Can’t wait for all your new videos Marc! Glad all your new gear worked out. Going lighter makes a big difference but for the good. Thanks for the update.
Our experiances with the "Ultralight gear" is much the same there always seems to be some compromise required and we got rid of most of it over the past year . If you interested in moving some of it Mec does its garage sale every year - book a table and sell what's not working out . BTW way Neoprene Socks solved alot of always wet in hiking shoes bit and one can cross the rivers in them . Gives a bit of grip and that so so needed padding once you hit shore. Good to see you back Mr. Marc 🙂
What are using for a sleeping bag? I switched a lot my gear to ultralight stuff, but I end up still being a little heavy because I bring a fly rod\ net. Looking forward to seeing your new adventures. Always helps me get through the winter and look forward to the upcoming season.
I enjoyed your reviews here, as you speak honestly about how you have found so many pieces of light weight gear perform much less effectively than pieces of quality heavier gear, especially when in camp. Finding that balance between weight, quality, and being just good enough is a tough challenge. But to stay in the game of hiking when you are older, it is what you have to do. That said, at the time you got your new pack you had to decide between the ULA Catalyst, Circuit, and Ohm with the Ohm being the smallest in crrying capacity of the 3. One does have to take a gamble on what will work for them, and I recall for your load out test when you got the pack you had no spare room to work with in the pack. How well did the Ohm work out for you in carrying all the gear you wanted, did you have to leave some gear out, and if you had to select again, would you still go with the Ohm over the other two packs?
I actually didn't look into the Circuit. I considered the Catalyst because of the extra space and the length of some of my backpacks. I actually changed my mind and tried to exchange but too late. The Ohm was good up to 8 days with my current loadout. 8 days was certainly the max though without strapping a drysack on the outside or something. Something I may do in the future. The tear in the backpack strap didn't happen on the 8 day loadout, only around 3 days of food was left. If I had to go back I would probably again try the Catalyst. I love the room but of course I was dedicated to keeping the weight low. As I mentioned in the video, when the pack is full it's like carrying a big medicine ball on your back. Not super comfy when it is stuffed. Depends on what sort of backpacking you'd like to do if you are considering one of the packs. I think the Ohm is a great pack for up to 6 days. I always did use the top strap to carry the tent. Something I found handy when the tent was wet.
I did a 7 day hike in the front ranges with my usual gear last year and it was ok, heavy on the first few days but my Osprey backpack is so comfortable, I managed! I'm hoping to do the Red Deer/Clearwater circuit this summer and I'm looking into upgrading some of my gear, the 2 main ones being my pack for the ULA Catalyst and my Marmot sleeping bag for a quilt. Your honest reviews are super helpful, thanks so much! I've tried to explain my concerns with the quilt to others but they never get it. Seems like you experienced exactly what I was worried about! Maybe a liner would help with those nooks and crannies? And now I'm also worried about the ULA. I carry my camera with me so I can't really avoid a heavier pack, hence the Catalyst with the heavier load limit but I'm wondering if I'm just going to suffer for the whole 8-9 days due to the lack of padding. You gave me some food for thought! 🤔
Well I'm glad you got something from this video. It's so difficult to find reviews about gear that has actually been tested in the field through the thick layer of sponsored and unboxing videos. I like your backpack plans. Where did you go on you 7 day hike? I did one (videos to come) this year with the highlight being North Fork Pass. What a tough day that is! Red Deer/Clearwater is great! In addition to my set of videos Howe's the Hike has some and also the Bohrer bros.
@marcofthetrail Stuart was kind enough to invite me to tag along on his front range trip last summer, a lollipop from Stoney to Scotch camp, back down to Stoney via Dormer pass. You've probably watched the video? He mentioned how much more spectacular this trip was and the idea of putting myself through such an ordeal again has grown exponentially over the last few months lol! At least I'll have better rewards, I'll be better prepared and not repeat the same mistakes. My friend and I are both from Banff so we'll drop a car at Mosquito and start from Skoki instead, shedding one day and that washout. I'll probably upgrade the gear and test it out beforehand, if it doesn't work I can always use my Osprey again! But shaving 5-6lbs sure sounds alluring. I'm also in my mid 40s and my body is starting to protest!
@@isab5051 Ah yes...I had heard that Stu was out on a trek. Roughly the same time I was. Figured out that our paths wouldn't cross except for Stony CG and not on the right days. I ended up powering through my last day anyhow and didn't stay there. I watched your trek. Very cool. That's mostly area I haven't seen yet. Definitely on the list in the seasons to come. He said that Redwater and Clearwater was more spectacular? I wouldn't doubt it. Those valleys are open alot. Makes for some great scenery.
@@marcofthetrail The front range trip reminded me of the Sawback lollipop, with much longer days, multiple creek crossings, and not as good views. I'm super glad I did it; I'm a park nerd and being back there was very meaningful, but seeing yours and Stuart's video on the Clearwater/Red Deer circuit made me realise that it would be a similar trip but with a much higher payoff. LAKES!!! I need me some lakes! And 4 alpine passes, well, 6 counting Boulder and Cottonwood. Did I mention I'm stoked? 😂
Can’t wait for all your new videos Marc! Glad all your new gear worked out. Going lighter makes a big difference but for the good. Thanks for the update.
Thank you, and you're welcome. Bit of a mixed bag on the gear but bottom line is it was much better on the body.
Our experiances with the "Ultralight gear" is much the same there always seems to be some compromise required and we got rid of most of it over the past year . If you interested in moving some of it Mec does its garage sale every year - book a table and sell what's not working out . BTW way Neoprene Socks solved alot of always wet in hiking shoes bit and one can cross the rivers in them . Gives a bit of grip and that so so needed padding once you hit shore. Good to see you back Mr. Marc 🙂
Hmm neoprene socks. Never looked into it. There's just always something else to try with backpacking isn't there?
What are using for a sleeping bag? I switched a lot my gear to ultralight stuff, but I end up still being a little heavy because I bring a fly rod\ net. Looking forward to seeing your new adventures. Always helps me get through the winter and look forward to the upcoming season.
Zpacks 10F solo quilt. Nice to hear it helps you get through. Winter is definitely for youtube watching and such.
I enjoyed your reviews here, as you speak honestly about how you have found so many pieces of light weight gear perform much less effectively than pieces of quality heavier gear, especially when in camp. Finding that balance between weight, quality, and being just good enough is a tough challenge. But to stay in the game of hiking when you are older, it is what you have to do.
That said, at the time you got your new pack you had to decide between the ULA Catalyst, Circuit, and Ohm with the Ohm being the smallest in crrying capacity of the 3. One does have to take a gamble on what will work for them, and I recall for your load out test when you got the pack you had no spare room to work with in the pack. How well did the Ohm work out for you in carrying all the gear you wanted, did you have to leave some gear out, and if you had to select again, would you still go with the Ohm over the other two packs?
I actually didn't look into the Circuit. I considered the Catalyst because of the extra space and the length of some of my backpacks. I actually changed my mind and tried to exchange but too late. The Ohm was good up to 8 days with my current loadout. 8 days was certainly the max though without strapping a drysack on the outside or something. Something I may do in the future. The tear in the backpack strap didn't happen on the 8 day loadout, only around 3 days of food was left. If I had to go back I would probably again try the Catalyst. I love the room but of course I was dedicated to keeping the weight low. As I mentioned in the video, when the pack is full it's like carrying a big medicine ball on your back. Not super comfy when it is stuffed. Depends on what sort of backpacking you'd like to do if you are considering one of the packs. I think the Ohm is a great pack for up to 6 days. I always did use the top strap to carry the tent. Something I found handy when the tent was wet.
I did a 7 day hike in the front ranges with my usual gear last year and it was ok, heavy on the first few days but my Osprey backpack is so comfortable, I managed! I'm hoping to do the Red Deer/Clearwater circuit this summer and I'm looking into upgrading some of my gear, the 2 main ones being my pack for the ULA Catalyst and my Marmot sleeping bag for a quilt. Your honest reviews are super helpful, thanks so much! I've tried to explain my concerns with the quilt to others but they never get it. Seems like you experienced exactly what I was worried about! Maybe a liner would help with those nooks and crannies? And now I'm also worried about the ULA. I carry my camera with me so I can't really avoid a heavier pack, hence the Catalyst with the heavier load limit but I'm wondering if I'm just going to suffer for the whole 8-9 days due to the lack of padding. You gave me some food for thought! 🤔
Well I'm glad you got something from this video. It's so difficult to find reviews about gear that has actually been tested in the field through the thick layer of sponsored and unboxing videos. I like your backpack plans. Where did you go on you 7 day hike? I did one (videos to come) this year with the highlight being North Fork Pass. What a tough day that is! Red Deer/Clearwater is great! In addition to my set of videos Howe's the Hike has some and also the Bohrer bros.
@marcofthetrail Stuart was kind enough to invite me to tag along on his front range trip last summer, a lollipop from Stoney to Scotch camp, back down to Stoney via Dormer pass. You've probably watched the video? He mentioned how much more spectacular this trip was and the idea of putting myself through such an ordeal again has grown exponentially over the last few months lol! At least I'll have better rewards, I'll be better prepared and not repeat the same mistakes. My friend and I are both from Banff so we'll drop a car at Mosquito and start from Skoki instead, shedding one day and that washout. I'll probably upgrade the gear and test it out beforehand, if it doesn't work I can always use my Osprey again! But shaving 5-6lbs sure sounds alluring. I'm also in my mid 40s and my body is starting to protest!
@@isab5051 Ah yes...I had heard that Stu was out on a trek. Roughly the same time I was. Figured out that our paths wouldn't cross except for Stony CG and not on the right days. I ended up powering through my last day anyhow and didn't stay there. I watched your trek. Very cool. That's mostly area I haven't seen yet. Definitely on the list in the seasons to come. He said that Redwater and Clearwater was more spectacular? I wouldn't doubt it. Those valleys are open alot. Makes for some great scenery.
@@marcofthetrail The front range trip reminded me of the Sawback lollipop, with much longer days, multiple creek crossings, and not as good views. I'm super glad I did it; I'm a park nerd and being back there was very meaningful, but seeing yours and Stuart's video on the Clearwater/Red Deer circuit made me realise that it would be a similar trip but with a much higher payoff. LAKES!!! I need me some lakes! And 4 alpine passes, well, 6 counting Boulder and Cottonwood. Did I mention I'm stoked? 😂
@@isab5051 Awesome I love it! Yes Clearwater valley may as well be Clearwater LAKES valley. Sooo many
Heyÿyyyy where have you been
Oh you know...same old same old. Winter hibernation. I kept myself busy but a little TOO busy.
@marcofthetrail hey just glad your back Marc...missed your adventures mr!
@@goldminer1975 Thank you. Lots and lots to come.
@@marcofthetrail perfect I can't wait