CYTC gear review - AT Winter Nobo

[@JaruWalks]

I took the first post of this down to make one small edit to cover up my credit card. This is identical to the first post otherwise.

[@1519Spring]

Love that you covered the card with other nature video! Beavers 🦫 are bigger up close than I would have thought before I watched one swim out from under my canoe. My assumption was based on pictures in books and based on videos like the one you showed, usually shot with zoom from a distance.

[@catherine2250]

Excellent gear video. Loved your thoughtful commentary on each piece. It'll help me sort through things on my 2026 AT hike

[@kimberlyjames7857]

I'm happy the bug net worked out for you. I left the box of trail magic with you in mind since I knew you were coming through soon. I've been waiting for the video to see if you got it. I don't usually leave TM in the woods, I am usually on trail cooking. I live in Augusta which is 2 hours away from any one point on the trail. I enjoy going to Rangeley so I thought leaving it by the Height of Land was a good option. I really enjoy your videos and commentary. ~ Kimberly/ Pineapple

[@JaruWalks]

Ah, thank you! I actually tried to find you on Facebook to say thanks but couldn't locate your page. I was also going to run out of food and hike 1 day without food if I hadn't found your box at that road. There was no way to estimate how long the hiking would take because the trail is so rough in that section.The bug net and the food was extremely clutch. Thank you!!!

[@cheesecake1003]

Really appreciate the great coverage of everything especially the electronics.

[@rachelkarcher2565]

Thanks for sharing what works for you. I like hearing everyone’s feedback on their experiences.

[@dondouglas17]

Really enjoy your videos and the information you share along the way...Best of luck on your quest and safe travels...

[@Kay_Lorraine]

Fun video. Happy to know I carry a lot of the same gear. Though... I have an Xmid to go with that sticker 😆😉 ... I feel ya on the charge cords. I bought my Garmin before the mini 2 came out. It is the only item left in my gear with a stupid connector. ... Looking forward to watching the other video you posted later tonight.

[@JaruWalks]

I have a new pack I’m rocking on the PCT, the Durston Kakwa. I am a BIG fan of Durston. I would not rock their sticker on my smart water if it were not so, haha

[@Kay_Lorraine]

@@JaruWalks nice to know you're part of the "family" 😉 I don't have a Kakwa yet as my HMG is still going strong. Maaaaybe next year. 😀 ... I sent you a FB mssg yesterday about when you reach WA.

[@Fistmele]

Super informative, really enjoying your journey. Stay safe and good luck😂 15lbs awesome

[@jessejulian3875]

Excellent gear review with explanations.

[@wio2189]

Thanks for the video. Interesting to see what you carry and what does the job for winter. Consider buying the Exped Flexmat Plus instead of the Switchback. It's quite a bit thicker and more comfortable. Also a little better R value. It is a bit heavier but you could cut it down and combine it with a 1/8 inch pad. The later you could wrap around your torso if you need more insulation while hiking. This has saved my butt before during a surprise snow storm in August in the Alps. For the PCT I was fine with a wind jacket (1-2 oz) and an emergency poncho until KM. Montbell isn't more expensive if you order off their Japanese site because the Yen is that cheap. Just make sure to get the Western Fit models. Takes about two weeks to get to the US from what I hear. Two Anker USB-C wall plugs are lighter and give you redundancy. They should max out the charging speed of your power banks. I only charge my small stuff from the power banks as their capacity isn't that relevant. Only exception is the phone, but with modern quick charge these can be up to 80% in 1hr which would be your second charge cycle. Good to know about the battery of the Inreach Mini 2! Love the Kuiu! Again, appreciate following along!

[@JaruWalks]

All good ideas, thanks for the tips from experience

[@wio2189]

@@JaruWalks You're very welcome!

[@mikaelaolsen8835]

How I long to pack my bag for a hike now! Everything I need in ine bag. Touch the sea as it is black and pink in the pre dawn. Up through the olives. Into the ravine and the tunel of grey leafless bushes. Bright greeen spring grass and oxalis and aristolochia on both sides of the path. The vertical walls of the ravine even more orange in the rising sun. .... up and over the flower covered mountains and into the dark setting up a comfy camp under the stars. Try to stop staring the at the beauty and sleep.

[@Shockhikes]

Thanks for going through all your gear. I really enjoyed because it’s not all the same. Except the BRS, we all have that one, lol. The nail clippers a look great. I’m gonna check those out & the anker charger. I use the seal skinz too but my feet get just as wet from sweat as they would rain after a few hours. Do you have the same problem? Congrats on your calendar triple crown attempt!

[@JaruWalks]

Yes, the benefit of Sealskinz is that they prevent foot pruning. Once you have hiked approximately two days in nonstop rain, your feet prune so badly it feels like blistering. The wet socks don’t keep you dry, they just keep the water trapped, so new water isn’t constantly cycling across your feet. This completely eliminates foot pruning. you just have to encounter an atmospheric river type rain that lasts days, and then you also have to walk in it like it’s a normal day, before you see the benefit. The other benefit is they keep your feet warm in snow.

[@jorgemiguel1040]

Light rain jackets are good as windbreakers on the PCT.

[@JaruWalks]

That’s what I’m thinking, a rab or a frog toggs

[@wio2189]

@@JaruWalks I did a wind break jacket with an emergency poncho till KM.

[@dougmiller4567]

Great content, I've been wondering what gear you've been using for the trail. One question, what are you using for your guidelines, I just got a new 9 ounce silnylon tarp for my hammock (7.42 ounces) and need to get some guidelines. Any help would be appreciated.

[@JaruWalks]

I use dyneema guy lines by Zpacks. Dyneema is ultralight and it does not tangle easily. If it does tangle, tug the shortest lines out first because they come out easiest. They offer 1.3 mm and 2mm. I don’t think it makes much of a difference. 2mm is easier to handle, and negligibly heavier.

[@1519Spring]

43:59 RIP the Mark Zuckerberg shoes. We hardly knew ye! (Edit) at least you have his watch!

[@JaruWalks]

RIP

[@Burner62984]

14:10 False sense of security and I totally know what you’re talking about!

[@user-yj7bm8wi2r]

Am I wrong to assume your parents are loaded? How does someone your age afford this?

[@JaruWalks]

You are mostly wrong. I studied 16 hours per day as an engineering student, then I worked 10 hour days for six years as an engineer, didn’t have kids, didn’t buy a house, made good investments during covid, then I quit my job and career to be in nature for a year, 100% self-funded. My parents did cover the entire cost of my university tuition, but I went to a low cost middle of America public university, so i would have been able to pay those debts off if they hadn’t. If you take calculated risks, put in tremendous hard work over a decade, have a little luck, more people could theoretically afford this too. But the sacrifices on that journey are as hard as the calendar year triple crown, which is in large part why more people don’t do this sort of thing. Additionally, you do not need the gear I have here to complete a thru-hike, it’s just necessary to complete a fast thru-hike, which I need to do for the CYTC.

[@user-yj7bm8wi2r]

@@JaruWalks heck, yeah, man. I didn’t deserve such a detailed response, but I appreciate it. You definitely sound educated, well-read. Amazing. Keep up the great work.

[@JaruWalks]

@@user-yj7bm8wi2r no problem, it is an excellent question. If my parents did pay for it, I think I’d have an ethical obligation to disclose that.

[@1519Spring]

What kind of engineer, ​@JaruWalks ? I'm an environmental eng. Do you think you will return to engineering after your CYTC?