Exploring Colorado's Never Summer Wilderness - Backpacking Vlog #1

Follow along with MeHap and I as we explore on and off trail routes through Colorado's beautiful Never Summer Wilderness. It's got all the epic scenery from Rocky Mountain National Park, but with none of the crowds!
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Music in this video is from Lakey Inspired check out his music here: / lakeyinspired

[@imbradandyouarenot]

You're living the dream.

[@botanyboy1]

Thanks for the look at this wonderful area. I and a couple friends camped at Blue Lake back in the summer of '83 and did that hike up to the ridge line. We too intended to climb Bowen Mountain, but were put off just like you. We even saw those springs. It was cool and odd to see this place hasn't changed in the past 34 years. Thanks again!

[@BackcountryBanter]

Very cool! Glad to hear that it hasn't changed.

[@Jobrewerful1]

This is excellent! It's so good to watch you back out there hiking.👏🏼😻

[@billmcginnis5939]

Incredible views

[@neist]

Really enjoyed the part of the video when the music kicked off. It felt exactly like what walking in the middle of nowhere feels like.

[@maryb1686]

You've tweaked your style a bit and it really pays off! Your videos have al;ways been entertaining, but the changes you made have made it more so! Great work. I like seeing the evolution of your style. You were a little goofier In this one-in a good way- and it made it a lot of in. Good to see Mehap too

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks! I'm always goofy, I just rarely showed it in my trail videos. I guess that's changing heheh.

[@maryb1686]

well keep it up, it's so fun to watch!

[@DarwinOnthetrail]

Killer Video Joe! Hike On, Darwin

[@nchighwayman]

Enjoyed the vlog style hiking video!

[@baskets8429]

Gorgeous

[@wanderingcolorado8002]

Great video, really enjoyed the video capture at 24:34. Everything we love about Colorado right there

[@mickkae3704]

Good stuff JB .. hike on :)

[@HikingWithShawn]

There is something about sleeping in a tent while it is raining, though. I tend to sleep better in a tent during the rain than I would at home. It just puts me to sleep. Great video! :)

[@BackcountryBanter]

I know that feeling, haha. Thanks.

[@Smilin_Don]

Good Hike! Thanks Joe

[@demolitionally1534]

🤗 love the scenery, stunning.

[@JiTiKeRo]

Love the relaxed, casual vibe of this one!💝

[@Beckysells321]

Amazing scenery! Fun👍

[@Riverman2012]

My fav series of videos is your cdt thru hike, always good to see you hiking that, it looks beautiful out there

[@davidkuhns8389]

Loved the video. Do more.

[@BackcountryBanter]

I can do that :)

[@somewhereonthetrail]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos!! I've learned so much from you over the last few years. Great to see you back out there, always inspiring!!

[@terriekroner9882]

Joe this is so wonderful, beautiful, awesome, and so interesting to see with you! Glad to see you're hiking and sharing! Stay Safe! Can't wait to see your next adventure...........TK

[@Holdfast214]

Love this format brotha! More More More!

[@starpoint78]

Nice scenery Joe !

[@ileentivad6151]

Another outstanding video. Keep it coming 😊😎

[@JTMinnesota]

Backpacking vlog is an excellent idea, Joe. Another great video!

[@Loner2012AT]

Great video as always Joe! Cool how you and MeHap just take off when you need to hit some trail.

[@WayOffTheTrail]

My kind of hiking! :-D I gotta get back to CO some day. I'll definitely stop by Feral before I head out to get lost.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Cool! It's nice out here.

[@summerkelley5204]

Great video! I'm adding this to my backpacking list! :)

[@KuntryRD]

Very nice! You always do nice videos, but this one was exceptionally nice.

[@oldguyriders]

This was a great hiking video. Excellent scenery and hiking perspectives - gives the audience an appreciation for the terrain and hiking effort. Also nice to see a plethora of wildlife. I also like the fact you are still using your tarp. Such a refreshing hiking video as opposed to the through hiking videos which seem to be all about distance per day and food to eat - which gets boring after awhile. This video even features hiking with no trail - don't see that everyday. Keep up the good work

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks a lot!

[@unnnicorn]

Very nice Joe! wonderful country and I kind of envy you those wast areas of wilderness. It is also fun to watch, how your filming and editing skills are improving.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks!

[@GriffinTwoSix]

"Might be Bigfoot... and his cougars" LMAO!!! Great stuff. Cheers, guys! That was refreshing to watch.

[@Thoth_al_Khem]

GREAT VIDEO !~

[@helenwolfe4752]

Did Never Summer hike from RMNP up to Parika Lake last summer. Strenuous but gorgeous area. Might try this one up to Bowen this summer. Thanks!

[@lostindwoods]

Fantastic video Joe! I am adding Neversummer to the list. I know they are expensive but a gimble would be sweet for the hiking footage.

[@debcarpenter8519]

Joe- just subbed to your vlog. I live in Estes, and yes, the crowds are a bit overwhelming at times. I've learned times and places to avoid them as much as possible. I wouldn't trade it for anything though. I go to the top of Trail Ridge a couple times a week. After tourist hours. I gaze across to the Neversummer Range and wonder what's over there. Now I know, and it's just as gorgous as I expected! Thanks and I look forward to following along on your adventures! Deb

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks Deb! I really need to explore RMNP some more. In truth, I have only seen a pretty small portion of the park.

[@debcarpenter8519]

Joe Brewer I enjoy hiking out of the Wild Basin area. It's south of the Longs Peak Trailhead on Peak to Peak Hwy. Some nice waterfalls back in there. The elk are bulgingall over town, and the aspens are changing fast up high. Not much time for more journeys before the snow flies!!

[@argreenlee]

Just found this video. Sadly, the basin at Bowen Lake was hit pretty hard by the East Troublesome Fire in 2020. Mostly burn scar now.

[@kdsadventures9654]

Nice shirt 👍😆💗

[@michaelb1761]

I didn't realize you hiked with the trail angel legend Scout on the CDT. Did he and Frodo host you the night before your PCT hike also?I love the Costco trekking poles as well. I have yet to hear a cogent explanation of why someone should spend 4 to 5 times as much for heavier name brand carbon fiber poles. I'm glad my wife found them at Costco and bought them for me.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Scout and Frodo are incredible people. They have so much knowledge/wisdom to share and are unbelievably kind. Scout is actually on the AT right now and blogging about it if anyone is interested: www.trailjournals.com/journal/entry/564368 I didn't get the chance to stay with them on the PCT. I keep waiting for the Costco poles to fail me somehow, but they haven't and don't appear like they will! The tips do seem to be wearing a little fast, but they are easily replaceable.

[@asiam7436]

It is so great to see you out hiking again with spectacular video! I'll put the word out to the large hiking fb pages that you're back with Mehap. Mehaps tarp zipped. I want that! Did you guys make that? I'm allergic to mosquitoes and they love me so I need mosquito netting too. Loved your pack Joe. Prefer the white. Wondering if they make your back sweaty??? p.s. the Bullwinkles were the best!

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks a lot! His tarp came from Yama Mountain Gear, though we are working on one currently. Having the X-Pac directly on your back does make it sweaty, so in future packs, I'll be integrating some mesh into the back panel. I sweat no matter what, but I did notice it a little more without a mesh there.

[@asiam7436]

Thanks for the 411 on the tarp. I notice a big difference when I wear a regular day pack that is flat against my back and my Deuter backpack (ghastly heavy!) for trips that has a channel that allows air to flow down my back which feels like cool air due to the design. If and when I buy a tarp and backpack, it is going to be from you. I am very patient when it comes to waiting for the best. :)

[@CabinetOfCuriosity]

"Smell free. Live hard." T-shirts and stickers coming soon. ;)

[@bottomowashington]

Really liked this outing. Good job keep it up. Do you bike much? What bike was that?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Not so much anymore, but a little bit. I need to get back into it. One of the bikes is a Salsa El Mariachi SS, the other is a Surly Straggler.

[@huasohvac]

MeHaps legs are so white you could use them as a beacon if you ever got lost

[@BackcountryBanter]

Legend has it that MeHap's legs were used by many famous artists as a reference for what pure white looks like. #pantslife

[@huasohvac]

Granted I cant say much since I wear pants every day at work and my legs only see daylight when I hike. Love your channel lots of good info keep up the good work.

[@kylekretschmer1925]

Love the video! Quick question, I was wondering if you guys hung your food?

[@BackcountryBanter]

No, we slept with it.

[@dalezjc]

So what road/highway did you take to get to the trailhead? Awesome video!

[@AbleHammer]

Nicely done Joe! I used to be stationed in the Springs. :) I wonder about a light pack cover say a zpacks cover or just throwing on a light 5 dollar Bear Grylls Poncho? What do you think instead of a pack cover?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Jeff Abbott A cheap poncho could work, but then your stuck wearing it and your pack is uncovered when it's off your back. I like a light silnylon rain cover, but you could also just line your pack with a trash compactor bag to assure it stays dry. The cuben fiber covers really don't last long, I wouldn't recommend them.

[@ChrisfromFL]

Like just about all the other comments, loved seeing you back on a trail, nice videography! Could you use a hammock out there where you hiked, or have you completely gone to ground? Any plans to do any fly fishing in the future?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Thanks a lot! I actually could have hammocked on this trip, trees abounded. I feel like I've become a ground dweller as of late, but I'd love to get back into hammocking when possible. It's just so much more comfy. I"m going to have to build a new UL hammock kit soon. Fly fishing will definitely happen, I need to get back into it but have been too busy lately.

[@ratherbbankin]

Great video guys...I don't know how you do it. After I hiked the AT, my trail legs were gone in 2 weeks. How do you stay fit for this kind of terrain?

[@BackcountryBanter]

I sure didn't feel fit out there :-) Not shown on camera were the excessive breathing noises and grunts of exhaustion.

[@Larry3043]

I've been to the other side of the ridge....Go back! its all robots!!! Love the videos and the streams thanks for sharing. I noticed you were using a different stove instead of the BSR, did ithe BSR die or crap out on you. Also you said your using the costco cheap trekking poles, can you give us a review on them and are they worth investing in a pair. Thanks man...Keep hiking and happy trails

[@BackcountryBanter]

Haha, thanks! The stove I was using actually was the BRS and it's still going strong! I'll definitely do a review on the poles at some point, hopefully after I have some heavier mileage on them.

[@Larry3043]

My bad, after going back for a look it was the BRS and it was your friends stove that I was looking at.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

So how is the polycro delicate? I have found it to be removable tough. Maybe I'm lucky.

[@sidneycorbin926]

Whats that intro song??? I need to know its not on the SoundCloud link thats in the bio

[@GODOFROCK22]

More vidz!

[@ireallyamjomarch]

Gorgeous video! What camera do you use? The colors looks so vibrant, or was that done in editing?

[@BackcountryBanter]

It's a Sony a6300 with a 10-18mm wide angle lens, the colors are as the camera took them.

[@brandonlenenski]

I am looking in to getting a pillow and am interested in the Klymit Pillow X. I was wondering what your opinion on it was? Pros and Cons? Comfortable?

[@BackcountryBanter]

It's alright, but not comfy enough I think. I've been using on the last few trips and though it works, I feel as if there are better options out there that I need to try sometime soon. I like that it has a cup for my ear, but other than that, I find that it's not thick enough and slides around far too easily.

[@NoTrail]

You livin there now JoeBrew? Guess you are if you werk there...Boluder? Dude...you've really hippied out since I 1st started watching yer videos pre AT. Impressive that yer still wearing the same model La Sportiva Wildcat. Hiking off trail is the most fun. You should have taken the knife's edge fer sher.

[@BackcountryBanter]

Patrick Caple Yup, living in Denver now.

[@NoTrail]

Sweet

[@rmoran113]

Liking that pack....I recently bought a MLD prophet, my back does sweat but its so comfortable up to about 25lbs. You going to start selling your packs?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Maybe... :) Ok... probably.

[@rnorman1015]

One day the guy on the buffalo was roaming around through the forest...

[@JoshuaLaney]

Hey, what camera are you using now? The quality looks so much better than your previous videos

[@moshen380]

Joshua Laney I want know too!

[@BackcountryBanter]

I'm using a Sony a6300 with a wide angle lens, shooting and editing in 4K. Some shots throughout the video were done in 1080p on iPhones for convenience.

[@JoshuaLaney]

I could definitely tell the jumps from 4k to 1080. I normally can never tell the difference, but it was pretty evident here. Like when you were in the tent compared to when you were hiking the picture quality was dramatic. I'll have to look into that a6300

[@60westpro]

Joe love your vids and respect your hiking abilities -I just don't get TARPS- you both look so crammed and un-chill , no wiggle room and wet tarp walls touching -- That sliver of polycro looked so miserable in the wetness ----- are you really stoked on that set-up 1 word" Altaplex " Thanks

[@BackcountryBanter]

Felt fine out there to me! I was dry and didn't really have any condensation issues. The few Zpacks tents I've had the chance to use have always have condensation issues. The tarp was pitched a bit low in this video, but it had plenty of head room for the small amount of hanging out we did. It's never felt uncomfortable to me, though I guess it is on the more minimalist side of comfort :)

[@stephenhanrahan7638]

i like the new style of looking good when your hiking but don't you sweat through those shirts and they get destroyed?

[@BackcountryBanter]

It hasn't happened yet, and it's actually super comfortable to hike in! Then again, this is just a $3 thrift store shirt, so it wouldn't be a big deal if it ever did wear out.

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Quilt?

[@BackcountryBanter]

Yup! Saves weight and is way more comfortable than a bag.

[@bobbycobbler1598]

I need to move to Colorado.