There's Always a Better Trail | The Teton Crest Trail

[@MattShafter]

Hi! Looking for feedback as always on these videos. Why do you watch them? Why do you turn them off? Thanks

[@Ares1775usmc]

I watch because I’m going this trail in September. Did you just use your iPhone to shoot the content?

[@MattShafter]

@@Ares1775usmc Nooooooooooo A Lumix S5II with a 16-35mm. Hope you liked it!

[@BrokenDrum9]

Your videos capture the essence of enjoyment plus your gear videos are interesting and informative.

[@stevetenhor4632]

I watch your videos for gear info, backpacking tips, and especially, when I can’t hit the trail myself, I can hike virtually with you. Videos are masterfully filmed and edited, and I like the mix between seeing the hikes without much dialogue, and then hearing you talk about the trip etc. after. Thanks Matt!

[@MattShafter]

@@stevetenhor4632 ok cool. Good feedback.

[@dcaudwell]

Loved the intro with tasters of some key moments, then the mostly silent film with short bursts of commentary, and then the practical digest at the end. I think this is the format I've enjoyed the most so far. The wonderful filming, editing and story-telling are a given at this point - great stuff!

[@MattShafter]

Yeh I like this format too. Hoping it works!

[@mrwanderfool]

calm and relaxing. keep doing it.

[@MattShafter]

Thank you, I will

[@I_am_Jeff]

I like the narrating to your journey. I find the things you talk about are educational of the area your backpacking and you have a great mellow voice. Thanks for sharing and talking about that mid layer.

[@MattShafter]

No problem Jeff. Thanks for watching my stuff!

[@pacman9314]

I liked the neck gator around the air pillow.

[@MattShafter]

Makes it soft!

[@ervinslens]

Outstanding cinematography my friend, this looks and sounds amazing! Absolutely amazing journey!

[@MattShafter]

Thank you Ervin!

[@zachstraxx9899]

Nice to see you back out there. Beautiful hike. Appreciate the information. Hope everything is going well for you in the PT world.

[@MattShafter]

Thanks Zach. PT is going great, currently in my best ever contract. Home Health is so good.

[@SummitSeeker546]

Love the Italian grandma analogy! Perfect! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a staring contest with a Marmot and lost!

[@MattShafter]

They.just.don’t.blink

[@leeshafter-ch6tw]

Beautiful scenery and love the commentary.

[@MattShafter]

Thank you very much!

[@billb5732]

That's the best description of Airmesh that I've heard. It's exactly my experience, too. I wear my Airmesh far more often than my AD90. AD over Airmesh is great for cold weather.

[@MattShafter]

Right on

[@BrokenDrum9]

Did you mean Alaska Basin?

[@MattShafter]

YES! that’s what I get for making a video over a year after I did it. I guess I was thinking of Alabama hills off 395.

[@DWBrant]

I like your videos and live in the area you're hiking. In your video you reference Alabama basin but it's actually called Alaska Basin. Great video, beautiful scenery.

[@MattShafter]

Omg I was thinking of Alabama Hills on 395!

[@DWBrant]

​@@MattShafter haha been there too. That's another great hiking location.

[@LinkusMaximus]

Very well put together video. Nice shots, nice quality.

[@MattShafter]

Thank you very much!

[@yungnatediggity]

really loved the marmot shot with the grand towering in the background hahaha. I'm hiking 4 nights on the TCT this July, this just doubled my stoke!

[@MattShafter]

Say high to that little guy. And watch out for that dumb ass porcupine at Marion Lake and Upper Granite. It will come INTO your vestibule if it can get to you trekking pole handles!

[@JohnAllenActual]

Great video! I did this trail in Sept 2024. So amazing!

[@MattShafter]

I miss it! It's a great trail

[@JohnAllenActual]

@ I did the trail from the gondola and completed at String Lake over 3 days. I would like to do the same route over 5 days in the summer. Maybe in 2026.

[@jeffschroeder886]

Ya this is a killer vid format. Thx as always Matt!

[@MattShafter]

Thanks Jeff!!

[@jayv.8298]

Cool hike!

[@MattShafter]

Thanks

[@lori94114]

Loved your video! Just got back from this hike and had quite a different itinerary (partially bc my hiking buddy injured her hand the first day from a terrible tumble). I’m curious about Alabama basin as I look at the map to plan my redo… are you perhaps referring to Alaska Basin? Thanks!

[@MattShafter]

@@lori94114 yessssss I screwed that up. I was thinking of Alabama hills in California!

[@pgreenx]

I saw two huge bull moose about 100 feet from me on top of a pass this summer in Colorado. Beautiful animals.

[@MattShafter]

Evidently the ones around the Tetons are small moose. They max at 900lbs.

[@brettsellers2899]

Beautiful. Great balance of commentary and video. Where is the cut down uberlight?

[@MattShafter]

Hi. Thanks! The uberlite is just too fragile! Thermarest got rid of it.

[@Paramedic772]

Matt this video was great. Let me know if you are passing through again! Jon

[@MattShafter]

I thought about putting your face up after the ranger station and saying “but watch out for this guy” but I thought was too inside of a joke. Of course I will!

[@Greghikes1]

Hey great to see a video from you again. I've been meaning to ask are you still using your Uberlite that you modified to be shorter? Did the modification last? Cheers! Greg

[@MattShafter]

It got a hole in it somewhere last summer! Thermarest stopped carrying it because 15d is just too weak. I agree.

[@martinbrown4940]

great video, what time of year did you do this trip?

[@MattShafter]

It was late July I believe.

[@sarahbaniewcz3802]

Do you think chili Mac is a good snack to make in a local park?

[@MattShafter]

For you, yes. You should make a full batch and then pour it down your pants. 😍

[@pdxraves]

There’s nothing that I can think of. That’s more fun.

[@MattShafter]

It's a great past time.

[@geekstradamus1548]

Can anyone shed some light on tentless camping along the TCT? Is it allowed? From web and KZbin searches it seems it’s not a thing anymore, so I’m not sure if it’s even allowed. When I was a teenager it was just called camping, and we’d specify if we were bringing tents. For example we once canoed into Shoshone Lake, and four of us (16, 14, 14, 12) backpacked around the lake sleeping under clear plastic sheets clothes pinned to a piece of 550 cord running from a tree to the ground; or in a thick copse of pines without any cover. Anyway, assuming proper site cleanliness and food storage, is this allowed? Just seems weird I can’t find anyone doing this anymore, but I’ve been out of the game for 40 years.

[@MattShafter]

Rangers do not ask about your gear beyond the bear can. I cowboy camp all the time in the mountain west! I have Tent as a backup but why use it when you can look at the stars...

[@geekstradamus1548]

@@MattShafter cowboy camp - I like it! Thanks for the guidance.

[@DaveCraige]

Awesome vid

[@MattShafter]

Thanks DC!!!

[@AndyShepard]

Now THAT'S a pillow!

[@MattShafter]

It’s the greatest camping hack l ever came up with. The green bag during the day is my pack liner and then at night, it’s the pillow case. Dual use!

[@KasDuMont]

Marmot who looks at you like an italian grandma 😂👍🏻

[@MattShafter]

You know how it is!!! Lol

[@kennethstarr5545]

I’d like to know if it’s a fairytale to not eat that close to your tent I’ve always eaten on the trail or found a place away from any campground

[@MattShafter]

I usually do cook away but I was in Hollywood mode and there were several other campers around me.

[@andyveres3982]

Yeah boyyyy

[@MattShafter]

LOLO what time was it for you when this came out?

[@mandymitchell99]

1.gear being used 2. Scenery 3. Commentary

[@MattShafter]

I might focus more on gear in the field. I’ve study rewatch of other creators videos and you’re not alone. People love the camp scenes and gear being used.

[@rhoodolph]

Longer videos!!!

[@MattShafter]

Ok!! Tell Santa hello for me.