What I Learned Hiking 2,200 miles & 7 Different Trails

In 2023 I hiked 2,200 miles across seven different long trails, and in three different countries. My intention was to start as early in the year as possible, and to more or less not stop hiking until the year was over. I drove my van in between all of these hikes which added time, and extra adventures along the way. It was a fantastic year and I am so happy to have experienced so many new places, and to have learned so many new things!
My Favorite Thru Hiking Gear:
Tent - tinyurl.com/bdxm9229
Quilt - tinyurl.com/4fm96rt4
Backpack - tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Rain Jacket - tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - tinyurl.com/ucd7ypdr
Puffy - tinyurl.com/29966jbw
Socks - amzn.to/3tUDH6U
Bug Head Net - tinyurl.com/2vrwsd26
Smart Watch - amzn.to/3mz7ePp
Stove - tinyurl.com/58r2rys8
Pot - tinyurl.com/hn32nxxp
Battery Bank - tinyurl.com/47x276b3
Flashlight - tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Camera - amzn.to/4axYKgb
Lens - amzn.to/41Xjlqg
In this video you will see...
- 100 miles of the San Diego Trans County Trail in southern California
- A little bit of the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand
- 800 miles of the Grand Enchantment Trail in Arizona and New Mexico
- 100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington and the North Cascades National Park
- A 70 mile loop incorporating the Continental Divide Trail in Glacier National Park
- 750 miles of the Great Divide Trail in Canada
- 310 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail of Minnesota
Thank you for coming along!
Some of the lessons talked about in this video include....
- It's worthwhile to always try something new! New gear, new adventures, and stop settling for the old and same. You'll never know what new thing you may fall in love with.
- Just go for it! I dove in head first and on a whim flew across the world to do some hiking. It was an incredible experience, and my only regret was that I didn't stay for longer. Now is the time.
- The importance of learning to plan (permits, water sources, navigation.) Learn to plan even when you don't need to as it's an incredibly valuable skill to have when it comes to more difficult trails and adventures of the future.
- Things don't always go as planned, unfortunately. It's important to take situations and problems as they come, remain flexible, and always positive. It's going to be ok and you can do this.
- Pushing yourself is the way to learning. While repeating the same trails, gear, environments is wonderful it's when you get out of your comfort zone do you really learn the most.
- It's good to practice together, if hiking with a partner. Different paces, styles, and ways of going about things can be difficult, but practicing this can make the world of difference!
- Grizzly bears are stressful! But like anything in backpacking, if you learn the proper ways of dealing with, and preventing a problem, the chances of anything actually happening are near zero!
- Some trails simply require more gear than others (and some less!) And as someone who is always trying to go lighter, this is an important lesson. There is no ultimate gear list, there is no one ultralight kit to rule them all. We must adapt and change based on the conditions we face.
- Hiking with a partner can help quell any fear! So for anyone who is concerned about certain aspects of backpacking, try and find a friend! It's amazing how much more comfortable it is to be in the outdoors together.
- Just go with the flow! We came out here with no plan, and it was a good lesson in just having fun! Planning is great but being flexible and willing to do whatever is great too.
- Not everything has to be super hard, or super fast, super long, or super ultralight. Just getting out near home is wonderful and there is so much to learn locally.
00:00 - San Diego Trans County Trail
01:24 - New Zealand
02:05 - Grand Enchantment Trail
04:10 - Pacific Crest Trail
05:16 - Glacier National Park
06:50 - Great Divide Trail
08:45 - Superior Hiking Trail
Hiking Essentials Shirt! jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...
THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/
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[@JupiterHikes]

Thank you for coming along :) I hope your 2024 has a lot of good adventures in store! Whether it's near home or far off, they're all great!

[@blueandgreenslacks]

When is Palante going to release that custom pack of yours to the general public?

[@JupiterHikes]

@@blueandgreenslacks I do not know their plans, I was just test dummy

[@chuckpalah9899]

Perhaps 3-4 years ago, it was evident that you'd found your niche in long distance hiking, and were on your way to becoming one of North America's premier adventure hikers. The fact that you've also honed your skills in video presentation makes it a real treat for viewers. Your friendly low-key presentation style is reminiscent of a conversation with a friend. May 2024 continue to bring you interesting challenges, personal growth, cherished relationships, and the understanding that life is a balance between community and solo time.

[@JupiterHikes]

Thank you!! Very kind words and they are much appreciated

[@casualviewer8189]

You are one of the main channels that helped my wife and I get outside! We’ve now been to 18 states and lived in our car for a year. Absolutely love life now

[@IkerZamora]

I had never hiked more than 10km until I discovered your channel. Now I'm doing +20km day hikes almost every week and I'm already planning my first 4 day hike for the next summer. I know that's rookie numbers, but I'm just proud for not staying in the couch anymore :) Thank you for the constant motivation

[@JupiterHikes]

That's no rookie numbers! Sounds like you're hiking more than I am right now! Hope you're enjoying and learning a bunch out there

[@bananarama3624]

Don't worry about the numbers! The important thing is to get out there, go hiking and enjoy the nature and isolation! I never worry about how far I can hike (although here in NZ we have huts), I just make sure I start early enough that I can arrive to a hut before dark. For me personally, the less I focus on the experience and being there, the more I dislike it. When I focus purely on how far I hiked, or how fast, or when I focus *too* much about pack weight (overthinking if I packed too much before the hike), then I will enjoy my trip less. If I just hike how I want to and ignore that stuff then I end up enjoying it more!

[@daveebert7747]

I loved this video, I'm new to your channel. Having "micro-adventures" close to home is what keeps me sane. I was out hiking in the snow on a local trail yesterday and made lunch on a Trangia alcohol stove. I will start at different points, stop at different spots and make different meals on different stoves. A twig stove is bit inconvenient but on a day hike in the snow and cold the aroma and warmth are intoxicating. They say variety is the spice of life and there is more then one way to achieve it.

[@calebsavage]

Hey Jupiter, just wanted to say thanks for the time and effort you put into these videos. So informative, and you almost single-handedly got me into the ultralight game a little over two years ago when I first discovered you. As a British Columbian, I hope you're enjoying your time in the province! Keep up the great work.

[@Steve-en8if]

“Just get out there” ..!! Absolutely..! Thank you brother..!

[@northwestwalking]

This is a fantastic reminder to all of us. It doesn’t matter how big or small the adventure is, what matters is that you’re out there. Thanks for sharing!

[@JasonSnailer]

Thanks Jupiter for this video. Improvise adapt and overcome. That’s what u do.

[@peterjohnson6273]

The hiking's always good, Jupiter. It's your attitude, your perspective, you take on living that makes you stand out. Thanks.

[@aaronperkinson4433]

I’ve been following you for about 7 years now, and this is by far my favorite video you’ve made. The message at the end is my favorite and one that I feel so many people could benefit from not only hearing but putting into practice. It’s be awesome to see you do the Ocean to lake trail again.

[@JupiterHikes]

I hope to next time I am in Florida! It's a great little trail with all sorts of fun and learnings to be had. Even now I am sure the water would still be challenging

[@BackpackingStealth]

I like the message of "just getting out", I've also come a long, long way over ten years and going lightweight and fast just (although is a preference) isn't a must nor a requirement.

[@MyraHart1943]

I really enjoyed seeing all of your adventures in 2023! And your perspective and attitude are what make your videos really shine. Thank you for all the work you do!

[@CrowMagnumMan2024]

Great video and narration very informative......thanks for the little story of how you hiked the OTLHT while working at a grocery store and hiking it over and over......that was very inspiring....!!!!

[@JupiterHikes]

I hiked it about 20 times over the course of just a few years! I know every tiny little inch of that trail now :) It's a great time

[@CrowMagnumMan2024]

Thanks for everything I used to backpack when I was young but rediscovered it one year ago and you have been a great inspiration and teacher Ive poured over your thru hike and gear videos...im definately enriched....!!@@JupiterHikes

[@crawfordcockers]

Maybe your best video yet

[@hyklyfmatto9714]

What a great video to sum up your year! Your skills at narration and putting a video together just keep getting better and better. Also I'm impressed that you said the PCT would be the trail you would hike if you could only do one more. It's in my back yard so makes me feel blessed

[@JupiterHikes]

It's like such a pleasant experience. Perfect maintenance, constant views, good challenge depending on the seasons, variance in environments. It's pretty great!

[@iwazzabadboy1982]

Another GREAT video….SHT is in my backyard…and I’m so thankful…Hiked it with my kids on my back 35 years ago and now hiking with my Grandkids…It’s a special Trail…Glad you enjoyed this “short” Trail

[@paavoviuhko7250]

I love watching these videos but I only hike and tent locally. I don't drive and I don't like travelling so all my hikes begin at my apartment building door either walking or biking, and I have a canoe stashed in the bush 15 miles away. But I live in a relatively remote wilderness area with a very low population distribution so public forest land is everywhere and no overnight tenting restrictions have been imposed outside the developed urban area.

[@JupiterHikes]

I did that for a great many years! People would ask me why I didn't go off to hike the appalachian trail or something for a few days, but all I wanted to do was to hike locally. I learned a ton, and I saved a lot of money doing so!

[@ameliaryan3762]

So great to see the SHT getting some deserved love. From Minnesota!

[@TheManInBush]

you are massive motivation for me - been walking around my home in the cold, waiting for it to warm up to do longer trails - going to get back into backpacking and maybe pry myself away from this videogame/technology driven life ive developed

[@JupiterHikes]

It's a hard one to pry away from, but hey hiking did it for me! Who knows how many games I spent thousands and thousands of hours on. It was fun at times but i've definitely enjoyed this a lot more! The friends i've made, the places I go, and the healthy aspect to it. Some things that could be said about games as well, but different for sure.

[@Awomaninthewilderness]

Jupiter, totally adored this video! As you said... You don't have to travel far and sometimes the best hikes are in your backyard. I moved from the Northeast and now living in upstate South Carolina. Just an hour and a half away from the Great Smoky Mountains. As I complete backing trips closer to home, this year I'll be venturing out to neighboring states like Georgia and Tennessee. Your videos have influenced me to just get out and do it. Lastly, we have a mutual friend who speaks highly of you, I certainly see why!

[@JupiterHikes]

Have you done the foothills trail yet? I think that's close to there and has always been on my list!

[@Awomaninthewilderness]

@@JupiterHikes I have done the FHT in its entirety starting at Occonee State Park and finishing at Table Rock. The trail is roughly 80 miles of manicured trails. I'm thinking two days for you! I'm a solo backpacker but decided to take a friend, it's not easy to hike with another since she was slower, but it still was fun.

[@curtcampfield5670]

wow...another fascinating video and commentary...have been watching your adventures and commentary for years and never disappointed...please don't ever stop sharing!!!

[@Wolfmanhikes]

Great video clip and summary of lessons from 2023. You do a great job. Enjoy your hikes this year

[@adamsimpson5362]

Just awesome! Thanks for the inspiration and happy trails!

[@AdventurewithCaboose]

This was an absolutely beautiful video! Thank you so much for it.

[@realeyesrealizereallies6828]

Wow, what a year...I didn't realize you did all of that..Good for you...

[@humbertomaiajunior2650]

Great video! Great to see you becoming less rigid about ultralight, and adapting and having fun.

[@twowheeledgator1364]

Thanks for sharing. Your hiking is how I feel about motorcycle travel. Push myself but enjoy. But, being a Floridian, I some day want to hike the O2L trail. Just more relaxed and enjoyable.

[@ashwinvasavada8401]

Enjoyed the recap and the trail wisdom. Have a great 2024!

[@jacobzehnder9733]

Thanks for the video. I was introduced to the OTL a few years back by you and loved that hike. Keeping getting out there and making it happen. Happy trails bud.

[@cfoscoop]

thanks for sharing your knowledge with us! I went out on my first trip recently and it was pretty rough (my pack was over 40 lbs all in), and I thought “surely it can be better than this.” then I found your ultralight tips, and without even switching out a lot of my gear, i’ve already shaved 10 lbs off my weight, and i’m pumped to go out again! hope to make it out west later this year, not a lot of trails around where I live in SW Florida, but i’m making the best of it!

[@JupiterHikes]

South west florida is pretty cool!! I personally like Myakka River State Park, they have a great loop trail in there that's like 40 miles long. Or if you drive to the east, the Ocean to Lake Trail is nice. Depends where you are but there's some cool stuff out there! Glad the ultralight tips were helpful, in the end they're just ideas rather than hard rules. Something to get people to think about their kit in a different way!

[@cfoscoop]

@@JupiterHikes thanks for taking the time to reply! I'll definitely check those trails out - I'm local to Naples, so mostly been out in Big Cypress, but slowly making my way around to all the local spots to see what's out there. Loved the bit where you talked about finding adventure nearby, looking forward to finding all the cool little spots I can!

[@chriswallace4364]

Love this video and love your attitude. I starting watching during your Grand Enchantment Trail and have continued watching ever since.

[@fladekmeyer]

you are a legend, admire your videos and tipps you are giving us

[@MBqOBnFB1ePkRia]

Thank you for the effort you put into your video. They seem to always have some message whether spoken or not and are so calming.

[@everest1sierra2]

What a year! You are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing.

[@davidmersiovsky]

Very cool. I like this video format too. Keep it up and thanks for sharing!

[@EthanDurant]

Another great video Jupiter! Can't wait to see what you have coming for 2024!

[@JupiterHikes]

Me neither! Still haven't nailed down a plan 100% but certainly have a lot of ideas

[@gregskolozdra]

Great video! You had a wonderful 2023! Thanks for sharing your adventures. Grizzly Bears also make me quite nervous!

[@arihirschman6884]

Beautiful video JH. I think you have become an artist! Congratulations.

[@cheryl_the_horsechick]

Thanks. I loved this.

[@1z1zmike]

Thanks for the year’s review!🙂🙏

[@billyblue689]

Beautiful video, really enjoyed it!

[@HeyItsTim]

Wonderful video. Thanks for putting this together.

[@kristymoore7052]

I’m scared of grizzled bears too. Have yet to see one, but back in the day, I was dropped off by a bush plane in remote AK with others, and the cabin where we were hiking to stay was torn apart by grizzlies. No service and no air pick up for 3 weeks! I freaked, but am alive to tell.

[@valentineqin2608]

can't believe it's been another year!! thanks for taking us along the journey 😃

[@jjhikespa3600]

Thank you very much for this video. Backpacking is one of the few sports that require different setups depending on the season, weather, and terrain. It is a little frustrating that I won’t be able to have just one setup that can do it all but then I get to try out more gear. So not all bad. Thanks for passing on your hard earned wisdom. It is very appreciated!

[@poetac15]

Rad video. So many beautiful places.

[@michaelb1761]

It's been fun seeing you grow in your hiking since your early videos.

[@lowrydan111]

What a year. Thanks for bringing us along. 😊

[@JupiterHikes]

Thank you for being here!

[@hoser7706]

And yes, adventure is all around us. From bikepacking quickies out the door to day hikes in new areas. Enjoy it all!

[@Go-zi1py]

Great video!

[@michaelszklarz9254]

Great video 👍🏻

[@gregoryoutdoors]

Jesus you have done alot this year comparing to my 500km maybe all together up here in Scotland lol...but yeah well done crazy ones and very tough to finish for sure!

[@bretbowlin2617]

Another great video, thanks! Come out east and enjoy the Foothills Trail this spring!?!

[@JupiterHikes]

Foothills has always been on the list! but I think it's more of a, if I happen to be in the area I'll do it kind of thing! Given I grew up in Florida, and my sister lives in Alabama, that is pretty likely I'll be around!

[@safromnc8616]

I am in full agreement on the Brown Bears...we see our fair share of black bears but the sheer size of their bigger brothers is terrifying !

[@thedomroute]

The grizzlies on the Northern loop in Glacier can be huge, I saw 4 in one day near granite park.

[@rkatrails]

You've accomplished extraordinary hikes and made it look easy, you're a natural born hiker. Love how you've learned a lot and shared with us what you learned. I'm with you about the grizzlies, I personally wouldn't sleep in a tent at night in their habitat. Most of the time they'll leave you alone, but then there's the times when it turns out differently. Anyway, great video.

[@wolfoutdoorscanada]

Nice dude!

[@andyveres3982]

Yeah boyyyy

[@jphiking]

Awesome recap! I’m in the middle of research for my GET thru hike starting next month, during which I’ll also be trying out some new gear (including a Yama Mountain Gear Cirriform.) I enjoyed your videos of the trail (as well as everything else you did last year.)

[@JupiterHikes]

I wrote like a little guide for that hike as well! It's on my website and includes a lot more of my thoughts on the trail itself than what is found in the videos. Hope you enjoy!

[@jphiking]

@@JupiterHikesNice, I’ll check it out!

[@llllllllllilillii]

Ok fine Jupiter... why u tryin ta make me cry? :P What a lovely video. So glad I clicked on it.

[@llllllllllilillii]

p.s. I'm afraid of our NW bears too hahah it stops me from gettin out there.

[@lukeflynn7025]

❤ from 🇮🇪

[@heartattackhiker3527]

That part of the GET with all the blow downs sucked. I only made it 300 miles to the gila hot springs having skipped going over mount Graham because of injury.

[@JupiterHikes]

It was rough! I think it was the magdalena mountains? I forget exactly, but much slower going than expected. I ran out of food somewhere in there, ran out of battery life, just very slow progress

[@hoser7706]

Was that a Zpacks Plex Solo you were using?

[@JupiterHikes]

It was the Altaplex

[@stuminnis4050]

I may be way late to the party on this info, but at 10:00 you mention that your hometown is named Jupiter. Is that the origin of your trail name?

[@JupiterHikes]

It is kind of and that is the short answer yes! I wanted to represent where I came from and where I started backpacking. The longer answer is that when I first started really hiking a lot and was becoming enamored by things like the triple crown, I was dating a girl who was named Marissa and who went by 'Mars.' I joked that if she was Mars, I would be Jupiter. It stuck.

[@Nhkg17]

I find it strange that most of the hikers I watch on youtube only do well known routes that have even name (like PCT, CDT, ...). I prefer to take a map and make a trek route according to myself and how much time I have. Again, everything you just mentioned were well known routes. Aren't you tempted to find your own route?

[@Technolgy2]

Second

[@broadheadcapital7711]

that’s really important

[@Technolgy2]

and you added even more value @@broadheadcapital7711 😊

[@adventuresofpineappleshort4600]

Do you narrate books? If not you should...just saying

[@rdoody2067]

My motto, do less better. I love hiking and being in the outdoors. Another great video. Thanks.

[@vickirogerson179]

Your backyard says this is their favorite video to date, and the Ocean to Lake agrees. 🩵

[@broadheadcapital7711]

I will be hiking the Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt) in June 2024. I did the Tour du Mont Blanc (solo-hike) in 2023 (I’m based in North West Europe). I would want - ideally - to do the PCT in 2024 but realistically that would require 2 things: that I got fired from my job and divorced from my wife, before I could commit to that. I’ll keep you posted.🗻🏔️⛺️🏔️🗻

[@JupiterHikes]

Hey maybe the wife wants to go on a US adventure! Could roadtrip the PCT which would be incredible, with many great spots to car camp, hot springs along the way, beaches just barely to the west. Lots of cool stuff out there!