Chris, I've watched (and re-watched) this video several times since you first uploaded it.. and I still cannot find the words to express just how amazing and powerful it is. The videography, storytelling, and flow are simply unparalleled. One of the best videos I've ever seen on backpacking... bar none! I must admit it was a little bittersweet watching and knowing that I could have been with you guys out there on both the CT and the JMT. Thank you so much for all of the effort that you put into this, and allowing us to live the experiences vicariously through you my friend!
Wow, thank you so much John! I know you and I both have seen our fair share of backpacking videos, so that really means a lot. Wish you could have been there for both trips, but I definitely understand how life happens regardless of what's on the agenda. You're welcome to come out to visit any time for a trip. I think I might have at least on more planned ;) You have a hiking buddy rain, sleet, or sunshine (and maybe even hail). :) - Chris
I started typing comments before I read everyone else's. Add my voice to theirs. Terrific story, editing, score,.....everything. Glad I found your contribution to the body of work here. I can't imagine how many hours you spent creating this. I hope I'm about to see more in a few seconds, when I get to your channel.
Wow! Thanks for dropping a comment to echo the others. It never gets old and I truly appreciate the encouragement. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, because I did spend a lot of time on this video. I hope you enjoy the other videos I've created, but more than anything thanks for taking the time to watch this one. I really appreciate the feedback and kind words. :) - Chris
Chris, all I have to say is, "Wow!" When I read your comments that this was an "experiment" at storytelling with a hiking trip, I had a hard time convincing myself that this was the result of an experiment. You did an awesome job. I loved your use of color gradients and effects to delineate the different portions of the video. The whole video flowed well and was easy to watch, which could not have been easy, especially when you are not able to predict or control what happens every day on the trail. Very enjoyable! Thanks for sharing and keep these "experiments" coming.
+TomsBackwoods Thanks Tom! Glad you caught this one. I had a lot of fun out on the trail and just as much fun back home editing. Can't wait to get out to complete the rest of the Colorado trail. The first 100 miles has me aching for more...Pun intended. :) - Chris
Chris, this video was hilarious! I needed some good laughs today. I'm not sure what was worse the storm, mud pool or the little boy crying.. One thing for sure is they are great for a great story.. And the views were just amazing. Still can't get over Colorado and how much beauty it had to offer. Andy
+Andy Timinsky Haha, glad you enjoyed it man. These three stories are still my favorite hiking stories (I guess there is one other one from my very first backpacking trip that I like to tell...another day). The kid falling still gets me. I'd tell that story, but it never seemed that funny. It wasn't until I started moving the pieces around during the editing process that I started to really appreciate how funny that situation was. I guess I still feel bad about it. I always revealed the fact that the kid couldn't understand what I was asking him to do too early when I told it before. It was seriously an awkward situation. How do you apologize when they can't understand you? I'm pretty sure my face said all that needed to be said to those hikers. I felt so bad! Colorado is incredible. I'm still a little spoiled by Wyoming because you can go practically anywhere and there won't be anyone, but there terrain of Colorado is hard to beat. The west/ mountain west is pretty darn amazing when you think about it. We have so many open spaces to explore out here. :) - Chris
Epic trip. Love the stories and can so relate to many of them. I once had a guy decide to stay and watch me video, but then talked for about 15 minutes and I was picking up all of what he was saying. I eventually decided to leave. No crying though.
+Nature Calls haha, yeah the crying was rough. Nothing makes me feel quite as small as that moment when I made a child cry for something so unimportant. That one still makes me feel guilty. Thanks for watching Bruce. I always appreciate hearing what you think of my videos. - Chris
You so nailed this, Chris! it's the stories that you bring back and the stories that you retell that fuel the next trip out there. Loved this video. Loved the stories. This was epic. A couple of highlights for me: first, the shot at 1:25 was spectacular with the deep blue sky. Then, there was the "hot springs" story and your line, "It was kind of underwhelming." Also, loved this line, "I heard him scream like a baby," (the rainstorm) and of course you forcing the child away from the sign in a language foreign to him was also great! Man, it's those stories that make a trip a trip. Your editing between you and Andy telling the same story was really cool. Good job! Very smooth. Also, I liked the opening story, which I think you used in your teaser video. That really set the stage for this video, which was a story video. Excellent job, Chris! I was waiting to see this video and I'm not disappointed! Keep making those stories!
+featheredprop Thanks Dane! This one was hard to edit. I didn't seem to shoot a lot of moments that I wished I had. Stitching a chronological event together when you're missing major pieces isn't the easiest haha. However, I think it turned out pretty good in the end and I really appreciate your encouraging words. Glad you enjoyed it! It's funny, I really liked the "I heard him scream like a baby" bit too. That part has additional impact for some reason. Glad to hear you weren't disappointed. I honestly was a bit worried about people being bummed since I published it 3 months after the fact. I wonder what I could have done if I spent 3 months filming on the trail. Then that would have been something! :) I worked and re-worked this video a ton. I didn't really have anything I liked until the past week or so. It finally came together, and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the result. I hope others find it enjoyable/funny too. :) - Chris
What adventure! you crammed so much into 15 mins Chris, man I felt like I was going along with you all, superb colours, commentary, camaraderie. :) Tim
Excellent. I don't know how I lost you from my subscription list but I'm back now and will enjoy doing a lot of catching up. Guess I figured you were just doing the tips on the other channel. One thing I really like about Colorado is that you can have fires. Same with Idaho. Here in CA, the ability to start a little camp fire is becoming harder and harder with each year of the drought.
+mobiltec I don't really do any tips on this channel, just because I don't want to compete with my other work. I primarily share trip-style videos here. Some people like trip vids, others don't. I share some videos of my kid too, which I know not everyone cares to see. Either way, I'm happy you enjoyed the video of our time on the Colorado trail. It was a really fun adventure. I hear you on the fires. I don't build fires on many of my trips, but there are sometimes where the fire is just nice to have. It definitely makes it feel more like a complete outdoor experience. Hopefully you can start having more fires out your way. Drought sucks on so many levels. On a side note, even if you don't hit that subscribe button, I'm just happy you stopped by and liked what you saw. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris
Oh I am so jealous! We usually take or have taken like maybe 1-3 hour trails at National Parks. After seeing your trip, we need to step it up a bit!! We had 4 boys of various ages that it would have been tough to camp, etc, but now that they are grown except for my 14 year old, you have inspired me to do a long trail one day with him. We would have to gear up and do a lot of researching first! I have never heard of this trail which seems crazy. We have been to Colorado maybe 5 or 6 times and can't wait to go again. Hello from Iowa btw. Take care!! -Carol
+Matt Miller I really appreciate that Matt. I was a little worried how this video might be received. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. As always, thanks for watching and take care buddy. :) - Chris
great video. Thank you so much for sharing. It really is about continuing through the hard stuff and the fun stuff. Even taking the win when you can and learning through the hard stuff (floods) on the trail.
+The Outdoor Adventure Thanks Paul. I really appreciated your input and thank you for the clips you let me use. I've wanted to get back and do something like the JMT as soon as we stepped off the trail. That was so much fun. - Chris
Great Video Chris , Loved the .." Storytelling Angle "... on top of Everything Else in here. Not gonna lie though , your ..." Dream of Sitting in a Natural Hot Springs "........😂😂..... only to realize that you All were sitting in a muddy puddle of warm ( and God Knows what else ) water hole.......had me laughing my Butt off.!! As well , I don't know if you even realize it or not , but your little Hot Springs Fail .....lol.....is actually almost EXACTLY like the scene in the Revised ..." National Lampoon's Vacation " ....with Ed Helms and Christine Applegate. Ed plays a Grown up Rusty , and wanting to give his Family the same fun Vacation that his Dad did for him , they decide to Drive across the country too. Anyways , the scene is of All four of them in this ..." Hot Springs "....Oasis , as they start spreading the wonderful Mud all over their faces and arms etc etc...... Well , lets just say what YOU guys sat in ......... is Miles Better than what the young Griswold's realized what indeed they were covered in.!!??!! Too funny and the similarities to that are priceless.!! As a Canadian , we don't really ..." Hike "....as a sport like I see our Southern Neighbors do. To be honest , I probably learned more from watching the movie with Reese Witherspoon ......as SHE walks or I should say HIKES the Huge Pacific CREST Trails ( true Story and I'm talking over a 1000 miles ) . The name of the movie is ..." Wild "...., and I Think she got an Oscar Nomination for her performance. I'm guessing you May enjoy it , that is if you haven't already seen it.?? I've rambled on long enough Chris , but this Video was very Special and VERY well put together..!! Cheers
+Trevor Stuart ha, I'm glad you found the hot spring story humorous. We honestly were all laughing in the hut on Muir pass. It was pretty funny to learn from a group of strangers a day later. We kind of knew that we weren't in the actual hot spring toward the end of our time in the water, but we had pretty much given up on finding them at that point. I've definitely heard of Wild, but haven't had the chance to watch it yet. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for watching, Trevor. I appreciate it. :) - Chris
The memories you guys got from this trip are for life. I loved the video with the stories and the area is beautiful. Check us out in the Smokey Mountains, Tn. area. I will be subscribing to your channel and pleas subscribe to ours, thank you!
Chris, I've watched (and re-watched) this video several times since you first uploaded it.. and I still cannot find the words to express just how amazing and powerful it is. The videography, storytelling, and flow are simply unparalleled. One of the best videos I've ever seen on backpacking... bar none! I must admit it was a little bittersweet watching and knowing that I could have been with you guys out there on both the CT and the JMT. Thank you so much for all of the effort that you put into this, and allowing us to live the experiences vicariously through you my friend!
Wow, thank you so much John! I know you and I both have seen our fair share of backpacking videos, so that really means a lot. Wish you could have been there for both trips, but I definitely understand how life happens regardless of what's on the agenda. You're welcome to come out to visit any time for a trip. I think I might have at least on more planned ;) You have a hiking buddy rain, sleet, or sunshine (and maybe even hail). :) - Chris
I started typing comments before I read everyone else's. Add my voice to theirs. Terrific story, editing, score,.....everything. Glad I found your contribution to the body of work here. I can't imagine how many hours you spent creating this. I hope I'm about to see more in a few seconds, when I get to your channel.
Wow! Thanks for dropping a comment to echo the others. It never gets old and I truly appreciate the encouragement. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it, because I did spend a lot of time on this video. I hope you enjoy the other videos I've created, but more than anything thanks for taking the time to watch this one. I really appreciate the feedback and kind words. :) - Chris
Chris, all I have to say is, "Wow!" When I read your comments that this was an "experiment" at storytelling with a hiking trip, I had a hard time convincing myself that this was the result of an experiment. You did an awesome job. I loved your use of color gradients and effects to delineate the different portions of the video. The whole video flowed well and was easy to watch, which could not have been easy, especially when you are not able to predict or control what happens every day on the trail. Very enjoyable! Thanks for sharing and keep these "experiments" coming.
This is a really great video Chris Great story telling. I'm not sure why I had to resubscribe. So I have to do some catch up! Great job man!
+TomsBackwoods Thanks Tom! Glad you caught this one. I had a lot of fun out on the trail and just as much fun back home editing. Can't wait to get out to complete the rest of the Colorado trail. The first 100 miles has me aching for more...Pun intended. :) - Chris
This one makes me want to go backpacking even more thank you
Chris, this video was hilarious! I needed some good laughs today. I'm not sure what was worse the storm, mud pool or the little boy crying.. One thing for sure is they are great for a great story.. And the views were just amazing. Still can't get over Colorado and how much beauty it had to offer.
Andy
+Andy Timinsky Haha, glad you enjoyed it man. These three stories are still my favorite hiking stories (I guess there is one other one from my very first backpacking trip that I like to tell...another day). The kid falling still gets me. I'd tell that story, but it never seemed that funny. It wasn't until I started moving the pieces around during the editing process that I started to really appreciate how funny that situation was. I guess I still feel bad about it. I always revealed the fact that the kid couldn't understand what I was asking him to do too early when I told it before. It was seriously an awkward situation. How do you apologize when they can't understand you? I'm pretty sure my face said all that needed to be said to those hikers. I felt so bad!
Colorado is incredible. I'm still a little spoiled by Wyoming because you can go practically anywhere and there won't be anyone, but there terrain of Colorado is hard to beat. The west/ mountain west is pretty darn amazing when you think about it. We have so many open spaces to explore out here. :) - Chris
Great adventure and as always great job filming and editing it together.
Jason
+Primal Outdoors Thanks Jason. I really appreciate it. This was a fun project for me to make. Glad you enjoyed it. :) - Chris
Epic trip. Love the stories and can so relate to many of them. I once had a guy decide to stay and watch me video, but then talked for about 15 minutes and I was picking up all of what he was saying. I eventually decided to leave. No crying though.
+Nature Calls haha, yeah the crying was rough. Nothing makes me feel quite as small as that moment when I made a child cry for something so unimportant. That one still makes me feel guilty. Thanks for watching Bruce. I always appreciate hearing what you think of my videos. - Chris
You so nailed this, Chris! it's the stories that you bring back and the stories that you retell that fuel the next trip out there. Loved this video. Loved the stories. This was epic. A couple of highlights for me: first, the shot at 1:25 was spectacular with the deep blue sky. Then, there was the "hot springs" story and your line, "It was kind of underwhelming." Also, loved this line, "I heard him scream like a baby," (the rainstorm) and of course you forcing the child away from the sign in a language foreign to him was also great! Man, it's those stories that make a trip a trip.
Your editing between you and Andy telling the same story was really cool. Good job! Very smooth. Also, I liked the opening story, which I think you used in your teaser video. That really set the stage for this video, which was a story video.
Excellent job, Chris! I was waiting to see this video and I'm not disappointed! Keep making those stories!
+featheredprop Thanks Dane! This one was hard to edit. I didn't seem to shoot a lot of moments that I wished I had. Stitching a chronological event together when you're missing major pieces isn't the easiest haha. However, I think it turned out pretty good in the end and I really appreciate your encouraging words. Glad you enjoyed it!
It's funny, I really liked the "I heard him scream like a baby" bit too. That part has additional impact for some reason.
Glad to hear you weren't disappointed. I honestly was a bit worried about people being bummed since I published it 3 months after the fact. I wonder what I could have done if I spent 3 months filming on the trail. Then that would have been something! :) I worked and re-worked this video a ton. I didn't really have anything I liked until the past week or so. It finally came together, and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the result. I hope others find it enjoyable/funny too. :) - Chris
Another great video...it looks like I'm following y'all! Did the JMT last September and planning the CT collegiate loop this September! Can't wait!
+Richard Moran Man, I'm very envious of that! Sounds like you have a lot of good trail time ahead of you. Enjoy buddy. Happy trails! :) - Chris
What adventure! you crammed so much into 15 mins Chris, man I felt like I was going along with you all, superb colours, commentary, camaraderie. :) Tim
Just watched this again. Pretty awesome. Great job Chris. Let's hit the trail again soon.
For sure! We need to tackle a few more sections of the trail soon. Just say when!
Loved watching your experience on the Colorado Trail and how you shared it all... well done!!
+Craig Valadez Thanks Craig! Your kind words mean a ton. Glad to hear you enjoyed the virtual journey. :) - Chris
Excellent. I don't know how I lost you from my subscription list but I'm back now and will enjoy doing a lot of catching up. Guess I figured you were just doing the tips on the other channel. One thing I really like about Colorado is that you can have fires. Same with Idaho. Here in CA, the ability to start a little camp fire is becoming harder and harder with each year of the drought.
+mobiltec I don't really do any tips on this channel, just because I don't want to compete with my other work. I primarily share trip-style videos here. Some people like trip vids, others don't. I share some videos of my kid too, which I know not everyone cares to see. Either way, I'm happy you enjoyed the video of our time on the Colorado trail. It was a really fun adventure. I hear you on the fires. I don't build fires on many of my trips, but there are sometimes where the fire is just nice to have. It definitely makes it feel more like a complete outdoor experience. Hopefully you can start having more fires out your way. Drought sucks on so many levels.
On a side note, even if you don't hit that subscribe button, I'm just happy you stopped by and liked what you saw. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris
inspireAson Oh don't worry Chris I subbed again LOL...
Oh I am so jealous! We usually take or have taken like maybe 1-3 hour trails at National Parks. After seeing your trip, we need to step it up a bit!! We had 4 boys of various ages that it would have been tough to camp, etc, but now that they are grown except for my 14 year old, you have inspired me to do a long trail one day with him. We would have to gear up and do a lot of researching first! I have never heard of this trail which seems crazy. We have been to Colorado maybe 5 or 6 times and can't wait to go again. Hello from Iowa btw. Take care!! -Carol
Great to hear Carol! Your boys would love it. It's a good challenge, but in the end the challenge is worth it. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris
Your best video yet. Great stories. Thanks for sharing.
+Matt Miller I really appreciate that Matt. I was a little worried how this video might be received. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. As always, thanks for watching and take care buddy. :) - Chris
great video. Thank you so much for sharing. It really is about continuing through the hard stuff and the fun stuff. Even taking the win when you can and learning through the hard stuff (floods) on the trail.
same with me this might of been the best video on youtube that i have ever seen well done loved it
+GT BROS wow! Thanks for your kind words. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Glad you found the video and thanks for watching. :) - Chris
no thank you :]
Great one!! Amazing trip and excelent storys. Congrats!!!
Dude. This totally make me want to hit the trail. Thanks for this.
Glad to hear it! Although with a name like "TheOutdoordude" I don't think I had to do much. Hard to be time outside. Enjoy! :) - Chris
Great flow and editing on this video.
Great film! I especially liked the final quote.
Thanks for watching Daniel! Glad you enjoyed it. :) - Chris
I really enjoyed this Chris. Good memories. It's nice to know what Andy is saying still about that #JMT trip :-P
+The Outdoor Adventure Thanks Paul. I really appreciated your input and thank you for the clips you let me use. I've wanted to get back and do something like the JMT as soon as we stepped off the trail. That was so much fun. - Chris
Awesome video. We do hiking and outdoor vlogs and they are just a lot of fun! Great channel
This video was so cool to watch I'm going to do a few sections of it with my dad very pretty view too!🌲⛰
Awesome Alex! I hope you and your dad have a great trip. Couldn't spend your time much better, buddy. :) - Chris
Just found your channel, must say Im very impressed.
+LIBERTYDOGG77 I'm glad you like what you've seen. Thanks for the kind words, and I'm glad you found me. :) - Chris
Great video. Wonderful story. Thank you, for sharing
+theslowwalker thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it. :) - Chris
Great Video Chris , Loved the .." Storytelling Angle "... on top of Everything Else in here.
Not gonna lie though , your ..." Dream of Sitting in a Natural Hot Springs "........😂😂..... only to realize that you All were sitting in a muddy puddle of warm ( and God Knows what else ) water hole.......had me laughing my Butt off.!!
As well , I don't know if you even realize it or not , but your little Hot Springs Fail .....lol.....is actually almost EXACTLY like the scene in the Revised ..." National Lampoon's Vacation " ....with Ed Helms and Christine Applegate.
Ed plays a Grown up Rusty , and wanting to give his Family the same fun Vacation that his Dad did for him , they decide to Drive across the country too.
Anyways , the scene is of All four of them in this ..." Hot Springs "....Oasis , as they start spreading the wonderful Mud all over their faces and arms etc etc......
Well , lets just say what YOU guys sat in ......... is Miles Better than what the young Griswold's realized what indeed they were covered in.!!??!! Too funny and the similarities to that are priceless.!!
As a Canadian , we don't really ..." Hike "....as a sport like I see our Southern Neighbors do. To be honest , I probably learned more from watching the movie with Reese Witherspoon ......as SHE walks or I should say HIKES the Huge Pacific CREST Trails ( true Story and I'm talking over a 1000 miles ) . The name of the movie is ..." Wild "...., and I Think she got an Oscar Nomination for her performance.
I'm guessing you May enjoy it , that is if you haven't already seen it.??
I've rambled on long enough Chris , but this Video was very Special and VERY well put together..!! Cheers
+Trevor Stuart ha, I'm glad you found the hot spring story humorous. We honestly were all laughing in the hut on Muir pass. It was pretty funny to learn from a group of strangers a day later. We kind of knew that we weren't in the actual hot spring toward the end of our time in the water, but we had pretty much given up on finding them at that point. I've definitely heard of Wild, but haven't had the chance to watch it yet. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for watching, Trevor. I appreciate it. :) - Chris
Thanks for the laughs!
+Cheeky Saver Ha, you're welcome. Glad to hear it got a reaction out of you. :) - Chris
Thanks for a great video and well keep up the good work :)
I really appreciate that. I'll do my best to do quality work that people can enjoy. :) - Chris
your welcome :)
great views Chris
+Joseph Russell Thanks Joseph! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Happy trails buddy. :) - Chris
Great job!
I really appreciate that Joseph! Glad you enjoyed it. :) - Chris
The memories you guys got from this trip are for life. I loved the video with the stories and the area is beautiful. Check us out in the Smokey Mountains, Tn. area. I will be subscribing to your channel and pleas subscribe to ours, thank you!