Backpacking The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon - We BAILED!

Welcome back to the channel everyone, glad to have you along for the ride! I said this a lot, but this was legitimately one of the most beautiful trails I've ever hiked. The official name of the trail is the West Rim Trail, its unofficial name is the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. That name is honestly fitting as there is a 2,000' elevation difference between the tops of the ridges and the creek down below.
The trip we planned was to cover all 30 miles of the trail over the course of three days. We intended up breaking up the mileage as follows: day one - 11 miles, day two - 14 miles, day three - 5 miles. Despite the snow and the terrain, we were able to cover the full mileage on day one and still make it into our campsite about 90 minutes before it was dark.
It was at this point that unfortunately, the trip didn't go as planned. I hiked this trail with my buddy Mike and he hurt his knee heading down a steep hill about a half mile from the night one campsite. He informed me of his injury when we made it into camp and unfortunately he was not able to complete the trip. We ended up hiking out using the local roads to make it back to the car without injuring him further.
I apologize for not doing much recording on this trip. I didn't want to have the phone out too much on day one as I was trying to get to know Mike during the hike. My plan was to do the bulk of my recording on day two. I also need to change my recording setup now that I'm using trekking poles on some trips. Typically, I just carry my tripod in my hands while I hike, but with poles I have to swap between the tripod and the poles.
A lot of new gear was brought along on this trip and I will definitely be going more in depth with that gear in future videos. The Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles worked really well on their maiden voyage, I was super impressed with the quality for the price. I also used an underquilt protector that I bought from Dutchware that I'll be doing a separate review on, but it worked like a charm as well.
I debated making a video out of this trip at all, due to how little footage I ended up getting. With that being said, part of this channel is being honest, so I hope this can help inform viewers of some of the issues that can actually happen on trail. The footage I did get was gorgeous, so I thought I'd share it anyhow. As always, thank you so much for watching and considering subscribing!
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[@m.hernandez1404]

Dude. You made the right call.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I thought about it quite a bit and I agree with you. I selfishly wanted to finish the trip because I used PTO, did nine hours of driving and it was an awesome trail. I just couldn’t abandon someone that could’ve been hurt worse. Thanks for watching!

[@bluefire025]

great trip and good for you for sticking with your new trail partner. it's all about helping each other out.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Thanks for tuning in, I’m already looking forward to getting back out there!

[@ronosmianski812]

No man left behind!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Haha absolutely, thanks for tuning in as always.

[@cdhikes2906]

Sucks you had to bail. But good on him for speaking up, and good on you for sticking with him. Looks like a cool place

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yeah I’m looking forward to going back and finishing the full trail. Thanks for watching!

[@TakingOnTheTrail]

Great video! Happy even though you bailed you got some beautiful shots. Hope your friend is doing better at this point. I love your editing style and how you captured your adventure

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Glad you liked the video. I really wish I would have done this entire trail, but in the end I think the right decision was made. I’ll be back out to give it another go, thanks for tuning in!

[@TakingOnTheTrail]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking sure thing!

[@LoftusRoadLad]

Never leave your wingman. Top Gun

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I did what I thought was the right thing at the time. I’d have rather continued the trip but couldn’t risk it, didn’t want that on my conscience should something happen.

[@toninemeth8133]

THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL VIDEO SO SORRRY YOUR PARTNER GOT HURT BUT GLAD HE TOLD YOU AND IT WAS GREAT FOR YOU NOT TO LET HIM GO BACK ON HIS OWN HOPE HIS KNEE IS DOING BETTER AND HE CAN TRY IT WITH YOU AGAIN SCENERY WAS GORGEOUS SO HERES TO YOU AND MIKE FOR EVEN BEING OUT THERE AWESOME FEELING WHEN YOU HELP OUT A BUDDY

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Yep, he’s fine

[@nioce561]

Great video man! Never heard of this spot, looks awesome

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Honestly one of the coolest trails I’ve been on, thanks for watching!

[@richardhenry1969]

Beautiful,I’ve never heard of this place. I’ve did loads of camping in Pennsylvania. My whole childhood was boyscout camping in Pennsylvania many trips to south mountain and Gettysburg. Really wonderful views. Hard hiking in the snow. Never leave your battle buddy!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Go check it out, it’s a really cool area. Thanks for tuning in!

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

It's on my list. I live in western pa and I always marvel at the hidden gems up in North Central Pa.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Being an Ohio resident, I unfortunately have to say that the backpacking in PA is infinitely better lol, thanks for tuning in!

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

@Bacon_N_Backpacking I spend a lot of time in the Laurel Highlands and there are tons of places to go.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

I went to Laurel Highlands for the first time a couple of months ago, cool spot. I have a video up on that too if you haven’t seen it.

[@TsugaCanadensis1979]

@@Bacon_N_Backpacking I haven't delved back that far. I'll watch it. The LHHT is a great trail. However, there are a lot of other gems. Many people overlook the numerous trails in Forbes State Forest.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Any recommendations for Forbes? I’ve been looking on and off but haven’t settled on anything.

[@jacobsager6769]

Never leave a battle buddy behind. Good on you broham. This sounds like something i need in on next time!

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Was a super cool trip for sure, wanna get back to do the full 30

[@ghostape6481]

It was a good weekend. Great trip. My knee has recovered.

[@Bacon_N_Backpacking]

Good to hear, we'll have to do it again sometime.