My Gear For 12 Days On The John Muir Trail

[@BMad-we6qf]

I found this video after watching your hike. Have you considered a post-trail video? Gear that worked, that didn’t, that you could change? Tips or tricks or things you would do differently. Would you go again? Thank you for sharing.

[@AKtrailrunner]

Billy I'm so excited for you. Backpacking is an amazing experience. I've been backpacking for over 20 years before picking up ultra running. First thing I learned is that some things aren't necessary, they are creature comforts that you really don't need. They take up space, weight and just aren't needed, for example, a shaving kit. Why are you shaving? Shaving isn't a necessity, in fact look at that whole shower kit you have. The only necessity I see is the toothpaste and toothbrush. Staying clean is great, bring a small towel to "sponge bath" with, every gram counts. Also your pack weighs 33 pounds dry. What about water? Water is heavy, we all know this. I've backpacked and climbed in the Sierra's for years, you're going to go long chunks without a water source so you'll have to carry more water and water to cook with. Think about those extra things taking up space and weight, because water will need to fit there.

[@jeremiahhkim]

Great kit, especially for your first extended trip. I can't imagine you *not* catching the backpacking bug. Two suggestions, if you haven't yet already considered: 1. Treat your clothes with Permethrin. Nothing is worse than trying to eat dinner while sweating with every layer of clothing on and mosquitos still biting through untreated clothing. 2. I would 100% recommend making a Reflectix pot cozy. You'll be surprised how quickly your titanium pot loses heat, and by the time you reach the bottom, your dinner will be cold. Of all the DIYs, this has been the biggest game changer. Have a great trip!

[@BillyYang]

Awesome advice. #1 was done last night and as for #2 I will primarily be using the pot to boil water. I've moved dehydrated dinners into more easily packable ziplock bags and put aside a couple of empty Mountain House packages to reuse to cook food. Appreciate the feedback!

[@jeremiahhkim]

@@BillyYang Nice. While I don't Mountain House, I've seen many make Reflectix pouches to stick the Ziplocs/packaging into. Beyond simply keeping your food warmer, it will also help economize cooktime/fuel. Now time to Permethrin some clothes myself. ;P

[@JimBridgerHarney]

Permethrin is the right move. If you really needs warm food, some sort of insulating pot cozy isn’t a bad idea. Also, skip the mountain house bags. Just heat and eat from your pot, it won’t make that much of a difference.

[@fromcitytowild]

I've heard good things about the thermacell device to keep mosquitos away... Inexpensive. Hunters use them.

[@punkinpunker]

Turns out taking those sandals as a backup and camp shoe was a fantastic idea. Even when things are tough you've got to feel good that you thought through the scenarios and got something right 👍

[@BillyYang]

100% in retrospect.

[@tylerfenton8669]

Clean socks are worth the extra weight. _Nothing_ feels better than changing into clean, dry socks after days of wearing old ones.

[@karlstriepe8050]

Gear videos are addictive. Billy: film idea, make a film about gear: gear companies, gear obsessions, etc.

[@vincentc6919]

Great great film of the JMT, just finished watching. Hard to watch Billy going through the foot ordeal that was painful to watch but kudos to him for sticking it out. Once this cat goes UL it'll be game on. Great film Billy and Happy trails

[@austinado16]

Water filter? Or water treatment? First aid kit? Deet? Permethrin? A&D Ointment for your starfish? And may I suggest a wide brimmed shade hat, instead of the trucker hat, which will allow your face to absolutely fry. If you get the wide brim hat with the rear part that is cloth and hangs, it won't foul against the backpack and aggravate you.

[@johnanderson8096]

Great advice!!!

[@dhammarosi]

Looks like he ended up bringing a lot of that stuff in the end

[@michaelb1761]

Since I started wearing long sleeve shirts and a hat like you described, I was able to eliminate the sunscreen. Totally agree with that recommendation. (It also works to keep the bug net well off my face.)

[@DarxusC]

Starfish?

[@jethrofiero4846]

@@DarxusC Butthole, if you haven't figured it out by now lol

[@MrJenjohnlee]

will be interesting to see the video of the outcome (regarding the equipments). Specially about the broken belt clip

[@spatialcognition7071]

Hi Billy - I loved the video, and your work in general. I did the JMT northbound last year with my son. A couple of thoughts... 1) water filter - sawyer squeeze or equivalent, 2) sun protection - maybe something to cover your neck? The sun is really intense at elevation all day. 3) We ran out of food between Kearsarge and MTR. Bring as many calories as you can possibly carry for this stretch. Your appetite will spike with your big miles. 4) Get some hills in beforehand. Every day on the JMT you climb a big pass. Having some hill legs will be really helpful. Enjoy!

[@planesandbikes7353]

Brave man to show off your heavy heavy gear, enjoyed this video. kudos for achieving such great fitness, it motivates me to do a long run today and aim for a long trek this summer!

[@dman5914]

In retrospect your sandals were a lifesaver. Happy for you they were included in your pack!

[@Jaysus145]

I watched the thru hike video before this gear video... man, 9:23 was prophetic

[@BillyYang]

Oh man, just seeing it again myself too. Yikes.

[@inkjob12]

take a Tenkara fishing rod set up. Fresh Trout on the trail is a great way to break up the freeze dried and ramen meals. On the JMT there are tons of of opportunities to catch fish trout. ALSO>......at this time of the year you will be swarmed by mosquitos. Bring some sort of bug repellent but also some AfterBite. Great to help stop the itchy bites.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

You're gonna love that Nemo. I've got a Hornet myself; they aren't a very big brand compared to other companies out there, but they're just really solidly built, well thought out tents and gear. Enjoy it!

[@markfoy4340]

Love following you Billy; get alot of inspiration from your videos. Have hiked sections of the JMT for the last 8 years. This year doing sections of 150 miles; Next year full JMT 200+ hike.

[@christiansperber2451]

Hey Billy, have a great trip! I read some of the comments here and I would agree with a Lifestraw bottle for convenience and instant hydration when you come across the streams. A mosquito netting hat would be one of those things you would be stoked to have if the little buggers are feasting. I was up in the high sierras a month ago and they weren't out yet...oh, and a telescoping fishing pole. I know, more weight but Dude seriously. Fresh trout as an appetizer before your freeze dried meal. 6 lb test on the reel and some lures like rooster tail, panther martin and castmasters and you're set.

[@ScottCommon632]

Watched the trail vid first then this one. Just AWESOME! Congrats. My heart sunk when you pack pack waist buckle broke. Ouch! But when charged forward!!👊🏼☕️

[@ifonly2675]

Hey Billy don't forget your metric friends. There are quite a lot of us following you

[@timking1283]

I just spent 3 days on the Appalachian trail. I love hiking and Ultra running. I find many things I’ve learned running in trails around diet and shoes and clothes, also works well for hiking. Enjoy !

[@OmarAbdulMalikDHEdMPASPACPAPro]

Peace be to you! I'm one of your subscribers. This is SO EXCITING!😃🏞🚶🏻‍♂️MAN, you're RIGHT about lightweight things being more expensive! I purchase a pair of walking poles at Wal-Mart for $20. However, I bought my first pair YEARS ago from Hudson Trail Outfitter for $100. They were MUCH lighter and retracted to about 30cm. I look forward to following more of your adventures and documentaries. Be safe! Peace!😊👨🏽‍⚕️🏃🏽‍♂️

[@treytamari]

As someone with several long distance backpacking trips behind me but who is new to trail running as of January this year, it's cool to see you as a runner trying out backpacking. You can do a lot of research (looks like you have), but knowing exactly what you want just takes time and experience like everything else, as you've noted. I'm sure it's easy to get overwhelmed with everyone wanting to offer advice on gear, and for this reason, I like to suggest books so you can interpret everything yourself: Andrew Skurka's "Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide," which is a nice fundamentals intro, and Mike Clelland's "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips," a fun book of illustrations. Andrew Skurka's consultation service is also a good investment and will save you money in the long run. It sounds like you have a good idea of what kind of trip you want, and are bringing the gear to facilitate it. Have fun, and remember, you pack your fears. Happy trails.

[@ChaseMountains]

It'll be great to see you with a backpack on racking up some miles! Good luck my man! 👊🏼

[@sierraguy7214]

You're going to have a blast!! One thing I didn't hear mentioned was hydration. Bottles or bladder? Or both? Purification? Straight water or an electrolyte mix? Probably one of the most important items considering altitude and exertion.

[@alexworks9659]

Okay... petzl bindi headlight. Ditch the solar panel. Rx 100 or better yet the zv1 a few extra batteries, don’t need extra undies. Just wear shorts and Maybe some thin leggings/tights. Bv500 bear can. slightly lighter. You don’t need “extra” lighters. Just a few things. Unpack, lay it all out and really go thru every piece and ask if you “really need” it. Have fun!!!

[@ZhenNingLow]

I see you packed you stuffs in those amazing path project bags. Somehow they are so sturdy, they have lasted a couple of races as part of my drop bags. Can't wait for the videos.

[@irishluck7461]

Great pack i own the osprey atmos 65 as well ...surprised about the belt clip breaking i have not seen that before with the atmos ?? You are the first I have seen experiencing that ..great vid and happy you completed the trail 👣

[@stjamesnolan]

Enjoy! Have done thru hike on AT and LongTrail myself and hope you love the experience. The gear all looks reasonable, except ditch that seat pad thing. It's not needed, excessive luxury item and while it weighs little, it actually takes up a lot of space.

[@fromcitytowild]

From someone who has done the AT... I'm surprised you say to ditch the seat pad.... I've never heard of any thru hiker saying to ditch it.

[@stjamesnolan]

@@fromcitytowild I never thru hiked with someone who used one.

[@fromcitytowild]

@@stjamesnolan very interesting.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for sharing this very informative video. Be safe and healthy out there on the trail. 🤗

[@trevorjones7819]

A couple others mentioned a water filter or treatment. With the three of you going, is suggest some personal treatment tablets for emergency and a filter to share. Also, I find a sturdy knife - nothing big, maybe 2-3" folding - is helpful.

[@jacob5318]

Have an amazing time Billy! Looking forward to seeing how it goes with you

[@BillyYang]

Thank you!

[@kristinegoodman7534]

You have a great Mom! Amazing gift :)

[@ziminski13]

Hi Billy, great kit. And a fantastic idea to use what you have. No sense in wasting money on gear that is incrementally better. By the end, you'll be wearing a t-shirt you found in a box along the way anyway. The sit pad will also change your life. One recommendation is to wear your favorite running shorts instead of pants. Once you sinch down the pack on your hips, the belt will dig in. Plus, no need to pack underwear. Just bring a pear of leggings for camp at night. Good Luck!

[@mattellenberger27]

I hiked the SHT with that bear canister. It's hella heavy and as a result it's really hard to scramble with it. I bought a lighter one after my SHT hike because it was so clunky. So, good luck. Hopefully you have a better experience than me

[@Youeo203]

Good luck! Have fun! Can’t wait to see the video!

[@kimalexander4187]

Looking forward to how the trip goes

[@dolam]

I just watched the video and I think you have made some really good choices. When you do the JMT it is a once in a lifetime experience and good equipments is worth it. I think some things I would do differently are just personal preference. You have a good tent, a good bag, and good choice of clothes. I would have paid for a smaller bear canister, but as you use food you can fill it with other things like clothes or equipment. The only thing I think I would not bring is the big solar panel, but maybe that will be needed to charge the go pro battery. I also do not like Osprey packs, but that is my personal preference. Overall I would say your choices are A+. Have an awesome trip.

[@BillyYang]

Thanks Tim. The trip's been done, I'm working on a recap video and probably a "what worked, what didn't" video. It was a great but hard experience!

[@dolam]

@@BillyYang Yeah, I did it about ten years ago in two weeks (14 days) and I was flying. I have some videos on my channel of doing part of the JMT - but not all of it. My wife was thinking about doing it this year but with the whole COVID situation she held off. We are planning on doing it next year if everything works out. I will subscribe to your channel and wait for your video. Congrats!

[@volksman3]

Look forward to seeing the filming from the trip, good luck with the hike ;o)

[@Ckblab]

Can’t wait to see this adventure! Have fun and be safe!

[@scottahermann]

Wife, 10yr old, and wife are currently finishing the TRT. You seem pretty squared away. Bear canisters are heavy and bulky. We went with lighter kevlar bear bags and hung them. We also ditched flashlights as we're always in bed by dark. Check out 'A Fork in the Trail' for high nutrition meals. Good luck and be well..

[@PJWascher]

Good luck Billy! Not sure what your water situation is, but you may want to also pack a water filter of some sort.

[@melissaaustin8877]

I saw your John Muir Trail expedition. It really inspired me to do it as well! It looked hard, but INCREDIBLE! Did you or will you make a short video sharing which of these items was well worth the price/weight, which ones you would NOT bring (if any) and which ones you would choose the higher weight/quality/price for?

[@JimBridgerHarney]

Skip the camp shoes, just wear your running shoes nice and loose. ULA Catalyst would be a better pack- lighter and it still has a frame. Skip the solar panel and carry more batteries instead. Your resupply at MTR will let you charge, so try to get there early and plug in, preferably with a quick charging battery setup. Don’t skimp on battery. Sleep kit is really heavy, especially the pad. Try a half pad and with your empty pack under your legs. It can actually be more comfortable because it will elevate your feet to reduce swelling at night. Definitely test before you go, though. Consider a pair of sleep socks if your feet get cold-the residual moisture from hiking can make a big difference. Cook kit is really fat, at least get a lighter cup. I used a little souvenir cup for at least a decade. Add a few baby wipes to your bathroom kit, dried out. A few days in, it will really freshen things up. I would also skip the razor, but that’s your call, since you’re going to be on camera. Cut down on the clothes. One shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of underwear that you can swim in, one rain jacket, one insulating layer, two or three pair of socks. Usually I wear Soffe running shorts and Mont-Bell wind pants, which comes in at around 4-5oz total for pants and underwear. Plan on drying socks in your sleeping bag at night if you have a couple wet days in a row. Also consider a bandana or lightweight neck gaiter. Neck insulation makes a big difference. Consider external sound recording with either camera option, to increase the odds of getting clean sound in windy conditions. Bear can is actually fine. I’d skip the seat pad. Bring Leukotape for blisters. I use fancier solutions when doctoring people’s feet at the WS100, but leukotape works best on trail. I could probably go on, lol.

[@fromcitytowild]

Good information here Billy. Sleep system needs work. Pad and sleeping bag. Gossamer gear Murmur pack is 150$ish bucks... Light as a feather. Pack is too heavy. If you can leave the solar panel behind and buy another big battery bank and it weighs less... Do it. I would send this video to as many thru hikers as you can and write down the things they say to ditch and swap out.... And see if many of them also notice the same thing.... Then make the changes. You could probably save 5-10lbs

[@forestrodgers6228]

This was useful info, salient

[@gilbertramirez3173]

Oh wow what a great adventure, cant wait to see/hear about it

[@dougyoung4573]

Hey Billy, did I see you running in Hermosa Beach yesterday morning? Good luck on your hike. I did the JMT years ago when the technical fabrics were cotton and wool. Enjoy!

[@SirBrickzAlot]

Best of luck on the hike

[@ericlancaster2889]

Haha, I reuse those Path Projects shipping ziplock bags too.

[@utube2008utube]

Hey Billy. I’m curious to what you think of these products now that you completed the trail. Would you change your mind on any of these? Regrets with anything? Thanks

[@ryskarpaty9968]

As I said - I discovered a great channel. Greetings from Poland, boy

[@HikeRx]

What shoes did you hike in? I used to get bad blisters with hiking boots and hiking shoes. Once I switched to Altra Olympus and wore Injinji toe liner socks under thin Darn Tough wool socks, I had no blisters. No blisters when hiking a 65 mile section of the JMT this summer. I will never go back to hiking boots and will always wear Injinji toe socks going forward.

[@cliffspicer6555]

I actually watched this video after I saw your complete hike video. The trouble with your feet and blisters were crazy and I felt so bad for you but I also see how you didn't appear to give your feet the same attention as other parts in your kit. You mentioned socks and the sandals and that was it. Looking back, do you think sock choice and maybe layering your socks and different shoes may have helped you? The big 3 are always the focus but I wonder if experience taught you anything you can share about how you approached it. I have never done more than 10 days and a few hundred KM so I don't know how you would approach this differently than a shorter trip.

[@stevesmith3606]

While sandals are a nice camp shoe, nothing will ruin a trip quicker than catching a toe on a tent stake or even a rock. An old pair of lightweight running shoes are a great option.

[@xiesalicaceae2482]

If your feet aren't used to Luna's they could give you blisters if you hike in them. Bedrock sandals straight out of the box don't give me blisters. I run in Bedrocks and love them because they keep my feet in place in a way that Lunas never have. Just to drop some weight, can you leave the Lunas and the air pillow behind? You have enough clothes to use as a pillow. Have fun! I look forward to seeing your film on this.

[@chandaharkins4418]

Mom called and was like, "Good try. Give it back." ;)

[@pattydonahue9964]

You, of all people, are made for long-distance hiking. Some tips for you. #1. Take care of your feet. #2. Get enough sleep. #3. Always work to lighten your pack.

[@pimacanyon6208]

good stuff. good gear. as far as expense goes, if this turns out to be your only backpack trip, then yes, it will have cost you. But if you like it and continue backpacking over the next 20 or 30 years, the cost of the gear for each trip ends up being quite reasonable.

[@gary7542]

Good luck billy

[@rune4769]

Luna Sandals!!!! I wear a pair running, hiking, endurance events, ect and they never let me down. 34lbs is pretty good weight for a 12 day trek, considering everything you listed out. I think you should also tally up the total cost for us what the retail value is of this adventure so folks can get an idea of how expensive through hiking can be If you don't already, you also should prob have a few emergency survival items like a lifestraw and magnesium rod

[@lptacek]

Great video. What about your primary hiking shoes/boots?

[@uloutdoors]

From an ultra runners and thru hikers perspective I would recommend strip down the gear as much as you can. You dont need much on a summer JMT hike.

[@cmcjvcltcbmc]

Dont forget a stove! I didnt see one in your kitchen kit. Have fun!

[@mrlang125]

wow how weird, i was just discussing this trail with a friend! great vid!

[@nutsbutdum]

I can't wait for Billy Yang to discover ultralight hiking. He won't look back! 😂

[@trading4waves]

dude for real. his podcast said his pack was 40 lbs! billy! my max weight was 22!!

[@tuts351]

@@trading4waves do you do 14 day hiking with that? I've seen guys do hiking with 4 Snicker bars and half a litre bottle but for one day hike

[@trading4waves]

@@tuts351 22 lbs was my heaviest starting out for 7 days. Then after 7 days I resupplied at MTR, to another 22 lbs. lighterpack.com/r/uoi9m9

[@MPHshoots]

@@trading4waves HOLY HELL. That’s a solid weight man. Congrats!

[@eitansalama2921]

@@trading4waves lol 😂

[@PaigeWeso]

Wonderful set up, it’s obvious you took your research very seriously. I’m gonna give some unsolicited advice and say ditch the solar panel for another charger block. Or consider watching additional videos where people discuss doing a thru with a solar panel, a lot of people ditch them early on.

[@veroniquediallo6055]

Very sweet kit. Thanks for listing your gear. I will be looking out for your trip vid.

[@johnfowlertrailrunning]

Have a great time Billy! I’d recommend taking a good book! 🤓

[@Juneblug]

Dude! Someone on the top of Glenn pass said he saw you at Rae lakes! Small world

[@jeffgreene3059]

you are gonna have great time !

[@jsgc13]

You should include metric system units!

[@BillyYang]

Next time. Apologies 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mikeduddington4123]

When is your hike? Second the suggestion for a life straw, and first aid kit

[@traaaaan]

Im sorry about your feet. I recently switched to injinji for long hikes and darn though for short hikes. What shoes did you wear that malfunctioned?

[@PeakbaggersForCancer1]

Can't wait to see the video on this trip! :-)

[@Donatelow]

Hey Billy what size of your Coros Apex watch?

[@Scuba_Son]

Hiking shoe of choice?

[@JOTAGOMEZ23]

Good luck!

[@Dora-bmrwarrior]

Great video. I hope to thru-hike or section-hike some trail, some day if my old body can handle it and if I can afford it lol. Will you have time to do a video on the food/nutritional supplement you will have inside the canister?

[@sridharkancharla62]

Lube? (3:36) What kind of a trip is this?

[@lt2246]

Nice video. I may have missed it - what was your total pack weight?

[@JoshSummerss]

Highly recommend for your next trip get a hammock, lighter than tent and easy to set up. As long as there’s trees where u go you’ll be fine.

[@fromcitytowild]

One of the biggest debates on the internet. Hammocks vs tents. I personally don't think hammocks are a great option at all, many people complain about getting the right setup and being comfortable.

[@guest00791]

I backpacked in Kauai with a hammock. It totally sucked. It rains daily so being off the wet ground is nice. It gets challenging to find two perfectly spaced trees. And hammocks don't make for great bivys. And the whole tarp pitching thing.

[@ryanvictory1552]

Where do you guys store or carry water for long hikes like this? I can only assume water filtration....fine if your by a source....but just wondering.

[@prad47]

Billy, Backpack, Sleeping bag and tent seems heavy for long backpacking.

[@hungmanxxxx2462]

WOW ......sounds goood

[@christiansperber2451]

Almost forgot the fishing license! $51 dollars now. Fishing in a high sierra lake at the end of a long day hiking is very relaxing.

[@k5vfo]

What went wrong with your shoes? I saw your video and the problems you endured.

[@IgorKostyuchenok]

That's definitely what the Gold Rush miners were saying: "Walking in the woods is very expensive" :)

[@BillyYang]

Igor Kostyuchenok no kidding 😳😳

[@IgorKostyuchenok]

@@BillyYang Looking forward to the videos from the trail - even with a poor sound :)

[@sammychung4156]

Missing First Aid Kit(blister tape), hydration gear, and towel. Which will add a couple more #'s to your pack.

[@williammiller7759]

I would suggest a backpacking bidet as JMT requires packing out TP. Can you ise an external mic with the Sony? Thats a perfect camera other than the sound issue. I carried a sony a6000 on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails but I will be sticking to my iphone 11 pro for JMT. Happy Trails

[@JimBridgerHarney]

Lol, true, but pretty sure a backcountry bidet is more of an “advanced technique” for this audience.

[@williammiller7759]

@@JimBridgerHarney my advice was to the hiker, not the audience

[@JRoss707]

JMT does not require packing out TP. The specific rules on a permit issued from Yosemite (SOBO) or INYO (NOBO) require that you dig a hole, at least 200 feet away from any water source or the trail and bury it. Most rangers and people who practice LNT, will advise you pack out all TP, however.

[@Besalu]

How much was your base gear for that trip?

[@bravo1two]

Long time no see.

[@sandralee7862]

It’s impressive your mom is a backpacker. Is she Korean?Have fun! I’m going to Marble Mountains in Etna for 4 night backpacking trip at the end of July. Can’t wait.

[@lukewines3813]

What ever happened to ‘Zach’ the movie, Billy?

[@kubrabenelli9117]

What about the water filter? Anyways have fun!

[@seaeff6428]

no grizzlies in california...

[@MarcMandani]

great video :)

[@chuonghong6131]

Did any of you 3 bring bear spray? ... bears, mountain lions? Did I guys see any?

[@stephenx2857]

that is a hell of a base weight.

[@lirastolons4951]

Uh what was the total weight of the pack?

[@walkingdogie3630]

Hi it’s Maya from pizzaletas how r u I like ur content by the way

[@BillyYang]

Hi Maya! Good to see ya on here :)

[@walkingdogie3630]

@@BillyYang u to bc of u im going to be posting on yt more ty

[@esidarapmot]

No judge but will you actually shave on this trip?

[@larsnilsson6806]

Lose the stuff bag for most of the gear. A trash bag can be used as a pack liner and keep everything dry in the thunder storms. You’ll probably save about 6 ounces.