Solo Backpacking the Canadian Rockies - DAY 1 | Sawback Trail, Banff |

CHALLENGE, FEAR, RISK. In September of 2019, I aimed to challenge myself by completing a solo thru-hike of a 90km trail with 2000+m of elevation gain in less than 48 hours. While this kind of trip may be a walk in the park for some, I had just come off of 3 months of minimal activity due to a concussion and was not in the best shape. This was a competition against myself, not a comparison to anyone else. After some hard days, beautiful views, and sore feet, I achieved my goal of finishing the Sawback Trail within 48hrs.
The Sawback Trail is located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. The trail is normally completed in 5-6 days and is known to be a tough trail. There is significant elevation gain to attain multiple passes, route finding in sections with no trail, and lots of potential for bear and other wildlife encounters.
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Day 2 Video - • Solo Backpacking the C...
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[@KateGrarock]

Wowzers what an epic spot. Thanks for sharing

[@JustinOutdoors]

-- RELATED VIDEOS -- Day 2 Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6umo4iClL6isM0 Day 3 Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXatdYBoma11rNE Solo Gear List Video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGO8ZWqBh6ZkjtE Trip Q&A Livestream - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWSmYqF9pZeJpLs

[@martymorissette]

It’s all about pushing the limits and challenging yourself!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Darn tootin'!

[@TheSimpleHick]

Made it look easy, on camera at least! :) Enjoyed the video and look forward to the next!

[@JustinOutdoors]

It actually was easier than I thought it would be! haha. Day 2 was easy but Day 3 was a grind for sure.

[@ervinslens]

Fantastic work friend, video quality is stunning.👌👌

[@BackcountryForward]

That Boulder Pass! Beauty! Really liked this edit Justin. Can’t wait to see the next parts.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks Jesse! I'm excited for them too!

[@TheEffortlessMan]

You are awesome, Justin. ✌🏼

[@rickfromvirginia]

Wow, was hoping you would be posting another awesome video and you didn't disappoint me! The scenery was fantastic and your choice of music was spot on! Carrying that tarp was a cool idea! Thanks for making my stay at home more bearable! Can't wait for the follow-up videos! Rick from Virginia

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks Rick! Glad you enjoyed it and I'm excited to release Parts 2 & 3!

[@miyahosaka8361]

Yay! Rain hiking is my favorite! Looks like this journey is going to be lovely. I am excited to see the rest.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Nothing wrong with a little rain! Other than the fact I was carrying more weight at the end of the trip than what I went in with 😂

[@miyahosaka8361]

@@JustinOutdoors You know...strength training. Haha

[@chrismetcalf1261]

What I have been enjoying most, besides the scenery, is how upbeat you are. You truly enjoy each hike and always seem to look at the best outcome. Watching your Berg Lake hike has made me want to do that next year. Find a friend or 2 and do it. Need to get back into "shape" and go explore. I've done King Falls and back in a day a few years back and that was beautiful. I want to finish:) Thanks for being so positive !!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Really appreciate the kind words! Made my day! I wish you all the best in your adventures!

[@markwhitson]

This popped up in my feed! Love Banff and all the rugged terrain. You're well-spoken, Justin! I found your vlog interesting and inspiring! Keep on going!

[@shawnyork9065]

Really nice video quality. I have been through this area 20 times or more .It is spectacular and very quiet in September. I have met bears in the willows but always had my spray. Looking forward the the rest of your adventure.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Bears were definitely on my mind! I was extremely noisy and, when my spidey senses were tingling, I'd let out a blast of the air horn.

[@TomyHovingtonHiking]

Nice pass for sure! Enjoy your challenge. Thanks for taking us along

[@JustinOutdoors]

Beautiful pass! More to come! One nice pass per day was a nice treat.

[@JakeDoingStuff]

Great vid Justin. Getting antsy to get out man. I'll wouldn't be surprised to cross paths with you on a trip sometime as we are covering similar trails. Solo trips are great to man. Especially if you got something on your mind (just go, and let it work itself out), or yeah if you want to challenge yourself, or test some gear out etc... no better way IMO. Skoki area is world class as far as I am concerned. I haven't done Sawback, but have always heard the same as you. I think why it doesn't get much lovin' is simply because the work:reward ratio, probably gets skewed in favor of the work part lol.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I'm getting antsy too! haha. If you see me on the trail, say hi! I think the work:reward ratio for Sawback is definitely skewed towards work if taking 5 or 6 days. Some days, you wouldn't go above treeline at all. But as a three day trip, I think it is super rewarding with a pass per day!

[@woodchip2782]

Thank you! Feels so good to watch!

[@JustinOutdoors]

It was fun looking back on a trip months after going on it! Glad you enjoyed!

[@MattyOutdoors]

I also love the personal competition on a solo trip. Sawback is a great trail for a personal test!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Bring on 2020!

[@ronbrown1895]

Hey justin, been enjoying your videos. Your solo trip really spoke to me as I usually hike alone! I live in the Vancouver area and take in the local mountains here but am looking forward to a backpacking trip in the crows nest pass in August. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more of your work. Great advice in staying safe in best country and I am sure to pick up the book you recommended!

[@JoelMatthewspeaks]

Good accomplishment Justin setting personal goals really helps for self improvement.

[@JustinOutdoors]

It does! I try to do it in all aspects of my life as I find it a good way to check in with oneself.

[@BackcountryTreks]

The scenery along with your mentality is very inspiring. I recently did my first solo backpacking trip and loved it! Any way your channel rocks! New subscriber 👍

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks for subbing! Solo trips are super special and it's always cool hearing about people getting out on them.

[@pnwadventuresandgearreview8749]

Epic Justin! It’s always good to do a skills challenge to see where you are at mentally and physically definitely will help you grow love it.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I 100% agree! It's nice to have the documentary of this one!

[@roberthammenrudh]

Beautiful views, lovely trail really! Looking forward to the next vid and luckily for me it is already out :)

[@JustinOutdoors]

Super lucky! hahaha

[@darreng1918]

Really nice, thanks Justin.

[@JustinOutdoors]

Thanks Darren!

[@mary.peacefulhikesn.j.3350]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Glad you like it!

[@cyncole]

Yay the hiking vlogs begin for the season! 🙌 I know you had some plans up in the air this season, if those fall through you should check out Murtle Lake for multi day canoe/hiking trip. That's my planB if my WCT trip is cancelled next month. 5-6 days canoeing & day hiking, exploring different campsites each night 👌

[@JustinOutdoors]

I'll have to check that trip out! I'm a big fan of canoe trips! I hope your WCT plans hold through. My fingers are crossed for everyone!

[@stanlocke1009]

Unreal went in Sept. 5th and came out on the 9th - wonder if we passed each other on the trail. Hiked to Red Deer lakes camp ground via Packers Pass (insanely beautiful) hiked into Natural Bridge The next day . The colours of the bushes around Baker and Ptarmigan Lakes are identical to when I Was on my way back to the parking lot . Was able to book a few days for the end of August this year. Believe it or not I got nailed with a snow storm there in June of last year LOL Thank you so much for the video soooo looking forward to going back

[@JustinOutdoors]

I think we would have passed each other! I was there from the 7-9. I believe it! I have hit snow every month of the year in the mountains. haha. Looking forward to getting out on some trips soon!

[@Andyb2379]

Nice one Justin. Pretty awesome scenery

[@JustinOutdoors]

Day 2 is even better!

[@agnostichaos]

I think you start off with down playing this train’s beauty...lol...I was ready to see nothing but thick dense woods.

[@yurijanssen2148]

Man such great Scenery out there!

[@JustinOutdoors]

It blows my mind people thing this hike doesn't have good scenery!

[@lexxb6386]

Beautiful location. How's the flash holding up?

[@JustinOutdoors]

Holding up amazingly! Still my workhorse pack and I don't really see myself switching.

[@HM-gk3rq]

We are supposed to be heading up to Skoki lodge for our 20th anniversary in the late summer. Really hoping it happens! Any day hikes from there you’d recommend?

[@JustinOutdoors]

Congrats! I think you'll be good. My guess is the national parks open up July 1. I'd take a look at some of the summits in the area and see what fits for you. There is also so much cool history in the area and I'd ask the lodge custodians about some hidden pieces of history. Hopefully you get a story out of it too! If you haven't read The Green Horse, I'd read that book before heading out there!

[@TheMisterKoala]

Curious what route finding was needed on thus trail. I just came back from doing this trail in the other direction in 75 hours. It was extremely well marked. Could have been done without gps or a map (although that would have not been a good idea). Maybe it has been marked better since 2020?

[@matthieusne5723]

Thank you ! Nice to see you in this beautiful country. What is your hat ?

[@JustinOutdoors]

It's a discontinued Outdoor Research Goretex hat!

[@matthieusne5723]

@@JustinOutdoors Nice one !

[@PugCamper]

man...when I move to Calgary, you gotta take me around. also, I'll need to figure out where are some backcountry places that allow dogs!

[@JustinOutdoors]

When you moving? There are a lot of places that allow dogs! Matty Outdoors can help you out with that one too!

[@PugCamper]

@@JustinOutdoors hopefully by the end of this summer I'll have every in order. Thanks for the referral 😂!

[@ondrej_kraus]

Thumbs up!

[@JustinOutdoors]

👍👍👍

[@stanlocke1009]

Meant to ask - what are you using for a camera ?

[@JustinOutdoors]

I use a Canon M50 with the kit lens!

[@donaldpang]

Are you worried about predators like bear? In my part of the world I worried about wild boar, poisonous snakes and Malayan tiger

[@JustinOutdoors]

100%! I'll be talking a bit more about that in Parts 2 and 3!

[@donaldpang]

Justin Outdoors thanks looking forward to it

[@koneill1771]

Which company do you use as a provider for your satellite communicator?

[@JustinOutdoors]

I use an InReach!

[@BenMcmillen]

Jealous of those views!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Come experience them!

[@kevinstarski1598]

For some reason sleeping in a grizzly country just does not appeal to me. But maybe thats just me.

[@JustinOutdoors]

I don't think you're alone! Unfortunately, everywhere in the mountains within a 12 hour drive of me is grizzly country. haha

[@kevinstarski1598]

@@JustinOutdoors Damn! Stay safe.