RED CASTLE LAKE TRAIL | Hiking 23 Miles Solo in Utah

Spent two days backpacking 23 miles solo on the Red Castle Lake Trail, Utah.
Video sponsored by Backcountry.com. Use code EXPERTVAGABOND15 to save 15% off your first purchase on Backcountry.com (exclusions may apply)
VISIT BACKCOUNTRY.COM ➜ bit.ly/3kiSUE5
#Backpacking #Uinta #Outdoors
GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Marmot Fortress UL 2P Tent - bit.ly/3knFaYv
Arc'teryx Bora AR 50L Backpack - bit.ly/3kkUC7N
NEMO Equipment Sonic Sleeping Bag - bit.ly/35mgU51
MSR Windburner Stove - bit.ly/3pkPsMQ
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hooded Down Jacket - bit.ly/2JZnu9f
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp - bit.ly/2IrAbsZ
MAP OF THE HIKE: www.alltrails.com/explore/map...
* Drone footage shot just outside the National Forest Wilderness area.
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MUSIC LICENSED WITH MUSICBED
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Late Bus Winter Wind by Sad Moses
Galaxies by One Hundred Years
Father's Land by Jordan Critz
▬▬ ABOUT ▬▬
Hi! I'm Matt Karsten -- adventure travel enthusiast, photographer, digital nomad, and professional blogger who's been traveling the world for the past 10-years. Join me as I share entertaining stories, beautiful images, and useful travel tips with you from around the world. Don't forget to subscribe!
LEARN MORE: ExpertVagabond.com

[@Leftover81]

I hiked there a few years ago with my brother and spent two nights! The mountain itself is staggering! One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

[@bradytew]

Great video! Red Castle is my very favorite location in Utah's High Uinta mountains. One comment I have is that the lake you called Upper Red Castle Lake is really Middle Red Castle lake. Yes, there is another one further up above the treeline and there is some boulder scrambling to get there and it's fully exposed. It's usually frozen until late August. I've caught some very large cutthroat trout in the Upper lake. Not too many people make it up there.

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

Cool video but it is the U-IN-TAS Uintas not Unitas

[@dalethompson7020]

Ya, you lost me right there

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

@@dalethompson7020 Right at the beginning when he starts talking he said “up in the high Unitas.” This mountain range is pronounced U-IN-TAS just like it is spelled.

[@lightningthunder-tn3sf]

@@tomaswmitchellphotography You are correct he pronounced Uintas wrong at 1:20. He also had a fire at 3:15 which is against basic leave no trace etiquette around such a popular lake and against the Forest Service posted no fire area. At 4:30 he said he was at Red Castle Lake when it was Lower Red Castle Lake and he only made it up to Main Red Castle Lake. Video was made as quickly as possible to sell stuff for Backcountry

[@hawkinsaeger3937]

That shot of the stars and your tent was just stunning

[@LukesHomeTube]

Really amazing that you had such a wonderful place to yourself. More reason why this is a great time of year to hit the backcountry!

[@spacerx]

I'm always struck by the extent of the pine beetle devastation whenever I go to the Uintas. They got hit hard. It'll be a generation or two before they're back to where they should be. Really sad.

[@cutlooseadventure]

Pretty as a picture ... and very relaxing, all to yourself. A great video Matt ... thanks for sharing!

[@CampTlangram]

What a beautiful place, thank you for sharing. I can watch this kind of beauty the whole day, wonderful scenery, beautiful lake, snow and nature beauty makes me feel living in a dream land

[@ZachBrimhall]

Great video, good time of year to hike with no bugs. 👍🏻

[@ThreeStarVagabond]

Amazing views. I wish I was more into tenting - I love the hiking and exploring part, but not sleeping outside...

[@Hereforfoodandmore]

What a nice video! great job and I will definitely go visit Utah!

[@EnriqueAviles]

It funny that with the frozen waters it almost looks like you are doing a green screen montage. Great vid man!

[@CyclingAlaska]

Utah some great natural spots!

[@lakorai2]

Now that the Durston X-Mid Solid is available I would recommend this over the Marmot Fortress UL. Lighter weight, much smaller pack size and also a solid inner.

[@lakorai2]

This is the first video I have seen on the Marmot Fortress UL series of tents. I have the original Fortress 3p and it is a really good 4 season tent. I would however state it is not a mountaineering tent and wont be able to handle large snow loads. It is also pretty heavy. The fortress locks out the cold really well.

[@deepakdhar3698]

Nice Video!! want to see more videos from you.

[@DanRaines]

So I have been getting your blog news letters for years, but did not realize you had a KZbin channel. Very cool!!

[@lakorai2]

Editing on this video is really fantastic. The music really adds to the mood. Why you don't have Dan Becker, Backcountry Exposure, Outdoor Gear Review sub levels is beyond me

[@Koreabigpine]

I subscribe to you because you look great backpacking in the beautiful nature.

[@Mountain_Maxx]

Great video, just out of curiosity what time of year was this?

[@phillipwitt4433]

I can see you posted the video on Nov 12, but when did you actually go up there? I'm surprised this late in the year that the temps were only slightly below freezing at that elevation.

[@gearhead-do1xh]

So what's your take on the fortress tents ? And the ultralight version ? Pro's and con's

[@nathanwalsh3829]

Thoughts on the tent? I just ordered one the other day but couldn't find much for reviews anywhere on this model! I hope to use it from April - October in the east coast of Canada where its chilly for the first few and last few of those and warm in the middle of summer. I also opted to not buy the footprint, should I make the investment?

[@XPLRNW]

I just watched your video and I loved it! I love the tent! What are your thoughts on this tent in regards to seasons? 3-4... I'm looking at this one my youtube channel adventures here in the Pacific Northwest... Oh and side note... you did such a great job filming this video... I really enjoyed watching it. Keep grinding on that outdoor life brother! pnwfullstop

[@lakorai2]

Fortress is a 3+ season tent. The all fabric canopy will do a much better job at shielding out wind and the cold than the lighter Marmot Limelight or Tungsten UL series since there is no mesh. It will be hotter in the summer time, so I recommend a tent with mesh for hot days. I own the original Fortress 3p ans it is a awesome fall/spring and light winter tent. If you intend on going serious winter camping with expected snow fall you will need a expedition true 4 season tent though like the Sierra Designs Convert, Eddie Bauer Katabic, Nemo Kunai or the Marmot Thor series. These have more poles and handle snow loads much better.

[@XPLRNW]

Oh... and I just wanted you to know that I subscribed to your channel and hit the BELL! You totally rock! Your Friend pnwfullstop (Daniel)

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

👍👍👍

[@harshaeranda4585]

Hellow you should visit sri lanka,so we can experience it fron you😀

[@ericbell217]

How'd you like the Marmot Fortress UL? Seems like a newer model since I can't find any reviews for it other than the nonUL version. Did you use a footprint?

[@dlln.1353]

Wondering this as well, seems like a good tent, but I can't find any reviews anywhere :o

[@ericbell217]

@@dlln.1353 I bought it. Haven't used it yet but did open it and set it up. Really really great tent and was just what I was looking for. With it on sale at REI right now, you should pull the trigger.

[@dlln.1353]

@Eric Bell That's what I was thinking. Did you get the footprint? REI doesn't stock it apparently, but I saw it on backcountry.com

[@ericbell217]

@@dlln.1353 Not yet but I plan on it. I got the 3p tent since it's so expensive, I want to future proof it for when I get a dog or have kids

[@lakorai2]

@@dlln.1353 The Fortress, Limelight and Tungsten series all share the same frame; the fly and tent body is just different. You can use the Tungsten 2p or 3p footprint on the Fortress 2p and 3p. I bought the original Fortress 3p and was able to use the Tunsgten 3p footprint. It lines up perfectly.

[@Kelly_Almond]

how is the weather in april?

[@anthonycatania4739]

Also need to know??? How’s the weather in April? When did you go?

[@daveydundo]

@@anthonycatania4739 You likely cannot get up there in April. Roads will be closed and none of the snow has even started to melt.

[@amberl5513]

What kind of lights did you use in your tent? I'm guessing LED?

[@asesoria.integral]

Wow !!!; what a nice place for camping . Though a solo camping is not recommended 🤔... 🍀🍀