Red River Gorge (Kentucky) Backpacking - April 2018

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Can't believe it took me this long to find this video...somehow missed it before. Man, what a slog that turned out to be for you! My wife and I get down there a couple times a year with the dogs and I do try to avoid going if it's going to rain...or even if it HAS rained in the past couple of days, because some of the trails can get really sloppy (and muddy dogs in the car is always a treat! ;) ) Then of course the other challenge is avoiding weekends wherever possible due to how busy it can often be in nice weather on the weekends. Still though, RRG remains one of my favorite places to escape to. Thanks for sharing it all - the good, the bad and the ugly! :)

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

😂😂😂😂 I died at Bailey doing his thing. "C''mon, you don't even know what you're doing." Definitely looked like a wet trip. Not the preferred start to the season but any day out there's a good day.

[@PatJ61]

It makes my heart glad to see another one of your videos. Thanks for digging back into the archives to show a dry spell vs. a wet spell in the same area. Great job! Gives the dogs a belly rub from their fans-- it's always good to see them.

[@irenecampbell7765]

It's great to see you out on the trail again! Looking forward to all of your trips of the 2018 season.

[@JohndaCantrell]

RRG is where we cut our teeth backpacking. Lots of mistakes and wandering off track! Never to be unimpressive she kicked our butts every time! We are still novice for sure but, The Gorge is amazing! When you put your agenda out there for this year, we were a little sad! We were heading to Charit Creek that weekend. We ran into Johnny Bluegrass on the trail in the Gorge, so cool! It would be fun if we meet you by happenstance. Thanks for the videos! We’re always looking for new adventure ideas! Luv the dogs!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

Well hello my friend,, good to see you out and tackling nature. I'm a little surprised that there is not as much snow still around,from all the weather the east has been getting this year. Looks like a real conditioning challenge to start the year. Good to see the dogs along , did appear that they felt the hike as well. I also have been on hikes that were so wet and dry wood was not to be found,, and I always take one more fuel canister than I think I need and have needed to use stove under lincoln log style campfire enough to dry out wood to burn,than pull out of an opening as it takes hold.The older I get the less I like being wet ,especially while cold.Thanks for sharing,,until next time....Stay safe and God Bless....

[@susanbrown2909]

Typical labs,crowding the meal space...always enjoys your hikes David. Look forward to the next ones.

[@petercoconut]

Glad the 2018 backpacking season and your videos are back up and running. Always, ALWAYS, enjoy your videos! You have been our guide for places to backpack. We're heading to Ansel Adams Wilderness early summer on the same trail you took. Thanks for doing all the leg work for our trip. Hike on my friend! Love Red River Gorge, and your videos are just awesome!

[@JayHill615]

Nothing as worrisome as listening to the rain fill the surrounding creeks as you try to catch sleep. Definitely a tough experience. I'm willing to bet the next trip will be an improvement compared to this. Glad you're back.

[@naturallyadriftphotoadvent123]

Always get excited to see your videos pop up! Hope your other adventures go better and that the weather improves soon for all of us!

[@brimill1858]

If you want to add a winter trip....Louisiana's Wild Azalea Trail would be a good one. Its around 24+ miles and you can add some loop trails to get it up to 40 or so miles. I live in Baton Rouge and will one day hike it, perhaps. It goes through some very beautiful woods and sandy creek bottoms.

[@Hefmier]

Bummer!!! Sorry that this trip did not go as planned, but I still enjoyed watching your trip, and the footage from 12' was wonderful to watch as well!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@angelcrusher420]

Never a dull moment. I won’t lie, I was expecting a couple of disastrous river crossings LOL. Great video though.

[@davidgrayin]

I was sort of concerned about some disastrous river crossings myself! If I'd been in my 'game' mode, and not quite so wigged out, I would have actually done some video of us actually crossing the streams. That would have required me to cross the stream, set up the tripod and camera, re-crossed the stream, and crossed again to get it on 'film'. Normally I would have done exactly that but the dogs follow me each time I do it, and even though we made it across OK I was still a little skittish about them crossing without assistance.

[@thrive6685]

David...Nice to see you start off the 2018 with a bang! Albeit wet! Look forward to seeing your upcoming trips! Cheers from Greenwood, Indiana!

[@WhiteAngloSaxon]

A full tang knife and a saw come in handy when making fire. You have to process your wood, but hey, I suppose you would buckle under the extra weight.

[@ChrisfromFL]

Thanks for sharing your trip, it's a good lesson to anyone new or fairly new to backpacking. It doesn't always go as you expect it will, but you sure learn a lot from the unexpected things that can happen. Loved seeing the changes in packs since 2012. I had Go Lite back then and have just switched to a Z-Packs, just need to get out and test it against my ULA. By the way, headlines in the locale paper may have read " Man Leashed to 2 Dogs found at Foot of Cliff". Thank goodness that wasn't the case!!

[@whittleoldman186]

Great to see you back. Some of my favorite videos. Hike on Bro!

[@G0ingNative]

Great to see you out again. Pity you were washed out. Not such a good trip for you and the dogs, but I enjoyed the video. Looking forward to your next video.

[@stevesoutsideadventures]

Good Hike , A little wet , but that is just part of it at times . I have the Red River Gorge on my to do list , hopefully sometime this year. Thanks for bringing us along

[@nicholaspullen7261]

Everytime I watch one of your vids, its just a matter of time before Im craving cheddar cheese spread! Thanks for sharing!

[@K9HighlandsSearchTeam]

Great to see one of your videos again David. Hey the year can only get better trekking wise, i bet your still drying off even now. Like you i hike and wild camp with two dogs, what i cant believe is how you video, photo, carry a pack, keep an eye on the dogs, all at the same time. I know how hard it is to keep an eye on them and also hike but to video at the same time, phew you have your hands full. Very rewarding having the dogs, good companionship and great fun, and again like you i always worry about them in bad weather i.e if they are cold, too wet and injuries or if the hike is too hard. I have gone without food to make sure they have eaten enough, taken off a down jacket at night to give a dog extra warmth, taken diversions of several miles just so the dogs dont over do it, why i dont know because they always seem to be stronger and better adapted than me. I guess its just we do worry at times. Anyway really good video, i like to see how people adapt in bad weather and conditions and i think you done great mate. Must say though think 'three' boxes of pizza is over kill, but you earned it. All the best Bill.

[@davidgrayin]

I completely agree regarding the comments on the dogs. I'll suffer endlessly to make sure they're ok, but in the end I'm sure they're really much tougher than I am (and complain a whole lot less!). But unlike me, they didn't have much choice in the situations I drag them into, and it would destroy me if anything really bad happened to them. It is a huge extra responsibility when I bring them along on trips, but I wouldn't trade it for anything - those trips with the dogs are some of my best memories. It warms my heart to know there are others, like you, that are willing to make those kind of sacrifices for your furry companions. Regarding the three boxes of Miguel's, I actually still have about a box and a half in my freezer at home (per plan) - I've converted the entire family to be Miguel fans!

[@Sjguitarpnw]

I had a rough first trip of the season as well. Glad I wasn’t alone. Excited for the next video, great as always

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

Great Video, You've got some great companions to hike with !! Thanks for sharing !!

[@angelcrusher420]

David I love your hiking videos. Syntax 77 just recently did some videos on just camping and what he does when he camps. It would be awesome if you did some videos like that. Just some camping and David Gray’s philosophy on camping would be awesome.

[@Buzz420]

Awesome trip David 👍thnx for sharing.

[@markeigsti9089]

David like your videos, I see you are going to the winds, I highly recommend the most effective mosquito repellent one can find. Did that trip twice around the first of July and the mosquitoes were horrid! And that maybe conservative!! Also try the cirque of towers loop sometime also amazing winds expedition. You will love the Winds!!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you for the recommendation, and I'll be definitely be taking ample quantities of 100% DEET along for the hike. I'm going with Travis this time, and I'm going to follow along on the route he has planned - I'm familiar with the Cirque of Towers, but I'm not sure if that is the route we're taking this year. But, hey, if not it gives me a reason to go back! Airline tickets, hotels, etc. are all locked in for late June so the Winds are a 'go' for this year.

[@kolklown]

We we're through there 3 days before you and had 4 inches of snow on the ground in addition to all those swift creek crossings.

[@potatothorn]

well better safe than sorry, and with the older footage in here, made for a great video!! 40 minutes of awesome thanks for taking us with you!

[@tonyburnettsr8851]

Love all your videos ,watched nearly all.

[@getyourfitonproductions]

Nice to see a new video. Epic adventure.

[@boulder89984]

Nice to see you back David. I'm thinking you look a little soft after the break. RRG is a bear in the wet and takes it out of you.

[@timbabb468]

Good to see you on the trails again

[@uptrail7169]

We just got back last night from the RRG. This was also our first trip of 2018 and it was around 80 F.

[@davidgrayin]

Given my recent 2018 trip, where the temperatures never got out of the 40's, I'd say I can't imagine the Red River Gorge in the 80's! But when I went in 2012, in mid-March, it was near 80 degrees then. Crazy weather in spring time in the midwest - you never know what you're going to get. Thank you for watching, and I hope you had a good time in RRG (I actually did, despite the wet weather).

[@uptrail7169]

Yes, we had a very good backpacking trip! Now we are back home in the U.P. of Michigan and got a foot of snow today. Lol

[@19biglou]

You should take a trip to New River Gorge in WV then do a comparison video with your Big South Fork, TN, Red River Gorge, KY and New River Gorge, WV...

[@cynthiaschwartz559]

Sorry you couldn't have better weather for this hike, still beautiful!

[@Ali-7676]

May I suggest quick drying trail running shoes? They will make your stream crossings much easier.

[@hidilley]

I'm so glad you posted this, what a trooper you are, and your pups too! It's good to see a video where not everything goes as planned and some of the "downsides" of backpacking are shown. Y'all powered through and still were positive at the end. Way to go, and it was super enjoyable to watch regardless. Hope the rest of your season is awesome too! Plus...pizza...right?! :)

[@Don-md6wn]

David, have you ever looked into the Linville Gorge in western NC for a backpacking trip? It is spectacular.

[@elizabethwhite6364]

Great to see a video! Looking forward to 2018 and your hiking. The dogs did great! It did look wet and chilly. You shared a lot of valuable information for others! Pizza looked tasty!

[@shutterbugsadventures1951]

I be been following your channel for some time now and am going back and watching some of your earlier videos, like this one. That sure looked like a pretty wet hike! I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. I know you take a Nikon camera with you. How do you protect it from all the moisture of a wet, soggy hike? Any special case you use strapped to your pack to protect it from rain while you hike? I’m starting my thru hike of the Appalachian trail next year and want to take my Nikon along. Thanks for any info. Looking forward to your next video.

[@3picAdventuresLLC]

Great video brother. I glad you didn’t plug in the 2012 hike. Your videos are great when they are pure and honest. I have to remind myself every time my hikes don’t go according to plan and I am filming. In the end that want makes your video unique.

[@smokingfacepeltoutdoors6636]

Hi David, love your videos and trips, especially when you are bonding with Christian. I have wanted to ask for some time now, but I see your cheddar cheese spread in your vids and want to know where you get it or how you make it... I love the idea of taking this for easy lunches or a snack/treat when camp is set... thanks, and keep the great vids coming.... I am from NM and am new to backpacking / pack-hiking and have really enjoyed watching your adventures

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you! I'm hoping to get in three trips with Christian this year. He's indicated an interest in joining Travis and I for our Wind River Range (Wyoming) trip in late June. Then I'm planning to join him in Colorado with the dogs in August. And finally I'm now confirmed for a Glacier trip in mid-September that I'm hoping he'll join me on. Regarding the cheese spread I buy it from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). You can find it in their spreads section. It's expensive ($6.99 per package) but one package is plenty as an appetizer for 2-3 people (or two people and two dogs!). When I go solo I divide one package into two or even three individual servings using vacuum seal bags.

[@smokingfacepeltoutdoors6636]

thank you so much for the quick response and the info. I love cheese and every time you break it out at camp I think I need to do that! lol. If you ever decide to do the Gila Wilderness in NM (or another trail loop down here), I would love to meet up with ya perhaps. I love that you enjoy your trips, not just crush miles - thanks again

[@shanlmt]

HI David. My husband and I love your videos. We hope you have some more videos coming out soon! I am planning on hiking at the RRG the beginning of April. Do you recommend a hiking book for that area?

[@bobbythedigital]

We’ve all had that trip. Keep on keepin on, David

[@sharpridgehomestead]

if you ever decide you want to extend your hiking season past october (i watched your most recent video) ... I do a group hike 1 weekend a month year-round at red river gorge.

[@davidgrayin]

Thanks for the heads up on the weekend RRG group hikes. I may take you up on that! I haven't had much luck at the gorge in my two hikes there, and going with someone experienced in the area might be just the thing I need.

[@sharpridgehomestead]

@@davidgrayin we generally go to offtrail areas, the group is usually 3 - 6 people with various levels of hiking experience. The last trip we hiked to eagle point buttress and the one before was hansons point. Sometimes we meet on fridays and do some night hiking, other times it is saturday mornings. Because the experience level varies greatly, its not so much about getting in huge miles but more about just socializing around a campfire and visiting a few points of interest.

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

With Pizza in sight as the end result, can be motivating. Good Video.. Just got my 2nd hike finished this week of the foothills trail. Working my way to the big daddy of my year is the JMT 1st week of Sept. with a few others in between . Thanks for the videos. Following Walkers World.

[@lambo7403]

Man Dave you were right about that pizza!!! I stopped in there the other day and ate 3 slices with 2 glass bottles of pop!!

[@MADHippiesLife]

Wow, talking about embracing the suck (muck...yuck...)! Thanks for sharing. Three pizzas, love it.

[@marshallcahill4958]

I'm a new viewer. Enjoy your videos. I see you list two video cameras. Which is your favorite. Which one is carried and which one is set up stationary. One last note, I remember seeing videos of people hiking down the trail from the south rim down to the bottom. (Grand Canyon) Boy, talking about some dropoffs.Thanks Charlie

[@davidgrayin]

The two video cameras listed were what I used on the two different trips that I merged together for this video. The Panasonic camera I used back in 2012 was my first high-def video camera, and really quite a marvel for it's time, but it is quite out-of-date technology-wise now, and I no longer use it. The Canon Vixia G40 that I now use (and used for the 2018 trip) is a beast of a video camera, and certainly my preference nowadays. It is very heavy though, and I am currently in a (long) search for a replacement camera that can do an excellent job of both video and stills. I had been looking at the Sony Alpha R3 but am now leaning towards the Nikon Z6 (thanks to some feedback from people here on youtube).

[@natshea]

Glad to see another video from you. It looks like the dogs might have gotten a little “fluffy” during the off season lol. I am curious though why one dog carries a pack and one doesn’t?

[@davidgrayin]

The dogs stay pretty much at their 'game weight' all the time. Jaden (older, yellow lab) actually continues to lose weight, which is a little concerning because I think it is caused by his kidneys starting to lose it, but the lower weight has seemed to help him on the trails. Bailey is just an absolute 'beast', and even though she seems a bit 'beefy' its all muscle - when she comes running at you down a trail it sounds like a train coming! Jaden used to carry a pack, and in the 2012 footage you see in this video you'll actually see him carrying the same RuffWear pack that Bailey now carries. But he's blown out the CCL in both rear knees now (dog equivalent of human ACL, but much more important for dogs than our ACL is), which I've had surgically repaired, so now I'm trying to keep him going on the trails as long as I can - so no pack any longer for Jaden.

[@JoshHerodOutdoorAdventures]

Great video! Love the gorge. RRG was my first trip of this year as well

[@BinaryShad0]

Wow, I found you from your rocky mountain video and then after I subscribe you post a video of my own backyard. Crazy coincidence!

[@moosedyer5189]

thanks for the video and information on the RRG Iam going the May 5,6,7,8 , 2018

[@teeballtruckingadventures3426]

Thanks. We are planning to go down there in the fall.

[@davida463]

Wow - wet trip - Pizza looks good though!

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, wet trip, but Miguel's Pizza almost makes any amount of rain worth the trip. Certainly a bit of a bizarre place (makes you feel like you've gone back to Woodstock!) but the pizza alone makes the trip worthwhile if you are anywhere in the area.

[@davida463]

@@davidgrayin I'm in Michigan - have to add it to the list!

[@davidgrayin]

Actually, I was fully planning to do the Pictured Rocks area this September as my replacement for the Glacier trip. Had permits, shuttle arranged, hotel reserved... and only cancelled a few days before I was to leave because the fires in Glacier died down just enough for me to take a chance on heading out there. But I was pumped to do Pictured Rocks - I grew up in central Michigan and had always wanted to hike there - so I'm thinking it's going to be on my 2019 hiking agenda.

[@davida463]

@@davidgrayin Beautiful area - and September would be nice - the bugs in the UP are.... well, you know. My dad would drag us up there in early June - lol - memorable.

[@oskee1334]

I hope Baily and Jayden got few slices of the famous pizza. I think they earned it. Great video!

[@davidgrayin]

They did get a little as a treat but that sort of rich, salty human food tends to make them a bit 'gassy', Bailey especially. Makes for a long unpleasant drive home if I go overboard. She has however perfected the technique of hanging her head over my shoulder and drooling all over me if I decide to eat some in the front seat without sharing. Even though I bought three pizzas, two and a half ended up in my freezer when I got home (the stuff freezes really well - almost as good as fresh when reheated on a sheet pan at 450 degF for 15 minutes - yes, plenty of experience with that since the trip!).

[@johnforeman4393]

Great video David, we backpacked RRG one week later and it was bone dry, go figure. How would you compare RRG to your RMNP trip in 2016? We're heading out there in a couple of months and wonder if we are up to it.

[@davidgrayin]

To me RMNP is far superior in every way to RRG, but I'm probably a bit biased because I've done two trips to RRG and neither went particularly well. In terms of difficulty the climbs are much bigger and longer at RMNP (3000 vertical feet vs. 500 vertical feet at RRG), and the weather, above treeline exposure, lightning, and altitude are always a big factor at RMNP. Regarding scenery, even though RRG has some nice views and many geological features, it just doesn't compare to the mountain views/scenery of RMNP. But the trails at RMNP are well graded (at least on the CDT loop I did) so I didn't get the really steep stuff that you find in places at RRG. I think you'll really enjoy RMNP - just be careful of how you're doing with the altitude, and give yourself some time to acclimate before hiking if possible.

[@mikeashexperience9602]

Dope Video! Sending blessing your way, Keep inspiring!🎒🙌🏻

[@Sharonius54]

As usual, your pups are hilarious! :)

[@angelaestep2705]

Hi. I too am a fellow Hoosier hiker. Enjoy your videos very much. Had a question. What kind of bags do you use to put your steaming hot water in to rehydrate your food ?

[@davidgrayin]

The bags I'm current using are 'VacMaster' brand vacuum seal bags that I bought on Amazon. I use both the pint size and quart size bags - the quart size for most of the meals that I re-package or make myself from scratch. I've never tried using standard ziplock freezer bags but my understanding is that the vacuum seal bags are more capable of handling fully boiling water than the standard freezer bags, though I'm sure freezer bags would work just fine too if you let the water cool slightly before dumping it in the bag. I've never had a problem with the vacuum seal bags even when using water at a full boil just before pouring it in. I just checked Amazon and didn't see the 'Vacmaster' brand bags, but I'm sure any of the 'generic' vacuum seal bags are basically the same thing - and a lot cheaper than the 'Foodsaver' name brand bags.

[@tongqingtonychen9847]

David, thanks for sharing your backpacking experiences! Have you ever tried backpacking in CA like PCT or JMT? Personally, I think JMT or PCT CA section are the best. I am from CA and maybe biased:)

[@davidgrayin]

I have actually done a short section of both the PCT and the JMT (same hike... out of Mammoth Lakes, CA), and I would agree with your assessment that they are the best! Probably the most beautiful area, mile for mile, that I've ever hiked in. I actually have a video of that hike - Ansel Adams Wilderness hike from September 2015 - if you're interested in watching it. Thru hiking the JMT has been near the top of my 'bucket list' for quite some time, and I'm actually thinking about applying for the required permits starting next year - not sure how I'll get the month or so off work that would be required, but I think I need to hike it sooner rather than later... while I'm still physically able to do it.

[@Debnfl]

Great video! Enjoyed the dogs as well!

[@rustyflippo764]

Boy I bet your feet got frozen 😂 thanks for the video !

[@walterwright8926]

yeah for new videos

[@sandradanen8738]

Great to see a new video! Did you post the cheddar cheese spread recepi somewhere? After seeing it so often me and my hiking buddy (my dog as well) must try it ofcourse ;-)

[@sandradanen8738]

Thank you, let’s see if I can get it here in the Netherlands so I can give it a try to see if it is worth the costs ;-)

[@rowetheboat1440]

I love your videos! Which do you like better, solo hikes or hiking with company?

[@davidgrayin]

I definitely like hiking with other people more than hiking alone, but often I have to hike alone if I'm going to be able to get out at all. I don't mind hiking alone, especially if I'm with the dogs or I'm on a trail with other hikers (e.g. the Appalachian Trail), but I really enjoy the shared experience of going on a trip with others.

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Cool stuff I like the contrast of past and present!! I wanted to take my lab there but he likes snakes too much lol hahaha makes me nerves

[@Oldsparkey]

A bad day of camping is always better then a good day of doing anything else. Like you I would of been worried about the river , rain , and being in between those two ridges. I was expecting the water to be even higher and possibly up over the banks since it appeared that it has flooded that area in the past. The water in your tent reminded me of a trip from the past and a bigger problem a buddy of mine had. A canoeing trip in the 10,000 islands section of the Everglades we had a really bad storm ( Almost a Tropical Storm category ) all night long and most of the next day. A buddy of mine made the comment he knew why they called the floor in his tent a Bath tub Floor....Because they hold all the water in the bath tub area.

[@clayschuetz899]

Lol, that's too funny, I took my first backpack trip ever in Wayne national Forest recently, started October 31st, right out the gate ascending a pretty good hill on the scenic Riverview trailhead, pounding rain, fifty mile per hour gusts, got to the top went down the ridge a bit and a sixty foot tall tree fell right in front of me, trees started falling everywhere, got to the Bell trail, got to a spot on the Bell trail that was literally a climb, had to grab two trees to make it to the top of a ridge and was praying for a camp, almost dark, the trail before me starts a descent, it's actually dark, get my headlight out and hike back to a lousy camp spot , it's raining good again, set up camp in the cold rain after dark, tent is literally five inches at least lapping over a rock pile, sticker bushes all around me, I mean worst desperate camp setup I could have had lol on my very first adventure, wake up shivering, no fire of course, make a cup of coffee on my cook stove, cold as heck, boots are soaked still, almost frozen, anyways you get the idea lmao. Anyways I'm still Loving it after I get going, next day is beautiful and perfect, when I camp next night still cold night, still get set up in dark, cause I wasted over an hour trying to start fire with vasoline cotton balls lmfao, such a cruel joke, anyways , know how you feel brother. Third night and morning had a fire, and you know, for all the tragedy of my first trip, I wouldn't trade it for the world, first true adventure, and it set a fever blazing inside me, I'm gonna hike the Appalachian trail, long forgotten dream, the trail enchanted me, I'm in love with the trail now. Anyways, just thought it was funny the vasoline cotton ball thing, I got hit by the wet wood too lol, that's life on the trail.😁😁😁

[@davidgrayin]

Wow, that trip was quite an 'adventure'. I'm not sure I would have made it through all that! But it sounds like one of those trips where you say 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'. But it's also one of those trips that resets the 'bar' for what constitutes a good trip on every trip you take going forward! The Wind River Range trip we did in 2018 with all the mosquitoes did that for me - I don't think I will ever complain about 'bad' mosquitoes again, because it always gets compared again the mozzies in the Winds. Thank you for sharing that great story, and I'm impressed with your fortitude to stick that one out - great job!

[@davidelias186]

You own Stock in Dunkin' Donuts ?

[@davidgrayin]

No, I don't, but with all the coffee I've purchased from them over time (not to mention all the many 'shout outs' in the videos), you'd think they would send me a holiday gift box or something... but nada from them!

[@davidelias186]

@@davidgrayin Imagine that, I enjoy the vids. I wish you would give a little details on how you went about getting Permits at the Start of the Vids or the End.. Make it easier for folks to get pointed in the right direction.

[@WanderingFromKansas]

So glad to see you out there again, David. I have to kindly disagree on the firestarter. I've switched to lint and melted wax in an egg carton shell. One "cup" from the egg carton can burn for 13 minutes! I really like the gravity works filter, particularly for groups. (On another note, I'd like to get your take on Glacier logistics. How did you get from the airport to the park and back?)

[@davidgrayin]

Ooh... I like that. I certainly could have used a full 13 minutes on this trip - I might have actually gotten the darn thing started in that amount of time. I'll give that a try - we generate more than enough lint, and I'm sure I can find some wax around. Thank you for the suggestion. Regarding Glacier logistics, I've actually rented a car for both of our trips - I certainly 'wasted' some money by parking the rental car at the trailhead while we were in the backcountry, but it simplified the logistics. I'm guessing there are numerous shuttle services in the area, but I've never researched them myself.

[@WanderingFromKansas]

I've gotten frustrated with the shuttle research, and it makes me nervous to be dependent on making their schedule. I think I'll have to bite the bullet and "waste" the car rental while it waits for me at the TH.

[@MrTmac2023]

your lab [white] is going to have a hard time on hikes like that. especially carrying anything. they are notorious for leg/ hip problems. the brown dog seems 100% fine! Please be careful out there with them!

[@davidgrayin]

Jaden (my yellow lab) doesn't actually carry a pack anymore. The footage in this video of him carrying a pack was from a 2012 trip I took there. And you are spot on... the reason he doesn't carry a pack anymore is that he blew out the CCL (ACL equivalent for dogs) in both his rear legs over time and we had to have both surgically repaired. The surgeries actually gave him a ton of new years of quality of life, not to mention the ability to continue doing backpacking trips. But I wanted to reduce the strain on him as much as possible, so Bailey (beast of a female chocolate lab) carries the pack load for both of them nowadays. Actually, I carry some of the dog food load for them too because I don't want to load Bailey up too much and risk leg/hip problems for her later on.

[@sycamoreflats8855]

Bailey was merely trying to signal that with the rain forecast and the campsite by the river, "Boss, we are screwed."

[@buckeyebrewer12]

Hey, David. What kind of backpack do you use for the dogs?

[@davidgrayin]

It's a Ruffwear 'Approach' pack. I bought mine in 2011 and it looks like the current design may be slightly different - at least the color is different. It's been a really good pack for the dogs, and mine is still going strong. The only issue I've had with it is that if the weight isn't balanced it eventually falls all the way to the heavier side. Not a huge deal, but it does require frequent 'adjustments' to re-center the pack if the weight gets off on one side or the other.

[@Righteous1ist]

LOL you bought 3 pizzas at after the hike

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, I did! But I didn't eat them all right there - I brought them back and put them in my freezer. I've converted my whole family over to Miguel's!

[@Righteous1ist]

Haha pizza is great so I'm not surprised!

[@vegasdavetv]

another classic video

[@brendaechols2228]

There have been sightings of BigFoot in this area. Me.. im scared to death.

[@WeaponsMachinist]

That rain ruined the hike or was it for the pizza? lol

[@davidgrayin]

I think it was a combination of both! The overall 'suck' factor certainly got me thinking about wanting to be just about anyplace else, but then when you add Miguel's being nearby it sealed the deal. At some point I realized I'd just pushed it too far wanting to get my first trip in after a long winter - I really should have postponed but timing-wise it was the ideal week for me to go.

[@k4gap]

You camped next to a creek with heavy rain in the forecast? Not very smart at all.

[@davidgrayin]

I would certainly agree. But the 'backstory' has to do with the countless established backcountry campsites that I found 'closed to restoration' on the trip, the late start we got on day #1, and the terrain in the area. There is actually a fantastic map that a company called 'OutrageGIS' sells of the Red River Gorge area, and the map actually contains the location of the many established backcountry campsites in the entire area. I used the map when I backpacked in the area in 2012, and it was not only completely accurate but also a huge asset in finding places to camp. I used the map again in 2018, but found that every single site listed on the map was 'closed for restoration'. The confusion and stress this put on me was a bit evident in the video, but it was really a significant contributor to the end result of the trip. The terrain in that area is such that there aren't really a lot of options for camping, and I was finding late in the day that all the options I had were roped off as not available for use. My plan had originally been to hike up the trail to higher ground, but it was getting late with rain coming and heading up the slot canyons to higher ground meant many miles of hiking through terrain with no camping possibilities. Yes, I could have used the closed campsites anyway, but that is an option I'll only use in a real emergency. In preparation for the trip I had plugged in the campsites 'Sintax77' had used on a recent trip he did to that area, and I recalled one that was close to where I happened to be. I headed for it following the GPS. When I got there I knew the site was less-than-ideal, but the stream was only a few inches deep and running about 4 feet below the bank. Yes, I underestimated how much the stream could rise, but I really thought there was ample room for the stream to rise even in a heavy rain. I guess you call that a 'learning experience' (I'm guessing most experienced backpackers have one or three of those on every trip) - and, no, I won't be making that mistake again. Like most backpackers who have been doing it a while, my 'intelligence' increases with each experience like that I somehow live through.

[@jameslane2667]

😸🚬💤💤💤🍻🍺🍻🍺🎃😈👹👽💀👍👏👏 excellent hike the pizza looked really good all the rain didn't always enjoy your view Jim Kansas City Missouri

[@ChrisfromFL]

PS: Do you buy your Mt. House in #10 cans?

[@davidgrayin]

I have purchased a few of the #10 cans - especially for freeze dried chicken and ground beef, which I use when I vacuum seal my own meals - but I'm not sure I will going forward. I just don't go on enough trips to use up that quantity quickly enough. Lately I've just been using single serving pouches, or I buy a multiple serving pouch and divide it into two meals with a vacuum seal bag.

[@rogermueller9143]

i hope you are o.k. .miss your videos

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you for your concern. I'm fine. I just don't generally do any hiking during the winter in the US midwest. I don't like the cold (currently 20 degF and 8 inches of snow on the ground), and I really don't like the long, dark nights. I plan to get going again with a very full season of hiking starting in March this year, a bit earlier than normal.

[@landonbaker5998]

Can I have your cheese spread recipe? lol

[@davidgrayin]

I actually buy the cheddar cheese spread from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). You can find it in their 'spreads' section. It's expensive ($6.99 per package) but I usually divide one package into two portions using vacuum seal bags.

[@curt8806]

I would like to back packwith you

[@coachwidereceivers557]

Always resort to dunkin donuts coffee when you need an action plan on the fly!

[@davidgrayin]

Absolutely! That was a classic 'when all else fails brew up some dunkin donuts' moment. If it would have been a little later in the evening it might have been an 'adult beverage' moment, but Dunkin Donuts always helps for me.

[@OutsideWatch]

This is amazing footage David! OutsideTV is working with the Adventure Film Festival and started our own Adventure Filmmakers challenge! To compete, create a Campfire channel and post your film here: campfire.outsidetv.com/campaignleaders/affchallenge Once you have created an account, more likes=MORE POINTS! If you win, you will be flown out to the festival and featured on OTV!

[@martysmith8191]

you shouldn't rag on the campsite, different time of year, why didn't feather a stick to start your fire, I've done this with extreme wet wood,fire making with wet wood requires a lot of work, cotton balls/Vaseline does work really well, I've watched quite a few of your videos and I must say the last few I have viewed, you seen to find the negative in all that you are doing , just my observation, have a good hiking season!

[@davidblankenship5394]

You know that radar detector is illegal in Virginia and I also think the other commenwealth state ,lol

[@nymcbikers6400]

Um well I would prefer the camera looking at woods not you

[@davidblankenship5394]

Get straight to the trail instead of showing car trip