How I load my backpack for a 4-day wilderness adventure

[@hughmongus211]

It's so cool to see how you gear has changed over the years. There's also a noticeable evolution in your presentation style, but you're still true to your basic principles. You give us the facts in a very straight-forward and entertaining manner. It's been a real pleasure watching your adventures all these years.

[@2yung4u]

from whitecourt alberta here, i love watching your videos, they are so informative and helpfull, i'm thinking about a cycling trip to the yukon and back.

[@HUZ9k3s5w]

Always curios to see what other people pack, so thanks for sharing. I pack very similar. I wrap some duct tape around my hiking poles, ready available. I use my leatherman as potgriper. I also carry dishwasher. Rub some underneath my pot before putting it over a wood fire. The sot just comes off so much easier then.

[@mpreste71]

i love ur long time backpacking videos! keep it up Marty!

[@kmmorrin]

Hey Marty, I just found your channel. I really like that you actually "go" places ... not everybody can thru hike, but what you are doing is really reasonable. I also like that you hike your own hike with the gear that makes you comfortable. It might not be the lightest, but it doesn't seem to keep you from enjoying some beautiful places. Keep it up!

[@LeeRay66]

From Saskatchewan here. Just wanted to say love your videos. Been just starting to get into hiking and your videos are a big help. Thanks!

[@Martyupnorth]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. I lived in Saskatchewan in the early 90s. Not much hiking, but some great canoe adventures. The north of your province is a place I really enjoy.

[@LeeRay66]

I live in Prince Albert and like to try and do some hiking in the National Park. I also like to do some snow shoeing. I have a goal that I would like to be in shape to complete the hike to Grey Owl's cabin by end of next summer. Just turned 50 in September and need to get back in shape.

[@TomsBackwoods]

34Lbs is about what my pack was before I went light weight. But it looks like you have some excellent gear for the area. I'm Just over the border from you in Idaho. If you ever get down this way Priest lake area has some great alpine lakes. Take care!

[@Willys-Adventures]

Nice pack out video thanks for sharing

[@milenas2418]

Awesome video keep up good work

[@Cat0Grant]

Hi Marty:) Thanks for a great video. What brand/model is your tent? I like that you can put it up and then reposition it easily if needed (freestanding). Cheers mate, love your work.

[@Martyupnorth]

+Cat Grant It's an old NorthFace Lunar Light. No longer available. Lots of tents are free standing. I always move my tent around after I set it up. I even lie in it to make sure I'm level before really staking it down. Thanks for watching.

[@annikabee199]

What camera/audio did you use for this video? The sound is good.

[@filmic1]

Zip ties!! right on.. didn't think of that. Thanks.....! My base weight without water and fuel is 35lbs.

[@the_guardians_of_the_universe]

nice info... my base weight without water, food and fuel is 6kg

[@peterlarrivee7382]

I like your videos. did you say 34lbs as a base weight? yeah, I get it. You should bring what fits you right. The greatest thing about hiking is it's a customized activity. There is no wrong or right. Go out there and learn for yourself.

[@KLB5420]

Peter Larrivee ... yeah if that's 34lbs before food he carries a lot of weight

[@shcmoly]

Seems very reasonable in size. Cook pot is stainless, size? Do you carry a footprint for your tent?

[@Martyupnorth]

+shcmoly It's an MSR Alpine stainless steel cook pot. Came with a 1.5 litre and a 2.0 litre pot. I only bring the bigger pot. No footprint for the tent.

[@nire_ttocs]

Hey Marty great videos! Do you carry any kind of self defense items along with you on your adventures?

[@Martyupnorth]

+scott mccall I'm assuming you mean defense against animals? No, I don't typically carry anything other than a pocket knife and a walking stick. I just make a lot of noise, pay attention to my surroundings and look for signs of activity. I have a bunch of other passive strategies. Generally I hike in such remote areas that animals view me as a threat, and stay away. It's in more civilized and popular areas that animals become accustomed to humans and can be more problematic. As far as threats from people, that thought never crosses my mind. Thanks for watching.

[@nire_ttocs]

+Martyupnorth thanks for the great answer. You go to some gorgeous locations. Lots of great hiking around my area Traverse City Michigan but no mountains. Learned a lot from your videos and have helped me perfect my system. Thanks!

[@mikemaners4411]

Merci Martin!

[@ykb946]

Good video, about the soap yah its not a major issue, just FYI I hike as well, I found this soap Dr. Bronner's National all purpose, works really well. Credits said your in cow town one can pick up a hiking size bottle from community naturel foods for $8, there's one across chinook c-train station. Maybe then you'll stop getting hassled about your soap of choice:P

[@yessorre]

What Boots do you use? I am looking for my first pair and would like your recommendation

[@Martyupnorth]

+yessorre I use Scarpas boots, but that's because they fit my feet. Boots are one of the most important pieces of hiking gear. They have to fit properly or you'll be miserable. There are many good brands of boots, but they all fit differently. Try many pairs before selecting one. Scarpas might not work for you. I also really like Asolo boots.

[@KLB5420]

Everyone has a method to their madness, try things out, some methods and gear will work better for you than others. Take a course by NOLS or Outward Bound or some of the other companies out there if you want a professional opinion. But most importantly, get out there! Good video.

[@gato7908]

Do you think you could significantly reduce the weight of your pack, and still hike comfortably and safely?

[@Martyupnorth]

I can shave a few pounds off without risking too much. I actually changed a few things since this video. I have a smaller sleeping bag that I can use in the summer months. It's about 1 lbs less, and compresses to a smaller volume. If it's cold I wear clothes inside my sleeping bag. I replaced the 1/4" climbing rope with paracord. That saved a lot. The big saving is by going to a 1-person tent. That can save another 1.5 lbs. I don't like hammocks because it rains too often in the mountains, and being inside a tent during a rain storm is much more comfortable. I also got a lighter mattress. Finally, a big saving is using a smaller 70 l pack that's not as well built as my ArcTeryx Bora. That's another 2 lbs for sure. So I can get my weight for a long weekend trip down to 34 lbs (all in with water and food). That's light. As I've said many times, I have no problem carrying 40 lbs for long periods, and that gives me a good amount of safety margin and comfort.

[@JR-gq3re]

I'm in vermilion alberta, where would trail would you recommend for a beginner, maybe a 1-2 nighter?

[@Martyupnorth]

Head to Jasper and hike the Tonquin Valley, via Macarrib

[@alexleyland]

i'm planning on getting into the kananaskis, umm do you use a bear canister, and if so which one, how many litres, bear bins, bear safety etc, you may be able to tell i'm a little freaked out about bears!

[@shcmoly]

I have the BearVault BV500: 2.5 lbs empty, 9in x 13in , its big! I suggest a dry bag hung from a tree instead.

[@Martyupnorth]

+bonerwizard Sorry I never answered this post. It got missed somehow. I don't use a bear canister. I rarely see anyone using them up north. Our trails are so remote that the bears are still wild and leave us alone. Bears hang out in popular areas where there is easy food. I've spent 130+ nights in the bush without a problem.

[@hopevaleriote9708]

+Martyupnorth If travelling on some of the more popular trails around Jasper/Banff/Yoho National Parks, would you suggest hanging food?

[@Martyupnorth]

+Hope Valeriote I would recommend it. Bring a Baja bag to hang just your food and keep it dry. And a carabiner or some type of hook

[@Martyupnorth]

Hope Valeriote The popular trails in those parks have man-made steel bear poles. I belive some even have food vaults (I know they do in Mount Robson park).

[@kendon81]

you should really think about a compression bag for your sleeping bag and fold it up instead of just stuffing it in any old way, it will save space and just better wear and tear wise for your seeping bag,........don't put pesticides in your cook kit........and maybe some sort of water filter, even a piece of fine cheese cloth to screen out the silt or debris

[@Martyupnorth]

***** The compression bag has been suggested by a few folks. I have one, but I only use it on longer trips where volume is key. On short trips I just use the whole bottom compartment for the bag. Good point about pesticides in the cook kit. I'll keep them separate with the fire starter going forward. Thanks for watching.

[@kendon81]

Martyupnorth​ no problem thanks for uploading the video i have to say i shuddered and said out loud "no don't do that" when yiu started to pack the sleepingbag lol......like the channel......just wished i had kept up propper camping after i left the scouts and not let all my gear go and kept replacing stuff as i out grew or it wore out or not given stuff away.

[@KLB5420]

Kenneth Donnelly ... stuffing is better for down bags, by folding it there is a greater chance you can rip the internal baffles in a down bag. And after your trip storing your sleeping bag uncompressed is best. Helps the bag keep the loft.

[@victorvasquez2788]

Hey Marty u didn't mention any kind of protection from animals (Bear's/Bigfoot). Just wondering, enjoy your channel. Vic..

[@Martyupnorth]

In the days of this video I rarely hiked with bear spray. Lately, especially when I'm alone, I bring a bear spray.

[@the_guardians_of_the_universe]

I was looking for arcteryx bora 95, but it was discontinued. if you want to sell it, please let us know :)

[@the_guardians_of_the_universe]

nevermind.. your pack size is Tall... my size is Regular

[@Martyupnorth]

The US Marine Corp uses an almost identical pack, and you can find those on line easily. It's called the ILBE Gen 2, and it's made by Arc Teryx' military division..

[@the_guardians_of_the_universe]

Martyupnorth wow that's a good info... i've search it in eBay and found many of them... thank you so much!

[@wojtekimbier]

How do you like it?

[@Martyupnorth]

wojtekimbier It's an awesome pack. Carries big loads comfortably. Everything fits inside, no need to hang anything outside.

[@gato7908]

Why is your scale in pounds? I thought Canada uses the metric system 🤔

[@Martyupnorth]

There's a lot of things that Canadians still refer to in the old imperial system; especially older ones like me. We often refer to our personal weight in pounds, and our height in feet and inches. All our home construction is still imperial. We buy 2"x'4" lumber and the standards like stud spacing is still all inches. We do vehicle mileage in MPG, even though we all talk about kilometers and litres. A beer glass is still a pint, and our favorite hard liqor bottles come in 26 oz. I don't know if we'll ever fully convert.