agree with you, in terms of pure output this fall trip doesn't match previous trip levels. That said, as always, I enjoyed going on the journey with you. It motivates me to try to make a video of my own journey's into Abu Dhabi's deserts. Good news, your book is being resent by FEDEX, due here 12 Jan by 8pm. Best regards, Mike
Sucks about the trash/vandalism. But I enjoyed the series this year, seeing someone else’s holistic photographic cycle is reassuring to a lot of the feelings I find myself having throughout my own journey. Thanks for taking all the time and putting in so much effort to share.
Ben, at least you have something to look forward to next time. It is good to know your limits and looks like you learned yours. As you age, you will be more limited so make sure you take time to enjoy your strength now as it will disappear one day. I hope that is not for many decades as I enjoy your videos about as much as any video I ever watch. You are a top guy. Take care of yourself.
ALWAYS enjoy your videos mate. If there’s one thing I’ve taken from this one or the Zion trip in general, it’s to SLOW DOWN even more, & take in the environment.
Thanks Brett, and that is definitely true for Zion. There is so much to see and to discover there, just so long as you slow down enough to notice all the details.
Yup!! I was so happy to see it on that sandy slope. In a way, it was a bit like going back in time to the day I shot that first photo, but this time with a bit of a different perspective.
It seems like a good trip, personally. Photographically I'm a bit worried you're limiting yourself physically with the massive 8x10 kit compared to a 4x5 kit, that frankly, would give you very similar quality if you choose the right lenses. I'm sure you know this and have considered it (maybe particularly since you talked about digital - I've been thinking an X1d II could do you really well since you get similar colour quality to 8x10 slide). Best wishes and thank you for your videos and work!
Great series Ben! In coordination with the Park, thinking about organizing a clean up when it’s much safer to do so. Zion continues to be overrun on the east side and graffiti continues to be a problem. Glad you were able to escape a bit and get to spots where you could focus and enjoy the experience.
Aw shucks, I’m as bummed as you for that cactus shot. I hope you are able to snag a good shot next time you give it a go. See you on the next adventure
I would be curious if you had an estimate of the extra miles covered setting up, walking by, and walking back to your video tripod ha! Probably a whole trip's worth. Thank you for literally going the "extra mile" for your viewers
Beautiful place. I'd like to have time and funds to explore US national parks one day. Sooner than later I hope that will be possible. Keep up your work Ben with striving to keep them undamaged..
I know you don't like shooting in b/w, but it can be really useful in less than ideal lighting conditions because you can use filters to increase contrast and punch up the light. Might be a good fallback strategy when the light sucks.
Agreed! There are several subjects that would have worked very well with black and white on this trip. Perhaps it's a sign that I'm slowly shifting in that direction. I really should bring some B&W film on these trips.
Awesome video n very well said !!!!! we are destroying our planet slowy but surely its ashame n sad that u have to pick up somebody else's garbage !!! the one thing that i love when im outhere is being by myself and with no one around me it serves as therapy especially now with this nightmare going on ..so i totally understand you !! hey Ben you should carry bear spray it works for any animal just to be safe w them mountain lions ,,i have it . anyways stay safe n GOD BLESS !!!!!
Hey Ben, great episode. Love your work and attitude. I wondered myself if you pay the full entrance price to Zion each time or did you cought the attention of the park authorities and got a free entrance or something similar? Wish you all the best, Max (which feels lot of the feelings you have, here, in the Northern Black Forest National Park)
Ha! I doubt they even know I exist, but that would be funny if that happened. I have an annual pass for the national parks. It's only $80, and gets you into all of the parks. I honestly think that pass should cost more money. Thanks for watching and commenting Max!
Enjoyed watching your visit this year Ben despite the challenges and issues you highlighted. Really saddens me to see the disrespect shown to the natural environment by some people. Do you think the increasing in crowds is related to the pandemic restricting travel plans?. Can only hope these type of people don't return to destroy more of the habitat and leave for people like you to enjoy it in peace next time
Best story telling... i can watch these 10 years from now and enjoy as much as today... zion should have restricted access like yosemite did to limit no of persons visiting when they did not had the stuff to support big crowds...it will not solve the problem completely ... because it is not possible to have a ranger overlooking things in every side canyon....so co-operation from people will be needed absolutely but may be it would have restricted damages.
Hey Ben. I tried to collect my thoughts about this episode for a few days. I am inspired by your attempt to leave a place "better than you found it." It seems humans are great at taking advantage of the earth, but not restoring it. So many people feel that the earth will renew itself, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I try to bring up conservation with colleagues at work and I am almost always met with complete indifference and boredom or actively rebuffed and looked upon as someone placing their lifestyle at risk. Sigh... Some friends are less hostile and a few share my sentiments. I'm in the medical field and work in a hospital setting. You should see the plastic waste for every patient. There is no movement to correct this at all. The medical field is driven by profit after all. Capitalism... I find it disheartening and sad, but I am trying to make my corner of the world better. It is hard though. So, kudos to you, brother, for standing up for public lands. I hope people can learn from your trip to Zion this past year. Thanks. Oh, btw, my New Year resolution is to bring trash bags to family beach outings (whenever it is safe to do so), because the trash in some southern CA beaches has become horrendous.
Thanks for the well articulated thoughts Sonho. Sadly it's one of those things where people won't realize the impact until it happens to a location they find to be special. It's only then when it all hits home. I'm right there with you about the unnecessary plastic waste as well. It seems that EVERYTHING comes in plastic these days, and it truly isn't necessary. There really should be a better way of recycling those materials rather than just dumping them in the ground to sit for perhaps thousands of years. I'm packing for my winter trip right now and I packed a bunch of fresh trash bags just in case I run into more stuff. Every little bit counts. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi Ben Luv your channel I have noticed more comments on being tired out by the end of your trips and how it creeps into your focus ,enjoyment and creativity Have you given consideration to the contribution eating boiled food rations has on your body You may want to consider some camp cooking and eating some real food at the end of your day ie steak and quick scrambled eggs in the morning I know it takes more time and supplies but I can't help but think you feeling wore out has something todo with the minimal way you eat hi calorie packages maybe but not great for your body dad after day Just a thought Keep up the good work
Hi Michael! This is definitely something that has an impact. Just over a year ago, I bought a fitbit to help keep stats on my health in general, but it also comes in handy on my trips. I'm always up well before sunrise, and I am active on my feet until nearly sundown. The day seem to go by very quickly, but when you stay active that long, it really does start to add up. I typically put in about 20k steps a day on these trips, and according to my fitbit, I burn over 4,000 calories on those days. When you have day after day of that, I end up running a calorie deficit. My most active day this year was the final day of my summer backpacking trip. I had 40,309 steps that day, and burned over 6100 calories.The thing about the backpacking food is that even though it's very filling, it isn't very calorie dense. Each meal is usually around 400 calories, give or take. It's tricky because I feel full, but I'm not getting enough food. On my fall trip, I lost around 7 pounds by the end of the trip, and I think much of that was muscle. On my next trip, I plan on pairing the backpacking food with some calorie dense food like peanut butter. My ultimate goal in the next couple years or so is to buy a small travel trailer so I have the conveniences of a shower, a clean indoor space, and a kitchen where I can make some meals.
I really admire your effort to keep our National Park clean, THANK YOU!!!
Thanks Samuel! We all need to do our part, even if it might seem quite small. Every little bit counts.
Wonderful series Ben, great message at the end too. We have a similar problem with folk carving their names into trees. Sadly there's nothing that can be done about it. Your efforts to leave the place better than you found it are much appreciated, just wish more people would share your outlook on the world. 👍👍
Thanks Ian! It sure is sad to see how people will treat these locations. In some ways, I wonder if because they don't see the beauty, they don't think others can see it either. Perhaps they don't think people actually venture into these canyons, or look at the trees. Sadly they don't realize that there are many people who enjoy these locations for what they are, pristine, untouched.
This is the first time I’ve been able to watch an entire series on my living room TV, and I’ve really enjoyed seeing your video production in a full scale size. The early morning shots are really great and your color grading is subtle and blends in so well. It’s something I’m trying to be more mindful of in my next production. Despite the changes and challenges, I’m glad to know you felt that you had a good trip, and that you found some solitude and peace that always makes Zion so special. Thanks for bringing us along and sharing the story.
Thanks as always Diego! It was a strange trip for sure, but I'm glad in the end that it started to feel a bit more normal. Now that I have a better strategy for staying energized in the field, I look forward to my winter trip next week. I'll be revisiting Zion along with another location I've never visited during the winter. Looks like there might be some snow in the forecast. We'll see. Thanks as always for watching and commenting Diego.
Hi Ben, I admire your positive and hopeful attitude in regard to vandalism and masses behaviour when in Nature. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for watching!
The morning intros really set the pace for the videos.
I would never make it to the destination... every b-roll scene I was like "I'd stop and shoot that"... :)
Your work is inspirational, Ben. We will never win the battle for perfection, as you suggest. The path of continuous improvement, however, offers a pleasing journey. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you so much David!
Once again, Ben, thank you for doing your part to take care of our public lands and spreading the message of awareness. I can attest that smoky sky ruins the light and colors, making everything looking like it just had a mud bath. Onward to the next adventure!
Your videos are always such a joy to watch, Ben, regardless of the level of ‘success’ you feel you’ve had photographically. The honesty in your style and the care you so obviously feel for your environment shines through every time, once again I’ve been so privileged to follow along in your journey. Thankyou 🙏🏻🙌🏻
Not to mention just how sublime the b-roll always is!
I backpacked into a campsite here in Washington and even though there was a pit toilet just 10 yards from the camp, people decided to use a spot behind a log as their toilet and left piles of toilet paper. Luckily my hiking buddy and I carry rubber gloves in our 1st aid kits and I spent several minutes picking up their disregard for nature to pack out. Thank you for your love of this magical place. I look forward to your trips - almost feel as if I am there myself.
If I ever need therapy i like a therapist with the voice of Ben. God I could watch and listen for hours!. Despite the content which was again great. Regards from germany
Nice way to end the series, Ben. Sorry the conditions at the end were not ideal, but "Ash Crack" is a WINNER! And, thank you for taking the time to clean up along the way. LEAVE NO TRACE!!
Thanks so much for what you’re doing to support our National Parks Ben. They are phenomenal treasures to be preserved for future generations.
“Looking like a big Chicken McNugget”. Ya need some BBQ sauce in one of your pockets - be a combo meal!! It’s good you know and respect the challenges of the back country. So many people don’t. You are truly a steward of the environment Ben and an inspiration to all. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had even a tenth of the admiration for the land as you do. Great video - keep the spirit.
Ben, thank you for sharing. I wish more people would take the time to leave it better than they found it. I have the same experience this year with people trashing places near me.
I look forward to seeing you next time. Peace and Safe Travels.
Although there were 'less shots' on this year's trip, I thoroughly enjoyed this fall 2020 episodes. I seriously applaud your efforts to make a well crafted stories, each immersive and thought provoking in equal measures.
Interested to see the images you took on the Sony A7r IV. I think you mentioned you may do a separate video on that..
Fabulous... I always will be looking out for your videos. Thanks for posting.
While we all want to get ‘that shot’, often, we neglect to just enjoy the journey. Great video.
the reflective light thing is so important, as I have come to realise in the many years I have been following your photographic journey.
That even such beautiful places as in this video on your way to the "cactus" were not worth photographing.
What a magnificent landscape this is. I would probably photograph everything I came across from sensory overload ;-)
What a shame this rubbish is everywhere in the world where people pass through in droves they leave behind their waste (toilet tissues, handkerchiefs and worse)
I had hoped that it would be different in Zion National Park. But I guess I was wrong;-( ...
Nice to see how happy you were when you found your car key again! Your videos are so full of inspiration, thanks for that! greetings from Germany
Thanks Mike! Zion is definitely a place of sensory overload. There is so much going on in every direction, but once you find a great subject in reflected light, it makes life so much easier. That's one of the reasons why I enjoy doing the videos though, it allows me to show some of the dramatic landscape even at times when the light is harsh and not quite as ideal for still photography. It truly is sad that so many locations (Zion included) have been trashed by so many self-centered people. It's sad how that aspect of our society only seems to be getting worse with time. Thanks for watching and commenting Mike!
Thanks Ben for showing your trips so open and candidly! I enjoy it every single time. Looking forward to your new ideas and appraches of covering future trips. I guess for me even showing you final images and talking about how to shot them in your studio would work for me just fine 👍
It's a shame that there are always people not respecting nature... we can find those anywhere. Thanks Ben for such a good example given cleaning after others!
That last scene @10:58 with the trail and the pinks and reds caught my eye. I was really looking forward to that Manzanita
That sure was a cool scene with the pink maples. It's an area I hope to perhaps revisit with my camera next year. I was so sluggish at that point in the trip that hauling my 8x10 over there wouldn't have been fun. You'll see the Manzanita shot in the film reveal. Good subject, but less than ideal light. There's a big sandstone wall behind the Manzanita that looks like it will catch some direct sunlight in the late afternoon casting warm reflected light on the subject, but I'll have to scope that out next year. Thanks as always for watching John!
perspective is a funny thing: probably about the same time you were looking for bright skies and good light, i was wandering around my city with a view camera looking for a shot that showed all the smoke that had wandered in. im in the PNW and every few years we get wildfire smoke from the interior of BC or Washington State. not nearly as dramatic as SF last year, but always a reminder that things are changing...
Opening shot of Orion is solid!!
Thanks Alan! I do enjoy the low light performance of the Sony. Always fun to see those twinkling stars.
Great series, you might want to leave a spare car key in Zion for next time. Looking forward to hearing about Wilderness Influencer’s adventures.
Yes Ben, I agree with you, in terms of pure output this fall trip doesn't match previous trip levels. That said, as always, I enjoyed going on the journey with you. It motivates me to try to make a video of my own journey's into Abu Dhabi's deserts. Good news, your book is being resent by FEDEX, due here 12 Jan by 8pm. Best regards, Mike
Sucks about the trash/vandalism. But I enjoyed the series this year, seeing someone else’s holistic photographic cycle is reassuring to a lot of the feelings I find myself having throughout my own journey. Thanks for taking all the time and putting in so much effort to share.
Ben, at least you have something to look forward to next time. It is good to know your limits and looks like you learned yours. As you age, you will be more limited so make sure you take time to enjoy your strength now as it will disappear one day. I hope that is not for many decades as I enjoy your videos about as much as any video I ever watch. You are a top guy. Take care of yourself.
ALWAYS enjoy your videos mate. If there’s one thing I’ve taken from this one or the Zion trip in general, it’s to SLOW DOWN even more, & take in the environment.
Thanks Brett, and that is definitely true for Zion. There is so much to see and to discover there, just so long as you slow down enough to notice all the details.
You found the key awesome!
Yup!! I was so happy to see it on that sandy slope. In a way, it was a bit like going back in time to the day I shot that first photo, but this time with a bit of a different perspective.
Amazing spot...great video...thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Owain!
Thanks Ben I look forward to " Next time "
Tantalizing! I guess we’ll have to wait for the manzanita image.
Thanks for taking us to Zion with another quality production. 2020 the year of too much toilet paper.✌🏼
It seems like a good trip, personally. Photographically I'm a bit worried you're limiting yourself physically with the massive 8x10 kit compared to a 4x5 kit, that frankly, would give you very similar quality if you choose the right lenses. I'm sure you know this and have considered it (maybe particularly since you talked about digital - I've been thinking an X1d II could do you really well since you get similar colour quality to 8x10 slide). Best wishes and thank you for your videos and work!
Great series Ben! In coordination with the Park, thinking about organizing a clean up when it’s much safer to do so. Zion continues to be overrun on the east side and graffiti continues to be a problem. Glad you were able to escape a bit and get to spots where you could focus and enjoy the experience.
Aw shucks, I’m as bummed as you for that cactus shot. I hope you are able to snag a good shot next time you give it a go. See you on the next adventure
I'm really looking forward to that cactus and manzanita image.
Rounding off in a Positive feeling for places such as Zion 👍
Ps. Small red maple on left wall at >9.00min< looks Good 😉
I would be curious if you had an estimate of the extra miles covered setting up, walking by, and walking back to your video tripod ha! Probably a whole trip's worth. Thank you for literally going the "extra mile" for your viewers
Beautiful place. I'd like to have time and funds to explore US national parks one day. Sooner than later I hope that will be possible. Keep up your work Ben with striving to keep them undamaged..
I know you don't like shooting in b/w, but it can be really useful in less than ideal lighting conditions because you can use filters to increase contrast and punch up the light. Might be a good fallback strategy when the light sucks.
Agreed! There are several subjects that would have worked very well with black and white on this trip. Perhaps it's a sign that I'm slowly shifting in that direction. I really should bring some B&W film on these trips.
Selfie indulgence!
Awesome video n very well said !!!!! we are destroying our planet slowy but surely its ashame n sad that u have to pick up somebody else's garbage !!! the one thing that i love when im outhere is being by myself and with no one around me it serves as therapy especially now with this nightmare going on ..so i totally understand you !! hey Ben you should carry bear spray it works for any animal just to be safe w them mountain lions ,,i have it . anyways stay safe n GOD BLESS !!!!!
The high traffic Parks are always abused. Just incredible really I don’t understand.
Hey Ben, great episode. Love your work and attitude. I wondered myself if you pay the full entrance price to Zion each time or did you cought the attention of the park authorities and got a free entrance or something similar? Wish you all the best, Max (which feels lot of the feelings you have, here, in the Northern Black Forest National Park)
Ha! I doubt they even know I exist, but that would be funny if that happened. I have an annual pass for the national parks. It's only $80, and gets you into all of the parks. I honestly think that pass should cost more money. Thanks for watching and commenting Max!
Enjoyed watching your visit this year Ben despite the challenges and issues you highlighted. Really saddens me to see the disrespect shown to the natural environment by some people. Do you think the increasing in crowds is related to the pandemic restricting travel plans?. Can only hope these type of people don't return to destroy more of the habitat and leave for people like you to enjoy it in peace next time
Best story telling... i can watch these 10 years from now and enjoy as much as today... zion should have restricted access like yosemite did to limit no of persons visiting when they did not had the stuff to support big crowds...it will not solve the problem completely ... because it is not possible to have a ranger overlooking things in every side canyon....so co-operation from people will be needed absolutely but may be it would have restricted damages.
Hey Ben. I tried to collect my thoughts about this episode for a few days.
I am inspired by your attempt to leave a place "better than you found it."
It seems humans are great at taking advantage of the earth, but not restoring it. So many people feel that the earth will renew itself, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
I try to bring up conservation with colleagues at work and I am almost always met with complete indifference and boredom or actively rebuffed and looked upon as someone placing their lifestyle at risk. Sigh... Some friends are less hostile and a few share my sentiments.
I'm in the medical field and work in a hospital setting. You should see the plastic waste for every patient. There is no movement to correct this at all. The medical field is driven by profit after all. Capitalism...
I find it disheartening and sad, but I am trying to make my corner of the world better. It is hard though.
So, kudos to you, brother, for standing up for public lands. I hope people can learn from your trip to Zion this past year.
Thanks.
Oh, btw, my New Year resolution is to bring trash bags to family beach outings (whenever it is safe to do so), because the trash in some southern CA beaches has become horrendous.
Thanks for the well articulated thoughts Sonho. Sadly it's one of those things where people won't realize the impact until it happens to a location they find to be special. It's only then when it all hits home. I'm right there with you about the unnecessary plastic waste as well. It seems that EVERYTHING comes in plastic these days, and it truly isn't necessary. There really should be a better way of recycling those materials rather than just dumping them in the ground to sit for perhaps thousands of years. I'm packing for my winter trip right now and I packed a bunch of fresh trash bags just in case I run into more stuff. Every little bit counts. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi Ben
Luv your channel I have noticed more comments on being tired out by the end of your trips and how it creeps into your focus ,enjoyment and creativity Have you given consideration to the contribution eating boiled food rations has on your body You may want to consider some camp cooking and eating some real food at the end of your day ie steak and quick scrambled eggs in the morning I know it takes more time and supplies but I can't help but think you feeling wore out has something todo with the minimal way you eat hi calorie packages maybe but not great for your body dad after day Just a thought Keep up the good work
Hi Michael! This is definitely something that has an impact. Just over a year ago, I bought a fitbit to help keep stats on my health in general, but it also comes in handy on my trips. I'm always up well before sunrise, and I am active on my feet until nearly sundown. The day seem to go by very quickly, but when you stay active that long, it really does start to add up. I typically put in about 20k steps a day on these trips, and according to my fitbit, I burn over 4,000 calories on those days. When you have day after day of that, I end up running a calorie deficit.
My most active day this year was the final day of my summer backpacking trip. I had 40,309 steps that day, and burned over 6100 calories.The thing about the backpacking food is that even though it's very filling, it isn't very calorie dense. Each meal is usually around 400 calories, give or take. It's tricky because I feel full, but I'm not getting enough food. On my fall trip, I lost around 7 pounds by the end of the trip, and I think much of that was muscle. On my next trip, I plan on pairing the backpacking food with some calorie dense food like peanut butter. My ultimate goal in the next couple years or so is to buy a small travel trailer so I have the conveniences of a shower, a clean indoor space, and a kitchen where I can make some meals.