Sam; definitely do a vid on what you dumped/sent home on the trail. I think that's much more useful to potential thru=hikers than what you started/finished with. Not that that isn't interesting, it is. But knowing what and why you go rid of/sent home is really useful in deciding on what to actually pack to start with.
Follwed you all the way. Your outlook seems more practical than fanatical ultralight hikers thus supporting the whole "hike you own hike" methodology. There is no perfect system but sage advice from the voice of experience is invaluable. THANKS
Very nice video, there is a wealth of information in the side comments, but the "dumped and changed" info is what I look for in a post-hike gear video, I believe that is [usually] what makes them better than pre-hike gear videos.
Thank you Sam. I was following your hike as it was being posted. For some reason, back then, I lost track of your trek somewhere around PA. I just came across this video as I prepare for the CL50. Glad to see you made it to Katahdin. I'm going to go back and watch Penn to Maine. Thank you for bringing us along for the ride.
Thanks Ken. Yes, life is awesome, I appreciate that. 2020 will be here sooner than we know, so work on the lungs and legs (I wish I had!) Friend up with me on FB so I can watch from home, I'm jonesing the trail. All the best... (waiving arm)
Just found your video, really enjoyed watching! Nice to see someone who isn't possessed with ounces and grams. You just seem real to me my man. I'll go back and check out your other videos.
Sam, I have really enjoyed all your videos. It was a great joy following you along last year. I hope that you are now thinking of doing the PCT. I hear that it is a little easier, though a bit longer. --Charles
Excellent....picked up some good tips off this video 👍💥 22:56 MOM's MAKE LIFE ...GOOD !! I am always breaking my sporks....so I made it a habit to carve my spoon and whittle a couple of chopsticks, on the trail breaks....Never will use a spork again...LOL
Hi Sam, thanks for the video! Im planning a 17 flip/flop hike because I can't start til mid-may, and would love you to do a video on what type of stuff you started out with, but later just sent home because either didn't need it, or whatever. It might help me to decide what I "think i really have to have" on trail, is prob something I "don't really need" out on trail. Im not going to be an ultra light hiker, I like creature comforts too much, but don't want to start out with a bunch of stuff only to find out is just dead weight (don't need/use) and end up sending home. I know a lot is subjective person to person, but giving viewers ideas of what you sent home cuz found you didn't actually need, might help give us some ideas on what we prob don't need either.
Im planning to start Harpers Ferry 2nd week of May NOBO to Maine by end of Aug. Then HF around LaborDay, and head SOBO to Amiacola hopefully finishing up by mid/end Nov. Since I live in coastal VA, I also thought about HF-Maine and then fly ME->GA and go GA back to HF which would end me closer to home for family to pick me up. But Im open to changes if you know of a more desirable route or time frame for a later start time? Earliest I can head out is 2nd week May. Im trying to also avoid the heat as much as possible. Id rather hike in cooler/cold weather and warm up while hiking, then hike in a lot of high heat (VA in July lol) and get sick on the trail from over heating - Kari
kjm27434 I'd say that's a solid plan. Peak in Maine in mid summer so the heat won't get you. I hate hiking in the heat as well and much rather do it in when it's colder. I Hopefully all your planning and prep g goes well. I haven't done any thru hikes but am currently planning on PCT 2018.
OK, I'll bite - what did you get rid of along the way? Did you ever have any trouble finding a spot to hang? (I've been using a hammock for a few years and sometimes the underbrush causes issues with pitching my tarp when I'm away from "campsites"). Finally what does the pack weigh w/o food and water? Thanks.
Another great video, Sam. When you were talking about hanging your bag from a tree so you didn't have to sit it in the mud, did you carry a steel fishing leader or what did you use? Thanks again for the videos!
Hi Don. I took a piece of amstwel and made a loop on each end. I threaded one end through and around the tree leaving the other to clip the bag with a carabiner.
Hello from Germay, due to the long distance I have a few questions: First can you hammock camp through the whole Trail? Second: why two pots? Third: what is essential for sun protection? eg. sunglasses, hat, long sleeve shirt
Gregory Peeters Hi Gregory! yes on the hammock question. some mountaintops are bare but you can plan to be low enough to find trees if you want. sunprotection: sunscreen, sunglasses. mostly early spring as leaves cover most of the trail after that. Good luck!
Hi Sam! Always great to see you! Did you have any trouble finding fuel for the Jetboil on the trail? Also how long would a fuel canister typically last you?
+SAM DUCHARME - I don't cook, I only boil water, and I use one of the cheapest stoves available. I can boil about 15 to 17 pints of water with one of the small isobutene canisters. Two cups of water (1 pint) is usually enough to rehydrate a meal and make a hot drink.
What parts you from? Just wondering because my last name is Ducharme as well and I have honestly in my entire life never come acrossed another Ducharme who wasn't in my family. I'm from Maine myself.
this year I'm planning to spend a lot of time paying it forward on the AT. lots of trail magic scheduled! Another thru hike is possible in 17. trail? undecided.
yes. at the start it was 49! (food and water included of course ) I shaved that down to 41 directly. eventually got it down to 28 (with f&w). but wasn't happy with the missing gear. so, wound up 34 fully loaded with f&w and the gear I was willing to carry. that quickly dropped as I worked my way toward the next trail town.
+SAM DUCHARME Which snivel gear did you miss enough to add back in? Trying to balance light weight with cost, and seems like tossing money at the problem is most folks solution.
+el diablo loco poco. hey Loco poco... I brought back my jetboil, fuel, ipod and charger, some clothes (mostly because I was trying to switch it up for the camera), and real food vs. protein powder. Later I brought the heavier thermals shown in vid. that stuff brought me to mid 30s with f&w.
Knife is most often a small one, even smaller than the one gifted to Sam,like his original one. As for an ax, that is several pounds most won't want to carry. It all depends upon what your trip is and what your preferences are. I will take my small ax if the trip is relatively close (my close may different than yours) and I'm going to be making a fire. My saw is lighter but for a thru hike, weight is critical and for a multi-week trip or multi-month, you probably won't want the weight. But it's your hike so try it and see if you will really need it
Hi Tyrone, As for knife, just a little something to open food packages and maybe Magiver small repairs to gear. I agree with Mikes comment. As for the axe, it would be nice to chop up some of the larger dead wood for fires, the small stuff is pretty picked near all camps. but i wouldn't carry one.
Some parks don't allow axes or hatchets although I have no clue about the parks along the Appalachian Trail. I guess you'd have to do your research. Like everybody already said though it's a pretty heavy item to bring along.
Hi Sam I Am,As always, great video. Can't wait to get started in May at Harpers Ferry. Maybe I'll see you on the trail or should I say Trail Magic Baby. I'm using Trailjournals.com/cake to record my journey. Have a great day. Cake
SAM DUCHARME Thanks Sam I Am. Having you and your friends follow my crazy adventure in very encouraging. "I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head." (The Shawshank Redemption)
Sam; definitely do a vid on what you dumped/sent home on the trail. I think that's much more useful to potential thru=hikers than what you started/finished with. Not that that isn't interesting, it is. But knowing what and why you go rid of/sent home is really useful in deciding on what to actually pack to start with.
It was sure a pleasure watching you last year. Definitely the best video documentary of 2015! Thank you for sharing then and sharing now. Peace.
Follwed you all the way. Your outlook seems more practical than fanatical ultralight hikers thus supporting the whole "hike you own hike" methodology. There is no perfect system but sage advice from the voice of experience is invaluable. THANKS
Thanks Grant!
Great video you are the real deal. No bells and whistles just what works. Thanks
Thanks Lynchburg!
I'm about on my 25th thru hiker videos as I'm going to do it in 2019. But I've got to admit, you've been the most entertaining so far.
Very nice video, there is a wealth of information in the side comments, but the "dumped and changed" info is what I look for in a post-hike gear video, I believe that is [usually] what makes them better than pre-hike gear videos.
Thank you Sam.
I was following your hike as it was being posted. For some reason, back then, I lost track of your trek somewhere around PA.
I just came across this video as I prepare for the CL50. Glad to see you made it to Katahdin. I'm going to go back and watch Penn to Maine.
Thank you for bringing us along for the ride.
Hi Thomas, glad to have you back! CL50, in NY? That is on my list of hikes. Thanks for the note, it is my pleasure sharing my hike.
Good Job Sam on the video and the Lesson on "Leave no Trace!" Is amazing how much garbage we see on the trail!
Awesome Sam!
new to the "lifestyle". Sam...I like your style brother. Thanks for the education. Cheers
H. Rain Irving
Thanks H!
Love this..very helpful for my upcoming overnighter. Thanks for NOT being an *ultra lighter*
RUclips is an empty place without Sam... COME BACK SAM
BAHAHAHA!!! You rock Ken!
Loved your vlog of the AT. I'm planning for 2020. Hope all is well and life is treating you good!
Thanks Ken. Yes, life is awesome, I appreciate that. 2020 will be here sooner than we know, so work on the lungs and legs (I wish I had!) Friend up with me on FB so I can watch from home, I'm jonesing the trail. All the best... (waiving arm)
Thank you Sam. I've been waiting on this video. Great job.
Cool beans Sam ! I enjoyed the video!
Thanks Stanley!
Just found your video, really enjoyed watching! Nice to see someone who isn't possessed with ounces and grams. You just seem real to me my man. I'll go back and check out your other videos.
Thanks Big Mac!
Sam, I have really enjoyed all your videos. It was a great joy following you along last year. I hope that you are now thinking of doing the PCT. I hear that it is a little easier, though a bit longer. --Charles
I'd like to have seen how you repacked all that back into that pack. I'm going to go back and look at this video again.
Excellent as usual... And all in one take! Hope you will put together a reunion video with Red Hot this spring.
Excellent....picked up some good tips off this video 👍💥
22:56 MOM's MAKE LIFE ...GOOD !!
I am always breaking my sporks....so I made it a habit to carve my spoon and whittle a couple of chopsticks, on the trail breaks....Never will use a spork again...LOL
Hi Kanzeethanks for the nice comment, good idea for the chopsticks, I'm gonna try it.
Thanks Mom it never lost a stitch.
Hi Sam, thanks for the video! Im planning a 17 flip/flop hike because I can't start til mid-may, and would love you to do a video on what type of stuff you started out with, but later just sent home because either didn't need it, or whatever. It might help me to decide what I "think i really have to have" on trail, is prob something I "don't really need" out on trail. Im not going to be an ultra light hiker, I like creature comforts too much, but don't want to start out with a bunch of stuff only to find out is just dead weight (don't need/use) and end up sending home. I know a lot is subjective person to person, but giving viewers ideas of what you sent home cuz found you didn't actually need, might help give us some ideas on what we prob don't need either.
Out of curiosity what two start/stop routes are you taking?
Im planning to start Harpers Ferry 2nd week of May NOBO to Maine by end of Aug. Then HF around LaborDay, and head SOBO to Amiacola hopefully finishing up by mid/end Nov. Since I live in coastal VA, I also thought about HF-Maine and then fly ME->GA and go GA back to HF which would end me closer to home for family to pick me up. But Im open to changes if you know of a more desirable route or time frame for a later start time? Earliest I can head out is 2nd week May. Im trying to also avoid the heat as much as possible. Id rather hike in cooler/cold weather and warm up while hiking, then hike in a lot of high heat (VA in July lol) and get sick on the trail from over heating - Kari
kjm27434 I'd say that's a solid plan. Peak in Maine in mid summer so the heat won't get you. I hate hiking in the heat as well and much rather do it in when it's colder. I Hopefully all your planning and prep g goes well. I haven't done any thru hikes but am currently planning on PCT 2018.
Thanks Jay, good luck with your hike as well!
So,... I did go back and watch your second video..... Wow...! You have changed a lot....
still like your "its my hike" simplicity, and of course you are a hammocker
Excellent
great action here man. great spot for this video too.
You will like the next one Niloc....
+SAM DUCHARME I'm sure I will Sam I Am.
Heavy chevy. My hips hurt just watching. Good job on the video though must be real nice to have all those things with ya during your hike.
Hi John!Thanks Bud. Yeah, a little heavy in today's standards, but it worked for me. Peace.
OK, I'll bite - what did you get rid of along the way? Did you ever have any trouble finding a spot to hang? (I've been using a hammock for a few years and sometimes the underbrush causes issues with pitching my tarp when I'm away from "campsites"). Finally what does the pack weigh w/o food and water? Thanks.
Another great video, Sam. When you were talking about hanging your bag from a tree so you didn't have to sit it in the mud, did you carry a steel fishing leader or what did you use? Thanks again for the videos!
Hi Don.
I took a piece of amstwel and made a loop on each end. I threaded one end through and around the tree leaving the other to clip the bag with a carabiner.
Sam, what was your pack weight on average?
35
Hey Sam, great vid as usual. I read that you are doing a lot of lectures in Connecticut. Are you planning of doing any in NYC?
I haven't booked any out there. closest looks like Litchfield CT
Spectacular review Sam, finally see a backpacker who packs like I do, what was the packs weight full up?
Thanks!
35 avg.
Mike Conn avg 35. heavy I know, but it is what it is.
peace.
Hello from Germay, due to the long distance I have a few questions: First can you hammock camp through the whole Trail?
Second: why two pots? Third: what is essential for sun protection? eg. sunglasses, hat, long sleeve shirt
Gregory Peeters
Hi Gregory!
yes on the hammock question. some mountaintops are bare but you can plan to be low enough to find trees if you want.
sunprotection: sunscreen, sunglasses. mostly early spring as leaves cover most of the trail after that.
Good luck!
Gregory Peeters
lastly...
2 pots: I boil wayer then make mashed potatoes in one, then boil again and make rice with meat in the other.
Wow that was a quick answer. Thanks!
Please continue making these great videos. \( °u°)/
Hi Sam! Always great to see you! Did you have any trouble finding fuel for the Jetboil on the trail? Also how long would a fuel canister typically last you?
Hi Storm
there is fuel at every stop. tons of partial cans in every hiker box too. it seems to last forever. like a coupula weeks.
+SAM DUCHARME -
I don't cook, I only boil water, and I use one of the cheapest stoves available. I can boil about 15 to 17 pints of water with one of the small isobutene canisters. Two cups of water (1 pint) is usually enough to rehydrate a meal and make a hot drink.
Did you do a video on the stuff you dumped
What parts you from? Just wondering because my last name is Ducharme as well and I have honestly in my entire life never come acrossed another Ducharme who wasn't in my family. I'm from Maine myself.
Hi CE..
I'm a New Englanda.
CT, now Maine. Most of my Ducharme relatives hail from Rhode Island. you?
How much did your pack weigh when you first started your hike and what did it weigh when you finished?
50! then as I learned i got it to around 35 when leaving towns loaded up.
Sam, are you planning any other thru hikes? PCT?
this year I'm planning to spend a lot of time paying it forward on the AT. lots of trail magic scheduled!
Another thru hike is possible in 17. trail? undecided.
+SAM DUCHARME SoBo the AT man.
hold up did u jus say the sleeping pad is bullet proof? Was that literal or figurative
it's made of foam...
figurative.
Lol I figured but the way I heard it it seemed like u were serious. Love the videos boss. Just subscribed.
What would you use to write on the pad with?
Ben S Hi Ben. A sharpie
did you ever weigh your bag all packed up ?
yes.
at the start it was 49! (food and water included of course )
I shaved that down to 41 directly.
eventually got it down to 28 (with f&w).
but wasn't happy with the missing gear.
so, wound up 34 fully loaded with f&w and the gear I was willing to carry. that quickly dropped as I worked my way toward the next trail town.
+SAM DUCHARME Ok thanks Sam
+SAM DUCHARME Which snivel gear did you miss enough to add back in? Trying to balance light weight with cost, and seems like tossing money at the problem is most folks solution.
+el diablo loco poco. hey Loco poco... I brought back my jetboil, fuel, ipod and charger, some clothes (mostly because I was trying to switch it up for the camera), and real food vs. protein powder. Later I brought the heavier thermals shown in vid. that stuff brought me to mid 30s with f&w.
What was your base weight?
Hi Besalu,
Not sure what Base was but the whole thing weighed around 30-35 with f+w.
Changing your clothes because of the camera 😂😂😂😂
does anyone bring a pack axe or a knife with them?
Knife is most often a small one, even smaller than the one gifted to Sam,like his original one. As for an ax, that is several pounds most won't want to carry. It all depends upon what your trip is and what your preferences are. I will take my small ax if the trip is relatively close (my close may different than yours) and I'm going to be making a fire. My saw is lighter but for a thru hike, weight is critical and for a multi-week trip or multi-month, you probably won't want the weight. But it's your hike so try it and see if you will really need it
Hi Tyrone,
As for knife, just a little something to open food packages and maybe Magiver small repairs to gear. I agree with Mikes comment.
As for the axe, it would be nice to chop up some of the larger dead wood for fires, the small stuff is pretty picked near all camps. but i wouldn't carry one.
Some parks don't allow axes or hatchets although I have no clue about the parks along the Appalachian Trail. I guess you'd have to do your research. Like everybody already said though it's a pretty heavy item to bring along.
Hi Sam I Am,As always, great video. Can't wait to get started in May at Harpers Ferry. Maybe I'll see you on the trail or should I say Trail Magic Baby. I'm using Trailjournals.com/cake to record my journey. Have a great day. Cake
I'm following Cake!
SAM DUCHARME Thanks Sam I Am. Having you and your friends follow my crazy adventure in very encouraging.
"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head."
(The Shawshank Redemption)