Multi-use benefits of MSR snow stake. They work well in any soft ground, and I use one for cat-holes instead of a dedicated poop shovel. I carry two year round.
BOOM! Thanks for that idea! I normally carry a "deuce" trowel but the handle isn't rounded and digs in to my palm. The snow stakes are probably better! Exact same weight at 0.9 oz
@Kane Does Outdoors the digging into my hand part was what motivated me to try something else (plus I hate single purpose items). I also found the snow stakes do a better job when doing the stabbing, prying, and raking action we generally perform when digging cat-holes.
It’s tough because my hands seem to sweat a lot. 90% of the time I’m wearing the thinnest pair, then probably 10% in the medium. Pretty sure that this was the first time really needing my warmest pair.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I like having my fingerless wools, I like full wools for sleeping, neoprene for wet, plus shells. Just seems redundant, but necessary
Great advice as usual. I’m new to winter backpacking the stuff sack area I need to improve. The removal of items in one shot to search fir an item I didn’t think of, I was concentrating on keeping things dry. I’ve been snowmobile hot tenting for some time. I always let the stove die out at night. A good sleep system is key for safety and comfort. That’s an area I don’t fiddle around cheaply anymore. High end pad and bag. Thanks
Great tips, thank you for sharing! You mentioned you have another video where you talk about the adjustments you made to the pack to make it more winter-ready, may I ask what is the name of that video? Curious to see the changes you made. Thanks!
Thanks - I had ULA make the collar longer for more volume and they added straps across the from to attach a bulky foam pad in a vertical position. The shoulder straps are also XL size which they don't advertise as an option on the ULA website. They are pretty good at custom orders! ruclips.net/video/s1oW6idonc4/видео.html
Hi Andrew, I use a much lower volume pack in the summer. The one I have now is made by Northern Ultralight, which is around 40L in the main compartment. The ULA Catalyst is a 3 pound pack with a frame and is a great bag for bigger loads. Overkill for what I carry on 3 season trips.
Hey Kane, in what video do you talk more about your modded pack? I've been using the Circuit with a very similar loadout, and it's just a little small. I'd love something about the catalyst size or slightly bigger, and preferably no mesh back panel to collect snow. Otherwise, I love the pack. Any more info? Thanks
Hi Julien - I have at least one backpack video planned so I'll do more of a deep dive there. I will say this, the catalyst is definitely not a winter pack. I'd like a dedicated shovel/probe pocket and the side pockets always fill up with snow. Useable but not the perfect pack. Mods were adding a bit of volume in the roll top and front straps to lash a foam pad.
Thanks man. I'm currently looking into the BD Mission 75 - a little more specialized than I need, but might work well. I'm looking forward to the video- instant sub from me. Your content speaks from real experience and this niche is exactly up my alley. Love it!
@@JulienKozak That's the goal of the channel - hoping to create a place where people transitioning to more challenging/advanced objectives and techniques can connect. I'll say what I do but that is by no way the end of the story. Lots of people have WAY more experience than I do and I love when the channel gets that input. I've looked at the Mission 75 - It's close to what I would like but missing a few features. @JustinOutdoors and @MartyMorissette use the Mountain Hardwear AMG 75. It has a lot of winter specific features, and can me setup up differently based on your preferences. Not light though, but burly materials. Not cheap either...
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Well you're doing great! I saw Justin's video on that pack- considering it, but like you said, heavy and expensive. I'll probably go the cheaper route with the BD and see how it goes.
Well, I tried the BD pack and really don't like it. Not as comfy and just doesn't fit my body like my ULA does - wants to pull away up top at the shoulders. Add to that the fact that it has a lid up top to store stuff rather than a front mesh pocket, giving you that high-sway action (no good on skis). Also no hip pockets and not as convenient to get stuff in and out of. Just my preferences due to my style of winter backpacking. Might try a slightly modded Catalyst like you have.
I feel that you are being reasonable. It's not only about the gear and people can often obsess over the weight. What good does ultralight do for us if we are freezing so sometimes we carry more sometimes less I also modify my bags too. .
@@donnydread7631 I think « UL » applies mostly to a standard three season backpacking system for moderate conditions. There’s such a range of weather and terrain in the winter that it would be hard to set a UL definition at X pounds.
Hi Kane. I’m a new subscriber to your channel after your trip with Justin. I’ve been looking through your past videos and have a question about the the thermarest parsec 20 F sleeping bag. We lost all of our camping gear in a fire at home last spring. Im rebuilding our gear and need to get 3 new sleeping bags for the family. In the past we have had western mountaineering terralite bags. They were awesome but they are out of our budget now. The parsec seems to hit all the needs for us. Curious how is it holding up after regular use, is the workmanship decent, is it shedding much down? Would this be your best recommendation for a 3 season sleeping bag for alpine back country camping on the west coast north of Vancouver. That is for making some awesome videos and sharing your knowledge. Cheers.
Hi Mark, Thanks for checking out my channel! That really sucks about your gear… So far I’ve been really impressed with the Parsec. I own one as well as two other guys I hike with. We all agree that it’s a great bag, very warm for the weight. Haven’t seen any down shedding. I’d get it again.
Just on the -20 degree bag you have, what would be the temperature range where your -20 degree bag would start to be slightly too warm for the conditions? -2 degrees?
I typically use a bag based on average temperatures + the forecast for the time of year. I have a -20C limit bag (-10C comfort), -6C limit bag (0C comfort), and -6C limit quilt (0C comfort). On my last trip (“where the bison roam free”) I brought the -20C bag because temperatures could have been below -10C. The first night was -6C and the second was above freezing. The bag was overkill and I slept with it completely unzipped wearing base layer both nights. I was very comfortable and could have used my -6C bag because the weather turned out warmer than expected but it could have been colder. When the weather is cool venting/unzipping your bag works very well. Basically I use the -20C December to April, -6C bag spring and fall through November, and the quilt for july, august and part of September if the forecast is good.
![Vapour Barrier Liners ( VBL ) Part 2: Sleeping bags and foam pads in Alaska's extreme cold. [4K]](/img/1.gif)
Superb sharing my friend! Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker friend from the Lower Chitral District of Pakistan!
I like the approach of this video. Walking us through your decision making process is useful. Thanks for sharing 👍
Multi-use benefits of MSR snow stake. They work well in any soft ground, and I use one for cat-holes instead of a dedicated poop shovel. I carry two year round.
P.S. I carry those two stakes on a carabiner..so bear bell👍😄
BOOM! Thanks for that idea! I normally carry a "deuce" trowel but the handle isn't rounded and digs in to my palm. The snow stakes are probably better! Exact same weight at 0.9 oz
@Kane Does Outdoors the digging into my hand part was what motivated me to try something else (plus I hate single purpose items). I also found the snow stakes do a better job when doing the stabbing, prying, and raking action we generally perform when digging cat-holes.
I’m sold!
It’s nice to know that you carry so many gloves. I was really struggling with that myself.
It’s tough because my hands seem to sweat a lot. 90% of the time I’m wearing the thinnest pair, then probably 10% in the medium. Pretty sure that this was the first time really needing my warmest pair.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I like having my fingerless wools, I like full wools for sleeping, neoprene for wet, plus shells. Just seems redundant, but necessary
Great advice as usual. I’m new to winter backpacking the stuff sack area I need to improve. The removal of items in one shot to search fir an item I didn’t think of, I was concentrating on keeping things dry. I’ve been snowmobile hot tenting for some time. I always let the stove die out at night. A good sleep system is key for safety and comfort. That’s an area I don’t fiddle around cheaply anymore. High end pad and bag. Thanks
A good sleeping bag is a worthwhile investment. Buy it once and keep it away from the wood stove!
Great going Kane! Good, informative videos
Thanks Jayita!
Great list Kane!
Thanks Devon!
just found your channel. Love the videos
Awesome! Thanks!
And can I live without is a good question to ask ourselves
Great tips, thank you for sharing! You mentioned you have another video where you talk about the adjustments you made to the pack to make it more winter-ready, may I ask what is the name of that video? Curious to see the changes you made. Thanks!
Thanks - I had ULA make the collar longer for more volume and they added straps across the from to attach a bulky foam pad in a vertical position. The shoulder straps are also XL size which they don't advertise as an option on the ULA website. They are pretty good at custom orders!
ruclips.net/video/s1oW6idonc4/видео.html
Do you use the same pack in the summer months ? Does the lid roll down enough and is still a secure setup?
Kind regards
Hi Andrew, I use a much lower volume pack in the summer. The one I have now is made by Northern Ultralight, which is around 40L in the main compartment. The ULA Catalyst is a 3 pound pack with a frame and is a great bag for bigger loads. Overkill for what I carry on 3 season trips.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors
Thank you
I bought some of those Decathlon touch liner gloves and they split after just 20 days, any other go to you recommend?
Hi Kane, great seeing your adventures. Just wondering how you like the decathalon parka and would you recommend it pro's and cons?
Answered on my other video ✌️
Hey Kane, in what video do you talk more about your modded pack? I've been using the Circuit with a very similar loadout, and it's just a little small. I'd love something about the catalyst size or slightly bigger, and preferably no mesh back panel to collect snow. Otherwise, I love the pack. Any more info? Thanks
Hi Julien - I have at least one backpack video planned so I'll do more of a deep dive there. I will say this, the catalyst is definitely not a winter pack. I'd like a dedicated shovel/probe pocket and the side pockets always fill up with snow. Useable but not the perfect pack. Mods were adding a bit of volume in the roll top and front straps to lash a foam pad.
Thanks man. I'm currently looking into the BD Mission 75 - a little more specialized than I need, but might work well. I'm looking forward to the video- instant sub from me. Your content speaks from real experience and this niche is exactly up my alley. Love it!
@@JulienKozak That's the goal of the channel - hoping to create a place where people transitioning to more challenging/advanced objectives and techniques can connect. I'll say what I do but that is by no way the end of the story. Lots of people have WAY more experience than I do and I love when the channel gets that input.
I've looked at the Mission 75 - It's close to what I would like but missing a few features. @JustinOutdoors and @MartyMorissette use the Mountain Hardwear AMG 75. It has a lot of winter specific features, and can me setup up differently based on your preferences. Not light though, but burly materials. Not cheap either...
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Well you're doing great! I saw Justin's video on that pack- considering it, but like you said, heavy and expensive. I'll probably go the cheaper route with the BD and see how it goes.
Well, I tried the BD pack and really don't like it. Not as comfy and just doesn't fit my body like my ULA does - wants to pull away up top at the shoulders. Add to that the fact that it has a lid up top to store stuff rather than a front mesh pocket, giving you that high-sway action (no good on skis). Also no hip pockets and not as convenient to get stuff in and out of. Just my preferences due to my style of winter backpacking. Might try a slightly modded Catalyst like you have.
Hey Kane, what are the brand for the insulated pants? I'm also looking for something using Apex and full side zips
@@leonchen6704 I had a local seamstress make them for me. I got the materials from Hofman outdoor gear.
I feel that you are being reasonable. It's not only about the gear and people can often obsess over the weight. What good does ultralight do for us if we are freezing so sometimes we carry more sometimes less I also modify my bags too. .
20lbs winter weight, I’d consider that UL. I know it’s really not, but it is in my book.
@@donnydread7631 I think « UL » applies mostly to a standard three season backpacking system for moderate conditions. There’s such a range of weather and terrain in the winter that it would be hard to set a UL definition at X pounds.
Hi Kane. I’m a new subscriber to your channel after your trip with Justin. I’ve been looking through your past videos and have a question about the the thermarest parsec 20 F sleeping bag. We lost all of our camping gear in a fire at home last spring. Im rebuilding our gear and need to get 3 new sleeping bags for the family. In the past we have had western mountaineering terralite bags. They were awesome but they are out of our budget now. The parsec seems to hit all the needs for us. Curious how is it holding up after regular use, is the workmanship decent, is it shedding much down? Would this be your best recommendation for a 3 season sleeping bag for alpine back country camping on the west coast north of Vancouver. That is for making some awesome videos and sharing your knowledge. Cheers.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for checking out my channel!
That really sucks about your gear…
So far I’ve been really impressed with the Parsec. I own one as well as two other guys I hike with. We all agree that it’s a great bag, very warm for the weight. Haven’t seen any down shedding. I’d get it again.
Thanks Kane
Just on the -20 degree bag you have, what would be the temperature range where your -20 degree bag would start to be slightly too warm for the conditions? -2 degrees?
I typically use a bag based on average temperatures + the forecast for the time of year. I have a -20C limit bag (-10C comfort), -6C limit bag (0C comfort), and -6C limit quilt (0C comfort). On my last trip (“where the bison roam free”) I brought the -20C bag because temperatures could have been below -10C. The first night was -6C and the second was above freezing. The bag was overkill and I slept with it completely unzipped wearing base layer both nights. I was very comfortable and could have used my -6C bag because the weather turned out warmer than expected but it could have been colder. When the weather is cool venting/unzipping your bag works very well. Basically I use the -20C December to April, -6C bag spring and fall through November, and the quilt for july, august and part of September if the forecast is good.
😳 🙏