Thanks, Dave! Can't wait to get on trail with you again sometime soon hopefully!

Both are great if you ask me!

I can't wait! I fell in love with backpacking while watching Marty Stouffer head off into the woods with an external frame. It's gonna be fun!

Thank you, David and Janet! I really appreciate your generosity, and I hope you will reach out if you have any questions as you make your way to Durango. And please, please do let me know how the trip turns out!

I think this is a really great point, Melanie! I had a great experience on the Bustang the year I met you in person, and I also think the drivers do a great job of keeping the environment really positive. Love the Bustang!

@@OutsideComfortZone so you may be interested to know (or not haha) that my CE trip obvs got a bit derailed coz of TL fire, but for the better I think. Instead of just straight down the CE southbound (which you didnt seem too excited about!!) gonna hop between all the 14rs inside the loop ... not necessarily on the CE trails...but on another trails within the wilderness/national forest areas between. CE/CW! My friend has her SUV..so we can park at East/West road THs and go interior for 2-3 nights at a time! Should be epic ...Gonna knock out a bunch of 14ers...weather permitting!!

It really is! Can't wait for the hiking season to start in earnest!

I’ve used them on some of my CT hikes. I used the BV500 but I think a faster hiker could use a smaller one with a few carefully planned resupplies. The toughest stretch is US 50 to Spring Creek Pass, about 127 miles or so without good resupply options. So use that stretch to help you gauge your needs. Hope this helps!

Thx for the quick reply! I’m a canister guy but my current can is a BV450 and it holds 4-days max of food carefully stuffed. I’ll take your advice and pick up BV 500

@@starbrdtack I used a WildIdeas Bearikade and it held enough food for me to get between Monarch and Spring Creek Pass (I had sent a resupply to Lake City)

Absolutely! In the past, I’ve sent a box to the Raven’s Rest, but I’m not sure it’ll be open this year. That said, there is a small grocery store in Lake City that should have everything you need unless you have a specific dietary restriction. 🙌🏼

@@OutsideComfortZone thanks for the quick reply! Again the videos have been great helping put the finishing touches on the plan for this year.

@@LucasHiker glad to hear they’ve helped! Lemme know if I can help with anything else as you dial in your plans!

That's a great idea. You definitely should tag San Luis Peak. It's only 1.5 miles to the top off the CT at San Luis Pass, so 3 miles round trip. Lots and lots of folks leave their bags at the pass because you can see them almost the entire climb. In fact, the last time I went there, it was so calm and still in the morning that I could hear the hikers at the top of the peak. Hope this helps, and hope you have a great adventure!

This is a great question, and it's always tough to answer. That said, I think you are doing the right thing by lowering your baseweight and getting out to train on weekends. My experience has been that you can build trail legs on trail somewhat, but that's all dependent on you not getting injured first. So, I would try my best to do two things: walk with your pack an hour a day 5 days a week (even if this is not at an incline), and see if there is any way to give yourself more time on trail so you don't feel rushed. 10 miles a day will still get you to Durango, and you'd probably love the trip more if you had time to smell the proverbial roses. No matter what, keep on doing the weekend warrioring--it's worth it no matter what. Hope this helps!

Thank you, Be Still! The shoes were a tough one! I was able to get them on and my feet eventually warmed up as we hiked. For the nighttime, I use the old boiled water in a nalgene trick. Can't wait to check out your next video!

Collegiate East in July!? Oof! I would recommend doing the West again or maybe the Uinta Highline Trail. But definitely hit 14ers if you go through with the East!

@@OutsideComfortZone hmm too hot? Too wet? When is generally the best month -could head out in June if that’s a better month…? Only have availability in June or July and possibly heading with a friend who hasn’t done many multi day trips (and she may skip the 14rs!)

That's a great question. I think the Salida trip is probably a good meetup place for a ride and zero. If not there, Spring Creek Pass would be great to get a ride down to Lake City, one of my favorite places on the trail. Both are great options. It's also going to really help you boost your spirits when you have a tough day to know that your family will be there somewhere along the way. Hope this helps!

Makes sense to me. I like the quilt because the mummy part over the head gets caught on my shoulders when I toss and turn, but I also think you are right that a sleeping bag can work just as well for most people. Happy Hiking!

haha! it really is. I will say that the pants aren't great short people with short legs like mine. You have to really pull them up or the crotch tears easily. Thanks again and take care!