Many backcountry locations don't allow them, but even if you can, it's actually a pretty big hassle to find dead wood around backcountry campsites, gather it, haul it in, set up a safe fire space, and get a fire started. And then yes, put it out, bury it, and leave, ideally, no trace. And that's assuming you're not above the treeline where you're not going to find any timber. You're certainly not going to be doing that trailside for lunch, either. And if everybody did that, there wouldn't be any woods left! A stove can be setup and burning in seconds and will boil water faster without covering your cookware in soot.
Good choice! I've got a Pocket Rocket 2 and it's one of my favorite pieces of gear. I even use it car camping. I've got a boiler pot that fits an 8oz. canister perfectly and can hold the PR2 and a few other supplies as well so it's all self contained. Even if I'm not doing anything else with it, making coffee in the morning is quick and painless.
I'm with you, when I was in the Army a hot meal was a Godsend that made you feel good and raised morale however simple it was, and that has stuck with me ever since. I try to have at least one hot meal every other day at the minimum.
One issue I see with giving up the stove and titanium cup is that you no longer have the option of boiling water - say if your filter breaks or your water source looks particularly bad. Even if you ditch the stove, with a metal container you can still boil water with a small fire if you have to. Besides the zero cost, how does the clear screwtop container you're using compare to, say, a one liter screwtop Vargo Ti Bot at less than 5oz?
The Vargo Ti Bot is pretty expensive & heavier for what it is. At that point I would just carry my Ti mug & the Gelato Container. It would still be cheaper & lighter than the Bot.... I looked into them, trust me...lol Hike On, Darwin
I was thinking similarly when I saw this. I keep some specific things available even if they are extra weight or rarely used. One of those is a container I can boil water in, even on a day hike. If you are hiking in anything approaching cold weather, the ability to put something in your system that is warmer than the surroundings can literally save your life. It's also a great backup for your filter as Mark says above. A stainless or Ti water bottle will serve very well if you don't want to carry a metal cup. I'm cheap though, and would just carry the one I had :). I'd leave a camera behind before I would something to boil water in :) Not preaching, even if it sounds like it -- that is just one of my safety nets, like a tiny flint and steel kit is.
After a 12 day hike in the mountains of Norway without zero resuply, i needed to get my baseweight down BADLY! I switched 3 main items from ultra strong to ultralight. I went from a big indestructible monster backpack, to a frameless 45l, from a bulky and heavy synthetic sleeping bag to a down quilt, and a long alpine tent to a trecking pole tent. Thoes 3 items have brought me down by 16,3 pounds!!! I'm loving the light life!
I've never been into hiking, but I've been binging your videos recently, and you've gotten me interested in light hiking and camping. Keep up the quality content!
It will change your life. One 3-5 day section hike and you will see amazing things, and more importantly, see the world through a different lens that everyone so desperately. Careful warning... this video by Darwin is too real. czcams.com/video/LgbNE6t7Vfk/video.html
Right on man, one suggestion..start small. The first trips my wife and I made were 2-3 mile hikes on flat ground and just camping. Over time my wife and I started doing overnight trips with modest elevation gains, and that is plenty for my wife...me I like doing multiday trips with big elevation gains now. End of the day, get out there and enjoy yourself. If you can do it with a friend, even better.
Start small in terms of gear. Darwin has some good recommendations for cheap, light gear. It may not have the durability of the more expensive gear, but it will give you the opportunity to find out what works for you at a smaller money penalty. I think my bandana and puffy down jacket are the only pieces of gear that I haven't changed from my first backpacking trip a little over 3 years ago. Backpacking has really impacted my life for the better. I have seen views that have blown my mind and made me realize how small I am in this world. I have met wonderful people who have changed my outlook on life as well. I highly recommend finding what works for you and getting on the trail.
Max Cohn suggestion. Go on short camping trips locally so you can get your groove. Take notes of how much food you packed and how much came home. Especially if you’re not far from a store, risk packing too little, you can always get more if you were wrong. It’s well worth it, I wish you the best.
PDXevgrin Actually, there’s a ton of duplicate or unnecessary organs: Kidneys, Testes, Lungs, Hands/Arms (might start small with individual digits, then work up to entire fingers), Feet/Legs (might be a little tough on trail, though), Penis (a true ul hiker would commit to being a eunuch), Gall Bladder, Appendix, Tail Bone, Nipples, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Intestines (don’t take too much, but sections can safely be removed; one inch for every section of the AT!). A little novocaine and some alcohol, and a mirror, and you’re in business!
Forgot teeth. You can survive on a liquid diet, or one consisting of liquified “mush”. There’s a weight saving right there. Hell, if you’re truly committed... I’ve read stories of people having tragic accidents and surviving with less than half of their brain. Might be another avenue once you’ve sawed your toothbrush in half, switched to Cuben Fibre tarps, etc.
Darwin, I bring two clear plastic bags, either clean Subway sandwich bags or umbrella bags that weigh virtually nothing and use them to put over my clean/dry camp/sleep socks and inside my trail runners when I am in camp, especially if my trail runners are wet or especially dirty / muddy.
Hi, Re cold soaking dehydrated food, the only potential issue to be aware of, is that the food will be in the perfect temp range 5 - 60 deg C for growing bacteria so I wouldn't be leaving it too many hours after adding the water. And ditching any uneaten food straight after, not keeping for later.
I can appreciate your choices but no stove? Your a better hiker then me. lol. With no hot coffee id be a bear on the trail. Can't wait to watch your PCT hike!
I could never go stoveless. A warm meal in the cold desert is worth the weight. And a lot of times you have to hunt or fish for food where im at so you need the ability to cook. There are no rest stops to replenish dry foods.
You over simplify why people like a good coffee (or a cup of tea or hot chocolate) It's not just the caffeine. It's the whole process - brewing it up, smelling it, then sitting around and sipping away. I find it relaxing and enjoyable.
What difference does it make if you consider it an addiction? Even without the caffeine, coffee is enjoyable for its flavor and aroma, it's satisfying warmth, as well as the ritualistic aspects of its brewing. You might rationalize your own addiction to caffeine pills by projecting what you know of yourself onto others, but unfortunately, it does not make it so.
Cold soaking sounds like a cold shower...miserable! More power to you. You're a tougher man than me. Nothing lifts my spirits after a cold, wet hike like some warm chili mac and hot tea. Totally worth the weight.
So recently I took my Platypus gravity filter, shortened the hose, shortened and replaced the section between the filter and the dirty bag with stiffer hose, put bite valve on the end and turned it into a filtering as you go camel back system. Just scoop up water, seal, drop in a side pocket, run the hose over and good to go. At camp I can still use it a gravity filter to fill spare bottles if I need to. Works great!
Excited to see the recipes you enjoy while being stoveless. Especially after Dixie's last video where she went on and on about how much she was missing hot food when she missed picking up her stove at an angsty post office. I get hot pretty quick and almost never want hot food in the Summer and early Autumn. Also excited to see where that bag is from. Looks perfect for me as I'm not a fan of the Sawyer bag I got for free with my filter. I finally have most of my stuff and I can't wait to do my first hike with my newly acquired ZPacks Arc Scout! It's crazy light and it's so comfortable to have a pack that's really made for my short height instead of trying to make a bigger pack work.
I read a backpacking book about 6 months ago and it made a statement... when you wake up, break camp and hike, if it's a cool morning heading out will warm you up right away. Eat on the trail or take a break when you want a break. Also... at the end of the day, hike until you're ready to stop, then go to bed. Your there to hike first.
The water system is now public and can be found here: cnocoutdoors.com/products/vecto-water-container I've been looking at these systems, particularly the CNOC kickstarter, for the last couple months so I really look forward to the review. I've been eying this and the Platypus doppleganger.
No Stove may be well and good for Arizona but sod that for springtime in the UK. When you're hiking in relentlessly cold conditions a hot meal in the evening is vital.
Jeez Darwin. I love the channel, religiously watch the videos and I have learned a ton. Getting rid of camp shoes...fine. Dumping the gravity feed system...hmm ok. Dumping the go pro...kosher. But dumping the stove and hot meals? Lost me there. After 13 miles I want a hot meal. Cold oatmeal? Granola...tree bark soaked in water...come on. I hope one day to hike with you brother but don't come knocking when you smell yummier hot food cooking :). Hike safe!
lol.... If there is 1 thing I've learned it's that Hiking Styles change. I used to be the same way...... If we hike together, you don't have to worry about me with your Hot Food, I'll already be asleep with a Full Belly!...lol Hike On, Darwin
Camp/town shoes are a luxury item, for sure. If you can't take your shoes off at the end of a day and just wander around barefoot, you haven't conditioned your feets enough. But, there is something that separates our species from the rest of the animals, and that is control of fire. I ate a cold dinner tonight, and while it was nutritionally fulfilling, I couldn't help but think as I ingested it that it was somehow lacking in satisfaction. I didn't need it to be hot. But because it could have become hot at my behest, and I had the capability to make it so but chose not to, I felt like I had not lived up to my full potential. That I had settled for something easier and more attainable. And I didn't like that feeling. Push forward.
my thoughts exactly, I cant imagine a 4 day trip without the simple joy or morale boost of warm meal or drink let alone forcing yourself into a lifestyle change of months cold drink mornings and unsatisfied cold meal evenings. I guess the trade off will be more reliance on "resupply in town" ie. hot meals cooked by someone else in a cafe. Seriously odd to me the shift in personal satisfaction, ditch stove for a bulky, needy, distracting camera that gets clicks, subs, views. IDK man good luck, you're convinced, I'm not, but it's not my meals to eat. :) I spent my 20's sleeping on cardboard with a wool blanket and was proud of that then, my hips and joints later didnt share my pride. But I wouldnt go back and change that decision because now I can know the difference of well placed simple pleasures over simply striving for minimalism.
Your gravity system is way more complicated and heavy than needed. All you need to turn your new squeeze system into a gravity system is a way to hold a bag or bottle underneath the filter. Punch a couple of holes in the bottom of the dirty bag and run some light cordage. I sewed a strap attaching two bottle clips together with the right length for the filter. That way I can just stick the clean end into a SmartWater Sports cap on my clean bag or bottle (leave the cap loose for a bottle) and connect the two with the strap. No need for a hose. And of course the SmartWater sports cap also takes the place of the backflush.
I carry an Esbit stove and solid fuel tabs. If I felt the need to cook a lot, I don’t know if it work so well. But I like a cup of hot coffee in the morning and a cup of hot cocoa or broth at night. Otherwise, I can get by with cold food. I guess it is a comfort thing, but it is also a good thing to have in the extremely unusual situation in which I would have to make a fire (like if I were lost or needed help and had climbed up to a high open place with wood to set a signal fire, or if I needed to sterilize a knife to cut some foreign body out of myself).
No way I could ever go stove-less. My cooking can get elaborate, I love to eat good food. Hot coffee is a must. As someone else said I love the smell, and its comforting. Most importantly though is Hiking in the BC Rockies and Coast ranges, the possibility of getting caught in bad weather is always present, and the thought of getting through that when cold and wet with no hot food is not something I would look forward to. To me the extra pound or two simply isn't worth the potential risk. Hot food and hot drink will warm a chilled body far better than not having it. Love your videos, and to each his own.
My gear has evolved over and over throughout the years and it's still doing so. I've still got things I've swapped out for other things that still get used because in certain situations they are useful or beneficial in the context of the camp I'm doing. If the kids and I are just going to stay in hiking huts, I'll leave tents behind and carry extra cooking gear that I would leave behind if I were camping by myself in a tent.
FYI the gelotto jar will melt and shrivel up if you ever put hot enough water in it, suggest a cheap 1qt storage container instead it is microwavable and can take some heat (without much of a weight difference) if you ever go back to a stove or use a hot spring as a water source.
I just switched from a GoLite Jam pack to the ULA Ohm 2.0, so I will see soon what changes makes sense on my next hike in October in the Cohutta Wilderness Ga. But here are a few things I've quit using: GSI coffee filter, camp shoes, candle lantern, stool, all cooking utensils except for a lexan spoon, pared down my first aid kit to a few bandaids, NSAIDS, and small amount of Neosporin. Also, I just cut 5 oz. by carrying only 4 aluminum stakes instead of 8 that go with my cat cut tarp. The extra 4 lines from tarp gone too. Dropped canister stove for very small alcohol stove and Heineken pot.
This past summer i've added a Hatchling from Terrapin outfitters... For me it has become indispensable! From hammock chair to gear sling... albeit heavier it's worht the penalty to be a bit more comfy during the day and at camp.
If your trail runners are still damp from a day's walking, try a fresh pair of socks and some freezer bags inside the shoes. Around camp, feet won't sweat noticeably inside the bags and the contained warmth will help to dry the trail runners faster.
I'm excited to hear about that water bag. The sawyer bags are small, junky, and break. I recently purchased a platypus bag and it has been great so far. A large open ended bags gives you so many options.
Not sure why you'd go for a camera without a viewfinder? I find in the hills that the LCD monitor often becomes unusable in the bright light. For water, I prefer a good bottle filter - currently the Seychelle (US)/TravelTap(UK). Just fill and go. Easy to carry on an accessible point on the pack. Decant dirty water from your bladders into the filter to use. No messing around. Camp shoes - just say no! Simply not required if you're using sensible footwear.
Seriously making me consider dropping camp shoes, my only thought for keeping is if the trail runners are soaked. I would hate to put my dry camp/sleep socks in wet trail runners. I guess if I had to go back out I could always just put the wet socks back on. 8.4 oz to keep or not to keep...
Ha! I'm not alone in seeing the value in saving those Talenti gelato jars! Multiple uses and the screw top is so much better than a snap seal container.
I've started half cold soak...i gave up coffee and a hot breakfast in the morning for cold soaked oatmeal... but something about that hot meal in the evening soothes my soul after miles of hiking. My camp show is a tevo sandal that saved my ass when the shoes I got talked into buying on trail to replace my worn out pair gave me blisters and hurt my feet so bad that walking was miserable (lesson learned there!) I could hike in them... they are a heavier carry than most camp shoes but I'm worth it lol
Interesting to see your style of cooking system while hiking, if you're going to keep base in a camp with other people then that makes sense, and you have fuel for a stove and things like that My style is different, when I go hiking it's often to the wilderness, I like to go to inhabited isles on my stand up paddle or kayak, and settle there for some time then return, so I make fire to cook my food and in case my water supply runs out to purify water from harmful microorganisms. I carry simply a kukri blade to cut wood for the fire from dead logs or branches, and to cut bamboo to make a shelter, and tinder to make thr fire and a lighter as a backup, I set traps for small animals and I also go fishing or picking crabs and lobsters from the water. So the things I carry with me that is the most useful are 3 blades, a Filipino kukri that my brother got me years ago from his trip to the Philippines, a Bowie knife with serrations on the back that I made with my father, and a multitool. I carry everything in a roll up dry bag to keep all my stuff dry
I would not take 3 water bottles for storage. I would use those foldable pouches (like you get with a squeeze) and use those to store dirty water. When you come up on better quality water you dump their contents and fill up with the new (better) water. If you're unsure of the next water source you take what you can get. If they are empty they collapse down to almost nothing and they double-function as a squeeze pouch if you need one (backup) after that mistery item you showed.
Hey man, love your videos. Planning on hiking the PCT next year as well and I've been taking a lot of your advice regarding gear. Thanks for doing what you do and I hope to see you on the trail next year!
I acquired around 120 Mountain House meals and I got a new MSR something light stove. I'm tied at the hip to my cook set for the next 5 years. lol Dude, well presented. Nice.
I'm definitely a stoveless hiker. will never give up camp shoes. Usually have been just using phone for video and pics been considering gopro though. Gonna research it more before I purchase.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the desert...I even lived in the town of Mojave for a while. I learned to exercise extreme caution when selecting containers for water. In the desert, a serious water leak could easily result in a serious death. For almost fifty years I’ve been one of those “gram counting freaks.” But water+desert=don’t care about weight. Forget about the flimsy re-tasked two liter soda bottles. There’s no shortage of thorns in the desert so I eschew any kind of collapsible bladder-type containers that leak if you give one a piercing glance. Second tip: Divide your water supply into several containers. A puncture or even an accidental clumsy drop won’t completely deplete your supply. Third tip: Never put the cap/lid down. It’s either on your bottle or in your hand. Take a drink, put the cap on...take another sip, put the cap on. Aggravating as Hell? So is heat stroke. Use the same practice when pouring water for your pasta. Fourth: The water carriers I recommend are the Hunnerstadt High Altitude Water Bottle. Much lighter than an equivalent size Nalgene and indestructible. Boilable and freezeable-water will not freeze in the screw cap threads so you can always get it open. My second choice is the tried and true liter size Nalgene. My last option is one of the many stainless steel water bottles now available. Use caution in very hot or freezing weather. The metal can burn your lips or lips can stick in really cold temperatures. How much to carry? DO NOT count on finding drinkable water in the desert. I carry six, one liter bottles for a 6-8 hour hike in true desert. It’s enough to give you a cushion for that Vinegaroon sting or Sidewinder or Mojave Green bite you wasn’t counting on.
I get the not wanting to cook at the end of the day feeling. I often don’t feel like making anything, too. However I do love having a hot drink in my hydroflask (tea or coffee). Drinking something hot during rest stops is restorative.
The Ass-pad remains! I thought that was going to be cut and waited with anticipation to see if it would be saved... whew.... Not sure I could do stove-less. I like a cup of coffee and a cup of tea each day. Especially once the weather gets chilly. I agree with the other cuts. Media is also important to me and I suspect my camera gear alone would match the entire weight of your new set-up, but that's the beauty of gear selection - you take what matters most to you. The idea is to give critical thought to needs versus wants and balance those.
I've replaced my sit-pad with a 1/8" GG Thinlight pad cut to the same size as my short NeoAir XLite. I can use it as a sit pad, as a pad under my sleep pad for added protection in three season temps, and over my sleep pad in winter for added insulation. And it only weighs 1.4 oz.
Two 18x18 sheets of pink foam dish-wrap. Insulates from the ground and wet, plus it's cheap and replaceable, and barely registers on the scale. (Also wraps a metal cup for hot food insulation in cold temps (30-degree mornings/evenings).
I carry a Canon 6D with a 24-105 and a 70-200 (although I also have a 16-35 that I may swap in for the low range). That said - I was planning on getting the 6Dii, but the reviews put me off a little. Unless Canon steps up soon - I may be looking at a Sony. For tripod - you really need to check out the TrailPix that attaches to your hiking poles. I did a video on it and took it on an extended back-country hike. Amazing and very, very light weight.
Must have hot coffee, even in hot weather.....mmmm hot coffee ;-) I also love a nice hot feed, once again even in hot weather. Even the process of setting it up, cooking, waiting etc - I find it meditative.
One stoveless meal that I like is ramen pasta salad. Rehydrate the ramen, add pepperoni, olives, peppers, or just whatever you have and then a packet of Italian dressing, some salt pepper and parmesan cheese. MMMMM! I use a PB jar from an imported PB. It is a 12 oz jar with a wide mouth, kinda like the gelato jar. Perfect size for me. I have also stopped using camp shoes, since I was just carrying them. Even Vivo's at 6 or so ounces for the pair is useless weight if you are getting no use from them. Waiting patiently for the start of your PCT hike!
I ditched my trusty old Peak 1 stove. Heavy but ultra reliable, fast boiler great simmer, but finally to heavy. Moving to a Pocket Rocket. Added trekking poles, but still going to keep my old bamboo staff for some hikes.
Sound advise from someone with prudence and experience. I have carried mementos, like a harmonica, everywhere I go for years. I don't even know how to play a harmonica, but have had it since i was 12 (now 54). I recently retired it and several other items. Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Just got my latest update on that bag. I absolutely loved the design. Im anxious and looking forward to get mine and give it a try. Love the camera swap as well. I'm not an much a fan of the GoPro as I am a good quality camera with all the settings. Keep those videos coming love them.
Planning my first multi-day hike this year. I had never considered going stoveless and cold-soaking, but now I am definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the idea!
i have been playing with the idea of going stoveless. while sitting at home it doesn't seem worth it, but once i am out on the trail after a long day cooking is such a pain. im just curious if i could eat cold food for the duration of a long distance hike. i guess trying it out will be the only way to know!!
Darwin, you're so awesome! I hiked 1,000 miles of the PCT this summer as my first "long distance" hike. I was always wondering about what gear I could add or throw out and what things other people were carrying. Your videos have given me a lot of perspective and have helped me find better things to carry when I go back. I'm stoked to see how your PCT adventure goes! Keep up the good work!!
I gotta take issue with the squeeze filter. Seems like a wash in weight to me. You get the massive storage with the clean bag that's part of the gravity system. Now you need to carry extra smart water bottles that weigh just as much and take up more room. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the benefits. All I see is a system that requires more work on your part.
I did a 4 night last year with just Pemican and Parched Corn for food. Saved lots of weight and pack space. 6x a day a little pinch of Parched Corn Powder and 1/2 bottle of water.
A little late to this video but a question on saving weight, going minimalist. Have you ever considered going the George W. Sears route. In short replacing some gear (or going lighter weight) by increasing a skill set? As an obvious example getting a micro folding ti-stove that uses sticks? You just need to know what dry (and light) stuff to put in a tinder bundle in the event you hit a camp site that is a little wet and so dry tinder is hard to find. Some of these stoves even allow you to drop a spirit burner in it if you are feeling really lazy lol. Now this might obviously not be necessary for you as you aren't cooking period, it's just an example of how you can save weight and space by developing a skill vs buying a kit. Obviously your way works btw, just wondering if the idea ever came to mind on your part.
I've gotten away from trekking poles, tripod, camera, my VBL liner, tent, stove and pot. For the PCT I'll be using a 45F bag, less clothes, lighter clothes, and less electronics, headlamp, and only my new phone to record videos, and charge it with an Anchor 2 panel 15w solar charger. I've cut base weight from 13+ lbs to 10 lbs.
I too cold rehydrate, knor,,,instant potatoes,, tuna,spam, jerky cliff bars i made simple.all you need is water.ppl have a thing built in that they need hot food. I carry a cup incase there is a need to boil, you could always do a small steath.
I know that you basically go stove-less. But my question is if you had to choose between solid or alcohol stove which one would you choose and why? In your opinion, what are the pros and cons to both cook systems?
Darwin, Thanks for the "lighter hiker" view point, but no stove? What happens if your water filter gets broken? What if you're freezing in your tent and need to fill a waterproof plastic bag with hot water? What if......
I have been eating cold food for 15 years. I never under stood the need to sit and cook, it’s just nutrients throw it down and go. Not only that it’s one less hassle when dealing who burned down the forest and extra weight. Yes, it is a time to build moral and socialize but is cooking all the time necessary, no not at all. I like to be as light as possible and only be able to take with me what I can carry, “Mobilis In Mobile”
Hey Darwin. Great video. I'm always reminded that I should tweak my gear down to what I really need. Recently I've decided to stop carrying the cup that's attached to my cook set. I like coffee in the morning, but for the past couple backpacking trips I haven't felt the need to drink any before my hikes. Most of the time I start hiking right before sunrise after camping, so firing up the stove and waiting for water to heat up wasn't something I wanted to wait for most of the time. This only saves me 4 oz of weight, but it does save on that extra cup space that used to clutter my backpack for no reason.
I recently decided to stop using a bear canister in favor of bear-bagging with a cuben fiber food bag and an odor block bag liner. I'll only revert to the bear canister when I'm concerned that suitable trees for bear bagging are likely to be hard to find.
The New Squeeze Bag can hold water for a long period of time without leaking (like the gravity feed system). That way I can throw it in my pack & hike without worrying about it leaking all over my gear. Plus there is no point in having a Gravity Feed System if you are never going to Gravity Feed! Thanks for Watching! Hike On, Darwin
The Squeeze bag seals better than any other Water Storage bag I've ever used. The Platypus Dirty Bag was never really made to store water, just to use as a Gravity fed bag. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable with carrying water in it in my pack! Hike On, Darwin
I can't tell you the number of times I've seen folks, including one friend, have their Platypus come open in their pack from the pressure. This was my concern. You sold me.
It ditched my thermarest mattress for one of the newer inflatable ones from Klymit- LOVE this piece of gear. It insulates, and since I am also a side sleeper, the thickness is about perfect. Pretty sure I dropped 2lbs from my gear by going this route. I don't think I could go stoveless....there's something special about a hot meal at the end of the day. Especially if you do a lot of trips like I do in the spring/fall when it is a lot cooler out.
Thanks for another great video. I love a hot meal but on the last night of a recent section hike I didn't feel like cooking, ate some trail mix and went to bed. If I had some pre-soaked meal I may have eaten it.
I carry a canon eos rebel. It's heavy, it doesn't take video, and it's bulky. But it was my dad's camera, I get to take his memory with me. Besides I can lighten my base weight to accommodate for the heavy camera. Sometimes it's not about weight
After my last canoe backpacking trip (where it rained a lot) I actually ditched my rain pants and just kept the jacket. I got a size larger than needed to make sure the jacket covered my rear and it works perfectly (and it lightened my pack).
Definitely looking forward to a series on cold soaking. I've thought about going stoveless but my cold soak experiments so far have been a mess. I either use too much or too little water and also find that different foods (beans, rice, pasta) need very different soak times, so I either end up with something that hasn't soaked long enough or something that's soaked too long and turned to total mush. Any specific advice you could give on this would be very much appreciated.
I find it hard to give up camp shoes because in the Southern Appalachians there are a lot of stream crossings and plain ole humid days. My feet and shoes need to dry out in camp. How do you deal with it?
I checked out that squeeze/gravity bag at PCT Trail Days, and I lost their business card. They weren't selling the bags at the time, because it was just a prototype. I'm looking forward to your review on it, and hopefully they'll be selling the bags so you can disclose how we can buy it. I'm grabbing a few as soon as their available.
All good advice. True about the GoPro. The best thing about the GoPro is the waterproof box it is in, but as a camera, it is not that great. Looking forward to your vids on cold soaking food.
Hey Darwin, love your channel. It's been incredibly informative for someone who is just getting into longer / overnight hikes. I picked up the BRS UL stove! A question I have for you is how/where in your sack do you store your fuel/canisters for your hikes? Thanks!
Damn, nothing but cold soaking? That's hardcore! Being a bit of a foodie, I'm not sure I could manage to part with the comfort provided by a hot meal. There's something mentally and emotionally satisfying about it. Like I said, that's pretty hardcore to be able to cut that out. Props to you.
you'll regret stove-less if you ever are in below zero for any length of time. all your stuff must be pretty warm weather if your dropping a stove. Just my 2 cents. Also, why all the smart water bottles, get a 3 ltr bladder. less space conforms to your pack. and doubles as a pillow. Bottles are kind of crap, you cant crunch down, doesn't get smaller as you drink it. etc etc.
Thanks for all the input! I'm really looking forward to the cold-soaking videos; I've never tried that, but it sounds pretty neat! I way too attached (literally, ha ha ha, via the hand strap) to my GoPro to give it up for now, and I do like the hands-free mounting options it gives you :)
Hey Darwin, loving your videos. I just traded out my Backpack from a Deuter 32 L to the ZPacks Nero. The Pack is awesome, and I use it for some 3 Day Backpacking in the Alps. I also got myself a new and lighter Down Jacket. I now use the YETI Virtue M Jacket (800 Fill) which weighs 290 gr. and packs super small. I´m totally in love with that jacket. Greetz from Germany Tobi
In 1972 I hiked the JMT and we didn't have a stove, but we did cook with campfires. It was allowed then, we fished and fresh trout for dinner cooked in bacon grease (because I carried a 4 lb. slab of bacon & no resupply for 160 miles) was delicious. I bought a stove in 73 and it burned white gas, or just any ole damned gas, but if using leaded gasoline don't cook in the tent. LOL
The water switch doesn't make much sense to me. Seems like you are just switching from one system to another. I don't understand how you can carry more water with the squeeze system. I appreciate your insights on going stoveless. I'm almost there with an esbit stove.
I can understand not wanting to pack fuel canisters, but not being able to make hot food or liquid, in case of an emergency can be a death sentence in Alaska. I would at least carry a couple fuel tablets so I would be able to get something warm into me to raise my core temperature.
Just a thought but maybe a cold soak video, daughter and I started his summer stove less and love it but would like more ideas. Love the channel, keep it up!
I love Your Videos. It's not about having this or that gear, it's the knowledge WHY You choose this or that gear. That all fits together. Me self have different preferences. Because I don't do that kind of long hikes, weight is not such an important factor for me. So I can choose a lot of natural materials (Wool blanket, cotton tarp, leather haversack) and also carry a bit of "luxury gear" like a foldable swiss army candle lantern, a small instrument (Ocarina or harmonica) and a water filter that has no compromise in durability! (Katadyn Pocket) I can understand that You kick the gas stove out - it requires gas cartridges and those are big, even when You have to carry them empty. Never owned a gas stove (but own a multifuel stove that I seldom use any more) I would never go on a hike without any wood burning stove. In my Haversack carry the swiss army volcano stove (love that thing, also for boiling water in the bottle or make soup in the cup). A bit of campfire - mood and a warm meal is a MUST for me in a camp after a hiking day. A hike without at least a small campfire ("canned" in the vocano stove) for a warm meal is not worth ho hike for me. Have save hikes!
Long time ago I did the Himalayan Foot Hills, Kashmir region, and we did water purifying in Iodine Tablets. I'd rather have a small pack of tablets over a bag any day, but I'd like to hear your opinion.
You are a better man than me. I have to have hot coffee in the morning and I love the BSR 3000 stove you recommended. Prob one of my favorite low cost pieces of gear.
Hi Darwin! I was wondering about care, maintenance, etc. for eyewear when backpacking. Not just sunglasses, please (though some thoughts on choices of those can be helpful), but how to take care of prescription glasses, spare pairs, etc. Somewhat related, I guess: how should one store and dispose of non-rechargeable batteries, especially hearing aid batteries?
Hey darwin,im a camper,hiker,bicycler and motocycleer, we just had irma go by, i think im always ready.when it comes down to it you never are.. i am always trying to be minimal and i am, my bag weighs 15 lbs thats everything cloths ill change into to light and food thats not bad rite?
I think i will still bring ultralight flip flops for the camp. Last time i camped i was upper annoyed to not have any camp footwear. It was raining and the shoes had to dry out and were muddy.
I am surprised you choose a plastic container for your food, instead of a lightweight steel or titanium container. Wouldn't it be more versatile, as you can use it for heating water in a tiny campfire? A cup of water heats quickly over a very small fire. You won't need to collect more than a handfull of sticks.
Hey Darwin, I have a question. how do you store your gear? I mean, you have all the bike packing stuff, all the AT stuff, and all the ultralight stuff, and y'all have both moved into a mini van and a utility trailer....Man I love watching you, and truly enjoyed watching you and Snuggles adventure.
I do not get the stoveless mentality. There is nothing like a warm meal to raise spirits or body temperature!
Many backcountry locations don't allow them, but even if you can, it's actually a pretty big hassle to find dead wood around backcountry campsites, gather it, haul it in, set up a safe fire space, and get a fire started. And then yes, put it out, bury it, and leave, ideally, no trace. And that's assuming you're not above the treeline where you're not going to find any timber. You're certainly not going to be doing that trailside for lunch, either. And if everybody did that, there wouldn't be any woods left!
A stove can be setup and burning in seconds and will boil water faster without covering your cookware in soot.
I guess being in a cold environment or being in a hot one makes a difference.
Good choice! I've got a Pocket Rocket 2 and it's one of my favorite pieces of gear. I even use it car camping. I've got a boiler pot that fits an 8oz. canister perfectly and can hold the PR2 and a few other supplies as well so it's all self contained. Even if I'm not doing anything else with it, making coffee in the morning is quick and painless.
Everything tastes better on the trail! And more than that, the really good stuff tastes 1,000x better when you get home.
I'm with you, when I was in the Army a hot meal was a Godsend that made you feel good and raised morale however simple it was, and that has stuck with me ever since. I try to have at least one hot meal every other day at the minimum.
Hot coffee is critical in the morning for me to enjoy myself. Maybe some sleepy time tea at night. The rest is minor.
One issue I see with giving up the stove and titanium cup is that you no longer have the option of boiling water - say if your filter breaks or your water source looks particularly bad. Even if you ditch the stove, with a metal container you can still boil water with a small fire if you have to. Besides the zero cost, how does the clear screwtop container you're using compare to, say, a one liter screwtop Vargo Ti Bot at less than 5oz?
The Vargo Ti Bot is pretty expensive & heavier for what it is. At that point I would just carry my Ti mug & the Gelato Container. It would still be cheaper & lighter than the Bot.... I looked into them, trust me...lol
Hike On,
Darwin
And I have my Toaks Ti mug and Talenti Gelato jar right here in front of me. Thanks AGAIN.
I was thinking similarly when I saw this. I keep some specific things available even if they are extra weight or rarely used. One of those is a container I can boil water in, even on a day hike. If you are hiking in anything approaching cold weather, the ability to put something in your system that is warmer than the surroundings can literally save your life. It's also a great backup for your filter as Mark says above.
A stainless or Ti water bottle will serve very well if you don't want to carry a metal cup. I'm cheap though, and would just carry the one I had :). I'd leave a camera behind before I would something to boil water in :)
Not preaching, even if it sounds like it -- that is just one of my safety nets, like a tiny flint and steel kit is.
After a 12 day hike in the mountains of Norway without zero resuply, i needed to get my baseweight down BADLY!
I switched 3 main items from ultra strong to ultralight.
I went from a big indestructible monster backpack, to a frameless 45l, from a bulky and heavy synthetic sleeping bag to a down quilt, and a long alpine tent to a trecking pole tent.
Thoes 3 items have brought me down by 16,3 pounds!!!
I'm loving the light life!
I've never been into hiking, but I've been binging your videos recently, and you've gotten me interested in light hiking and camping. Keep up the quality content!
SWEET! Get out there MAX, it's an Amazing World!
Hike On,
Darwin
It will change your life. One 3-5 day section hike and you will see amazing things, and more importantly, see the world through a different lens that everyone so desperately. Careful warning... this video by Darwin is too real. czcams.com/video/LgbNE6t7Vfk/video.html
Right on man, one suggestion..start small. The first trips my wife and I made were 2-3 mile hikes on flat ground and just camping. Over time my wife and I started doing overnight trips with modest elevation gains, and that is plenty for my wife...me I like doing multiday trips with big elevation gains now. End of the day, get out there and enjoy yourself. If you can do it with a friend, even better.
Start small in terms of gear. Darwin has some good recommendations for cheap, light gear. It may not have the durability of the more expensive gear, but it will give you the opportunity to find out what works for you at a smaller money penalty. I think my bandana and puffy down jacket are the only pieces of gear that I haven't changed from my first backpacking trip a little over 3 years ago. Backpacking has really impacted my life for the better. I have seen views that have blown my mind and made me realize how small I am in this world. I have met wonderful people who have changed my outlook on life as well. I highly recommend finding what works for you and getting on the trail.
Max Cohn suggestion. Go on short camping trips locally so you can get your groove. Take notes of how much food you packed and how much came home. Especially if you’re not far from a store, risk packing too little, you can always get more if you were wrong. It’s well worth it, I wish you the best.
Next episode ~ reduces base weight by removing eyeballs and beard. Got to get to that .2kg.
lol... I like the way you think!
Hike On,
Darwin
Too funny
at least one eyeball ca go, havin 2 just in case seems so...
PDXevgrin Actually, there’s a ton of duplicate or unnecessary organs: Kidneys, Testes, Lungs, Hands/Arms (might start small with individual digits, then work up to entire fingers), Feet/Legs (might be a little tough on trail, though), Penis (a true ul hiker would commit to being a eunuch), Gall Bladder, Appendix, Tail Bone, Nipples, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Intestines (don’t take too much, but sections can safely be removed; one inch for every section of the AT!).
A little novocaine and some alcohol, and a mirror, and you’re in business!
Forgot teeth. You can survive on a liquid diet, or one consisting of liquified “mush”. There’s a weight saving right there. Hell, if you’re truly committed... I’ve read stories of people having tragic accidents and surviving with less than half of their brain. Might be another avenue once you’ve sawed your toothbrush in half, switched to Cuben Fibre tarps, etc.
Darwin,
I bring two clear plastic bags, either clean Subway sandwich bags or umbrella bags that weigh virtually nothing and use them to put over my clean/dry camp/sleep socks and inside my trail runners when I am in camp, especially if my trail runners are wet or especially dirty / muddy.
Hi, Re cold soaking dehydrated food, the only potential issue to be aware of, is that the food will be in the perfect temp range 5 - 60 deg C for growing bacteria so I wouldn't be leaving it too many hours after adding the water. And ditching any uneaten food straight after, not keeping for later.
I can appreciate your choices but no stove? Your a better hiker then me. lol. With no hot coffee id be a bear on the trail. Can't wait to watch your PCT hike!
I could never go stoveless. A warm meal in the cold desert is worth the weight. And a lot of times you have to hunt or fish for food where im at so you need the ability to cook. There are no rest stops to replenish dry foods.
I understand the desire to not cook after a 15-20 mile day, however some days nothing is better than a worm meal.
I love that typo Adam. Worms.. :D
You over simplify why people like a good coffee (or a cup of tea or hot chocolate) It's not just the caffeine. It's the whole process - brewing it up, smelling it, then sitting around and sipping away. I find it relaxing and enjoyable.
What difference does it make if you consider it an addiction? Even without the caffeine, coffee is enjoyable for its flavor and aroma, it's satisfying warmth, as well as the ritualistic aspects of its brewing. You might rationalize your own addiction to caffeine pills by projecting what you know of yourself onto others, but unfortunately, it does not make it so.
Cold soaking sounds like a cold shower...miserable! More power to you. You're a tougher man than me. Nothing lifts my spirits after a cold, wet hike like some warm chili mac and hot tea. Totally worth the weight.
So recently I took my Platypus gravity filter, shortened the hose, shortened and replaced the section between the filter and the dirty bag with stiffer hose, put bite valve on the end and turned it into a filtering as you go camel back system. Just scoop up water, seal, drop in a side pocket, run the hose over and good to go. At camp I can still use it a gravity filter to fill spare bottles if I need to. Works great!
Excited to see the recipes you enjoy while being stoveless. Especially after Dixie's last video where she went on and on about how much she was missing hot food when she missed picking up her stove at an angsty post office. I get hot pretty quick and almost never want hot food in the Summer and early Autumn. Also excited to see where that bag is from. Looks perfect for me as I'm not a fan of the Sawyer bag I got for free with my filter.
I finally have most of my stuff and I can't wait to do my first hike with my newly acquired ZPacks Arc Scout! It's crazy light and it's so comfortable to have a pack that's really made for my short height instead of trying to make a bigger pack work.
I read a backpacking book about 6 months ago and it made a statement... when you wake up, break camp and hike, if it's a cool morning heading out will warm you up right away. Eat on the trail or take a break when you want a break. Also... at the end of the day, hike until you're ready to stop, then go to bed. Your there to hike first.
Richard Bucker this guy read a book about hiking LMFAO
Stoveless is good in the summer. In winter, hot food and drink is totally worth the extra weight of a stove/cookpot.
The water system is now public and can be found here: cnocoutdoors.com/products/vecto-water-container
I've been looking at these systems, particularly the CNOC kickstarter, for the last couple months so I really look forward to the review. I've been eying this and the Platypus doppleganger.
Well Nevermind, looks like Gilad finally made them available.... SWEET!
Hike On,
Darwin
No Stove may be well and good for Arizona but sod that for springtime in the UK. When you're hiking in relentlessly cold conditions a hot meal in the evening is vital.
stoveless in hot summer maybe, but in colder months never.... because of warm and mental.comfort.... coffe tea... these things can help me out a lot.
Jeez Darwin. I love the channel, religiously watch the videos and I have learned a ton. Getting rid of camp shoes...fine. Dumping the gravity feed system...hmm ok. Dumping the go pro...kosher. But dumping the stove and hot meals? Lost me there. After 13 miles I want a hot meal. Cold oatmeal? Granola...tree bark soaked in water...come on. I hope one day to hike with you brother but don't come knocking when you smell yummier hot food cooking :). Hike safe!
lol.... If there is 1 thing I've learned it's that Hiking Styles change. I used to be the same way...... If we hike together, you don't have to worry about me with your Hot Food, I'll already be asleep with a Full Belly!...lol
Hike On,
Darwin
I would say the gravity system makes sense where there is less water and longer in between sources (not that I use one, lol).
Camp/town shoes are a luxury item, for sure. If you can't take your shoes off at the end of a day and just wander around barefoot, you haven't conditioned your feets enough.
But, there is something that separates our species from the rest of the animals, and that is control of fire. I ate a cold dinner tonight, and while it was nutritionally fulfilling, I couldn't help but think as I ingested it that it was somehow lacking in satisfaction.
I didn't need it to be hot. But because it could have become hot at my behest, and I had the capability to make it so but chose not to, I felt like I had not lived up to my full potential. That I had settled for something easier and more attainable. And I didn't like that feeling.
Push forward.
my thoughts exactly, I cant imagine a 4 day trip without the simple joy or morale boost of warm meal or drink let alone forcing yourself into a lifestyle change of months cold drink mornings and unsatisfied cold meal evenings. I guess the trade off will be more reliance on "resupply in town" ie. hot meals cooked by someone else in a cafe. Seriously odd to me the shift in personal satisfaction, ditch stove for a bulky, needy, distracting camera that gets clicks, subs, views. IDK man good luck, you're convinced, I'm not, but it's not my meals to eat. :) I spent my 20's sleeping on cardboard with a wool blanket and was proud of that then, my hips and joints later didnt share my pride. But I wouldnt go back and change that decision because now I can know the difference of well placed simple pleasures over simply striving for minimalism.
Agreed. I'll sacrifice some weight for a pair of flips flops and some hot coffee/tea/food!
Your gravity system is way more complicated and heavy than needed. All you need to turn your new squeeze system into a gravity system is a way to hold a bag or bottle underneath the filter. Punch a couple of holes in the bottom of the dirty bag and run some light cordage. I sewed a strap attaching two bottle clips together with the right length for the filter. That way I can just stick the clean end into a SmartWater Sports cap on my clean bag or bottle (leave the cap loose for a bottle) and connect the two with the strap. No need for a hose. And of course the SmartWater sports cap also takes the place of the backflush.
I carry an Esbit stove and solid fuel tabs. If I felt the need to cook a lot, I don’t know if it work so well. But I like a cup of hot coffee in the morning and a cup of hot cocoa or broth at night. Otherwise, I can get by with cold food. I guess it is a comfort thing, but it is also a good thing to have in the extremely unusual situation in which I would have to make a fire (like if I were lost or needed help and had climbed up to a high open place with wood to set a signal fire, or if I needed to sterilize a knife to cut some foreign body out of myself).
No way I could ever go stove-less. My cooking can get elaborate, I love to eat good food. Hot coffee is a must. As someone else said I love the smell, and its comforting. Most importantly though is Hiking in the BC Rockies and Coast ranges, the possibility of getting caught in bad weather is always present, and the thought of getting through that when cold and wet with no hot food is not something I would look forward to. To me the extra pound or two simply isn't worth the potential risk. Hot food and hot drink will warm a chilled body far better than not having it. Love your videos, and to each his own.
My gear has evolved over and over throughout the years and it's still doing so. I've still got things I've swapped out for other things that still get used because in certain situations they are useful or beneficial in the context of the camp I'm doing. If the kids and I are just going to stay in hiking huts, I'll leave tents behind and carry extra cooking gear that I would leave behind if I were camping by myself in a tent.
FYI the gelotto jar will melt and shrivel up if you ever put hot enough water in it, suggest a cheap 1qt storage container instead it is microwavable and can take some heat (without much of a weight difference) if you ever go back to a stove or use a hot spring as a water source.
I just switched from a GoLite Jam pack to the ULA Ohm 2.0, so I will see soon what changes makes sense on my next hike in October in the Cohutta Wilderness Ga. But here are a few things I've quit using: GSI coffee filter, camp shoes, candle lantern, stool, all cooking utensils except for a lexan spoon, pared down my first aid kit to a few bandaids, NSAIDS, and small amount of Neosporin. Also, I just cut 5 oz. by carrying only 4 aluminum stakes instead of 8 that go with my cat cut tarp. The extra 4 lines from tarp gone too. Dropped canister stove for very small alcohol stove and Heineken pot.
I recently went tentless and love it! The morning dew leaves your bag a little wet but, just pull it out during lunch to dry and you're good 👍🏼
Yeah, I love Cowboy Camping from time to time!
Hike On,
Darwin
This past summer i've added a Hatchling from Terrapin outfitters... For me it has become indispensable! From hammock chair to gear sling... albeit heavier it's worht the penalty to be a bit more comfy during the day and at camp.
Yeah like who really wants to eat a hot meal after hiking all day!
If your trail runners are still damp from a day's walking, try a fresh pair of socks and some freezer bags inside the shoes. Around camp, feet won't sweat noticeably inside the bags and the contained warmth will help to dry the trail runners faster.
I'm excited to hear about that water bag. The sawyer bags are small, junky, and break. I recently purchased a platypus bag and it has been great so far. A large open ended bags gives you so many options.
Not sure why you'd go for a camera without a viewfinder? I find in the hills that the LCD monitor often becomes unusable in the bright light.
For water, I prefer a good bottle filter - currently the Seychelle (US)/TravelTap(UK). Just fill and go. Easy to carry on an accessible point on the pack. Decant dirty water from your bladders into the filter to use. No messing around.
Camp shoes - just say no! Simply not required if you're using sensible footwear.
Seriously making me consider dropping camp shoes, my only thought for keeping is if the trail runners are soaked. I would hate to put my dry camp/sleep socks in wet trail runners. I guess if I had to go back out I could always just put the wet socks back on. 8.4 oz to keep or not to keep...
Love your vids. But I am not a hiker. I am a camper, with a pack. Thanks for all the information. I am going heavy. Again, thanks for the info.
Ha! I'm not alone in seeing the value in saving those Talenti gelato jars! Multiple uses and the screw top is so much better than a snap seal container.
Yeah, I love them!.... I was using a PB Jar, but I like the Gelato Container much more!
Hike On,
Darwin
Random Button Pusher But are the water tight? Ive had multiple issues with the gelato leaking out and making a mess
Are the Talenti gelato jars big enough for rehydrating a dinner meal? They look kinda small to me.
Yes. And to be sure, I just filled one with water, inverted it, shook it, etc. No leaks. Just make sure you screw it down tightly.
1 pint, basically the same size as my camp cup (1/2 liter).
Haven't had to cook anything on trail since 2007. Preparation is the key to success. Thanks for the good ideas
I've started half cold soak...i gave up coffee and a hot breakfast in the morning for cold soaked oatmeal... but something about that hot meal in the evening soothes my soul after miles of hiking. My camp show is a tevo sandal that saved my ass when the shoes I got talked into buying on trail to replace my worn out pair gave me blisters and hurt my feet so bad that walking was miserable (lesson learned there!) I could hike in them... they are a heavier carry than most camp shoes but I'm worth it lol
Interesting to see your style of cooking system while hiking, if you're going to keep base in a camp with other people then that makes sense, and you have fuel for a stove and things like that
My style is different, when I go hiking it's often to the wilderness, I like to go to inhabited isles on my stand up paddle or kayak, and settle there for some time then return, so I make fire to cook my food and in case my water supply runs out to purify water from harmful microorganisms. I carry simply a kukri blade to cut wood for the fire from dead logs or branches, and to cut bamboo to make a shelter, and tinder to make thr fire and a lighter as a backup, I set traps for small animals and I also go fishing or picking crabs and lobsters from the water. So the things I carry with me that is the most useful are 3 blades, a Filipino kukri that my brother got me years ago from his trip to the Philippines, a Bowie knife with serrations on the back that I made with my father, and a multitool. I carry everything in a roll up dry bag to keep all my stuff dry
I would not take 3 water bottles for storage. I would use those foldable pouches (like you get with a squeeze) and use those to store dirty water. When you come up on better quality water you dump their contents and fill up with the new (better) water. If you're unsure of the next water source you take what you can get. If they are empty they collapse down to almost nothing and they double-function as a squeeze pouch if you need one (backup) after that mistery item you showed.
Hey man, love your videos. Planning on hiking the PCT next year as well and I've been taking a lot of your advice regarding gear. Thanks for doing what you do and I hope to see you on the trail next year!
Thanks Dan! See you out there Brother!
Hike On,
Darwin
I acquired around 120 Mountain House meals and I got a new MSR something light stove. I'm tied at the hip to my cook set for the next 5 years. lol Dude, well presented. Nice.
+Darwin onthetrail At what temp do you think you'll add back the stove? Consistent 50-60-degree days with 30-degree frost nights?
I'm definitely a stoveless hiker. will never give up camp shoes. Usually have been just using phone for video and pics been considering gopro though. Gonna research it more before I purchase.
I bet cold food & no hot coffee, tea, etc gets old quick. Can't wait to see how that squeeze water bag works. Good choice on the new camera.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the desert...I even lived in the town of Mojave for a while. I learned to exercise extreme caution when selecting containers for water. In the desert, a serious water leak could easily result in a serious death. For almost fifty years I’ve been one of those “gram counting freaks.” But water+desert=don’t care about weight. Forget about the flimsy re-tasked two liter soda bottles. There’s no shortage of thorns in the desert so I eschew any kind of collapsible bladder-type containers that leak if you give one a piercing glance.
Second tip: Divide your water supply into several containers. A puncture or even an accidental clumsy drop won’t completely deplete your supply.
Third tip: Never put the cap/lid down. It’s either on your bottle or in your hand. Take a drink, put the cap on...take another sip, put the cap on. Aggravating as Hell? So is heat stroke. Use the same practice when pouring water for your pasta.
Fourth: The water carriers I recommend are the Hunnerstadt High Altitude Water Bottle. Much lighter than an equivalent size Nalgene and indestructible. Boilable and freezeable-water will not freeze in the screw cap threads so you can always get it open.
My second choice is the tried and true liter size Nalgene. My last option is one of the many stainless steel water bottles now available. Use caution in very hot or freezing weather. The metal can burn your lips or lips can stick in really cold temperatures.
How much to carry? DO NOT count on finding drinkable water in the desert. I carry six, one liter bottles for a 6-8 hour hike in true desert. It’s enough to give you a cushion for that Vinegaroon sting or Sidewinder or Mojave Green bite you wasn’t counting on.
I get the not wanting to cook at the end of the day feeling. I often don’t feel like making anything, too. However I do love having a hot drink in my hydroflask (tea or coffee). Drinking something hot during rest stops is restorative.
The Ass-pad remains! I thought that was going to be cut and waited with anticipation to see if it would be saved... whew....
Not sure I could do stove-less. I like a cup of coffee and a cup of tea each day. Especially once the weather gets chilly.
I agree with the other cuts. Media is also important to me and I suspect my camera gear alone would match the entire weight of your new set-up, but that's the beauty of gear selection - you take what matters most to you. The idea is to give critical thought to needs versus wants and balance those.
Yeas it (AssPad) has, well sorta.... Updates coming SOON!
Hike On,
Darwin
I've replaced my sit-pad with a 1/8" GG Thinlight pad cut to the same size as my short NeoAir XLite. I can use it as a sit pad, as a pad under my sleep pad for added protection in three season temps, and over my sleep pad in winter for added insulation. And it only weighs 1.4 oz.
Two 18x18 sheets of pink foam dish-wrap. Insulates from the ground and wet, plus it's cheap and replaceable, and barely registers on the scale. (Also wraps a metal cup for hot food insulation in cold temps (30-degree mornings/evenings).
I carry a Canon 6D with a 24-105 and a 70-200 (although I also have a 16-35 that I may swap in for the low range). That said - I was planning on getting the 6Dii, but the reviews put me off a little. Unless Canon steps up soon - I may be looking at a Sony.
For tripod - you really need to check out the TrailPix that attaches to your hiking poles. I did a video on it and took it on an extended back-country hike. Amazing and very, very light weight.
I really like the new CNOC set up. It works much like the one you are holding.
Must have hot coffee, even in hot weather.....mmmm hot coffee ;-)
I also love a nice hot feed, once again even in hot weather. Even the process of setting it up, cooking, waiting etc - I find it meditative.
One stoveless meal that I like is ramen pasta salad. Rehydrate the ramen, add pepperoni, olives, peppers, or just whatever you have and then a packet of Italian dressing, some salt pepper and parmesan cheese. MMMMM! I use a PB jar from an imported PB. It is a 12 oz jar with a wide mouth, kinda like the gelato jar. Perfect size for me. I have also stopped using camp shoes, since I was just carrying them. Even Vivo's at 6 or so ounces for the pair is useless weight if you are getting no use from them. Waiting patiently for the start of your PCT hike!
KuntryRD disgusting
I ditched my trusty old Peak 1 stove. Heavy but ultra reliable, fast boiler great simmer, but finally to heavy. Moving to a Pocket Rocket. Added trekking poles, but still going to keep my old bamboo staff for some hikes.
Carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen guys -- so make sure you're exhaling more than inhaling. Keep that base weight down!
Sound advise from someone with prudence and experience. I have carried mementos, like a harmonica, everywhere I go for years. I don't even know how to play a harmonica, but have had it since i was 12 (now 54). I recently retired it and several other items.
Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Just got my latest update on that bag. I absolutely loved the design. Im anxious and looking forward to get mine and give it a try.
Love the camera swap as well. I'm not an much a fan of the GoPro as I am a good quality camera with all the settings. Keep those videos coming love them.
Planning my first multi-day hike this year. I had never considered going stoveless and cold-soaking, but now I am definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the idea!
i have been playing with the idea of going stoveless. while sitting at home it doesn't seem worth it, but once i am out on the trail after a long day cooking is such a pain. im just curious if i could eat cold food for the duration of a long distance hike. i guess trying it out will be the only way to know!!
Darwin is evolving his gear.
Get it? Haha?
Darwin, you're so awesome! I hiked 1,000 miles of the PCT this summer as my first "long distance" hike. I was always wondering about what gear I could add or throw out and what things other people were carrying. Your videos have given me a lot of perspective and have helped me find better things to carry when I go back. I'm stoked to see how your PCT adventure goes! Keep up the good work!!
So wait, if you're holding the Cannon G7x, what was this filmed with? Unless... ghost camera?
I gotta take issue with the squeeze filter. Seems like a wash in weight to me. You get the massive storage with the clean bag that's part of the gravity system. Now you need to carry extra smart water bottles that weigh just as much and take up more room. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the benefits. All I see is a system that requires more work on your part.
I did a 4 night last year with just Pemican and Parched Corn for food. Saved lots of weight and pack space. 6x a day a little pinch of Parched Corn Powder and 1/2 bottle of water.
A little late to this video but a question on saving weight, going minimalist. Have you ever considered going the George W. Sears route. In short replacing some gear (or going lighter weight) by increasing a skill set? As an obvious example getting a micro folding ti-stove that uses sticks? You just need to know what dry (and light) stuff to put in a tinder bundle in the event you hit a camp site that is a little wet and so dry tinder is hard to find. Some of these stoves even allow you to drop a spirit burner in it if you are feeling really lazy lol.
Now this might obviously not be necessary for you as you aren't cooking period, it's just an example of how you can save weight and space by developing a skill vs buying a kit.
Obviously your way works btw, just wondering if the idea ever came to mind on your part.
I've gotten away from trekking poles, tripod, camera, my VBL liner, tent, stove and pot. For the PCT I'll be using a 45F bag, less clothes, lighter clothes, and less electronics, headlamp, and only my new phone to record videos, and charge it with an Anchor 2 panel 15w solar charger. I've cut base weight from 13+ lbs to 10 lbs.
I too cold rehydrate, knor,,,instant potatoes,, tuna,spam, jerky cliff bars i made simple.all you need is water.ppl have a thing built in that they need hot food. I carry a cup incase there is a need to boil, you could always do a small steath.
I know that you basically go stove-less. But my question is if you had to choose between solid or alcohol stove which one would you choose and why? In your opinion, what are the pros and cons to both cook systems?
Darwin,
Thanks for the "lighter hiker" view point, but no stove? What happens if your water filter gets broken? What if you're freezing in your tent and need to fill a waterproof plastic bag with hot water? What if......
I have been eating cold food for 15 years. I never under stood the need to sit and cook, it’s just nutrients throw it down and go. Not only that it’s one less hassle when dealing who burned down the forest and extra weight. Yes, it is a time to build moral and socialize but is cooking all the time necessary, no not at all. I like to be as light as possible and only be able to take with me what I can carry, “Mobilis In Mobile”
Hey Darwin. Great video. I'm always reminded that I should tweak my gear down to what I really need. Recently I've decided to stop carrying the cup that's attached to my cook set. I like coffee in the morning, but for the past couple backpacking trips I haven't felt the need to drink any before my hikes. Most of the time I start hiking right before sunrise after camping, so firing up the stove and waiting for water to heat up wasn't something I wanted to wait for most of the time. This only saves me 4 oz of weight, but it does save on that extra cup space that used to clutter my backpack for no reason.
I recently decided to stop using a bear canister in favor of bear-bagging with a cuben fiber food bag and an odor block bag liner. I'll only revert to the bear canister when I'm concerned that suitable trees for bear bagging are likely to be hard to find.
Not sure i see the difference between the gravity feed system and the new system, other than saving an oz in tubing...
The New Squeeze Bag can hold water for a long period of time without leaking (like the gravity feed system). That way I can throw it in my pack & hike without worrying about it leaking all over my gear. Plus there is no point in having a Gravity Feed System if you are never going to Gravity Feed! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail but dont most bags come with a cap to prevent leaking?
And gravity and squeezing are the same thing as far as a filter is concerned.
The Squeeze bag seals better than any other Water Storage bag I've ever used. The Platypus Dirty Bag was never really made to store water, just to use as a Gravity fed bag. I definitely wouldn't feel comfortable with carrying water in it in my pack!
Hike On,
Darwin
Darwin onthetrail so its more about getting a quality bag rather than changing your system.
I can't tell you the number of times I've seen folks, including one friend, have their Platypus come open in their pack from the pressure. This was my concern. You sold me.
It ditched my thermarest mattress for one of the newer inflatable ones from Klymit- LOVE this piece of gear. It insulates, and since I am also a side sleeper, the thickness is about perfect. Pretty sure I dropped 2lbs from my gear by going this route. I don't think I could go stoveless....there's something special about a hot meal at the end of the day. Especially if you do a lot of trips like I do in the spring/fall when it is a lot cooler out.
Thanks for another great video. I love a hot meal but on the last night of a recent section hike I didn't feel like cooking, ate some trail mix and went to bed. If I had some pre-soaked meal I may have eaten it.
I carry a canon eos rebel. It's heavy, it doesn't take video, and it's bulky. But it was my dad's camera, I get to take his memory with me. Besides I can lighten my base weight to accommodate for the heavy camera. Sometimes it's not about weight
After my last canoe backpacking trip (where it rained a lot) I actually ditched my rain pants and just kept the jacket. I got a size larger than needed to make sure the jacket covered my rear and it works perfectly (and it lightened my pack).
Definitely looking forward to a series on cold soaking. I've thought about going stoveless but my cold soak experiments so far have been a mess. I either use too much or too little water and also find that different foods (beans, rice, pasta) need very different soak times, so I either end up with something that hasn't soaked long enough or something that's soaked too long and turned to total mush. Any specific advice you could give on this would be very much appreciated.
Does the Canon G7x Mark ii give you good audio? Typically the mics and preamps in dedicated cameras is not great, so how do you handle that?
I find it hard to give up camp shoes because in the Southern Appalachians there are a lot of stream crossings and plain ole humid days. My feet and shoes need to dry out in camp. How do you deal with it?
I'm really interested in a review on that squeeze bag and more details about how you manage without a stove.
I checked out that squeeze/gravity bag at PCT Trail Days, and I lost their business card. They weren't selling the bags at the time, because it was just a prototype. I'm looking forward to your review on it, and hopefully they'll be selling the bags so you can disclose how we can buy it. I'm grabbing a few as soon as their available.
All good advice. True about the GoPro. The best thing about the GoPro is the waterproof box it is in, but as a camera, it is not that great. Looking forward to your vids on cold soaking food.
What brought you to the decision on the camera. Like, why that specific model?
Hey Darwin, love your channel. It's been incredibly informative for someone who is just getting into longer / overnight hikes.
I picked up the BRS UL stove! A question I have for you is how/where in your sack do you store your fuel/canisters for your hikes? Thanks!
If I carry one, I put it into my 700 Ti mug!
Hike On,
Darwin
Damn, nothing but cold soaking? That's hardcore! Being a bit of a foodie, I'm not sure I could manage to part with the comfort provided by a hot meal. There's something mentally and emotionally satisfying about it. Like I said, that's pretty hardcore to be able to cut that out. Props to you.
you'll regret stove-less if you ever are in below zero for any length of time. all your stuff must be pretty warm weather if your dropping a stove. Just my 2 cents. Also, why all the smart water bottles, get a 3 ltr bladder. less space conforms to your pack. and doubles as a pillow. Bottles are kind of crap, you cant crunch down, doesn't get smaller as you drink it. etc etc.
Thanks for all the input! I'm really looking forward to the cold-soaking videos; I've never tried that, but it sounds pretty neat! I way too attached (literally, ha ha ha, via the hand strap) to my GoPro to give it up for now, and I do like the hands-free mounting options it gives you :)
Hey Darwin,
loving your videos. I just traded out my Backpack from a Deuter 32 L to the ZPacks Nero. The Pack is awesome, and I use it for some 3 Day Backpacking in the Alps.
I also got myself a new and lighter Down Jacket. I now use the YETI Virtue M Jacket (800 Fill) which weighs 290 gr. and packs super small. I´m totally in love with that jacket.
Greetz from Germany
Tobi
Nice Choices Tobi! Thanks for Watching Brother!
Hike On,
Darwin
Camp shoes might be a good idea on the PCT for the first 700 miles in the desert due to all the cacti needles
In 1972 I hiked the JMT and we didn't have a stove, but we did cook with campfires. It was allowed then, we fished and fresh trout for dinner cooked in bacon grease (because I carried a 4 lb. slab of bacon & no resupply for 160 miles) was delicious. I bought a stove in 73 and it burned white gas, or just any ole damned gas, but if using leaded gasoline don't cook in the tent. LOL
The water switch doesn't make much sense to me. Seems like you are just switching from one system to another. I don't understand how you can carry more water with the squeeze system. I appreciate your insights on going stoveless. I'm almost there with an esbit stove.
Regarding you leaving the stove at home. What do you think about a solution like the Gossamer Gear crotch pot? Ever tried something like that?
I can understand not wanting to pack fuel canisters, but not being able to make hot food or liquid, in case of an emergency can be a death sentence in Alaska. I would at least carry a couple fuel tablets so I would be able to get something warm into me to raise my core temperature.
So what is that water system you couldn't mention. I would like to try that one.
Just a thought but maybe a cold soak video, daughter and I started his summer stove less and love it but would like more ideas. Love the channel, keep it up!
I love Your Videos. It's not about having this or that gear, it's the knowledge WHY You choose this or that gear.
That all fits together.
Me self have different preferences. Because I don't do that kind of long hikes, weight is not such an important factor for me.
So I can choose a lot of natural materials (Wool blanket, cotton tarp, leather haversack) and also carry a bit of "luxury gear" like a foldable swiss army candle lantern, a small instrument (Ocarina or harmonica) and a water filter that has no compromise in durability! (Katadyn Pocket)
I can understand that You kick the gas stove out - it requires gas cartridges and those are big, even when You have to carry them empty. Never owned a gas stove (but own a multifuel stove that I seldom use any more)
I would never go on a hike without any wood burning stove. In my Haversack carry the swiss army volcano stove (love that thing, also for boiling water in the bottle or make soup in the cup). A bit of campfire - mood and a warm meal is a MUST for me in a camp after a hiking day.
A hike without at least a small campfire ("canned" in the vocano stove) for a warm meal is not worth ho hike for me.
Have save hikes!
Long time ago I did the Himalayan Foot Hills, Kashmir region, and we did water purifying in Iodine Tablets. I'd rather have a small pack of tablets over a bag any day, but I'd like to hear your opinion.
I have a pair of those CNOC 2 litre water bags. I'm surprised how heavy they are when compared to others.
You are a better man than me. I have to have hot coffee in the morning and I love the BSR 3000 stove you recommended. Prob one of my favorite low cost pieces of gear.
lol... nah, just a different comfort level. We all have a different Hiking Stlye! The BRS is a kick ass little stove though!
Hike On,
Darwin
Hi Darwin! I was wondering about care, maintenance, etc. for eyewear when backpacking. Not just sunglasses, please (though some thoughts on choices of those can be helpful), but how to take care of prescription glasses, spare pairs, etc.
Somewhat related, I guess: how should one store and dispose of non-rechargeable batteries, especially hearing aid batteries?
Hey darwin,im a camper,hiker,bicycler and motocycleer, we just had irma go by, i think im always ready.when it comes down to it you never are.. i am always trying to be minimal and i am, my bag weighs 15 lbs thats everything cloths ill change into to light and food thats not bad rite?
I think i will still bring ultralight flip flops for the camp. Last time i camped i was upper annoyed to not have any camp footwear. It was raining and the shoes had to dry out and were muddy.
I am surprised you choose a plastic container for your food, instead of a lightweight steel or titanium container. Wouldn't it be more versatile, as you can use it for heating water in a tiny campfire? A cup of water heats quickly over a very small fire. You won't need to collect more than a handfull of sticks.
Hey Darwin, I have a question. how do you store your gear? I mean, you have all the bike packing stuff, all the AT stuff, and all the ultralight stuff, and y'all have both moved into a mini van and a utility trailer....Man I love watching you, and truly enjoyed watching you and Snuggles adventure.
Willie B. yes we have trouble storing gear at our house. I need some tips!