Don’t Make These 3 Beginner Backpacking Mistakes

Рет қаралды 3,540

Jeff Fowler

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 56

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Want to know why I stopped hanging bear bags? Watch this next 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/lV7RnKyumt13ebc

@DrJohn493 8 ай бұрын

Started backpacking in 1972, or maybe 1973...We've all made these mistakes and learned from those mistakes. My first sleeping bag was an Eddie Bauer that weighed 7.5 pounds, still have it for the memories. My new bag is an EE quilt weighing about 1.5 pounds and just as warm. Same with all my other gear. My first pack weighed about 55-60 pounds. Today at 70 YO, my pack weight for a 3-4 day overnighter is about 25-28 pounds. With that EE gear in the background, it looks like you learned well and learned quickly. We have all been there in what you described so well, especially for the sleep system. Ditto the trail meals. Good advice for those new to the adventure. Spend the money up front and avoid all the gear purchases that'll be tossed to the back of the closet and no one will ever want to buy off ebay.

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I think my pack weight is about the same as yours and I love my EE quilts. I allow a couple extra pounds for comfort and luxury, especially when not doing a long thru-hike. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. There is some satisfaction knowing that one’s own mistakes might spare someone else a little pain and misery 😂

@pleok08 7 ай бұрын

Wednesday, February 14th: Nice video. I always take a camp pillow with me. Thanks for sharing. Happy Trails! Ross08

@jfowler 7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m glad to hear that comfort is an important consideration for you, too 😄

@Nomad-XA 7 ай бұрын

Imagine finding out your lactose in the woods 😮. Never had a problem with dairy but recently I found out I can’t eat it anymore but I found out the hard way in a long distance trip 😢, it SUCK!!!😂

@jfowler 7 ай бұрын

Ugh 🤢 that’s the worst time to find out

@michaelbarton3530 8 ай бұрын

Hey Jeff great tips! I believe mistake number 4 is a 10lb first aid kit! 😂

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! Oh, yeah! Don’t worry, this is not my last “mistakes” video 😂

@neologian1783 8 ай бұрын

One of the better "beginner's mistakes" videos on KZbin. I really like the "just get out there" message followed by the "make notes of what you actually used/needed and keep/discard accordingly message. Similarly, the advice not to experiment with new foods is key. The longer our treks the harder we work to bring "known" food options.

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback! It helps to know what resonates with viewers 👍

@DrJimCares 6 ай бұрын

Good video - especially the tip on food - that’s so true! I still can battle that one and I’ve been backpacking over 30 years! BTW - great hair color…I’m there myself!

@jfowler 6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, and I get this beautiful silver shade absolutely free! 😂😂 Thanks for sharing 😄

@fordjubilee 5 ай бұрын

I was always used to home cooking. So when I dugged into a freeze dried packet on the trail it was always met with YUCK. My in theory process now is try it out at home. Keep it light. Easy to fix and whether it has the calories or not for a main meal it mentally had to taste good. Comfort Food

@jfowler 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experience. That’s sound advice. It’s easy to overcomplicate food 😅

@samueljlarson 7 ай бұрын

You are absolutely right about testing your setup before using it outdoors. I plan on making some content about that topic as well. Great points and idea of the spreadsheet. Sub'd!

@jfowler 7 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! That’s a great topic for a video. Nailing down the right sleep system is critical ☺️

@wanderingsoul7935 4 ай бұрын

Great video, made me laugh as I was that guy 20 years ago with the gigantic rucksack full up with gear I never needed or used. It took an epic fail and an injury to make me re-think my approach to long range hiking. The first thing I did was to get a smaller pack which makes you be more ruthless about the choices you make. The game changer for me was purchasing a dehydration machine and a vacuum sealer. Now I create my own meals to take. Even a vacuum sealer on its own is great because you can take food from the bulky packaging and seal it into smaller and lighter bags which means you can take a little more food. The biggest pack I have now is a 48litre.

@jfowler 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s a smart way to force yourself to pack less-use a smaller pack 😄 I like your food strategy. It has the added advantage of allowing you to choose from a wide range of healthy food options. I find that commercially prepared meals often contain ingredients that I prefer not to eat, or just way too much salt. Thanks for the tips!

@Nomad-XA 7 ай бұрын

I carry a 50litter pack but only fill it up half way with gear, I like to leave the rest available for long food and water carries. My pack is custom fit to my torso and hip, it has loads lifters, is internal frame, and a nice hip belt, love this pack. Get an internal frame custom fit to your torso, makes a HUGE difference. I’m use to using frameless and I was torturing myself for nothing 😂

@jfowler 7 ай бұрын

Great tip! I like that size, too. Most trips I bring my 48 L but I also have a 70 L for colder weather trips and those when I want to bring a few more comfort items along 😄

@timmo971 6 ай бұрын

If you take an anvil you can do a bit of metal smithing over the campfire and then you don’t have take an axe. That tips for free.

@jfowler 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the free tip 😆

@heartattackhiker3527 8 ай бұрын

💩 ing more than twice is excessive. Watch out for hamburgers in trail towns 😄😊

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Oh, man! Sounds like you had an unpleasant experience 🤢

@joannsmith9 5 ай бұрын

A great video for beginners!

@jfowler 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Glad you liked it 😄

@SouthAndes 7 ай бұрын

Great video dude! Would you be so kind as to share the Numbers file?

@jfowler 6 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’m working on getting a version of the file prepared for that purpose.

@jfowler 6 ай бұрын

I got the file uploaded. You can find the link at the end of this comment. Contributions are welcomed and greatly appreciated! ko-fi.com/s/4a2fccd8a4

@SM-vo5gj 8 ай бұрын

Realest top 3 ever.

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks, I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😄

@eprohoda 8 ай бұрын

YYo~ Thank you- useful video~ 🤙

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! 😄

@WineberryHill 8 ай бұрын

The spreadsheet is genius!

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! I need all the help I can get! 😅

@TheNoobHiker 8 ай бұрын

Jeff, much like you I had an oversized pack and packed it to the top! My first pack was a Teton grand 5500 90L backpack, weighing in a 6 pounds. Oddly it is advertised as ultralight. I packed it with 53 pounds of stuff I really didn't need, for a 5-day, 30-mile hike. I thought I was being smart by allowing myself to only do 6 miles a day. Much like you, after a mile, mile and a half I was in pain. Needless to say, I didn't make it further then day 2. When I got home, I retired the pack, and spent a day really looking at what I needed and didn't need. I said goodbye to nearly 25 pounds of stuff I didn't need and didn't miss on my next trip. Any chance of a gear loadout video? I'd love to see what you carry for 3-5 days on the trail!

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Yep, I feel your pain! Sorry to hear about your trip getting cut short. Sounds like you really turned it around with your gear overhaul. Nicely done! Great idea for a video. I will put that on the list 😎

@RonaldBrock-qs1uf 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for a great vlog and encouragement to think before you go on a trek!

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 😄

@tensne12day 8 ай бұрын

A fine primer, and my image will enhance its value I’m sure. Thanks for the tips, Jeff - -

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 😄

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Ok, now I get the "image" reference; yes, for sure! 😂😂

@cherylaversano4885 8 ай бұрын

Great pointers! For any trip really!

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! I really appreciate the encouragement 😃

@Counselor77 8 ай бұрын

I did a little checking with a scale and I weighed a can of Progresso soup VS a pack of Raman noodle soup and a bottle of water to make it and the Progresso weighed 1 lb 5.3oz and the Raman Noodle soup with water weighed 1 lb 5.6 oz and I always knew that a can of anything will feel like ten pounds after a mile, however, I figured at least with 1 can of soup, you could at least cook it in the can as opposed to dumping it into a pot then boiling the water then add the noodles. Either way, there's almost no difference in the weight. Just my two cents worth.

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

That’s pretty interesting! I’m thinking that the Progresso soup has more nutritional value, too 👍

@Counselor77 8 ай бұрын

@@jfowler It even tastes better too.

@roberttrinies7698 8 ай бұрын

Maybe if there's no water source anywhere on trail.

@jfowler 8 ай бұрын

@roberttrinies7698 that's a valid point. With Raman noodles or any dehydrated meal, you have the option to obtain the water needed when you get to camp rather than carry it the whole distance. That is, of course, if there is water at camp.

@roberttrinies7698 8 ай бұрын

I weighed the ramen and 2 cups water(without bottle)and it weighed 17.5 oz. ,however I have brought Progresso soup to a camp without a water source,and I added a half package of broken up ramen to the soup to make it heartier.A chicken packet is also good.✌🏼