River to River Trail | Thru-Hike | Day 1

[@SarkoOutdoors]

Really enjoy your series, I have watched it several times. I am attempting the River to River in 2 weeks and these videos really help!

[@cynthiaberry2019]

Beautiful images!

[@sarahd2800]

This is great! Excellent edits, you can tell you’re in the TV business - looking forward to watching the journey.

[@tyler0294]

Hi Ben, me and some friends are planning a 2.5 day backpack in the garden of the gods area this spring. Are there any 25-30 mile loop hikes in the area that you recommend? If not, is a section of the river to river trail our best bet?

[@benhikes]

I've been using the Avenza app. The Shawnee NF Multi-Day Hike map bundle in Avenza is helpful. The paper maps are nice too. Some trails can be overgrown in the summer or rough from horse traffic. Any of these hikes should work for you. www.avenzamaps.com/maps/1102904/shawnee-nf-multi-day-hike-map-bundle

[@montegomm]

Ben, sorry if you already responded to this question, but what date did you leave Elizabethtown? Thanks.

[@paintnomics9523]

Coolest boss ever, love that guy

[@RickStoneTravels]

I loved this trail but got so lost! Never trusting the park paper maps again lol

[@benhikes]

GPS was crucial for me.

[@RickStoneTravels]

@@benhikes I didnt have data signal there

[@benhikes]

@@RickStoneTravels Try downloading the maps before your hike for offline navigation. Then you'll only need your GPS turned on and you can turn off data.

[@samuelmoore3515]

Great videos man! Thank you so much for the awesome trail data. I’ll be heading out in two weeks to tackle as much as I can in 7 days. I noticed that you put your meals in plastic bags. What did you rehydrate them in since you didn’t have the original foil bags? Thanks in advance.

[@benhikes]

Those are Ziploc freezer bags. They can handle boiling water. Repackaging saves a lot on volume and a little bit of weight. I had a Big Sky Insulite Bag to keep heat in when rehydrating with Ziplocs but it's only necessary if it's really cold outside. I usually only use a Ziploc but sometimes have 1 extra reusable foil Mtn House bag I put the Ziplocs in for some insulation while rehydrating. This is all probably unnecessary if you plan to resupply or have mail drops.

[@samuelmoore3515]

Nice! I had actually considered taking one Mtn. House bag and reusing it like you said. Those unopened bags do take up so much room so I was trying to find an alternative. Thank you so much. I might be bugging you for more info over the next couple of weeks. Thanks again.

[@benhikes]

@@samuelmoore3515 this is another series to watch. She hasn't posted all the vids yet - kzbin.info/www/bejne/garRk2B9mt13fpI

[@cynthiaberry2019]

How do you think early May would be for a thru hike?

[@benhikes]

Less buggy than summer I would think. Not super hot and humid. Not overgrown. But could be wet and muddy. Water sources should be flowing. Probably a good time to do it.

[@cynthiaberry2019]

@@benhikes thank you! This would be our ( my daughter and I) longest hike. I grew up in Michigan so hiking in mosquito season is something I try to avoid. I really enjoy your videos!

[@benhikes]

Thanks! This is really good series and shows the trail in September - kzbin.info/www/bejne/garRk2B9mt13fpI

[@restistance4387]

This going to be a dumb ? Am new to hiking.What i cant figure out is onces you have completed a 100 mile hike or longer.How do you get back to your car.Without going backward from where you started.So do you hike it all over again?

[@benhikes]

I had my Dad drop me off and pick me up. You can also pay for a shuttle if available. There's a shuttle in S. Illinois called Bart Lane's Shawnee Guided Hiking Tours.

[@restistance4387]

@@benhikes Thank"s that answered my question.Also do you have videos on what to pack.What you do wasents you run out of the food you packed.Sorry about all the questions.I just thank theres more to hiking .Then what people thank.They go for a long hike, and dont no what there getting there self into.Maybe am over thanking it.

[@benhikes]

@@restistance4387 I dont have a video but there are a lot of gear videos out there. Here's one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIemeoGQf7KCrbM

[@restistance4387]

@@benhikes 👍

[@TheDLiT]

What’s the best time of year to hike the RTR?

[@benhikes]

I think October would be good

[@HikingWithShawn]

Quite the awesome film making edits you have going for you. Love to see folks supporting this trail and the Shawnee :) Glad to have subscribed to you!

[@gattmolson]

Great video, look forward to watching more. I'd like to say I've done this, but I'm not sure. Maybe one day.

[@jameswodochek8751]

I'll be attempting the River to River Trail for the second time at the end of April. I would like to know where you found an up to date map? And if I could some how see your hike through Lusk Creek on a map.

[@benhikes]

Download the guide and maps in the link below. Use these maps with the Avenza app and I think you'll be good to go. I'm putting together a video about Lusk Creek that should be finished before your trip. It should help explain how I got lost. www.rivertorivertrail.net/home/trail-information/river-to-river-trail-guide-2018/

[@jameswodochek8751]

Sweet!!! I wasted 6 miles in lusk creek last time do not want to do that again. Thanks a lot.

[@benhikes]

@@jameswodochek8751 I basically missed a blaze to turn right/north then saw a blaze shortly after and turned right/north then. That was actually a blaze for hikers headed east. I ended up hiking the wrong direction for a few miles. My animation showing where I was hiking was a little off. It shows the turn I missed and not the turn I took.

[@jameswodochek8751]

My brother and myself got to that intersection we had three trails to choose from and all makred r to r. The first 2 was the wrong trail. Wasted 6 miles backtracking.

[@paintnomics9523]

My buddy wants to leave next week to do this, will it be too cold too? March 25th or so

[@steelbob3]

Great videos, Ben! What camera did you film with?

[@benhikes]

Thank you. I used my cell phone. Samsung s8. I'll probably bring a few more camera toys on future hikes.

[@steelbob3]

Same phone I've got! Guess I need to give it a try. My 14 year old son and I are planning a through hike in early summer. Do you care to share your recipe for your breakfast shakes. Thanks.

[@benhikes]

Wind noise is an issue but you can cup each mic and kind of block the wind while you talk. Helps a little. Breakfast shakes were roughly 1/2 cup Quaker oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/3 cup dehydrated milk (Nestle Nido for fat), 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, 1 Starbucks Via Veranda, 1 pouch of Carnation Instant Breakfast (probably overkill). Then I'd cut the corner of the Ziploc and funnel it into a 20 oz Gatorade bottle. Top off with water and shake. Then break camp and drink on trail 30 minutes later, adding more water, shaking, and drinking to get the bottle clean. It was my first time trying it and it was good fuel! Experiment with different ingredients.

[@charlesmacklin8757]

what do you out in your breakfast shakes?

[@benhikes]

Breakfast shakes were roughly 1/2 cup Quaker oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/3 cup dehydrated milk (Nestle Nido for fat), 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, 1 Starbucks Via Veranda, 1 pouch of Carnation Instant Breakfast (probably overkill). Then I'd cut the corner of the Ziploc and funnel it into a 20 oz Gatorade bottle. Top off with water and shake. Then break camp and drink on trail 30 minutes later, adding more water, shaking, and drinking to get the bottle clean. It was my first time trying it and it was good fuel! Experiment with different ingredients. Some powdered peanut butter might go in the next round.

[@charlesmacklin8757]

Ben Hikes thanks bud

[@meggaroof]

30 lbs! u da man!