Wind River Range - Fitzpatrick Wilderness - WY | 6-day Backpacking Trip Report

[@LayneComfort]

Did you catch the lightning strike on Day 1's outro timelapse? Don't blink!

[@bernadettebecher5668]

Wow- what a great trip. Simply stunning.

[@LayneComfort]

I always love time in the Winds!

[@bikescarsandeverythinginbe7309]

Thanks for the adventure. I could never do it,so I really appreciate you bringing me along.

[@LayneComfort]

I’m happy to be able to share. Thanks for coming along with me!

[@pj4433]

Amazing place

[@LayneComfort]

The Winds are truly an amazing place

[@blazeadventuretours9058]

Late to the party on this one, but I was reading up on the Wind River high route and decided to pop over here to check out your adventures in the area. Kudos to you for being flexible when conditions don't cooperate and for always keeping safety at the forefront. Love your attitude about taking the highs with the lows, too. You can't appreciate the light if you never experience darkness! As always, thanks for sharing your adventures with us (mostly on-trail) muggles 😊

[@LayneComfort]

It’s only fair that I reply back late 😁 Gotta take what the conditions allow, can’t force anything on the Wilderness. It wouldn’t be backpacking without the highs & lows!

[@OneMansOdyssey]

Looks like the Winds are living up to their name! This is a bucket list destination for me, glad to see you conquering it!

[@LayneComfort]

The Winds should be on every backpacker's bucket list they are top notch! Conquering is a very generous word to use, I was just getting by out there

[@ervinslens]

So relaxing and peaceful, beautiful film my friend! Place is just stunning!

[@LayneComfort]

You’re right Erv this is a stunning area!

[@PopPopTN]

As usual, a great trip report. Looking forward to the "flip side".

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Pop Pop I am working on the flip side now!

[@logankidwell2011]

Awesome route! Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Logan it was an awesome hike out there for sure!

[@granolasteeve]

Great trip - I'd never seen this portion of the Winds. Proof there's nothing ugly in NW Wyoming...

[@LayneComfort]

There are so many great corners of the Winds it’d take a lifetime to explore them all!

[@karenabel6218]

Excellent trip report. Thank you for the video. I am really enjoying your view of the mountains and your perspective on solo backpacking.

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Karen, can't top those views the mountains give. Glad to be able to share with you!

[@dirtribbonaddiction]

Yayh! Another excellent installment! Glad to watch these summer adventures in the drab of winter.

[@LayneComfort]

Spring is right around the corner for us DRA! Hang in there

[@James_posts]

Brought back a lot of memories. One of my favorite places. Love your videos!

[@LayneComfort]

Awesome James, one of my favorite places as well. Beautiful and a ton of fun to explore!

[@cjjt66]

As always, excellent video. Great footage. Excellent commentary. Great use of the map to explain your route. How do you not get lonely? How do you deal with some self-doubts over route-finding, etc.? Keep up the good work!!

[@LayneComfort]

Great questions here Chris, got me thinking! I really enjoy my time alone out in the wilderness. There are so many distractions, influences, etc in the world today that it’s nice to get away from it all and disconnect. I’ve always got self-doubts on this kind of trip. I always feel nervous before setting off on something big. I try to prepare beforehand so I know what I’m getting myself into and stay flexible while doing it. I’ve also focused on slowly working my way up to tougher trips over a long period of time. Those self-doubts are always present but I just try to do my best and they haven’t stopped me yet!

[@cjjt66]

@@LayneComfort I worry about doing a solo trip because I would get lonely. I am more of a social person, an extrovert. I think I would get lonely at night, thus the nights would be long. I agree that lots of trip planning will help lessen doubts, but I have also been overly confident & put myself in stupid situations. You rock! See you on the trail. If you ever come to Colorado, let me know for I owe you a beer or something for the joy I have gotten by watching your videos.

[@LayneComfort]

A place like Glacier might interest you to try out, the campgrounds are shared so you can HYOH during the day but then there are always others around at night. I do need to do some more exploring in Colorado one day so will have to take you up!

[@jasonkamm5537]

Man! I need to get back to the Wind River mountains!! They are always on my radar, but I keep getting lucky with hard to get permits. We have Grand Canyon in May, the eastern Sierra in July, and Teton Crest (again) in Aug on tap so far. I have extra room on my eastern Sierra permit if you're interested! Take care

[@LayneComfort]

Y’all have an awesome lineup there! I’m curious how you would compare the Sierra & the Winds?

[@jasonkamm5537]

@LayneComfort Growing up in Wyoming I'm slightly biased so probably the Wind river range. The Sierra are amazing. Both the Winds and Sierra are probably top 5 on any backpacking list

[@LayneComfort]

I haven’t been to the Sierra but from what I’ve seen appears very similar to the Winds - lots of granite & lakes. I have an opportunity this summer that I’m excited to pursue but it won’t allow for any significant personal backpacking trips, planning to share more in an update soon

[@Sublime3556]

Was 2023 your best year of hiking? You were everywhere it seems.

[@LayneComfort]

2023 was a great year of hiking, the best so far. We will see what the future holds

[@Trailblaza322]

Awesome trip videos you make! I just hiked a portion in Uwharrie today and i thought i saw you on Little Long Mtn at the shelter. We were in a hurry to get back or i would’ve ask haha Was that you?

[@LayneComfort]

Hey man, yeah we were up there! Couldn't sit inside on a 70-degree weekend in Feb. Depending on when you came by we may have been pretty focused on processing our wood haha. Give a shout next time!

[@Trailblaza322]

Yes i think that was what yall were doing and i thought it was you lol I wish I would’ve said something. Next time i for sure will! Just starting to explore and get into backpacking recently. We fit in a day hike on a time crunch and had to be back home soon. Hopefully ill run into you again though!

[@LayneComfort]

We all got started somewhere, happy trails!

[@ValChronification]

Rip Mike Turner

[@LayneComfort]

Wow that is a crazy story