Great advise, Devin. Obviously for me, don't be afraid to pack a little extra, heavier more comfortable gear, or luxury items to help the trip be more enjoyable. I still reference a checklist before a trip to make sure I don't forget a crucial piece of gear, like tent poles! Yep, I did that once! Once! Lol. Not again, since referencing my checklist, though. Take care and have a great day.
1: being a beginner I didnt realize how much temperature drops at altitude compared to the local weather for the area 2: bought a standard quilt for my sleep system, while it is an okay size for sleeping on your back.. I dont do that, so Sleeping on my side I got cold.. a lot. 3: More of a lesson learned. I used to slather sunscreen until I discovered light sun shirts. So much more comfortable sweating a little bit vs 10 layers of sunscreen. At the beginning I focused on light and cheap, but thru videos like yours I realized having comfort items is important. I have even brought a little chair on a 90 miler, I never got to use the chair, but I brought it just in case :D! (campsites had picnic tables).
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of the right pair of shoes. My first long backpacking trip was a 60 miler in the Sierras. I had a pair of hiking boots that I thought I had broken in all summer, but they ended up giving me blisters and sore toes on both feet. They were even a half a size, larger than what I normally wear for running shoes. The rest of my crew I’ll had trail running shoes and they fared much better than I did. I’ve been in trail runners ever since (for 3 season trips).
Another great video with relatable points:). One mistake I've made is putting too much stock in weather reports. One overnighter in particular had a forecast of 46F, so I brought a 30 degree quilt and a 3.2R sleeping pad. Ended up being 30F right on the button. I wasn't wildly cold, but certainly didn't sleep that great, ha! I was actually surprised it didn't perform fine even at the unexpected 30F . Figure from now on, it's worth the extra weight to be a little over-prepared. A 10 degree quilt and a warmer pad isn't that much heavier. Heck the warmer pad is sometimes lighter, ha! (Xtherm NXT) Really easy to cool down in low temps like that if needed by pulling the covers down a bit. Not so easy to warm up!
I have some gear, that I have had for 27 years that have been all over New England and Upstate New York and dont need to be replaced, really good top quality gear, not most expensive, and just served me so great through the years. I did however upgrade some gear, like backpack, sleeping pad, and my tent, my old tent I will still use though, EMS and REI are my outlets for buying gear, great video and feel the same way about the great outdoors about all you have stated, all the very best.
First time I slept in a hammock in before freezing Temps, I didn't have the right underquilt. Froze all night. Proper insulation makes all the difference.
Biggest mistake so far has been water carry/management. Knowing how much you need for stretches where there are no water sources. I def agree there's a balance between trying to go as light as you can but making sure you're comfortable.
The big mistakes I've made the most around backpacking have involved planning. Pushing to do too many miles as an inexperienced backpacker. Starting treks with massive/difficult elevation gain. That kind of thing. After pushing myself way too hard I've backed off a bit and started over with more moderate/better planned treks and am trying to work back up to respectable mileage.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. You always do a great job in presenting the information. The best to you and your family. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
THE biggest mistake I've made is scrambling around in the morning of my adventure & gathering my equipment & putting it into my backpack, instead of getting everything ready the evening B4. I'm most likely to have everything I'll want/need if I take my time & use my written checklist the evening B4 my planned adventure. The 2nd biggest mistake I've made TWICE is not eating a good breakfast, ie, heading out in the boonies with an empty stomach. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
I think the biggest lesson I have learned was to stop worrying about taking minimal gear. I like my comfort and I have learned that it's better to have and not need than to need and not have. I never worry about pack weight. Also I never buy the real expensive gear. My military surplus will handle anything I need. Dwayne
Every journey into the wild is an opportunity to learn something new about ourselves. You can do everything right, and it can still all go wrong. I was a guest on your podcast about not having a PLB or Sat Comm and how that would have changed my friends response time to his accident. I'll never travel without one again after that. Early on in my backpacking adventures, I learned the hard way that not all sleeping pads are equal. I had no understanding of R-Value, and I took a non insulated pad on a fall trip in 2005 where the temps on one of the nights dipped to 19 unexpectedly. The Big Agnes pad was maybe R-Value of 2, and the bag was a 30 degree synthetic. I froze my rear off. We all did. That was the trip that spurred my research into R-Value and how that works with a sleep system. Now I probably am over prepared in the R-Value/Temp rating department because I swore to never be that cold again while backpacking.
Probably my biggest mistake isnt bringing enough layers for cold weather camping. Similarly I hiked at Philmont for a week and was told to bring a 20 degree bag because it got cold. I ended up bringing a 10 degree bag and it was hot, like 60-70 degrees at night. Next time I plan to layer up my sleep system as well.
My big mistake is a forgot to bring a damned way to light my stove last weekend lol. Also Stinging f'ing plants in the underbrush all over the PNW, third was setting up my camp after dark.
A big mistake I've made is watching weather and Temps for the trailhead but didn't think about it being 10 to 20 degrees colder once I gain a couple thousand feet of elevation. Sierra hiker
The biggest mistake I've made is taking a tent without a rainfly into the backcountry and trusting that the lack of rain in the forecast was accurate. It was not.
WHAT?! Devin makes mistakes? All joking aside, these are all completely relatable. I have definitely made all of these mistakes and many, many, many more. Incidentally, as much as I have been in the backcountry, I would love to take one of your classes.
Thanks for the information Devin. Can you recommend any tents for late season backpacking. Where you might encounter a snow storm. For example a snow storm in October in Utah. I got 24 inches on a trip in a little over 24 hours this past October. Had to end my trip early because my tent didn't hold up. Can you suggest any Backpacking tents that might have held up?
What brand/model tent failed? Just curious. I'll be curious to see WHAT Devin suggests. My tent for all overnighting here in America is the Hilleberg Enan. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
@@azclaimjumper It was a columbia tent a three person for car camping. Said it was rated for four seasons. I don't remember which model. Lesson learned just because it says four seasons doesn't mean it will hold up to high winds a heavy snow load and ice.
Biggest mistake I make (I haven’t learned my lesson yet haha) is underestimating the trail. Not all miles are created equally. Just because I can crank out 20 mile days in one environment, doesn’t mean I can do that in all environments.
Lol This was the whole plan all along. You use a service from Company A and they collect data about you to sell to B. Company C now now offers you a service to to delete that data from Company A. Viscous cycle. The way around this is to not use your real name or phone number and use a spam email address that when you deal with these companies.
Gear is funny. We have people back in the 1800's literally camping every single day wearing heavy clothes and heavy gear. Maybe bring a donkey if they're rich enough to have one.
Yes way to much time and money spent on very expensive lightweight gear My question to you If you stop these type of reviews will you loose viewers? What is your matrix on gear reviews?
Great advise, Devin. Obviously for me, don't be afraid to pack a little extra, heavier more comfortable gear, or luxury items to help the trip be more enjoyable. I still reference a checklist before a trip to make sure I don't forget a crucial piece of gear, like tent poles! Yep, I did that once! Once! Lol. Not again, since referencing my checklist, though. Take care and have a great day.
1: being a beginner I didnt realize how much temperature drops at altitude compared to the local weather for the area
2: bought a standard quilt for my sleep system, while it is an okay size for sleeping on your back.. I dont do that, so Sleeping on my side I got cold.. a lot.
3: More of a lesson learned. I used to slather sunscreen until I discovered light sun shirts. So much more comfortable sweating a little bit vs 10 layers of sunscreen.
At the beginning I focused on light and cheap, but thru videos like yours I realized having comfort items is important. I have even brought a little chair on a 90 miler, I never got to use the chair, but I brought it just in case :D! (campsites had picnic tables).
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of the right pair of shoes. My first long backpacking trip was a 60 miler in the Sierras. I had a pair of hiking boots that I thought I had broken in all summer, but they ended up giving me blisters and sore toes on both feet. They were even a half a size, larger than what I normally wear for running shoes. The rest of my crew I’ll had trail running shoes and they fared much better than I did. I’ve been in trail runners ever since (for 3 season trips).
Another great video with relatable points:). One mistake I've made is putting too much stock in weather reports. One overnighter in particular had a forecast of 46F, so I brought a 30 degree quilt and a 3.2R sleeping pad. Ended up being 30F right on the button. I wasn't wildly cold, but certainly didn't sleep that great, ha! I was actually surprised it didn't perform fine even at the unexpected 30F . Figure from now on, it's worth the extra weight to be a little over-prepared. A 10 degree quilt and a warmer pad isn't that much heavier. Heck the warmer pad is sometimes lighter, ha! (Xtherm NXT) Really easy to cool down in low temps like that if needed by pulling the covers down a bit. Not so easy to warm up!
I have some gear, that I have had for 27 years that have been all over New England and Upstate New York and dont need to be replaced, really good top quality gear, not most expensive, and just served me so great through the years. I did however upgrade some gear, like backpack, sleeping pad, and my tent, my old tent I will still use though, EMS and REI are my outlets for buying gear, great video and feel the same way about the great outdoors about all you have stated, all the very best.
First time I slept in a hammock in before freezing Temps, I didn't have the right underquilt. Froze all night. Proper insulation makes all the difference.
Biggest mistake so far has been water carry/management. Knowing how much you need for stretches where there are no water sources. I def agree there's a balance between trying to go as light as you can but making sure you're comfortable.
The big mistakes I've made the most around backpacking have involved planning. Pushing to do too many miles as an inexperienced backpacker. Starting treks with massive/difficult elevation gain. That kind of thing. After pushing myself way too hard I've backed off a bit and started over with more moderate/better planned treks and am trying to work back up to respectable mileage.
Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this informative video. You always do a great job in presenting the information. The best to you and your family. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋
Thanks for watching
Devin, I enjoy your videos. All the best, stay safe. 🤗 👋
The mistake that I always make is just bringing too much stuff that I don't need or use.
I still do that!
THE biggest mistake I've made is scrambling around in the morning of my adventure & gathering my equipment & putting it into my backpack, instead of getting everything ready the evening B4.
I'm most likely to have everything I'll want/need if I take my time & use my written checklist the evening B4 my planned adventure.
The 2nd biggest mistake I've made TWICE is not eating a good breakfast, ie, heading out in the boonies with an empty stomach.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.
I think the biggest lesson I have learned was to stop worrying about taking minimal gear. I like my comfort and I have learned that it's better to have and not need than to need and not have. I never worry about pack weight. Also I never buy the real expensive gear. My military surplus will handle anything I need.
Dwayne
Every journey into the wild is an opportunity to learn something new about ourselves. You can do everything right, and it can still all go wrong. I was a guest on your podcast about not having a PLB or Sat Comm and how that would have changed my friends response time to his accident. I'll never travel without one again after that. Early on in my backpacking adventures, I learned the hard way that not all sleeping pads are equal. I had no understanding of R-Value, and I took a non insulated pad on a fall trip in 2005 where the temps on one of the nights dipped to 19 unexpectedly. The Big Agnes pad was maybe R-Value of 2, and the bag was a 30 degree synthetic. I froze my rear off. We all did. That was the trip that spurred my research into R-Value and how that works with a sleep system. Now I probably am over prepared in the R-Value/Temp rating department because I swore to never be that cold again while backpacking.
Probably my biggest mistake isnt bringing enough layers for cold weather camping. Similarly I hiked at Philmont for a week and was told to bring a 20 degree bag because it got cold. I ended up bringing a 10 degree bag and it was hot, like 60-70 degrees at night. Next time I plan to layer up my sleep system as well.
My big mistake is a forgot to bring a damned way to light my stove last weekend lol. Also Stinging f'ing plants in the underbrush all over the PNW, third was setting up my camp after dark.
A big mistake I've made is watching weather and Temps for the trailhead but didn't think about it being 10 to 20 degrees colder once I gain a couple thousand feet of elevation. Sierra hiker
Biggest mistake recently… Not having map downloaded before getting to trailhead. No cell service. Had to navigate from memory😮.
Dang! I think that's easier to do than not. I've done that as well.
Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it
The biggest mistake I've made is taking a tent without a rainfly into the backcountry and trusting that the lack of rain in the forecast was accurate. It was not.
Yeah, similar, I grabbed the wrong tent (a 1 man vs 2 man) thinking I had waterproofed it. I had waterproofed the other one. And yep it rained.
Oh shoot! I've left a rain jacket behind before and had that bite me. Did it rain through the night and get you soaked?
WHAT?! Devin makes mistakes? All joking aside, these are all completely relatable. I have definitely made all of these mistakes and many, many, many more. Incidentally, as much as I have been in the backcountry, I would love to take one of your classes.
How bout we just get together for a trip. No tuition to pay for that! Maybe just a burger at the end of the trip!
@@BackcountryExposure I absolutely LOVE that idea!
Great job🎉
Thanks for the information Devin. Can you recommend any tents for late season backpacking. Where you might encounter a snow storm. For example a snow storm in October in Utah. I got 24 inches on a trip in a little over 24 hours this past October. Had to end my trip early because my tent didn't hold up. Can you suggest any Backpacking tents that might have held up?
What brand/model tent failed? Just curious.
I'll be curious to see WHAT Devin suggests. My tent for all overnighting here in America is the Hilleberg Enan.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
@@azclaimjumper It was a columbia tent a three person for car camping. Said it was rated for four seasons. I don't remember which model. Lesson learned just because it says four seasons doesn't mean it will hold up to high winds a heavy snow load and ice.
My biggest mistake was bringing a flask of whiskey on a challenging overnight backpacking trip. My stomach didn't like hills in the morning.
I always bring to much food and water!
Biggest mistake I make (I haven’t learned my lesson yet haha) is underestimating the trail. Not all miles are created equally. Just because I can crank out 20 mile days in one environment, doesn’t mean I can do that in all environments.
This is a good one. 20 miles in a day is a lot when you really think about it.
@@BackcountryExposure It can be! Haha. There’s sections of the PCT where I can knock those miles out. But other areas, no way
decide on my own kit not all recommendations from youtube
Lol This was the whole plan all along. You use a service from Company A and they collect data about you to sell to B. Company C now now offers you a service to to delete that data from Company A. Viscous cycle. The way around this is to not use your real name or phone number and use a spam email address that when you deal with these companies.
Ha ha! Insert the IT guy! Love it!
Gear is funny. We have people back in the 1800's literally camping every single day wearing heavy clothes and heavy gear. Maybe bring a donkey if they're rich enough to have one.
Yes way to much time and money spent on very expensive lightweight gear
My question to you
If you stop these type of reviews will you loose viewers?
What is your matrix on gear reviews?
It’s a balance of sharing options.