Gear Loadout: Ouachita Trail Thru Hike

[@USMC6976]

Recco Rescue Reflector - no batteries required. A good addition to your pack.

[@markswisher1152]

Thanks

[@kendalleidschun2385]

Great video man!!

[@grantbratrud4949]

Great gear suggestions, and valuable links! Since I'll be coming in from hundreds and hundreds of miles away I really appreciate the time you put in! Navigation info alone I expect will be invaluable. Thanks again! Your refueling may be cause for concern for many of us. No one could fault your comfort choices: I'm easily older than you, and I know what I like, too. The trail tends to improve focus... therefore may I respectfully suggest to all that one of the appeals of a natural hike is Nature. As an example, on the Grand Portage Reservation years ago in Minnesota (where else?!?) I was on a ski-packing trip in late winter. It was snowing heavily that afternoon, and when I came upon an abandoned trapper's shack I decided to stop early. (I'd awakened in the middle of the night on past journeys with the new snow pressing my Gore-Tex bivouac sack uncomfortably all around me, but not my face: fiberglass hoop over that for breathing room. Marmot Equipment.) So I slept under the roof of the old shack. As soon as the sun went down the rodents arose. No owls under the roof. But... when I had fallen asleep suddenly after a while I heard/felt a tiny presence exactly on my sternum. In a fraction of a second it seemed that whatever it was had listened to or felt my big heart pumping along at about a third or less the rate of its own, boreal night hunter of rodents, who spared me that night. I don't think it was a large as a mink, more likely the deadly weasel. I knew and loved the Zappa album, "Weasels Ripped My Flesh", apparently based on the true story as retold in Outdoor Life Magazine's feature, "This Happened to Me". I survived my comfort choices that night, even having opted for the decrepit roof (pitched steeply enough that I chanced the rafter spacing despite the heavy snow). Long term, though, your refueling looks problematic for many, just saying. Without belaboring the point shouldn't most of us just try to omit needless weight in the pack? Except for out minimum comfort requirements? I leave at home every carbohydrate that is not necessary to human nutrition. It's important, of course, to include all the essential amino acids, and the essential fatty acids, but I think each individual has a time-cycle for those. For example, you may still be digesting Monday's beef stick, or the PDO Roquefort (guaranteed ewe's milk, aged in the Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon), for example, from yesterday on a Wednesday. Whatever those foods provided your nutrition may or may not be required until Thursday. But I have never seen any list of carbohydrates that are essential to human nutrition, no matter what Kellogg's, General Mills, or Dr. Rachel Levine may suggest (or order). Not from them thus far, nor on any UL backpacking forum I have seen. Do we love some of those foods? Of course! My memory of some of both my Grandma's cookies make me believe I will meet them again on the Far Side Banks of the Jordan. In due time.

[@deerless999]

I enjoy your videos, but honestly I thought, ok another what’s in my pack video..... but now I have to buy those gloves! My pole strap just broke too, so guess I’ll check those out. You gave me several good ideas to add to, or change how I pack. Looking forward to the trail footage, thanks for the tips.

[@AndrewHikesBergs]

I always enjoy a gear loadout video! Thanks for sharing the Peak Refuel promo code. Hope your hike went great!

[@MidwestBackpacker]

It did. Thanks.

[@trailheadjunkie]

Yessss…ear plugs are a must! Especially for solo backpacking

[@derrickwilliams2903]

I recommend (2) smaller battery packs over a single, large pack. If a pack dies or experiences trouble, you still have some capacity. I did this on my AT hike and my three OT hikes. Some people give me funny looks when I mention it, but on my most recent OT hike, one of the packs did indeed die. If I had a single, large pack, I would have had to bail. I still had half capacity, so I was able to be more conservative and stay on trail. Additionally, on longer hikes, I can fast-charge two packs at 18W each, or roughly half the time of a single, large pack. For gloves, I tried the Showa 282's, but found them to be extreme overkill unless hiking in snowy/icy conditions. Now, I use Outdoor Research waterproof liners, which are perfect for 3-season hiking. They are lighter, more comfortable, and allow for more dexterity on trail (keep them on!). Side benefit, you can actually wash them and they drip dry overnight. I tried that with the Showa's and they REALLY did not want to dry. My recommendation with the Showa's would be to cut out the liner and add a set of removable wool liners. That would make them MUCH easier to wash/dry and add some flexibility (use the liners only).

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I was more worried about charging cables failing.

[@derrickwilliams2903]

​@@MidwestBackpacker Yep. I carry two sets of cables and adapters, too. Redundancy across the entire charging system (except wall adapter).

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Nice load Jeremy.

[@OutLan]

Nice loadout. And I’m stealing that idea of the tripod in the bottom pocket 😁

[@r.s.renkirk]

Funny you should mention the speaker being controversial, because im on the fence myself about how i feel about it to be honest.

[@MidwestBackpacker]

Like anything. If you use it wisely, it is fine. Low volume and off when others are near. Dumb people can make anything look bad.

[@jetgirlhikes9155]

Great video! And it reminded me of something I almost forgot to throw in my pack. Congrats on your finish.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Nice gear load out Jeremy! Great stuff. Crow✌️

[@TheMccluref]

Food color can be put in the fuel bottle. That's what I do

[@AbundantAdventures]

Nice gear load out. I'm really surprised it takes that long to charge your battery. 12 hrs is a crazy long time. Can't wait to see the videos from this trip!

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

Those dorito bags on top of a pack always looks so cool 😅 Your tentpole bag is awesome!

[@Defunct91379]

How did the trail runners hold up? Not hiking the oachita but the OHT wondering if my altars will be able to take it

[@MidwestBackpacker]

It should be ok.

[@papertiger795]

You're possibly cutting up live trees in order to hang your hammock? I hope you'll reconsider that position, Leave No Trace and all... Hope you enjoy the hike! I'm looking at fall 2023 for this one myself.

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I do not cut live trees. Maybe trim a very small branch here or there. Trust me, I follow LNT.

[@papertiger795]

@@MidwestBackpacker Ah... My apologies then, I misunderstood.

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

BCE Devin at "Back Country Exposure" why not just give him the shoutout!! Your food choices reminds me of a 12 year old🤣✊️🔥✌️💚

[@hellmage85]

Great Video! I did not see a first aid kit or a poop kit? Gear is well dialed in. Just curious as to why not the Waymark Thru this trip? I've purchased one and absolutely love it!

[@MidwestBackpacker]

My poop kit and first aid kits are very minimal. I did not want my first trip with the thru to be a thru. I want to test it on a shorter trip first. Plus the Lite AF pack is 8 liters bigger which was needed for a 5 day food carry at the end.

[@jimdonegan4762]

Just caught the trailer, can't wait. What size is that stuff sack for your quilts?

[@MidwestBackpacker]

20 Liter

[@MidwestBackpacker]

www.rei.com/product/867058/se...

[@jimdonegan4762]

Thanks bro

[@jaycreature3893]

That was a fun gear load out. Bug net, it weighs nothing. It can save a trip lol. Some wraps of duct tape on the trekking poles. Hand goo. I like a small one, just in case lol Twelve pack of beer, I mean you have Doritos and your pack weight is Uber low, kidding enjoy the trip.

[@MidwestBackpacker]

I have a bug net usually. Felt safe without it. Too early. I have duct tape around a hiking pole just didn’t mention it. Most of the area I was hiking in were dry counties. Didn’t want to go to jail. 😜

[@jaycreature3893]

@@MidwestBackpacker epic!!!!! Go out and have some fun. But more importantly document the entire adventure so I can vicariously from the Catskills :)