Backpacking tactics for beginners (Hiking tips Pt. 32)

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

I get all kinds of tips about hiking from YT, but I enjoy yours more than most.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Shalaka Booyaka Thanks a lot and thanks for watching!

[@worddunlap]

I used to volunteer to search for lost hikers. In Parts of the South East sometimes people would stop by the road and walk into the woods to use nature's restroom. They would become lost and some were not heard from again. Staying put is often the best advice. I've been lost but always remained level headed and found my way back.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+worddunlap Thanks for sharing your experience on this. I believe that under some circumstances it's really easy to get lost. And remaining level headed is the only way to keep from sinking deeper into trouble. And thanks again for watching!

[@SniperHarry]

I love the fact you mentioned Philmont. I just got off the Ouachita National Trail two days ago with a group of scouts doing a 50 miler. I hope everyone of them developed a love the trail like the scouts gave me so many years ago.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Robert Nuckolls I went on many, many hikes and short backpacking trips. I lived in a fairly small town. Several of us boys would just get the idea to go someplace and off we went, summer or winter. While adults attended the more organized events, none went with us on those impromptu trips. It would have been a lot better if a dad who really knew his stuff had been with us. Kudos to you for accompanying the lads. And thanks for watching!

[@SniperHarry]

+flatbrokeoutside That sounds so much like my younger days. Many times I would grab my pack and just head out to the mountains for the weekend, or in the summer for longer trips. To the day I die I will have a love for wild places and do what I can to share that love. Thanks for what you are doing.

[@DrewBoswell]

Just a quick note to say how much I appreciate the videos, and especially appreciate you mentioning Colin Fletcher. He certainly inspired me in a lot of ways.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

He was very influential and a great deal of what he said remains sound advice. And thanks for watching!

[@larrysingleton709]

I've watched quite a few of your videos and have drawn great knowledge from each one. Thanks for all you've done for the hiking community.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+afk hiker I'm glad you find the videos helpful and thanks again for watching!

[@2laughandlaugh]

" I don't make the rules but I know what they are"......that one got me laughing. Good quote my friend.😂

[@EyalShahar]

I've been geeking out on backpacking for beginners, and this video is the first one I saw that provides such a vast overview of so many aspects. Thank you!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

One thing I don't think I mentioned is test gear in advance, in the back yard if noplace else. Pitch the tent, see how that goes. Let the tent get rained on, see if the tent stays dry inside. If using a camp stove, cook something outdoors and see how that goes. Another tip - if we return home with a wet tent, we have to hang it up, indoors if necessary, so it dries thoroughly. They can mildew if we don't. Good luck with your backpacking and thanks for watching!

[@ChrisGoesOutdoors]

great video, easy to listen to, thorough, and informative like all the others. Great knowledge for beginners

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+ChrisGoesOutdoors Glad you liked it and thanks a million for watching!

[@NuttyDaveMadeThis]

Thinking back to Boy Scouts ... Canvas pack, cloth sleeping bag that rolled up the size of a 5 gallon bucket, aluminum canteen w canvas carrying case, canvas belt, leather boots, hatchet or aze w iron head, canvas tent ... Talk about weight! Nice vid, once again!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+David Nutty I remember a couple of times going out in the snow with the scouts - we just laid a ground cloth on the snow and used those heavy sleeping bags and I don't remember being a bit cold or anybody complaining they were cold. It sort of surprises me, in retrospect! Thanks again for watching!

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

+David Nutty Many started that way. A few trips with heavy gear is a very good experience to help you decide what you want next time. I have put in many a mile with inexpensive, flea market gear, and had just as good a time as I do now with my more carefully chosen gear. My hiking boots were the Red Wing work boots I used as a carpenter. One of my favorite memories is of using an old cooking pot from my kitchen to hike. I hack sawed off the heavy handle, and lacking a drill, I shot 2 holes near the top with a .22 pistol, and added a bail. That pot worked well for many years, and provoked many comments..

[@TheChopsinator]

I love how inclusive your videos are! You make everything easier to understand and are so personable. Subbed and sharing, thank you for making these!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

Thanks for your kind remarks! I'm glad you find the videos helpful - your subscription is very much appreciated! Thanks for sharing the vid and thanks a million for being a viewer!

[@sixstring417]

I've been amazed at the quality outdoor wear I have found at places like Goodwill...actual high end name brand hiking pants, jackets and synthetic shirts! found a tri convertible winter she'll with fleece liner...14$!! Great advice as always!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+sixstring417 Wow, those were great finds! Most of the wool stuff I have came from thrift stores. And thanks again for watching!

[@2506INF]

Great advice for all, not just the newbie.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+2506INF Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!

[@jelkel25]

We had sleeping mats ''back in the day'' two hessian potato sacks you stuffed with leaves/bracken/spare clothes, they had a lot more uses than modern sleeping mats too. For tents we had old bone shakers we bought from yard sales or old fashioned army poncho's (WW2 vintage). We'd just take the rain sheets from the tents to cut back the weight. I use a British army Basha tarp these days which was available then just too expensive for us. We had one canteen each and filled a canvas bucket or even plastic bag for extra water at night. Can't remember suffering for not having expensive stuff, I had a lot fun with the gear I had.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

Are those hessian sacks something common to the UK? I looked them up and the fabric looks a lot like burlap. Where I live burlap sacks come in two sizes and two of the bigger ones could be used for an improvised mat, like you say. And thanks again for watching!

[@jelkel25]

They used to be, all potatoes came in them, they were changed for this woven plastic sacking that frays instantly and would give you a rash if you used it to sleep on. Yes, burlap, hessian, jute, it's all the same thing. You got two sacks, stuffed them (put the stuffing in garbage bags if it was damp) then attached the two open ends together, the more pedantic would roughly sew the sacks together with jute twine.

[@barryweigle1356]

Probably your best video to date. My ex wife is wanting to start backpacking and you and your videos are just what is in order. thanks much

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Barry Weigle Glad to help and thanks again for watching!

[@rob4631]

wow. some of the best, most concise & accurate info I've come across. nice job & thank you.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@rutabagasteu]

We used the Explorer T-pole canvas tents for Scouts. No floors, no netting, and cloth ties to close the canvas doors. Who ever slept n the middle, next to the heavy wood tent pole, got wet as that is where the rain came in. I was told years later the color shirts we wore attracted mosquitoes.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+rutabagasteu That's a hilarious detail about the shirts attracting mosquitoes. I hadn't heard that one. We also used two-man Explorer tents on that trip. Thanks again for watching!

[@Hiker63]

Excellent video. I'm a gram counter. If one can afford it go with Cuben, Titanium, Merino Wool and multi-use items. Shake down your pack each time you come back from a hike. Other than safety items, if you can do without, do without.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Hiker63 Great advice! The first couple of hikes over giant hills can really get our attention when it comes to the weight we carry. Keep hikin' and thanks again for watching!

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

After a bit of research, just make what you need if you can, buy cheap gear at yard sales, or pick gear from what you already have, and go out for a few days. Two or three trips later, you will have some very precise ideas of what gear you require, as well as some entertaining stories to tell. Then you can start buying the right gear for YOUR needs Just do it ! ! !

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+tom jackson Good observation and thanks again for watching!

[@brianvath9186]

Great vid and tips man! Finally set a date for my next AT hike(hike #2), gonna hit up Georgia in mid August for a 5 day section hike. We did North Carolina last year, but i hear Georgia is a little easier on the inclines and declines. Thanks for all the tips, they really help a lot! Peace :)

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Brian Vath Have a great hike - sounds like it will be a good one! And thanks again for watching!

[@ppritchett4688]

Great advice for this beginner. Thank you!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+p pritchett And thank you for watching!

[@EasternMountainHiker]

Great, well thought out video for the beginner backpacker.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+EasternMountainHiker Glad you liked it. Love your channel! And thanks for watching!

[@gray5627]

I bought Mr. Fletcher's book many (30?) years ago, and was inspired by it! I hope to be on the AT this year.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I'm a fan of the Colin Fletcher book . . . very fun to read. There's a Complete Walker IV (you showed III) -- I got it recently from the library and read it from cover to cover . . . Funny, I went to Philmont circa 1979 -- and I don't have much recollection of my gear list, except that my pack was exceptionally heavy and I definitely (like you) wore big boots! Reallly good video, very well-written and informative . . .

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Evan's Backpacking Videos I took photos and notes on that trip and marked our route on a map. Lost the notes, can't find all the photos but I still have the map. That kind of thing helped me remember stuff. For example, my pack weighed 25 pounds without the tent - all the kids thought it was manly to carry a lot of weight. One guy had a 50 pound pack. We only covered a little over 50 miles total so it was hardly an ordeal. I also read another of Fletcher's books, the one co-authored by a younger guy. I been watching your videos - good stuff! Keep hikin' and thanks again for watching!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

+flatbrokeoutside Thanks for watching my videos -- I appreciate it! I'm currently also reading Colin Fletcher's book about the Colorado River, though slowly, usually only when I'm backpacking (it's on my phone) . . .

[@Longday709]

Great info, I watch every video, many thanks. To your Facebook question, I would most definitely watch gear reviews and sing up for giveaways for broken or non broken items or gear, lol. Thanks again and keep it up, great channel!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Robert Parker Thanks for weighing in on the gear review question and thanks for watching the videos! Plenty more to come!

[@TALL1FU49]

Another outstanding video.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Mike Liese Glad you liked it and thanks again for watching!

[@brianbailey7128]

As usual, your videos have great content. Keep it up.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Brian Bailey We'll do it! And thanks for watching!

[@timloydtodd820]

really appreciate your videos. keep em coming!!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+timothy todd Glad you like 'em and thanks for watching!

[@NuttyDaveMadeThis]

Another suggestion for a vid ... 'Can you give up your comfort routines?'. Advise ppl on practicing food habits of the trail and letting them get used to no morning Starbucks but their own brew, if they choose. Suggest practice meals ... Can you eat ramen all week no prob? Tortillas and PBJ.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+David Nutty This is a pretty good idea! Thanks again for watching, my friend!

[@larryd9068]

Thanks for the informative video and I like your hand crafted pyramid tents. You mean to tell me bugs don't visit on a bottomless tent?

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Lloyd Dehn None that bother me. A few times I have seen a little dude that I swear was an undiscovered species. But by the time I grabbed my camera he moved on. I especially enjoy seeing those tiny little salamanders, some green, some orange. But visitors are special occasions. The vast majority of the time I'm alone. There are bug screens I could rig up in there and I certainly could make one. But I have yet to encounter anything that would motivate me to do it. And thanks for watching!

[@danielfegley2735]

Everyone talks about using a bear bag , but I wasn't sure if it's necessary I had a dog that chewed up the furniture I stop it by putting petroleum vapor rub on all the places he chewed if I did that with all my clothes and tent and back pack that might make them water and critter resistant

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

This link is about putting vapo rub on polar bear cubs to get mother bears to accept them. Check it out -- www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/vaporubbed-bears/article25686135/

[@carladavis8992]

Great Stuff as always! Thanks for sharing!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Carla Davis Thanks for watching!

[@jimhurst82]

Working in a hospital, I have a bunch of scrubs. I've taken some scrub pants and converted them to shorts and that's usually what I hike in for short distances or day hikes. They dry incredibly fast and are literally and cool. I wear sturdier cargo shorts with a belt for overnight hikes to accommodate my pistol and holster. I like to conceal carry, peace of mind cause I'm a solo hiker.

[@jimhurst82]

*Lite not literally (auto correct)

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

Is it hard to find stores that sell scrubs?

[@jimhurst82]

Not at all, most Walmarts have them. They're usually unisex ones there. There are also many uniform stores (expensive) that sell them too or online (which is the cheapest). Btw, I love your vids!

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

Thanks for the tip and thanks a million for watching!

[@vincentmiceli2554]

Once again a great informative video, thank you for giving it to us. A piece of info that is important but I cannot seem to find on the inter web is what kind of weather can we expect at shelters which I assume are almost always on mountain tops? Knowing what time of year we are going, we then can know what clothing, sleeping bag requirements, etc will be needed. How about a video on that? Just a suggestion, any and every video you make will surely be worth watching.

[@planner722]

I use the following link for weather predictions at different elevations (however, on the peaks weather can change quickly, so I always assume it may be 10 or 15 deg colder than the below predicts): www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Rogers/forecasts/1746

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Vincent Miceli I plan to talk about this in an upcoming video on clothing. The quick answer is most of the AT is way higher than sea level and will be correspondingly cooler. From Harpers Ferry south, a hiker will average about 3,000 feet above sea level nearly all the time, with some spots of course higher and a few lower. From Maryland to Massachusetts probably about 1,000 feet average. In part of New England, 2,000 feet. While we can sweat bad in the daytime summer, the elevation means cooler nights. I have seen it dip below 60 degrees F overnight in summer at 3,000 feet. Based on what I have seen, rain hits the hills and flatlands pretty equally. Hope this helps and thanks again for watching!

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

great video as always

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+matanuska high And thanks again for watching!

[@sosteve9113]

great info thanks for showing atb steve

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+so steve Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!

[@aHigherPower]

Still waiting for you to put that tent into production. lol Woodland cammo please with double mosquito door!!!!! :)

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+aHigher Power That would be great - wish I had one! :) And thanks again for watching!

[@sosteve9113]

its so true,if i reflect when i was around 14 when we backpack,it was a hole different ball game,and the same time it wasent

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+so steve I like your channel - good videos! Thanks again!

[@jimjim1839]

LAMO..i truly appreciate all your videos. all very informative. i just have to laugh because you mention you havent encountered spiders with your florless tent.. I attract the little monsters. i have a sealable one man tent and they do get in.... they know I dont like them

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

My favorite visitors in the tent are those tiny little orange salamanders a little over an inch long. I've had two or three visit. Plus a couple of bugs that were so strange looking I wonder if they were undiscovered species. But yeah, no spiders stand out in my memory. If any came in they were tiny. Keep hikin' and thanks for watching!

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

snake, spiders, and bears "Oh My!" I have discovered that if you use a headlamp you can see the sparkling eyes of spiders at night !

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Florida Girl Adventures Nothing says 'outdoor adventure' more than sparkling spider eyes! :) And thanks for watching!

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

I love your videos and I have learned so much! Thanks!

[@robertwood4783]

always good stuff

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

And thanks again for watching!

[@fireyourrocketts]

Great video with tons of information. It seems your food bag was too close to your tent in that picture; don't you suppose to hang it about 150 feet away in case the Bear comes not to have it too close to your shelter? That is what I have read. I am novice and trying to learn.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

For a designated, heavily used shelter or campsite, the food bag in that photo is definitely too close. Both mice and bears are more likely to be an issue at a heavily used spot, compared to a stealth camping site that is used by people only rarely. For example I've had plenty of mice running across me at night in or near a shelter - never has happened during stealth camping. The spring of 2016 created bad conditions for bears -- The earliest weeks were exceptionally dry, making newly grown plants very hard to find and in turn making it harder than normal for bears to find something to eat. So the bears crowded the shelters and a couple of people got bit and at least one bear got euthanized (that I noticed) and a few shelters were shut down for a while. A long time ago similar conditions occurred in the Pacific NW - Black bears came down out of the hills and started pulling doors off parked cars and trucks. If we do hang our bags 150 feet from our tent, let's make sure we can find our way back to the tent -- I would for example turn a spare light on in the tent if I was doing this after dark. Another detail is this year's extremely dry spring caused several big forest fires near the AT. Definitely much worse than average. And thanks for watching!

[@fireyourrocketts]

Scary situation with bears giving those conditions, me and family car camped recently in Utah Dixie national forest in one of the campgrounds, had our food inside the car in cooler or plastic bags, then the tent set right next to it and I was worried but the camp host told me they have never had any incidents with bears close to campgrounds before, told me no need to go out to hang the food, we kept camp as clean as possible considering the kids and were ok. For when I am solo I would do as you suggest turning the light on the tent or I could mark camp on my garming GPS watch and trace back, tent lit sounds faster but I would probably go 200 feet instead of 100 or 150, I am new and last thing I need is an unwanted bear visit on my first solo trip 😊

[@vinniethefinger7781]

You started in on using your tent on the AT. I'm looking at a similar size tarp tent. I'd like your final thoughts on the subject if you don't mind.

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Vincent Ioppolo If I understand your question correctly, I can tell you that if I am hiking or camping anywhere in North America at any time of year - and I can get stakes to stick into the ground - my pyramid tent is my first choice. I elaborate on the reasons for this in my "Homemade tent" video. Sometimes I have used a Sil Shelter (no longer made, and my second choice) because it requires less space to pitch. And because I am still recovering from bad injuries received in a head-on car crash (see my "Fitness and day hiking" video for details on that), I am going to have to get my basic pack weight below 10 pounds if I am going to section hike successfully again on the AT. And that would move me to my third choice: a big poncho that also can be pitched as a shelter. If I had money to spare, I'd go with a cuben fiber tarp tent, but I don't. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@vinniethefinger7781]

+flatbrokeoutside Thanks and yes that answered my question. I'm working my way toward the AT next year. I'm not hammock friendly and I like to have space. I'll be doing the LHHT a few times before then so I should be able to get things worked out before next Spring. Great vids! Your knowledge and experience are priceless.

[@stephenwright3501]

Earlier I suggested that you might check out "Slackanator", but he has changed his hiking channel name to "BetweenTheBlazes"

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

+Stephen Wright Thanks for the heads up and thanks again for watching!

[@jaksmith6465]

Lmao , i remember the scouts that got bitchy on trips .

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

I'm sure it's part of growing up for some young people. Yet I recall some of the less affluent kids who lived in the country were absolute troopers who adapted very handily. And thanks for watching!

[@jelkel25]

The gap between fantasy and reality is too big for some people (of all ages) then there's the ''little addictions'' to deal with. I find in some places (not all) mosquito's will choose people with high sugar diets over those who take very little refined sugar, so look on the bright side, the bitchy ones are probably being eaten by mosquito's.

[@ArduousAnt]

Great video mate :0 Im subbed, keep up the good work :)

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

Thanks for subbing and thanks for watching!

[@RichardBuckerCodes]

why inflatable for side sleeping? What's wrong with side sleeping with a closed cell?

[@flatbrokeoutside6921]

I'm only going on what I hear plenty of folks say. For others, let closed cell rule.

[@RichardBuckerCodes]

I've been bouncing back and forth faster than an Olympic ping pong ball. Klymit, klymit insulated (both inflatable) and then the thermarest z seat cushion or the z lite sol. However, I've also been frustrated with tent versus hammock. I think having a rainfly provides more options but I do not have firsthand experience there... and for some reason when I purchased my rainfly I thought it was square but it turns out to be diamond shaped and without modification I'll be limited to one configuration.