WET COLD SNOWY Wyoming Spring Lightweight Backpacking - Ryan & Chase

[@DanBecker]

Hey guys! Another great video! I love a well edited, good story telling trip video.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks Dan, glad you enjoyed it!

[@GustitisLaw]

Ryan: In this video your opinion (@36:50) about the storm-worthiness of the sil-nylon Notch was that is was superior to the Dyneema Notch Li. However, in your Notch Li review article, you appeared to flip-flop on this same issue. If you could do this trip over again, which Notch would you take? :-) Thank you for all your excellent videos!

[@OUTDOORS55]

Super underrated trip videos. Really appreciate all the hard work that went into filming👍👍

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thank you! Your acknowledgement of that is much appreciated!

[@woodycarr]

"You have to turn everything off, once in a while." So very true! Great video. Love your channel.

[@IamUke]

I love your trip videos. You show real life backpacking without a bunch of nonsense and show us how it's done by an adept. Excellent work, thanks for sharing!

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks! I’m really glad you are enjoying them.

[@davids9549]

How right you are about the wildcamping experience - really enjoyed this, thanks!

[@ericb.4358]

Thanks for the video Ryan. I hope it encourages more people to winter camp. My preferred 4 season tent is a Tarptent Moment DW which is a hoop pole version of your Notch. My Gen. 1 Moment DW has less netting than your Notch so may be a bit better for winter camping in windy weather. Also I have the optional Crossing Pole for better snow load support. Mine is shortened 5" and run beneath the fly for more support. I'm surprised you chose canister fuel for winter and especially a canister-top stove instead of inverted canister feed (yeah, it's heavier). My choice here would be my ti Trail Designs Caldera Cone Sidewinder with ESBIT or wood.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

I’ve looked pretty hard at the Moment. Very intriguing tent to me. I like the easier setup. I took an upright canister stove only because I was going for just one night.

[@muleskinner47]

Thanks for the beautiful overnighted hike. I lov d it.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thank you Steve, glad you enjoyed it!

[@cul182]

Ryan the effort and attention to detail in your videos is second to none thanks so much for all your hard work Kind regards Colm

[@GustitisLaw]

Great video, Ryan. Always educational and therapeutic.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@lhuntsman]

Beautiful area. Definitely looks like a fun little stream for some fishing. Great video

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Leon Huntsman yes! And I spotted some trout!

[@escapekayak]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings for the outdoors.

[@wisenber]

What a different universe from the US Southeast. Aside from the 70 degree difference in temperature, off trail here means 0.25 mph if you're lucky. I'd have to push pull and drag myself around once I got off trail. The density of vegetation is off the charts here compared to there. Just a big green tunnel with an occasional view.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

I’ve done some bushwhacking in Virginia and North Carolina. I’m still recovering.

[@wisenber]

@@BackpackingLightUSA Get out of the National Parks and into the wilderness and even the trails take their toll in flash. Blackberries, rhodo and dog hobble are pervasive. It makes backcountry flyfishing into a full body workout. A bit of a sidebar. Ever consider sailing expeditions to your quiver? I evolved from backpacking to mountaineering, then added sea kayaking. now I'm building a sailboat to see how far I can go with that.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

wisenber long distance sailing would be a pretty awesome hobby! I can definitely see the appeal.

[@wisenber]

@@BackpackingLightUSA I spent a about a year building a coastal expedition trimaran from a pile of plywood, fiberglass and epoxy for coastal expeditions. It seemed like the next step after I added a sail to my sea kayak. Take all of your land based navigation and water filtering skills and out the window it goes. Now it's wind, tides, currents, horizons and stars. There's something strangely attractive about finding something new to be ignorant about and still be outdoors to learn it. The good news is that lots of the backpacking gear can be used whether sleeping aboard or onshore. But I probably won't be using a Caldera in wood burning mode aboard....or staking a tent.

[@BowlingSisters]

Great video. Looking forward to many more...when I grew up we had postcards ...weather is great wish you were here,,,this is so much better! Keep them coming,

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

These kinds of postcards are a lot more fun :D

[@snowonher6968]

A review of the khufu would be mint!

[@martinwriley]

What a great video!!! Thanks for taking us along.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@PaulBeiser]

Most awesome, watched the entire video, very useful and fun. Really good to see everything in action vs just in controlled situations. Thanks, and your BPL with more details was incredibly useful.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Paul Beiser thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@joshbalisteri1530]

Idk how he does it but Ryan pulls off that hat everytime.

[@sandhill9313]

Excellent video, thanks. Funny weather, as you said, I could have walked into a near blizzard from downtown Ft Collins and there you were to the north in a drizzle.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

When I saw that the mountains down there got a few feet of snow, I was thinking both “no fair!” and “whew!”

[@Oldsparkey]

Nice selfie video of a winter wonderland camping trip.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thank you Chuck! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Oldsparkey]

@@BackpackingLightUSA .... Sitting here with it 94 degrees outside ( No idea what the heat index is ) full sunlight , cl;ear blue sky's and typical Florida ( early Summer ) weather. What's not to like looking at all that snow.

[@edwardkendall1540]

Great Video! As a newbie to back country hiking "going off trail" is a bit scary maybe a video on how you navigate and how you choose your paths? Thanks

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Great idea for a video. Will definitely give it some thought. In the meantime here’s some leisure reading at our website that may address some of your questions: backpackinglight.com/tag/navigation/

[@lckeeper1]

Thanks for the great video. Informational, as always, but enjoy some of the lighter moments as well. Also appreciate the long-form videos!

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

I’m glad you like them! Thank you for the comment.

[@jonrandall4005]

Thanks for taking us along, I like the way you integrate various items in an informative way. Still not sure on Trail Runners for winter hiking especially in the wet and snow. Having said that I still suffer cold feet even in boots!

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

The main advantage to trail runners is walking comfort, definitely not “dry feet”. But because your foot flexes more in trail runners, there’s a compelling argument that better blood flow = warmer feet in cold temps.

[@toddwalsh3332]

my go to winter, windy and extreme weather stove is the MSR reactor.

[@markcummings6856]

Sweet trip. Thanks for sharing!

[@YawkYawk]

Another great video! The shoulder straps on your pack look so comfy.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

They're very nice, and actually, a very simple and basic, no-frills design. Some of the new molded straps on high-end packs such as Osprey, etc., dig into my shoulders.

[@russellkid101]

@@BackpackingLightUSA Are they 3'' wide and 1/2'' thick? Guessing but seems to be about that. Wondering because I'm always tweaking a custom pack design in my head to be built someday, and those straps seem just right.

[@polarlondon]

Fantastic video mate. Makes me wish I lived over there too.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks for taking the time to watch it!

[@thmkly]

Just dropping by to say I appreciate that you keep your fishing holes secret :)

[@ptroy72blue]

This was excellent ...

[@reddirtoutdoors7660]

looks like wyoming has a longer winter than alaska. great video

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thank you. Yeah, I woke up to snow again at my house this morning. I live at 7,200 feet so winter likes to hang out up here a bit longer!

[@LeJambeaux]

Great video. Wish I was out there myself.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good trip.

[@richardbarrett2625]

Awesome trip lot s of info thanks 🙏

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks for watching it. Glad it gave you some value!

[@tylerswoboda]

What is the reason for using the inner tent on the Notch? Bugs obviously aren't an issue, so couldn't you replace the full inner tent with a ground sheet for less weight and more interior space.

[@vincevoyna4504]

awesome video.

[@alinch27]

Often times ranchers will leave gates open in the winter to allow for stray cattle to make their way back if needed... I leave gates open in the winter if their open...

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Yes, for sure. These are public lands leases, where there’s always an expectation (and specific instruction to recreational users) to close any open gates. The area we were in is currently unoccupied this time of year as well.

[@alinch27]

Cool. Thanks for the reply. I just learned they did that recently and thought I'd pass it along... Enjoy watching your videos since they are close to home. I spent a fair bit of time in the Snowys when I lived in Laramie for college. Most people think I'm crazy for going camping in the winter! But I like it

[@texmexia49]

Ranchers and farmers know. Leave it like you found it.

[@lorismith8479]

neoair xtherm max is perfect year round

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Lori - the Xtherm is a really outstanding pad, with incredible performance for its weight!

[@kene3431]

Thought process behind removing the interior from the notch when you pack up?

[@windriver2363]

Does the Exped pump sack fit the thermarest valves? Does it require any modification?

[@BackpackingVideos]

What pack are you carrying and what is your footwear setup? Are you wearing trail runners with waterproof socks, and if so did you upsize the shoes to accommodate the socks? And finally, what's your camera gear on this trip? Enjoyed it!

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

The pack is a McHale Windsauk (45L). Yes, trail runners with Rocky socks. Upsized the shoes by one full size. Camera is a GoPro Hero 7 Black. More details in the video description and here: backpackinglight.com/field-notes-wyoming-lightweight-backpacking-spring-2019/

[@elsindrome2497]

@@BackpackingLightUSA why "waterproof" socks and not "waterproof" shoes?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Because my waterproof shoes are toast right now and I haven’t replaced them yet 😂 more details about my footwear for wet/cold/snow here: backpackinglight.com/wet-cold-feet-when-backpacking-gear/

[@fuzielectron5172]

@@BackpackingLightUSA thank you, this was the question and answer I was thinking about while enjoying your trip...

[@johnc1975]

Are you using the Big Titan Kettle as a cooking pot/cup? Just wondering what you think of the Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit which is what I use.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

I’m just using the regular Titan on this trip. The Pocket Rocket 2 is a great little stove, I’ve used it a lot, but not the kit.

[@philipwilkie3239]

As a kiwi tramper these wet. cold damp conditions are very familiar to me. Although it strikes me as incredibly odd that each of you would carry separate cookers and make separate meals. We would almost always cook communally for the whole group if possible. The same goes for separate tents. It's a small thing, but illustrates a difference. Still we do both share a love of heading to a quiet, safe spot in the mountains with a storm heading in.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Yeah, I really love inclement weather. Keeps you thinking, that's for sure. We made separate meals because we have vastly different dietary tastes and needs, and I was testing some new packaged meals and only had those samples.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Same with the tents - I was doing some testing on the Notch and that’s only a solo tent.

[@philipwilkie3239]

@@BackpackingLightUSA OK that makes total sense; thanks for explaining. That was a nice bit of country to visit and I totally understand not revealing it's location, places like that need protecting these days. My favourite spot to visit when a southerly storm is forecast is this tiny spot high in our local ranges: www.wildernessmag.co.nz/trip/mcgregor-bivouac-tararua-forest-park/ Have you ever visited New Zealand? If not I''m certain you'd find tramping here very rewarding. Like Scotland, we do inclement quite well. Cheers

[@jpawl4362]

Informative and fun. Ryan, how do you adapt the Schnozzel to the Uberlight pad?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Thanks! I’ve used boiling water in the past (place the schnozzel valve in boiling water to soften it, attach it to the t-rest, then let it cool in place) but it doesn’t stay. On my last mod, I heated the schnozzel valve over a stove burner to soften it even more, then attached it to the t-rest and let it cool in place. Seems to be working much better.

[@jpawl4362]

Thanks I'll try it.

[@Truth-Seeker75]

What map app are you using on your phones?

[@MTLIBRARY]

I'm always afraid to sit on my pack. Concerned I might tear the fabric or crush and or puncture something inside. Any tips?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Something like this is a popular option: snp.link/f7e7a929

[@eunos1800]

I'm sure i remember you gave some tips on pitching mids, can't seem to find it though Any tips on pitching the Khufu?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Check out the tent setup scene in the Dirigo review, most of that will apply to any mid - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp2clJ95gNZlsMk - I’m actually planning a pretty comprehensive video review of the Khufu as well, stay tuned!

[@eunos1800]

@@BackpackingLightUSA Fantastic, thank you

[@alexl8328]

Still planning a review of the Khufu??

[@peringemarson3898]

Hi one question. Why two tents? Wheigt and warm should be better in one. Or are someone snorungar? Great video, keep posting.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Per - Agreed, and we talked about taking two tents, but I was doing some testing on the Notch with the partial mesh inner, and that's only a solo tent.

[@peringemarson134]

@@BackpackingLightUSA ok understand by the it should have been snoring Thanks keep posting it's a joy every time. Per

[@davidgoldberg1228]

Great video! Do you live in Laramie? I'm new to your channel and live in Cheyenne....

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Hi David, yes, we are in Laramie. We go to the big city over there often!

[@vincevoyna4504]

Hope you spent some time with your son, and didn't just talk to the camera all the time... Overall neat video, interesting comments about silnylon vs cuben for this hike. Peace.

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

The camera stays off most of the time 😀 being able to hike with my son and have long talks on the trail in camp is one of the best parts of these trips with him!

[@vincevoyna4504]

@@BackpackingLightUSA :) Nice.

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

Is there a difference between Thru Hiking and Thru Backpacking?

[@monkmonkcj2318]

Rodney Burnap no

[@tittiger]

Anyone catch what packs were worn in this hike? Thanks in advance. Aslo Ryans tent at 24:54 OK tarp tent Notch: www.tarptent.com/product/notch/

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Joe - mine is a 45L McHale Windsauk (custom), made with a DCF fabric and Full Dyneema bottom, and Chase is using the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400.

[@AdventureswithWillem]

What packs are you both using?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

Mine is a McHale Windsauk (custom, about 45L) and Chase’s is a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400.

[@LeJambeaux]

What was the brand name of Chases' tent?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

That’s a Locus Gear Khufu. It’s a Japanese company.

[@LeJambeaux]

@@BackpackingLightUSA Do you have any thoughts on Chase's shelter as compared to the similar offering of My Trail Co (or Golite Shangri La 2)?

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

The Khufu in DCF is probably the most wind-stable trekking pole shelter I’ve ever used. The SL2 is a bit bigger and catches quite a lot more wind.

[@LeJambeaux]

@@BackpackingLightUSA Thank you and good luck out there.

[@jackkennedy_1963]

I like much of the video, the scenery and your narration, and I genuinely thank you for it, yet there is more than a bit of irony in your campfire scene where you speak of immersing yourself in nature and state that more people should have access to that experience. But you're positively saturated in technology, and you've got every expensive, high-tech, ounce-saving piece of gear and clothing with you, all of which to me rather speaks against both your points of being steeped in nature and making the outdoors accessible to the common man. You may not mean it to come across this way, but I can't help but feel that the outdoors experience you convey is somewhat an elongated commercial for out-of-reach designer gadgetry. It's neither wholly "natural" nor "accessible."

[@BackpackingLightUSA]

I can appreciate the idealism of your response. From a practical perspective, I also think that none of the gear Or tech I use is necessary for developing intimacy with the natural world. I also would posit that it doesn’t really get in the way, either. The biggest impediment I see is people carrying too many crutches to make them comfortable in all environments, and people having constant smartphone access (and using them) in areas where you have cell service.