This was really interesting to see the high tech backpacking stuff version of bushcraft, im used to wool, steel, and more old fashioned heavier stuff. I like the idea of having a warm enough bag for sleeping away from or with no fire.
Really good video you made there. You have many tallents. Here in denmark scouts make that bread on the stick all the time and eat it with jam. The secret is to flatten the dough more out on the stick, and find a good spot in the fire with good embers. Then it will be baked all through and get the fine golden color on the outside. It usually takes some years for the scouts to learn, often starting with an almost black bread⛺️😊🔥❤
haha well I got the black bread part down! My later attempts which I didn't film were better as I got them to flatten out as you suggest. But I think I still need quite a bit of practice!
We call that tarp set up "porch mode" in the hammock world, and its part of why we love hanging, 5hose views while being protected from bugs is best of both worlds. Also this was a different bit very fun video to watch
I'm really enjoying this style of video: the adventure first and foremost (with beautiful cinematography!), skills and information second, then a touch of gear review. Very enjoyable, without coming across like an advertisement disguised as a backpacking trip. Thanks, and well done!
Great job Eric, you always make these videos appear as personal conversations with your subscribers and not lectures on how to do this or that. Where to next, New England????
Thank you! Just so you I'm always talking to you specifically! I've done some travels to England and really enjoyed it but don't plan on heading there any time too soon. I'm sure I will be there again tho!
The need of a tent is us wanting protection from the unknown or the elements. It’s definitely not necessary. I camp with a tent now simply because I’ve been “programmed” to sleep inside my tent”cave/house”. But for 21 years I was a grunt in our military and I almost never used a tent. I typically slept where I fell regardless of the weather. As a result, I spent some miserable nights in the cold, wing and rain, but I also had some wonderful sleep under the stars.
Yeah it can be both! You're definitely more exposed, which means you see and experience more. Some of my favorite outdoor experiences are hunkering down under a tarp while lightning and monsoons rage down. But yeah, the lack of protection from bugs is the biggest downside I think!
Growing up in the 70’s as a Boy Scout, our troop exclusively used plastic (visqueen) tarp set ups. Never tents. Sleep six across.. If really stormy, we’d use more tarp to enclose the ends. Our tarps were long enough that at the head, that plastic would wrap around and become our ground cloth, only leaving the foot end open. It was perfect.
I just tested out my new Nemo extreme last night, 10 degrees. Not a single cold spot. I'm a side sleeper and was toasty warm. Can't wait to go out again
I did see where some users of that pad are now having to "shake" it out and really try to break up the mylar insulation before setting it up for bed, trying to get it to shake apart and eliminate the cold spots where the insulation sheets are freezing or sticking together. You shouldn't have to worry about that, but it does help. Give it a try next time before attaching your bag.
That seems logical that you could break it up like that. I will try that next time. All things considered though I'm still pretty happy with the Tensor Extreme.
You need that snow-wall around you all the way. I’ve spent a lot of time in Michigan winter and some snow-walls as wind block is a game changer. Great video Eric!!!!
Thank you! Originally I was planning on building more walls. The storm dropped more than 3 feet (1 meter) where I live and I went higher up the mountain and there was shockingly little on that side. It just made building the blocks not very nice with so little snow.
I am a fellow Arizonan OLD.POOR.and planning to thru hike the AZT sobo in 2025. I have an Ospery Kyte (which I think is way to heavy), a Lanshan 2 tent ( 2lbs), a pocket rocket that I keep inside a Bessargot french press which alsi is my cook pot. My sleep system I spent money on. A Jungle foam pad, a BA air core ultra 4.0, Zen Bivy.
OMG "vintage MSR pot" got me. I just replaced that same MSR pot with a Toaks LAST YEAR! It served me well for a long time 😂 Great video, Eric! Good inspiration to get out there in the winter.
This is exactly how I backpack! I use all UL backpacking gear except for my pack which is a mystery ranch Bridger 55 which works best for light yet heavy duty and I’ve made myself a bushcraft survival kit and a fire kit under 1lb each. I use the same gerber hand saw as well as hatchet and I also carry a gerber principle for my knife. If I were hiking the AT I’d leave the saw and hatchet and hit the road.
Great video! It was cool to see my favorite backpacking channel blend with my other favorite stuff, bushcraft/survival. That saw though! You have to try a Silky folding saw, or at least a Corona. They make life so much easier. Thank you for the video!
It's cool to see you get back closer to some roots. Not everybody has the money to spend on $400 tents, $300 packs and sleeping bags and trips to take with us on trips across the world!! Bushcraft for some of us more average folks!! If you will!! Lol!!
Enjoyed the video. All my years of camping and backpacking, the sound of you breaking that piece of kindling you make when you first started the fire sounded so familiar. The sounds the fire made makes for some great ASMR.
I enjoyed this video Eric. One of the best parts of winter camping is being able to bring food you'd normally have to refrigerate. I love bringing a saw for winter camping as well. I love my Sven saw which is pretty light, very compact and cuts really well. Have you ever thought of making a home made pulk sled? It is a relatively cheap, easy and fun project that adds a lot of carrying capacity if the terrain you are hiking on allows for it. If you had more room in a pulk maybe you could add some sort of wool blanket or fire resistant tarp to shield your sleep set up from a closer fire. Something I'm looking into incorporating into my winter set up.
I'm familiar with them but I haven't really considered making a pulk sled. But I can absolutely see the appeal and use. I think as I expand into more winter camping experiences that could really open things up.
Biscuit on a stick is what was missing from my life. Who knew. I am loving the Colorado videos. Colorado is def my favorite and your filmography highlights the beauty.
Vintage msr pot. I thought I recognized that set. I can’t seem to throw mine out even though the non-stick coating has been flaking off. It was way overkill but such a nice kit. I still have the mixing bowls and spatulas that was an option with it.
Loved your video Eric, just recently purchased the Tensor Extreme, was curious as to how it performed in real circumstances. Not planning on camping in sub-zero weather, nice to know that it would handle it. Learned to not trust the reviews on Amazon or other such sites.
Nice campsite. Great preparation and set up. It’s good to see you do something different, a more bushcraft type camp. I have the same Gerber saw. Heavy, small but strong and it works. Got me through below zero Fahrenheit with a hot tent many times.
Thank you! Yeah this is a bit different style for me but I definitely enjoy it a lot and want to sprinkle it in here on the channel and I want to grow my bushcrafting skills. How you like doing the hot tent?
@@eric_hanson i specifically snowmobile hot tent from my vacation property in Maine on the organized trail system. My goal is to ride a certain distance from there and set up shop in another town. Then spend a day or so riding a different area and eventually return to my place from a different way/trail. Fun going in, fun when I’m there, fun on my way back and all different trail. It’s a challenge and lots of work. Using it as a base camp for more than one night to achieve a goal is key after going through all the effort to set it up. It enhances my riding and winter fun. None of my friends ride anymore so it’s just me having an all around winter experience. For what I do, my system and how I use it I’m happy. 😊❤️🇺🇸❄️☃️🛷🔥⛺️🌄
Agawa makes a folding bow saw that takes full size buy-at-hardware-store blades. But once you go folding bow saw, it's hard to justify other wood processing options.
It's definitely worth adding these experiences into the mix. Harvesting firewood and building a fire was such a core part of this experience. I loved it.
@@eric_hanson really brings the roots back to camping experience when you have to make your source of heat for food. I also bring the egg crate style closed cell foam pads for extra almost 2 r value on pads. So far with this “extreme” pad I have seen that the all season doubled with something like that could be just as good or better
The cold spots on the sleeping pad can be caused by having the top of the pad exposed to cold air. The uncovered air chambers will lose heat to the open air and convect it to the part of the chamber you are laying on.
Bacon 🥓 makes everything better 😋 I love cooking on a fire. I really need to do it more often. Great winter camp! Good idea to keep the down booties on when you first put on your boots in the morning! Not such a shock to the system that way I bet 😅
Bacon is always the answer! haha. I didn't know the booties would even fit inside my boots but I'm glad they did! Much more pleasant way to start the morning.
For the pad i think a lot of us inflate for comfort. I wonder if it would be warmer if it was firmer to keep the spacing/loft more consistent. Just a thought I had reading all the comments. Makes me wonder if I would sacrifice body position for warmth. Might depend on how cold i got.
Definitely this video was a diversion from your usual ones ... But it was entertaining and enjoyable ... Curious why you opted for using a "lean to" tarp configuration since it only provides one side of protection? ... Have you ever setup your tarp using the "tarp tent" configuration?
Glad to hear it! I mentioned it offhand but I could've easily dropped the propped open side of the tarp for more protection. I wanted to be able to look out and see the sky.
If you turned off the camera as you went to sleep, how did you get the exterior long shots and the close up of you waking up and unbuttoning all your warm sleeping gear?
I'm not a 100% sure but I believe it has to do with the recent fire and the forest service marks certain trees. Some will be cleared and I have a feeling this one was marked to specifically not be cut.
I've only used a 5-6 year old cold weather thermarest and can't remember which model it was so I can't make a direct comparison. Looks like the xtherm is 3 inches thick while this one is 3.5 inches thick which does tend to add more comfort. I'm pleased with the comfort of the Nemo.
I see that too and it just seems way too risky with an air mattress. I did bring a patch kit but I wouldn't want to be doing that at 2 am after a rogue ember pops my mattress!
Another great video! I have a question? Mystery Ranch is having a 3 day sale and Im wanting your opinoin on selecting a pack. The Bridger 45 or the Radix 47? My base weight will be between 20-30 pounds. Thanks
So I'm looking at the Nemo All-Weather and the Extreme. If I sometimes camp in conditions just like this, would you recommend the Extreme for the extra price and weight? Or is the 5+ R-value of the All-weather sufficient? Looking for one pad to rule them all haha. I've never had a pad with that high of R-value so I'm also curious if it would be too hot for summer.
For occasional winter camping I'd be happy going with the All Season and just adding in a close cell foam pad for extra warmth. The Extreme is overkill for year round use and yeah I think it would be too warm in the summer. Although it is light and small enough that it wouldn't be crazy to use as your core mattress!
If you really want to leave all thoughts of light weight go and be a complete badass, you could always opt for one of their "Katanaboy"-saws, which will take down a tree faster than a chainsaw ;) Either way, their blades are exceptionally fast and efficent even on the smaller models. Highly recommend. @@eric_hanson
... Personal challenges can be fun and learning experiences ... lots of tarp set ups...... especially for a solo camp .........basic lean to in open offers no wind protection ....For a quick "open tarp" use a Plow point set up , which drops both the sides (all the way to ground if desired) to block wind and contain heat within ..... why was fire so far away from tarp/sleep set up ?? Could benefit from reflector wall/wind barrier behind fire and reflective Emergency blanket on back wall of enclosure to reflect fire heat inward .... open flame for warming and drying things ,,, cook over pile of hot coals ,, less likely to burn food items .. more even cooking temps ... Folding framed Saw , cute but too small ,,, Agawa 21"-24" folder better choice ... or many folding open blade saws like the Silky line ..........hatchet used ,, poor head design/quality for needs .... much better options or even carry a large knife and baton rounds and splits as needed ... Just a few observations .....Stay Safe ....
good stuff here, I appreciate it. I was ready to drop the open side of the tarp down to the ground if conditions changed but I wanted the more open, essentially not protected experience. Thanks!
Yeah Eric, but your hips (if your a side sleeper) are where your weight is. Measure the distance at your hips to the ground versus say your shoulders or your waist. High R-value or not, any pad's weak spot is at the hips. And you said you felt a cold spot there? Do you have another highly rated pad, perhaps the Exped extreme? Try it out as well. if you were to feel a cold spot at your hips, then its not the fault of the insulating properties. Perhaps thickness. A better test would be to sleep on your back where your weight is more evenly distributed.
I get that wherever is most compressed on a mattress is going to be the weak spot. I mostly slept on my back here and that's when I was more aware of the cold spot at my butt. I also have the Sea to Summit Etherlight Extreme and I think the Nemo is superior.
@@eric_hanson I just happen to run warm so I'm fine with the insulated Tensor and a foam pad. My new addition is the SOL bivy lite which I pull up around my 15 degree MH bag, mainly for winter/snow camping. Keeps my toe box dry from windblown precip or condensation (Durston xmid1 caveat).
@@eric_hanson I'm just jerking your chain brother 🤪 That last video where a hiker came across you and made a comment about the parking being so close had the wife and I in tears. By the way, You might want to swing over to your old job and help Stella out before she gets the camera crew lost or leads them off a cliff haha..
This was really interesting to see the high tech backpacking stuff version of bushcraft, im used to wool, steel, and more old fashioned heavier stuff. I like the idea of having a warm enough bag for sleeping away from or with no fire.
That frypan of bacon over a fire was a real touch of the old "Megawoods Walker" (God rest his soul)😄
not much better than bacon on an open fire.
Really good video you made there. You have many tallents.
Here in denmark scouts make that bread on the stick all the time and eat it with jam. The secret is to flatten the dough more out on the stick, and find a good spot in the fire with good embers. Then it will be baked all through and get the fine golden color on the outside. It usually takes some years for the scouts to learn, often starting with an almost black bread⛺️😊🔥❤
haha well I got the black bread part down! My later attempts which I didn't film were better as I got them to flatten out as you suggest. But I think I still need quite a bit of practice!
We call that tarp set up "porch mode" in the hammock world, and its part of why we love hanging, 5hose views while being protected from bugs is best of both worlds.
Also this was a different bit very fun video to watch
I'm really enjoying this style of video: the adventure first and foremost (with beautiful cinematography!), skills and information second, then a touch of gear review. Very enjoyable, without coming across like an advertisement disguised as a backpacking trip. Thanks, and well done!
I agree! His content is exceptionally well done!
22:25 What a cool moment! Loving these winter camp videos! More more more please!
Great job Eric, you always make these videos appear as personal conversations with your subscribers and not lectures on how to do this or that. Where to next, New England????
Thank you! Just so you I'm always talking to you specifically! I've done some travels to England and really enjoyed it but don't plan on heading there any time too soon. I'm sure I will be there again tho!
Got my nemo extreme took it out in my back yard in my Outdoor Vitals Fortius 2 p trecking pole tent. Slept great, not cold under me at all. 😊
The need of a tent is us wanting protection from the unknown or the elements. It’s definitely not necessary. I camp with a tent now simply because I’ve been “programmed” to sleep inside my tent”cave/house”. But for 21 years I was a grunt in our military and I almost never used a tent. I typically slept where I fell regardless of the weather. As a result, I spent some miserable nights in the cold, wing and rain, but I also had some wonderful sleep under the stars.
Tents are great when the mosquitoes are swarming
Yeah it can be both! You're definitely more exposed, which means you see and experience more. Some of my favorite outdoor experiences are hunkering down under a tarp while lightning and monsoons rage down. But yeah, the lack of protection from bugs is the biggest downside I think!
Thank you for your service. I’m glad you have fond memories
Sounds like you just want people to praise you. You’d be a great firefighter. How many awards have you given yourself?
Growing up in the 70’s as a Boy Scout, our troop exclusively used plastic (visqueen) tarp set ups. Never tents. Sleep six across.. If really stormy, we’d use more tarp to enclose the ends. Our tarps were long enough that at the head, that plastic would wrap around and become our ground cloth, only leaving the foot end open. It was perfect.
I just tested out my new Nemo extreme last night, 10 degrees. Not a single cold spot. I'm a side sleeper and was toasty warm. Can't wait to go out again
Excellent! That's great to hear!
I did see where some users of that pad are now having to "shake" it out and really try to break up the mylar insulation before setting it up for bed, trying to get it to shake apart and eliminate the cold spots where the insulation sheets are freezing or sticking together. You shouldn't have to worry about that, but it does help. Give it a try next time before attaching your bag.
That seems logical that you could break it up like that. I will try that next time. All things considered though I'm still pretty happy with the Tensor Extreme.
Absolutely one of the most fun and actually informative videos. Loved the whole process. Thanks!
well that is much appreciated! My goal is to be both!
Fun vid.
Bannock is the best "bread" for cooking on a fire.
The original pan bread.
true! for the next one!
.. Bannock cooked wrap around a stick ,, cooks even with no burns ... or wrapped around a braut or hotdog .. on stick over open coals .. no flame ..
You need that snow-wall around you all the way. I’ve spent a lot of time in Michigan winter and some snow-walls as wind block is a game changer. Great video Eric!!!!
Thank you! Originally I was planning on building more walls. The storm dropped more than 3 feet (1 meter) where I live and I went higher up the mountain and there was shockingly little on that side. It just made building the blocks not very nice with so little snow.
You should do a trip to Alaska and visit the outdoorboys
Well that would be a blast for sure!
I am a fellow Arizonan OLD.POOR.and planning to thru hike the AZT sobo in 2025. I have an Ospery Kyte (which I think is way to heavy), a Lanshan 2 tent ( 2lbs), a pocket rocket that I keep inside a Bessargot french press which alsi is my cook pot. My sleep system I spent money on. A Jungle foam pad, a BA air core ultra 4.0, Zen Bivy.
Camping with just a tarp in great experience. You really have to have your gear dialed in. Outstanding job.
Thank you! Yeah I agree. It feels a little more raw without a tent!
This looked like a fun trip, I got scared for a second with your reaction of the wild animal 😅
haha it totally surprised me!
OMG "vintage MSR pot" got me. I just replaced that same MSR pot with a Toaks LAST YEAR! It served me well for a long time 😂
Great video, Eric! Good inspiration to get out there in the winter.
haha nothing wrong with holding on to quality gear for a long time!
This is exactly how I backpack! I use all UL backpacking gear except for my pack which is a mystery ranch Bridger 55 which works best for light yet heavy duty and I’ve made myself a bushcraft survival kit and a fire kit under 1lb each. I use the same gerber hand saw as well as hatchet and I also carry a gerber principle for my knife. If I were hiking the AT I’d leave the saw and hatchet and hit the road.
Great video! It was cool to see my favorite backpacking channel blend with my other favorite stuff, bushcraft/survival. That saw though! You have to try a Silky folding saw, or at least a Corona. They make life so much easier. Thank you for the video!
thanks! It's fun to try new things. You're not the first (or last) to suggest the Silky saw, I'll have to try it out!
It's cool to see you get back closer to some roots. Not everybody has the money to spend on $400 tents, $300 packs and sleeping bags and trips to take with us on trips across the world!! Bushcraft for some of us more average folks!! If you will!! Lol!!
Great Vid! I tried the bacon with street corn and rice, the entire fam loved it. Definitely adding this recipe to my backcountry meals.
I'm still using my original MSR Blacklite set as my primary cooking system
Nice! Found a classic.
Another awesome video! Love your creativity shining in these recent videos!
thank you! It's a lot of fun to play with different styles.
Enjoyed the video. All my years of camping and backpacking, the sound of you breaking that piece of kindling you make when you first started the fire sounded so familiar. The sounds the fire made makes for some great ASMR.
I love the sound element of outdoor experiences and try to bring that into the videos, glad that hit you!
Love trucker hitches. But for tents a taut line hitch is the best.
This is what I've been waiting for.
Hey right on!
That saw looks remarkably like a Agawa Canyon saw ‘knock off’. Agawa’s are fantastic backpacking saws. Hope you get to try on out.
Loads of saw recommendations coming in! haha thanks! The Agawa looks cool.
The content on this channel is way better than your old one.
I'm having fun expanding and trying new things, thank you!
Happy to see you enjoyed your camping. Sure it must feel different from your other hiking adventures. Have fun for the ones we can't!
I'm trying lots of experiences and video styles and definitely having fun with it!
All of your videos are great but this one is greater! Awesome job!
Well thank you! Anything in particular you enjoyed more about this one?
@@eric_hanson camping without a tent in those temps is more difficult than anything I would do!
What a great adventure. Loved the video.
Loved this!! Different from what you usually do. This was amazing!!! Maybe more of these types of videos since we still have some snow left.
Thank you! I've got a lineup of desert trips ahead. May try to get back to the mountains in late spring before it's gone.
I enjoyed this video Eric. One of the best parts of winter camping is being able to bring food you'd normally have to refrigerate. I love bringing a saw for winter camping as well. I love my Sven saw which is pretty light, very compact and cuts really well. Have you ever thought of making a home made pulk sled? It is a relatively cheap, easy and fun project that adds a lot of carrying capacity if the terrain you are hiking on allows for it. If you had more room in a pulk maybe you could add some sort of wool blanket or fire resistant tarp to shield your sleep set up from a closer fire. Something I'm looking into incorporating into my winter set up.
I'm familiar with them but I haven't really considered making a pulk sled. But I can absolutely see the appeal and use. I think as I expand into more winter camping experiences that could really open things up.
Great video Eric. Once again, I enjoyed the cinematography as much as the content. Looked like a fun time. Keep on sharing your adventures! 😊
Thank you! Trying to add a nice cinematic look to these kinds of videos.
Biscuit on a stick is what was missing from my life. Who knew.
I am loving the Colorado videos. Colorado is def my favorite and your filmography highlights the beauty.
Biscuit on a stick! It's a fun method! And thank you so much!
Tents are for mountians, tarps are for the forrest 😊. Thank you for bringing us along.
That's a good way to put it! Cheers!
Excellent video.
Really enjoyed this video Eric. Looked like fun.
it was definitely fun! Thank you!
Love that kind of bushcraft.
nice, glad to hear it!
Some good bush crafting there. Good work!
thank you!
Nice trip! Greetings from the woods in Sweden 🇸🇪
thank you!
Clearly been watching the outdoor boys UA-cam channel for inspiration 😂😂
ha! what gave it away?!
Great video! I would love to watch more survival/bushcraft from your channel. Good stuff!
Thank you so much! I’ll sprinkle in a few here and there
Loving the quality of your videos. The drone shots you throw in are awesome! That bacon rice meal you made looked 🔥
Thank you so much! I'll be doing that bacon white corn rice meal again!
Vintage msr pot. I thought I recognized that set. I can’t seem to throw mine out even though the non-stick coating has been flaking off. It was way overkill but such a nice kit. I still have the mixing bowls and spatulas that was an option with it.
It's a great cookset!
Loved your video Eric, just recently purchased the Tensor Extreme, was curious as to how it performed in real circumstances. Not planning on camping in sub-zero weather, nice to know that it would handle it. Learned to not trust the reviews on Amazon or other such sites.
Nice campsite. Great preparation and set up. It’s good to see you do something different, a more bushcraft type camp. I have the same Gerber saw. Heavy, small but strong and it works. Got me through below zero Fahrenheit with a hot tent many times.
Thank you! Yeah this is a bit different style for me but I definitely enjoy it a lot and want to sprinkle it in here on the channel and I want to grow my bushcrafting skills. How you like doing the hot tent?
@@eric_hanson i specifically snowmobile hot tent from my vacation property in Maine on the organized trail system. My goal is to ride a certain distance from there and set up shop in another town. Then spend a day or so riding a different area and eventually return to my place from a different way/trail. Fun going in, fun when I’m there, fun on my way back and all different trail. It’s a challenge and lots of work. Using it as a base camp for more than one night to achieve a goal is key after going through all the effort to set it up. It enhances my riding and winter fun. None of my friends ride anymore so it’s just me having an all around winter experience. For what I do, my system and how I use it I’m happy. 😊❤️🇺🇸❄️☃️🛷🔥⛺️🌄
I wonder if it would had been a good idea to set up some of the pine branches with needles as a wind block with your tarp.
potentially! I expected the snow to be deeper and was planning on building more walls but it was impractical with the amount of snow available.
That gerber looked like a struggle. Try out the Suluk 46 Gomboy saw, lightest saw available!
I think it was just a little short for some of the larger pieces I was processing. Thanks for the recommendation!
Agawa makes a folding bow saw that takes full size buy-at-hardware-store blades. But once you go folding bow saw, it's hard to justify other wood processing options.
@@ExtremeSquared after trying a Gomboy and katana boy I have a hard time going back to my bow saws
You definitely need to get your hands on a bacco laplander or a silky saw that hacksaw looking thing is extremely unusual
I did actually enjoy the saw I had as it had good ergonomics. But I'm of course open to other gear that might work better!
Bro! And yet another great video dude 👍 Those biscuits look good 😮
Thanks Mike! Those biscuits were killer.
Such a good video!! The rolls tho 😊👍
I have to do this sometime great video Eric. Love that you did a fire and harvested wood not enough backpackers out there that even will do a fire
It's definitely worth adding these experiences into the mix. Harvesting firewood and building a fire was such a core part of this experience. I loved it.
@@eric_hanson really brings the roots back to camping experience when you have to make your source of heat for food. I also bring the egg crate style closed cell foam pads for extra almost 2 r value on pads. So far with this “extreme” pad I have seen that the all season doubled with something like that could be just as good or better
Bushwacking Hanson 😂 Great video! Love content like this. Keep it coming!
I use a carona folding saw. It's a beast
Thank you! Nice, might have to try out the Carona.
Very cool way to test yourself 👍👍
thank you!
I was thinking of switching... however I slept really good on the thermarest last weekend finally 😌
nice! If you've got something that works no reason to change
Love the new style of videos, it’s very inspiring.
so glad to hear it!
Meant to say as well, this was an entertaining video. I always take away something new from you, and other seasoned pros.
Thanks.
I appreciate that! Thank you!
The cold spots on the sleeping pad can be caused by having the top of the pad exposed to cold air. The uncovered air chambers will lose heat to the open air and convect it to the part of the chamber you are laying on.
hmm. interesting. thanks!
Bacon 🥓 makes everything better 😋
I love cooking on a fire. I really need to do it more often.
Great winter camp! Good idea to keep the down booties on when you first put on your boots in the morning! Not such a shock to the system that way I bet 😅
Bacon is always the answer! haha. I didn't know the booties would even fit inside my boots but I'm glad they did! Much more pleasant way to start the morning.
For the pad i think a lot of us inflate for comfort. I wonder if it would be warmer if it was firmer to keep the spacing/loft more consistent. Just a thought I had reading all the comments. Makes me wonder if I would sacrifice body position for warmth. Might depend on how cold i got.
I would imagine these pads perform better with more air inside, but I don't know! It's still a pretty warm mattress though.
Definitely this video was a diversion from your usual ones ... But it was entertaining and enjoyable ...
Curious why you opted for using a "lean to" tarp configuration since it only provides one side of protection? ... Have you ever setup your tarp using the "tarp tent" configuration?
Glad to hear it! I mentioned it offhand but I could've easily dropped the propped open side of the tarp for more protection. I wanted to be able to look out and see the sky.
Dude you have to buy a 21 inch saw! lol that must have been hard with such a small saw
Looks nice. I’m in Phoenix and did one in deep snow in Payson area a little over a week ago. Let’s meet up for one if you’re in the area!
Nice! Payson is a cool area.
@@eric_hanson yeah, luckily I just got a small snow shovel because I had to dig out a pretty significant area to setup camp. I go all over AZ!
Rule of thumb for firewood in that situation: when you think you’ve got enough to survive the night, double it
If you turned off the camera as you went to sleep, how did you get the exterior long shots and the close up of you waking up and unbuttoning all your warm sleeping gear?
I had to get up in the morning and turn on the camera. Shhh. Don't tell anyone I was acting I was asleep and waking up!
Interesting video.
thank you!
You need a Mors Kochanski super shelter
Noms, ya got free popcorn 😂 should have roasted it.
haha the thought crossed my mind!
Literally tasting the burned fire cooked biscuit for hours 😂
haha it's actually satisfying!
@@eric_hanson team burned marshmallows only 🤣
Curious, what does the blue paint/ ribbons on some of the trees indicate? Thanks.
I'm not a 100% sure but I believe it has to do with the recent fire and the forest service marks certain trees. Some will be cleared and I have a feeling this one was marked to specifically not be cut.
@@eric_hanson that's what I was thinking. Thanks!
Lol he didn't eat that grub.
Love the video man! I have the thermorest xtherm and its crazy warm but not very comfortable. Is the nemo a more comfortable pad then the thermorest?
I've only used a 5-6 year old cold weather thermarest and can't remember which model it was so I can't make a direct comparison. Looks like the xtherm is 3 inches thick while this one is 3.5 inches thick which does tend to add more comfort. I'm pleased with the comfort of the Nemo.
When you were a guide, was the point of the tarp to be able to look over the group?
It absolutely was!
I see a lot of bushcrafters who make their fire real close to their sleeping spot, but I would worry about embers too much.
I see that too and it just seems way too risky with an air mattress. I did bring a patch kit but I wouldn't want to be doing that at 2 am after a rogue ember pops my mattress!
Another great video! I have a question? Mystery Ranch is having a 3 day sale and Im wanting your opinoin on selecting a pack. The Bridger 45 or the Radix 47? My base weight will be between 20-30 pounds. Thanks
For that weight I'd say definitely the Radix 47!
So I'm looking at the Nemo All-Weather and the Extreme. If I sometimes camp in conditions just like this, would you recommend the Extreme for the extra price and weight? Or is the 5+ R-value of the All-weather sufficient? Looking for one pad to rule them all haha. I've never had a pad with that high of R-value so I'm also curious if it would be too hot for summer.
For occasional winter camping I'd be happy going with the All Season and just adding in a close cell foam pad for extra warmth. The Extreme is overkill for year round use and yeah I think it would be too warm in the summer. Although it is light and small enough that it wouldn't be crazy to use as your core mattress!
@@eric_hanson Thank you for the insight!
Do yourself a BIG favour and get a Silky BigBoy saw for your next trip. It is incredibly fast and effective!
sweet! people have been chiming in with saw recommendations and that one looks slick!
I had the opportunity to use one this past weekend that a camp mate brought and I definitely enjoyed using it. I definitely had saw envy!
If you really want to leave all thoughts of light weight go and be a complete badass, you could always opt for one of their "Katanaboy"-saws, which will take down a tree faster than a chainsaw ;) Either way, their blades are exceptionally fast and efficent even on the smaller models. Highly recommend. @@eric_hanson
Once the pot is black it will heat faster in future. Just "bag it" to keep the other stuff in your pack clean.
interesting. I've not heard that. But I wasn't planning on cleaning the pot anyway!
Great video! What are you using for boots? Still trying to find the perfect boot for snowshoeing.
I've been using the Keen Revel IV Polar boots rated to -40F and they're very good. Super happy with them and they're not super expensive.
❤ From 🇮🇪
buongiorno!
Was the saw dull?
haha no. I just think it would get stuck with the larger diameter logs. Breezed through the smaller diameter stuff.
Dude please let us kit you out if you try this again
About where was this trip?northern Arizona?
east side of the San Fransisco peaks.
Damn that vignette is distracting! Are you using an APSC lens on a full frame body?
No it’s an ND filter
... Personal challenges can be fun and learning experiences ... lots of tarp set ups...... especially for a solo camp .........basic lean to in open offers no wind protection ....For a quick "open tarp" use a Plow point set up , which drops both the sides (all the way to ground if desired) to block wind and contain heat within ..... why was fire so far away from tarp/sleep set up ?? Could benefit from reflector wall/wind barrier behind fire and reflective Emergency blanket on back wall of enclosure to reflect fire heat inward .... open flame for warming and drying things ,,, cook over pile of hot coals ,, less likely to burn food items .. more even cooking temps ... Folding framed Saw , cute but too small ,,, Agawa 21"-24" folder better choice ... or many folding open blade saws like the Silky line ..........hatchet used ,, poor head design/quality for needs .... much better options or even carry a large knife and baton rounds and splits as needed ... Just a few observations .....Stay Safe ....
good stuff here, I appreciate it. I was ready to drop the open side of the tarp down to the ground if conditions changed but I wanted the more open, essentially not protected experience. Thanks!
if you put liquid soap on the outside of the pot all the soot will come off
Wow thanks
I'm surprised he didn't know about this.
@@tomcappy3956 ya, school is always open even for the best.
Nice tip! Thanks!
.Tip does work but.Bushcrafters and ultralight backpackers don't carry liquid soap .. also cook over coals not flame reduces soot ..
Yeah Eric, but your hips (if your a side sleeper) are where your weight is. Measure the distance at your hips to the ground versus say your shoulders or your waist. High R-value or not, any pad's weak spot is at the hips. And you said you felt a cold spot there? Do you have another highly rated pad, perhaps the Exped extreme? Try it out as well. if you were to feel a cold spot at your hips, then its not the fault of the insulating properties. Perhaps thickness. A better test would be to sleep on your back where your weight is more evenly distributed.
I get that wherever is most compressed on a mattress is going to be the weak spot. I mostly slept on my back here and that's when I was more aware of the cold spot at my butt. I also have the Sea to Summit Etherlight Extreme and I think the Nemo is superior.
@@eric_hanson I just happen to run warm so I'm fine with the insulated Tensor and a foam pad. My new addition is the SOL bivy lite which I pull up around my 15 degree MH bag, mainly for winter/snow camping. Keeps my toe box dry from windblown precip or condensation (Durston xmid1 caveat).
I am ashamed that it took me a good 15 seconds to get the "widowmaker" joke 🤣
If there was going to be a cold spot, under your butt is the most likely. That's the area where your bag is most compressed and the pad as well.
This is true!
@@eric_hanson In hammock world, the saying goes "Bridges and butts freeze first."
In MY day, "basic bushcrafting" skills were called basic CAMPING skills.
💛
Do a 180 from this style content and never ever look back.
merp.
Do you take into account the amount of layers you are wearing? I'd be sweating in a 0 degree bag with all that on.
I just slept in baselayers, not my puffy jacket even though it kind of looks like it in one shot.
What was the reasoning for tents to be forbidden?
It was so we as guides could have visuals on our clients and respond faster in case of emergency.
Be honest, how far from the parking lot where you? 😅
About a mile. Just tried to be far enough away for solitude.
@@eric_hanson I'm just jerking your chain brother 🤪 That last video where a hiker came across you and made a comment about the parking being so close had the wife and I in tears. By the way, You might want to swing over to your old job and help Stella out before she gets the camera crew lost or leads them off a cliff haha..
Ha curious how on edge are you with wild animals aka bears? Honest question.
Mostly not at all. But this is in Northern Arizona were there are only a few black bears. It'd be a different story if I were up in Montana or Alaska!
Wondering the same! Bear might like bacon & it’s right at where you are sleeping.
@@eric_hanson oh didn’t realize it was AZ 🤦🏽♂️ Forgot northern AZ exists and looks like that lol