Watching this again about 4 years after the first time I watched it. Pretty interesting how your gear - and more importantly - YOU have evolved in that amount of time. The guy who got his ass whooped by Heart Attack Hill on the Gerard Trail is now an AT Thru Hiker. That's quite amazing.
Love watching your videos right before I head out on the same trail, can’t wait to get out there and experience the Gerard hopefully making a video as good as yours, seriously thank you for the tour and all you do!
Awesome video, man! Thanks. I grew up in Oil City and now live in Cleveland. I just did my first overnight backpacking trip last week, and I’m considering doing the Gerard loop in the fall. I loved ten minutes from there, and never knew this existed. Also enjoyed your Hennessy Expedition video. I’m thinking about getting one... Thanks again!
Hey brother, 8 years later and I'm really grateful for your video. I'm heading up to oil creek this fall. I'll probably do shorter hikes, so I appreciate all the details you provided in this video. Hike on!
I periodically that part at 23:45, it reminds me of the innocence of fascination that I had that got me into this in the first place. I spend a lot of my time in Western and Central PA trails, even though I've been to some spectacular places over the years I never want to lose the appreciation of any trail or that spirit of fascination with creation and nature.
Best one yet, been watching your videos out of order, this one kept a smile with all your lil comments, music to go with impending rain as you look up around! Also this seems to be the birth of your luv of hammocking. Thanks for sharing.
As a native to the area...this made my day. That trail housed many adventurous times in my youth! Keeping Oil Creek to your left at Blood Farm.... yep thats a real pain
Jason, Good job on your Oil Creek backpacking trip video. You put a lot of effort into making the video. Oil Creek State Park is a great place to backpack and I have been on a number of overnight trips there with friends and solo day hikes. Saw your comments about laying off the video games and getting outside more and agree with you 100%. May you find the thrill of adventure on the many great Pennsylvania hiking trails and hope you continue to make videos. -Daniel H. PS- My favorite Pennsylvania backpack trail is the Black Forest Trail. Hope you can get there someday.
Hey man! Nice job, Keep up the good work! I've checked out Oil Creek on the map but haven't got out there yet. Thanks for the look. I'll have to check out your other vids when I get a chance. Rock on, bro.
Those cairns can be weird. I don't mind them for marking trails but each there own . I get the best sleep in the hammock . I need to check out that trail . I spend allot of time at the Quehanna Wild area in Clearfield , Cameron , Elk County little drive from home but not too bad . Cool vistas thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing the experience! Looked like lots of fun and a great accomplishment! I live just south of Wheeling, WV and have circled both oil creek and raccoon creek state parks as places to check out for backpacking. I truly enjoyed your experiences at both! Keep up the good work!
Well done informative video. I'm thinking of hiking Oil Creek SP around Memorial Day. Mind if I ask where you got the large map of the park used in the video? Thanks again
Hey Neo, I use a waterproof/freezeproof/shockproof point n shoot camera, specifically a Nikon AW110 (can find it on Amazon, the new model is the AW120 same features though). It shoots 1080p video @ 30fps, I originally tried a GoPro Hero 3, but the sound quality is terrible in the waterproof case so I returned it. Next year I'll be adding an action camera and possibly a sound pack.
charger7022 In this video I was using an ENO doublenest hammock with the onelink system. I'm using a Warbonnet Blackbird now. As far as coffee, Keurig makes a hot chocolate and caffein kcup, called cafe mocha I use that and tasters choice with some coffee mate and sugar. All instant coffee here no press.
have you hiked the hocking hills near athens se ohio...I am not sure they have long trails but it has a of seanic sights but nonthing is as beautiful as the Smockies...
+Scott Noel google the name of the place you are going then map. Usually Google images comes up with a lot of places to look for the maps. That's what I do
I've noticed that you use a osprey atmos 65. I am debating between the atmos 65 and the atmos 50, with the aether 60 in the back of my mind. Any suggestions on which to buy?
I have done a full 6 day trip with the atmos 65, it remaine very comfortable with 41 pounds of gear / food / water. Ity's also comfortable with 15 lbs of gear, (my base weight) my only complaints about the pack is having to take the water bladder out when i want to fill it, and thaty I cant get to the water bottle pouches on the side. That being said. I think a 50L would be plenty for me for weekends trips and very comfortable. The aether has an external hydration area., so you can slip it out without having to unload your pack. Do yourself a favor and look at the exos 48. I plan on getting the 38, for weekend trips and using my atmos 65 for longer trips. Same suspension and comfort. The aether weighs more. Try the packs on.
Thanks. One question. Is the atmos (or any bag you know of) capable of adjusting the torso length. I know that there are three main torso sizes, but is there a way I can fit he pack to my own liking?
That noise is actually the stabilizer in the camera. I'm working on upgrading it. The newer sony camera I'm using these days doesn't have that sound. Bears bells don't really work from what I've heard.
i just use accuweather tbh. or weather.com. It's hard to find "accurate" weather. No one really knows but they can come close with the rain prediction. I tell people that are new to hiking to prepare for weather 10F cooler than what is forecasted.
I noticed you don't have a review of the ENO hammock system you were using. What's your take on it? I was thinking of using that for my introduction to hanging.
+arcana1973 I reviewed it but thought it best to take down the review after receiving a lot of hate mail from people that did not like my take on the products. My recommendation to you is look a warbonnet traveler with cinch buckles. It's going to be a better product than a mass produced product like ENO. Check out my suspension video. For a tad more information about cinch buckles compared to ENO atlas straps. ENO hammocks aren't as comfortable let to sleep in because their ridgeline is only 9 feet. Most hammocks in the camping and hiking world are 10 foot. A longer hammock gives you a flatter lay and more comfortable sleep. I still have the ENO but I only use it these days to lend out to friends. I promise you look at other options and you will be a lot more satisifed. If you have any questions just let me know.
Ok thanks for the info. Part of the reason I was looking at the ENO was because I also have a travel trailer and figured I could also set it up at campsites to chill and read in
+arcana1973 anything you can do with the ENO you will be able to do with a different hammock. The traver by warbonnet is a net less hammock just like the ENO. Just a lot better made, lighter, more comfy and cheaper.
+Outdoor Adventures hey quick question: how do you reserve a site for the shelter sites? After watching I decided I want to do this, but the website links me to reserve America and the normal campsites.
The DCNR website is terrible. You basically have to use this site to reserve anything in PA. pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com Click this one for oil creek pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/wildernessAreaDetails.do?contractCode=PA&parkId=880221 You'll want to select permits and wilderness. the rest should be easy to do. I know it makes no sense.
Outdoor Adventures I started watching this video to find out about PA camping since I'm from MI. But I got hooked and 38 minutes later I was on the journey with you. I'm thinking to myself, "he's almost there, all he has to get back to is his car" then the video shuts off lol! For me when I'm on a long outing or going to be away from my car for a while, the moment I get back into view of my vehicle is the moment I know the trip is done. So that's why I commented that lol. But this video was great and introduced me to hiking. Now I have to plan my first trip.
I watched ur laurel highlands one to great video. Just starting to get into this kind of hiking and cant find the finish spot for that trail. Do u have a book or maps of the trails/ road maps for trails in PA
I just use the DCNR website. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/lhht/ the finish spot at mile 0 from my laurel highlands hike was Garrett Street, Mill Run, PA, the start is off of route 56 near johnstown
My home turf and the place where backpacking was introduced to me by a group of friends. I'm a photographer, not a videographer, so check me out at facebook.com/photographyfromthewilds Hey, maybe we'll meet on the trail sometime !!!
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Watching this again about 4 years after the first time I watched it. Pretty interesting how your gear - and more importantly - YOU have evolved in that amount of time. The guy who got his ass whooped by Heart Attack Hill on the Gerard Trail is now an AT Thru Hiker. That's quite amazing.
Wow! First hang, in an ENO no less. Great video. It's great to see some of the early UA-cam Hammockers origins.
I think most of us started in an ENO for at least a couple nights lol
Love watching your videos right before I head out on the same trail, can’t wait to get out there and experience the Gerard hopefully making a video as good as yours, seriously thank you for the tour and all you do!
Awesome video, man! Thanks. I grew up in Oil City and now live in Cleveland. I just did my first overnight backpacking trip last week, and I’m considering doing the Gerard loop in the fall. I loved ten minutes from there, and never knew this existed. Also enjoyed your Hennessy Expedition video. I’m thinking about getting one... Thanks again!
Thanks for watching! I'm in a dream hammock darien now which I recommend over the Hennessy. Same comfort a little more expensive but a lot lighter.
You sir, are absolutely crazy....I'd go camping with you any day! Great video!!!!
+The Bohemian Hobbit Thanks :)
Hey brother, 8 years later and I'm really grateful for your video. I'm heading up to oil creek this fall. I'll probably do shorter hikes, so I appreciate all the details you provided in this video. Hike on!
Enjoy!
I periodically that part at 23:45, it reminds me of the innocence of fascination that I had that got me into this in the first place. I spend a lot of my time in Western and Central PA trails, even though I've been to some spectacular places over the years I never want to lose the appreciation of any trail or that spirit of fascination with creation and nature.
that scenic overlook is a perfect spot for some music and a joint
This is awesome! Had plans to do my first solo backpacking trip here this summer. This video helped me get the lay of the land. Thank you!
This is a very old video. If you need some more info I've visited this park on 3 other occasions. Just search the channel.
Best one yet, been watching your videos out of order, this one kept a smile with all your lil comments, music to go with impending rain as you look up around! Also this seems to be the birth of your luv of hammocking. Thanks for sharing.
As a native to the area...this made my day. That trail housed many adventurous times in my youth! Keeping Oil Creek to your left at Blood Farm.... yep thats a real pain
Great job, especially on being yourself and expressing your true emotions!
Jason, Good job on your Oil Creek backpacking trip video. You put a lot of effort into making the video. Oil Creek State Park is a great place to backpack and I have been on a number of overnight trips there with friends and solo day hikes.
Saw your comments about laying off the video games and getting outside more and agree with you 100%. May you find the thrill of adventure on the many great Pennsylvania hiking trails and hope you continue to make videos.
-Daniel H.
PS- My favorite Pennsylvania backpack trail is the Black Forest Trail. Hope you can get there someday.
Hey man! Nice job, Keep up the good work!
I've checked out Oil Creek on the map but haven't got out there yet. Thanks for the look. I'll have to check out your other vids when I get a chance.
Rock on, bro.
Those cairns can be weird. I don't mind them for marking trails but each there own . I get the best sleep in the hammock . I need to check out that trail . I spend allot of time at the Quehanna Wild area in Clearfield , Cameron , Elk County little drive from home but not too bad . Cool vistas thanks for sharing
Great vid..nice to watch when I want to go camping but cant get away for the weekend
Thanks for sharing the experience! Looked like lots of fun and a great accomplishment! I live just south of Wheeling, WV and have circled both oil creek and raccoon creek state parks as places to check out for backpacking. I truly enjoyed your experiences at both! Keep up the good work!
I also suggest looking into Ohiopyle, lots of great trails and views. Thanks for watching!
Nice. Great video!!! I was very involved watching your video.
So cool. Just watched the video where you hike all this in a day. Such a fun comparison.
"Trying to do 16 miles in one day, without a break, that's just insane"
Haha, It's amazing how a few years of experience can change everything.
Thanks! Great video. Keep them coming.
Throat of the world, brother. I had to chuckle when you made the Skyrim reference. Glad to know I'm not the only gamer who also backpacks...
+Jer “Ginger beard” Zed Love it!
+Outdoor Adventures you ought to come north of the border brother. We've got some nice spots...
I know dude, I got a whole list of places through the next 3-4 years I want to check out. I'll make it there someday.
+Outdoor Adventures I'm planning to come to PA and walk some of those trails this summer. I'm stoked.
Really enjoy your videos. Nice job
Cool place to hike and camp, Thanks
Oil creek has some good climbs!
+mike matthews yea they do and beautiful recreational areas.
Great job. I really enjoyed your vid.
great video be safe out there..
Hey try this with your romond noodles. Dehydrated peas and corn, lightweight, and canned chicken or tuna. AMAZING
thanks Jason
High five dude! Although you should have taken more breaks (!!) you achieved a good milestone. Well done!
Make your tarp ready, make bigger loopholes, and have 4-5 bungees with hooks, then you can put it up, in 1 min :-)
Well done informative video. I'm thinking of hiking Oil Creek SP around Memorial Day. Mind if I ask where you got the large map of the park used in the video? Thanks again
+A.C. Gill They are at the park office near the trail head. Free of charge.
Great VID!!!
Jason what kind of camera did you use an set up, also very well done. Sounds challenging in that it was more of a hike than a camping trip.
Hey Neo, I use a waterproof/freezeproof/shockproof point n shoot camera, specifically a Nikon AW110 (can find it on Amazon, the new model is the AW120 same features though). It shoots 1080p video @ 30fps, I originally tried a GoPro Hero 3, but the sound quality is terrible in the waterproof case so I returned it. Next year I'll be adding an action camera and possibly a sound pack.
Great Video i was hooked! What hammock were you using and how do you brew your coffee?
charger7022 In this video I was using an ENO doublenest hammock with the onelink system. I'm using a Warbonnet Blackbird now. As far as coffee, Keurig makes a hot chocolate and caffein kcup, called cafe mocha I use that and tasters choice with some coffee mate and sugar. All instant coffee here no press.
have you hiked the hocking hills near athens se ohio...I am not sure they have long trails but it has a of seanic sights but nonthing is as beautiful as the Smockies...
+Robert Tucker Haven't heard of it but I'll check into it sometime.
Where do you get all your great maps?
+Scott Noel google the name of the place you are going then map. Usually Google images comes up with a lot of places to look for the maps. That's what I do
I've noticed that you use a osprey atmos 65. I am debating between the atmos 65 and the atmos 50, with the aether 60 in the back of my mind. Any suggestions on which to buy?
I have done a full 6 day trip with the atmos 65, it remaine very comfortable with 41 pounds of gear / food / water. Ity's also comfortable with 15 lbs of gear, (my base weight) my only complaints about the pack is having to take the water bladder out when i want to fill it, and thaty I cant get to the water bottle pouches on the side. That being said. I think a 50L would be plenty for me for weekends trips and very comfortable. The aether has an external hydration area., so you can slip it out without having to unload your pack. Do yourself a favor and look at the exos 48. I plan on getting the 38, for weekend trips and using my atmos 65 for longer trips. Same suspension and comfort. The aether weighs more. Try the packs on.
Thanks. One question. Is the atmos (or any bag you know of) capable of adjusting the torso length. I know that there are three main torso sizes, but is there a way I can fit he pack to my own liking?
Where in PA are you located? We moved to Indianapolis from Chester County in 1999. Chester County is in the south eastern corner of the state.
2 Hoosier Hikers I'm about 30 minutes west of Pittsburgh.
Just getting into hammock camping. With the park did you have to let them know or did you just set up there?
+John C You just have to reserve a tent spot. Just type oil creek reservations into google and it should come up with some info.
Are you wearing a bear bell? Or am I mishearing a background noise? If you are, does it work?
That noise is actually the stabilizer in the camera. I'm working on upgrading it. The newer sony camera I'm using these days doesn't have that sound. Bears bells don't really work from what I've heard.
Where can I find a set of maps and guide book for oil creek.
Google oil Creek state park map. Also pamphlet maps are all over the park for free.
where did you purchase the map you were using?
Mark Thompson It's free and there are stations up at the park. Just look for the park information areas.
Hi I was just wondering what weather app do you use in trying to find a accurate weather app for hiking
i just use accuweather tbh. or weather.com. It's hard to find "accurate" weather. No one really knows but they can come close with the rain prediction. I tell people that are new to hiking to prepare for weather 10F cooler than what is forecasted.
whats the blue and grey thing hanging of your left pack strap
That's the tripod for my camera, it's called a Joby Gorillapod.
I'm going to be hiking half the loop this summer. In your opinion, which half is more scenic?
Honestly I think they are both equally scenic. But I tend to enjoy this videos last day a bit better.
Which direction did you hike it?
I hiked it counter clockwise from Petroleum center. GPS coordinates are in the description if you need it.
hey just saying the stacked rocks are used for track markers and they would have been made by people well that's what happens in new Zealand
Yea apparently they help erosion as well.
I noticed you don't have a review of the ENO hammock system you were using. What's your take on it? I was thinking of using that for my introduction to hanging.
+arcana1973 I reviewed it but thought it best to take down the review after receiving a lot of hate mail from people that did not like my take on the products. My recommendation to you is look a warbonnet traveler with cinch buckles. It's going to be a better product than a mass produced product like ENO. Check out my suspension video. For a tad more information about cinch buckles compared to ENO atlas straps. ENO hammocks aren't as comfortable let to sleep in because their ridgeline is only 9 feet. Most hammocks in the camping and hiking world are 10 foot. A longer hammock gives you a flatter lay and more comfortable sleep. I still have the ENO but I only use it these days to lend out to friends. I promise you look at other options and you will be a lot more satisifed. If you have any questions just let me know.
Ok thanks for the info. Part of the reason I was looking at the ENO was because I also have a travel trailer and figured I could also set it up at campsites to chill and read in
+arcana1973 anything you can do with the ENO you will be able to do with a different hammock. The traver by warbonnet is a net less hammock just like the ENO. Just a lot better made, lighter, more comfy and cheaper.
+Outdoor Adventures hey quick question: how do you reserve a site for the shelter sites? After watching I decided I want to do this, but the website links me to reserve America and the normal campsites.
The DCNR website is terrible. You basically have to use this site to reserve anything in PA. pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com
Click this one for oil creek pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/wildernessAreaDetails.do?contractCode=PA&parkId=880221
You'll want to select permits and wilderness. the rest should be easy to do. I know it makes no sense.
I wanted to see your car!
GFNR Haha this was a few days after buying that car, had to show it off. 2014 Honda Accord.
Outdoor Adventures I started watching this video to find out about PA camping since I'm from MI. But I got hooked and 38 minutes later I was on the journey with you. I'm thinking to myself, "he's almost there, all he has to get back to is his car" then the video shuts off lol!
For me when I'm on a long outing or going to be away from my car for a while, the moment I get back into view of my vehicle is the moment I know the trip is done. So that's why I commented that lol. But this video was great and introduced me to hiking. Now I have to plan my first trip.
Where are you getting the maps at?
Jayderth Olene The park main office and the blood farm recreational area has map brochures available. Or you could print it off from the DCNR website.
I watched ur laurel highlands one to great video. Just starting to get into this kind of hiking and cant find the finish spot for that trail. Do u have a book or maps of the trails/ road maps for trails in PA
I just use the DCNR website. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/lhht/
the finish spot at mile 0 from my laurel highlands hike was Garrett Street, Mill Run, PA, the start is off of route 56 near johnstown
tyvm I am looking forward to your next video
My home turf and the place where backpacking was introduced to me by a group of friends. I'm a photographer, not a videographer, so check me out at facebook.com/photographyfromthewilds Hey, maybe we'll meet on the trail sometime !!!
why is it when you're walking you show your face instead of nature?????
just a thought