For those interested my Colorado Trail gear list is in the video description, along with some stats from our hike, and a brief daily journal with miles! Thank you for watching!! I really did enjoy the CT, and it's just too bad that Sprocket got giardia so early on
I hope your partner has fully recovered, Jupiter. I've lived in Colorado for 45 years, have backpacked parts of the CT, and have camped and hiked every part of the state. I'm happy you're recording your journey, and I hope you come back. The first 25 years I lived here there was rarely a day over 90 degrees in Denver and the mountain ecosystem had survived or recovered from 100 years of mining and development. So your documentary is precious because our mountain ecosystem is again undergoing dramatic change. For example, at 20:03 in your video, you can see miles of dead forest due to beetle kill. 3 million acres of forest have died in Colorado in 25 years because it doesn't get cold enough in the winter to kill the pine bore beetle and the 4 extreme droughts since 2000 have weakened the forest defenses. Most Colorado glaciers since 2000 have retreated to "snow field" status and many are gone. 400,000 acres of forest are now burn scars and many are not recovering because the fires burned too hot. This wilderness will remain of course, but it will be different when and if you return. Maybe it will look something like the Scottish highlands in another 30 years. Who knows. I'll be gone, but you'll still be here to witness whatever comes. I love that you embrace every part of the journey. Blessings.
Jupiter, you are awesome. I have been following you for years. Thank you for making these videos. Sprocket is lovely. I hope she recovered and continues these wonderful journeys with you.
So good to see you back on trail so soon after Hayduke. Really a shame that Sprocket got giardia and could only do half the trail. Am glad that you hiked safe with all those storms … but what a limiting factor. Thanks again for sharing your adventures!
the work and thoughtfulness you put into your videos is epic. Producing quality content, especially on a thru hike is a massive undertaking. Your narration and choice of music is top notch. You can tell you are an artist without knowing you are an artist too. Thank you.
A heck of a change from the Hayduke. Hopefully Sprocket is all recovered and good to go for your next trip. These videos keep getting better, more interesting and more informative. Thanks for posting and the time you seem to spend on your videos.
Sorry to hear about Sprocket. I don't know if it is elevation but I often have a hard time the first few days in terms of having an appetite and eating. That was the case on the Uinta Highline and the John Muir Trail (although sounds like giardia was the culprit). Glad you were able to keep positive and stay in the moment on this one Jupiter. Selfishly, I am so grateful so I can come with you on the journey. At some point I would love to do this trail myself, but that will have to wait some time I think. Thank you for making this, I have enjoyed the incredible scenery and you've ignited a passion in me to do this trail!
Beautiful video, so many awesome views, pretty flowers and cute animals, I loved it. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope Sprocket gets well soon, it's sad she had to miss out on this.
From the diversity of Utah & Arizona to the woods & mountains of Colorado. After your visually artful piece I was reminded of John Denver's song, Rocky Mountain High. I paraphrase a few lines. "I've seen it rain fire in the sky, The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby. He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below. Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forests and the streams. Seeking grace in every step he takes. His sight has turned inside himself to try & understand, the serenity of a clear blue sky mountain lake". Years ago I hiked many spots in the Colorado Mountains. More extensively I've done trips in the Wyoming Wind Rivers, HIgh Line Trail and many other routes, and have hiked portions of the California Sierras. If I wanted a quality mountain experience I (long ago) would head to the Wind Rivers. A quality desert trip, the Escalante area and canyons. Sorry about your friend and hiking partner. Both of you stay safe and fit, as the latter won't be with you forever.
Splendid film making. So many well captured vistas. pretty polished work, bro, thank you. Sorry you could not do the whole trail with your beloved, and sorry that neither could she with thee.
Jupiter, I watched the first 180 miles with excitement, once Sprocket was forced off trail sadness set in. Having your hiking partner with you for so many miles, then you're alone. I somewhat understand, that said, awesome video and thanks again for taking us with you.
Sorry you couldn’t finish together. Happy you got to experience our home. The CT is a great place and we cherish it and do our best to take care of it.
Thanks for sharing! As an Ex-Coloradoan, I enjoyed the video, the pictures, and the crazy weather! I always said if you don't like the weather wait 15-20 minutes! The Mountains are even crazier! Congrats on completing the trail!
We both hiked this year, you were about a month behind us. It was really hard with the weather, the storms were just so massive and in August there were days it just didn’t seem to let off. We ended up taking 2 zeros in BV and the storms started to become just afternoon storms as opposed to the all day affairs that they were before. The San Juan’s were just so incredible, I’m sorry you didn’t get good weather in your last days out there, they were my favorite. So it goes. The dreary headspace you had at the end was identical to mine at the beginning. I’m glad it seems we both really did appreciate the beauty around us, despite the danger that we felt.
Amazing video Jupiter! Your videos and narration just keeps getting better. Congrats on another thru hike! I had issues with elevation on my PCT thru hike - I was on meds for approx 600 miles at different points…any recommendations on acclimating for a flat lander? Would be nice if you could cover that sometime in one of your Q&A videos.
My recommendation would be just taking it slow in the beginning. I don't thinking hanging out in Denver would do any good, but instead going at a more relaxed pace for the first 200 miles while on trail. Going into the town of Bailey on day 2 or 3 for a nero or zero. Taking a nero or zero in Breckenridge & Leadville, and then a short hiking day in and out of twin lakes. The elevation after Twin Lakes gets significantly higher for the entire rest of the trail, so if that could be a problem then taking your time to get there would be ideal to acclimate. From there you could always bail to town briefly from various points, cottownwood pass to buena vista, monarch pass to salida. Sometimes just going down lower for a night, then back up the next day can make a big difference. All depends on how much of a problem it is I guess. Is the hiking just difficult, or do you have a debilitating headache.
We travel from 1500 feet to the mountains about once a year and I have found that if you really make an effort to be well-hydrated during the month or so before you leave, that it helps a LOT. For example, I might drink one or two Nalgenes on a normal basis, but for the month before traveling to the mountains, I will make sure I have two for sure, up to three the closer we get to leaving. It’s so much easier to start off a trip being fully hydrated, than to try to catch it up while being active too. Best thing is that it’s super easy to give it a try to see if it helps, although you will still need to build up to the elevation slowly.
Really great video in so many aspects. So well filmed and narrated. Great photography of the hike, the views, the wildlife, and background information on the trail itself. Great message about resilience and rolling with what the universe provides. I enjoy all of your videos but I think this is one of your best. Keep it going!
Great story and video, Jupiter. Hope your partner has recovered and is ready for next year. Giardia is no joke. I'll be back out there next year - hiking sections when I can. Almost 200 miles so far. Can't wait to thru-hike it someday.
another brilliant video. Hope you are both well after the challenges of this hike. Beautiful scenery and the shots and colours in this video add to that. The wildlife footage you got was so full of character.
I was hiking at the same time you were. Alas, I did not finish this year. I live here in Colorado and I want to tell you that this was the wettest summer I can ever remember. It rained day and night on the trail this summer. I too got Giardia and I am wondering if we got it in the same area. My fatigue with it was what finally took me to a walk in clinic in Salida. On a different note... wasn't the flower explosion on the section where you go over Kokomo Pass unbelievable?! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Stunning. You were so lucky to see a porcupine! Yay! Thank you for sharing. I loved it. Colorado Girl aka Hearts
still unsure of where we picked the giardia up, but had to of been within the first couple days of the hike I guess. Too bad and no fun! So sorry you had to deal with that as well. But hey you got to experience the first half of the CT and now you get to come back for the best half!! The flowers really were something else, I hope to experience it in the fall someday too as a nice contrast
Great video with a somewhat bittersweet story, but beautiful hiking and challenging hiking. I've heard about those storms, but never really understood the scope. I hope Sprocket has completely recovered, that stuff sometimes lingers and even echoes over the years. Thank you for showing this.
Wow, I loved the scenery, especially the wildflowers but especially loved the way you told the story from the beginning to the end. Giardia is the worst, so debilitating.
Wow, thru-hiking the Colorado Trail sounds like such an intense experience! The unpredictable weather and long stretches alone must have been challenging, but what an amazing way to see Colorado’s landscapes up close. Thanks for sharing all the ups and downs, super inspiring journey! 🏞⛺
Thank you both for taking us along and sharing your experiences. The good and the bad. How can we know if it's good if we don't get to know the bad too lol!! I feel for you on those bad weather days. We had our butts handed to us for 3 nights on the Ruby Crest Trail. Stakes got pulled, rocks moved, holding tents down from the inside, rain and hail blowing up between the tent walls... We just chilled, prayed and held on. What else do you do lol!!? But... We want to go back to do it again. Incredibly beautiful and unique area. With good fly fishing 😊 Take care you two! 🤙🏻
Jupiter, I saw this video and had it sitting in tab for a couple days. Only when I started and heard your voice, I realized this was yours. Just commenting because it was a nice little surprise, and I wanted you to know that I am grateful. Thank you. Not sure that I will be as ultralight as you, but seeing the price of bonfus packs really makes me want to try. 12.3 ounces for 220 dollars is pretty amazing. i really like the idea of fastpack style vest straps on a 38 liter pack. My budget won't allow me to go super ultralight off the bat, so I think a 38 liter pack is nearly perfect for what I need. I plan to still use the hipbelt and brain from my granite gear crown 60 as my main fanny pack. This is where I put my heaviest gear, as cinched to my waist is the most comfortable for me. I then use a ribz front pack for my daily use things. This is where my snacks and things easy to grab go. I like to offset the weight of my backpack with the ribz front pack. No real heavy items go in the ribz, just convenient things. What i like about the ribz pack is the modularity. If I don't feel like wearing them, there's a solution. I simply swing them backwards one on each side. These get affixed to the side with shock cord, and become like saddlebags. I like the side saddlebags configuration more, as I feel that I can keep them full , versus lashing them on the top of my bag I feel as though they need to be emptied out. Not sure why I went on a rant about ribz packs. perhaps that helps remind you who this is, because it is not my first time ranting about this exact thing. I don't know why, but I really enjoy it. If it makes me happy, it weighs less, right?
I hope Sprocket is feeling better! Glad that didn’t happen on the Hayduke. I know filming is more work, too. You sure see some amazing creatures and things out there. Dry out and plan the next one. ❤
Poor Sprocket. I know you actually did the Colorado Trail because 1) you described the terror of hiking distance at high elevation dodging thunderstorms, and 2) Sprocket got Giardia. I treated Colorado Trail water like Sierra or North Cascades water and got so sick from Giardia I passed out in Durango. And then the next year got giardia two more times on the CDT. In the Rockies I now filter everything, even cooking water. Welcome to Colorado! I hope Sprocket, and her new water filter, can eventually see the San Juans.
It was entirely the zv-e10, it's a great little camera. Sometimes I feel like maybe I wanted a lighter weight one, but the quality of this really makes it worthwhile as smaller cameras just cant get that.
Congratulations on completing this trail and the beautiful video you produced, amazing scenery. We can feel in your voice the disappointment you experienced in the second half of the hike, you left with hope and expectations and you finished on a lower note. Did you determine how your partner caught the bug? Equipment failure, cross-contamination or something else?
No idea how she got the bug! Could have picked it up from a pit toilet or something like that within the first few days of trail, could have been from a beaver pond. Not sure. What we do know now is that she is susceptible! And that has value in its own to be more careful on bigger hikes she is much more invested in
Jupiter, a "would you carry question" - theoretical edition. Let's say they made a tiny little drone, like the Dji Neo but it has a feature made for long distance hikers. The drones working without a controller is already amazing. But, what if a drone could set up for a static shot with it's tripod legs, Film you walking past, then autonomously reposition itself in front of you. when you pass, it might rotate to follow you, or something. But hypothetically could a drone get to a point where it minimizes your backtracking? Walking back and forth to get camera shots is easier when you have a hiking buddy, But I could see future drones really helping hikers. I am not excited to hear drones in the wilderness, and perhaps you would be against them for that reason, but I do think it likely to happen in the next few years. Your videos always gets me into videographer mindset. You put so much thought and passion into them, that it's addicting. Thank you again
Thanks again Jupiter, I will be hiking the AZT again next year, after I completed it last year I said I would never do it again because it kicked my ass. I hope this next time I am to appreciate some of the things I missed last year and once again wonder why in the hell am I out here? The new day always answers with bountiful beauty. Happy trails, maybe I will get to Colorado in 26?
I contracted Giardia in 1981 in Yosemite when it was a new thing and we all put our canteens under running water, no filters. I didn’t completely recover for 6 mos. I’m 61 now, just completed the JMT and have my eyes on this trail vs. the 2600 mile ones. Thanks for sharing this.
Congrats on completing the JMT! They say that if you do the JMT, the Colorado Trail, and the Long Trail of Vermont that you have completed the 'Triple Tiara'. Much like the 'triple crown' with the AT, PCT, and CDT but their shorter cousins :)
The wild flowers were so beautiful. Was that a marmot, the cute fluffy inquisitive animals that were playing together? We don’t have them in Australia. You get so many different animals over there. I assume Sprocket is feeling better by now. Sucks it cut her hike short, I love you guys hiking together.
Sorry to hear about Sprocket. I wonder whether her calf issue developed during the Utah hike. Altitude can be a problem, but the body adapts quickly. One day for each thousand feet of elevation you're going up to is plenty, so once you're up at altitude, if you've taken a few days to get there, then you should be good for the rest of the hike. Giardia yuck. Do you have any idea how she got it? But the weather. Yes. I've gotten to where I won't plan a trip to the high peaks of Colorado in July or August, during their summer monsoon. June is the best month but some years the high country is still covered in snow till late June or even early July. Still, we'll go in June or wait till next year. As you know, it's not just rain, it's hail, sleet, thunder and lightning, the latter of which is dangerous and can kill. We'll stick to June 🙂 We've spent a lot of time in the LIttle Molas Lake area. Also Lizard Head Pass. Absolutely spectacular scenery. Great video!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
I wonder if Sprocket may have had mild altitude sickness as well. Absolutely anybody can get it and would make giardia more miserable. Too bad about the storms as well, you’ll just have to redo it, together 😊
@ We were south bound and to our surprise we never had full fall colors. It felt like it was just starting by the end of September. We only had two days of rain during the dirt bike trail section and then a bit before Silverton we were caught in a gnarly blizzard that forced us into our tent for a couple of hours. Everyone on trail that day bailed into Silverton via the Stony Pass Jeep road because it was so bad. Other than that, the weather was amazing.
- Smaller steps; having a higher cadence would be the technical term I guess. A lot of people have a really long stride, and I think the smaller steps is less impact. - Something else that helps me though is to not straight leg anything, but to really bend them. Going downhill, don't just step down with leg straight as that hurts the joints, but use your legs as shock absorbers by really bending at the knees. - Then of course, packing lighter, as less weight obviously is positive for longevity. - And just going slower or doing less miles
Dang! What a shame about Sprocket! The CT is my absolute favorite trail in the world (The Bibbulmun in Western Australia is my second favorite). I thru-hiked it in 2021 and loved it so much, that I did again the following year. I took Diamox, a subscription med for altitude sickness, both times (starting a few days before actually starting the trail). I'll never know if I could have done without it, but I can say that I had zero issues regarding elevation. I also started hiking every day at first light - about 6am - and was done for the day by 4pm. Still got rained and stormed on here and there, but managed to avoid the worst of it. Jupiter and Sprocket, the CT is still gonna be there for you in 2025!
Yeah absolutely! We probably should have started a little earlier, maybe by a couple weeks. Would have dealt with more snow, but overall would have been less storms. Same could be said if we had started three or four weeks later, autumn is known for better weather. Still the summer has the advantage of beautiful wild flowers and popping colors. We started July 13
I started the trail on very wet year, it rained all day for many days in a row. I had to get off trail when wife back home got very sick. I may go back and finish it, but i didn’t enjoy the storms and rain at high elevation.
@@JupiterHikes oh that one is WAY better! Just for reference, Boulder and Denver are 23 miles apart. Nothing with a combustion engine should take 2 hrs to make that trip lol. RTD is kind of a mess.
.. Very nice videography ,, loved the many critters ... The high Rockies have a force of their own ,, Too bad Sprocket was put off trail ,, Kind of sounded more like altitude sickness and nutrition issues ... I think you guy's are too experienced for Giardia to enter the game ,, typically a bad water problem .... being acclimated ,, fueled with electrolytes and active vitamins ( Magnesium , Potassium and salt ) can make a huge difference while under extreme muscle exertion .... Giardia commonly causes stomach releases from both ends and enough pains to double a person up for days ... often a hospital stay for a few days or more ... have heard of many "tough" hikers ,, anglers and hunters having had it ,, only knew one that did .... would not wish those ailments on any friend ... Too many people think crystal clear , flowing water is good enough to consume ..... DON'T take the risk ... Even at 14K ft. ,, poor air quality and animal feces running into a water source can ruin a good day ... Filter ALL water ...
She definitely had giardia, unfortunately as this persisted long after we left high elevations (weeks later). It was however a mild case, but bad enough to make hiking impossible.
Thanks for sharing your video! I'd love to show you a couple of great hikes just off the CT if you're ever back in the San Juan region! Message me if you're interested!
Hey Jupiter - so i got the Durston X MId Pro when it first came out. I was new to hiking, i wanted something light, and then i watch your videos and i get into tarps, i get Jardine’s two books, and he talks about using his tarp on ridgelines (to test out), and how to use them in storms, and there’s the Papa Hiker series on different configurations for different weather conditions … but here you are back in a tent. I love your videos and HYOH…but what gives?? You explain briefly why you went with a tent…but I’d be curious to know exactly how you’d have handled the rain with a tarp (and perhaps with a bivy)..
Ohh, giardia is nasty, usually contracted from contaminated water. Antibiotics is the usual solution, poor Sprocket. What happened to her? You've left her all alone, eh, not good.Where did she meet up with you again and how ?
While I finished the trail, she drove around colorado in my converted van. She would meet up with me at some of the road crossings every three days or so if it was convenient
This is trying to be constructive criticism no offense. OKay.. I think the vibe of this video could have been better. What you should have done IMHO is show a little footage of you showing affection to her, giving her a hug and some well wishes. She could have said that she wanted you to finish the hike too maybe? I can tell you keep a lot of things private and its very smart. I just mean that this video comes off too cold but its my opinion. If you just show a hug once in awhile I think it makes your relationship a lot more visual which might bring in some romantic types of viewers. Not to say you shouldn't stick to the hike 99% of the time but I think showing you hugging her good bye could be cathartic to the viewer. This might increase views and subs. But I might be wrong. Sorry if this comes off too bossy have a great Holiday Season!
For those interested my Colorado Trail gear list is in the video description, along with some stats from our hike, and a brief daily journal with miles! Thank you for watching!! I really did enjoy the CT, and it's just too bad that Sprocket got giardia so early on
Have you gotten on bluesky yet? I'm really enjoying the conversations there, and would love to stalk, I mean follow your content there also.
I hope your partner has fully recovered, Jupiter. I've lived in Colorado for 45 years, have backpacked parts of the CT, and have camped and hiked every part of the state. I'm happy you're recording your journey, and I hope you come back. The first 25 years I lived here there was rarely a day over 90 degrees in Denver and the mountain ecosystem had survived or recovered from 100 years of mining and development. So your documentary is precious because our mountain ecosystem is again undergoing dramatic change. For example, at 20:03 in your video, you can see miles of dead forest due to beetle kill. 3 million acres of forest have died in Colorado in 25 years because it doesn't get cold enough in the winter to kill the pine bore beetle and the 4 extreme droughts since 2000 have weakened the forest defenses. Most Colorado glaciers since 2000 have retreated to "snow field" status and many are gone. 400,000 acres of forest are now burn scars and many are not recovering because the fires burned too hot. This wilderness will remain of course, but it will be different when and if you return. Maybe it will look something like the Scottish highlands in another 30 years. Who knows. I'll be gone, but you'll still be here to witness whatever comes. I love that you embrace every part of the journey. Blessings.
Jupiter, you are awesome. I have been following you for years. Thank you for making these videos.
Sprocket is lovely. I hope she recovered and continues these wonderful journeys with you.
Sorry to hear about Sprocket's health problems. I hope she will recover soon. God Speed to you both.
So good to see you back on trail so soon after Hayduke. Really a shame that Sprocket got giardia and could only do half the trail. Am glad that you hiked safe with all those storms … but what a limiting factor. Thanks again for sharing your adventures!
4:44 Pikas! I love those guys. Their barks kind of cheer you along the way. 😊
Your videos are so sophisticated and brilliantly edited! Shots, storytelling, scenes everything fits perfectly! Flawless work guys! 🔥
Thanks Jupiter. Your story telling was incredible in this video. The music, pacing, voice over really invoked a melancholic feel. Beautiful work!
the work and thoughtfulness you put into your videos is epic. Producing quality content, especially on a thru hike is a massive undertaking. Your narration and choice of music is top notch. You can tell you are an artist without knowing you are an artist too. Thank you.
I am sorry this hike did not go as planned, but I am so impressed with your resiliency and mentalities! This video felt rich, in every way.
And just when I thought I was done with Jupiter Thru hike video series, he PULLS ME BACK IN.😅
Thanks for taking us along. Sorry to hear about Sprockets illness. Hike on.
A heck of a change from the Hayduke. Hopefully Sprocket is all recovered and good to go for your next trip. These videos keep getting better, more interesting and more informative. Thanks for posting and the time you seem to spend on your videos.
Sorry to hear about Sprocket. I don't know if it is elevation but I often have a hard time the first few days in terms of having an appetite and eating. That was the case on the Uinta Highline and the John Muir Trail (although sounds like giardia was the culprit). Glad you were able to keep positive and stay in the moment on this one Jupiter. Selfishly, I am so grateful so I can come with you on the journey. At some point I would love to do this trail myself, but that will have to wait some time I think.
Thank you for making this, I have enjoyed the incredible scenery and you've ignited a passion in me to do this trail!
Beautiful video, so many awesome views, pretty flowers and cute animals, I loved it. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope Sprocket gets well soon, it's sad she had to miss out on this.
From the diversity of Utah & Arizona to the woods & mountains of Colorado. After your visually artful piece I was reminded of John Denver's song, Rocky Mountain High. I paraphrase a few lines. "I've seen it rain fire in the sky, The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby. He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below. Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forests and the streams. Seeking grace in every step he takes. His sight has turned inside himself to try & understand, the serenity of a clear blue sky mountain lake".
Years ago I hiked many spots in the Colorado Mountains. More extensively I've done trips in the Wyoming Wind Rivers, HIgh Line Trail and many other routes, and have hiked portions of the California Sierras. If I wanted a quality mountain experience I (long ago) would head to the Wind Rivers. A quality desert trip, the Escalante area and canyons.
Sorry about your friend and hiking partner. Both of you stay safe and fit, as the latter won't be with you forever.
Splendid film making. So many well captured vistas. pretty polished work, bro, thank you.
Sorry you could not do the whole trail with your beloved, and sorry that neither could she with thee.
Jupiter, I watched the first 180 miles with excitement, once Sprocket was forced off trail sadness set in. Having your hiking partner with you for so many miles, then you're alone. I somewhat understand, that said, awesome video and thanks again for taking us with you.
Beautiful trail! I hope Sprocket was well by the time you finished! Tell her "Get well soon!"
Sorry you couldn’t finish together. Happy you got to experience our home. The CT is a great place and we cherish it and do our best to take care of it.
Thanks for sharing! As an Ex-Coloradoan, I enjoyed the video, the pictures, and the crazy weather! I always said if you don't like the weather wait 15-20 minutes! The Mountains are even crazier! Congrats on completing the trail!
We both hiked this year, you were about a month behind us. It was really hard with the weather, the storms were just so massive and in August there were days it just didn’t seem to let off. We ended up taking 2 zeros in BV and the storms started to become just afternoon storms as opposed to the all day affairs that they were before. The San Juan’s were just so incredible, I’m sorry you didn’t get good weather in your last days out there, they were my favorite. So it goes. The dreary headspace you had at the end was identical to mine at the beginning. I’m glad it seems we both really did appreciate the beauty around us, despite the danger that we felt.
Love your videos! Beautiful and inspiring, great work.
Great video and overview of the wonderfully beautiful CT! I have a book of my 2022 journey coming soon.
Amazing video Jupiter! Your videos and narration just keeps getting better. Congrats on another thru hike! I had issues with elevation on my PCT thru hike - I was on meds for approx 600 miles at different points…any recommendations on acclimating for a flat lander? Would be nice if you could cover that sometime in one of your Q&A videos.
My recommendation would be just taking it slow in the beginning. I don't thinking hanging out in Denver would do any good, but instead going at a more relaxed pace for the first 200 miles while on trail. Going into the town of Bailey on day 2 or 3 for a nero or zero. Taking a nero or zero in Breckenridge & Leadville, and then a short hiking day in and out of twin lakes. The elevation after Twin Lakes gets significantly higher for the entire rest of the trail, so if that could be a problem then taking your time to get there would be ideal to acclimate.
From there you could always bail to town briefly from various points, cottownwood pass to buena vista, monarch pass to salida. Sometimes just going down lower for a night, then back up the next day can make a big difference. All depends on how much of a problem it is I guess. Is the hiking just difficult, or do you have a debilitating headache.
@@JupiterHikes Thank you for the detailed response.
@@JupiterHikes Brilliant response very helpful to me too!
We travel from 1500 feet to the mountains about once a year and I have found that if you really make an effort to be well-hydrated during the month or so before you leave, that it helps a LOT. For example, I might drink one or two Nalgenes on a normal basis, but for the month before traveling to the mountains, I will make sure I have two for sure, up to three the closer we get to leaving. It’s so much easier to start off a trip being fully hydrated, than to try to catch it up while being active too. Best thing is that it’s super easy to give it a try to see if it helps, although you will still need to build up to the elevation slowly.
Really great video in so many aspects. So well filmed and narrated. Great photography of the hike, the views, the wildlife, and background information on the trail itself. Great message about resilience and rolling with what the universe provides. I enjoy all of your videos but I think this is one of your best. Keep it going!
Great story and video, Jupiter. Hope your partner has recovered and is ready for next year. Giardia is no joke. I'll be back out there next year - hiking sections when I can. Almost 200 miles so far. Can't wait to thru-hike it someday.
another brilliant video. Hope you are both well after the challenges of this hike. Beautiful scenery and the shots and colours in this video add to that. The wildlife footage you got was so full of character.
I was hiking at the same time you were. Alas, I did not finish this year. I live here in Colorado and I want to tell you that this was the wettest summer I can ever remember. It rained day and night on the trail this summer. I too got Giardia and I am wondering if we got it in the same area. My fatigue with it was what finally took me to a walk in clinic in Salida. On a different note... wasn't the flower explosion on the section where you go over Kokomo Pass unbelievable?! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Stunning. You were so lucky to see a porcupine! Yay! Thank you for sharing. I loved it. Colorado Girl aka Hearts
still unsure of where we picked the giardia up, but had to of been within the first couple days of the hike I guess. Too bad and no fun! So sorry you had to deal with that as well. But hey you got to experience the first half of the CT and now you get to come back for the best half!! The flowers really were something else, I hope to experience it in the fall someday too as a nice contrast
@@JupiterHikes Thank you for your kind words. YES! Fall in the last segments, say, 22 to the end would be fantastic!
Great video with a somewhat bittersweet story, but beautiful hiking and challenging hiking. I've heard about those storms, but never really understood the scope. I hope Sprocket has completely recovered, that stuff sometimes lingers and even echoes over the years. Thank you for showing this.
Good Stuff Jupiter. I love the CT and everything it has to throw at you.
Great writing and beautiful shots!
Wow, I loved the scenery, especially the wildflowers but especially loved the way you told the story from the beginning to the end. Giardia is the worst, so debilitating.
Wow, thru-hiking the Colorado Trail sounds like such an intense experience! The unpredictable weather and long stretches alone must have been challenging, but what an amazing way to see Colorado’s landscapes up close. Thanks for sharing all the ups and downs, super inspiring journey! 🏞⛺
Is it even possible to pack more beauty into one short film?. I don't think so. Wow! Amazing!
Thank you both for taking us along and sharing your experiences. The good and the bad. How can we know if it's good if we don't get to know the bad too lol!! I feel for you on those bad weather days. We had our butts handed to us for 3 nights on the Ruby Crest Trail. Stakes got pulled, rocks moved, holding tents down from the inside, rain and hail blowing up between the tent walls... We just chilled, prayed and held on. What else do you do lol!!? But... We want to go back to do it again. Incredibly beautiful and unique area. With good fly fishing 😊 Take care you two! 🤙🏻
Jupiter, I saw this video and had it sitting in tab for a couple days.
Only when I started and heard your voice, I realized this was yours.
Just commenting because it was a nice little surprise, and
I wanted you to know that I am grateful. Thank you.
Not sure that I will be as ultralight as you, but seeing the price of
bonfus packs really makes me want to try.
12.3 ounces for 220 dollars is pretty amazing.
i really like the idea of fastpack style vest straps on a 38 liter pack.
My budget won't allow me to go super ultralight off the bat,
so I think a 38 liter pack is nearly perfect for what I need.
I plan to still use the hipbelt and brain from my granite gear crown 60
as my main fanny pack. This is where I put my heaviest gear,
as cinched to my waist is the most comfortable for me.
I then use a ribz front pack for my daily use things.
This is where my snacks and things easy to grab go.
I like to offset the weight of my backpack with the ribz front pack.
No real heavy items go in the ribz, just convenient things.
What i like about the ribz pack is the modularity.
If I don't feel like wearing them, there's a solution.
I simply swing them backwards one on each side.
These get affixed to the side with shock cord,
and become like saddlebags.
I like the side saddlebags configuration more,
as I feel that I can keep them full , versus
lashing them on the top of my bag I feel
as though they need to be emptied out.
Not sure why I went on a rant about ribz packs.
perhaps that helps remind you who this is,
because it is not my first time ranting about this exact thing.
I don't know why, but I really enjoy it.
If it makes me happy, it weighs less, right?
Loved all the animal encounters! Love the scenery. Sorry about Sprocket getting sick. Glad you didn't get struck with lightning.
Sounds like you two have a good reason to do the CT again soon once Sprocket is all healed.
As always, great footage and narration. Love the marmots and porcupine!
Good seeing you out there! Sorry it wasn't the trip you hoped it might be. Hope to see you back again soon!
Thanks for this amazing adventure! Such a beautiful video... Hope Sprocket is OK now :( Greetings from Poland!
wow, this video was really well made! loved everything about it, awesome job! shame sprocket had to leave the trail but it is what it is i suppose
Good thing it's not something worse! But I guess hiking is like that, big mountains, storms, remote places. Things happen
I hope Sprocket is feeling better! Glad that didn’t happen on the Hayduke. I know filming is more work, too. You sure see some amazing creatures and things out there. Dry out and plan the next one. ❤
Beautiful video. Sending love from Tel Aviv. I spotted myself going up Lake Ann Pass at 15:16 ;)
Sending love to Tel Aviv from USA
I will hike this trail soon..very soon.
Poor Sprocket. I know you actually did the Colorado Trail because 1) you described the terror of hiking distance at high elevation dodging thunderstorms, and 2) Sprocket got Giardia. I treated Colorado Trail water like Sierra or North Cascades water and got so sick from Giardia I passed out in Durango. And then the next year got giardia two more times on the CDT. In the Rockies I now filter everything, even cooking water. Welcome to Colorado! I hope Sprocket, and her new water filter, can eventually see the San Juans.
She'll be back for the CT in a big way! Kind of at least, as she'll be doing the CDT next year :)
I've watched about every youtube on the train, and by far, this is one of the best! Also, all the video shot with the zv-e10?
It was entirely the zv-e10, it's a great little camera. Sometimes I feel like maybe I wanted a lighter weight one, but the quality of this really makes it worthwhile as smaller cameras just cant get that.
Congratulations on completing this trail and the beautiful video you produced, amazing scenery. We can feel in your voice the disappointment you experienced in the second half of the hike, you left with hope and expectations and you finished on a lower note. Did you determine how your partner caught the bug? Equipment failure, cross-contamination or something else?
No idea how she got the bug! Could have picked it up from a pit toilet or something like that within the first few days of trail, could have been from a beaver pond. Not sure. What we do know now is that she is susceptible! And that has value in its own to be more careful on bigger hikes she is much more invested in
No wayyyy they brought a tent!
😅😅😅
I thot the same thing !!!!😂
Only for certain trails. Jupe knows his stuff. When he did the FT with a partner he took a tent.
Jupiter, a "would you carry question" - theoretical edition.
Let's say they made a tiny little drone, like the Dji Neo
but it has a feature made for long distance hikers.
The drones working without a controller is already amazing.
But, what if a drone could set up for a static shot with it's tripod legs,
Film you walking past, then autonomously reposition itself in front of you.
when you pass, it might rotate to follow you, or something.
But hypothetically could a drone get to a point where it minimizes your backtracking?
Walking back and forth to get camera shots is easier when you have a hiking buddy,
But I could see future drones really helping hikers.
I am not excited to hear drones in the wilderness,
and perhaps you would be against them for that reason,
but I do think it likely to happen in the next few years.
Your videos always gets me into videographer mindset.
You put so much thought and passion into them, that it's addicting.
Thank you again
Thanks again Jupiter, I will be hiking the AZT again next year, after I completed it last year I said I would never do it again because it kicked my ass. I hope this next time I am to appreciate some of the things I missed last year and once again wonder why in the hell am I out here? The new day always answers with bountiful beauty. Happy trails, maybe I will get to Colorado in 26?
I contracted Giardia in 1981 in Yosemite when it was a new thing and we all put our canteens under running water, no filters. I didn’t completely recover for 6 mos. I’m 61 now, just completed the JMT and have my eyes on this trail vs. the 2600 mile ones. Thanks for sharing this.
Congrats on completing the JMT! They say that if you do the JMT, the Colorado Trail, and the Long Trail of Vermont that you have completed the 'Triple Tiara'. Much like the 'triple crown' with the AT, PCT, and CDT but their shorter cousins :)
@ I like the sound of that. Thanks, I think you just gave a a goal…of which I needed.
The wild flowers were so beautiful.
Was that a marmot, the cute fluffy inquisitive animals that were playing together? We don’t have them in Australia. You get so many different animals over there.
I assume Sprocket is feeling better by now. Sucks it cut her hike short, I love you guys hiking together.
Yeah marmots!! Marmots are awesome, kind of like the drop bears you guys have, but less aggressive.
@ haha yeah you need to watch out for our drop bears!
Sorry to hear about Sprocket. I wonder whether her calf issue developed during the Utah hike. Altitude can be a problem, but the body adapts quickly. One day for each thousand feet of elevation you're going up to is plenty, so once you're up at altitude, if you've taken a few days to get there, then you should be good for the rest of the hike. Giardia yuck. Do you have any idea how she got it?
But the weather. Yes. I've gotten to where I won't plan a trip to the high peaks of Colorado in July or August, during their summer monsoon. June is the best month but some years the high country is still covered in snow till late June or even early July. Still, we'll go in June or wait till next year. As you know, it's not just rain, it's hail, sleet, thunder and lightning, the latter of which is dangerous and can kill. We'll stick to June 🙂
We've spent a lot of time in the LIttle Molas Lake area. Also Lizard Head Pass. Absolutely spectacular scenery.
Great video!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
I wonder if Sprocket may have had mild altitude sickness as well. Absolutely anybody can get it and would make giardia more miserable. Too bad about the storms as well, you’ll just have to redo it, together 😊
Beautiful video! Well done.
Did you really use the Xlite? I thought I saw the GG thin lite in one of your clips?
15:35 squirrel runs across the trail. 😅😅🐿
Love the CT. Good to see your video journey. Were the rough un-edits at the end of some of the tripod shots a production choice, or just a time saver?
It was a choice, sometimes I like them as their own kind of transition
We did the trail during the month of September. Absolutely epic trail!! We miss it…
Originally I wanted to do it in September! Get any good fall colors, and were there less storms for you?
@ We were south bound and to our surprise we never had full fall colors. It felt like it was just starting by the end of September. We only had two days of rain during the dirt bike trail section and then a bit before Silverton we were caught in a gnarly blizzard that forced us into our tent for a couple of hours. Everyone on trail that day bailed into Silverton via the Stony Pass Jeep road because it was so bad. Other than that, the weather was amazing.
We heard about how bad you guys had it with all of the rain. We literally started a few days after all the rain was finished.
So sorry for Sprocket! Hope to see you hiking together again soon.
How did you like the Durston tent? Another beautiful trail
Wasn’t expecting the whole thing at once! Did the trail over the summer and miss it everyday, I know this video is going to mess me up.
Another Great video..Thanks
Good job
Any advice on how to take care of your knees?
- Smaller steps; having a higher cadence would be the technical term I guess. A lot of people have a really long stride, and I think the smaller steps is less impact.
- Something else that helps me though is to not straight leg anything, but to really bend them. Going downhill, don't just step down with leg straight as that hurts the joints, but use your legs as shock absorbers by really bending at the knees.
- Then of course, packing lighter, as less weight obviously is positive for longevity.
- And just going slower or doing less miles
Dang! What a shame about Sprocket! The CT is my absolute favorite trail in the world (The Bibbulmun in Western Australia is my second favorite). I thru-hiked it in 2021 and loved it so much, that I did again the following year.
I took Diamox, a subscription med for altitude sickness, both times (starting a few days before actually starting the trail). I'll never know if I could have done without it, but I can say that I had zero issues regarding elevation.
I also started hiking every day at first light - about 6am - and was done for the day by 4pm. Still got rained and stormed on here and there, but managed to avoid the worst of it.
Jupiter and Sprocket, the CT is still gonna be there for you in 2025!
What date did you start the CT? Would that cause more frequent storms?
Yeah absolutely! We probably should have started a little earlier, maybe by a couple weeks. Would have dealt with more snow, but overall would have been less storms. Same could be said if we had started three or four weeks later, autumn is known for better weather. Still the summer has the advantage of beautiful wild flowers and popping colors. We started July 13
Go in September. Zero rain days but some light snow
I love the music!
Good Trail. Don't stop practice Hiking 🇺🇲 👍🏻.
I started the trail on very wet year, it rained all day for many days in a row. I had to get off trail when wife back home got very sick. I may go back and finish it, but i didn’t enjoy the storms and rain at high elevation.
Hoping you hike the CDT in 2025! Best wishes for Sprocket.
Another one down , shame about Sprocket . On to the next . You’re packing list has a Fly Rod , do you fly fish , and did you get to do any ?
Yeah! I carried the fly rod for the first half of the trail, and had a lot of fun with it.
@ I’ve thought about that too , but wonder if it’s worth it . What with fishing licenses and out of state permits .
Yeah, this year I actually wound up getting an annual fishing license for three different states lol So just Colorado wouldn't be so bad!
Hope Sprocket is feeling better now. Poor quality water to drink to get Giardia ?
You said you haven’t been to Colorado in 20 years. I just realized, you haven’t done the cdt?
You are correct! Maybe next year :)
Ah, the Flatiron Flyer. When you have to get from Boulder to Denver in ~2 hrs it's perfect lol.
Yeah! Nice bus system all around, I think this was the bustang, from salida to denver
@@JupiterHikes oh that one is WAY better! Just for reference, Boulder and Denver are 23 miles apart. Nothing with a combustion engine should take 2 hrs to make that trip lol. RTD is kind of a mess.
Didn't realize they were so close 😂😂 Well, I liked the bustang. Made my life very convenient!!
Also, wishing the best to Sprocket! Stomach issues are the worst. Combined with elevation it can exacerbate everything.
It was wet this year indeed!☔️
.. Very nice videography ,, loved the many critters ... The high Rockies have a force of their own ,, Too bad Sprocket was put off trail ,, Kind of sounded more like altitude sickness and nutrition issues ... I think you guy's are too experienced for Giardia to enter the game ,, typically a bad water problem .... being acclimated ,, fueled with electrolytes and active vitamins ( Magnesium , Potassium and salt ) can make a huge difference while under extreme muscle exertion .... Giardia commonly causes stomach releases from both ends and enough pains to double a person up for days ... often a hospital stay for a few days or more ... have heard of many "tough" hikers ,, anglers and hunters having had it ,, only knew one that did .... would not wish those ailments on any friend ... Too many people think crystal clear , flowing water is good enough to consume ..... DON'T take the risk ... Even at 14K ft. ,, poor air quality and animal feces running into a water source can ruin a good day ... Filter ALL water ...
She definitely had giardia, unfortunately as this persisted long after we left high elevations (weeks later). It was however a mild case, but bad enough to make hiking impossible.
Missed you by 4 days, or I passed you while you were taking your initial zeros.
and Jupiter is still immune to Giardia .. all those previous years of no filter hiking
I think I am asymptomatic, I hear about 50% of people are. So I've likely had it loads of times but would never know
Seems like AMS symptoms 🤷♂️
👍🐿👍
Thanks for sharing your video! I'd love to show you a couple of great hikes just off the CT if you're ever back in the San Juan region! Message me if you're interested!
Hey Jupiter - so i got the Durston X MId Pro when it first came out. I was new to hiking, i wanted something light, and then i watch your videos and i get into tarps, i get Jardine’s two books, and he talks about using his tarp on ridgelines (to test out), and how to use them in storms, and there’s the Papa Hiker series on different configurations for different weather conditions … but here you are back in a tent. I love your videos and HYOH…but what gives?? You explain briefly why you went with a tent…but I’d be curious to know exactly how you’d have handled the rain with a tarp (and perhaps with a bivy)..
Ohh, giardia is nasty, usually contracted from contaminated water. Antibiotics is the usual solution, poor Sprocket. What happened to her? You've left her all alone, eh, not good.Where did she meet up with you again and how ?
While I finished the trail, she drove around colorado in my converted van. She would meet up with me at some of the road crossings every three days or so if it was convenient
Oh, bet that was a relief. She ok now ?@JupiterHikes
This is trying to be constructive criticism no offense. OKay.. I think the vibe of this video could have been better. What you should have done IMHO is show a little footage of you showing affection to her, giving her a hug and some well wishes. She could have said that she wanted you to finish the hike too maybe?
I can tell you keep a lot of things private and its very smart. I just mean that this video comes off too cold but its my opinion. If you just show a hug once in awhile I think it makes your relationship a lot more visual which might bring in some romantic types of viewers. Not to say you shouldn't stick to the hike 99% of the time but I think showing you hugging her good bye could be cathartic to the viewer. This might increase views and subs. But I might be wrong.
Sorry if this comes off too bossy have a great Holiday Season!
That’s not constructive criticism, come on. It’s you trying to impose your feelings on their hike.
@@Heretic10001 You are right. The Ruddline "criticism" was goofy as hell.