Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness (New York) Backpacking - June 2020
Vložit
- čas přidán 20. 07. 2020
- View and purchase all my photos at: davidcgray.smugmug.com/
I have wanted to do an Adirondack hike since the 1960's, when we would visit my grandparents in New York. We would talk about how beautiful the area around Lake Placid was, and I always dreamed of getting there someday. I finally got my chance in June 2020 when I joined up with fellow youtubers Jason Wish, All Things Outdoors, The World According to Goat, and It's Good in the Woods. They all made videos of our trip and they're all great - I recommend you take a look because all of our 'styles' are completely different. I've included the links to their channels below:
All Things Outdoors: czcams.com/channels/Wih.html...
The World According to Goat: czcams.com/channels/Tn_.html...
Jason Wish Wishwell Farms: czcams.com/channels/Nfj.html...
It's Good in the Woods: czcams.com/channels/.html'sG...
Having lived through the epic 1980 Winter Olympics that took place in Lake Placid, and also being a big history 'buff', I was anxious to spend some time visiting Lake Placid and the various Olympic sites in and around the city. So this video turns out to be part travel 'vlog' and part backpacking trip. If you want to skip ahead to the start of the hike, it begins at 16:00.
Our plan was to do a 3-day, 2-night variation of the 'Great Range Loop' which would take us over the summit of 7 of the 46 4,000-foot+ mountain peaks in New York. What I didn't know is how difficult the trail conditions were, and how slow our hiking pace would be (about 0.5MPH). In the end I decided to bail out after summiting three peaks in eight+ hours of hiking - Upper Wolf Jaw, Arnstrong, and the Gothics. But even with the shortened hike, what I did experience was spectacular.
For those thinking about doing this hike this video should give you a very good idea of what to expect, and the type of training you should do in preparation for the hike. The stretch of 'trail' along the top is as much rock climbing as it is hiking, and minimizing pack (and body) weight is important (unfortunately, I didn't do either!). In many places upper body strength is just as important as lower body conditioning. In addition, there is no water along the entire stretch along the top, and when combined with the incredibly slow hiking pace it can create a big issue - carry plenty of water!
For those who have watched my other videos this one is done in the same style - about an hour in length, intended to bring the audience along for the 'ride', and with a still picture slide show with music at the end. If you just have a few minutes skip to the end and enjoy the pictures.
Equipment / Gear List:
Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3dHJvni
Lens: Nikkor 24mm f1.8 Z-mount lens amzn.to/2QZqNOo
Tripod: Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod amzn.to/3bH3Rvg
Camera shoulder clip: Peak Designs Capture clip system amzn.to/2wRdusp
Video Editing Software: Vegas Pro 16 amzn.to/2X5dKyu
Pack: REI Flash 55
Tent: Nemo Meta2P
Sleeping Bag: Zpacks 20degF Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Therm amzn.to/2yjrUlj
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite amzn.to/39zju6v
Pillow: Exped Air Pillow UL amzn.to/2WYE5hZ
Stove: JetBoil Flash amzn.to/3azKRi7
Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 amzn.to/3dPtOL5
Pot: MSR Titan titanium 0.9L kettle amzn.to/3bF1RDB
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot amzn.to/2R0JvoW
Buff: Merino wool Buff amzn.to/3dCYHSC
Recharging Battery: Anker 3500mAH ‘lipstick’ charger amzn.to/2URI7G3
Camp Chair: Helonix Chair Zero amzn.to/2xzbwgh
Camp Shoes: Xero Shoes Z-Trek amzn.to/3bA3X7I
Wet Wipes: Survivorware Wet Wipes amzn.to/2JwbQ2e
I’ve lived in 19 states over the course of my 63 years on this planet. I still call Upstate NY home. I spent six weeks of every summer between 1965-1975 (when I enlisted in the Navy) in the Adirondacks with my dad at Camp Cherokee on Saranac Lake near Tupper Lake. Every year we went on a week long canoe trip and hiked to the top of Mount Marcy. Thank you for the memories. I miss my dad every single day (he died in 1987); it was a reconnection I didn’t realize I needed so desperately.
Sounds youve lived a fulfilling life
I grew up hiking the ADK! A lot of people don’t know how difficult it is until your out there! Glad you were able to see some of the beautiful views.
I’m almost halfway to my 46 and this video just makes me smile. The camaraderie and the good time looks so fun! Love this!!
Wow! I’m happy that you conveyed so well that beautiful and epic hiking can be found in the east as well.
The overlooked gem of the Northeast. The Adirondacks are no joke to hike, but lack nothing in peaceful natural beauty.
Dave,I have been a subscriber since you started your channel. I am so happy you got to visit my back yard!!! I live in Saratoga and went to college in Saranac Lake.My family camped in the ADK`S my ENTIRE life and as you can imagine I have amazing memories. You truly did a FANTASTIC job producing this video, I am going to sub the four J`s. Wish i knew you were in town it would have been nice to meet you. Thanks again Dave,great job!! Joe
Such a fantastic video. What an epic job telling a story with epic views! This trip is proof that living your life to the fullest has such great rewards. It was a blessing to get to share the trail with all you guys.
Absolutely stunning. I hope that we can continue to protect our national parks so that they can be enjoyed by future generations
Really enjoyed the video, David. Not being very familiar with that region, this video gives me a new appreciation for the trails in in northeast. Very admirable and respectable that you knew when to say when. You still accomplished much on this one. Thanks for posting a great trip.
Thank you, Carl. I'd say 'I wish you were there' but I'm not sure that was the type of 'trail' that you, Travis, and I would enjoy. It is an incredibly beautiful and unique area that I would very much love to return to, and I've learned from advice people have left in these CZcams comments that there are many less 'adventurous' trails in the area that would be awesome so I have no doubt we could put together an amazing trip that didn't require the same level of 'hardship'!
Thank you for another Epic story!
So glad u got out their! Can't wait to watch it!
Thanks David...can't wait to watch tonight...u made my day brother!!
Whoa, definitely an enduring hike. Tough climbs with big views, always nice to be rewarded for your efforts. Thanks for sharing, always a treat to see your outings.
Loved the video and scenery out there David. Great group of guys to go backpacking with too. 👍👍
BREATHTAKING BEAUTY COLORS SCENERY VIEWS VIDEO ! I'M SOOOOOOOO GLAD YOU ALL MADE IT BACK SAFELY TO YOUR VEHICLES IN ONE PIECE ! AMAZING VIEWS ! GORGEOUS COLORS SCENERY VIDEO ! YOU'LL BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALL ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !
As a 46er, I've summited those peaks, some multiple times - never with a full pack though, only a day pack. Nicely done!
Yeah full pack kind of sucks. I did Wright Peak and Algonquin Peak with a full pack and a bear canister and went down the other side of Algonquin through the boulders and spent the night at Lake Colden. Definitely one of the toughest hikes I've done.
I love your video!!! I am from Watertown, NY and lived in Henderson Harbor for a long time before moving to New Jersey where I am now. I have been to Lake Placed and surrounding areas well over 100 times, and never get tired of it, and have spent many vacations staying at Art Devlin's Olympic Motor Inn in the Gold Room as well, with that view of the great range. This makes me want to head up there like, now? !! The views never ever get old 😍!
What a wonderful video. I so enjoyed watching it all. Thank you for posting your adventure with us. Happy Trails.
Wow, that was beautiful! Always wanted to go there, so thanks for taking us along.
My favorite place in this country. So glad you had the opportunity to hike there. The trails are tough but they reward you with views you can’t get anywhere else. I came into NY yesterday to quarantine 2 weeks before I head there at the beginning of August for a week.
Thank you again David for taking us along on your travels. We always check your channel for that new adventure and as always no disappointments. Thank you again. Mark and Eva from Arizona
Great video. Those rocks/hills look daunting. Thanks for pointing out that it's ok to adjust plans and not always necessary to "push through".
Great video David. Loved the 80 Olympic references. That hike would have kicked my butt too!
It's always a great day, when you get notifications David has posted a new video. David this was a awesome video.. epic scenery and hiking. Can't wait to see the next one. Untill then take care.
I went to the high peaks for the first time with a group last summer. They warned me that the average hiking speed over trails and on ascents would be 1 MPH. I thought that they were out of their minds, until we summited the first peak. You really are in for another type of hiking experience when you go to the Adirondacks....
I would have loved to have averaged 1 MPH! I think we were at about 0.5 MPH, at least over the mountain peak stretch at top. But pretty incredible stuff. Very glad I did it, but quite the eye-opening experience.
Great stuff as always, Dave!
That was one awesome adventure
Awesome video Dave , great to see you again !
Great to see you out east David! I've hiked out west as well, and pound for pound the northeast has always been the toughest for me too.
Another great piece of storytelling, David. Many thanks for the remarkable work you do.
I showed up at the northern end of Vermont's Long Trail last fall. In terrain similar to this, I too learned about body and pack weight and the importance of keeping both to a minimum. Lack of attention to both forced me to shave a 5-day trip to 3 after a fall and injury. Like you said, like no hiking I've ever done before.
I've cut body and pack bulk by 50 and 20 pounds, respectively, since then. And I'm not done yet. So, hoping for a better outcome when I pick up the Long Trail at Vermont 58 and roll on south in September of 2021.
Thanks for the inspiration to do that, not to mention the Chinese Wall in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in 6 weeks.
And then a longer walk in 2022, inspired in part by you, Wild on the Trail, and Frozen. At 68, that should be a hoot.
Until your next adventure...
Thank you for that feedback. Right after this hike I had renewed motivation to shed more than a few pounds, both from body and pack, prior to my next adventure. Sounds like you had a similar experience on the Long Trail. At 59 years old now I'm realizing I can't afford any extra weight, especially when I'm trying to keep up with the ultra-fit 30-somethings.
Oh, and best of luck on your 'Bob' hike. That sounds fantastic, especially in these exhausting 'virus' times - I'm envious!
Well Dave since I'm at work
I will be watching this when I get home
Have a great photography day
Awesome hike! Adirondacks were our back yard for years and hiked all over on day hikes and multi-day. Serious mountains. Really making us miss this area. However live near southern terminus of AT Georgia and hike all over from GA to ME. Thank you for sharing
Lake Placid and the Adirondacks is epic. Been there many times. I remember the Olympics in Lake Placid, hard to believe that was 40 years ago. Amazing how time does fly by so fast or so it seems. Great pics and video David as always!!
Awesome hike and beautiful area as well! Some cool history on the Olympics too. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Hey Thanks totally agree with you David Epic that's what it's all about fun and friends
Hey david glad to see you posting a video thank you i love your videos wow that was a awesome awesome video with the 4 J's i cant believe that hike the views were breath taking and the water flows wow the land slides cute mouse wouldnt want to do that hike in the rain or fog. Those cliffs if anyone slipped could be deadly you and the group were great you all made a great video thanks again so much you all should hike again this was a 10 on my video watch i will recommend everyone to see your pics and music at the end were great good job guys
Great video. Glad you made it to the northeast! I went to college in upstate New York so I spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks. Drove through Lake Placid countless times to and from school. Tough hiking! You should hit the White Mountains in NH next. If you can hike in the northeast you can hike anywhere!
I've read countless AT books and stories detailing thru-hikes over the years, and all talk about the difficulty of hiking in the northeast (especially NH and ME), but I guess you can't appreciate it until you experience it for yourself. Brutal stuff. I truly have a new-found appreciation for how truly brutal the trails can be in the northeast... but even those it was a total 'smack down' for me, I absolutely loved it an plan to get back (in better shape and much better prepared).
The Adirondacks are a very challenging place to backpack, so you deserve lots of kudos. As someone who hikes extensively in the Whites, I actually found the ADKs more consistently tougher. In the Whites, except perhaps for Garfield, you get ridge lines which are less steep than the sharp peaks of the Adirondacks.
Stunning video! Looks like an amazing trip. Looking forward to watching everyone else's. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome to see you out East. I've hiked in a lot of places but the Northeast trails hold a special place in my heart, a rugged beauty unmatched in my opinion. Great video, I've watched a few of the others videos as well. What a unique experience that must have been with 5 CZcamsrs all going at it at the same time.
Yes!!!!! Watching now!!!
I hope you enjoy it, Justin. It's a little different - half travel video and half backpacking - but it's a good way to relive the whole trip.
@@davidgrayin It was awesome!
Awesome
thanks ..i enjoy your videos
I was just binge watching David last night. Nice.
Good to see you out and about Dave... fast becoming my favourite you-tuber :)
do love your vids, thank you.
Excellent video as usual
Great video as always and a great hike! I took a winter ski vacation there over 20 yrs ago. Amazing beauty in that part of the country!
Great to see hiking some trails in the northeast. Not so easy, eh? Welcome to our hiking world! If you head this way again, I’d suggest hiking in the Pharoah Lakes area, lots of good loop trails with lakes and some Mountain Views. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Great video david. I have to keep re watching your videos because they are such a great video and so relaxing can't wait to see your next one
Thank you for sharing your hikes. Love the idea that the hubby and I are not the only ones that get hit with rain and put on the gear and it stops. Lol. We are usually on the trike when this happens so it is a bit more complicated to put on and take off.
I graduated HS in '80 so I remember all of that stuff... FYI the Schill Bros are blaming you for their 'bourbon habit'...lol
Great video!
Great video! Hi 5 👋 on a very difficult hike! Thanks for sharing and capturing your ADK hike! Love your calming voice- remind me of Bob Ross! 😆👍🥰
Love the music you put with the pictures at the end. The high peaks reminded me of half dome hike in Yosemite.
Nice video. Great memories. Me and my buddy are 46ers 7125 and 7126. Anyone that thinks it's an easy go in the Adirondacks is in for a surprise! Hahaha!
Met you at the Ohio CZcamsrs meetup last year...love that you show the smaller necessary parts of epic hikes, like sleeping in your car, checking the trailhead for staging sights, and telling us that you fell two times with grace rather than showing us a Hollywood ending...thank you for taking me along. If I hike this route ever it will be b/c David Gray showed me the way. Terence
Hey Terence! That CZcamsrs meetup was a blast. I hope we're able to do it again in 2020, and I plan to be there - we can swap some stories. Thank you for your feedback. My videos are a little 'different' that way, I think, but I'm trying to allow people to feel like they were along on the trip with me - even the little details. Either live the trip and hike vicariously or, if you'd like to do the hike yourself, to get as many 'lessons' from me to make your own preparation and hike easier.
Loved it! Although I felt sorry all along for the state of your health. Take good care!
This video has me thinking about a future trip to the High Peaks Wilderness. The Olympic history at Lake Placid was cool too. Looking forward to your next trip video!
Great video
Love this video, I spent many summers doing a good portion of the 46 with my four children. The memories were so impacting, that my oldest son proposed to his wife on Algonquin three years ago. The wilderness, alpine zones, Olympic and local history are priceless. I hope the area isn't becoming overrun, I haven't been since 2006. My children learned to ice skate in the Lussi rink, lots of memories; wow I'm in tears. It's time to make a family pilgrimage soon. Hey next time you travel that direction and drive through NE Ohio, give me a holler.
Man this was sooooo good. Loved reliving the whole journey. Can’t wait to get out with all again. I had a blast. Sorry for breaking the PG rating. The still at the end are absolutely beautiful as well!!!!
Thank you, Jeff. Man, I sure want to do another hike with you - it was a blast, and I sure appreciate you hanging back in the rear with me in some of those stretches (yes, I noticed). That 'butt' scene was barely noticeable, but it sure made me laugh (and I'm guessing even saying that here has a few people going back to check out what I'm talking about! :-). Can't wait to see your video on the trip! (Yep... That's peer pressure to get it finished).
You have no idea how glad we were to see that you bailed at the Gothics/Saddleback col. Smartest decision you made in your life. Kudos to you for tackling what you tackled.
I'm 14 minutes in....You are so good at telling a story Dave ! This is awesome!!!!!
Thank you, Justin. You're just getting to the 'good part' (the hiking!).
David! Here I sit in mid October awaiting a new video!
I know you mentioned you had a trip planned to the Wind Rivers this Summer. I sure hope you were able to get that trip done. Safe travels.
No Wind River Range trip this year, and no western trips at all - big bummer! I actually ended up injuring my knee in a fall coming down from The Gothics on the Adirondack trip - torn meniscus. That led to a few months of surgeon visits, MRI, scheduling surgery, surgery, and then finally some rehab time. Basically took me out of the entire 'prime time' backpacking season of July-September. But if there was ever a year to go through something like that I'm sure glad it was 2020 - the year of the 'Covid'! All is back to good now and I''ve actually taken a local backpacking trip to test out my knee - that video should be published in the next couple weeks. I'm planning to hit the trails hard in 2021 - assuming things are somewhat back to normal.
Thank you for the video. I enjoy the trip every time. Come to Steamboat Springs and I can get to the top of our local ski jumps as well las the place where we honor the 89 olympians that come from here.
I really enjoyed your adventure. Beautiful area. Hello from Brooklyn, NYC
great trail views haven,t ben to new york where i grew up in years , i will write more later god bless you .
Was here last summer and hiked Giant the hike was wonderful but the bugs were intense! Nice video David!
I enjoyed seeing the places that were so familiar to me. I've hiked a great deal in the Adirondack High Peaks (all 46, plus the unofficial 47th in the ADK at least once, some many times), yes they are tough. Many rock scrambles and steep open ledges.
Okay
Mr. Gray
Let’s watch.
This video was great David. I definitely would've died a million different times on those steep sections though. I live in NYC but have never been to the Adirondacks! Love your videos!
you might still find my name carved in there somewhere. From 1972. Wow this brings back so many fine memories.
What a beautiful place!!! Looked like a ton of fun!!! I was wondering if y’all lost Jason somewhere!!! Lol Thanks for sharing!!!
Always so peaceful watching your vids, I feel as if I’m there hiking with you! I tried to video my last hike and I just have to give you credit - it’s not as easy as it looks! Extra gear plus extra work setting up, putting the camera away when it rains, pulling it out, charging batteries, etc. and you somehow keep a great composure! Can’t wait to see your vids in 2021 - Happy Trails 👌🏼
Hey hey you made it there!!!
Mountains of pizza and beer, what a rough start before the hike.
Indeed an Epic hike!!! I enjoy how you apologized to the folk in the lean to!! LOL Good times Dave. A pleasure to meet you and the crew. We will all have to get together again !!! Great job on this video
I really enjoyed the video David. I lived in upstate New York after college and it is so beautiful. You video & photos truly captured the beauty of the Adirondacks. As an older hiker with a bad knee, it hurt me watching you guys do this trail! I have to stick with those moderate 10 mile days lol. . You all did a great job hiking and saw some stellar views. Great job.
EH! The Daks getting some love. Makes west coasters and flat landers weep :)
David I live two and a half hours south of the Adirondacks and have been up to Lake Placcid many times. I'm not much younger than you and I remember watching the 1980 Olympics on TV very well! They have minor league hockey games on the ice where the miracle on ice occurred and you can go in there and watch them for free, it was great! Another thing worth doing is they have the Empire State winter games up there and you can watch amateur hockey, figure skating, skiing etc.. all at the former Olympic sites. Once covid-19 is gone of course. I haven't done the Gothics yet, my son did a couple weeks ago and he said you did the hardest trail!, I've done a lot of them and I'll get up there eventually! Great footage!!
Should have a million subscribers.Great content as usual.
Hehe! Hike the ADKs every summer. Its a real understatement.
Watching from Huaraz, Peru. 10,000 ft. I have lived here for 17 yrs now with my family.
From Hamilton, NY. originally. I am not retired but when I can I enjoy hiking mountains Highest in this area Huazcaran which peaks out at 22,200 ft.I run every morning right out from our house up to a Cross which is a 1000 ft. gain. Most hikes we do with visitor range from 12,000-15,000 ft. You are welcome to come and stay some time.
I love the Adirondacks. St. Regis, Lake Champlain,Lake Saranac, Sacandaga. All beautiful.I used to do do quite a bit of paddling of Canoe and Sea Kayak. Both of which have been loaned to friends to use and store as they wish. Unfortunately the government of NY and taxes have killed the farmers and drove many businesses out. Depressed area sadly.
Excellent video! Lived in Saranac lake for a while,,Hiked,ran many trails there,,Truly "Forest" Such deep woods ! Love it. PS: I ran all the way up Whiteface on a hot August day,not knowing it never really leveled off!!! Ugh !
Great video as always and enjoyed the content! I would like to hike in that area and maybe next spring or fall I will. Plus, I pick up some good tips from you on filming. Thx
I lived and hiked many of those mountains growing up. Now I live in Colorado. I can agree with you David. The Adirondacks may not be the tallest, but they are not for the faint of heart. They are every bit as tough to traverse as any area here in Colorado.
Tougher than Colorado from my experience. The toughest I did in Colorado was the Four Pass Loop near Aspen - the constant 11,000-12,500 foot altitude and steepness of the trails near the passes were brutal. On that trail there were sections where we averaged about 3/4 miles per hour. There was a 2.5 mile stretch of the Adirondacks that took us 6 hours! That stretch of the 'dacks was more like a Ninja Warrior course than a trail. I know there are many areas of the Adirondacks that aren't that severe, but that High Peaks Traverse is something else!
Dear Mr. Gray, you can do this! Now that you know how it is going to go, you can train, get down to a good weight, and pack light and do it. You can do this next year.
Absolutely, and I plan to get back. Having done it and now knowing what to expect, it makes it easier to prepare physically and mentally for the next trip. It's a really fun hike... just hard!
Dave I don't know if you know this or not but that ski resort also has over 20 + double Black diamond 30 green trails & just over 60 Blue trail and some white trails for the kids and the beginners
Thank you soo much for teaching me where the Gothics cables are!
Grand Teton Loop, David. 👍🏻
Jason Wish posted a video of his trip on Au Sable (please teach him how to pronounce it 😂 awe-saw-bull) River last year. My dad and I also canoed there in 1963-1964 when we lived in Michigan. It’s so cool to see him in another place that I know well and love. The Lake Placid area is beautiful.
When most people backpack the High Peaks they backpack to a camp, and set up a base camp. Then do day hikes to different peaks. The peaks are “easier” without a full pack.
That big slide area after Gothics was a result of Hurricane Irene. That hurricane did extensive damage to the High Peak wilderness. I hate those stairs. It’s worse going up as it feels like they never end.
My friends and I joke that the High Peaks are the Adirondack Ninja Warrior course. Glad you were able to experience it.
Yes, we noticed the 'base camp' / day hike strategy seemed to be the way people were doing it. When we arrived at both the lean-to's they were occupied and the people were out day-hiking. As we were descending from the Gothics I was actually thinking about how brutal it would have been going in the other direction! 'Ninja Warrior course'! I like that - a pretty good description from this non-Ninja Warrior!
Missing our David Gray hike videos! Would totally watch a video of David taking the doggies for a 10 min stroll! Or one of the practice hikes... :)
I'm actually planning to head out tomorrow for an overnight hike with my son, Christian, and the dogs. A 'test' hike' for my surgically repaired knee, which has kept me out of backpacking for the last couple months. We're heading back to the Peninsula Trail in Indiana which is where I did my first ever backpacking trip 10 years ago. Can't wait!
All is well with the world... David friggin Gray is out backpacking and kicking ass. F-ing A Cotton! 🇺🇸🍕🍻
Lots of familiar scenery in this one! I can't say I've climbed the high peaks! I know I am not physically or mentally able ( my fear of unstable heights or steep grades won't allow me). I stick to the lower peaks, chase waterfalls and kayak all over the Adirondacks though! If you ever want to come back I could throw some ideas at you! We spend a lot of weekends up there in what used to be my backyard. Yes, hiking in the Adirondacks versus Glacier is very different! I was surprised at how nice and easy Glacier's trails were, lol! Glad you were able to slip in out of here before the Governor started banning people from certain states. Great photos at the the end of video as per usual! Wonder where your next big adventure will be!
That was torture, not a trail! 😂 Great video!
That looked like a but kicker. Great views though.
Kudos on this trip but Colorado is calling you brother
Thanks for an introduction to the scenery of the Adirondacks. I well remember the 1980 winter olympics and Lake Placid It was definitely a change of pace from your usual western adventures but then 2020 has been a year of changed plans for all of us. With apologies to J.B.L. Soule and Horace Greeley, somebody must have whispered to you to "Go East Young Man" this year. P.S.; By all means get a drone to incorporate into your videos! I bought both the Mavic Mini and the Mavic Air 2 hoping I would use them out in Colorado this summer but when those plans got cancelled I've been spending a lot of time learning to fly them and get the most out of their cameras. Next summer for sure!! You might want something more high end but a drone would be well worth adding to your video equipment.