Gillespie Pass Circuit

[@peterarcher9688]

Thank you James! Very nice sharp pictures with beautiful scenery. Your GoProHero did a great job for you!

[@venturewise]

Great movie James! Really well put together. Tranquil and beautiful. Loved seeing all your kit too.

[@JamieMcHale]

Looks like a great walk. Lake Crucible looks stunning!

[@JamesHustler]

Hey Jamie - it was top! Great weather too. Crucible was a real highlight!

[@jfordrob]

Amazing work sir. A fine example of what can be achieved by something that fits in the palm of your hand.

[@JamesHustler]

Thanks Jamal - surprised me. It's a great bit of kit

[@HitCha_K]

It such a beautiful walk, one of the best I did in NZ. I miss it so much except crossing the part where I crossed the makarora river twice, waist deep in a freezing cold water!

[@JamesHustler]

It's one of the best I've done here to. The river crossing are for sure a bit full on if there's been rain.

[@hikingkiwis8390]

Great video. I’ve not done this one, definitely on the list.

[@JamesHustler]

It's epic! Enjoy it

[@jimouano]

The best NZ outdoors video I've seen, just wow. I got more to-do's to add to my list now! Amazing place and so remote!

[@JamesHustler]

Thanks so much Jim! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Definitely add it to your list.

[@tofuutarzan]

Amazing video!!! Ive done the circuit as well a couple of years back but unfortunately my good weather window didnt allow me to see the crucible lake... what a beautyyyy !!

[@JamesHustler]

It really is! An incredible place and super cool to have no one up there.

[@jhrace2]

Wow what an incredible video you put together! You should be extremely proud. Composition, editing, and music are all wonderful

[@JamesHustler]

Cheers Jeremy - thanks a kind message. Super happy you enjoyed it!

[@teresacalder4542]

What time of the year did you do this hike. It look incredible. How many days did it take ? Plus wet socks, daily by the looks from the river crossing, any tips for foot care? Are you changing your socks to dry ones or just keep hiking ?

[@rag3geCKo]

Really enjoyed watching your video mate. Subbed

[@JamesHustler]

Thanks so much for your comment. It's great to know people are getting some enjoyment from my pics! Cheers for the sub to :)

[@alicesmith9778]

What an epic experience this was :-)

[@pictsandmartyrs]

Can see why you have moved to NZ. Wonderful film. Any recommendations on hiking gear for that type of terrain, boots particularly?

[@JamesHustler]

It's such a top place. The list of things to do just seems to get bigger and bigger. I'd usually think about the tread of the shoes dependant of different terrain (soft/mud or hardpack / rock) more than the shoe itself but generally I'll choose based on if I have a pack on or not. I usually wear lightweight trail runners as much as possible, especially with single day hikes, as it really helps cover ground a bit faster and you're much more light-footed! They're also more comfortable and drain fast with wet feet in streams. Primarily though, because I don't have a pack. For anything that's over a few days and especially when wearing a pack I reckon it's good form to use a proper pair of boots. They give you much more support and peace of mind. My experience is that ankle injuries are significantly more likely to happen with the extra weight of a pack. Example trail runners would be something like a pair of Innov8 trail talon 290s, or Salomon speed cross for muddy or wet.. For tramping slow with a pack I wear the Salomon quest 4d. They've been great and mega comfortable. I prefer a synthetic boot to leather as it's a little lighter, and will also dry a tad faster. All personal preference though ;). Have fun!

[@pictsandmartyrs]

James Hustler Thanks James, some really helpful and welcome tips and looking forward to seeing more of your films in the future. Have a great 2020.

[@JamesHustler]

@@pictsandmartyrs Cheers! Happy 2020 to you to

[@patrickmccoy6711]

Awesome video James, I'm planning on doing the Gillespie circuit in a few months and was just wondering what the name of the places you camped were (if they are named locations)? I see that there are huts along the way but they prohibit you from camping due to the fragile environment, so looking for locations to set up tent

[@OutdoorsmanDave]

Hey, James, You are an awesome videographer - great gear to boot - Im looking to do this in December myself. I use a hero 7, you took lots of B-roll which must have chewed up battery so would be interested in what settings you have to best conserve power? I shoot in 1080p 60fps to keep the memory and juice down, what's your secret using 4K? PS you have another subscriber - us Outdoor Kiwis have got to support each other.

[@dewikartika-sck1787]

Hello James. May i know where do you camp? Is there any clear sign where we could camp? Thank you!

[@JamesHustler]

Hey Dewi. There's lot of options. Huts & campsites. Best advice I can give is to check out the doc page for the hike. www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/gillespie-pass-circuit/. Have a great trip!

[@angusyeh]

Great video! Enjoyed it. Which month was this? Thanks

[@JamesHustler]

Great that you enjoyed it! Cheers Angus. It was right at the end of December 2019 - we got out on Jan 1st 2020 ;)

[@angusyeh]

@@JamesHustler thanks!

[@MorrieLow]

Hi James, I'm curious about the gear you used to film this. Did you use a tripod or stand for the GoPro?

[@JamesHustler]

Hey Morrie, No tripod, just a hiking pole with the caster taken off so I can plant it in the ground. on the top of the pole a GoPro attachment Velcro on and a small ball head so I can level it quickly. If its going to be rock with no soft ground I sometimes just velcro the GoPro direct to orange marker poles ;). Whatever is super quick and easy to do. that's key

[@MorrieLow]

@@JamesHustler Thank for the reply! Really enjoy your videos!

[@JohnEspina]

Where did you start/end?

[@JamesHustler]

Started and ended in Makarora. Walked in crossing the river, and ended with a jet boat back out.

[@JohnEspina]

Hi James, how long did it take you to get to the young basin where you camp on your first night?

[@JamesHustler]

Hey John, I forget exactly, maybe 3 hours?

[@JamesHustler]

Ah correction, we stayed at the young basin on night 2. We walked to the campsite on the first. The basin was a decent way - and the weather was poor so we were pleased to give a whole (short) day to get up there.

[@JohnEspina]

@@JamesHustler thanks James. Amazing videos btw. Also following you on Instagram. Great content and thanks for the reply!

[@JamesHustler]

@@JohnEspina Awesome stuff, cheers John

[@furrpresents8102]

Thats an awesome video man! Can I ask you what kind of tent that is actually? You recommend it for 2 people?

[@JamesHustler]

Hey, it's an MSR hubba hubba NX. Great tent - lasted well over a lot of years and is lightweight + spacious!

[@hikingzone]

Did you guys pay for jet boat???

[@JamesHustler]

Yes, and pleased we did. River crossing heading in was a bit on the edge of safe and we would have been stressing about getting out had we not booked jetboat. It's also a nice way to finish, as I'm told the walk out is a bit of a slog. Would recommend!

[@dylancalvert]

Great work! Im planning on doing my first solo hike with the GoPro Hero 8. This video took away any doubts that it wouldnt be able to do the job. How many batteries did you bring along? And what did you use for an external mic?

[@JamesHustler]

Hey, pleased you enjoyed it! Great little camera. Just the 1, and charged in camera with powerbank ;)

[@brvandal]

what settings did you have for this?

[@JamesHustler]

Hi there, I used the linear settings, 4k - 25p.