5 things you NEED to know BEFORE backpacking

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Beginner backpacking need to know. How to backpack. hammock camping.

[BackcountryExposure]

I have almost exclusively hiked in a cotton t shirt for years! Not dead yet! 😂

[alexweigelhikes]

I'm pretty sure this is the only channel completely honest about being geared toward weekend warriors, and I love it.

[chemistryflavored]

My husband and I are just getting into backpacking as weekend warriors. So many videos are catered to long distance thru hikers which I understand since advice is critical for those folks, but as beginners we needed advice tailored more to our goals. I don’t need to know how to shave off every ounce, I need advice on how to have a good time and avoid some basic mishaps. Thanks for making this video and being honest about what kind of hiker you are.

[blakew]

The most dangerous “bump in the night” you’re likely to experience is a buddy on the trail tripping on your tent guylines during a bathroom trip lol.

[MrRodder]

Thanks for another fun video, Dan! On the cotton topic, I think one of the worst gear recs I ever received was to use a cotton bandana in my cook kit. The bandana never dries out and starts to stink after just a day or two. We've since moved to the like-sized synthetic towels in our cook kits and are much more pleased.

Keep the content coming!

[bearanoia]

Duluth Trading Co. has a line of pants & shorts called 'dry on the fly'- they are light weight, durable and dry quickly. The pockets are deep too - my phone never falls out!
Totally agree about the water bladders.
🌲🐻

[Joebiley]

I was fishing in France and the lake was well known to have wild boar visit frequently, I even spotted them myself on the far side of the pond in the early hours of the morning.
One night I was rudely awaken by what sounded like a wild boar outside my tent (I had my tent doors open due to it being nearly 100° at night 🤣)
After peeling myself off the roof of the tent I flashed my head torch out the door and a hedgehog came snuffling past the opening. I didn't think something that size could make so much noise 😬🤣

[hermeticxhaote]

"I am not at all a long distance hiker"
And that is why I like this channel! I just want to backpack to a nice site and camp & chill.

[TheBanditBren]

I found a water bladder most effective to use at the office so I don't have to take several trips to the dispenser, just one long trip to fill it up. It looks a little odd to be sipping out of a backpack while at my desk but who cares, I fill it with ice and water and it lasts all day after I fill up on coffee. Also useful for road trips strapped to your car seat. Any of these uses would be better served by a large traditional water container but I paid a lot of money for my bladder and backpack so I am going to get some use out of it!

[larryterry]

I enjoy your videos. Their filled with knowledge and wisdom. No BS .the fact you make your videos plain and simple to the regular hiker and backpacker. Love the tips on the cheaper gear . after all many of us are on a very limited budget. And the simple basics and equipment is always valuable to know.

[journeywithjimmyandjet]

Thank you for the good explanation of the differences between backpacking and long distance hiking! And for pointing out there is nothing wrong with either!

[justrusty]

I was in NY on the AT when a bunch of insects of some kind held a church service outside my tent. One lead bug would go Rarrp, and then in unison a bunch of others would go Rarrp. Then he'd go Rarrp Rarrp, and the others would answer Rarrp Rarrp, then the leader would go Rarrp Rarrp Rarrp and so on, but every time they got to 5 Rarrps, the others wouldn't answer, so the preacher would go back to one Rarrp. It was the wildest thing. I wish I had recorded it. True story. All. Night. Long.

[ronaldrose]

Hello Dan, thank you for sharing another informative and entertaining video. You always have some great points to ponder. As soon as the stay at home is lifted, I will be out on the trail. All the best to you and family, stay healthy. 🤗

[HNM]

All the water you save in cooking, you'll have to drink.

[BMad-weqf]

I have been watching YouTube backpackers (you, SBO, Tim Watson, Bryce, etc) and through hikers ( Frozen, Darwin, Dixie) for years and never truly defined the difference between the two. Thank you for doing that in this video. It is helping with some mental hurdles.

[tristengarrett]

Really itching to get out on the trail. I haven’t had the funds to get everything I need so I’ve just been getting things 1 by 1 and I’m finally almost ready to get out there! Thanks for all the tips and hope you’re healthy Dan almost 300k congratulations!

[cynthialorentz]

So excited that you're doing so many videos lately! Need more backpacking with kids tips pretty please!

[JohnPetrie]

Attempting a thru-hike of the AT was the hardest thing I have ever done before having to leave the trail due to the Covid-19 crap. Hiked about 160 miles from Amicalola Falls to Fontana. You are right! It is not all birds singing, sunny days, etc. It was cold, wet, & lonely most of the time. :) Great video as always!

[wellseasonedhiker]

100% agree about Peak Refuel. Great company and great product.

On bladders, I used to be a bladder guy but now use smart water bottles. That said, bladders are useful when you're huffing up a mountain pass. Rather than shoving them in the pack i recommend you lay it sideways in the brain (if you have one). Doing this makes it much easier to see how full itnis and to refill without disturbing the pack contents. I agree that pack manufacturers have blown it with this idea that the bladder should be inside the pack ... makes bladders useless or at least a pain to use.

[ryankeane]

I use a 1L evernew bladder, similar to a platypus screwtop, as my extra water storage, in my side pocket. My main water is the Be Free soft flask on my shoulder strap. I tried bladders with bite valves, but I don’t really like bite valves and after a few times running out of water after passing a water source when I thought I had plenty, I decided I need to be able to easily see how much water I have.