How to find trails and plan a backpacking trip

[@GearTestTV]

Question: What essential piece of gear have you accidentally left at home?

[@ChrisTotten58]

Knock on wood, I have not left any gear at home...yet. I have a checklist on my phone and I just go down the list and check stuff off as I pack it. It has worked so far! Great channel and vids BTW!

[@GearTestTV]

I’ll add mine. When my wife and I were dating, I took her backpacking and forgot to bring the poles for her tent. We had to string up the top of the tent with paracord. I don’t think she’s been backpacking since then, but at least she still married me 🙌🏻

[@garrycollins3415]

Rain gear. Un-forecasted winter storm came in. Down puffy soaked. A reality bad situation. I know live by my checklist. Just as you said, put it in the pack and check out off.

[@ChrisTotten58]

@@garrycollins3415 I live in the PNW so a puffy and rain gear is a necessity on EVERY hike. Our weather is so inconsistent and I don't trust the weather reports. lol

[@garrycollins3415]

@@ChrisTotten58 I've lived in places like that. I always pack it, just forgot that day.

[@garrycollins3415]

I love my big paper maps, especially the National Geographic maps. They give a big picture when planning and provide more info than apps do. I also bring then if I have overlooks. I like to identify mountains and valleys in the distance.

[@GearTestTV]

Good info! Thanks!

[@emmawinn6129]

Thank you SO much for this video! I haven’t found many videos that talk about how to actually plan a backpacking trip, so I really appreciate the attention to detail that you’ve put in for this guide!

[@ZxirlEffectz]

Been living down in GA for work for half a year now and found my my love for the outdoors again. There is so dang much to do in this state haha.

[@zakkmiller8242]

This video just advanced my game to the next level. Cant believe I was never using this tool. Thanks man!

[@chuckdock4436]

Definitely interested in your template! Please post on your site when you can. I'm just getting into hiking/backpacking. My goal is to hike the AT in sections this year, and then the whole thing the following year. Thanks for the great videos you post!

[@GearTestTV]

Noted! I will try to get that up on the website next week. Best of luck on your hikes!

[@GearTestTV]

The spreadsheet template is now available on the website. Link in the description.

[@chuckdock4436]

@@GearTestTV Awesome! I'll grab it now and thanks!

[@King-zy7lj]

Just found my favourite backpacking channel thanks for doing such great work

[@MiBellaAlma]

What an informative and helpful video. Just saved it. Thank you for sharing,

[@JarradShaw]

Side note because you jokingly mentioned it and it sparked my brain… Folks talk about how to poop and do it safely and environmentally, but no one talks about… well, like how to find that right place? Example: On a trail that you know will be a little more heavily trafficked… oh my gosh, how do I find a decent place far enough away to do this business and, LOL, be that person with like deer in headlights when someone can still see you off in the distance, but yet not go so far that you just got lost or meet up with some snake or bear or angry buck. My anxiety just went into high gear typing, lol

[@dianacarolinaregus]

This is great. Can you please do a video on safety as a solo hiker? Should I be concerned as a female solo hiker?

[@mgjohnson.violin]

I love the excel spreadsheet! I’ve used lighterpack, but I don’t like that you can’t organize your options to choose from, so if I want to make changes or add something depending on the trip, I have to search through all the options to find it.

[@GearTestTV]

The spreadsheet template is now available on the website. Link in the description.

[@carmenhernandez6102]

Thank you so much!! Very informative!! Just learned how to use my All Trails app !! You ROCK!!

[@GearTestTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DiminutiveFlower]

A link for the template would be awesome! Thank you for suggesting/sharing. :)

[@GearTestTV]

The spreadsheet template is now available on the website. Link in the description.

[@olivemcgrath5231]

Great vid. I'm definitely interested in the excel spreadsheet

[@GearTestTV]

The spreadsheet template is now available on the website. Link in the description.

[@Kevinschart]

lol i'm an expert at microsoft excel and even I have no desire to create a gear closet. I keep my packing list on a little notebook file.

[@patriciamoscato6586]

How do u know what type of hike it is.does it say it, somewhere

[@Erik_The_Viking]

I would be interested in the excel template to help out my planning!

[@GearTestTV]

The spreadsheet template is now available on the website. Link in the description.

[@Francois_Dupont]

i would be very interested in using a blank template like yours, but for open office calc (or whatever the equivalent for exel is called). with the categories and the Auto calculate thing already programed.

[@GearTestTV]

It has been a while since I've used open office, but I'll look into that once I have the Excel template ready.

[@Francois_Dupont]

@@GearTestTV actually i discovered the Website with the similar template just after commenting this. i think most of the people will use that instead of the more "old school" on-the-computer thing. i personally prefer the off-line option since it is more private, but please do not waste your time just to please me. i will use the alternative instead it is no problem. Thank you for your videos as the production quality is very good!

[@johnpark5048]

3:40 - 4:26 = SKILL SHARE PROMO

[@guybrooks1035]

from what I see it doesn't work well if you want to create your own right instead of using those already listed.