Your Little Things are Spot On and very similar to what I carry. Here are a few others. I keep a 5' piece of Paracord with a loop on each end in one of my belt pockets. When I stop for a break or on camp the cord goes around a tree and one hiking stick goes through the pack shoulder straps and the loops of the Paracord. Pack is hanging off the ground. Walmart bag placed on one end of pole and jacket etc on other end. This keeps the pack out of mud/ snow. Keeps us older folks from bending over so much.
I keep that same small sham-wow for the same purposes BUTT, I use it while I hike too to collect the sweat off my back by folding it up and placing at the small of my back. That sweat goes down to your crack and that’s a fast route to diaper rash. Like a personal hygiene towel. Works wonders. Thanks for the share!
Thank you for your video's of your journey and especially the gear pre and post caps. So helpful for those of us thinking of attempting the thru hike especially the over 60 group!!! Congratulations on your achievement!!!
These are excellent, practical tips, some of which I do and some new to me. Thanks! Instead of that shammy cloth, I've been taking two small microfiber cloths from Harbor Freight. I have the same hiking towel from REI but never thought to use it for a tablecloth. Great idea. I definitely pack ear plugs after a hell of a night in a shelter once with an extremely loud snorer. I like the brand called Flents that you can get on Amazon. They compress and then expand well in my ear. Also, I've discovered tooth powder is great for backpacking. Lightweight, no white paste when you spit and little waste of water for rinsing. Frau Fowler is the brand I've tried. Always enjoy your videos.
The camp towel table cloth idea is great for stopping bit of food from drawing critters. If everyone did that (I carried a square of polycro) we might have fewer mice in the shelters. My favourite trick was a 2 to 3 gallon ziplock. In nasty cold weather I'd put my shoes in there and put it in the footbox of my quilt so I didn't have to deal with frozen shoes. Waterproof sock were a life saver. At the end of the day I turned them inside out, put them in the footbox, and the small amount of dampness was gone by morning. Also kept my shoes from smelling like a litter box.
Second cap is a good idea. I think the shamoi and tablecloth are redundent. So true about the soap. I take a colapsable teloscopic pen but I tend to carry paper maps and like to record milage. I hike remote areas in canada where theres no cell service for All trails. And no trail record on All trails or Gut hooks, lol.
Great video & great advice. Thank you! My "litte thing" on the trail is the Wildo folding cup. Weighs about 25g (under 1 oz) and is lovey for my morning cuppa.
Sweet! This video is great, very helpful, and I’ll be tossing my camp towel and extra cordage back into my pack. And, I’ve been in Reckless Abandon withdrawal. I’m all better now. 💕
I had started on March 8 2020, when the ATC email came I was at Carter Gap. Spent half the night with two other guys trying to figure out a way to make it work. unfortunately, we couldn't. texted my wife, told her to type ROCK GAP, NC into the gps and I'd see her the next day. Held out hope that things would get figured out by Mid May and I'd head back and haul ass nobo. That didn't happen. 2021 didn't happen as my boss asked me to put off another year, then my FIL died in January. New step off date is March 6 2022. cannot wait. just discovered your channel and absolutely LOVE your content.
🤣 when I stayed in the Deer Lick shelter during a 100 mile section hike (Penn Mar Park to Duncannon best section of PA) the guy next to me was a snorer. From the sound a few times I thought he was going to die 🤣
Ok, I'll be the "bidet" question guy. I'd seen a few thru-hikers mention them and not using TP at all. I 3d printed a bidet attachment and tried it at home, but the overarching (under arching?) question is: how do you dry off afterwards?
Some folks say they don’t do any post-bidet drying. Personally I use one half sheet of paper towel. Can also use a napkin you got from your McDonalds or Subway town stop. Don’t use TP to dry. It shreds and will leave irritating paper bits between your cheeks.
@dognoseranger I don't dry at all. It's no different than climbing out of a swimming pool or hiking in the rain... it'll dry out on its own. You spritz with one hand, wipe if necessary with the other, pull up your pants and sanitize your hands.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon Yeah, I guess hitching up the pants to head down the trail is a bit different than walking over to sit on the cloth office chair. 😉 I'll have to do field tests!
Great video, Kevin! I like the pad to clean your cook pot. Did you dump the water out or drink it? I have two small things that make things easier for me: 1. Down booties. They compress to fit in one hand, keep my feet very warm and able to breath well. Socks do they same but they are tight and not as warm as down in my experience. 2. Mesh Tarp Sleeve. It makes packing up my hammock tarp fast and easy. The mesh also allows it to dry faster too.
Kevin, I live in Meredith on lake Winnipesaukee and they haven't outlawed plastic bags here yet. Hannaford still uses them, the Wal marts here still use them. Maybe it's just based on location? Anyways, you've had some amazing videos and I followed you the whole way. I was sad when it was over but felt so happy that you made it. Thanks for the company my friend!
It WAS a bit random at times. Surprised me when I was forced to leave a grocery store in CT with an armful of food because there were no bags period, not even paper! Thank for following along!
The next video will finish out my pack. I never really calculated my base weight, I always was aware of my total pack weight which included food and water. That weight fluctuated from 26-36 lbs, I’ll try to remember to address that in the video.
Hi Sandi, No, I haven't experienced and post-hike depression. It might have something to do with the fact that I came back to a huge to-do list by my wife and a phone ringing off the hook with backed up clients (photography), so I'm just too busy to think about it! :-) As to your first question, I have no immediate plans for my next hike, although I'd love to do the Colorado Trail and the Arizona Trail. I don't really have a desire to do the PCT or CDT, not sure my wife would put up with another five or six month absence on my part.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon I was a photographer in Colorado, great place with a camera. I don't think I've seen all your videos but it sure seemed that your wife and son were very supportive, and that's great. But it is a long time away from home. I'm 65 and had about given up the idea of thru hiking the AT when I stumbled across your "older than I-95 knees"
(Wasn't finished) and I realized if others are able so am I. Thanks for the encouragement you've been even though you didn't know it, and the inspiration while I cheered you on trail, even though you didn't know that either.😀
One of my Bic lighters are wrapped with light cordage with loop for connectivity and secured with duck tape. This is fasten to shoulder strap with recoil device. So when I want to use my lighter, pull it down, use it, recoils back in place. Duct tape cut or torn in small strips makes good fire starter.
Excellent tips! For a placemat, I use a piece of bubble wrap about the same size as your cloth. Bubble side down. Weighs nothing, and can be rinsed off. BTW, we shared a shelter in Vermont while I was thru hiking the Long Trail. Minerva Hinchey, I think. You did indeed offer me ear plugs, but I declined. During the night a porcupine was chewing the shelter and woke most of us up. It was funny that you thought one guy was actually sawing wood or something. We all chuckled.
Hi! I loved watching all your videos! Your fast witted like my dad. Did you find it hard to find the things you wanted for your re-supply besides fuel?
Not really hard to find what you're looking for as long as your tastes are flexible. I rediscovered my love of peanut butter and jelly, and went from putting it on bagels, to hamburger buns, to tortilla shells. At times I was forced to buy a jar of each, and at times I was able to get PB&J in one GLASS jar (Goobers), but I was REALLY lucky when I could find PB&J in a PLASTIC jar (Stripes). I ate a lot of Knorr's pasta sides, then discovered they all taste the same, so I went to Ramen and saved about $6-$7 a week because Ramen is so cheap, and honestly, if you put enough honey in it, it tastes GREAT! lol
FlextailGear Mini air pump. Weighs less than an ounce more than my Schnoozle inflation bag. Definitely a luxury item but sooo worth it. You gotta try it!
I use the produce bags for my shoes. If my shoes were dry I’d put them in those bags at night and bring them into my tent, helps keep my tent floor clean and no dew in my shoes.
That’s a brilliant idea! I was always struggling to keep my shoes clean so I could bring them in the tent, avoiding slugs and spiders, but was rarely successful. Yours would definitely fix that problem! Thank you!
@@markcummings6856 just pull em up and walk away. Never had a chafing problem. It’s no different than getting rained on or climbing out of a swimming pool.
Kevin Newsome, AKA Reckless Abandon huh… clip stuff to your pack, clip it to your tent door to keep it open on a warm dry night, clothes line, to name a few.
Your Little Things are Spot On and very similar to what I carry. Here are a few others. I keep a 5' piece of Paracord with a loop on each end in one of my belt pockets. When I stop for a break or on camp the cord goes around a tree and one hiking stick goes through the pack shoulder straps and the loops of the Paracord. Pack is hanging off the ground. Walmart bag placed on one end of pole and jacket etc on other end. This keeps the pack out of mud/ snow. Keeps us older folks from bending over so much.
Great idea!
Produce bags and Shamwow!!! Excellent!
I keep that same small sham-wow for the same purposes BUTT, I use it while I hike too to collect the sweat off my back by folding it up and placing at the small of my back. That sweat goes down to your crack and that’s a fast route to diaper rash. Like a personal hygiene towel. Works wonders. Thanks for the share!
Sir, Thank you so much for posting your thru hike. I’ve seen all your videos and you have inspired me. My gear is purchased and I’m going in 2022.
WHOOHOO! 🤙
This video is so fun! Thank you for the knowledge!
This is pure gold! Really liked this overview of the little things.
Great tips, will message you- on messenger, low priority on a reply. Thx
Great tips!!!
Thank you for your video's of your journey and especially the gear pre and post caps. So helpful for those of us thinking of attempting the thru hike especially the over 60 group!!! Congratulations on your achievement!!!
Thank you Pat!
These are excellent, practical tips, some of which I do and some new to me. Thanks! Instead of that shammy cloth, I've been taking two small microfiber cloths from Harbor Freight. I have the same hiking towel from REI but never thought to use it for a tablecloth. Great idea. I definitely pack ear plugs after a hell of a night in a shelter once with an extremely loud snorer. I like the brand called Flents that you can get on Amazon. They compress and then expand well in my ear. Also, I've discovered tooth powder is great for backpacking. Lightweight, no white paste when you spit and little waste of water for rinsing. Frau Fowler is the brand I've tried. Always enjoy your videos.
Excellent video, and some good tips on useful gear! Stay safe out there man
Thank you
The camp towel table cloth idea is great for stopping bit of food from drawing critters. If everyone did that (I carried a square of polycro) we might have fewer mice in the shelters.
My favourite trick was a 2 to 3 gallon ziplock. In nasty cold weather I'd put my shoes in there and put it in the footbox of my quilt so I didn't have to deal with frozen shoes. Waterproof sock were a life saver. At the end of the day I turned them inside out, put them in the footbox, and the small amount of dampness was gone by morning. Also kept my shoes from smelling like a litter box.
Second cap is a good idea. I think the shamoi and tablecloth are redundent. So true about the soap. I take a colapsable teloscopic pen but I tend to carry paper maps and like to record milage. I hike remote areas in canada where theres no cell service for All trails. And no trail record on All trails or Gut hooks, lol.
Great, great list. I took notes.
Priceless pointers delivered clearly. The little things indeed!
See, this is what I mean by great information!
Thank you for the overview.
Great video & great advice. Thank you! My "litte thing" on the trail is the Wildo folding cup. Weighs about 25g (under 1 oz) and is lovey for my morning cuppa.
Thanks for all the clever tips. Are you doing a through hike next year? Great portrait at the end.
No, might consider a short section hike of the Florida Trail, CO Trail, or AZ Trail.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon I’m planning on the CDT but may exclude the deserts. I love mountains!
Sweet! This video is great, very helpful, and I’ll be tossing my camp towel and extra cordage back into my pack. And, I’ve been in Reckless Abandon withdrawal. I’m all better now. 💕
Outstanding vlogging & reviews Reckless Abandon! TU for putting in the time for the future hikers. Heading out next year on the AT.
I had started on March 8 2020, when the ATC email came I was at Carter Gap. Spent half the night with two other guys trying to figure out a way to make it work. unfortunately, we couldn't. texted my wife, told her to type ROCK GAP, NC into the gps and I'd see her the next day. Held out hope that things would get figured out by Mid May and I'd head back and haul ass nobo. That didn't happen.
2021 didn't happen as my boss asked me to put off another year, then my FIL died in January. New step off date is March 6 2022. cannot wait. just discovered your channel and absolutely LOVE your content.
Thank you! Good luck in ‘’22!
and you can wash that camp towel off when some goober spills beef stroganoff on it :)
Hey, it happens. LOL
🤣 when I stayed in the Deer Lick shelter during a 100 mile section hike (Penn Mar Park to Duncannon best section of PA) the guy next to me was a snorer. From the sound a few times I thought he was going to die 🤣
Lol, he probably had sleep apnea
Another great video, Kevin! Although I'm still not going to hike the AT, your hints are very useful for smaller adventures too. 😃
Great tips! Thanks for the wisdom
Ok, I'll be the "bidet" question guy. I'd seen a few thru-hikers mention them and not using TP at all. I 3d printed a bidet attachment and tried it at home, but the overarching (under arching?) question is: how do you dry off afterwards?
Some folks say they don’t do any post-bidet drying. Personally I use one half sheet of paper towel. Can also use a napkin you got from your McDonalds or Subway town stop. Don’t use TP to dry. It shreds and will leave irritating paper bits between your cheeks.
@dognoseranger I don't dry at all. It's no different than climbing out of a swimming pool or hiking in the rain... it'll dry out on its own. You spritz with one hand, wipe if necessary with the other, pull up your pants and sanitize your hands.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon Yeah, I guess hitching up the pants to head down the trail is a bit different than walking over to sit on the cloth office chair. 😉 I'll have to do field tests!
Great video, Kevin! I like the pad to clean your cook pot. Did you dump the water out or drink it?
I have two small things that make things easier for me:
1. Down booties. They compress to fit in one hand, keep my feet very warm and able to breath well. Socks do they same but they are tight and not as warm as down in my experience.
2. Mesh Tarp Sleeve. It makes packing up my hammock tarp fast and easy. The mesh also allows it to dry faster too.
I drank some, tossed the rest. Depended on how thirsty or hungry I was. LOL
Kevin, I live in Meredith on lake Winnipesaukee and they haven't outlawed plastic bags here yet. Hannaford still uses them, the Wal marts here still use them. Maybe it's just based on location? Anyways, you've had some amazing videos and I followed you the whole way. I was sad when it was over but felt so happy that you made it. Thanks for the company my friend!
It WAS a bit random at times. Surprised me when I was forced to leave a grocery store in CT with an armful of food because there were no bags period, not even paper!
Thank for following along!
Wow!! Gonna have to watch this again & take notes!!! Thank you for sharing!!!🥾🥾⛺️
Those are some great tips! I would enjoy a full post hike gear load out with your final base weight if you have the time?
The next video will finish out my pack. I never really calculated my base weight, I always was aware of my total pack weight which included food and water. That weight fluctuated from 26-36 lbs, I’ll try to remember to address that in the video.
Where are you hiking next? Have you ecperienced post-hike depression?
Hi Sandi, No, I haven't experienced and post-hike depression. It might have something to do with the fact that I came back to a huge to-do list by my wife and a phone ringing off the hook with backed up clients (photography), so I'm just too busy to think about it! :-)
As to your first question, I have no immediate plans for my next hike, although I'd love to do the Colorado Trail and the Arizona Trail. I don't really have a desire to do the PCT or CDT, not sure my wife would put up with another five or six month absence on my part.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon I was a photographer in Colorado, great place with a camera. I don't think I've seen all your videos but it sure seemed that your wife and son were very supportive, and that's great. But it is a long time away from home. I'm 65 and had about given up the idea of thru hiking the AT when I stumbled across your "older than I-95 knees"
(Wasn't finished) and I realized if others are able so am I. Thanks for the encouragement you've been even though you didn't know it, and the inspiration while I cheered you on trail, even though you didn't know that either.😀
Wow some great little tips you provided there! Thank you!
Oh my goodness, that trailer...laughing out loud! Earplugs, don't leave home without them. I have a little collection of water bottle tops😂👍
Most excellent video. I even learned a couple things from you! The small stuff makes a huge difference!
This video is perfection. I have many of these things but such great tips. Getting a shamwow with my next Amazon order.
Nice tips. You have a wonderful week. Take care
Great video, I'll be heading to Georgia in March and I think I need to add a couple of things , thanks for the tips ,,
One of my Bic lighters are wrapped with light cordage with loop for connectivity and secured with duck tape. This is fasten to shoulder strap with recoil device. So when I want to use my lighter, pull it down, use it, recoils back in place.
Duct tape cut or torn in small strips makes good fire starter.
all great ideas thanks for sharing your experience.
In addition to carrying extra paracord, I also carry several alligator clips to secure laundry on the line. Loved following you on the AT!
Great video! I too carry many of these and find them to be worth their weight in gold.
Very helpful, thank you!
Great ideas, thank you for sharing
Great tips. Nice to see a few of my own little hacks in there, plus some new ones.
Excellent tips! For a placemat, I use a piece of bubble wrap about the same size as your cloth. Bubble side down. Weighs nothing, and can be rinsed off. BTW, we shared a shelter in Vermont while I was thru hiking the Long Trail. Minerva Hinchey, I think. You did indeed offer me ear plugs, but I declined. During the night a porcupine was chewing the shelter and woke most of us up. It was funny that you thought one guy was actually sawing wood or something. We all chuckled.
YES! I remember that well! I SWEAR, I was a millisecond away from snapping at that poor guy. I was CONVINCED he was the culprit for all that racket!
Hi! I loved watching all your videos! Your fast witted like my dad. Did you find it hard to find the things you wanted for your re-supply besides fuel?
Not really hard to find what you're looking for as long as your tastes are flexible. I rediscovered my love of peanut butter and jelly, and went from putting it on bagels, to hamburger buns, to tortilla shells. At times I was forced to buy a jar of each, and at times I was able to get PB&J in one GLASS jar (Goobers), but I was REALLY lucky when I could find PB&J in a PLASTIC jar (Stripes). I ate a lot of Knorr's pasta sides, then discovered they all taste the same, so I went to Ramen and saved about $6-$7 a week because Ramen is so cheap, and honestly, if you put enough honey in it, it tastes GREAT! lol
FlextailGear Mini air pump. Weighs less than an ounce more than my Schnoozle inflation bag. Definitely a luxury item but sooo worth it. You gotta try it!
I saw one of those in MA and the hiker swore by it. I think it was rechargeable. Definitely will be looking closer at that. Thanks!
Thank you for the hacks!
Love all these tips!
I use the produce bags for my shoes. If my shoes were dry I’d put them in those bags at night and bring them into my tent, helps keep my tent floor clean and no dew in my shoes.
That’s a brilliant idea! I was always struggling to keep my shoes clean so I could bring them in the tent, avoiding slugs and spiders, but was rarely successful. Yours would definitely fix that problem! Thank you!
So glad to see this love watching you. Please keep making videos you are the best peach
Thank you, I will!
Thumbs up!
Priceless!
So, did you pat dry, or just pull up and walk it off to dry?
Do you mean my legs and feet after bathing in the River? Just let it air dry. Only takes a few minutes.
@@kevinnewsome-recklessabandon after the glorious shots of soothing water sprays to the touché.
@@markcummings6856 just pull em up and walk away. Never had a chafing problem. It’s no different than getting rained on or climbing out of a swimming pool.
Good list but no clothes pin?
No, tell me how you use it.
Kevin Newsome, AKA Reckless Abandon huh… clip stuff to your pack, clip it to your tent door to keep it open on a warm dry night, clothes line, to name a few.
@@barondavis5692 actually, I DID carry metal paper clasps, but got rid of them about TN because I hadn’t used them and was putting my pack on a diet.
Craig mains has a great tip to clip the door up on his altaplex, seems rather ingenious.