ONE SMALL STEP | My First Solo Backpacking Trip
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- In June I ventured out into California's Desolation Wilderness on my first solo backpacking trip. As someone who loves spending time in nature so much, it was hard to believe that at age 28, I was just now going on my first solo overnight in the wild. Why can it sometimes be so challenging to make space for this kind of adventure? As I moved through this incredibly beautiful landscape, that is the question I found myself reflecting on.
My hope is that this video will inspire you to seek your own adventures and new experiences in nature ❤️🏕️
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Austin Meyer is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, podcast host, and ultra runner. He is a National Geographic Explorer and the 2015 winner of the New York Times International Reporting trip with Nicholas Kristof competition. His work has been published by The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, and Slate among others. His documentary films have screened at the American Documentary Film Festival and the Mill Valley Film Festival. On his podcast titled The Austin Meyer Podcast, Austin interviews the world's best storytellers in all sorts of genres about how they craft the stories they tell.
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Hi Austin. A relaitionship that I've been in since I was 18, in for almost 10years, has recently fallen apart. What you spoke about at around to 10 minute mark has really resonated with me. I need to take time to find myself and detach from everything that is here in my routine, and take one small step into the wilderness. A breath of fresh air goes a long way. Thank you for this film.
Tom, thank you so much for sharing this personal experience. I'm sorry to hear that your relationship didn't work out. Hope you are doing okay during this tough time. I'm so glad that this film resonated with you, and if you do get a chance to have some solitude in nature, I hope it is rejuvenating and healing. Reading a comment like this and hearing how my work impacts you is why I do what I do. So thank you for sharing and fueling me to keep pushing as a documentarian. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at austinmeyerfilms@gmail.com and keep me posted on your journey! Rooting for you man
Go into the Wild, man. I grew up going to the forest so often that it’s become a part of me. I’m 31 and have a beautiful wife and daughter. I love my life but at the same time the everyday schedule being repeated over and over I’ve found that I don’t get to the mountains as often as I used to but when I do go it’s always something so refreshing that I know now that I need it but until I’m there I never realized how much I did need it again. Sorry about your relationship and as cliche as it sounds and as fitting as it may be being that we’re chatting on a backpacking video... that literally might be your fix that you need. Go camping, man. Measure yourself and just go!
@@661EASTON89 Amen
Beautiful storytelling!! As a hiker/filmer, I know what it's like doing all of those "walk backs and climb back ups" to retrieve the camera lol! Adds miles for sure! :)
Hahah, you are so right Twyla World! It always feels pretty goofy doing it, but it pays off in the edit when I can suspend belief that that didn’t happen 😅
Beautifully shot & I feel 5x more chilled out now that I’ve watched this 🤗
Ahh, I love this! Thank you so much for watching, Kristin. I really appreciate it
This is great. Beautiful images, great storytelling.
Thank you so much for watching! Really appreciate it :)
Thank you RUclips Algorithm! I have no clue why it showed me this, however it was a truly magical piece of film making, far better than I could ever hope to do, the (probably) hours of editing payed off, it was beautiful to watch and captured the moments perfectly! I loved every second and I stand impressed, your channel is underrated
also: you live two hours away from that! you are so lucky!
Beautiful! Thank you!!
Simple yet beautiful! I am embarking on my first ever backpacking but with my husband and my 8 year old son. SOLO is my goal in between and documenting it....just LOVED your film! Good job and thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching! So glad it resonated with you. Best of luck on your upcoming trip :) Have an incredible time. And if you make a video, come back here to the comments and send me the link so i can check it out!
This was really wholesome. Love the emotional side you shared with us about the journey.
Thank you so much for watching!
Wow, this was like reading a beautifully illustrated audiobook.
thank you so much Elisabeth
Very well done, taking us along not only on your backpacking trip, but on the journey of your own personal transformation as well. You basically opened up the door and let us in as you let the joy out. I often write about my hiking trips, but your well-made video allows the viewers to release the worries, connect to their own dreams, and build their own enthusiasm for the next time they step on the trail. It was less educational and more inspirational. Such a beautiful gift you created. Peace!
Thank you so much for this beautiful and thoughtful comment/reflection, Mark! I really appreciate it so much. Sending love to you
I grew in the city so i was never the type to go out to the mountains, but in recent years I’ve had this huge desire to backpack. When I do go, i have the most refreshing time. This video inspired me to go adventure even if it is only for one night
Jonathan! Thanks so much for checking out the video and so glad that it resonated with you. Makes me so happy that it is inspiring you to get out into nature even if it's just for a short amount of time! All the best!
You are a cool dude!! I loved this video!! The freedom, the imagery and you vibe, words and attitude!!
I cried almost all the way through but that’s only because of some shit that I’m going through!!
I’d love to get out there and do a one-nighter but in Mexico, that might be a bit dangerous!!
Also, you look like a friend of mine who is also a “mad” runner. He did his first marathon in under 3 and is an adventurer just like yourself. I saw a lot of him in you!! Thanks for a GREAT few minutes!!
Luis! Thank you so much for watching and all your generous kind words. Really happy that the message of this video resonated with you. hope you are able to get out for a one-nighter soon. Say hello to your mad runner friend for me!
Thank you for this video, it inspires me to also have some solo trips in the future. Ugh, but I can't imagine how hard and hassle it is to film this alone.
So thank you for the effort of filming this 💕
Hello Riza! Thank you for watching. Yesss, I hope it inspires you to go on your own solo adventure! Haha 😂 yes, the camera gear definitely adds some weight to the pack. But the good thing with it being a solo adventure is I don’t have people getting frustrated with me sitting in the dark shooting an astrophotography timelapse for an hour and a half that will be used for 4 seconds in the final video 😅
Amazing video thanks for sharing!!!
I miss Desolation Wilderness. It's such a pretty area. When I was young, we went hiking up there. One time, we had those very same kinds of clouds. We hiked to the top of this one peak and saw the clouds darken. We rushed back down the mountain, the rain pouring down on us as we got to our tents. We sheltered in our tents as lightning struck all around. Soon it started hailing and finally it SNOWED! A whole two inches of snow fell where we were. This was August, 1990.
Wooahhh! That is such a wild story! The weather can be so unpredictable out there. Hopefully you have had some beautiful sunny days in that area as well :) thanks for watching!
Nice getaway, Austin, to what was one of my favorite areas in the Sierras. Unfortunately, as you may now know, all of those beautiful trees you videoed up to and along Horsetail Falls to about the 4:30 mark were totally burned during last year's Caldor Fire on its way into the Tahoe Basin. Amazing what damage the carelessness of one or two people can wreak!
thank you for this!!!! so so good
thank you so much for watching!!
Very well done, such insight from a young man like yourself is what the world needs more of! Thanks for sharing and evoking!
Thank you so much, Mike. I really appreciate you watching and sharing this comment
Dude I'm hitting that subscribe button, enjoying the content so much, hope to see more
Thank you so much Johnny! I really appreciate this ❤️
Seriously talented videographer! Fantastic movie!
Thank you so much, Granby! I really appreciate it
Beauful place,amazing landscape... Wish we have that kind of places to go hiking and backpacking... You're so lucky👍
I feel so grateful to have this kind of nature close to where I live
Great work - this hit home
I'm new to your channel-- I don't know how long you've been doing these videos but you've got a talent and can definitely identify with a huge audience. Keep doing what you're doing and I've got a feeling big doors will open for you! Thanks for producing this video! Looking forward to seeing what else you bring to your followers.
Thank you so much for watching and such kind words! So excited to continue creating more here :)
Well done, sir. You’ll have a large audience in no time. Keep to the outdoors!
Thank you so much!
Phenomenal piece of entertainment, well done!
Thank you so much, Ryan!
So that’s what it looks like once the snow melts! Great work, really enjoyed this.
Haha! Thank you for watching, Jeff! glad that you enjoyed it
What an incredible trip! So glad I came across your video :)
Thanks so much for watching!
Awesome and thank you.
Thank you for watching, Mike!
Extraordinary trip and story lessons given! Greetings from Venezuela... Keep walking !! Blessings
Thank you so much for watching and for your comment, Reynaldo! I hope to one day go on an outdoor adventure in Venezuela :)
i know im a year late to the party but id say that those film making skills are really good, i enjoyed watching, consider adding canoeing into your hat of hobbies its very rewarding.
thanks, Have a great day!
thank you so much for watching and for leaving a comment :) Really appreciate it. Canoeing sounds amazing!
Thank you for sharing.
By watching your hiking adventures, its another confidence booster for me.
I hope one of this days, I'll take a my very own....
One small step,.
Thank you so much for watching! So glad you enjoyed it :)
I watched every bit of the video and it is stunning and relaxing.
Thank you for watching, Christin!
So beautiful. Watching this to help set the tone for my upcoming trip. Love your perspective.
Thank you so much for watching and commenting, Tree! Glad you enjoyed this. I gotta do another one soon :) Where are you going on your trip??
@@austinmeyerfilms Went up to Piute pass and got tossed out by the wind but still got to enjoy a couple days up at Lake Muriel.
@@tree8103 Nice! Hope it was nice up there despite the wind. I'll have to check out Lake Muriel at some point!
Probably one of the best videos, in terms of storytelling, film making/editing, educating I've seen so far! Great job and keep on going man. Greetings from GER
Wow, thank you so much Max. This means the world to me! Really appreciate you watching and commenting. Hope you're doing well!
@@austinmeyerfilms You're welcome! I think everyone can really, feel and understand how much thinking you put into this video. At least YOU took me away into a new unknown world for 13:12 minutes and opened my horizon.
Getting ready to go solo backpacking/camping in 2 weeks my 1st time. This should help!
good luck out there!
Great video! Beautifully shot and very well-crafted narrative. Really captures how even a short adventure outdoors can feed the soul. Thanks for making this film to share your journey. So exciting to see you emerge as such a talented young film maker and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Germaine, thank you so much for taking the time to watch and to write such a kind and thoughtful comment! This makes me happy :) looking forward to sharing more stories with you!
Awesome video! Prepping to do my first solo backpack later this year!
thank you for watching Mike! Best of luck on your first solo trip :)
Awesome work. Thanks for this!
Thank you so much, Jim! Really appreciate it
Hello from Brazil!! Nice hiking my friend. Beautiful video.
Hello from California! Thank you so much for watching :)
This is such a beautiful video...both the images and message. Thank you!
Thank you so much for watching and commenting, Marie! You're the best!
Beautiful views. Thanks for making and sharing!
thank you for watching Doris!
that was an awesome video man. very inspiring and fun to watch. got me stoked for my hime tomorrow 💪
Thanks for watching!
Amazing!!
Thank you!
tHAT WAS PRETTY friggen awesomesauce dude. I know the feeling of awe you wonderfully conveyed here. Its just so damn gorgeous, you feel a special kind of enormous embrace and just sit on a rock and let it all play out...best of wishes on further travels! Class Video.
Thank you so much for watching and such a thoughtful comment. I really appreciate it!!
Man, you deserve more subscribers.
thank you so much! that is kind of you to say
This is a beautiful video. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for watching and commenting, A Jones! I really appreciate it!
I really enjoyed all your beautiful camera shots. Great video, Austin
Thank you so much RC!
Dude what the heck? That was outstanding material.
Thank you so much, Blake! So glad you enjoyed it. Got another one on the way soon :) Hope you're doing well and finding opportunities to adventure in the outdoors
Yes, it is important to hit the reset button 💖💖💖💖💖
Loved this video. Thank you
Thank you for watching!
Didn’t expect this channel to have less than 2k subs. Fantastic content.
Thank you so much, Nick! Really appreciate the support
Great video, brother. I just found your channel on the recommendation of a friend. I love the sentiment about finding yourself and slowing down when the rest of the world has you running. Looking forward to catching more of what you put out. All the best!
Hey there Matt & Katie! Welcome to the channel. So happy that you enjoyed the video and thank you for such a thoughtful comment. It's so true. I keep having to remind myself that every day. Sometimes I will even come back and watch the video as a reminder. Hope you're doing well and gettin outside wherever in the world you are!
@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks brother! We try. Hasn't been as easy with the pandemic but hoping it turns a corner with the vaccines being more available. Also that same need to remind ourselves of the importance to slow down and make time for it. We hope to do more videos similar when we do get out more. Definitely have more learning to do 😊
Nice film and storytelling broo that is my goal to explore those gorgeous places that i never been befor i got old nd weak . God blessed and more mountains to reach keep safe
Arjel, thank you so much for watching and this thoughtful comment! I really appreciate it. Hope this film transported you into the mountains for a brief moment
Absolutly love this video! You have really good awareness of yourself. Good confidence and ability in the hiking, navigating and camping. I love how you put it all together and shared deep thoughts. It reminds me of my first solo and what it felt like being brave enough to do this alone in the wild. So empowering! Thank you for sharing!
This is such a thoughtful and kind comment, Lorinda! I really appreciate it
Amazing video. I'll be embarking on a solo backpacking trip this summer. This really helped. Thank you.
Thanks so much for watching, Kris! I really appreciate it. Best of luck on your solo adventure!
Hi Austin, I just found this vid and loved it. Welcome to the great outdoors. It refreshes our soul and here we find ourselves. Just as you have said.
thank you so much for watching, Mike! So glad you enjoyed the video
Fantastic video on how you both film and tell the story. Thank you!!
Thank you for watching Hiking Mule!
At 45, I am going to do my first trip since my early teens... thanks for sharing.
I love to hear this! Have fun! Hopefully the video provided a little bit of inspiration to get out there :)
Awesome Video! Thank you for uploading. Can't wait to see more videos 👍
Hey there! Thank you so much for watching and sharing this comment :) It means a lot to me!
Loved it. 🤙🏼
Thank you
I'm curious about your food/toiletries/cooking gear/etc. storage overnight & during day hikes. Did you hang that gear, use a bear container or ?. Like others, your adventure is well documented and enjoyable to watch
Awesome views.
Cool channel. Nice video. Excellent place for a first backpacking trip. New follower here. Great to find another outdoor channel. Crow✌️
Thank you so much for watching and for your support!
This is done really well man. Your shots are beautiful. Kudos for getting out solo. It’s an awesome experience 🤙
Hey there, Backcountry Treks! Thank you so much for watching and such a thoughtful, kind comment. I really appreciate it!!
Awesome video I plan on doing solo backpacking myself. One of the things I’m worried about is where I will set up camp.
thanks for watching! Totally hear you on that. Depending on where you are going I think you can find some good resources online when it comes to camping. some places require you to be in designated campsite areas. others let you camp wherever. Best of luck Jesse! Thank you for watching!
I started with the Waldo 100 and then found this. Loved them both! Definitely look forward to watching more in the coming days. I really enjoy your work! Well done and thanks! 😀
Hello Chuck! So cool! Thank you so much for taking a look at some of the work here on my channel. I am grateful 🙌 excited to share more stories with you soon
Great video....kept it simple & no complicated stuff....i was just hoping you would do some fishing in the lake😄.... i've always wanted to go to Desolation Wilderness....your video was a great start for me....thank u!
Thanks for watching HE DP! I really appreciate it. Haha, I'm vegan, so no fishing in the lake for me. Hope you get a chance to visit Desolation Wilderness soon!
@@austinmeyerfilms ...i surely will. Thank u friend!!!
Dude this video is insane I love it. Thank you for making this :)))
Thank you so much, Nick! Hope you're doing well
Absolutely beautiful film man! Love that hat!
Can I ask how you were able to use The Hunts music without getting flagged?!?! I’d love to use them but don’t want any weirdness happening!
Either way, cheers man! You’ve got a new sub from this dude! 🍻🍻🍻
Hey Ryan! Thank you so much for watching the video and subscribing. So glad that you enjoyed it. I have an annual subscription to the music library over at artlist.io, and The Hunts have some of their music on their for licensing. So you pay an annual (or monthly) subscription fee, and then you can use the music for anything, including commercial use! Hope that helps. Happy trails!
@@austinmeyerfilms right on! I’ll have to check that out! I’ve been using musicbed for a while... love it but I may jump ship if I can use stuff like that hunts! Haha
Keep making awesome stuff dude!
@@RyanMcdunco Appreciate it, man!
Thanks for sharing this Austin! As someone who grew up in an urban environment always surrounded by people, the idea of solo backpacking in the wild definitely brings up fear. But who knows, maybe one small step into the uncomfortable at a time it'll happen one day! In any case, I appreciate the invitation and am excited for everybody to reflect on what this small step looks like for them :)
Hello Johan! Wow, thank you for taking the time to watch and write such a thoughtful comment. I appreciate this so much
Good video my friend
Love the storytelling style. Watching from Norway 😊😊
thank you so much Sole Sisters PH!
Love this, man. You did an exceptional job at communicating the underlying message. I’m out to El Dorado National Forest every few days and have hiked the beginning trail you did at least a dozen times, but have yet to go backpacking. I’m kind of nervous as I’m not sure if I’m ready (gear, know how, etc) Are there any tips you’d recommend for a first timer?
Hey there! Thanks so much for watching. So glad that you enjoyed the video. Totally understandable to be nervous! I think doing a route like this or somewhere else you are comfortable would be a great place to start. If you're nervous, just keep things simple for your first trip. Familiar location, 1 or 2 nights, food that you don't need any sort of JetBoil for (just to limit gear you have to rent or buy). Then you just need a backpack, sleep system (tent, sleeping bag, ground pad OR you could go with a hammock or tarp system), water filter, and you're pretty set! I'd also recommend just testing the gear out at home before heading out into the woods. Just get comfortable with how it sets up, etc. New backpacking video on its way to this channel soon!
Fantastic and inspiring, as always. Thanks Austin!
Randyyy! My man. Shoulda hired you to get the drone shots :) hope you’re doin well! Missin the ThinkTank fam
Amazing video.
Thank you so much!
Awesome video, looking forward to going camping again :)
Thank you Mark!
well done,,really enjoyed
thank you so much, Pierre! I really appreciate it :)
Awesome Video!
Thank you Cole! I really appreciate it :)
DUDE! Amazing video thank you for this ✌✌
thank you so much for watching! So glad you enjoyed it :) New backpacking video dropping tomorrow!
Absolutely incredible! Some stunning views up there and complete piece… I was wondering what trail you took up to Ropi Lake and the distance!? I live in So. Cal and wanted to take my wife up there to experience the beauty and just get away!!😊
Hey Melahn! Thanks for watching 🙏 glad you enjoyed it. I went out of Pyramid Creek Trailhead and it was only a few miles in. Unfortunately there was a fire in this area last summer, so there may be some burn damage out there. Let me know how it goes out there if you go!
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing.
Hey Russell! Thank you for watching!
I have solo hiked in bear country in Alaska (Denali National Park), but I’m leaving for my first solo backpacking trip next weekend. Great video!
Have an amazing trip, K G! Thank you for watching :)
@@austinmeyerfilms thank you & you’re welcome! 😊
Hey! I just wanted to say thank you for this video, I’m all the way over in wales and came across your video as I’m into hiking and camping also! Some of the words you said hit with me hard! Beautiful story telling man.
Hey Tom! Thank you so much for watching and writing this incredibly thoughtful comment. So happy that my words resonated with you. Wishing you happy trails and beautiful campsites!
Beautiful film & message Austin! +1 for toting along some fresh veg too!
Thanks Jorma! You know how us vegans do! Let’s see if we’re on the same page.. what do you think I had in the sandwich?
@@austinmeyerfilms ooh, tough call.. for me it would have been peanut butter, jelly, & banana. For you maybe kind of hummus concoction?
@@jormagates Great guess! Hummus and avocado. My go to :)
Great video!
thank you!
I’m a year late to watch this but this was such a beautiful video! I hope you’re still out there enjoying the outdoors.
Thank you so much for watching! Yes, I absolutely am still out there enjoying the outdoors :) Mostly trail running these days, but hoping for another backpacking trip soon!
Hi, greetings from Lusaka (we were guest housemates in 2018, I am Phil). What a wonderful video, your stellar video graphic skills are so enjoyable, thank you for taking the time to create and share this experience. It appears to be a time of year less summer-like than the current time (July), when were you actually at this location? You look to be very content, I am happy for you!
Hey Phil! Of course I remember you! That’s so cool that you are still following my RUclips channel. I really appreciate it. You are right. This trip was actually the first week in June. So more snow on the ground than today :) How are things in Lusaka?
@@austinmeyerfilms Yes, I have enjoyed following you on your RUclips channel! Early June, wow, I am impressed that there is that much snow..., I have never been to that region. Lusaka is fine, my work is taking me to Eastern Province some, overall I am still content being here. Keep up the good work, I look forward to more posts, thanks for the reply!
Beautiful part of the world, would love to visit some day.
Where are you from? Come visit!
Did you find the birch trees ???? My favorite hiking spot
As a newbie at camping/hiking, I fairly enjoyed your video!
THank you!
Great video Austin, loved it! Haven't done this myself yet, I'm inspired! Probably going to be a family version first tho 😂
Hey Sam!! Thanks for watching! hahah, I’d love to see a family version as well! I think that’s a ways in the future for me :)
So so beautiful. I so want to do this with my husband and four boys.
Yes!! I hope you get out for a trip of your own. Where are you thinking of going?
I want to start backpacking someday, I’m 15 and my two best friends are boyscouts. I would love to go on a trip with them someday
this is like 45min from my house i have a new hike to go on ty
hope you enjoy it!
Fantastic! Can you tell us something about the filming equipment you‘ve used. Thanks!
Sure! Most of the selfie footage was shot with a GoPro Hero8. Everything else was shot on a Sony A7sii with 24-70 2.8 lens with an ND filter. ND is key for the shallow depth of field when it’s daylight out :) hope that helps!
Austin Meyer yes that helps. Thank you! 👍🏻
Really good job on this
Nice video. I am taking my first solo backpacking trip next month.
That's amazing, Sunny! Where are you going?
@@austinmeyerfilms Four pass loop in Maroon bells Colorado
@@SunnyBinjola Oohh, that sounds fantastic. Hope you enjoy!
The reset button is the key...... greetings from Germany 👍😊
Thank you Armin! sending love
excellent video
thank you!
Hello, which camp you used ? any Link to purchase