Ultimate Hiking Gear & Skills Clinic | Andrew Skurka | Talks at Google
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- Опубликовано: 3 апр 2012
- Renowned long-distance backpacker Andrew Skurka discusses the gear, supplies and skills necessary to make hiking fun, not an arduous chore.
Named "Adventurer of the Year" by Outside and described as "a Superman among trekkers" by National Geographic, Andrew Skurka will teach you how to: (1) How to predict the environmental and route conditions you will encounter on a trip; (2) the best uses and limitations of lightweight equipment; (3) skills that will help keep you safe and comfortable with a minimum of possessions; and, (4) exactly what Skurka takes for a summer backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, and why. He is the author of "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide". 
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I wish I got paid to walk, or that I had "a ton of sponsorships and ads," as was also suggested. Instead, I've worked really hard, have paid my dues, and have been creative in order to make money off what I love. Specifically, I guide backpacking trips (17 in 2013), give lots of presentations (25-50 per year), and develop content (e.g. my book).
To be totally fair ... guiding backpacking trips is getting paid to walk.
Having sponsorships is not the opposite of hard work as you seem to have put it for your statement to make sense. It is way more work than you are doing because they have to stay at the top elite level of fitness - a fully sponsored triathlete for example works way harder than you do. Straight up facts.
@@agnidas5816 What a bitter comment.
Pretty much every sponsored vlogger/blogger has their perspective and views eventually affected. That's inevitable.
Most vloggers focus 80% on their gear and 20% on actual hiking. They compare Mystery Ranch or Osprey backpacks, choose a Therm-a-rest or Sea-to-summit sleeping pad, Jetboil, Petzl light, Northface rain coat... all of which were sent by the sponsors and their affiliate links are shared in video description below. And then somehow it ends up so that the vlogger is using, comparing and talking only about the gear that was sent by the sponsors. It's just the nature of this game and that is the reason why a company would sponsor anyone at all, in most cases at least. There is no free lunches. Even if it seems that there is - there isn't.
Andrew Skurka is the least BS guy out there I have ever seen regarding hiking.
He's not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk on a road that isn't paved with gold by sponsors.
I am deeply thankful for Andrew for not going commercial and keeping the content on-point and fairly ad free.
The great thing about the Andrew Skurka's of this world is that they very generously share their insights and advice stemming from decades of experience. Unlike all of the vain, negative comments of many RUclips viewers, they strive to make a positive difference. So before you post your "Well, I... blah blah blah" comment, first assess if it lives up to that same standard.
+Boom Jiggy I agree. It is because of people like Andrew that the lay-backpacker will be much safer and enjoy themselves much more.
Excellent!
This is a brilliant resource. I have not found a single video that is this comprehensive. Everything is covered clothing, shelters, sleep systems, navigation, footwear, and food. They guy obviously has a huge amount of experience! His take on shoes and foot care is especially interesting to me because it is so different to what I do. It was also interesting how he points out that you can save weight on shelters by bringing a warmer sleeping bag. There is so much to think about when you go hiking and camping!
Bashing is different than distinguishing, and I'm sorry if you feel like I did the former, as my intent was only to do the latter. It'd be foolish not to acknowledge the differences in objectives that backpackers have -- i.e. the preferred ratio of hiking versus camping -- and the implications that has for the gear, supplies, and skills they need. You don't see downhill skiers using cross-country ski gear, right? My focus is purely on helping backpackers enjoy their hiking experience more.
Andrew Skurka you're my hero Skurka! remember the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Your advice and opinions got you through the distance you've been, and anyone who lashes out is really subconciously expressing their insecurities.
Please take a night course on vlogging efficiencies and programs so we can enjoy more videoes from you that are longer than a minute! rock on
Great video, I do enjoy listening to peaple who do do the walk & not just talk it. Real experience from somebody who lives it is so important.
Hope Andrew does some more RUclips vids.
Cheers, from the UK.
Andrew, wonderful video. I am going on my first JMT hike, 220 miles, and wow, the fear can get ahold of you at times. Your video was great advice from fellow backpackers. You provide the instruction and direction that not only is it possible, fun, but is mostly planning, learning to do rather than imagine, and being honest with yourself and abilities. I will recheck my gear in two weeks and try to shake out some more weight. 18 pound base, 10 days, 100 miles, but planning to stay for 4 extra and fish for my dinner! And to the naysayers, go hike 17,000 miles and make a video you like and give instruction to the masses. Google might sponsor you to make a video at their headquarters. At 45 years old, I appreciate the instruction given in THIS video.
Well spoken. 👍🏾
Thanks for this vid. Never heard of you Andrew but it's great to hear the thoughts of someone doing it like you. I bet a super long hike and the constant planning and reviewing has sharpened you organisation to a sharp point. Cheers
Great Video !!!! on Hiking gear and skills !!!! Thank You Google !!!! and Mr. Hard Core Adventurer Skurka !!!!! I bet that hike was a beast !!! the Sea to Sea Hike !!!!
Covered all the essentials for sensible lightweight backpacking. Excellent presentation, given with infectious enthusiasm. Auswalker.
This is a great video! I learnt heaps. Its hard to find videos like this that cover all aspects of preparing for a hike.
Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing this class! I just finished reading your The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide. I've been referring to it over and over again throughout the last 10 months of preparation for my 2017 A.T. thru-hike. I'm sure I'll be back watching this viedo, and reading the book at least a dozen more times before leaving for the trail. Well, thanks again, and good luck on your next adventure!
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Andrew, Great presentation. I am not an ultimate Hiker, I'm 52 year old weekender that borders on being a camp hiker. Presentations like yours help me be a better, more prepared hiker giving me the confidence to push myself and my hiking partner to greater distances as well as longer more rewarding trips. I really appreciate your distinctions between the various types of hikers. unfortunately, there are always haters on the internet. I really appreciate your mild manner and delivery.
This is without doubt the very best thing I have watched on RUclips for a very long time.
Awesome, loved it. You have had a major impact on how I backpack.
I LOVED 'The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide'! Well laid out, fun to read, packed with useful information, great gear guide. Thanks so much for this book . . . hope to see more from you soon!
I got this dudes book about 2 weeks ago...love it! glad to here him in this vid!!!
I enjoy hearing Skurka speak on Podcasts or in social media, and this is the first video I've seen of him. I think speaking in front of a corporate group draws out additional lessons that can be learned at the managerial level. For example, I think his notes on planning and objective setting translates well.
Thanks for the great presentation! I love both hiking and camping aspects of any backpacking trip and you've helped me improve how I think through my preparation and what I need to bring. As a result, I've lightened my pack by 25-30%, but maintained the same comforts. Thank you!
Good guidance, based on sound experience. Thanks.
Great video. Gained so much knowledge. Now it gives me a different look at how and what I pack.
Appreciate your informative talk Andrew. This has been very helpful in me spending money on hiking gear! ;) Great info!
Just about to hit the JMT, perfect timing, good information, and nice to hear there is cell reception from Whitney.... thanks Andrew.
Thanks for an excellent and thorough presentation.
Skurka... The real Superman. Good job.
You are awesome. I got your book before watching this presentation and I value the knowledge you gained by actually doing it.
If your a West Coast American thinking of hiking in the East your in for a treat. As a California native, I found colors in the East that I had never seen before in every season.
This comment really inspired me! I respect you for having the guts to go after what you love and the creativity to make it happen. You inspire me to do the same in my endeavors.
A great video and a must for hikers to be ..
I'd say there's a fourth category, which is basically an ultimate hiker, except they enjoy what they're doing, and are there for the beauty of the natural world.
That should fit in with all of the other reasons.
I'm getting too old for ground sleeping (50). Even if it is on pine needles and such. But since I have been using a proper large rain fly hammock with an under quilt and top quilt system, I can get back out there without worrying about throwing my back out in the early stages before I can acclimate to the trail. Did that once, never again. Once you get the hang of it (wink, wink) you'll never go back to a tent. So my biggest problem today is finding a rout that has lots of trees. The AT is perfect, but the CDT, not so much down south. Great video lesson though. Nice to get some feedback on some of the things that I have seen work over the years.
I'm 59 and do a week on the AT every year. Sometimes it is not a choice. I have arthritis in my elbows but thank God not in my knees or hips.
Very informative. Thank you so much
the iltimate hikers gearguide from Barnes n noble introduced me to this guy.
I went hiking when I was out of shape. It was meant to be a type 1 hike but because my legs were burning 1/4 of the way up the mountain in turned into a type 2 hike. Definately get fit if you want to have fun while you hike.
Thank you for sharing! I've never been able to make one of his talks.
I really loved this video. I love hiking but am new to backpacking. I really loved the camp stove that you made from a cat food can! I will be trying that really soon.
Hike your own hike sums it up!! Maybe this is not of you maybe you are a mobile car camper. Do what you do and do it as often as possible if it makes you giggle. But can't argue with his record...
Very helpful, thanks.
Great presentation, and interesting insight. 10/10
Love this guy.
Great knowledge shared. Thanks.
though to be fair, the clinic was titled "ultimate hiking" and i think his motives were good: to help people enjoy the physical hike as much as camping (although personally i've never really enjoyed the "camping" aspect of excursions). either way, i do see how it might set the wrong tone to begin with.
Come on guys, just because he found a way to make a living doing something different we all have to bash him? You know how to do what he is talking about already? If yes, good for you, nobody cares. He didnt create his book for the experienced backpacker. Im pretty sure he wrote it to guide people in the right direction who are new to backpacking. While a few of you may be on this guys level for backpacking(probably not), the reality is hes talking to employees at google, which, for the most part are people without an outdoorsy lifestyle
+Everette Haire I completely agree with you. He's giving the clinic to Google employee's who are 'not' ultimate hikers/backpackers but want to learn more about it. Therefore this is a clinic/video aimed towards beginners, not people who have decades of experience already under their belt.
I myself am a beginner in overnight backpacking. I day hike a lot, but want to start doing overnight trips and came here for ideas. This video was helpful for people like me - like things I should do ahead - planning not only for environment, weather, gear selection, but basic skills as well that having not been out there yet, I may not realize I need. He didn't address a few concerns I was hoping to get answered, but just as anything else, I'll keep researching. As basically a beginner in overnight backpacking, the more knowledge I can get from various sources the better my trip will end up being.
very much focused on 1 mission through hikers - taking a fishing rod to western scotland inbetween munros or a box stove to a Pyrenees cabane during the near empty shoulder season is not discussed
Excellent Talk.
Very helpful presentation covering all the little things most people would not realise or even think about. I have been planning a long distance hike for a few years and this video makes me question some of the things I have done. 10/10
Could you post a close up of the stove you made?
Love to do the Alaska hike.
Ugh! Wished I’d seen this before ordering the 950 goose down for my diy ground top quilt...will mostly be backpacking in home state of Indiana. Need to keep base wt as low as possible. Chose it to make quilt at or near 1# but need the warmth for fall and winter. Any suggestions for alternative welcome.
950 goose down is great insulation nonetheless.
Apocalypse_Ready Glad I went with a 950 down after all. Got to try it out as it’s dropped down into the low 30s here in the last week. Slept nice and toasty. Project ends up weighing 1 lbs. 6 oz. very happy!
I’m confused - what did he say that made you question your decision in the first place?
That's nice if Google has this kind of clinic
Hey talks at google point the camera toward the slideshow instead of the speaker next time.
so... "the ultimate hiker" hurries thru everything just like most every urbanite !
exactly
plutoplatters Yes. That's right. He wants to walk.
Hurries through everything...on an 11-month hike. Right.
Exactly right, when you practically live outdoors then it is much less important to stop and smell the roses so to speak. Also the ability to cover more ground faster will allow you to see the things that you want to see rather than spending the whole day walking in. If you hike in to your viewpoint/campsite over 4 hours rather than 8, you will have much more time to enjoy the things that you really want to see.
Goretex & Co. does not keep one dry forever, but it definitely keeps one dry over the course of day tour. I love my Goretex boots, because I can ford streams and walk through puddles without getting wet feet. I love my waterproof jacket, because it allows me to hike in nasty weather that would otherwise be quite uncomfortable. I would not want to wear it all the time, though.
wow.. what a great video..
Calling Mr. Skurka an "elitist" is actually fitting, considering he IS one of the more elite hikers out there. I don't think he discounted anyone's style of hiking/camping, he stated multiple times that his mindset was geared towards extreme hiking. Honestly, I can only manage a few nights at a time, but I was able to take some valuable information from this video. Even being an overweight camper, I've switched to trail runners & lightened me load a good bit. Stop whining, start learning!
Thank you! 😁
Great video
Macho book of the bivy type viewpoints is but one aspect of the game ,bivy bag & tarp is not comfortable in driving cold rain - I will take my hillerberg either as a double or single wall outfit depending on conditions k
Wow I just came across this and this guy is a bad-ass! Hiking hundreds of miles in the snow alone and had two bears charging at him. He's gotta be up there with the Lewis and Clark dudes.
very good info .
every time he says type 1 or type 2 i think "Phish fan"
(not expecting a lot of people to understand that, but if you do, you're awesome)
guess im the ultimate camper. i plan my trips to fish in the backcountry. on my last trip i started with 30 lbs for a 7 day trip. hiked 16 miles into the backcountry to merced lake on the first day. from there i went offtrail up gray peak fork to adair lake. from there i head up and over sue pass around peak 11,371 and drop down into the red peak fork and follow it down to were it connects back to trail south of washburn lake. ironically that offtrail section from adair to red peak fork is part of skurkas "yosemite high route" southern core. i hiked that section with my grandfather before skurka was born.
i headed back to washburn then went up to bernice lake. over to vogalsang and then to tuolome to resupply. headed back up the lyell fork and up to ireland lake. over to emeric lake then down to babcock. down to the merced river at merced lake and out to the valley floor. fished every day.
heres to ultimate camping....
The real deal !!! Those are some long hikes !!!! Ever hike in sandals !!
here is my two cents worth , for one i was homless living out of my back pack for 9 months , not only is being homless alot like camping , but unlike boy scouts ( i was in boy scouts for 9 years ) you dont have a ride home to a warm shower and a fridge full of food , i used tents , tarps , sleeping pads ,ect f**k all that , a water resistant hammock will do the job of a tarp , a tent and a sleeping pad ( with tent camping you need all 3 ) and in a pinch you can sleep in a hammock without a sleeping bag , alother point on foot wear , for around a month i was without shoes , walking bearfoot threw parks , and on sidewalks , i have some freinds who hike bearfoot , and if youve never tryed it i really suggest it , it gives you an appreciation at the very least for how grateful we are to have footwear , as at least 25% of the world doesnt own shoes , it keeps you in the moment your problems dissolve and you become more worried about not stepping on little pebbles or pieces of glass and forget about how long you have been walking .
A hammock itself will not keep you dry, you will also have to take a tarp with you.
There's a book in your experiences. If you can't write one find someone who can.
You also need structure to hang it. There is a time and place for all kinds of gear.
this advice is only applicable if you live near the equator and drink yourself to sleep every night
mason dennis I was homeless for 6 years and am now a thru hiker. You're talking out of your ass....
I'm an Asian, is PCT Trial allow. I'm 55 and planning for my dream hike in 2020. Physical still should not have any problem.
Never forget ticks!
interdasting. Does Skurka still advocate alcohol stoves?
Water purifying tablets/drops do nothing to control/eliminate sediment, floaters and other particulates whether visible or not. I use the Sawyer Mini filtration system and have some tablets as a back-up.
+brokenstitch only problem with boil is it consumes fuel and water.
oh and more time
+Molon Labe Cipro and Cryptosporidium are considerations when filtering water, look them up. carbon filters trap sediment and can become infected by viruses after prolonged use, not to mention they have a shelf life when compared to iodine drops. However, drops and tablets do taste terrible. If you don't mind a little dirt vitamins in your water, drops n tabs are the way to go..
I will not take any type of chemicals for my water. I use the steripen and boil as a backup. I use a dragonfly stove 2-3 minutes to come to a boil and 3 at the boil 7 Minute cool down and I am drinking water before his chemicals even start working. The steripen is also awesome for the dip and go
There are times I will be hiking and know if I stop, it will take forever to start again. So I stir while walking. As for using a dragonfly I will carry an extra pound of fuel and no more than a few days out of resupply. And if an emergency I will start a fire.
This is awesome. I've been wanting to go to do a multi-day hikes. I'm slowly building my gear now so I don't have to buy the quality ones later after buying the cheap ones but for now, I'll stick with day hikes. I think all of us started at Campers-by-Default category lol
Type 0 hiker: The objective of the traverse does not concern point B, because all paths lead no where. His objective is the traverse in itself. He goes to Sierra Nevada seeking knowledge by placing a bid with the range, a bid, that could cost him his life. The stupendous hardships he will face and endure are unimportant to him, he is driven by his impeccable will, not ego. At the mercy of this marvelous world he dares not indulge in his experience during or after the traverse.
I'm in the BSA and my pack is sub 20- for 4 days.
I think there is a type of backpacker he is missing. I'm not sure how common they are, but I started this way. I was in the military and had to ruck a bit, which is training by hiking with a heavy backpack, for any who don't know. I started backpacking with an attitude of adding the entertainment of natural beauty, camping, and friends to the physical training aspect. I therefore carried a heavy load deliberately to improve my ability to do so, the exact opposite of the ultralight mentality. It did not occur to me for a long while to try to carry less.
For those who have to. or just want to, be able to carry more than an ultralight load, like military guys who have to carry combat loads of 80 lbs of crap or more, or hunters who have to pack out large amounts of meat from a kill, backpacking with heavy loads when not on duty, deployed, or actually on a hunt has value. Its making some grueling training into a fun activity.
That's because you are a certain type of trekker. I have done 25 mile and often 30 mile days fairly regularly and trust me it doesn't stop you enjoying the scenery. Plus what you say is an extra 2 or 3 pounds then becomes an excuse to add more and more until normally it is much more than 3 pounds and more than you need.
Great Grizzly encounters at 50:00
No joke. Take cayanne pepper capsules to keep warm before sleep when your heart rate slows down.
Even today, pretty basic core advice that would have worked even back in the '90s. Today I'd say, find a good FB group for the region you're planning to hike. Spend a lot of time learning then make your decisions. And now there are new things to consider, like pesky bears...
What brand is that yellow tarp tent?
Probably Go-Lite.
I think it's a Mountain Laurel Designs Duo Mid
Zachary Brierley Solo actually
47:30 for the knot system he uses for tarps.
Raumance We can use a Clove hitch or a Rolling hitch, needs a shorter rope.
Can you explain what you mean?
i wouldn't say that a tent is easier to set up than a tarp, because you have to know ur tent to set it up quickly. Also if there's alot of wind and rain it can be a pain in the butt to set up. But yes it weights more but you also get better protection from bugs and wind.
Good knowledge, however again we all must keep in mind that this particular philosophy is geared towards long distance thru hiking vs the more bivouac/camping and backpacking orientated philosophy. Hence the tendency to prefer ultralight equipment, and trail runners for shoes with little foot support (which you need if your carrying heavier loads or if you have weaker ankles).
Lol, this comment hasn't aged well.
I use umbrella for a sudden rain. ;)
Is this Andrew from google?
agree 100%
the guy giving the introduction- does his hair really stick up like that in the back or is that on purpose, like a hipster type deal
Yes, it is. He is a big fan of The Little Rascals!
The ultimate hiker looks something like this *picture of me*
lol
No like me. Lol
how many pieces of maps do you need per lets say 1000mile hike ?
+maisetas Simply put, from a practical perspective A LOT. My country, Serbia, is about 700x400 km, roughly and its covered by around 800 1:25.000 maps and, there fore, around 200 1:50.000 maps and of course 1:100 maps are not practical for hiking. Of course I am talking about paper maps so is to much paper but only 3 to 4 G of data storage an a phone. But take in consideration that for real navigation (no GPS) you need an actual paper map to work with, so make a good compromise.
+miroslav m damn, there is no way you can put even half of the maps in to your backpack.i dont use gps on cellphone unless i am really struggling. usually i keep my phones off to save battery.
+maisetas well you are not going to go every where, so just cover the area that you will be hiking through, 10 or 1000 miles. As far as l know 1:24.000 maps can be downloaded free from the usgs. Remember that in mountains terrain you won't be doing a lot of very precise nav because there is enough natural objects to guide you and that you can find/reference/compare on a map. It's in the flat valies that you will be using a compass to find you're position down to +/- 20 to 50 meters.
you dont carry all of it at once..you only carry what you need between resupplies..say 5-10 days worth of maps ..he doesnt carry 1000 miles worth the food at once..lol you do mail drops in towns along your route..
+matanuska high hes an Ultralight backpacker.. i bet on all his trips he never carried more than 20 lbs worth the food or about 10-12 days..
nice
Damn I wish I had all this knowledge. He’s so good at describing it and talking about it too, I’m guessing that his parents have to be sitting nice and comfy/wealthy for him to be able to support what he did / does
Great video, we did an interview with Andrew last year ( see our blog). It's clear Andrew is an inspiration and whilst he is humble and would claim not to be a superman maybe hes just superhuman?
I went on a couple thousand mile hike when I was 19 thinking I would just take it easy and camp lots. I ended up driving myself like a mad man and finishing in mind boggling time. I never talk about it much because it sucked to find out I am a slave driver. Now I just don't plan...
Did i miss him mention wearing sunglasses??
He did not cover that, but for sure needed in high light situations.
dude at the beginning definitely looks like he works at google lol
I have hiked to Mt Whitney twice and have trekked over many trails in the high Sierra. The high Sierra can produce heavy storms that produce a lot of wind and rain. Under such conditions, there is absolutely no substitute for a good tent. Getting soaked by wind and rain can eliminate any chance of getting restful sleep and ruin a hiking trip. My advice: Pack a tent. Yes, its more weight to carry, but it provides good protection against bad weather and bugs. Additionally, a tent provides a very comfortable place to sleep.
the "efficiency" he mostly talks about is "Time efficiency".
Also weight and pack size.
lol 38:25 the lady on left screen must own a boot factory... just shut lady?!?!
I once was on top of Pike's Peak, Colorado, on a car trip and I got out at a vista point, but it was drizzling so I opened an umbrella which had a pointed metal tip like a trekking pole. As I stood there, I suddenly realized I was in effect holding a lightning rod on top of a mountain in a potential thunderstorm. I think I may even have heard some static electricity crackles above the umbrella. Duh! If lightning hit, where do you think it would first be attracted?! That umbrella immediately went back into the car, and so did I! Also, umbrellas are easily destroyed, turned inside out, in a wind gust. So, forget the umbrella.
thanks for the tips Harvey Dent
I'm Type 2 fun LMAO
i much prefer Italian made waffle stompers..bad ankles
You should be able to put out the stove's fire by capping it, or somehow eliminating the introduction of oxygen. (~Minute 57)
Tricky with all those holes around the edge.
With Trianga you can but not easy with others especially if it is the kind where the pot sets on top like my choice, the decagon. But, you could cover the stove with a pot, but I hike with only one pot. really there is usually nothing left or almost nothing left when you get used to how much fuel to use. Some people use a tiny measuring cup.
He gets paid for his book as well as a ton of sponsorships and adds. Most of his gear now is given to him and he does speaking engagements.