This may be one of the best and most important backpacking videos ever. Humans make errors. Things happen. Nobody knows everything and that's ok. You need to reflect and try to improve. Great video, Eric and thank you for the openness and honesty

What brand is that camp cup again? I didn't see it listed.

thank you for that honesty! it helps us all that are starting in this outdoor world and look up at you as someone to learn from. thanks from Brasil!!

MAGNET'S!!!!

My first tent was that exact tent - the Hyke&Bike 2P tent. I took it on my first trip. I knew nothing about weight and bought it for the price. Yeah, it was heavy and I eventually swapped it out. I got the 1P version and used that a few times on my trips. I use them now for car camping but they are still one of my favorite tents. They have been thru many storms with no issues. Thank you for the great gear tips!

Thank you for sharing this, so that we can all learn without having to make these same mistakes! Sharing these experiences goes a long way towards making us all safer in the backcountry.

Thanks for being honest. This video may save someone's life. Last summer on my yearly CDT section, the snowpack was RIDICULOUS. I didn't have the tools (crampons, axe), so I bailed out 2 days early. Know your limits.

Now do a video on clothes washers!

No offense to you or Dan, but I think all of us here on the other side of the screen knew that Dan doing that hike in the winter was a bit much for him. You live in NAZ, Dan lives in SE WI. You do big hikes, Dan films videos on his short WI sized trips. The Kettle Moraine system that he goes to when he leaves the backyard, the camps are 1-2 mile hikes if you choose the right parking lot. North Rim is 6600 feet elevation gain, in the winter with snowshoes. That's a big hike, even for experienced backpackers. Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen the video where you guys talk about physical readiness.

My biggest issue with myself is eating and drinking. If I have 12 miles to go, I'll just go 12 miles, then sit down and try to eat or drink something. I don't do a good job of eating on the way. This means I usually can't eat enough when I do stop. As a diabetic, this can cause some serious issues.

So the morale of the story is, Don't go backpacking with @eric_hanson. JUST KIDDING! 😄 Thanks for sharing. That flash flood in Utah looks scary as hell!

You should ditch Better Help as a sponsor. It's gotten some pretty bad KZbin press lately for not having properly licensed therapists.

LMNT electrolyte powder, love it in theory, but in reality it contains maltodextrin NOT listed on the ingredients label. Maltodextrin gives me chest pains, but the question is how much? And while they sent me a sample pack to try and figure out, I wasn't comfortable experimenting with my health like that, so I gave them all away, except for the unflavored electrolyte packet. Yup, legally, any food manufacturer can leave maltodextrin OFF their ingredients list iF it contains less than one gram per serving size. So, that's what they do, but LMNT will email u the full ingredients list upon request. Ain't that great? Chest pains, suck. My Dad died of a heart attack when I was 9, and him, 42. I don't want to go out like that. No LMNT for me, how about u?

10-12lbs of EXTRA FOOD is incredible. My base weight is significantly less than that. Yikes, man. That is sketchy. Please just carry an extra meal or 2 per week if you feel the need for a safety net.

Hi Eric! Loved this. I'm hiking the trail later in the season. Would love to do it in 7ish days as well. Would you mind sharing where you camped at?

I will immediately unsubscribe from any channel advocating for Better Help. Enjoy your money.

I had to learn to give myself a break about my poor planning. Having ADHD, my executive functions and working memory are not my strong suit... I now make lists and checklists for all my trips and have my husband or a fellow hiker friend go through them to make sure I haven't forgotten anything or added something that's not necessary or relevant for that trip. Then, I follow and cross out each step once done.

Great video. Me and wife are going to hike it end of July this year. Camping all the way except one night in Courmayeur. Hopefully all goes well. Thanks for the tips.

Admitting our flaws is not easy, especially in public. We all learn lessons as we circle around the Sun, with every year we get wiser, but the more we learn the less we realize we know. I’ve always overpacked my food and fuel. I really need to cut back on heavy snacks, but it’s hard to know what you’re going to be hungry for when planning your trip. Good luck on your journey and I wish you the best. Take care of your mind, body, and soul. Also remember to listen to your wife, marriage is a partnership, work together for the greatest success. My wife and I are a few days away from our 29th anniversary.😊

Not a single backpacker on youtube talks about taking care of yourself physically. People can walk with a pack. Blisters suck. But if you can not pull yourself up if you fall maybe you should worry a little less about your gear and more about yourself.

My Dad had to have a large cancerous growth cut out of his back. Doctors said the rest of the family has to take skin car/sun management more serious. Bought myself a Tilley hat and I don't care how dumb I look wearing it haha.

Meanwhile; I eat cancer.

Eric, remember that preparation, while not 100% will save you 99% of the time. Even though it’s hard, being disciplined in this area will save you a time of trouble later.

“I feel like I can make it, then everybody should make it” is perhaps my worst attribute as a human. Adventure tolerance is real and not all tolerances are equal.

Great video. Thank you for sharing. Maybe use the food-thing as a personal challenge to see just how good you can get at planning?

Courage: big-hearted and brave thanks, Eric for beginning a discussion we all must consider i know there were times i could've landed poorly if i hadn't had my dogs with me

Are you sure you don't have ADHD because my wife has it and she struggles with all these things too.(esp the planning)! But at least you're aware you struggle and be kind to yourself, we all have areas of blindness and good friends will not only reign you in, but complement your strengths and weaknesses!

Your human... and a rare honest one willing to let others learn from your mistakes. You're also not medically trained, don't beat yourself up over Dan, he's an adult and an experienced backpacker, so much so he teaches a course on it. He made his own decisions. It wasn't your fault.

I mean TBH this just makes you sound like an arrogant prick...

My biggest mistake is overestimating my ability. I learn my limits and I work with what I can do. You never know until you try. And I set new goals. That is what I love about hiking and backpacking

Hey one thing I notice is that you appear to be more comfortable on backpacking trips than most people. Do you think that's true? For myself, I definitely think I've pushed myself and others a bit too far. It's hard to turn off the competitive switch and say "We don't have to make it if you feel like turning back". I hate that idea. Hiking and backpacking are unique sports in that pushing yourself farther is so easy to do. Just pick a harder trail.

I've been using that stove for years, it's awesome! I'm a alpine climber and backpacker in BC, most of my time in the canadian rockies. It hasn't failed me yet

I used to have the same issue with bringing to much food. Then I switched to opsak’s for each day and it helped me better plan what I had for food that day in each individual bag. It helped me shed at least 5 lbs of over packing.

Thanks for sharing your honesty. I can’t carry more weight than I need, wait until you’re 60. :) I do carry too much food, but that is because I bring the food that I know I’ll need, but end up not hungry. I’ve had melanoma removed twice, my cousin died from it. Worth the extra weight to take care of properly. Just to share my own folly, I need to be better with my own hygiene..wash face, dirt off legs and feet, etc.

When I watch gear videos my first thought is “on boy how much is this going to be.” Most of the gear was way out of my budget. When I started backpacking I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to get out and if I would really enjoy it. So I did my research and spent a lot of time looking at reviews. One item Ive been using is the “Odoland Camping Cookware Stove Carabiner Canister Stand Tripod and Stainless Steel Cup, Tank Bracket, Fork Spoon Kit for Backpacking, Outdoor Camping Hiking and Picnic” kit for $27.00. I did replace the utensils and don’t use the cup but the pots and stove is still going strong. I do believe you can get less expensive gear that will be great. I’m glad I didn’t get discouraged by the price tag of the gear recommendations and found cost effective gear instead because I would have never had the adventures I’ve had.

The failures to plan and figuring everything will just work out go a long way toward explaining your inability to accept culpability for camping in the wrong place on the north rim after the Becker incident. It’s still absolutely baffling why anyone sees any controversy over a permitted media representative getting the book thrown at them for violating the rules after attesting to follow them as a group leader and even having them clarified by rangers onsite. We all live and learn about these kinds of things we’re blind to, hopefully after not too many lessons!

I used to go overboard computing calories. I figured out a hack that works for me. 1.5lbs food for each full day on the trail. Generally that would be dense weight - aka dehydrated foods, nuts, jerky etc. I’m 6’ 2 and weigh 200lbs and tend to not lose weight on say 5 day trips with this approach.

You are forgiven, my son. Say three Hail Mary's and be blessed. 😉

Dude, I love the honesty and have many of the same issues that you have. Being prior military I am used to carrying a lot of weight. Ultra light is the way to go! Thanks for all you do!

Arrested for camping 2 feet from a legal spot and getting a record 🤔 maybe you should have spoken in a foreign language and asked for asylum? Or become part of the DOJ. Just saying.

Still using my +7lb Dana Design Terraplane that I bought in the early 90’s It’s comfy and carries well on my nearly 60 y/o body. In a trip up to Chicago Basin last week, I had about 30-ish lbs “from skin out” weight at start, considering that 7 of that was pack and included 4 days of food…not bad. I’ve tried the GoLite Jam and it (and other frameless packs) just don’t carry well on my back. Shelter, sleeping bag, and clean water are the pillars of comfort and safety.

Your candor and humility is very refreshing! It speaks a lot to your character and integrity. I share with you the challenge of carrying too much in my pack. And, as I get older, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to "tough it out." Gonna have to work on my self-discipline of packing light...😞

I actually like your ballz to the walls attitude to backpacking. Makes you unique in a sea of ultralight backpackers. And you can see the benefits of it, like carrying heavy loads means you are maintaining larger muscles, so you can achieve more without being injured. Also it means that if you ever went on a thru hike, your body would carry those loads easily and be able to enjoy the hike a lot more. Mainly since the Thru hike will force you to carry ultralight gear, and the overall weight will end up being even less than what you are carrying nowadays. Question, isn’t a sun hoodie enough cover against the sun? It goes over the neck and covers the ears well, do I really need the wide hat in addition? It’s a cool hat, just wondering if it’s really needed.

pathetic humblebragging here tbh: my biggest weaknesses is I don't realize have much more powerful and fit I am than other people and also I carry so much weight on these long long trails.

All I have to say is…experience is wisdom. It’s not everyone who admits their flaws…we all have them! TY😎

lol, I'm the total opposite. I have to plan everything out. I am very uncomfortable with just winging it or figuring things out as I go. If I'm interested in a topic, I'll research it to death beforehand.

Have a wonderful time on the PCT. You've been a great source of info and inspiration for me. This summer I'm heading out for a week on the Colorado Trail. My first long solo trip (I've only done ne solo overnight before) . 😮 I'm a bit afraid, but that's ok because I'm confident in my abilities. Fear isn't always a bad thing. Cheers to summer 2024 adventures!!

Personally, I've been trying to improve my sun protection, but I've been sunburned worse this year than in years previous. I'm fair skin so the lovely outdoors can blister me right up if I'm not careful.

on my last trip to Grandfather mountain with my buddys for 3 day i ran out of food on the 2 day had to get food from my buddys