This was a very enjoyable video. I carry a ton of weight in camera gear when I go into the backcountry for two weeks at a time. I bring almost 8 pounds in batteries and battery packs for two different cameras. I also bring in a large carbon fiber tripod, multiple lenses and many accessories. All of this weight is why I am buying one of your packs. The super light weight dyneema packs just cant carry heavy loads comfortably.
Evan and Scot Hill are awesome individuals. If you contact them with questions, they strive to answer them with some great knowledge. There website and gear are terrific! I really liked their article on guns as in pro guns which was written after the mass shootings in Colorado. American made and owned company here. Check them out!
They helped my ultralight guide friend help design a pack…well, at least they helped him with info and direction. My friend said they were VERY helpful. Awesome dudes for sure! And don’t sleep on their website either- a plethora of information to be had. I really like what they continue to write in their Gun Control page. I swear, these brothers all must have a PHD the way they articulate. Less words, but more information 👍
its really cool that you guys have well thought out educational stuff along with being a gear supplier. keep it up! Hopefully I can grab some of you guys stuff in the near future
Great video on gear selection with incredible background scenery. The post trip evaluation is a proven process for weight considerations on future excursions. Using a luggage scale and a gram/ounce scale are valuable tools for the evaluation decisions. You have to be decisive and honest in answering the question, "Do I really need this?" It's taken me several trips out to cut my weight considering my age of 71 to achieve a comfortable level. Your 45 pounds would absolutely decimate me on the trail; speaking from experience after an actual sectional trip on the AT with a 47 pound load out. Ten years ago, no problem. My present load outs average 20 to 25 pounds and that is water consumption determination at the top of my list. I am by no means an avid ultra lighter as I just want to be comfortable in camp. Development of good bush craft skills help to achieve that goal. Good teachers like yourself, Joe Robinet, Luke of TOGR and others help us out here in the field to attain the comfort levels.
Alexander Weaver I did much the same. I never cared about my weight until I did a 5 day mountainous hike with a 60lbs loadout. I did complete the hike but I would have enjoyed it more with less weight. Bought a luggage scale and a food scale. Started measuring ounces and bought some new gear. A year later and I'm comfortable with a 25lbs loadout!
awesome video !!! lives it! it was almost every question I asked wen ordering or deciding which bag to order ...ute or quia....I went with quia and im happy with ...thanks for great vid very informative....
Thanks.for the video. Id ditch 3 of those bottles and get a bladder or a bigger bottle. Alot of weight in plastic.personal preference. Happy trails dude ✌️
have you ever used a giegerrig bladder? i hate the air/blow system but I threw a normal insulated camelbak hose on it and i think its fairly bombproof. i've only had the military issue bladder (that brown one i never cared to learn the name cuz..) break on me on an overnight patrol. still dont know how it just started to leak all down my back and legs.. sucked
Excellent breakdown and rationale on your kit. One question, when you mentioned floorless free standing shelters, all of the tipi type I have found need tons of stakes to make it stand and even the hiilebrand)?_ you mentioned needs a bunch as well. Do you see anything out there these days that fits the bill? Thanks Nate
Just about all of the Hillebergs can be pitched fly only, and because the fly extends all the way to the ground they're truly useful in this mode. For example, the Allak is fully freestanding and can be pitched fly only. But there is no option so far as I know to purchase only the fly. Outside of that, there's nothing I know of right now. The old GoLite Utopias (what I still use) were a nice option. Although I had to mod mine to make it 4 season.
What's the rationale for wearing the windcheater in the sleeping bag? Is it just because of what you said about wasting weight / and the dual nature of the cheater? wearing a windshirt in a sleeping bag seems uncomfortable
Few questions because I'm doing a DIY elk hunting trip in Montana in November. 1. More opinions on food, that one gave me grief on my last week long hiking trip. 2. Medical, I'm a paramedic so I always carry more. Lol 3. Sleeping shelter in winter. Sub 0.
1) Food video is coming soon. 2) On medical, there is a link that pops up in the upper right hand corner of the video when I bring out my first aid kit. It goes to a forum discussion where I post my kit as do others and there's some decent conversation. Feel free to join in. 3) Winter temperature is one aspect of it, but so is amount of snow and wind load. In winter, I'm most likely to be using a woodstove heated shelter. There are long hours of darkness in the winter which means more time in your tent but not asleep. It's nice not having to crawl right into your sleeping bag when you turn in.
Cool thank you! Time in tent is unfortunately going to have to be something we deal with that time of year, and because it is going to be a back country DIY backpacking/hunting trip, weight is a huge concern. Also because of the costs of the trip I won't be able to invest in a tipi style shelter with a wood stove. It is certainly next on the thing to get though. Thanks again!
Check our wiggys bags. USA made they don't advertise. U can choose ur size for length and girth. Made to order. Synthetic bags to negative 60 degree bags. Tru to temp rating comfy at that level. And very affordable!. Word of mouth only for advertising. Great great selections!!! Endless. And u pick ur color. They do bags for the military and rescue as well. Wiggys. They have sales all the time. I love mine. I love synthetic too.
Yes, this is a Qui-Ya. The decision tree on QY vs Ute goes like this: Are you taller than 5'10"? Go QY. Is this to be a dedicated backpacking pack? Go QY unless you are really anal about having a pared down load and a pack that just fits your load. Otherwise, might as well have the flexibility of larger volume. Do you want a pack that does multiple duty as a backpacking pack and daypack or summit pack? Then the Ute gets the nod. The Ute is plenty big enough to backpack with if you are a 3 season backpacker, live in a warmer climate, or have a well tuned load (for year round travel). If you need to carry extra gear on account of family, older bulkier gear, or very conservative (lots of extras) packing, then getting it in the Ute can be a stretch.
Thank you for the detailed response! So at 6'2 I am leaning towards the QY. I think the Ute would work for me most of the time, but you are right about the added versatility a bigger pack brings to the table. I want to be able to fit a woodstove and some extra food without pushing the limits of the pack. Now to decide, foliage or ranger green xP
This is more like 50 lbs. A couple of things that push it that high -- 1) This is 3 seasons in the high country of the Rocky Mountains which can be equivalent to the middle of the winter in other places. Where you are traveling matters, and just how prepared you are for unexpected weather. 2) This is for solo travel in places that few people ever go. If you are traveling by yourself, there is no one to share "crew gear" weight with (such as med kit) and you also need extra gear for an extra margin of safety. Particularly if you are pretty much guaranteed not to see anyone else if you get into trouble. We have a good essay here that talks through some of the weight vs. preparedness trade offs hillpeoplegear.com/Education/Equipage
MSR Sweetwater for a filter (giardia and crypto) - $80. You can use with solution to purify. For an all in one purifier (the above plus viruses), First Need XLE Elite - $110. Reminds me that we need to make a video of our water procurement curriculum.
The high points of the outline - filter is fine for most of backcountry US, internationally and for civil emergencies in US, you need a purifier. The above two models are what we recommend. Might as well go straight to the purifier (First Need XLE) for only a little additional money. Stay away from UV purification, it's a myth. Pump filters have the advantage over squeeze filters of being able to pull water out of inconvenient places. Plus a section on how to anticipate and find water in the backcountry.
Is there a reason you prefer the MSR Sweetwater over something like the Katadyn Hiker Pro? The only thing that worries me about First Need is that it only purifies 180 gallons before needing to be replaced.
The handle pump mechanism on the Sweetwater makes life a lot easier than the simple push / pull style. The First Need is the real deal and the only product of its kind if you want a pump purifier. It has proven itself over the years with multiple water sources that are known to contain viruses.
Nikon Trailblazer 8x25s. I thought I'd miss my bigger binos when I moved to these but I haven't. In this size, I think you'd have to spend several hundred dollars more to get something appreciably better. I've looked through a pair of similarly sized Leicas that *were* noticeably better, but they were like $800 optics.
I'm not familiar with Level 3 gear and they have nothing to do with us. Level 3 is part of an old military gear classification. Also known as "3rd Line" and "sustainment", it's the gear you need for multiday living in the field. This video is about what to carry for multiday trips in the backcountry.
No offense but 2 lbs of food per day doesn't equate when carrying well fatted jerky. Very well dried jerky soaked in very well rendered leaf lard (no moisture) will not spoil for at least 1 year. 2 lbs. of well fatted dried raw beef will feed you for 2 days of very hard physical activity. Removing the water from raw lean beef concentrates the nutrition. Soaking it in well render leaf lard will provide enough fat for even marathon physical activity. Do Not Carry ANY Carbohydrates. Wasted weight of unnecessary sugar. I like the looks of the "Mountain Serape.." I am a big fan of the the 100% heavy weight (16-18 oz.) extremely tightly woven wool old school Great Quilt. I too like tipi style tents. Interesting video. I only ever "camp" in the forest when hunting for food such as black bear and whitetail but not so much whitetails since there are so many in the pasture to bother hinting them. I can shoot them from the barn.
It is nearly impossible for your body to process red meat when temperatures are up or you are undergoing heavy exertion -- as when backpacking. I know this from my days as a forest fire fighter. Whenever we would get served steaks and such I couldn't even eat them. I expect if you were mostly spending time in camp and not on the trail a higher protein diet would work out.
I know nothing of mountaineering but it seems to me all your gear even when it looks very up to the outdoor challenges; it have to be extremely heavy; if you go long distances with a pack like that weighting about 40 to 50 pounds doesn't that rob you of some energy as well as comfort while walking? I got desert where I live in Southern Nevada , and my pack gets heavy because of the water, 5 to 8 liters depending where I go but before water and food, I am always around 20 pounds or under and that is with many extras and luxuries! I could even be around 15 pounds and I am in no way a minimalist, all the opposite..maybe I am not carrying all I need or the right gear? I buy the most light gears money can afford, I also have tons of gear on the very sturdy and heavy side like Eberlestock pack system Skycrane with all the extras, just the pack system itself weight around 12 pounds! To tell you the truth, I bought it some time ago and have never used it and it does not look I will ever do! I am 5'3 @ 195 at the time my supposed weight to carry should be under 50 pounds but even pushing 30 pounds I feel it on the trail!
Yes, a 40-50 lb load is more work to carry than 30 lbs. Last trip out, my pack weighed 45lbs. Let's see if we can parse out the differences between your load and mine. First, the insulation and shelter requirements aren't as steep in the desert of Southern Nevada as they are in the Rockies. So now I'm at 40lbs. My camera gear (tripod and big point and shoot camera) weigh 4lbs. That brings me down to 36lbs. My first aid kit is 1lb and my delorme inreach is 8oz. I'm going to guess that the difference between that and what you're carrying is another pound. So now I'm at 35lbs. My pistol, weapon light, and 2 spare mags is another 3 lbs. That brings me down to 32 lbs. So our loads aren't too different. As to whether you're carrying enough to be safe, it's hard to say. There are folks with lighter loads than mine who seem to do a fair amount of travel safely. I *have* noticed that they are very quick to bail if the weather goes south and they pretty much only travel in the summer. My pile of "gear always carried but rarely used" is a small one. Right around 3lbs. And remember that I almost always travel solo so I carry that extra 3lbs as a margin of safety. Everything else gets used just about every trip. Food for thought. As I say in the video a lot of it is unique to the individual and the environment.
Yup. Your load then it is pretty similar to that of mine, what really kills my carry weight here is the water, as I cant wait to hike in places where water is available so I could shed almost inmediately about 15 pounds! - I just ordered the chest pack from you 2 days ago; I also travel solo and like to carry some sort of protection for 2 legged animals, I was carrying my G42 as it is small and convinient in my hip pocket of my pack but if I get used to the chest pack I could bring a little of more pounch as I read the weight distribution helps. Will have to test it how that works. In my base weight is not counted the firearm or extras comfort, my base weight is under 10 pounds, that is my big 3 and layers, my tent of choice is Zpacks Duplex fully loaded and it is under 2 pounds, could be beat to around 1 pound but limiting espace. I like to sleep with room, not feeling I am in a coffin! My sleep system if I go to the mountains would be my thermarest neoair Xtherm max pad rated at 5.7 and EE quilt 950 down power at 20 degree, with all the other also lightweight layers I got, I think I could be ok all the way to zero F. I do not think me going to a place below, if I would do then I would need a zero quilt but EE and Zpacks they make them real lightweight compared to other brands albeit expensive. I also have a share of about 5 pounds of miscellaneous stuff I carry just in case of and to feel comfortable with the trip, included is my thermarest medium pillow which I sleep very comfortable with but it is like 11 oz, depending of lenght of trip, I maight carry a solar panel and bigger power storage, for day hikes and overnight I bring a Raw Power at 16500mAh, that is because besides my camera Sony point and shoot, my phone, also I got with me a Fenix 3 watch and Delorme Inreach Explorer; I am also family man and agree with you anyone like us going solo without it would be just irresponsible; my choice of packs for overnight are between Osprey Exxos 58, 48, 65 and Zpacks Arc Haul which is the lightest at 1pound and half but should not be loaded more than 30 pounds even when it is rated to stand 40. When I add the water needed for the desert I cant use the Zpacks. I am looking for that ideal load that would even allow me to bring one of my hunting rifles in a future hunting trip; I am working on lighten the rifle and got me a Montana M84 Hunter .308 - after getting the rifle noticed it is not the lightest of the series, so it is still new and I might actually get the Ascend instead; now working on its glass, wanting one less than a pound but with quality; that system goal is to be under or around 7 pounds, better that if I would bring my customized to my short frame Browning Medallion 300 Win Mag at 10 pounds! When I started buying gears I thought that I would carry 60 pounds in the outdoors without an issue; boy was I wrong! After 25 or 30 I can feel the discomfort, and I got packs that suppose to carry well those loads, I have never tried my Eberlestock system which by now I know was a mistake to buy because even when it is very sturdy system its weight along set it out of the question for me; I loaded it to about 60 pounds at home and tried to carry and walk on the threadmill and that was when I realised my mistake -- need to go way lighter than that but since I am new to backpacking still not ready to part with the comfort items, so now all I buy is weight concious, hopefully, one day I can dial in or get used to a heavier load, whichever come first.
I had a lightbulb moment - you don't actually have any packs that are suitable for carrying more than about 30lbs. The Eberlestocks are pretty notorious for carrying poorly. The Osprey Aether series have good load carriage characteristics (and reputation), but not the Exos series. Obsessing about the weight of the empty pack has resulted in packs that maybe save you a pound or two of weight over better packs, but make the load feel like 10-15lbs more than it needs to. Do yourself a favor and get a little bit heavier pack that carries loads well. Even your 20lb load will feel a lot lighter and beat you up a lot less in a better pack.
Would love a 2024 version of this video!
This was a very enjoyable video. I carry a ton of weight in camera gear when I go into the backcountry for two weeks at a time. I bring almost 8 pounds in batteries and battery packs for two different cameras. I also bring in a large carbon fiber tripod, multiple lenses and many accessories. All of this weight is why I am buying one of your packs. The super light weight dyneema packs just cant carry heavy loads comfortably.
Evan and Scot Hill are awesome individuals. If you contact them with questions, they strive to answer them with some great knowledge. There website and gear are terrific! I really liked their article on guns as in pro guns which was written after the mass shootings in Colorado. American made and owned company here. Check them out!
They helped my ultralight guide friend help design a pack…well, at least they helped him with info and direction. My friend said they were VERY helpful. Awesome dudes for sure!
And don’t sleep on their website either- a plethora of information to be had. I really like what they continue to write in their Gun Control page. I swear, these brothers all must have a PHD the way they articulate. Less words, but more information 👍
Enjoyed your vid. I'm from Maine. I backpack from May till November. Love being in the woods. Nice seeing a contrast in geography.
its really cool that you guys have well thought out educational stuff along with being a gear supplier. keep it up! Hopefully I can grab some of you guys stuff in the near future
Great video on gear selection with incredible background scenery. The post trip evaluation is a proven process for weight considerations on future excursions. Using a luggage scale and a gram/ounce scale are valuable tools for the evaluation decisions. You have to be decisive and honest in answering the question, "Do I really need this?" It's taken me several trips out to cut my weight considering my age of 71 to achieve a comfortable level. Your 45 pounds would absolutely decimate me on the trail; speaking from experience after an actual sectional trip on the AT with a 47 pound load out. Ten years ago, no problem. My present load outs average 20 to 25 pounds and that is water consumption determination at the top of my list. I am by no means an avid ultra lighter as I just want to be comfortable in camp. Development of good bush craft skills help to achieve that goal. Good teachers like yourself, Joe Robinet, Luke of TOGR and others help us out here in the field to attain the comfort levels.
Alexander Weaver I did much the same. I never cared about my weight until I did a 5 day mountainous hike with a 60lbs loadout. I did complete the hike but I would have enjoyed it more with less weight. Bought a luggage scale and a food scale. Started measuring ounces and bought some new gear. A year later and I'm comfortable with a 25lbs loadout!
great video.
thanks for showing the knife, I hope it serve you well.
take care
As always Jurgen, very happy with it.
8 years old. But I still learned a lot. Awesome info as always from these guys 🫡👍
awesome video !!! lives it! it was almost every question I asked wen ordering or deciding which bag to order ...ute or quia....I went with quia and im happy with ...thanks for great vid very informative....
Sir, this was a fantastic discussion on this topic. Thank you
awesome information as always. Will be ordering this pack ASAP
Thanks.for the video. Id ditch 3 of those bottles and get a bladder or a bigger bottle. Alot of weight in plastic.personal preference. Happy trails dude ✌️
too many bladder failures along the way to ever use one for anything serious
Excellent video, very informative.
Great video, solid information, thank you.
Thank You ...
Awesome video !!
Great video, thank you!
great video
have you ever used a giegerrig bladder? i hate the air/blow system but I threw a normal insulated camelbak hose on it and i think its fairly bombproof. i've only had the military issue bladder (that brown one i never cared to learn the name cuz..) break on me on an overnight patrol. still dont know how it just started to leak all down my back and legs.. sucked
haven't tried giegerrig
Excellent breakdown and rationale on your kit. One question, when you mentioned floorless free standing shelters, all of the tipi type I have found need tons of stakes to make it stand and even the hiilebrand)?_ you mentioned needs a bunch as well. Do you see anything out there these days that fits the bill?
Thanks
Nate
Just about all of the Hillebergs can be pitched fly only, and because the fly extends all the way to the ground they're truly useful in this mode. For example, the Allak is fully freestanding and can be pitched fly only. But there is no option so far as I know to purchase only the fly. Outside of that, there's nothing I know of right now. The old GoLite Utopias (what I still use) were a nice option. Although I had to mod mine to make it 4 season.
Great looking knife. What brand is it?
So this is 6 years old, when are you making a freestanding floor less shelter? I’d buy one lol
Awesome
What dry bag is that?
What's the rationale for wearing the windcheater in the sleeping bag? Is it just because of what you said about wasting weight / and the dual nature of the cheater? wearing a windshirt in a sleeping bag seems uncomfortable
Few questions because I'm doing a DIY elk hunting trip in Montana in November.
1. More opinions on food, that one gave me grief on my last week long hiking trip.
2. Medical, I'm a paramedic so I always carry more. Lol
3. Sleeping shelter in winter. Sub 0.
1) Food video is coming soon. 2) On medical, there is a link that pops up in the upper right hand corner of the video when I bring out my first aid kit. It goes to a forum discussion where I post my kit as do others and there's some decent conversation. Feel free to join in. 3) Winter temperature is one aspect of it, but so is amount of snow and wind load. In winter, I'm most likely to be using a woodstove heated shelter. There are long hours of darkness in the winter which means more time in your tent but not asleep. It's nice not having to crawl right into your sleeping bag when you turn in.
Cool thank you! Time in tent is unfortunately going to have to be something we deal with that time of year, and because it is going to be a back country DIY backpacking/hunting trip, weight is a huge concern. Also because of the costs of the trip I won't be able to invest in a tipi style shelter with a wood stove. It is certainly next on the thing to get though. Thanks again!
so when do you start making floorless shelters? :)
I've had a couple protos made for a couple years now. I really need to ratchet that up in priority.
yay!
Check our wiggys bags. USA made they don't advertise. U can choose ur size for length and girth. Made to order. Synthetic bags to negative 60 degree bags. Tru to temp rating comfy at that level. And very affordable!. Word of mouth only for advertising. Great great selections!!! Endless. And u pick ur color. They do bags for the military and rescue as well. Wiggys. They have sales all the time. I love mine. I love synthetic too.
Familiar with Wiggy's, they're made here in Grand Junction. Good bags, but pretty heavy for muscle powered carry.
Is this the Qui Ya pack? I am strongly considering one of your packs but having trouble deciding between the Ute or Qui Ya.
Yes, this is a Qui-Ya. The decision tree on QY vs Ute goes like this: Are you taller than 5'10"? Go QY. Is this to be a dedicated backpacking pack? Go QY unless you are really anal about having a pared down load and a pack that just fits your load. Otherwise, might as well have the flexibility of larger volume. Do you want a pack that does multiple duty as a backpacking pack and daypack or summit pack? Then the Ute gets the nod. The Ute is plenty big enough to backpack with if you are a 3 season backpacker, live in a warmer climate, or have a well tuned load (for year round travel). If you need to carry extra gear on account of family, older bulkier gear, or very conservative (lots of extras) packing, then getting it in the Ute can be a stretch.
Thank you for the detailed response! So at 6'2 I am leaning towards the QY. I think the Ute would work for me most of the time, but you are right about the added versatility a bigger pack brings to the table. I want to be able to fit a woodstove and some extra food without pushing the limits of the pack. Now to decide, foliage or ranger green xP
I'd love to see that serape in a compression bag squeezed down as far as possible for size & volume reference.
thanks
What is this load-out weight? I’m 71, and I try to keep to 35-40 lbs.
This is more like 50 lbs. A couple of things that push it that high -- 1) This is 3 seasons in the high country of the Rocky Mountains which can be equivalent to the middle of the winter in other places. Where you are traveling matters, and just how prepared you are for unexpected weather. 2) This is for solo travel in places that few people ever go. If you are traveling by yourself, there is no one to share "crew gear" weight with (such as med kit) and you also need extra gear for an extra margin of safety. Particularly if you are pretty much guaranteed not to see anyone else if you get into trouble. We have a good essay here that talks through some of the weight vs. preparedness trade offs hillpeoplegear.com/Education/Equipage
Do you have any recommendations on an affordable pump water filter (100$ range)? I've been doing some research and would love your opinion. Thanks.
MSR Sweetwater for a filter (giardia and crypto) - $80. You can use with solution to purify. For an all in one purifier (the above plus viruses), First Need XLE Elite - $110. Reminds me that we need to make a video of our water procurement curriculum.
The high points of the outline - filter is fine for most of backcountry US, internationally and for civil emergencies in US, you need a purifier. The above two models are what we recommend. Might as well go straight to the purifier (First Need XLE) for only a little additional money. Stay away from UV purification, it's a myth. Pump filters have the advantage over squeeze filters of being able to pull water out of inconvenient places. Plus a section on how to anticipate and find water in the backcountry.
Is there a reason you prefer the MSR Sweetwater over something like the Katadyn Hiker Pro? The only thing that worries me about First Need is that it only purifies 180 gallons before needing to be replaced.
The handle pump mechanism on the Sweetwater makes life a lot easier than the simple push / pull style. The First Need is the real deal and the only product of its kind if you want a pump purifier. It has proven itself over the years with multiple water sources that are known to contain viruses.
What is brand of waterproof liner for the bag
that one is granite gear which I'm not sure they make anymore. Seat to summit makes some fine ones as well.
How do you feel about the current sleeping bag in the military?
No experience with it, sorry
What kind of binoculars were in you kit bag?
Nikon Trailblazer 8x25s. I thought I'd miss my bigger binos when I moved to these but I haven't. In this size, I think you'd have to spend several hundred dollars more to get something appreciably better. I've looked through a pair of similarly sized Leicas that *were* noticeably better, but they were like $800 optics.
Who makes the ultralight dry bag you are using for a pack liner? What is the volume?
I think that's a granite gear I got on closeout. Check sea to summit. Pretty sure they have similar.
What size volume does it hold? Having difficulty finding something extra-large like that.
What size volume does it hold? Having difficulty finding something extra-large like that.
@@lindsaybourguignon8514 I know this is late, but I'd suggest getting one that's simply as large as your pack... or using a contractor bag.
What water Canteens are you using?
Nalgene Oasis and .75 liter bottles with aftermarket lids
where are you guys based out of?
Grand Junction Colorado
Thanks for sharing! What brand of raincoat is that?
That's a prototype one of ours. There's a lot more information on it in the "in the field: Cochetopa Spring" video.
Do ya'll sell under the name Level 3 Gear on Walmart?
Or is that just another company?
I'm not familiar with Level 3 gear and they have nothing to do with us. Level 3 is part of an old military gear classification. Also known as "3rd Line" and "sustainment", it's the gear you need for multiday living in the field. This video is about what to carry for multiday trips in the backcountry.
@@HillPeopleGear thank you
Who makes the rain jacket you have?
Nicholas Seliga custom prototype
Any chance of getting one? :) love the concept
working on it.
Awesome!!! Please keep up the good work!
Nice, I hope to see it released. I'd definitely get one
Hilleberg all the way.
No offense but 2 lbs of food per day doesn't equate when carrying well fatted jerky. Very well dried jerky soaked in very well rendered leaf lard (no moisture) will not spoil for at least 1 year. 2 lbs. of well fatted dried raw beef will feed you for 2 days of very hard physical activity. Removing the water from raw lean beef concentrates the nutrition. Soaking it in well render leaf lard will provide enough fat for even marathon physical activity. Do Not Carry ANY Carbohydrates. Wasted weight of unnecessary sugar. I like the looks of the "Mountain Serape.." I am a big fan of the the 100% heavy weight (16-18 oz.) extremely tightly woven wool old school Great Quilt. I too like tipi style tents. Interesting video. I only ever "camp" in the forest when hunting for food such as black bear and whitetail but not so much whitetails since there are so many in the pasture to bother hinting them. I can shoot them from the barn.
It is nearly impossible for your body to process red meat when temperatures are up or you are undergoing heavy exertion -- as when backpacking. I know this from my days as a forest fire fighter. Whenever we would get served steaks and such I couldn't even eat them. I expect if you were mostly spending time in camp and not on the trail a higher protein diet would work out.
I know nothing of mountaineering but it seems to me all your gear even when it looks very up to the outdoor challenges; it have to be extremely heavy; if you go long distances with a pack like that weighting about 40 to 50 pounds doesn't that rob you of some energy as well as comfort while walking? I got desert where I live in Southern Nevada , and my pack gets heavy because of the water, 5 to 8 liters depending where I go but before water and food, I am always around 20 pounds or under and that is with many extras and luxuries! I could even be around 15 pounds and I am in no way a minimalist, all the opposite..maybe I am not carrying all I need or the right gear? I buy the most light gears money can afford, I also have tons of gear on the very sturdy and heavy side like Eberlestock pack system Skycrane with all the extras, just the pack system itself weight around 12 pounds! To tell you the truth, I bought it some time ago and have never used it and it does not look I will ever do! I am 5'3 @ 195 at the time my supposed weight to carry should be under 50 pounds but even pushing 30 pounds I feel it on the trail!
Yes, a 40-50 lb load is more work to carry than 30 lbs. Last trip out, my pack weighed 45lbs. Let's see if we can parse out the differences between your load and mine. First, the insulation and shelter requirements aren't as steep in the desert of Southern Nevada as they are in the Rockies. So now I'm at 40lbs. My camera gear (tripod and big point and shoot camera) weigh 4lbs. That brings me down to 36lbs. My first aid kit is 1lb and my delorme inreach is 8oz. I'm going to guess that the difference between that and what you're carrying is another pound. So now I'm at 35lbs. My pistol, weapon light, and 2 spare mags is another 3 lbs. That brings me down to 32 lbs. So our loads aren't too different. As to whether you're carrying enough to be safe, it's hard to say. There are folks with lighter loads than mine who seem to do a fair amount of travel safely. I *have* noticed that they are very quick to bail if the weather goes south and they pretty much only travel in the summer. My pile of "gear always carried but rarely used" is a small one. Right around 3lbs. And remember that I almost always travel solo so I carry that extra 3lbs as a margin of safety. Everything else gets used just about every trip. Food for thought. As I say in the video a lot of it is unique to the individual and the environment.
Yup. Your load then it is pretty similar to that of mine, what really kills my carry weight here is the water, as I cant wait to hike in places where water is available so I could shed almost inmediately about 15 pounds! - I just ordered the chest pack from you 2 days ago; I also travel solo and like to carry some sort of protection for 2 legged animals, I was carrying my G42 as it is small and convinient in my hip pocket of my pack but if I get used to the chest pack I could bring a little of more pounch as I read the weight distribution helps. Will have to test it how that works. In my base weight is not counted the firearm or extras comfort, my base weight is under 10 pounds, that is my big 3 and layers, my tent of choice is Zpacks Duplex fully loaded and it is under 2 pounds, could be beat to around 1 pound but limiting espace. I like to sleep with room, not feeling I am in a coffin! My sleep system if I go to the mountains would be my thermarest neoair Xtherm max pad rated at 5.7 and EE quilt 950 down power at 20 degree, with all the other also lightweight layers I got, I think I could be ok all the way to zero F. I do not think me going to a place below, if I would do then I would need a zero quilt but EE and Zpacks they make them real lightweight compared to other brands albeit expensive. I also have a share of about 5 pounds of miscellaneous stuff I carry just in case of and to feel comfortable with the trip, included is my thermarest medium pillow which I sleep very comfortable with but it is like 11 oz, depending of lenght of trip, I maight carry a solar panel and bigger power storage, for day hikes and overnight I bring a Raw Power at 16500mAh, that is because besides my camera Sony point and shoot, my phone, also I got with me a Fenix 3 watch and Delorme Inreach Explorer; I am also family man and agree with you anyone like us going solo without it would be just irresponsible; my choice of packs for overnight are between Osprey Exxos 58, 48, 65 and Zpacks Arc Haul which is the lightest at 1pound and half but should not be loaded more than 30 pounds even when it is rated to stand 40. When I add the water needed for the desert I cant use the Zpacks. I am looking for that ideal load that would even allow me to bring one of my hunting rifles in a future hunting trip; I am working on lighten the rifle and got me a Montana M84 Hunter .308 - after getting the rifle noticed it is not the lightest of the series, so it is still new and I might actually get the Ascend instead; now working on its glass, wanting one less than a pound but with quality; that system goal is to be under or around 7 pounds, better that if I would bring my customized to my short frame Browning Medallion 300 Win Mag at 10 pounds! When I started buying gears I thought that I would carry 60 pounds in the outdoors without an issue; boy was I wrong! After 25 or 30 I can feel the discomfort, and I got packs that suppose to carry well those loads, I have never tried my Eberlestock system which by now I know was a mistake to buy because even when it is very sturdy system its weight along set it out of the question for me; I loaded it to about 60 pounds at home and tried to carry and walk on the threadmill and that was when I realised my mistake -- need to go way lighter than that but since I am new to backpacking still not ready to part with the comfort items, so now all I buy is weight concious, hopefully, one day I can dial in or get used to a heavier load, whichever come first.
I had a lightbulb moment - you don't actually have any packs that are suitable for carrying more than about 30lbs. The Eberlestocks are pretty notorious for carrying poorly. The Osprey Aether series have good load carriage characteristics (and reputation), but not the Exos series. Obsessing about the weight of the empty pack has resulted in packs that maybe save you a pound or two of weight over better packs, but make the load feel like 10-15lbs more than it needs to. Do yourself a favor and get a little bit heavier pack that carries loads well. Even your 20lb load will feel a lot lighter and beat you up a lot less in a better pack.