a VR tour of the SHAFER TRAIL in Canyonlands National Park- you control the camera!

[@Melpy253]

This VR style is so cool!!!! I visited this trail when I was a kid with my little sister and Grandpa, I saw the sign on the road and somehow convinced him we should check it out. They never let me live that story down since they were both terrified the whole drive down and I had a blast. One of many incredible trips with him to Parks and cool sites like this that I have been able to re-live through your videos. He passed away in 2022 and I'm disabled so probably won't ever make it back out to all the places he took us - this video made me feel like I was back there with him and my sister. I truly appreciate your videos from the bottom of my heart!!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks you sir! Its nice to hear these videos bring back cherished memories. for some reason few people watch my VR stuff causing a reduction in YT recommendations. This is only the 2nd VR video I've released and I'm wondering how you're interacting with it. Are u watching on a big TV or smaller device? Do you pause the video to look around? Did you make it to the end? Just wondering. I need to do more of what works and less of what doesn't.

[@Melpy253]

@@TheWestisBig I'm watching on a big TV and I only paused a couple of times but mostly let it play and looked around as I wanted while it was playing. The only reason I didn't make it to the end (yet) is because I lost the battle for the TV remote haha but I do plan to finish watching later today! The KZbin algorithm is terrible and I hope you're able to find a better way to make it work for you!

[@Melpy253]

@@TheWestisBig I finished it and then watched the arch hike VR video - both styles are fantastic for different reasons. I really love the camera control abilities of the VR filming because so many times I wish people would look at specific things and now I can have control over that! Hopefully they pick up in popularity especially if they are less work to put out!

[@TheWestisBig]

Nice to hear it works well on big tvs!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. they are much easier to put out. I shot the Arches National Park road drive at sunset. And a walk around Pueblo Bonito Ruin in Chaco Canyon. Which would u rather see ?

[@keithinoc3309]

Very, very cool vid. It’s like being on top of your car. Your narration was the right amount and informative. I hope you do more of these. Thanks!! 😊

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. I’m glad someone likes these. I’ll be releasing one more hoping I gain more subs than i lose and it earn more than the $5.79 this one has. It’s a walk around chaco canyon’s Pueblo Bonito ruin.

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

Great adventure! Heloisa

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks again

[@FREEDOM1TRUTH1BOLDNESS]

This new camera technology allow me to feel like I am actually in the vehicle with you. I love it. Looking around, forward, back, to each side, excellent! Give a whole new and improved element to the watching of these videos from our own easy chairs and couches. Amazing.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks that's nice to hear! for some reason this video has lost me more subscribers than it gained.

[@FREEDOM1TRUTH1BOLDNESS]

@@TheWestisBig , well that's just too bad. I cannot fathom as to why. I love it.

[@TheWestisBig]

Some have slow internet which makes the video blurry

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

I loved your equipment! Even with a slight loss of sharpness, I can rotate the images and follow your journey with perfect sound! When moving the cursor, the image sharpness is perfect, so it pays to take a photo of the location! I admire your dedication to showing such an important and different side of your country, so special! Thank you!Heloisa

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks again! And it’s good to know a moving cursor sharpens the image.

[@chrisdailey7561]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing as I will never be on that road! Beautiful

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad you enjoyed it. You should it's really not that bad

[@jonlangford7622]

After the first one I was VR curious. Now I'm sold. Neat stuff.

[@TheWestisBig]

Great.

[@martinforrester8249]

I did it in 2002 in a Jeep Cherokee, and around the White Rim trail. Camped overnight and out the next day, awesome. Oldtimer Englishman now, was 58 at the time. I love Utah.

[@TheWestisBig]

I’d love to hear about the White Rim. I hear it’s quite tricky!! I would love to do it, but don’t know if my all wheel drive suv can handle it. i doubt it. btw- you might appreciate that i’ve driven a ’76 TR6 for 24 years! i’ll never sell it.

[@martinforrester8249]

Good for you. I've owned many British sports cars throughout my life. They have so much character don't they? The white rim trail holds a lot of mystic, providing you have researched the route, it's fun. Being an oldtimer, I've always used maps... I love them, more tactile.

[@TheWestisBig]

I love my Rand McNally Road Atlas. fyi- met a 30 something couple today who are doing the White Rim Next week in a diesel Porsche SUV set up for overlanding with a roof top clam shell tent. Looked like a nice way to do it.

[@michaeltice4281]

Love it. Never drove it when I was there

[@TheWestisBig]

It’s worth doing. magnificent desolation!

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

Thank you for this tour!!! Heloisa

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks again Heloisa! it’s a fun drive

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

​@@TheWestisBigI am happy for you! Heloisa

[@CThomasBeer]

This is the first of these videos that I have seen. I am hooked. Great trail, and epic recording. I will never be there in person, so I love this. Thank you.

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lorioleary]

Fantastic!!! We love these. Thank you 😊

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. I’m glad someone likes these. I’ll be releasing one more hoping I gain more subs than i lose and it earn more than the $5.79 this one has. It’s a walk around chaco canyon’s Pueblo Bonito ruin.

[@mickeysmyspiritanimal223]

Beautiful scenery and great video! You sound like an amazing tour guide! 😉 I have subscribed with notifications.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks i appreciate that. I hope you enjoy my channel.

[@kerusso3568]

Wow, thanks, this was awesome!

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad you liked it! Please tell a friend because too few are watching- and that's hurting the rest of my channel

[@shannontelfer1845]

Truly enjoyed this video. We thought of doing this trail a few years back but decided not to due to safety concerns. However, after seeing your video when we return it’s a must on our to do list. Thank you for your guided tour and I look forward to more!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks for the comment. It’s nice to know some like the VR footage- for some reason lots don’t. Fyi- i assume you subscribed, if so there are a couple of other videos on my channel that help you plane your trip.

[@shannontelfer1845]

@@TheWestisBigoh yes I’ve watched many of your videos, if not all in fact. They have helped with our trip planning. A BIG thank you !

[@TheWestisBig]

Ah Great! That's nice to hear!

[@lancevickoutdoors]

Awesome video thanks Goin this summer Watching your videos for ideas thanks

[@TheWestisBig]

Great to hear! And thanks for subscribing- be sure to look at My Road Less Traveled series for ideas about places you may not have heard of.

[@jimmyscrimshaw]

Great video. This is the second time I have seen you drive the Shafer, correct? Surprised to hear your old Subaru could not handle it. Strange. Want to drive the White Rim in my Land Cruiser. Regret not doing it 20 years ago. So many people now. Regardless, keep doing what you are doing. Squueze every last penny out of that IRA. 💲👍💲

[@TheWestisBig]

That was my 4th or 5th time on that great trail. Yeah the subaru was the worst car i’ve ever had! and in the shop more than any other too. Over $2000 in trans work at 100k miles and AC died about then too another $2200 so traded it in. i’d like to do the white rim but don’t have the vehicle for it.

[@mistyhightower2730]

We are heading here in September... along with Rocky Mountain National Park/Moab/Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness New Mexico/Silverton Colorado/Monument Valley Arizona and many more places... thanks for the video/advice and all the info you provide... we will be driving a Jeep Wrangler

[@TheWestisBig]

You should watch my Utah Grand Circle video and some of my Road less traveled series. Subscribe, they are on my channel and they will help you plan your trip.

[@travelingfool9096]

just got back from my National Park road trip.I took my truck on it. I did the road from Road up to Cayon lands and then did just the switchbacks the next day as well.

[@TheWestisBig]

sounds like a great trip

[@deanburns4039]

Awesome!!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@KenPurcell]

Did you get the X3 or the new X4?

[@TheWestisBig]

Hi Ken! x4. How was the dentist. I should have talked to you before I went out there. I got it a few days before leaving and didn't practice enough. Mounted it backwards on the car! I'm surprised how blurry and artifact-y it is, but its still cool. I scratched the plastic lenses when it fell out of my camera back at Chaco. This was shot without any protection and the stitching is bad on some files even though I checked and unchecked he correct boxes.

[@KenPurcell]

@@TheWestisBig it helps to hide the stich line in unimportant areas. But I have had to fiddle with the settings to determine the best settings per situation. The lens gaurds can cause fog or dust problems.

[@TheWestisBig]

ahh. still a lot easier than the old qtvr days.

[@larrylofton1959]

Wow!

[@TheWestisBig]

It’s cool tech.

[@martinjdesmond]

I have a Subaru Outback so it sounds like I should not take my Subaru on the Shafer Trail! Thanks for putting together the video.

[@TheWestisBig]

It was certainly rough on my Forester. I suppose it depends on how long you plan to keep it.

[@MonacoMike]

Thank you for posting this video. This is something I've wanted to try for quite a while now. I haven't purchased a good quality 360 camera yet but am considering the new Insta 360 X4 or the Insta 360 ONE RS. What camera did you record this with? The image seemed to be a little sharper if I didn't go full screen and it also appeared to have short burst of speed occasionally (could hear it in the audio). I think the best direction to drive that 'trail' is going down like you did because you can see the road much better. Two more candidate trails would be the Moki Dugway and the 17 mile drive through the Valley Of The Gods and maybe even the Garden Of The GODS in Colorado. I have a 2019 Ford 4x4 that I drove it in two years ago and would liked to have been able to tackle the White Rim trail but the videos I've watched changed my mind. It seems way to dangerous at the far end 🙂. Enjoyed the video and looking forward to more.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. You should subscribe and then watch my videos that include both of the roads you mentioned though I didn't shoot them with the x4. The 2x speed occurs with when you click and hold- I don't know why. Also, be aware that few seem to enjoy this type of content. Only about 9% of the strangely few who start it stick around. So, the 2 360 vids I've put out have made a total of less than $5. doesn't look like buying it was a wise financial decision.

[@jayhenderson6506]

I watched on my 32” 4k monitor. With resolution set at 1440. I don’t know why KZbin is strangling its content creators. I have been enjoying watching these 360 videos and say that I look forward to the Chaco Canyon episode and hope you do the Arches one as well. Thank you

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks for the info

[@TheWestisBig]

I don't know why, But the chat is not available during the chat. KZbin is not telling me why.

[@robertberg3944]

sorry, there's too much blurriness for me.

[@TheWestisBig]

are you watching on a phone?

[@robertberg3944]

@@TheWestisBig Laptop set to hd (1028)

[@robertberg3944]

I only get on average 1 or 2 megabits per second on my T-Mobile gateway

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks for getting back to me. yeah data rate is likely the issue. others report it looks great on a big TV

[@bobglastetter9781]

Cool concept but my tv does not allow me to control the angles. Great video though!

[@TheWestisBig]

good to know some cant pan around