Ultralight Backpacking in the Cranberry Wilderness

[@WoodsTrekkinAdventures]

Not too many people making videos like yours that focus on West Virginia- thank you for both the dolly sods and this one. Much appreciated.

[@jtpayne1739]

I'm living vicariously through your adventures while I'm in grad school.. Thank you!

[@spencererick4766]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know of a method to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost the account password. I would love any assistance you can give me.

[@amirdrake8579]

@Spencer Erick instablaster ;)

[@spencererick4766]

@Amir Drake thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@spencererick4766]

@Amir Drake It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass !

[@amirdrake8579]

@Spencer Erick You are welcome =)

[@DCMO60]

I think I've watched nearly all your videos at this point and enjoyed them all. Thanks for posting them. I'm a 54 year old mid-westerner and your fueling the fire and educating me. Backpacking is in my future. Keep posting, I'm turning into a Sintax77 groupie. Merry Christmas. dc

[@sintax77]

DCMO60 Thanks, man, and happy holidays to you as well.

[@scottchamberlain3694]

A Friday night, cocktails and a Sintax camping adventuer...first class...thanks for sharing !!!

[@Jon-uz3pl]

Welcome to WV! I love cranberry. Always a challenging and fun camp. Not to mention the trout fishing and the low growing plants to experience. Point 1: from my experience, most low spots you should be able to dig down about 2 feet and get water anywhere there. It's rare to not have water close. Unless you're on pure rock. I've been on the very top of the ridge and found water in the low spots. Just look for a Sycamore or a birch tree and water should be very close. Point 2: I'm sure you know the weather is nutzo there. Nothing is ever certain. I believe that's why the cranberry trails are so lonesome. I've camped there in July and had temps go from 90 to 45. November from 30 to -10. It is crazy, and that's why I love it. Always carry clothes for cold even in Mid-summer. Point 3: bears are bad there. Never underestimate. Point 4: never start your fire on a rock. Ok, so I'm assuming thats a river rock. That said, river rock (especially sandstone) is very likely to explode. Methane pockets that get trapped when the sandstone was formed will explode like dynamite; catch your tent on fire, you, gear, etc. I've known this risk and almost lost an eye, or eyes, numerous times camping. . . Point 5: I've camped in WV my whole life. I tried the lite camping, weigh each piece thing. The point is some situations change the standards. A heavy Nov snow would destroy alot of lite gear I've tested (and had fail). My last point is, you are not south. lol. I laughed. WV is not ever really south. Confusing and crazy camping is what it is. But if you ever want to see some hardcore camping/hiking, come to Southern WV. Steep, rocky, slick, snakes, bears, . . you name it. It's awesome. Never a dull or easy moment.

[@isto313]

amazing! Love the talent you have in expressing the journey through the trail. Very well documented. Enjoyable viewing. Much better than anything on DTV, DishNetwork, or cable reality shows... Thanks for such a job well done.

[@SierraOfficial]

Looked like a great loop. Thanks for bringing us along. :) - Chris

[@willieskins54]

Two people I always get excited when I see they've posted a new backpacking video .........you and Shug ! Another awesome adventure well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@ektaela9422]

I love this hiking video ! I feel like I'm hiking with a fun pal without getting out of my bed.

[@rosemountfarms2897]

I love your video editing! They are always entertaining! Thanks for what you do.

[@a.malaikasharp1740]

Hello, been watching your videos for three years. Really enjoy your trips with you or you and your wife. Your in camp activity is also educational. Helpful to see how you set up camp based upon space etc. Thanks for all of the technical and historical background that you share.

[@livesimplyandhumbly]

It is really great how you review not just the trip but also individual trails and GPS tag the highlights as well.

[@cfraimondo233]

"Third World country resistance fighter". Love it! Another great video. We love watching you're gear evolve with all the trial and errors. Certainly helps us viewers refine our own gear. And 10 lb base weight, amazing! I don't know if my wife would be happy with me dropping so much money on gear over and over, so I do take your experience and advice seriously. Again, thanks for another great video. I do like the new tarp set up.

[@RichAllfieldnohit]

Great tarp and hammock system! Thanks for the vid.

[@EVANDROTAVARESDASILVA]

very, very good your video.could you tell me the brand of your equipment used, because here in Brazil is difficultly get them.Congratulation

[@corey7925]

another great video sintax!!..i can keep your trips on replay all day! and thanks!

[@AdventureArchives]

Great video - thanks for sharing! I've been meaning to check this place out as well. We went to dolly sods last fall and filmed, and it was an absolutely incredible place. keep up the good videos!

[@tavesantel234]

An awesome informative hour of entertainment. Great film!

[@gandj19]

An hour long? Awesome, time to get some coffee and enjoy the views.

[@sintax77]

gandj19 Oh, yeah - strap in. This one was a long time coming, lol.

[@thndrlngs]

Just finished up our trip today. We parked at the same spot. Headed straight at the first junction past the trailhead sign and hiked up to Laurelly Branch and back over 3 days. It was terribly wet and muddy, and insanely awesome. Going back in about 6 weeks. Love your vids bro, please do keep up the awesome work!

[@sintax77]

+thndrlngs Sounds like a great trip! I need to get back down there myself.

[@Ghonhee]

Nice video. Looks like you had a great time in that wilderness out there. There's something special to say about being in a massive area like that and knowing you're one of the only ones out there. Thanks for making it.

[@dug586]

I appreciate your videos as they are rekindling an old love of mine. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your adventures and your valuable insight!! Warn Regards!

[@TeaInTheTreesbp]

enjoyed the video. My wife & I are "light" backpackers, some of our gear is ultralight, but not all of it... YET.. I, like some, frowned on your food choices, but hey, who am I to judge. The important thing is you had a great time. Subscribed with our main channel. Look forward to making a 9 hour drive to Cranberry Wilderness and taking a hike. Thanks for the video, and the destination. Keep em coming brother.

[@ChrisWilsonOutdoors]

Love starting my day with a new Sintax video!

[@LEXPIX]

Nice idea using the mint tin to keep things contained. Always enjoy seeing your setup evolve every trip

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

This video gives me hope that all my shoulder season stuff will fit in my ULA Ohm 2.0. Thanks for this and ALL your videos!

[@chasingthenorth9719]

I love how in (almost) every vid of yours I've seen *something* seems to go a little bit wrong. It's like the universe knows you're filming and says 'right you little shit, what can I throw at you?' haha, great video!

[@Oldsparkey]

I found something to add and spice up my Ramen Noodles. It's from PackitGourmet and called Ramen Rescue with Roasted Chicken. You can get it without the Roasted Chicken and just plain Veggies. They also include a pack of Texaspete hot chili sauce to add to the noodles if you wanted to spice ( add some heat ) them up. Everything comes in two packs , a smaller one with the veggies and dehydrated chicken packed inside the larger one for cooking everything in. The larger bag will hold 16 oz of liquid and is recommended to cook it in a cozy. It can also be cooked the old fashion way ... in a pot.The complete package has a pack weight of 1.6 oz or 45 grams. You have to furnish the noodles and they are not included in that weight.

[@werm69]

"Resistance fighter, Allied of course" lol. Man your hammock setup is really shaping up nicely!

[@pnwadventuresandgearreview8749]

Like all the sweet new gear you really have got it fine tuned!

[@WayOffTheTrail]

My old stomping grounds! Thanks for sharing this. I've been way too long away. Very remote area indeed. I'm surprised your GPS worked the whole way. Probably helped that a lot of the leaves were off the trees. July might be a different story.

[@sintax77]

WayOffTheTrail Yeah, luckily my Spot and Garmin both hung in there okay overall. Now that you mention it though, my Garmin seemed to be going through batteries MUCH faster than usual, so it was probably going in and out at times. I also had my Garmin's WAAS mode on for land based signal correction, which I disabled after I chewed up my first set of Lithiums (which usually last an entire trip). I'm guessing there was no WAAS signal remotely close, so it may have been wasting juice searching for that. An extra set of GPS batteries is definitely a good idea down there.

[@Ever_Explore]

Always enjoy your hiking video's.

[@FishinOutdoors]

16:55 that crawdad would have gone well with the shrimp ramen lol

[@timothyciarlette8250]

Great video Sin, enjoyed every minute of it, thanks for sharing.

[@gliderrider]

Very enjoyable! Gleaned a lot of good info on equipment that interest me. Like that tarp and hammock. Also the stove and esbit qubes. Other things too. Great fun! Thanks!

[@rw1180]

2 friends and I did this trip 4/8 - 4/10/2016 and the 2nd night it got down to 17 deg F with 3" of snow. Great video.

[@Edogawa1117]

Awesome,mate. I always look forward to your videos. Many thanks for sharing your great vids!

[@MrLoloHunter]

Finally a new video :). Watching it now.

[@mcgreggor]

sintax77 I really enjoy these video's. I'm physically disabled and confined to a wheelchair, and hiking and camping is something I wish I could do. Keep up the awesome vids. Also if you ever make it down to western north carolina you can find some awesome hiking and camping trails here.

[@Dirt_McGirt_ODB]

You should do a series of "how to" videos for a faster reference. I find myself going back through your videos trying to pin point the parts where you go over your setup. I just got some Hennessy snake skins and trying to figure out the best way to make them work with my tarp in regards to quick and efficient ridgeline setup. Appreciate your videos and help or advice would also be appreciated. Thanks

[@justincook4412]

Keep up the vids im a hammock camper and I enjoy the feeling I feel while watching ur vids . Its nice to know theres people out there like minded as I . Shout out from cincinnati ohio .

[@richardjones990]

Justin, have you camped in Shawnee State Forest just east of where you live?

[@TRV550]

Nice video. Looks like a really nice trail. Nice camp set up too Love that tarp.. Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed watching. Enjoy & be safe !

[@gypsyhobo3016]

Really nice video, thanks for bringing this to us, love the weather you enjoyed/endured, lol, and you captured it well. Stay Free People!

[@WoodsTrekkinAdventures]

Great video! Nice to see a different destination than the white mountains! Not that the whites are bad- but change is good sometimes- especially since you are in my home state! Back in college I went mountain biking down near the cranberry glades. It's a beautiful part of West Virginia. For what it's worth my wife backpacked in the Spruce knob area in college and always reminisces about how beautiful it was there as well.

[@matt4270]

Great trip! Try the upside down fire method. Easy to get going, and you can make it to burn a long time.

[@sintax77]

matt4270 Thanks, Matt. I'll have to give that a try!

[@wojo1034]

Another great video. I appreciate the time you took showing set up with your hammock and tarp! I just got the Danger Bird and I am looking forward to trying it out. I am going to use a lot of your suggestions. Thank you for sharing! Wojo

[@MrRedeoarknot]

Always good trips

[@satterfieldbenjamin]

I like the little yellow string on one of your dutch clips. I'll have to do that on one of my carabiners to reference which side of my hammock I'm messing with.

[@OutLan]

Just mapped this out and it's only 6 1/2 hours from my house. I'm totally hitting this place up in the spring! The hammock options look pretty good! It's a lot like Dolly Sods, which I already love. Thanks for the vid, Sintax!! Would you be willing to do a video on just hammock and tarp cordage (Amsteel vs paracord, etc.)?

[@thathikingguy]

Sean, great suggestion on using the cut up water bottle with the Sawyer. That has been one of my only problems with it is filing the bag lol. Otherwise I love using it. This looks like a nice hike too.

[@EDCAdventures]

Sweet Trip! Had me laughing at your I'm a resistance fighter part(for the allies of course) haha.

[@cyclety68]

Your trip vids keep me sane in between trips! Keep up the good stuff, man.

[@gregr501]

Great video, wow the trees were really in bloom with autumn colors. You have a nice setup, I enjoy watching your videos very much. I always learn something useful to try. I also switched to Esbit last spring and really like it. The problem I seem to have is it will boil the water I need fairly quickly leaving about half the cube. When I try to use the rest of the cube later it doesn't seem to be as powerful. I'm going to try your pellet tin trick. Maybe that will help keep the fuel in the cube. Thanks again for sharing, look forward to your next one. Happy hiking...

[@iceyflyer]

Hey Sintax, Great vid as always! I don't get out on the trails much having a two year old and another one coming in February, But your videos keep me going. Got the notification that your video was posted while at work so I had to cut out early and get home to watch. When I feel like I need to get out but can't I just sit back and let you do the miles for me. Keep up the great work!

[@IamUke]

Excellent video. I have the HG tarp as well and use the Dutch continuous ridgeline and tarpworms for the lines. The tarpworms are super light, tiny, and very easy to use. Highly recommended.

[@sintax77]

I've upgraded to Dutch's ridgeline kit and tarp worms as well and I totally agree - it's an awesome system! I also added a micro s-biner to each soft shackle to speed up tarp attachment in wet or cold conditions.

[@MuvoTX]

WhAt a great adventure!! Thanks for sharing. I like your esbit stove setup, simple and effective. Looks a lot lighter than my pocket rocket and fuel cartrige setup.

[@windwalker4094]

We love your solo videos!

[@matthewpropst20]

Awesome video, I always look forward to your new trips!

[@jdgoodwin325]

I very much enjoyed watching the video. One big difference between the Appalachians and the Sierra (where I hike) is how you deal with bears. After a hearty laugh our bears would easily get at your food. Unfortunately they have learned to tear or bite through the tie-out lines. They've also learned to open at least one brand of bear canister! Anyway, great video. I learned a lot about using a hammock set up. Good job.

[@tacticalasian8232]

Nice video man. I love watching them. Its actually helping me set up my lay out for hikeing as im just getting started

[@10Man90]

Hope you come back to the area, loved the video, I'm from one of the towns very close to where you were and work in that area, it always has its own weather unpredictable, hope you come back this summer would love to see ya on the trail

[@StateParkers]

had to watch this one in sections due to work, but very cool. We will be hitting Big Bend Natl Park in late January. Our biggest hike yet

[@jeffpohlman1387]

great video, your best yet. Thanks for covering so much of your gear and how you use it. I am new ti hiking and am trying to decide what I need. This has been a great help, thanks

[@sintax77]

Jeff Pohlman No problem, Jeff. Glad you found it useful.

[@Datsyzerberg]

just did the outter loop of north south trail last weekend. Amazing place! Funny you sound like us when we first got on it. Had to pack out someones shredded coleman. ula ohm 2.0 handled my 20 deg kit plus that. beast mode of a pack.

[@JamieHitt]

I love Cranberry. Bears, bears, and more bears, but you hardly ever encounter them. You might also enjoy the Gandy Creek area near Spruce Knob. While there, don't forget to do the Sinks of Gandy nearby. Great video!

[@dmw1983]

Thanks man. Can't wait to watch this.

[@KuntryRD]

Nice trip, thanks for sharing. I only live about 3 hours away, in northern WV, but don't get down to Cranberry much. I will have to fix that though. My usual hikes are in D-sods, otter creek and Laurel fork wilderness areas. Will have to make it to Cranberry in 2015.

[@bobreeder6738]

Have done this area many times .I don't know how we did it with all our much cheaper equipment and no cell ph. or GPS. Great area with many nice loop trips.

[@goneballistic]

awesome video, felt like I was there. loved the setup

[@keithbush2945]

Great video as usual, and might I add a really sharp set up with the hammock and tarp. Stormcrow and his people really do a great job on all of the product that theymake and sell. I was just wondering if you ever got a chance to go over to hammock forums, and take a look at the information posted there? Thanks for letting us tag along with you on your trips, stay safe and see ya in the woods......

[@dopefreshdutch5216]

awesome video sintax!!! i waited so long for a new video! but u made my day! :D keep on going, you're my hiking hero! :)

[@r91976]

I like ultralight backpacking gear, the only thing i don't skip on is adequate clothing and sleeping equipment. It's no fun being cold half the time and it ruins the experience...It's worth carrying the extra weight and it makes the adventure so much more pleasant.

[@brianobrecht7373]

I hadn't seen an email from KZbin on your hikes in quite some. Decided to look and see what you were up to. Maybe one day you can come out to the Washington state area and go hiking. I'm in Tacoma so I do many day hikes. I learn plenty from you videos. Thx.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Brian. Would love to hit Washington state sometime.

[@GauleyRiverWoodWorking]

Michael Hugh Camellitti Is a experienced hiker from standardsville va, in late may 2011 he entered The cranberry wilderness on this exact trail, his car was found at that trailhead, but after rigorous search efforts, and even now 11 years later he has never been found. Something to keep in mind to all of which choose to hike this wild vast country.

[@jerrodcook2035]

Great Video, I very much enjoy your well composed videos. I enjoy hammock camping very much and am constantly searching for your latest and greatest.

[@sintax77]

Jerrod Cook Thanks, Jerrod.

[@Nobody-mr3ih]

Nice vid! Brother. Looks like you're getting hammock camping Down! I've been doing this for some time now and you will never stop looking for better gear.lol.. Next you will start making you're own hammocks, tarps etc.. But, I have to say it is real fun! Making, planning and going on new hikes.. Keep up the great videos! And if you ever come down south to Colorado or New Mexico give me shout and I'll take you hiking and fly fishing, where I'm a guide..

[@shelleysykes5317]

What a beautiful place; thanks for sharing it. :)

[@sintax77]

Shelley Sykes Thanks, Shelley. It's definitely an awesome little area.

[@MOUNTAINOUS]

we have rhodadenderon all over where i live also. in the mt hood forest. just started watching the vid. so far it looks like it is gonna be a fun adventure.

[@ianrsigel]

LOVED This Video. I Rarely Have An Opportunity To Get Away. Business Ownership Precludes Much More Than The Occasional Stealth Camping In The Local Forest Preserves So I Look To Videos Such As Yours For Vicarious Adventures. (My Business Partner Thinks I'm Nuts). Video Length Was Good...Narration Was Good. Keep-up The Good Work. Thank You And Be Well. Ian

[@brucewaren6636]

I dig that Dream-Hammock you have. I've known Mr Smith for about 8 months and also have done a little bit of promo'ing for him. He's a good guy. Hope you enjoy it! That's similar to the one I have my eyes on.

[@dwayneg8486]

Hey Sintax. Just wanted to follow up on your decision to get the 12 foot Cuben vs the 11 foot. They say it can be trickier to find trees for the 12 footer. Just wanted your opinion since you have been using it for several years now. Thanks for your time and as always, thanks for the videos and all the great information. Have a great day.

[@sintax77]

I've had a few instances where I had to skip some potential setups due to the tarp not fitting, but I've never regretted going with the 12 footer. Especially now that my wife and I are both using 10.5' and 11' hammocks. I find the extra foot of coverage is nice for potential blowing rain, etc.

[@frankvolpe2178]

I don't know how I missed this gem in your lineup. I was looking for videos to re-watch and clicked on this one. I feel it was the missing link and explained a lot of questions unanswered. Not sure why I assumed I had already seen it. Wonder how many more I have not seen...

[@jamesfrank3004]

Just stumbled on your channel. I used to backpack the Cranberry trails in the 80's and ironically I visited there today in my car. I was just passing through. I have really wanted to start packing again but since I last backpacked I've developed sleep apnea and must use a cpap to sleep. Have you talked to any fellow backpackers that have found ways to pack and use a cpap? Fantastic channel!

[@kevinmccarthy2423]

Took your advice on the Catskills! Awesome fall trip with a couple friends. This video was definitely great, amazing scenery. I have been waiting for a new one. Not being able to camp on Long Island along the Paumanok Path is increasingly getting on my nerves lol 125 miles of day hikes -.- Thanks for the videos

[@sintax77]

Kevin McCarthy Glad to hear you made it up to the Catskills and had a good time. Mike was actually up there for an overnighter with his family last month as well.

[@kevinmccarthy2423]

That's great. I sub to him as well, hope he is posting a video. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Take care

[@lawrenceacree2765]

Thanks for the video and the idea on the hammock Now I am a a proud owner of a dream hammock as well, now I just need to get my new metal knee working and I can start hanging too

[@blakeadkins138]

You can actually Google the weather for wilderness areas like dolly sods and cranberry. It'll pop up right after the search. Only downside is that it only shows it within 5-6 days. I find the it's usually 5° colder than the surrounding towns. I once woke up in dolly sods in 47° in August when I check a surrounding towns temp at a low of 55° prior to going on the trip.

[@natureman70]

Hi, vrey nice west-virginia-jungle-trip! i like your cuben hex tarp very well and cool ultra ligt gear at all you have. the forest and the country with all the moss looks like the schwarzwald or harz-forest here in germany. thanks for sharing!

[@RiggedNReadyTV]

Love your full length vids sintax, we based our Smokies trip off your starting point. I am pretty sure the JMT is beckoning you...

[@madsatchel]

And really awesome video man. First 1+ hr youtube video I've ever watched all the way through. lol. I'm gonna have to check out cranberry sometime for sure.

[@sintax77]

Wesley Arnold Thanks, Wesley. You should definitely check out the Cranberry Wilderness some day if you have the opportunity. It's pretty underrated - probably due to it's lack of mind numbing, high elevation views - but it's an awesome place to feel like you're really out there getting away from it all.

[@treeoneseven]

I hope there will be some winter camping coming up!? Great vid, as always, buddy!

[@sintax77]

We're working out the details on two winter trips so far. One down south, and one up north. :D

[@nunnyboy]

Great video! Good to see esbit cooking system, you ever tried 'off the beaten track' meals? Cuban tarp looked awesome. Really like how you are tagging GPS for everyone else to use. Keep up the great work fella.

[@gamedoutgamer]

39:25 Yellow birch has oils in the bark that make it great for starting fires, even when wet.

[@Objectivityiskey]

This looks very cool! Maybe try taking the Bear Canyon rout up to mount San Antonio in Los Angeles. It says its about 6.4 mile of hike, with an elevation gain of 6,000 ft, but it feels like it's more. It's an amazing hike, and I think you would like it a lot, and find it to be a ton of fun. The top-out is amazing at over 10,000 ft! I like your setup, "lite" and nimble. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I'm always interested in seeing the rest of the world! I would like to visit your woods sometime soon!!!

[@flysubcompact]

I know you live a good ways up north, but if you want to see some unusual terrain and can swing it you need to come down and check out the Sipsey Wilderness in NW Alabama. Try and make it after some rain has pushed through so that the many waterfalls will be in full bloom. Strange and unusual place. It is very popular, so you will usually pass a good many hikers on a weekend, but it's beauty makes it popular. A lot of trails for loops.

[@sintax77]

flysubcompact Good looking out, I'm gonna ad that spot to the list ;) Thanks!

[@flysubcompact]

No trouble. Just judged by your videos that you like different scenery. KZbin has a good many videos on Sipsey. Another nice place is the Walls of Jericho. Also known as "The Grand Canyon of the South". Short, steep hike, but something to see. I have a couple of short videos of it.

[@jamiemurphy6434]

Is the trail really hard to follow

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Enjoyed video especially your method of cooking.

[@kk4ces]

I cought your instruction, should have watched it all be4 questions. Good vids. I getting my forst hammock next week, always been a ground dweller but the AT doesnt always have the best tent sites.

[@scotttriplett2151]

No cell service is due to being in the middle of the NRAO Quiet Zone. Cell phones, radio are extremely regulated and monitored. Even WiFi and microwave ovens aren't allowed extremely close to the NRAO Facility.

[@pr0n3]

Awesome videos and thanks for the GPS routes for most of your trips. We've been looking for more places to backpack and you've given us some great ideas. If your ever in AZ, you should check out Havasupai Falls and all the bodies of water around it.

[@Chuck-a-Palooza]

Always enjoy your videos. Looking to get some Hammock Gear soon!

[@EatCarbs]

Nice... great trip. Thanks for the video. Hope the cheeseburger was good.

[@tillwemeetagainwgaca5802]

great review on camping gear and technique.