Winter Backpacking in Big South Fork: Cold-Weather Backpacking Skills

[@drytool]

Really liking the music. You have a lot of good elements to your videos, Evan.

[@joncardenas3203]

I'm going through watching all your old videos. They are some of the best hiking stuff on youtube!!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks!

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Awesome initiative to take advantage of the bad weather instead of letting it keep you indoors! You've definitely inspired me to use bad weather as a learning opportunity - thanks Evan!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome!

[@uptrail7169]

The little stream turned into a river fast overnight with the rain. Good job setting up the tarp to keep you dry. Very good video Evan!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks very much -- I appreciate it that you watched and commented . . .

[@mozarkoutdooradventures3630]

Fun, fun, fun you've made me want to get out and hike NOW! Thanks for sharing your adventure with Scott.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome -- it was a great time.

[@cagedraptor]

festive with the flashing lights. Great outdoors video

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, appreciate it. I only pull at the lights during the Christmas season . . . Scott and I got a kick out of them.

[@AmandaBess]

Great idea camping near blow-down trees. Also like the music in this video

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yeah, sometimes I worry about getting crushed, especially when it's windy. Probably overthinking it. I bet the greater risk is a falling branch.

[@DonnyPavoliniOutdoors]

Very, very well done Evan! Great filmography and documentation of these trails. Some of the very best I've seen. Thank you little brother!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

No problem, thanks for leaving the comment! Means a lot!

[@TawnaTV]

Really appreciating the cool tarp set-up Evan...you stayed dry! Getting out in the winter is challenging but can be a lot of fun. Thanks for the video and the inspiration!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome--thanks for watching and commenting!

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Great trip! Looks like you and Scott had a great time! I prefer winter camping as well.

[@YesterdayMeetsToday]

Great video Evan. Thanks for the cold weather tips, I am going out on Christmas Eve although it is supposed to be somewhat warm. Hope to hit up Big South Fork this spring.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Good luck on the outing! I suppose you'll have the trail to yourself on Christmas Eve . . . But who knows . . .

[@ghpatriot]

All good advice. Me and a buddy just did an overnight trip up here in Michigan in 18 degrees and 1 foot of fresh snow. It was awesome. Nice technique with the tarp and downed tree as well, waaaay better than bare dirt. Really looking forward to our February trip after watching this video.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Maybe we'll have some more bad weather! Looking forward to it too . . .

[@eprice6171]

This was really helpful as I consider the tarp. I like the idea of the lighter weight and of being outside. I love my tent, but this seems to work, even in the cold. I watched all the A.T. videos and that never really came up, I don't think.

[@rogerlamb536]

Very good video of you two, really enjoyed watching the cold weather hike. I miss you guys...........

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hey Roger, your name came up quite a bit on the trail. Scott and I are both looking forward to our next trip!

[@couch2trailyoutubechannel281]

Looks like a good trip, some really nice info on staying warm and managing gear in cold/wet conditions. I'll watch Scott's video next for sure. Thanks Evan!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Couch2Trail KZbin Channel You're welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@roche4647]

Trail Update - Fall Branch Bridge is now KAPUT (south side) and the park has a warning at the top of the stairs at the TN-297 / Leatherwood Ford bridge. I drove to Grand Gap and first hiked the loop and then camped at Fall Branch and BSF River, a nice little outing.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Wow--Scott and I thought that bridge was about to go. It's a long bridge, and the supports holding it up at one end seemed like they were about to collapse. Before the rain, we could have easily crossed there without the bridge. The next morning after the rain it would have been more difficult. Thanks for the update.

[@cabinman]

Definitely one you'll remember! I love the frozen precip but not a fan of packing up in the rain. Great job to both of you guys and great helpful tips.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I agree about packing up in the rain. But it was pretty easy to get under the tarp, put everything away, then take down the tarp last. Setting up in the rain -- now that's a lot worse!

[@howdydoughty7634]

Evan you are becoming one of my favorite KZbin backpackers, enjoy your practical tips!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks a lot, that's great! Thanks for watching.

[@nibimocs]

As always, thanks for sharing another fine video.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome -- thanks for watching and commenting!

[@JaxxDrinkwater]

Awesome trip report. Very informative stuff. Thanks man!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome, Jaxx, thanks for watching! Appreciate the comment too!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Looked like a fun trip and good test of your gear! Big South Fork is awesome!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, it was a fun trip. Thanks for watching!

[@potatothorn]

wow this was a great trip. lots of cool info in here too like protecting the filter from freezing. Always a great time in the woods with you guys ill check Scott's vid soon as well.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, Scott has a different take, very enjoyable. Thanks for watching!

[@adamholbrook2281]

Awesome campsite, love camping and hiking next to water. Thanks for the video. Merry Christmas.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks, Merry Christmas to you too. That stream was really stunning in the morning after the rain . .

[@gregr501]

Looks like a great trip, I like the bread bag over socks tip. I'll keep that in mind. I always enjoy watching your vid's, thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Merry Christmas to you -- thanks for watching.

[@3196453]

Great video!!!! Very helpful. I was out on the Chestnut Lead Trail last two nights. Was around 27 degrees this morning. Bear scat everywhere but no sightings.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

mtnripper Sounds cold. It's nice to know how to put up with those conditions. It really lengthens the backpacking year!

[@markhmorrison]

Great hike... I'll have to check out that area. I'd like to head out on the trail with ya'll some time. I'll check out Scott's video too.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

It's a great area for hiking. We barely touched it on this trip. There are miles and miles of good trails . . .

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

As always fantastic video and hike, wish I could view more regularly but off grid has it challenges, awesome Evan.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks for watching and commenting, as always -- really appreciate it!

[@nathanmullins836]

You and sintax both released a video this evening , I watched yours first , you should feel special. I am digging the tarp set up in this one ,I have never slept on the ground under a tarp but I am intrigued I am usually in a hammock.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I have a hammock too but I prefer the tarp over the hammock for the same reasons I prefer the tarp over a tent -- I can see out easily and feel less restricted. But I can definitely understand the comfort advantages of a hammock. For a long time I thought I couldn't sleep on the ground anymore--too uncomfortable. But when I started using a tarp and paying more attention to setting up on leaves, and sometimes even preparing the ground to match my body shape, the ground became much more comfortable. I might be wrong, but I don't think a tent works so well on a thick bed of leaves, since the stakes won't hold. As for Sintax, I do feel special! Thanks! But I think you might have your priorities mixed up, lol.

[@TheWeekendHiker]

Awesome trip Evan! Thanks for sharing brother. I am planning on doing more winter backpacking this season so these tips are much appreciated. Hope you have a Happy New Year! -ATB Adam

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

TheWeekendHiker Thanks, you too!

[@jasongoad3362]

Great video! Thanks for sharing

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

You're welcome -- thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ghpatriot]

Ha, we'll be there again soon Evan!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes indeed!

[@rialobran]

To slightly paraphrase you, from roughly this time last year; "I love nature, but on this trip nature's kicked my ass". One of my favourite quotes ever. Well I think on this trip revenge was taken by you and it was sweet. Hope you had a great Christmas and have a Happy New Year. :)

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I remember that line, lol. Great comment, thanks!

[@michaelprewittmusic]

Nice video. Enjoyed it. Planning a short 1 or 2 night trip on the Sheltowee Trace in January.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I've hiked out of Big South Fork up the Sheltowee Trace as far as Yahoo Falls, then turned around. Great trail.

[@michaelprewittmusic]

Yep, went to Yahoo Falls with my dad a few years back. I remember it being a good time.

[@jake-hy2zb]

Happy New Year to you both. Winter camping is great for the reasons you expressed though a slightly different experience here in the North to say the least. Interesting to see how different it is. Enjoy

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Winter camping is a lot different in the north, I bet!

[@jake-hy2zb]

Snow shoes and a sled for gear, but just getting off the cozy couch is all that matters. Thanks for the video.

[@brandonneal9196]

My dad and I do the BSF multiple times a year. Only downside is I live 4 hour drive away. So I don't get to come as often as I would like.

[@scoutingfreegermany]

Another great vid Evan, really good advise on the Sawyer Filter! Cheers and merry christmas, Marc

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Merry Christmas to you too! Thanks for watching and commenting, as always.

[@carlneill7060]

That was a highly entertaining video. 32 degree + rainy weather is my worst case scenario for camping and you did it under a tarp. Unbelievable.Great information especially unlacing shoes and using a plastic bread bag. Thanks again. I look forward to future videos.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Carl Neill Great! Glad you found my channel, thanks for commenting…

[@trooper2221]

Awesome! Beautiful area. And someone has some lights like key I do. Looks like eno hammock lights. Must check out Scott's vid now. Cause I'm a hammock guy

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I use a hammock sometimes, but not this trip. Thanks for watching . . .

[@bigzach322]

I didn't think it rained that much, then you showed us the creek. It must have rained a few inches to do that.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Zachary Robbins Yeah, huge storm. It's just hard to capture something like rain with limited recording equipment inside the tarp. Plus it was edited for length. I was surprised by how high the creek was ...

[@mountainwanderer]

Great video! It looked like a nice confidence booster trip for your winter setup. I was wondering if you would stay completely dry with your tarp setup, glad it ended well. I can't help but focus on the song too now that I know you're creating them. Nice Job!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Mountain Wanderer Thanks, appreciate that!

[@SalineScott]

That was an awesome video. I felt like I was there with you too. Lol. I had such a great time and can't wait to do it again. Maybe the weather will be worse next month. That would be great.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Great time, agreed!

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Very cool adventure! When we were there in May a few of the guys talked about how much better the views would be in late fall or winter. I guess the bears are hibernating, right? Another well done video!!!! ---Chris

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, the views were great. We saw a raccoon and a bald eagle, but no bears. The bald eagle sighting was really exciting. As close as I've ever been, except in Yellowstone. But it flew away quickly, so I couldn't get any video. I don't know about the bears in Tennessee -- supposedly they don't really "hibernate" per se but get up and walk around on warm days. I don't know if that's true but that's what I read. If it's cold, I assume I won't be seeing any bears. As for Big South Fork, I've never seen a bear there but I heard through the grapevine (from Scott Taylor, that is), that they tend to be very small in Big South Fork. Still wouldn't want to wrestle one, though!

[@joeyhaun6758]

I've been watching your videos about two or three days ago

[@mountaincat8]

This was a very interesting trip to watch. I appreciated all of your tips and learned quite a few new things, especially the way to prevent a branch from rubbing on your tarp and what to do about frozen hiking shoes in the morning. For hiking in the rain, do you like a rain skirt, rain pants, just an umbrella or ???

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Just a rain jacket and an umbrella. I suppose if it's below 40 degrees and raining hard, I might wear rain pants too. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@williamjackson1124]

great vid ive watched all of you videos atleast twice each

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Hah, that's awesome, thanks. Really appreciate it . . .

[@utahsteveoutdoors]

Another great video! That was the most creative tarp setup. I loved it. Were those Christmas lights? Also, my Sawyer Squeeze mini did freeze during my last trip...had no idea it would. Live and learn!

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Utah Steve Outdoors Yeah, there's a lot of water retained within the filter, I guess. I got those Christmas lights for a video I did last year. Came in handy again this year ...

[@swatsullivan]

Enjoyed it!! The right gear makes all the difference. I'm looking at down bags. Really torn between the quilt and a bag. Thoughts on which is better? My Christmas money is going toward the big three this year. Pack, bag and shelter. Looking at Zpacks for the pack and maybe the duplex shelter.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I have an Arc Blast. If I had to do it again, I'd get the Arc Haul. I don't think it was available when I bought my pack from ZPacks -- though I might be wrong. I've put a lot of miles on the Arc Blast and it wore some holes in some places. ZPacks repaired it under warranty and was generally great about it. Someday I might make a video about it. But the Arc Haul is made out of stronger materials and doesn't weight much more. As for a quilt or a bag -- since I've never tried a quilt, my opinion wouldn't matter. I know people who use quilts really like them though.

[@SalineScott]

By he way.... I love the little tips I learned from you in filming this time.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Thanks Scott!

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

see the pines above ya id have looked up there for my camp spot and the bread bag trick iv used for over 60 years granddad showed it to me as a boy he said it was an old trick he was sharing with me you be the judge on how old it was

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

when down that way 1 place I never fail to visit is hawks nest

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I'll check that place out, thanks.

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

OFF RT 19 CENTERAL WV.

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

when I say down that way I mean mid Atlantic region

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

A little adversity makes for a great adventure. Good job !

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, the weather made this trip more fun. Can't always say that's the case, but it was on this trip . . .

[@arthur4818]

Great video, I like the bivi sack I'm looking for a light weight one to protect my sleeping bag what kind are you using, right now I have a military bivi great bivi but to heavy

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Mine is from Mountain Laurel Designs. It's called the "superlight bivy." 8 oz.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Looked wet for sure. Funny how we talked about hypothermia around the same time. Must be on the brain. How much sleep do you get in your ground setup Evan? Always fun to see Scott around with his harmonica too.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes, I noticed we both talked about hypothermia in our recent videos. I didn't see your video until after I was back from my trip, so it was a coincidence. Otherwise I would have mentioned your video! As for sleeping, the night shown in this video, I only woke up once and went right back to sleep. That's a good night for me. I usually roll from my side to my back to the other side and wake up when I'm rolling, but I go back to sleep easily, especially if I've been hiking a long time. It's a good question I think. I definitely sleep much better the more I practice sleeping outside, if that makes sense. I also sleep better in a hammock, assuming the temperature is right -- which might be the point of your question. Anyway, the night of this video, the rain was really loud but I wore earplugs. I felt very comfortable both because I was on the leaves and because I had a thicker pad than usual.

[@my_everyday_carry]

How do you keep the trekking poles from falling over? Thanks

[@OutDoorZombie]

Excellent video! Can I ask you what type of camera you are using for this video?

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

OutDoorZombie Sure. I usually try to include that information in the video description. I used a Canon G7X for most of the video. There were also a few shots with a Go Pro Hero 4 Silver.

[@joeyhaun6758]

hey I know a couple of your friends you went hiking with couple months ago you went camping with him and went hiking I met one of them Roger lamb

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Great, thanks! I know them. Thanks for watching.

[@joeyhaun6758]

Yep I go hiking to I'm not been hiking since 3 months I got one family member sick he has leukemia Roger does not live too far from me I live in Knoxville

[@coryatwood4571]

Evan what sleeping bag did you use in this video?

[@richardjones990]

Have you used Final Cut Pro software for video editing or know someone that does? I'm thinking of trying it myself.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Richard Jones No, sorry. I use Windows and that software is Apple only.

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

Was that Christmas lights or critter lights.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Ken Durham Christmas!

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

Evan's Backpacking Videos thought so but I just finished reading an article about blinking lights are suppose to keep critters away.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Ken Durham I didn't know that, interesting!

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

Evan's Backpacking Videos as far as bears go I think it works on timid ones but as far as the aggressive campground raiding bears go forget it

[@lovinglifewithdogmanscout200]

Merry Christmas and see you on the trail

[@embaradosmithingandwoodcraft]

angel falls over look only 3 of 13 long way to go before ya sleep lol lol

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Yes indeed . . .