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UlricOnTheRocks
Registrace 9. 06. 2016
one step at the time
Zpacks Free Duo - First Look
First look at the Zpacks Free Duo Freestanding tent.
Zpacks: The Free Duo is an ultralight freestanding tent designed with versatility in mind. It excels in high wind situations and is ideal for hikers who regularly pitch on a variety of tough surfaces like bedrock, compacted dirt, sand, snow, or other places where using stakes may be difficult. A perfect choice for those packed down campsites in the Sierra or camping along the beach, the Free Duo's is truly a go-to tent for just about any backpacking trip.
Zpacks: The Free Duo is an ultralight freestanding tent designed with versatility in mind. It excels in high wind situations and is ideal for hikers who regularly pitch on a variety of tough surfaces like bedrock, compacted dirt, sand, snow, or other places where using stakes may be difficult. A perfect choice for those packed down campsites in the Sierra or camping along the beach, the Free Duo's is truly a go-to tent for just about any backpacking trip.
zhlédnutí: 10 838
Video
The HIGH SIERRA TRAIL HD - The Ultimate Trail Adventure
zhlédnutí 23KPřed 5 lety
The High Sierra Trail goes from Sequoia National Park all the way to Mount Whitney, crossing the Great Western Divide. The trail starts at Crescent Meadow and ends at Whitney Portal. Download the map at drive.google.com/open?id=0BwXBxYW7-r4XNXJ1Z191NTRuZ1k Please be advised, it can take from 3 to 10 days to complete the trip. This Trail made me fall in love with the Sierra Nevada. Please Like a...
HIGH SIERRA TRAIL Map Flyover
zhlédnutí 3,2KPřed 5 lety
The High Sierra Trail goes from Sequoia National Park all the way to Mount Whitney, crossing the Great Western Divide. The trail starts at Crescent Meadow and ends at Whitney Portal. Download the map at drive.google.com/open?id=0BwXBxYW7-r4XNXJ1Z191NTRuZ1k Please be advised, it can take from 3 to 10 days to complete the trip. This Trail made me fall in love with the Sierra Nevada. Music: Mornin...
Camp on Whitney
zhlédnutí 299Před 7 lety
Spots where camping is possible near Trail Junction below Mount Whitney for JMT, PCT, HST hikers and backpackers
Creek Crossings HST Trail Condition
zhlédnutí 754Před 7 lety
Most notable creek crossings on the HST - July 23 2017 to July 26 2017. The information contained in this video is not to be considered a guide, instead, it is available so that you may have a general idea of what to expect on the hike. I take no responsibility nor assume liability for inaccuracies, errors, omission, or incompleteness of any information. This video is for entertainment puposes ...
Hamilton Gorge HST Trail Condition 7/24/17
zhlédnutí 1,2KPřed 7 lety
The snow bridge at Hamilton Gorge past the tunnel has collapsed as of July 24th 2017. The only way is to climb over it. I recommend micro spikes and trekking poles. The snow/ice is firm specially in the morning.
HST Trail Condition June 12 2017
zhlédnutí 2,1KPřed 7 lety
I just returned from the High Sierra Trail. I went all the way to Hamilton Gorge above Hamilton Lakes. I decided to turn around since proceeding without crampons seemed irresponsible. The snowfield was frozen solid and extremely steep.
Valley Forge
zhlédnutí 265Před 7 lety
Valley Forge in the San Gabriel Mountains Curtis and I spent a freezing cold night on the west fork of the San Gabriel River at the Valley Forge campground on December 17/18 2016.
Do you think this trek is still doable early June?
Someone on AllTrails attempted to go to Hamilton Lakes. Had to turn around before Bearpaw Meadow. (May 14) He thinks it’ll be a while 4-6 weeks
@@ulricontherocks Alright, thank you for the info, man. Beautiful video. I will definitely hike it by July. It looks absolutely beautiful!
Great video. Well done. I'm 55 and thinking of doing this. I'm in pretty good shape and healthy. You think that I can do it? Also curious about your first trip where you took too much stuff. What were the things you filled your pack with that you decided you didn't need on the subsequent 3 trips?
I’m sure with preparation and practice you can do it. Remember, this was 2013 and cellphone camera quality was not usable. We brought a full frame DSLR camera with different lenses, tripod and even a glidecam that had weights. If you have items that you wanna bring just in case, leave them at home.
Glorious!!!!
Thank you!
Yes the sierra is beautiful. Climbed whitney in 93 and 96 shows you my age. It's good to be young again I really miss it.
If you are able, you could still visit the parks and use their shuttles to get around. We had a great time with family in Sequoia
hiked HST and love hamilton lake
I’m sorry but what color is it ? Is it white ? Or Oliver ? ?
It’s Olive Drab
How do you like the tent? Been testing it out?
I like it. It’s great on flat surfaces. I don’t like it as much as the duplex.
@@ulricontherocks Ait. Well as long as its good then Im happy. I live near the coast, so, lots of rock to camp on by the sea.
@@birgerkung yes, I bring it when I camp on sand and gravel
nice video, this should be on everyone's buck list. Made me relive my hike. I'm going to start the High Sierra trail on August 25 2020, planning on 10 days should be a piece of cake. I did this hike16 years ago when I was 50 and it was great trip. My friend and I were over loaded too and we had to help each other put on our packs for the first 3 or 4 days no big deal. I weighed my pack at Whitney Portal and it still weight 58LBS. go figure.... Thanks again for sharing!
Thank you for watching! Have a great time! I'll be in the Sierra myself on the Sierra High Route later this month. Keep your pack light!
Looking forward to doing this hike soon! I have a question about packing. You said you took way too much the first time and your pack weighed over 60 pounds. What did you take too much of and/or what would you leave behind next time? Thank you for your reply!
We wanted to create this video and brought a DSLR, GoPro, tripod, lenses, glide cam etc. - also too much of ‘just in case things’ the way call phone cameras have evolved, they are plenty good now. As long as you put it in airplane mode and bring some backup power with you, you should be fine. Freeze dried food I’d take out of its foil pack and bring ‘em in Sandwich ziplocks.
Fantastic video highlighting the trail👍 Thank you for putting this together. I'm adding this trail to my list!!!
Thank you! I haven’t had time to go out and hike lately. I miss the Sierra
Such a great video!!! cant wait to watch more!
Thank you!
Great edit. thanks. I think 2022 will be the year.
That was awesome! Beautiful footage.
Thank you!
Why people talking snowloads here ? This is not a 4season tent . Condensation is not that big of a deal , owned several single wall tents and this one seems venting good enough imo
Beautiful Quality of video! Great Basin bristlecone pines in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest of the White Mountains, California There are three closely related species of bristlecone pines: Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) in Utah, Nevada and eastern California. The famous longest-lived species; often the term bristlecone pine refers to this tree in particular. Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The most populous species; capable of forming closed canopies and, unlike the other two, is commonly cultivated.[citation needed] Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana) with two disjunct populations found in the Klamath Mountains (subspecies balfouriana) and the southern Sierra Nevada[5] (subspecies austrina). A small outlying population was reported in southern Oregon, but was proven to have been misidentified.[6] Forms the thickest groves of the three. At least some of the three species can hybridize in cultivation, but the ranges of wild populations do not overlap. The Colorado River and Green River produce a 160-mile (260 km) gap between the ranges of P. longaeva and P. aristata and the northern Owens Valley provides a 20-mile (30 km) gap between the ranges of P. longaeva and P. balfouriana.[7] Bristlecone pines are known for attaining great ages. The oldest bristlecone pine in the White Mountains is Methuselah, which has a verified age of 4,852 years. It is located in the Inyo National Forest in Eastern California.[14] The specific location of Methuselah is a very closely guarded secret.[15] Wikipedia
Wonderful Sierra area. Hiked with son Nick. Wonderful
Very simple - employ DCF with HIlleberg -like huge ventilation ports that are designed into their double hoop tunnel tents and voila - the sensible structure is born. I am truly puzzled why no one has done this, and also frustrated in tent shopping for 2021. Just take the Vango Force 10 Xenon 2 and produce it in DCF with carbon fiber poles!
well that's an agressive schedule
The first time, it took us a week. Alone, I hike faster and do more miles per day.
Excellent! Very well done. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video of your travels.
Thank you Scott
I am hiking the HST for the first time this August. I’m even more excited now after watching your video. As an experienced HST hiker, do you have a favorite map and guidebook for the trail that you’d recommend?
Mt. Whitney High CountryTrail Map (Tom Harrison Maps)
Bearcanisters are not allowed to use in Sequoia NP
Bear proof canisters to store food in. I think you’re talking about bear spray?
They are not only allowed, they are required in SEKI.
Really nice. Did it last year. What a great walk.
REALLY nice video. Somehow you managed to capture whitney in a new light. very very nice
Thank you!
Sick!
Thanks!
Excellent video very well done. It truly shows the beauty of that area. Thanks for sharing. Could you tell me what you shot the video on the quality is awesome. I'm looking for something to video my hikes. I've been researching various video options.
Thank you! I love the Sierra. Most footage has been shot with iPhone. On my first trip, we also brought the Canon 5D Mark II. I don’t recommend bringing that kind of a camera system on to the High Sierra Trail. It weight almost 20lbs with lenses, tripod and glide cam. The modern day phones shoot almost as good of footage. Thank you for commenting!
An all around excellent video. Not only is the footage beautifully shot, but the notations and narration points about mileage, elevation, and locations make this a really useful trip planning tool. I appreciate that you included footage of some of the flowers and trees, as well as info about them. It makes it more of a total immersion experience, which I favor, instead of just racking up the miles. I hadn't really considered this trip for myself, but now it looks very do-able. Well done, really well done.
Thank you very much! If it inspires someone to do the trip, all the work that went into this video paid off!
I can't understand paying $700 for a tent that when it is raining...its raining inside too due to condensation. Do people ever test tents they "review" in the rain or heavy wind?
Wonderful
Really beautiful video. One point about pines: true bristlecones don't grow in the Sierra Nevada. In California, they're only found in the Panamint Mountains and the White Mountains. The pines you're seeing there that are a close relative, foxtail pines, but they are not as long-lived as the bristlecones.
Thank you for pointing this out!
@@ulricontherocks And thank you! Beautiful videos like yours keep me going when long hikes aren't an option.=)
a single skin seethro tent - you having a joke
Personally, I like to sleep in the dark at night :)
Best HST video i have seen good work
Thank you !
I like my duplex
hello, is it okay to use clips of this video for my daily HST hike video?
im a 11 now but i did this when i was 10
I liked the Vid. I just ordered one.Cheers.
Beautiful video, Ulric! I am planning on hiking the HST soon with a DSLR. Out of curiosity, which lenses did you bring, and which ones did you use the most and least on the trail?
I brought the canon EF 70-200 f2.8 and EF 24-105 f4.0 on my first trip. I would say the 24-105 was most useful. Bringing this gear did contribute to the immense weight of my pack on that trip. (Starting weigh 65lbs, ending weight 55lbs) most footage was shot with the iPhone
One day I hope people will realize that blaring music greatly takes away from viewing videos.....
Thank you, I’m a novice at this and you’re right. I’m looking to tone the music down in the future. Maybe buy a microphone to have good background sound. A lot of it is not usable due to wind noise
Hey there, great video! I also have the Free Duo and was wondering, how you went about staking out the four main corners? I contacted Zpacks and they said the stakes go where the pole system goes, but unless I had really small shepherd hook stakes, I couldn't see myself fitting a stake in those smaller holes. Thanks! -Articus
Just saw this! I haven’t had much of a chance using the tent. I did it the past two weekends. Yesterday it was extremely windy and 3 out of 4 stakes got ripped out of the ground. I think the shepherds hook type stakes would have helped. I’m packing some for my next trip - probably next weekend.
How much snow did you encounter? Did you bring snow gear with you?
I have brought an ice ax and micro spikes on one trip up to the Kaweah gap. Only because I knew there was a lot of snow though. Never when I went on the entire hike.
Thanks for sharing your video and photos. We have our permit for September 2020. Looking forward to this amazing hike.
When are you going?
@@ulricontherocks We start the hike on Sept. 15.
Chuck Grothaus nice!
@@chuckgrothaus3828 Wow, that's a tad late to start! Hope you're prepared for possible snow storms!!!
It's out of my budget and I would have to save for a long time to get it, so it's great seeing all these reviews. I'm not in a rush to replace my tent, but when I do I definitely want to make a good choice and not get caught up in the hype. I know I want a free standing tent still, but this tent does seem a bit more fragile than say a Big Agnes tent and has all the drawbacks of a single wall tent. It's a pound lighter of course. Is there something that holds the mess doors in place when rolled down?
I understand, it is on the expensive side. I have to say though, my duplex is 4.5 years old and with extreme care it still performs like new. Considering how many nights I have spent in it, and then thinking of others people having hobbies that require them to stay at hotels while traveling, it’s not as bad as one would think. To your question, yes, you roll it down and there are stays to attach it so it’s stays in place.
@@ulricontherocks Same experience here. My duplex is over 3yrs old and seems to have a lot more life in it.
Would love to see it side by side with a Duplex if you have one? I’ve been looking for something with better clearance for the face and feet than what my Duplex offers. If I prop up my end walls it helps a lot, so I think this will be an improvement but I’d like to see them compared before I buy one. I’m waiting a while longer in hopes of some actual field testing and exposure to weather to be sure the are as durable as the rest of their tents. Thank you for the look. That’s a beautiful yard! I’d love to camp there!
thank's for the comment. As of April 13 2020 the tent is currently not available on Zpacks' website. I do have the Duplex too and promise I'll do pitch them side by side as soon as I can. There is definitely more head space in the Free Duo than the Duplex. It feels a bit narrower though. Stay tuned...
Thanks! That’ll be great.
How much space for camping at Hamilton lake? We have 2 in hammocks and two tents. How tough is the first 15 miles to Hamilton lake on day one? We are UL backpackers but that 7 day food haul to independence is going to suck! We’re doing hst to Whitney then JMT nobo. Bearpaw looks too have lots of spots but is there any good spots between bearpaw and Hamilton lakes? Thx for sharing
It's doable in one day, I've done it twice. A thing to remember is, you'll be picking up the permit and wait for busses and change busses until you reach the trailhead. If you end up starting your hike at noon, you''ll be golden. One time I started at 3pm and started getting altitude sickness and I ended up getting to Hamilton Lakes at 11pm. (I live in Los Angeles at around 400ft and Hamilton Lake is at 8000ft I left LA that morning and slept up there. It was too much of gain at that one trip.) I'd say you'll find room. Maybe not next to each other... some of the area is closed to camping. They want nature to grow back.
UlricOnTheRocks appreciate it..yea probably safer bet to take day one lil slow also as well fly into Fresno from sea level the day before. Have you ever had any problem getting a walk up permit for HST? We already booked airfare when it dropped during the CV. We applied lil late, few weeks after opening on March 1. Hoping to start September 6.....
Richard Moran I never had a problem getting a permit. How it is for a group of 4 - I’m not sure. Maybe go to Mehrten Creek the day you pick up your permit. It’s beautiful, an easy beginning and you’ll acclimate properly to elevation.
UlricOnTheRocks so you’ve never had issue getting a walk up permit starting the following day? Thx again
The next day is easy, you get in line first thing. I 3 times got a permit starting immediately. Don’t forget, it was just one person. For groups I recommend making reservations
The roof looks very flat and will certainly collect snow . The guy points intended to create headroom are causing this condition . It looks like a two layer tent without the outer layer , it may need that to shed snow if used four season.
You are right, I probably will collect snow. If it is going to collapse I'm not sure. I'll do a bit of a weight test in my actual review video. The Duplex did collect now too but never caused a problem. The snow first melts on the Dynema and that creates a thin ice layer that allows snow to build up on... (when I wake up, I knock on the walls and snow falls off, no problem so far) thank you for your observation. The weight test is gonna be interesting.
Hey you sparked a great idea - so make the very top section all mesh and then add a small solid section riding on top of the poles over the mesh area like the Hilleberg Soulo and you have a near perfect tent!
Nice video Ulric - great light and position on the sea cliff - thanks for posting. Blue Boy
@boyblue do you still have a Duplex you can do a side by side comparison on to show how much if any the head and feet clearance is improved? I always feel crowded in my Duplex if I don’t prop out the sidewalls on the Duplex if your up on an air pad and pillow. Thank you.
Sorry I meant @blue boy!
@@adamholbrook2281 I don't have a duplex anymore. Yes, a weakness of the Duplex is the limited height at foot and head end. I am hoping the more vertically sloped walls on the head and foot end of the new Free Duo gives more perceived space for head and foot.
Blue Boy Backpacking I’m also considering the improved hexamid. I’m a little nervous about the stress points on this one, but time will tell I suppose.
@@adamholbrook2281 Avoid the Hexamid - the roof stress points are failing on my hexamid - even after the Titanium roof struts are installed. Its a good attempt at a fundamentally flawed idea. Go for a 2020 Altaplex - for the same weight its a superior tent.
The pole system is too complicated and will be a weak point in high-wind condition. The top of the tent will surely overload snow and lead to crash. Still a great step for Zpacks, their plex-tents and arc-backpacks are awesome gears.
Interesting, my arc haul zip is my least favorite piece of gear from Zpacks. I’ll try to load some weight on it to see how it handles it. When I set it up, there was a slight wind. I felt like it performed well. But you’re right, the poles are probably a weak point.
I would think if your were purchasing a tent for heavy snow loads you would be thinking of a more four season heavier tent. When I think Zpack I think light but certainly not winter camping.
Please let me know if you're interested in selling this. Will pay extra for it as it its unavailable on their site right now.
AllTheOthersWereTakn - unfortunately I’m not - thank you for watching. I’m sure it will be back on sale as soon as they lift restrictions.
Actually it may not be , they aren’t under any restrictions , this particular tent is just unavailable .
They would have removed it. But who knows.
it's available now. I just ordered one.
When I saw the Free Duo on the Zpack website, I thought I might like this tent, then I saw your review and "I am Sold" I can't wait to get mine and try it out! Thank you for the nice video, the background music and I LOVE the view! Stay safe :)
Thank you, you stay safe too! I can’t wait to venture out and try it in the field - as soon as the trails open.
Another comment: I'll bet that Zpacks also tried things like crossing the poles to opposite corners ... either below the cross-bar or above the cross-bar. The Duplex Flex Poles are crossed. Or perhaps a third pole connecting the two tent peaks across the top seam. A strong wind from the side would collapse a Duplex with only flex poles. I hope your future gear review demonstrates a strong wind from the side for this tent.
I heard the flex pole system performs subpar in windy conditions.
Yes, that is totally true of the Duplex if one doesn't add trekking poles to support the peaks of the Duplex or tie the peaks up to a nearby tree. But that doesn't mean that one needs to ALWAYS have a trekking pole in that spot. When I pitch a Duplex with FlexPoles, I will leave out [at least one of] the trekking poles on nice days until just before I go to sleep, then I put them in place to make the tent bomb-proof while I sleep. In the morning, I remove a trekking pole from the rainbow door and I have a nice large opening for access same as the Free Duo. The Free Duo might be for bike packers or canoeists who probably wouldn't be carrying trekking poles.
The free-standing kit for duplex is such a joke
Strange the two piece don’t connect?
I think it’s a good thing. I’ll try to figure out if it is a positive thing or not. Stay tuned.
This is where Z-plex fails the design game. Too much structural flex and too much fabric stress on top center. Such simplicity is more acceptable with less expensive gear. I think the people that make this tent are making a lot of money.