Wild Camping Alone In The Rain With Only My DAY HIKING Gear

00:00 Coosa Trail On The ECT
03:11 Why Camp With Day Hiking Gear
06:47 Finding A Camp Site In The Dark and Rain
17:46 Scary Story Of Day Hikers On The PCT
19:56 Morning
25:12 Finishing Up Section/Good Practice
Day Hiking Gear: lighterpack.com/r/f951ea
Day Hiking Gear Video: • My Gear For A Day Hike
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDT Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/fsmeqf
PCT Gear Lists: Desert - lighterpack.com/r/f84ma7
Sierra Nevada - lighterpack.com/r/b8a8ic
Cascade Range - lighterpack.com/r/40d5gd
AT Gear List: homemadewanderlust.com/whats-i...
New AT Gear List With Similar Budget: lighterpack.com/r/15jins
New AT Gear List With Unlimited Budget: lighterpack.com/r/habnbs
Camino de Santiago Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/4uttxn
Homemade Wanderlust Merch: homemadewanderlust.com/shop/
* I do NOT accept anything from gear companies. I do not do paid reviews. I do not have any sponsors. All opinions are my own, based on my experiences. I do not plan to ever incorporate sponsorships on this channel in an effort to remain 100% impartial. If I were to accept gear in exchange for a review I would disclose it per FTC regulations.
Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate links in my gear lists and possibly in product links in this video description. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases (doesn't only have to be backpacking gear).
Amazon Affiliate Page: www.DixieAZ.com
WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL & ADVENTURES:
*Patreon: / homemadewanderlust
(You can pledge as low as a $1/month to support my upcoming hikes.)
*Gear Wish List: a.co/cVZeFo3
(Purchase an item from my gear wish list. Some of the items may require contacting me for shipping details. See address below.)
*Buy My Book
Take A Thru-Hike: Dixie's How-To Guide for Hiking the Appalachian Trail (ebook): homemadewanderlust.com/produc...
*ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION:
-PayPal: [e-mail]
-Bitcoin (BTC) Wallet: 1PLcRstR4bamTYKpwd9Nzus75WjfjMY6gG
Contact information:
Blog: www.homemadewanderlust.com
twitter: @homemadeWL
Instagram: homemadewanderlust
facebook: homemadewanderlust
PO Box 4192 Opelika, AL 36803
For business/interview inquiries *only*: [e-mail]

[@Mwilke3789]

Love this! Few months ago, I took my three kids(9, 7, and 4) on a "quick" 30 minute loop trail near my home in CT, we were meeting up with friends. First time I didn't take a map, l because I assumed I'd meet them but was running a few minutes late so I knew they were probably already started. I Didn't realize the trail I was doing met up with the New England Trail...that goes up to Massachusetts. 2 and a half hours later started to panic, with all my kids complaining they were tired and almost no water left, I couldn't figure out why my GPS said I was at the next town line! Finally I came across a girl I'd hiked past almost two hours before and asked if I was close to the parking lot. Spoiler alert...I was not. She hiked me back to the split off and showed my the blazes to follow to get back to the trail. Only took 45 minutes to walk back thankfully because I had taken an entirely different trail on the way out. My 7 and 4 year old took turns riding piggyback on my back and the trail was completely up and down like the Virginia rollercoaster. When I got back I got a text from my friend saying sorry she had to cancel hope hope we had fun without her. So yeah, now I own a day hiking pack for literally any situation.

[@goldenbadger8247]

not the crinkly space blanket like they give out at marathons"-) there are far better and less loud! the weight is worth a nights sleep each time you move or something moves upon you.

[@momseyg.4968]

Sorry, pressed down accidentally 😮! Corrected my errror😅

[@he7is7at7hand]

Wow! That's pretty scary. Thank God that you didn't get totally lost and off the trail. I wonder how many days it would have been before your friend decided to check on you. Yikes!

[@LWilli5]

Nice demonstration of the importance of the ten essentials, even on day-hikes.

[@808bAler]

Modern conveniences have helped create a false sense of security in A LOT of people. And even the convenience of calling for rescue has lulled people into over-confidence. I am happy that you're bringing this subject up, people REALLY need to hear it. Like that Junkyard Fox guy; he just did a similar video (albeit in a different geographical area and challenges) and, in my humble opinion, proved what lack of proper equipment and, more importantly, poor skills looks like with a total fail. SOO much to unpack here, Dixie, good job.

[@petermccall8975]

Modeling the behavior you lecture about, a great way to educate! Add excellent narration, a little humor, and superior visuals- most hikers don't include such impressive closeups of animals and plants- and I guess that's how you get almost half a million subscribers. This one looks like it could have been storyboarded. Nice work, thank you!

[@Maureen.walkdontrun]

I went out immediately and bought an emergency tube tent and a few emergency blankets for my daypack. Dirt cheap, no weight and could be a lifesaver… The emergency tent even has a floor! Thanks for an important video, Dixie.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

I include a mosquito head net, because in Canada, the mosquitoes and blackflies can drive you crazy. Also, I don't fancy eating spiders or other insects during the night who are attracted to my carbon dioxide exhalations. But you are a brave and resourceful young lady. I enjoy all your videos.

[@neemancallender9092]

A good day hiking pack always includes the possibility of being benighted So extra food, a poncho or space blanket A lightweight poncho/tarp need not cost more than $30 and weigh 350g Your muddle with the tarp was very honest And many people would enter into a panic What you did not mention is panic Most people panic when they get lost and will need to sleep rough And panic is the main enemy of an easy sleep over

[@carloscardona9255]

I absolutely hate those space blankets that are like $2. I used them a few times to test them out. They tear so easily I hope everyone spends the extra cash and buys a $15 one that lasts instead.

[@pambrown6260]

Old lady here. This is why I require porters. AND it's raining. In hell

[@philsmith2444]

In ME & NH it’s not uncommon for temps in the mountains to drop into the 30s at night in summer. Since I started hiking again 6 years ago a down jacket, merino baselayer, hat & gloves, and an emergency bivy sack have been in my pack. Between this and my raingear I’m good for a relatively comfortable unplanned night out. Since moving to northwest Maine I’ve started carrying a tent, sleeping bag, pad, and a day’s food on all my day hikes. It’s very remote here (I’m in the town of Jackman, barely an hour from the 100 Mile Wilderness) and I rarely see anyone else on trail. More often than not I leave the trail to bushwhack anyway. But with all my gear including a 15F EN limit sleeping bag, 3 days’ food, and 2l water my pack weighs 24lb, and it’s comfortable enough that I honestly don’t know it’s there half the time. In winter I’ll pack a 0F EN limit bag, lightweight 2P4S tent (Marmot Hammer FTW!), down pants and down parka along with my other gear and my pack still comes in at under 30lb.

[@rdaugherty52]

You can’t stress enough the importance of a light. Once in the Smokie Mountains I went on a small hike to look at a waterfall and forgot my light. When I realized I didn’t have a light I turned around and just as I got back to the car it was dark real dark if I had been in the forest I would not have been able to see my hand in front of my face. Always take a 55 gal contractor trash bag. I watched a homeless man crawl into one with a blanket, pouring down sleet and rain and spend the night after that I always have one or two in my car or pack. Love your videos Dixie see ya later.

[@michaelsakowich7026]

Everybody hit the like button it really helps Dixie out with the algorithm. Thanks Dixie!

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Thank you!!

[@rivernet62]

I did this in a snow storm once, with my winter emergency pack, which does include a pad and light bag. I was barely comfortable but dug into the side of a drift and made it ok. The next day was glorious and it was good to know my gear worked.

[@danofall8394]

“Nature” is ruining my nature experience. LOL. Sorry I had to laugh at that one with the bird making the noises while you were trying to sleep. High entertainment. Good video. Thank you.

[@Swimdeep]

You good, brave, soul Dixie! Instead of two emergency blankets, I carry an emergency mylar bivouac bag that weighs about the same as ERB x 2. Also, any time rain is a possibility or unshaded trail, I carry my UV umbrella. Once wet, without dry clothes to change into, hypothermia becomes a real issue. When that rain hit, I would have hunkered down under my umbrella til I was able to set up a shelter. You did a really cool thing doing this video and documenting it to share. An aside, I can’t believe I’ve been watching your adventures for six years! When you mentioned your 2017 PCT, I clued in. 🌿

[@eliontheinternet3298]

This was a good wake-up call for me! My husband and I hike sometimes in mountains near where we live. We never plan to be out more than a couple of hours but I always bring some extra food, water, first aid, and an emergency blanket just in case. Clearly I need to step up my game though. Thank you!!

[@modestadventurers]

Someone said to me a long time ago “you don’t need it till you need it and then you bloody really need it”. Great video.

[@drivingmissmolly]

For anyone wondering, the company “onewind” makes a poncho/tarp shelter with nearly identical specs, already seam sealed, 1.3 oz lighter and only $32.90. The only difference is size-and it’s not a very big difference-as well as material: silnylon(onewind) vs silpoly(MLD) and the final difference is that the onewind poncho/tarp doesn’t have as many tie outs but you could always sew more on or use a pebble and slip knot to make a bushcraft button if you want to do an a-frame setup BUT the best survival setup is a plow point and you can do that with the tie outs that come installed on the onewind poncho/tarp already. I bought mine from onewind over a year ago and it’s still working strong.

[@maxpower3050]

I liked how you waited until after dark, selected a site, and then set up your tent. Badass hiking/survival video!!!

[@he7is7at7hand]

Yes true it was quite realistic to wait till it was after dark because people might do that but we can learn from your situation. It looked like that was hell. If I'm ever lost out there I hope I'll have the Good Sense enough to stop before it's dark and set up a camp where I possibly have fire to keep warm and a decent shelter. There's no need to keep looking for the trail after dark. This video proves that it's impossible to find it. Or nearly impossible I should say. I bet people get even more lost because they keep trying to find their way back after it's dark. Thanks

[@larstrans789]

Nice vid. I’m always impressed by your honesty. No hiding away small errors or flaws That’s what makes the information useful Keep walking for us please 😊

[@Simple_But_Expensive]

They make space blankets in tubes. I carry one for an emergency sleeping bag along with a regular one for a ground cloth. I carry these with my backpacking kit as well in case my bag gets wet. If it gets too cold, I heat water, put it in my bottle, and stick it in my bag. You can use your poop scoop to prevent rain water infiltrating your shelter. Trench a small (2”) ditch around the inner edge of your tarp. Use the dirt to create a berm on the outside edge of the ditch so you can fill it in when you break down camp. Create an outlet leading away from your shelter at the low point of the ditch. I always carry a pre-assembled rain tarp. I made my own out of parachute cloth, but Dixie’s solution is simpler and better for most people. I tied my paracord ridge line to the appropriate grommets with bank line, and tied hiking pole loops in my ridge line at those points. I tied small bungee loops into the grommets at the corners to allow pre-tensioning of those lines. This keeps the tarp taut while allowing some flexibility in the wind (important for keeping the grommets from tearing out). I tied a small loop of paracord to my tent stakes. For my corner anchor lines, I permanently tied 6’ long lengths of paracord to the bungee loops at the tarp end. At the stake end, I ran them through one hole of a two hole pumkin type cord cinch, through the cord loop tied on the stake, and back through the second hole of the cord cinch. This lets me put the stake in the ground, then quickly cinch it to the proper tension. I do the same setup with the ends of my ridge line. With this setup, everything is permanently attached to the tarp and can’t get lost. Erection is easy and quick. Stake down two corners, put your hiking poles in the pre-tied loops in the ridge line, stake down the ridge line, stake down the remaining two corners, cinch all lines to tighten them up. I have erected it in less than three minutes in a driving rain.

[@agaig9812]

Great video! You walked the walk! Some folks just talk about how they'd survive and you showed everyone. Nice work!

[@theoldaccountthatiusedtous6767]

Getting rained on, stuff getting rained on, fumbling to put up a tent as fast as possible with cold hands... watching this video, I feel like I'm there! Also... this is a really good idea for me, I once got lost (but only for a few minutes then I heard voices from the trail and found my way back) but it can happen so easily and was scary because of what could have happened.

[@he7is7at7hand]

Oh yeah, for sure. One time when I was just car camping I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and decided I would go about fifty feet away from my tent and just pop a squat. When I got about 50 feet away from my tent then I decided I shouldn't just pee right on the trail that would be gross would be gross so I walked off the trail a little ways to the left and went pee. I had a flashlight along so I headed back to where the trail was and I couldn't find it. I wandered around and ended up quite a ways away from our tent area. Everyone else was sleeping. And it was very dark. I did end up finding the trail and finding my way back again but it was pretty scary. It's very easy to get lost.

[@AOKUrbanHomestead1]

Dixie, you are a gem, one of a kind. These videos are so helpful to many, new and novice hikers

[@pauletteskalko5909]

Your photography is wonderful. Loved the real life demonstration of what emergency overnight looks like. Not just saying what you have in your day pack, but explaining why you need it was so helpful.

[@rodoutdoors]

Very cool. For my last trip I tried doing a comfort overnighter with my daypack. I haven't packed the emergency blanket in a while but I'll probably pack it for day hikes after watching this. Not only for myself but in case someone else is injured.

[@phillipp1399]

Best backpacking video I’ve seen in years. Valuable yet rarely explored information from realistic perspectives. I’m so surprised you struggled to remember your tarp pitch, such similar concepts to the zpacks tents, like a weird shaped duplex without a floor. I bet it’ll stick better after that brief but wet struggle. Also, kudos for showing that struggle. This is how it happens. Rain, forgetting in the moment some basics you didn’t think you’d forget. Unexpected even mild disorientation. And you were on plan! Great stuff!

[@rubbercheck72]

Army surplus poncho, poncho liner, klymit static v, mre, water filter and container. Paracord ridgeline for the poncho, stake it out. Poncho liner for your sleeping bag. Mre heater is water activated, no stove required and can sustain you until you're safe. All light weight and fits in a day pack easily. Nice vid, keep on truckin'.

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

I have been wanting to do just what you did here. I always take more than I need on day hikes I've never done before or if the distance is pretty high. You never know what could happen. Thanks for doing this video!

[@MelissaElsworth]

This makes me feel so much better about what I carry for day hiking. I was also influenced by your video from the PCT with the lost day hikers. I feel like I carry so much, and I'm packing it into the REI Flash 22. I will probably upgrade my backpack. :) I have one of the life tents that I keep in my day hike bag, I have added the silver emergency blankets to my cart to add. I also carry smart water bottles and my Sawyer Squeeze I carry a few pasta sides, a fuel canister, lighters, and maybe a packet or two of chicken or tuna, and my sleeping pad so I can have something to sit on. I have a rain jacket I might upgrade to that poncho instead. It does feel like I take everything I'd take on a weekend overnight camping trip just for a day hike. The only time I take less is if I'm just hiking in the little park near me, mainly because it's less than a mile from home and I have cell service.

[@kateeaster9649]

100% this. I always feel like I have too much, but this makes me feel better.

[@nat.in.nature]

Dixie! Wow! MAD props to you for doing this and spending the night out there in the rain and discomfort even though you didn't have to. Thank you for making this video. Great to know that'd it'd be good to have two foil blankets. Also, I love how much you appreciate and notice nature. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who sees the little things so I love knowing there are other people out there who do too. I love seeing all the critters and flowers in your videos. You're the best!

[@markmacias5897]

one thing I feel this video leaves out is the mental toughness or the mode switch to endure a day-hike gone bad. It seems so natural for Dixie to just keep it going whether it be fumbling with the tarp or figuring out the best way to keep warm for sleep. Im not sure if all the experience helps Dixie stays rather calm and collected during the tasks. I would lose my calm so fast, eat all my food, and drink all my water in no time. I would be the one to die 100 yards off the trail because I got tired for calling out for people.

[@donnahenrikson1320]

Or...now that you've seen this, you might be better prepared and be one of the people who do well if your day goes sideways! Some of it is mental toughness, but a lot of it is mental and physical preparation...and problem-solving.

[@daviddilley8310]

Thanks Dixie. Excellent demonstration showing exactly why you should NOT do what the "occasional and/or cocky" hiker tends to do. Almost everyone who spends time in the bush will be "geographically challenged" at some point. A mentor in surgery used to say, "Adequate PREPARATION is the only short cut you should consider", good advice generally.

[@sarahdunstan2061]

Great video Dixie! Oh the lengths you go to educate and entertain your viewers and subscribers! Such a great demonstration of the 10 essentials.

[@truhartwood3170]

My personal challenge was to set a timer before starting off on my hike that would go off in an hour or so, and just after sunset. When it goes off, immediately tie one foot up to your belt, simulating a sprained ankle or broken leg, and put a sock on one hand that you now can't use (when you broke your leg you also messed up your hand when you fell on it). Now set up your shelter for the night like that! I came up with this after watching a bunch of survival videos showing how to make debris shelters and start a fire with a bow drill made from your shoestring and sticks. That's great... If you are completely able-bodied and decided you were lost before noon, since you'll need to find a good spot for the shelter and then spend a few hours building it (if you're practiced, and there's a good amount of material around) and then another couple hours gathering and processing firewood and making a fire. Not realistic! Emergncy blankets are fine, but if you already have lightweight backing gear, just take that. A full-length, 3" thick, 3 season sleeping pad only weighs 3/4 of a pound. A 38°F sleeping quilt is about the same. A one-person hiking pole tent is around 1.5lbs. So for 3lbs you can have a totally comfortable, warm and bug-free night even in a cold, torrential storm that's quick and easy to set up. Worth it 👍

[@hermanogrande3758]

That bee shot right at the start was perfect.

[@LMay64]

Great video! I guess the other item I've decided to carry with me on day hikes as well as on backpacking trips has been a 1/8" foam pad. I use it as a sit pad (folded to create a thicker cushion for my bottom), a kneeling pad to cushion my knees, as well as full length rolled out if I want to stretch my legs on it to roll out my IT band or soak in some afternoon rays while taking a break. I works as a great little emergency pad and adds a slight bit of warmth and comfort. In my pack, I use it on the side against my back to add a little cushion from poky things in my pack or to add structure to frameless packs. The tarp and rain poncho are wonderful to have. Too many of my hiking friends bring these along, but they've never considered how they will put them up quickly in case a storm comes in or they really need to use them. They never practice putting it up even once and fail to bring any cordage. They constantly tell me they'll figure it out on trail if its ever needed. I bring a little extra cordage and have a small bit of cord from zpacks or some other company that I've attacked a couple of caribiners and made some prussik loops on so I can attach the tarp between two trees if needed. Sticks make great stakes, but I usually try to keep a couple of small shepherd hook stakes tucked into my front pack stretchy pocket for these types of "tarp" thunder storm emergencies. I have a very well used polycro ground sheet that weighs nearly nothing and takes up no room that bring on hikes. Its generally crammed into the bottom of a day pack, but its great for throwing over two or three people in an emergency when taking shelter during a storm. I guess I should qualify this by saying that most of my day hikes and backpacks are in Colorado where storms roll in at elevations consistently every afternoon during summer months. Hail is not surprising in July and August, so having a little bit of trustworthy shelter is a good thing. Finally, layers! layers! layers! Hiking in Colorado taught me that I may be in shorts one moments and bundling up in a puffy and rain coat to escape hail the next. We were just on trail and had hot, sunny exposed areas that could create heat exhaustion and then the temps would drop without warning and we'd huddle in whatever shelter we could get up quick to hide from thunder storms. Our feet were wet from hiking through mud and ice and trying to filter water from ice cold snow melt seasonal streams. I've experienced the same in the Grand Canyon. Sun exposure during the middle of the day and freezing temps when the sun drops below the cliffs and ridges. If you get stuck out there because of unexpected emergencies during a day hike or run, the desert can be just as deadly as the mountains.

[@amynelson9362]

Personally, I prefer carrying a two-person emergency bivvy instead of a space blanket. A bivvy is much warmer and easier to use. Two people can share one and thus share body heat, or one person can get in and stuff it with leaves for insulation if needed. A bivvy can come in handy not just for an unexpected overnight, but also if someone is in shock from an injury or hypothermic. I require each of my young kids to carry a bright orange two-person bivvy along with a compactor bag for ground cloth/emergency rain gear/shelter. We've used the bags for sledding on winter hikes, too! :)

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Very interesting test, thank you Dixie. I love it when you do macro / critter-cam. And that (unplanned) clip @17:01 came out quite beautiful.

[@jenniferwright2829]

Really needed this message today, I'm 46 and still learning to not care if I'm "cringe". But also, yes, you only get one life!

[@KatWomanHikes]

I always, always carry my inReach with me - 💯 of the time.

[@ffstopP]

Very helpful, Dixie. Thanks.

[@meinthewild312]

I did get caught out overnight with just my day gear a couple of years ago. I was hiking at Oak Mountain State Park and wound up having to get off trail due to a flooding situation. I wasn’t really lost, but the bush whacking took much longer than expected and it got dark fast since it was December. Thankfully, I had an emergency tent, food, a stove, water, a thin low R value pad & a quilt, one of those space wrap things plus medical stuff and my regular day hiking load out with me. I did have my headlamp, but due to my extremely poor nighttime vision, I can’t night hike even with a headlamp. I also had dry dog food & extra water for my pooch. It was an uncomfortable night due to the thin pad, but I got through it just fine and had a nourishing hot cocoa the next morning and my girl had a 🐕 biscuit. The thing that kept me awake most of the night was my dog barking at every single noise 🙄 of which there were many!

[@he7is7at7hand]

Excellent video and excellent advice.

[@sarahjarrett2155]

Thank you for doing this video, Dixie! Very valuable!!

[@grob25]

You are doing the hiking that I wish I could do. In retirement, I hope to keep hunting, fishing and hiking. Thank you for sharing!

[@colorsmith659]

Thank you.

[@edwardsmith7550]

Great job. Gave me something to think about

[@rage7891]

A rapid ridgeline would of made your shelter go up quicker. I noticed you settled between two trees that you could of placed the ridgeline on and then thrown your poncho tarp over the ridgeline and staked it out. Same as hammock camping but with your poncho tarp. Good video and explanation of what you learned and how you worked out the little issue you came upon.

[@chriscon8463]

Outstanding video, Dixie! That weather was rough. It’s great that you hit home the importance of staying dry!

[@msdsez]

Good points, one and all.

[@DavidsOutdoors-of1vs]

Really enjoyed that! Thanks Dixie!

[@tahoemike5828]

Good for you going out in the rain and making this video!

[@1mcob]

So very helpful!

[@vickiwalden]

I'm an ex backpacker. Solo only. I go over prepared for day hikes too. Saved me back in 1982. Absolutely love your videos. 💚

[@BanjaraHillbillies]

Thanks Dixie! You are a legend!

[@donrobinson5540]

Excellent content!

[@cynthiastandley5742]

Great video! I love all the naturalist shots.

[@andyrunton]

Absolutely loved this! Thank you so much!!! Loved seeing all the little details and the way you even had tips for yourself for next time. You’re the best!!!

[@dorlajacobson3077]

Loved your opening with the bees and butterflies. I am inspired to go over my gear as I can see 1 little emergency blanket is not enough!

[@wendyschuler8937]

Great video!

[@kimonk]

That whippoorwill would knock me out so fast!! When I still lived with my parents (back in the early 80s) there was one near our house.. I would leave my window open every night so I could hear it. Thanks for this video, it might save someone’s life!

[@bewhiskeredjuarez6851]

Thank you for this one Jessica!

[@douglasconrad8969]

Love this vid !!!!

[@CJTucker-BW500]

great video. so good to see a experienced hiker. people need your advice

[@woodchip2782]

Number one that you omitted is “Stop stay calm and think your way through “. Good job btw.😊

[@dagnolia6004]

bless you!

[@patriciamoscato6586]

Love your instructional videos.great video

[@eliseyjay]

Fab video Dixie. Beautiful way to demonstrate the essentials and why/how to use them. I will be adding an emergency blanket to my day kit for sure. Love all your videos you’re so inspiring for all. X

[@1anita1m]

I love that you showed what to do and not just explain it. It gives people a better idea what to do. Thanks for sharing. Great information.

[@grbta1124]

Great job. Thanks.

[@janmariolle]

Excellent and useful video. Thank you!

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thank you, Dixie. 🙏 This was so helpful. We may have known these things a long time ago, but getting such an excellent, visual reminder is super valuable. 👍

[@davidbladen5667]

I went on a "day" hike in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park near the California coastal town of Santa Cruz. I started out just wearing a T-shirt, lightweight flannel shirt, and a lightweight down vest. Soon after I started my hike I ran into some drizzle and a few raindrops. I continued on and the weather got better. All I had for navigation was one of the free handout maps that I got at the ranger station before I started. As I hiked along I came across several trail markers that were down. They appeared to me that they might have been pushed over on purpose. When I got to the 3rd downed marker I decided to take the trail to my left that joined a return trail that would eventually get me back to the trailhead. As I crossed the bridge to the new trail I thought that, according to the freebie map, that this wasn't the connector trail that I was looking for. I took the trail on my right instead of going left. When I hit the waterfalls I realized that I had really screwed up. I immediately turned around and got out of there. I t took me 15 minutes to get to the falls and another 15 toget back to rhe bridge. I was losing light quickly and started jogging out. I eventually lost all light. I didn't pack a flashlight and had to rely on some waterptoof matches to find a spot for the night. It got down into the low 40s that night and I used my handkerchief as a head covering. The main excitement for the evening was that 4 trees fell during the night. By 6am there was enough light to hike out. I had to drag my right leg because I injured the knee the day before jumping over small creeks. Things were going ok until I came across one of those fallen trees that blocked the trail. I had to pick my way thru the branches and finally got thru. From there it was a straight line to the parking lot. I had a note on my windshield from a ranger to check in with the morning ranger. I had to wait 1/2 before she arrived at work. I met with her and told her my story and pointed out where the tree was blocking the where the trail markers were down. She thanked me for the info and told me she would submit a report so that they could apply for more trail maintenance funds.....

[@karenfarrell3961]

Thanks for this topic! Will be rethinking my day pack to be prepared for an unscheduled overnighter 😊

[@jeansayers8659]

Thanks Dixie. This is what I try to share with others a well! We see several folks a year get into problems here in the Ozarks and most of them have NOT been carrying the basics. So awesome.💕

[@alanbierhoff6831]

Excellent video. Just 2 things to add… • The Mylar emergency blankets are EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Please don’t use them near open flame. I mean they won’t burst into flames like gasoline but, they sure do burn. • I always carry an “Esbit Ultralight Folding Pocket Stove with Six 14g Solid Fuel Tablets steel, Small - Original” They cost about fifteen bucks and are worth their weight in gold. They come with solid fuel tablets and they work. Both times I spent an unplanned night out in the woods, this came in very handy to make tea and bouillon to keep me warm.

[@JACKBLACKTOSE]

Great video. I can certainly confirm the importance of practicing getting your shelter set up. I try to practice setting up my old surplus army poncho once or twice in the spring/fall. Getting it set up in a hurry is a perishable skill and one that I'm fortunate to have not needed in a long time.

[@stuartrollings602]

Cannot wait for you to do another trail for us! We have missed ya!

[@girldboro9834]

PERFECT VIDEO!

[@stevecole24]

I think this was excellent. I want to try my set up now.

[@papadawg3172]

looks like second degree fun played out. Well done

[@williambranham6249]

Excellent as usual.

[@Grizzly907LA]

For a little extra weight you can get a military style poncho and poncho liner. They are very useful. You can turn the poncho into a tarp shelter, and can also combine it with the liner and make a makeshift sleeping bag. It will keep you much warmer than that survival blanket and last a lot longer.

[@BoulderCreek77]

Thanks for another great vid. I've been a huge fan of your content for awhile now. Always fun to watch and learn something new.

[@helengoetz8530]

Excellent video

[@flowvibes111]

This was such a good reminder. Loved seeing you setup in the dark and how disorienting it can be even though you were right on trail. I need to make some adjustments to my day pack and add some gear in like a lightweight tarp.

[@montyollie]

LOVED this. Fabulous idea and video!!

[@lucyalderman422]

Im thankful that your health has been figured out look forward to hearing more from you

[@perfectweather]

Great video, thanks 👍

[@charleslynn3921]

thanks you made me thinks on my day hiking kit

[@maureengreen3625]

Thanks. Lists are good, but I’ll remember this video better than a list.

[@Kankudai]

I love how much you enjoy and appreciate the wildlife.

[@francesprice618]

My daughter and I do a lot of day hiking, so this video really gives me food for thought. Thanks, Dixie!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

Well done! I’ll be doing an upgrade to my day hike bag. I like the idea of two emergency blankets. I loved the opening sequence!

[@johntucker8016]

Excellent video! Thank you for doing this

[@tammieflemal7871]

While on a day hike had a woman who was hiking with her husband comment on the fact my pack looked “heavy”. Mind they had one string bag and a couple of 16 ounce water bottles. I pointed out that I was out for the entire day, was by my self and that things can happen on the trail. Always carry basics just in case

[@andymytys]

Pitching a tarp successfully, particularly a small tarp, is a very skill-intensive, Zen-like experience. It takes time and practice to just become proficient, to say nothing of mastering it.

[@kathyfultz2273]

Great video, great information! Your experience is very valuable to those of us who don't get on the trail very often. Thank you!

[@cindella204]

This was incredibly informative and helpful - thank you!! My next hike is in an area where it seems easy to get lost, so I definitely want to be prepared. Seeing you go through the whole process helped me think through what I would want if I was in that situation much more than just seeing lists.

[@debbieh1895]

Thank you for all the work you do to put out these videos for us, Dixie! It is much appreciated! I’m just NE of B’ham and I’m planning to section hike the Pinhoti when it gets a little cooler. I’m a bit of a novice, so all your info comes in very handy. ❤

[@_crane_7475]

Awesome video! Love the channel! It's nice to have a local KZbinr I can relate to a bit. And thanks for making this video. It was very informative.

[@williamlewis700]

Thanks so much, I often hike alone and this sort of thing has always concerned me. I just ordered a emergency plastic bag/tent. Keep on trekking 👍