Packing for the Appalachian Trail

[ianrsigel]

Please pass this message on to Harley...

Woof, Woof Growl, Bark, Woof!

...He'll Understand.

[ianrsigel]

I lightened my load by roughly 110 pounds...Dumped the wife. I eat better as well...Mountain House beats the pants off her samonella specials.

[forgedabouted]

thats all you need man i eat like 6 punds of food a day

[mrSPEEDCASKET]

re evaluate

[DennyRec]

I'm going to the Rockies, Bryce & Zion Canyon and finishing in the Grand Canyon. This is a three week adventure. Net year I have been invited to the AT. Which I'm looking forward too. I just started backpacking this year and it's awesome. The people I have met on the trail are wonderful. They are like a different breed of people. Happy hiking

[buddydog1956]

I usually don't pack much..., but when I do,.... I prefer Dos Equis ~

Drink a lot , my friends!

[Savorist]

Did I seriously just spend 10 minutes watching a guy pack a backpack?

[dawkinsjh]

Haha love the dog. unfortunately being ADD, I couldnt pay attention at allllll

[kcmoore1988]

I love your dog.

[phloxhead]

The dog is annoying.

[BrokenAeroVT]

I started out with a ridgerest like you. I figured it would make good light back insulation for my hammock. Didn't work to well in the shelters though, even when I doubled up under my hips. I eventually did away with the hammock and the ridgerest in favor of a a very old 3/4 thermarest I had and cowboy camping with bug net and my poncho tarp reserved for rain.

[KillRhythm]

HOLY FUCKING CHRIST PUT THAT FUCKING ASSHOLE DOG IN ANOTHER ROOM !!!

[musicman9108]

@KillRhythm YOURE AN ASSHOLE!!!! OBVIOUSLY YOUVE NEVER HAD A DOG THEY ARE VERY CURIOUS CREATURES!!!!!!

[Subvert1024]

Your dog probaly thinks your talking to him

[bugoutbag2012]

forgot something

for an average overnight or 2 day backpacking trip

my pack is 17lbs without 1qt of water so after water

my pack will be about 21-22 lbs is that a good weight?

[bugoutbag2012]

i cant afford a nice tarp or tent so does anyone think just a regular walmart blue tarp could do fine for some 3 season camping?

[pjprestano]

no clothes? why not attach your tent and sleeping bag on the outside?

[graffixx808]

get the dog out of the way-wanna see the gear-not the dog...

[MrMadmardin]

Bring a good sized, good quality fixed blade knife and or a mountain gun. There are some truly strange and crazy people that use or linger around parts of the trail, like right out of Deliverance.

[devinhiking]

@MrMadmardin this is just the worst advice and you hear it time and time again from people that simply dont belong on the trail and in national parks because they're so scared they think they've gotta shoot everything. i didnt encounter ANYONE threatening, or that i thought "needed killin" last year the entire 2179 miles. in fact i got the feeling that alot of the day-hiker/weekend-hiker "clean people" felt like they probably needed protection from us.

[devinhiking]

@MrMadmardin For the record, the ATC estimates 3 to 4 MILLION people a year access part of the appalachian trail. Since the 70s there have been 10 murders occur on the trail, and a reported rape once every 3 years or so. While not without its own record of violent cime, its probably one of the safest places you could go. Compare its record to your own citys crime rate, then tell me how many people you've had to shoot lately.

[WelcomeToMyDream]

@MrMadmardin I own guns and like to shoot but there is no way I would carry an uncomfortable ass frikkin gun 2000 miles up the AT! :) A tiny pistol would weigh 10 pounds by the end.

[bugoutbag2012]

could some AT thru hikers have no mail drops

and buy their food at all the cities along trail?

[fsulax33]

@bugoutbag2012 you would waste a lot of time and money doing so. Spending many months with no income on the trail, it is best to conserve your money.

[josereygarrido]

jesus man, why didn't you get a compression sack

[dwilczyn]

what about your food?

[fourpointohh]

did you see any one thru mountain biking the A.T? mabe i can make history

[jamie7378]

@fourpointohh The AT is foot travel only. From my experience on the AT, some parts you could easily mtb, but the rest, absolutely no way. Its hard enough just to walk on without killing yourself.

[TPW0025]

Cobra Two-Way Radios

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[johnmonk66]

Engineers and hikers spent a hundred years developing the internal frame to reduce stress on the body, and you just chucked it? Dude, you can carry 40 lbs in a framed backpack farther than you can carry 15 lbs in an unframed one. But I am sure you learned your lesson by now.

[keg77105]

@johnmonk66 It takes consciense effort and dedication to go ultralight. My base weight is less than 10lbs and I'm still trying to figure out ways to lighten the load. I HIGHLY doubt you could hike 2,000+ miles over 14 states for months on end withing thinking about the useless, overweight shit in your pack. But then again, hike your own hike and leave jolly rancher alone. NOBO GA-ME 2009

[SCX2000SR]

Too many airlock space not untilised in packing.... Try ABC Packing; use a trash bag (larger than your bag). Place item least use on trail at the bottom (sleeping pad), stuff in loose clothes / sleeping bag(without compression stuff bag) to fill space. Try place heavier item closer to back, stuff in more loose clothes. Keep item needed on trail at top of bag such as rain gear etc. Separate snack food n place at accessible pockets. Tie of trash bag. That way you fill every inch of the backpack.

[TheMarkrokosmos]

Would rather carry 27 pounds with a proper internal frame, than 25 pounds frameless. You packed it well, but it still made me cringe looking at your packed bag and imagining not having proper support.

[Seppish1]

How bad did it suck to re-pack this damn thing everyday?

[hadd13]

@Seppish1 No shit 

[EnsoBlues]

How does the pack cope with smaller loads? Can you continue to roll the top down down to the top of the front pocket?

[THSurvivalGear]

May I suggest a Marine Corps issue gortex bivy or hammock with rain fly.... it would take up A LOT less space than a tent and leave you room for more important gear like med kit etc....

[SuperJeremy25]

@surfme2 leave the dog out of it!

[fourpointohh]

Would a hammock and tarp set up be good for the at?

[14anzimmerman]

I've always wanted to hike the AT. It's always been one of my dreams.

[mpwasz]

Get the dog outta the way already !!!

[danusmcgator]

8:17 that is a good place to hide your pot, lo,l jk

[Viz731]

Okay I need some help. So, I went on a hiking trip with my youth group for a 17 mile, 3 day hike about a year ago at the beginning of summer. The flaws I had were not having a good backpack, a sleeping bag(bad idea), not enough water (had no more room), and my worst mistake was not having the right fuel for the portable stove ( I had the alcohol that leaves dirty, black stuff on the bottom) What do you think I should replace some of the stuff with? Also, any good cheap backpacks I can find?

[ClimbingChrispy]

@Viz731 0 Usse Heet as your fuel. You can find it at Walmart in the Auto Section. Buy the yellow bottle, it's gas line anti-freeze. Heet burns the hottest and cleanest of all and can be found on the trail easily.

[Viz731]

@ClimbingChrispy wow, thanks man :) God bless you.. oh and how can you find it on the trail easily?

[Viz731]

@ClimbingChrispy oh and have any tips on what pack i should get?

[ClimbingChrispy]

@Viz731 Whenever on the trail, you have to go into town to resupply with food, fuel, etc. Gas stations or many stores with minimal car maintenance stuff will have Heet. (Remember the YELLOW bottle.) As for a backpack, I believe this is the most effective area to reduce pack weight. Considering my old pack weighed roughly 4 1/2 to 5 pounds, I was easily able to lose 4 pounds! I switched to a ULA Ohm. ULA is an American business run by a seasoned thru-hiker, so he knows what we need.

[ClimbingChrispy]

@Viz731 I also was close to buying the GoLite (Breeze?) you see here in this video. But the extra padding and weight of ULA Ohm sold me, so far VERY happy. Definitely keep all your base gear (pack, tent, shelter) under 3 pounds each or just make all equal under 10 pounds. Also you should look into Hennessy Hammocks. I own the Ultralight Backpacker and LOVE it. I'm 18 and never slept super great in a tent. But the natural spinal curve in a hammock is amazing. Temp. control is the only problem.

[ClimbingChrispy]

@Viz731 Nothing a lightweight homemade underquilt made from an old sleeping bag couldn't fix though. Can't wait for my thru of the A.T. beginning of March 2012. No Pain, No Rain, No Maine! Hike On...

[Viz731]

@ClimbingChrispy God bless you :) Happy Trailing

[Viz731]

@ClimbingChrispy Lol, my mom brought me to the auto section and was confussed and said,"This is anti-freeze, someone must be pulling your leg.."

[ClimbingChrispy]

@Viz731 Yeah I thought the Heet sounded crazy too until it boiled water in my alcohol stove/heiny pot set up in like 7 minutes. I saved probably another pound and a half using alcohol stove and heiny pot.

[adipatt]

How much did you spend for all of the equipment?

[TheUSMC17]

love the dog, but hes in the way

[TheUSMC17]

love the dog but he makes a wall

[akwolfsong]

Take me with take me with! :D

[Mistie415]

THE DOG ....HE IS IN THE WAY

[cameraguy1968]

Harley rules!

[cjdoher118]

do you have a pack cover?

[YAHWEHisperfect]

how big is the backpack?

[islander390]

@YAHWEHisperfect its probably a 75L pack, looking about the same size as my own.

[jdeangelis99]

golite should pay you commission I just bought this pack because of you for my 2011 thru hike

[afterthefox7]

what are you mumbling?

[dbw16d]

slepping bag is massive

[FaganRoberts]

Oooops! You forgot to pack that handgun. A 9MM would have been fine for defense against 2 legged critters and a .44 magnum for protection against the 4 legged variety. You'd have to be nuts not to carry a pistol or revolver when going hiking or camping.

[crazyyella]

@FaganRoberts maybe, but some of the states you hike through do not allow firearms...basically the north section. in virginia, you can only carry in national and state parks if you have a cc permit.

[FaganRoberts]

@crazyyella You can now carry concealed in national parks since this February providing you have a concealed carry permit from your state, there is state reciprocity, and according to that state's laws. In N. Carolina, for example, one can carry with a CCW in a national park located in NC, but not in a NC state park per state law.

[RioLuna829]

better if you didn't cut off your head....

[dtdude42]

quick question... did you thru hike? and if so, how long before you sent your tent home? nobody i met hiked the whole way with that type of tent. tarptents, yes, but nothing that big

[ravenatorizer]

love that dog, he is beautiful AND helpful..esp when using your calves as a pillow while youre trying to pack

[skillzdatkillz900]

is it odd that i'm 16 half english, half welsh, live in a small town in hampshire but am dedicated to doing a thru hike of the AT when i come out of university? it looks like one of those physically demanding challenges but the memories and achievement lasts with you forever. i can't wait already :) :) :)

[nroc13]

@skillzdatkillz900 im 16 too and i cant wait to hike the AT

hopefully i have a job to pay for all the stuff!

[skillzdatkillz900]

@nroc13 lol same, otherwise ill be hunting for stuff on the AT too :L

[theswimer419]

what you gonna eat? were is your knife?

[ClimbingChrispy]

What's anybody's take on using my Hennesy Explorer with bigger tarp for a thru?

If everything works out, I should be going in about a year! So excited cannot wait... Starting to get sick of all the negative vibes from people though. "You know Chris, a lot of people start..." Shut the fuck up negative Nancy and Neds.

- A Fellow Vagabond -

[jtcarter1]

@ClimbingChrispy I'm planning on doing the same. Hennessy Hammocks are so much lighter, smaller, more comfortable, and versatile than a tent. Just keep in mind that sleeping in one every night could cause back problems. I plan on setting it up as a tent from time to time when it is convenient

.

[outnout1]

The dog stole the show.

[hadd13]

you can tell the dog is totally bumming that he is leaving

[snoopy9134]

Cool dog.

[thegoods34]

i wanna do the Pacific Coast HIghway trail so bad!

[skillzdatkillz900]

@thegoods34 AT ftw!!!!

[tritan1]

what kind of tent?

[FrontlineFishing]

Awesome dog!!

[akwelfolhi]

excellent ;-)

[EarthBlue2]

Great video but the dog is the star.

[ladysmith1ful]

holy fuck ... did it take u five years of pakin and 5 months of walkin.. what the fuk????

[airboy90]

Dude why do you need a tent AND a bivy sack?

[joerover22]

you seem to be a bit of a perfectionist, ocd.

[djheuris]

next time keep the dog out

[stirlingn]

go bills

[freewill51]

at 1:50 check out the dog licking the salt off of the trekking pole grips. Cool video.

[scottlangley100]

saw all three. very well done. wonderful effort seen in editing the story. very nice flow, and last but not least, very inspirational.

[royktubeyou]

at 2:10, you can see harley lie on the back of his legs. i think he knew he was leaving.

[CedrikTheManiac00]

nice vid, but funny thing i went in india for 6 month and add a back pack 3 time smaller, guess people have bigger needs than some others.. still nice vid

[glynn72]

I do like the video. Thank you for taking the time. I own the same bag. Love it!

[glynn72]

If you choose not to carry a firearm, that's fine. Don 't put people down for exercising their second amendment right, by calling them "whacjobs". It was second only to free speech for very important reasons.

[xcableguy]

Great looking Lab, what's she carrying?  Well done video.

[davemunkey]

In today's day and I wouldn't hike alone with out a firearm. I've been charged by moose and bear and a couple warning shots has saved my life many times. If you don't like firearms then good for you, but don't down us for protecting ourselves.

[CedrikTheManiac00]

rofl, i live in a hole lost in the woods somewhere in canada all my life(luskville,qc,canada) moose and bear are coommon seeing. i got some on my property next to my door nearly every morning eating apple, never ever a bear or moose charge me , matter of fact you have more chance to die from a hunters bullet than be killed by a bear...if you really need a firearm when going in the wood then shame on you you city guy better stay in town and dont come in the wood

[wmart1121]

@CedrikTheManiac00 FYI they call bear bags the samething if your hanging a raccon bag or something similar.

[Ben762x51]

@CedrikTheManiac00

Overall I agree, but do keep in mind that sometimes the protection isn't for wildlife.

[freedomsvigil]

@CedrikTheManiac00 better to be safe than sorry.A seat belt won't always save your life in a collision but I would rather not risk wearing it.Same goes for those who choose to carry.

[crashphoenix]

Good Vid, Gave me some different packing ideas to try out. Love the framless option, how'd it work out?

[mik22pik]

LoL love your dog, he wants to go along. Don't leave him behind, he'll get mad!

[ProgressivePeach]

Guys, Ive been hiking the AT for 12 years and have never needed a firearm. Ive never felt safer than when I've been on the trail. But now that all you seconder whacjobs are out there showing off your manhood, I'm suddenly nervous.

[FrankyFiveFingers22]

I love when people feel the need to rip someone else who is making this video purely for others benefit. This is how he rolls, if you dont like it then move on bro. Half these fools who post have never been in the bush and learn all their sH!t from freaking bear grylls.

[patterat]

Gun...what do you need a gun for on the A.T. Think he's gonna get pack jacked? You couldn't even carry a firearm in the Smokys until recently (not sure if the new law has gone into affect yet).

[iceaxe56]

you forgot gun-- and ammo--1.5 pounds-that is a pretty small pack--hope you wasn't going far

[Gherb12]

I own this pack, and when I found this video I was really excited because I've been wondering how to work it out with my ridgerest, but once I tried to do what you did and put the pat inside the bag I didn't have enough room for any of my other stuff, I don't know how you did this!

[seabasstian17]

Haha your dog is cute as hell man

[jo3blo32007]

lol, the classic orange trowel. :)

[lightthatblinds]

I've been toying with the idea of buying this pack and this video pushed me over the line. Thank you so much!

[rowdybeaver33]

Man I've watched many, many vids regarding methods of packing and yours was definitely more in line with the way my head works. How did the pack carry? I've been curious about Golite and Gossamer Gear packs. Well done man.

[flyingrabbit123]

nice vid,but the auto focus got a little bit annoying. Hope you had a nice time on the trail

[MrApoc666]

i like to where my headlamp around my neck during the day on trips.

[zab630]

i want to hike the at so fucking badly

[younwhosarmy]

@zab630  You can do it !

[gooser1170]

@zab630 call me up, I'm down! I'm looking at Fontana Dam to Clingman's Dome, gorgeous part of the trial close to me.

[videoman191]

@zab630 DO IT!!!! im hikin part of it tomorrow and doin an overnighter :D

[311fan312]

Was that a 3/4 length Ridge Rest?

[giantmetfan97]

I give your video 5 stars and also the dog

[uselessjoe]

attach the sleeping bag on the outside for starters..................

[visualvirtue]

5 stars for the dog!

[LBGreenthumb]

@visualvirtue good dog!

[AUGRE12345]

Would you happen to know how much all this gear costs?

[MorgantownUL]

under the info for this vid is a link to his blog. on the right toolbar of the blog is a link to his gear list with some prices

[19leon73]

It all depends on what kind of gear you want.. Myself I'm a hammock camper and the cost for me and my kid with backpacks and everything thats needed for hiking and camping ended at about 1300 usd, and thats everything, Fällkniven knife and clothes.

I need some more things though, like new hikingboots for me, and a new backpack for my kid.

[pranxter08]

nice im goin this saturday...the 18th.. cant wait im goin to mt tammy sunfish pond appalachian trail!

[BloopBloopProduction]

Nice video... I have been following your blog and it has given me great insight (I plan to hike next year).

I was just wondering if there are any item that you've ditched since starting? Thanks!

[solvealways]

That bag looks nice! Have you considered ditching the pump and using bleach or aqua mira instead? I use cheesecloth to filter out particulate.

[afterthefox7]

And thats why you're typing this information from the grave, Mr. Corpse.

[solvealways]

there are so many people that do it. The thru-hikers I ran with never even treated their water and I've never heard of any incidents where anyone has gotten sick. Ask around.

[ajatkinson2004]

@solvealways well I have gotten Giardhia. The problem is yeah running water, maybe not, but if you get hemmed up like I did where 1/2 the springs in the Savage Gulf were dried up, you can get desperate. Hell i used potable tablets and still got sick. Maybe i didn't wait the full 30 mins, but it was 4 days of hell, worst feeling I ever had from a virus!

[trex250]

Great video! Just a word of experience. Never keep your GPS/SPOT in the backpack. You should always carry vital things like this including a fire steel on you at all times. People have lost backpacks crossing rivers.

[aliennetworkRecords]

Been following you on blogspot. Keep going, man! Could you do a video when you're finished showing how your pack layout changed from the prehike to what you found works better on the trail? Thanks.,

RpC

[AUGRE12345]

Move puppy!!! :  ) just kidding, But Nice Video.

[DontPanic6X7]

Good Luck!

[shreck2k3]

good luck to you man. definitely keep a journal. leave a comment here when you get into Pennsylvania!

[Robway28]

I really enjoyed this. I never really got how I was gonna pack all my stuff... not I kinda understand more.

[jwredhair]

hope you make it!