Video

Do you need to pay a monthly subscription in order to msg and text etc? If so how much you looking at. Thanks a lot, loving your hiking videos.

I always try to use a camp shoe that serves me as a river crossing shoe. 2 for 1. (except during Winter camping...Booties are great)

Accomplished and interesting vid. 👍

Ive got a number 11 I was doing a 40 mile traverse of the Wallowa mountains Climbed up 2500 ft to the first lake on my first night Ready early setting up camp, tent up , sleeping bag and pad set up comfy, ready for grup.... Whoops, forgot a cookpot Went 8 miles back to the trailhead

Hey, great vid I’m chasing a light ultra warm jacket that is easily packable. I don’t like wearing bulky clothing in winter so ideally I am after a jacket that would keep me warm in around 0-5deg C temps, whilst only wearing a base layer, jumper and Arc Teryx LT Hoody. Is this jacket warm enough? Dont really want to spend anymore than $400-450 AUD

Absolutely agree, after doing the OLT briefings in the visitor centre last year I have the same bug bears, everyone should just watch this before attempting it 😂 29kg was the heaviest pack I saw. Someone tried to go out with no sleeping pad or sleeping bag 🙅🏼‍♀️

Tent size: Yes. I've always been buying "one number larger" than actual people who were supposed to sleep in the tent. So, a 3 person tent for two persons. The only excpetion is our new Hilleberg (I think it's a Anjan 2), which does indeed fit 2 people. Sleeping bags: The only reason I like to wear as little as possible when sleeping in a sleeping bag is: Once I get out of the bag, and I am already wearing all my clothes, I can't get any warmer than that. But yes, this myth is still circulating. "You warm up the sleeping bag, and the sleeping bag is keeping you warm in return". Huh. So, exactly what layers of clothing do, right? :D

As a pharmacist, I figured out why it is that I understand the importance of examining every aspect of hiking to "unveil" the enjoyment of the expedition.

Lol. I can't figure out the Vibram, Vibram Issue yet. Born in SA and now living in The US, with a dad from Scotland, my pronunciation is not common. I use both versions of the world's greatest sole...

Myth 2- I watched "Out on a Limb" in 1987 and heard the myth that David Heard said to Shirley MacLaine that "your body generates its own aura heat". Funny that I only saw movie back in January of 1987 but I remember that scenario and glad you finally debunked the myth.

Thank you for the very clear and straightforward presentation, you have made what I thought was possibly a quite daunting task seem instead very doable, I’ve ordered some Nikwax to give my gear some better targeted TLC. May even have to invest in that dryer that I thought I didn’t need. So refreshing to get this type of info with an Australian perspective, keep up the great work.

I do change my socks daily. I'll get my feet dry at night and sleep in fresh socks fot the next day. Worth the weight for me.

I've hiked up a mountain and to get there and one person brought the wrong tent poles .

Here I was about to buy a new gazillion dollar Beta LT cause I thought it was cooked. Gonna give this a try, hopefully it returns some of its former glory. It is almost 10 year old now but I don't use it as much or in the conditions like yours. As an aside, do you know if the effectiveness of arcteryx insulation degrades over time? I swear it isnt as warm as it used to be. And can you apply this DWR spray to stuff like the Atom so it beads?

As far as staying dry in Tassie - is it foolish to attempt tarping?

Sponsored by Patagonia and arcteryx

Here in California, the low temperature overnight is going to be 80 degrees with 20 mile per hour winds. A tent is gonna help you keep cool in the heat overnight.

People strapping items on the outside of backpacks probably got this behavior from cartoons or movies growing up, thought this was how it's done.

Been bushwalking in Tas for 30 years and I have made many of those mistakes (learning experiences 😊) - not all - and agree with all of your 10 points. I think there is a difference between developing your own style of walking, and doing things as a beginner that might get you in deep trouble when you haven't yet learned enough to get yourself out of trouble. The other reason I don’t like foam mats on the outside of packs is all the little pieces of mat left scattered on scrubby trails. One of my biggest mistakes was going on a long off track walk with a person i hadn't 'tested out' (as opposed to gear i hadn't tested) - not good. The other was a friend and I putting our packs down and wandering off - took a long time to find them again! That was over 20 years ago- still remember the feeling 😅

not a fair test, the jetboil has a controlled heating system, whereas the Soto is essentially open. fail video

I wish the stats bar would appear on android auto. I use this app at work by marking km markers so I know exactly where i am for callouts.

You're using Nikwax for basically ski jackets, do you find other products are as good?

I'm not mad or ticked off with you but I have to say I don't agree with this video or all the ones like it that people are posting. Just like you, I have my own way of doing things too. I don't tell everyone that their way is wrong though. Almost everyone posting videos these days just talk about NOOB hikers and how they do everything the way you're not doing it. I've been hiking 40 years and love my 2.5 pound air mattress and clip stuff to the outside of my pack because that's how I like it. If you want to help new hikers, give them tips! Stop telling them they are making mistakes just because that's not how you do it. Life is about learning so tell people what works for you but let them decide what works for them.

I'm looking forward to doing Overland Track in the future and hopefully will get to see your guide before then. Great videos!

Had two alpha lt jackets and had to buy a new one due to sizing. Bought a beta ar and love it. Would probably prefer the storm hood version though

Stuff on outside of pack drives me nuts. Thinking of getting a hmg bag that will fit everything inside but can’t believe the amount of gear people strap to the outside

I remember my first trip, I was only doing a couple of hours hike in for an overnight camp and hike out. I had a macpac 65 litre completely packed and ready to explode, thing mist have weighed 20kg. I also did the hike not understanding load lifters and had one completely tight, and the other about 6cm loose, oh the pain. Still, it was a life changing adventure.

Lovely video for beginners - thanks on their behalf. Even though aimed at beginners, taking a physical map and compass applies to everyone though. Thanks also on their behalf. Eldons video please!

One of my daughter's friends was over for dinner last night and asked what she should do with a $100 gift certificate for BCF that her boyfriend's family had given her. She's a year out of high school, first-time keeping a hospitality job, still living at home, etc. I suggested investing in a quality big four item, even if it costs more than $100. She seems very reluctant to do that and wants to spend that amount and no more. I think that's a mistake. Get it right the first time and you don't have to replace crap gear.

I have 2 pairs of the Kuhl pants. Quick drying, reasonably rugged and work for me with lots of creek and river crossings. Like long pants as it can be leechy and lots of stinging nettles in parts of the mountains

My 1st backpack trip years ago I didn't take enough food..I almost didn't make it to the camp spot, I was so weak. On the way back out that trip I met hikers who didn't have enough water, and were struggling. I was able to share, because I knew where the next water was, and had plenty. Really good tips. I wish someone had told me before I left for that 1st trip.

To be fair, these two tents cannot be compared as they are completely different products. The access is a good tent, but the materials are much lighter (and thus they can take less of a beating), it’s an inner tent first setup (making it pretty much useless in very wet climates) and the pole structure is much more flimsy compared to the Allak. Yes, the Access is much lighter but it comes at a cost.

Hykes Trailblazers are my favorite barefoot hiking boots. 🤠

Like the tip around storing the water bladder in the freezer. I put paper towel and use the hairdryer to dry mine but will keep it in my freezer until I use it again after watching

Carried a steel wok 20 kilometres into the Kanangra wilderness. 30 something kilo pack. I was younger and fitter and definitely sillier then (30+ years ago)

I think you’re very forgiving of a very awful looking high priced product

Yesss so happy to see this NF fleece get the attention it deserves. Picked one up at the end of last year from Wild Earth with the intention of it being my hiking mid layer though I’ve been wearing it nonstop around home/town too. Totally agree with you about the abrasion resistance of the outer side of the fabric Mowser. Much better than double sided alpha fleece. Just love it. Thinking about getting the matching pants and beanie now too 🤭

Totally agree with you about Aussie conditions and wearing boots instead of trail runners. Great video and nice to have you doing Aussie specific gear reviews from someone as experienced as yourself

I’ve found my Macpac Minaret to fit two people as promised. Quite snug but just enough room

The sleeping naked advice is based on using a bag rated for the correct night temps. The problem it attempts to avoid is sweating in your bag and the moisture reducing the bag effectiveness and your comfort. This advice goes back to the days of cotton and wool clothing. Modern fibers are better at wicking and avoiding moisture staying on your body. Nonetheless, if you must wear more that a t-shirt and u-trou in your bag to stay warm, you are probably using a bag not rated for the night temps.

I just pitched my portal 2 for the first time and im very thrilled to use it for three weeks in Norway! I have one question about the seams and poles. I don’t get them in the same place, above eachother. I see you have the same “problem”. So, is this actually a problem or should I rock it likes this? Can’t freaking wait to use it in the mountains!!

Mowser, your videos are great.

Great review