Hiking Alone in Kings Canyon Backcountry, California: Ionian Basin Loop | No Talking

[@basinandrange]

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this video and want to support the channel, consider sending a Super Thanks if you are able 💛 Every contribution helps me create more films and share these adventures with you. Your support truly means the world!

[@aarondavis7764]

I rarely comment on videos, but this one was truly, absolutely outstanding!

[@Robert-ki9mb]

Well done cinematography! Keep up the great work, you have mad skills.

[@ropersix]

What a stunning trip in the Sierra high country, and thank you for the maps. I was able to follow along at home, and while I'm not skilled enough (yet) for serious cross-country like that, I am inspired. It just doesn't get any better than that.

[@jimpowell6789]

Your cinematography is great, likewise the editing, the captions (effective, discreet), the use of maps (you could linger a little longer on them). As you add further videos there's a tendency to develop your own cliches. Your hiking footage is superb, consistently great shots that show you and the terrain interacting. So is your eye for the terrain. Your animal shots are a delight, are true -- clearly you have the knack of being at home with them so they let you take their pictures. The footage of you making a fire -- good to see people still know how -- "old style"! The shots of the tent unzipping to reveal the stunning landscape beyond are stunners. So are the shots of the sun vanishing behind a ridge, of you lighting the stove, pouring stuff into the pot, dipping the cookie, etc, lights out in the tent - nicely invented and effective -- but easy to overwork. Try one stove light per video, etc. I'd like to see footage of you hunting up your campsite -- instead of always seeing you dropping your pack, already there. We always thought finding the perfect campsite was half the fun of reaching our next destination. (You look more tolerant of less than truly level sleeping than me. I want it FLAT.). More exploration of specific locales? Give us a tour of a lake or the immediate neighborhood of your campsite? Don't get me wrong, these vids are absolutely wonderful. The trick is not getting stuck in ruts. Crosscountry forever! (Did you now you can swim comfortably at most lakes up to about 8500 feet?)

[@basinandrange]

@@jimpowell6789 thanks for the feedback

[@Sheety33]

Just WOW! The music and shots are just fantastic! Love the scene where you set up your tent with Darwin Bench looming in the distance. Excellent film!

[@rogerkeating2839]

One of the most beautiful movies I have seen on the Sierra! The video of Ionian Basin was incredible!!!

[@basinandrange]

Thank you I’m glad you liked it!

[@CactusCharlie]

The best video I’ve seen of Sierra trekking. It rivals the best of the world’s other ranges. I’d say “professional” but that belies the presentation’s tenderness. In 1965 after climbing Black Giant and Charybdis I deliberated whether to climb Scylla. If things went wrong, it would have been two weeks before I’d be reported missing. I rejected. Your view of the Ionian Basin energizes me. Keep on trekking and keep recording.

[@basinandrange]

@@CactusCharlie thanks for the kind words 😌 and sharing your story from the area. That sounds like such a cool experience! I’ve actually never climbed any peaks in the Sierra, the cross country passes have been a lot of excitement for me so far. Maybe that’ll be my next step.

[@the0netheycallgod413]

I can’t believe the quality of this video. I’ve watched a lot of KZbin and this is some of the best content I’ve ever seen

[@basinandrange]

@@the0netheycallgod413 ohh wow thank you 😊

[@gdx52]

thanks for the invite.

[@kvl505]

Totally amazing video. Very beautiful, enjoying and soothing. Well done on the production. In an amazingly beautiful, wonderful place.. Thank you.

[@johndenning9644]

Oh My Gauwd this is good!!!!! Thank You for capturing the essence and soul of the high Sierra 🙏💕

[@CharlesMeyer-r3x]

I greatly enjoyed your video of my favorite places.

[@JohnCantHike55Amorosano]

Thanks for showing parts of my favorite N.P. that I have yet to visit. Awesome loop and great shots... you are truly a badass!!

[@ВаляЕгорова-г3э]

It's a beautiful movie! Really enjoyed it. Looking forward to more interesting storylines You're good!

[@basinandrange]

@@ВаляЕгорова-г3э thanks for your feedback! There’s more coming soon 😄

[@SummitSeeker546]

Yes, beautifully shot video and what a great route. Love Kings Canyon!

[@michaelmineart1889]

Very well done! I am an old guy at 66 and have done the JMT, but I'm always looking for other sierra hikes to do and the loops you are making video's of look like great future trips options for me. With some of the less traveled passes you cross in your videos it would be great if you could share a sketchiness factor like 1 for "easy peasy" and 5 for "you'll probably won't do that one again" so we can get a better idea of what we might get into if we were to attempt the same trip. Keep up the great work and I hope to see a video on Mitre Basin and Crabtree Pass in the future.

[@basinandrange]

@@michaelmineart1889 High sierra topix is a good resource for learning about the passes, I like to bring screenshots on my phone. RJ Secor guidebooks are good as well, although he wrote his books when the passes were more consistently snow covered.

[@michaelmineart1889]

@@basinandrange Thanks for the resource recommendations! I have an account now on High Sierra Topix which looks like an excellent resource as it has a thread on back county fishing (I always bring a fly rod on my Sierra trips) and I found RJ's book High Sierra: peaks, passes and trails that I'll probably pick up. Thanks again, Mike

[@stevewright2241]

Please keep making content. That was a wonderful video. I subscribed. It reminds me of the stuff I used to hike.

[@basinandrange]

@@stevewright2241 Thank you. There’s more coming soon ish ☺️

[@100Peaks]

That was lovely. Thank you for sharing. We based camped at Muriel Lake not long after you passed through. I was pondering routes like this while I was there. You’ve captured the essence of the experience.

[@richardcliff3510]

Really enjoyed your video of this region. I did South Lake to North Lake many years ago and camped at the same spot on Evolution Lake. It makes we want to go back as soon as possible and hike into the Ionian Basin. Beautifully filmed.

[@jonnyboy3048]

This is one of my bucketlist here. Exploring the JMW and climb mountains there. I also like the Skyrim sound effect you put when you pass and/or explore new locations. Keep up the great work!

[@Saultch_e]

Beautiful video. I’ve been atop the Glacier Divide twice, last time 2 yrs ago checked out the Keyhole. Most of my BP trips have been on trail, but u inspire me to go off trail. I backpack every year for the most part, I may just do this hike summer 2025. Ur videos are awesome and I look forward to the next.

[@ZIIZ2112]

Ionian Basin. The BACK of the backcountry! Great video

[@scottstevens6380]

Thank you.

[@SummitSeeker546]

Wow! Thoroughly enjoyed your video! You have a great eye! Can’t wait to see more!

[@vickihubach4388]

Stunning! Well done!

[@ColonelForbin]

This is almost Harmen Hoek. Like the Wish version. Pretty good!

[@kristymoore7052]

Beautiful. Thank you. I hiked the JMT NOBO with my son this past summer. Want to explore more of Kings…alone. 😊

[@masculaphotography1964]

Nice vidéo

[@randyspotts5069]

I parked at the North Lake day use trailhead around 7:00 a.m. September 8th for a day hike, which I really enjoyed. There was only one other car in the lot. Must have been yours. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@michael-yi3mv]

Beautiful. Would love it tenfold if it were 100% silent though, but for the crunch of earth under boot, the clack of poles on granite, wind and water. The reason I, personally, love to play outside - to escape the hand of man and feel like the miniscule part I am.

[@trwent]

You definitely picked the easier way to go over Lamarck Col--west to east!!

[@blueklister]

Fantastic video.

[@tonysvensson3073]

Great video!

[@guilbeterteixeira1992]

Linda experiência!

[@eddielombera5862]

Just beautiful…. I guess my only question is how do you overcome the fear of being alone, especially at night..?

[@basinandrange]

@@eddielombera5862 I had a lot of experience doing this with others before I ever went alone so that helped. I also grew up in the woods, I used to play hide and seek with my siblings in the woods at night lol. I’ve just been exposed to it enough it doesn’t bother me, long as I don’t hear footsteps…

[@eddielombera5862]

@@basinandrange I’ve hiked during dawn for a couple of hours and your mind is definitely your biggest enemy in the dark. Videos like yours and others are inspiring me to do this one day 👍 keep em coming ✌️

[@yebushibukeyi]

I like your video very much, give you a thumbs up. As a Chinese, I am afraid that I will never be able to truly experience the joy of outdoor hiking, because almost all the beautiful scenery is enclosed as scenic spots and tickets are charged. It is forbidden to stay overnight there, so I can only watch hiking videos to make up for the regret of not being able to practice. I have a few questions that have been lingering for a long time, and I hope the blogger can answer them when it is convenient: 1. Are you not afraid to sleep alone in the wild? How would it feel? 2. Are you not worried about attacks from other people? Even if you don’t carry cash with you, communication equipment and filming equipment can also be the reason for being robbed. 3. How to solve the problem of mosquito bites? Thank you very much!

[@basinandrange]

I hope you find a way to get out in the world! I'm not afraid to sleep out there, unless I have an actual reason at the time, such as hearing something. Other than that, I think it's all about getting used to it, I had a lot of experience going with other people before I went alone. It makes me feel immersed in nature and that outweighs fear. As for other people, I've noticed that the farther I get away from cities/society, the less of a threat people are. For mosquitoes I use essential oils and a head net, that's pretty much it, but there are no bugs in the fall/late summer. That's when I went on this trip.

[@yebushibukeyi]

@@basinandrange Thanks for your reply, and I hope you have a safe journey on your new hiking journey.

[@jimpowell6789]

@@basinandrange The wilderness is a great bozo filter. And human ("human") predators are looking for easy pickings. Cities make people crazy and dangerous -- nature, the naked cosmos, makes us sane and contemplative. As well as exhilarated and amazed. What essential oils?

[@MrExastin]

It was a unique movie, the voice acting reminded me of Skyrim

[@PreludeSon]

What kind of food did you packed? I see you boiled the water and threw it in the cup.

[@basinandrange]

@@PreludeSon home made dehydrated meals, mostly lentil based recipes or things like chilli and risotto

[@Guillermo_45]

New follower 🎉🎉🎉

[@SummitSeeker546]

Yup! Just subscribed…

[@kristymoore7052]

Me too

[@TitusLivy777]

I have only recently found your KZbin channel, but I love it. Thank you for making and sharing these videos of your adventures! Question: where did you buy your hiking pants, and do you know the name? Thanks again!

[@basinandrange]

@@TitusLivy777 thank you! They’re Fjallraven Keb trousers

[@TitusLivy777]

@@basinandrange Thank you!

[@gezginalper]

🤩🤩🤩❤❤❤

[@David55z]

Spent the night in Dusy Basin Sept 23rd and froze my tail off

[@averywear8295]

wow, incredible cinematography, just subscribed and excited to watch the others. Just curious, your vids are in the Sierras, but your channel picture looks more like the Cascades, where was that taken?

[@basinandrange]

@@averywear8295 my channel banner is a picture I took near copper mountain in North Cascades

[@jimpowell6789]

"Be sure to research all cross-country passes before heading out." Underline this about eight times. Your life can depend on it. Cross country is no fooling. Solo maximizes consequences. (Not a criticism. I admire your routes, your skills, your cinematography & editing.)

[@basinandrange]

@@jimpowell6789 yes!! I feel like I made it look easier than it is, cause I don’t want to do the hard parts more than once just to get a shot lol

[@jimpowell6789]

@@basinandrange Serious mountaineering in serious terrain is serious business. Mistakes can be fatal, bad routing can be. A wilderness rescue EMT tells me that the common denominator in most wilderness fatalities is under-estimating the nature of the challenge and over-estimating your capacities. Cross country route-finding in the Sierra high country is a supreme blast. You can get almost anywhere if you can just figure out how. But it's key not to get yourself into a situation where can't go down and you can't go back up. I admired you finding one pass blocked by ice and re-routing without fuss.