Video

Thanks. Did you see the audio scale that I had on the screen?

​@@HikingWithCam Yeah, sorry for being rude It's just a number is arbitrary against being able to hear if the pad is squeaky or crinkly yanno

They are both really loud

Haha no problem. I’m actually on the trail as we speak so I had some of that babybel today.

For a longer trip yes but since this is only a five day trip, I don’t need a clipper. I do have a nail file and scissors on the Swiss Army knife

It’s funny that you mentioned that. I actually bought one and will be bringing it with me on my trip!

I wish I could say that my Tensor got more quiet with use, but I don't think it did!

@@jeffreycarman2185 Thanks!

What are you using for a sleeping pad?

@@michaelpreddy5514 I’ll have to check out the zoom. A summertime pad would be nice

I have that same machine and have made a couple of mountain flyer backpacks on it. Have fun! Reddit has a great MYOG community

Thanks for the info. I really love that you set up the xmid in the backyard to relax in. You’re giving me good ideas! 😁 For rain gear, I have decided to try an umbrella for this trip, so I got the gossamer gear UL umbrella. I’ll report back!

@@HikingWithCam Please do let us know how the umbrella works for you. I am eager to know about that. BTW, I just purchased the rain skirt...I have been eyeing it for some time and your video pushed me to hit the buy button. This will be a new experience for me to protect my legs in the rain in warm weather. I am heading to the 100 MW in mid August, and I will be taking the kilt with me in the event the temps are cool/cold. Thaanks again for your informative (and well edited) video.

@@ellen6006 Wow good luck with the 100 MW. My 76 year old dad finished the AT (after 25 years) last year, and I hiked with him from the Kennebec up to Monson where the 100 MW starts. I was nervous to leave him (he had a friend with him), but sure enough 10 days later, he popped out at Baxter SP, then finished the AT the next day. He says that the first 3 days are the toughest on the 100 MW then it get's a bit flatter before the final push of the AT! Have a great trip!

Thanks! SNP is a great place to start. Enjoy it. I live in Virginia, just outside of DC. I have two trips left until I finish the Virginia section of the AT, then I'll be heading north from the Pennsylvania line. I plan on doing about 150 miles a year (jumping around to different sections), and completing the AT sometime in the next 10 years.

Wow 7 pounds, that's great! Yes it's hard to avoid the temptation to buying new gear. Good luck!

@@HikingWithCam yes, new down quilt (love it!), new backpack (testing it on AT section hike in Monson this weekend), Lan Shan trekking pole tent and lighter mummy sleeping pad (don’t really love), toaks 550 pot and BSR stove. Plus trail runners instead of gortex hiking shoes (so much better!). Still more weight to lose, hoping to get base weight to 14-15 to enjoy every hike even more!

Thanks!

Thanks. You’re probably right, I’ll take a close look at the weather as the trip gets closer. I feel like when I did Roan Mtn to Damascus in July last year I did use the puffy in the mornings. I think you’re right about the beanie though. For rain gear, I’m debating between a poncho , rain jacket and an umbrella/skirt combo. It might be a last minute call but I’m leaning umbrella/skirt/pack cover (since I just ordered it from gossamer gear.

For me it’s the coating they put on the pots. It might release bits of toxic material/chemicals into your cooking if scratched. Also, in general I like to take care of my stuff as best as I can.

I take good care of my gear too. The coatings on cookwear are harmless. If they scratch off and are ingested they pass threw the body with no ill affects. People were worried about cooking on aluminum for a spell too. Thought it would poison them. Found out you would have to cook 3 meals a day on it for 15 years to have any ill affects. Scratches add character. Cheers my friend 🍻

I use a polycro sheet. What about you?

@@HikingWithCam Haven't used anything up until now, but just bought the x-mid2 and figure I should be careful with it. Polycro it is, thank you!

Wow, the man himself! Thanks, Dan! I've been meaning to try out one of your packs soon too. I've heard great things.

I'll take a look when I get home and report back with the brand name. The tripod base is very handy!

@markduffy5945 The brand of the selfie stick is a "Smatree." a.co/d/4YnCQiv

I am really tempted to try out the umbrella for my trip next month. I have been dreading the sweat inducing jacket or poncho. I might just give it a try!

Wow you should be the one making the gear load out video! I’d love to see what you’re carrying to make it that heavy. Do you want to cut it down, or are you good with it?

@@HikingWithCam well my hatchet, saw, cpap and battery bank and 3 liter water bladder. sometimes a chair. pus the normal items you have. including 2 days of food. is 53 pounds. 58 if i take a chair my axe instead of hatchet and my knife with the little saw.

I’ve always been curious about using an alcohol stove. I made one out of a beer can last year, I’ll have to give it another try!

@@HikingWithCam I have 2 different one a Trangia because they are awesome. But I also have a titanium one by boundless that an the twig stove are unbelievably light. My scale went up so I can't give you actual. I like I know exactly how much fuel I have. Had a incident with gas years ago. Picked up the wrong can it was empty and the full one sat in the basement. As far as speed gas wins every time but alcohol is quiet. Really it reminds me of boyscouts. Good luck! im in Maryland have hiked all over Virginia, west Virginia and Pennsylvania. Beautiful, Gods country. Watch out for snakes there seems to be more then I've ever heard lately. Especially by water cotton mouth is the only snake I know isn't scared of people. They also bite under water. Just a FYI.

@@richardhenry1969 Good info. Thanks. I am in northern Virginia and have almost completed Virginia. I've done all of Maryland and WV, parts of New Hampshire, Maine, NC and Tennessee. I'm hoping to complete the AT doing around 150 miles a year and I'm just about half way.

@@HikingWithCam outstanding.

What can I do to improve? The luxuries are non-negotiable!

@@HikingWithCamYou are the first I see that carry a 20,000mah power bank. I do the same, but it is heavy! Maybe you can manage with a 10k?

@stigcc I carry a 10k power bank on a shorter 3 day trip, but for a 5 day trip I like to have the larger power bank. I take a lot of photos and videos!

@@HikingWithCam I dont know what else you could save weight on. Maybe the shoes (you know what they say, a pound on your feet is like five in your pack), the food or your own body weight? The food pack looked heavy. For five days you need something like 25,000 calories? That would be at least 14 pounds.

@stigcc I was thinking about doing a food load out video soon. It’s around 5 lbs.

Really? Maybe I got a fluke model but I feel like mine is super loud! I’ll try your suggestions. Thanks. I’ve been interested in trying the gossamer gear thin pads.

I have the same pad.. love it, but it is loud compared to my big Agnes and thermarest pads…

Maybe it’s an older model? My Tensor is not loud.

@jeffreycarman2185 I got mine in 2023, so maybe?

I’ll definitely be using this trick next month on my AT section hike in southern VA

@@HikingWithCam look forward to seeing it

You bet! See you on the trail.

Interesting. I'll have to look more into the paramo jackets. Thanks.

Thanks. I've been nervously checking the comments on FarOut about water availability! Up in the DC area we seem to be moving into a rainier pattern, so hopefully you guys get some rain too.

For me the sweet spot is around 25 pounds (fully loaded), and the pack just gets lighter everyday as you eat through your food! The pack itself is a big component of keeping weight down. I switched from a Gregory pack to a ULA pack and saved close to 2 pounds. Good luck!

What's a Poncho Cisco?

I'm resistant to the umbrella since I really like using trekking poles.

@@HikingWithCam I don't use an umbrella either. Rain is such difficult variable to account and plan for. Morning rain, mid day rain, evening rain, all day rain, hard rain, light rain heavy rain... Any combination of the above might influence the optimal rain system. You will be hiking in hot humid weather so anything other than an umbrella will result in wetting out from perspiration. So just leave the jacket or poncho at home and hike through whatever falls on you and pack an extra pair of dry undies to change into at night. I actually enjoy rain in this weather, it can be refreshing.

I agree. I’ll report back after my trip!

Thanks! The stove is the AOTU backpacking stove on Amazon. I’ve used it on more than a dozen trips with no problems at all. It only costs $13 too!

@@HikingWithCam Thanks man, this was the last thing I needed for my kit! Lots of great tips in this video otherwise, thanks for showing us!

No it’s not that. I think it maybe something with the thread depth on the cheap stove. I guess that’s one reason for buying a more expensive stove (maybe?).

Especially with all the crazy heat lately!

Not a bad idea. How much does it weigh? I suppose one downside is if it's been raining.

@@HikingWithCam I've never weighed it not much. I can get even wet twigs burning with a good homemade firestarter.

I’m sure I wasn’t the first to do it!

@@HikingWithCam Certainly not. BUT... you're the first one I've seen demonstrating it on CZcams, and your delivery/editing was *perfect*. This "forced" me to subscribe to your channel ;)

Thanks!

Good to know about the gaskets. I may do some testing to see how long it will hold. Definitely put the dirty pot in the bear bag.

Haha, very true.