It was a blast being a part of this with you John! You're a great guy and you have been one of my staple channels for a LONG time.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Dude!!! Thanks so much! It's been a blast!

Another cracking video John. I love the tip about not buying everything that KZreadrs recommend. That’s so true! Keep up the good work. Happy Hiking 🥾- Julia from the UK 🇬🇧

Definitely be bold start cold ! 40* can be done in shorts and a light shirt. Friends often won’t believe it til they try it, sure enough they stop to peel off their layers - lesson learned.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely.

Congrats to the winner. You guys really did a nice job with the give aways this year. My big fear is running out of water. That happened to me one time and I've been burned by Alltrails saying there are water sources so I end up carrying more than I need to, most times.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Greg! These are so much fun!

As a big guy I love this channel. Keep it up, I need more big man recommendations

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Lol. I’m slowing being less big, but I’ll still be thinking of our hefty brethren.

@TheSmitty665

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley yeah I almost didn’t comment that because It sounds rude lol. But it really is a struggle when super skinny vegan looking hikers recommend a chair or hammock that wouldn’t even support my food let alone my fat butt, 😂 so being a former “big guy” your recommendations hold more “weight” for me 😆 keep up the good work!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheSmitty665 😂😂😂

Congratulations Randy. A scary mistake I made that I am glad for now is that I started a trail that I knew was going to be hot and exposed without being well hydrated. My shirt was also a bit too heavyweight for that hike. I started to get symptoms of heat exhaustion. Thankfully I listened to my body and took a long break in the shade while I drank a bunch of water. Having had that experience taught me better strategies for dealing with heat.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Overheating on the trail is miserable. I've definitely been there.

Ohhhh that's the best advice ever.... "Don't let KZread-ers decide your gear". I made that mistake... And I'm now the proud owner of 3 pairs of trail runners 👟... Gear is a journey..not a destination I guess... Thanks John!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

We as KZreadrs are definitely not the "end all, be all" of backpacking knowledge. We do our best, but it's so important to always do your own due diligence.

Congrats to the winner!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🥳

Congratulations to the winner. Happy New Years!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Happy new year!

Congratulations Randy!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎉

Congratulations to the winner 🏆

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎉🎊🎁

Organization , know your limits , be bold start cold ,. All the things Im horrible at ! Good info sir 👍 - God bless - keep outdoors

Spot on about not letting KZreadrs sell you on gear. I get annoyed at how much they spend on gear. Especially starting out. I don't have$400 for just a sleep system, that is more than I have to spent on all my gear when I started camping. How about a video on what and why to invest in better gear? For example I just bought a better sleeping bag (~$100) and I think it is going to be worth it. Splurged on a bag since I want to camp at colder temperatures. Even with a liner , my less than $50 bag was like sleeping in a condom. My rookie mistake was not having a back up fire plan. Got caught in a rain storm couldn't get a fire started. Now I always carry a tuna can alcohol stove.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

I had the same thing happen to me in the Smokies. No fire and drenched wood. It was miserable.

Packing your fears is a great turn of phrase, my very first 5 day backpacking trip, my pack weighed 35kg / 77 pounds. All my fears were well and truly packed 😂🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

Congrats Randy! Packing too much....hence packing my fears.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

You and me both!

This was a great video👍 I haven't learned this much about hiking in a long time. Good video saved me some mistakes hopefully.

I mountain bike a lot in the winter and the first thing I learned was you need to be cold in the parking lot. One big mistake I made once while backpacking was trying to push too many miles in one day during a multi-day section hike and I was so miserable I couldnt enjoy the trail at all. I plan on re-hiking that section and taking my time, enjoying it and doing it in more days so I can do it slower and "smell the roses"

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes, pushing it is a necessity, but, if it's not, definitely take your time and enjoy it.

It takes time, but after years of packing my pack the same way I think I can find all my stuff blindfolded. Argh, the dreaded unexpected black diamonds…😳 Lots of wise advice in this one! Congrats to the winner! 😎

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Those trails can definitely get rough, but they’re a lot of fun.

I started out buying used gear on eBay ......at least it was cheaper than new, I only still use my titanium pot that I started with. I still take too much food and no matter how little I take I still have food left :)

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

That’s most of us. 😂

congrats to the winner!!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎉🙌🏻

Congratulations, Randy! One of my first big mistakes in backpacking was I failed to know where and how many water sources were available. I underestimated the amount of water I needed. I was confident I would find plenty, but I left myself dehydrated. Now I make sure I carry plenty of water when sources are scarce. Thank you JK for participating in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. I always appreciate your videos. Press on.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mark! Water is so important, and dehydration is no joke!

@lindatisue733

2 жыл бұрын

I made the mistake of not having enough water too. I got a straw water filter. Now I carry it on longer bike rides too.

I really liked the video 👍👍👍

OMG! the tweener guy! Wow what a lesson that was. HUGE difference in total mindset between prepper and hiker...and by huge my pack is now exactly half the weight from when I was that guy - biggest knife in the world...a 1 lb flashlite that could light up a canyon. A freaking water bladder inside a 5 1/2 lb pack....my whole sleep system and tent weigh less than my old pack. Clothing and "just in case" food. I'm having flashbacks. I have a rule that if I need organization I'm taking too much stuff. Insanely frustrating to be looking for stuff in this zipper and that zipper and through diddy bag after bag. At altitude doing that is as hard as climbing a hill. 1 small zipper pocket at the most. I would also add to your mileage note that even in the same familiar places, we tend to hike different speeds I'm finding out. There is the pace of a group (typically way too fast and exhausting) the pace of a couple (still too fast but way more manageable) and then solo...which is weird. i hike way slower but can cover way more miles. My two last (and first) solo's 50ish miles I finish at least a day early on both in spite of setbacks. I think only experience will work that out, but it's tough. Fun video, thanks

I made the mistake of underestimating how quickly a thunderstorm was getting up on me on a section hike of the AT this past July. I was about 8 miles out of Neel Gap and 4 miles from where I wanted to be and barely got down off of the ridge before the lightning was on me. I had to take a 1 mile long trail down to a shelter and piled into the shelter when all hell broke loose.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

That can be terrifying.

I did the same thing by wearing to much cloths to start a cold trip. Happy New Year.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Happy new year!

To stay comfortable while backpacking, I add 20 degrees to the current temperature. Then, I dress appropriately for this “new” higher temperature. For example, if the temperature is 42 degrees, I dress as though the temperature is 62 degrees. I’m cold when I start hiking, but I warm up quickly. I also keep a jacket handy in an outside pocket to put on when I stop to rest so I don’t get chilled.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff, Jorge! I agree with what you're saying. Overheating on trail or sweating while out there in the cold is miserable.

@bookersch

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley Unfortunately, all backpackers must make the same 5 mistakes you mentioned. We seem to learn only through our experiences of doing it. Fortunately, the joy of backpacking outweighs our mistakes.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

@@bookersch 💯

Congratulations to the winner also cool info stay safe

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎉🎊🥳

Congratulations to the winners

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🙌🏻

I always pack my fears. That interesting to hear you say that outloud. Enjoyed the video

You are Milosh same Buddy! I STILL always bring too many food!! But ok is, mistake number me - rely on digital electronic. Preference now always is have paper map in gallon (freezer) ziplok

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Milosh!!! Paper maps are definitely important to have with you!

Thank you John Kelley for the giveaway! That would have been nice! Congrats to the winner! I made a lot of the same mistakes. First overnight trip ever was at a shelter on the AT in the smokies and I packed so much stuff that I laugh about it now. But just like you said, some mistakes are good for you. Thanks again! Awesome channel!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Marc!

Happy New Years! Thanks for the chance at that awesome giveaway

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year!!! 🎆🎈🎊

Mistakes are tough to talk about!… but we all do them!! Congrats to the winner!! And thanks for the shoutout hoping y’all can join us for some fun filled giveaway shenanigans! Cheers C&J

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

That should be a fun time!

Did my first backpacking trip on the AT last May. Definitely underestimated the miles I could go considering the terrain in Georgia (there's a reason GA is considered the 3rd hardest state on the AT lol). We also ran out of water leaving us dehydrated, camping in a dry campsite, and 4 miles from water! Not good, haven't made that mistake again 🤣🤣

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! That's rough. Everything is a learning experience.

One major mistake I made was thinking I would sleep good in a tent on one of those $5 blue Walmart sleeping pads 🤣 and counting on map my hike in extreme cold when my phone died off trail in the wilderness, that one ended fine but had I not hiked that area before I may have been in trouble, thinking a sleeping bag would be sufficient in a hammock for warmth in sub 40° temps, boy the quilts sure were a game changer 🤣 Congrats to the winner, Happy New Year and God bless

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Major cold butt there!!! Back at ya! God bless!!!

I like watching reviews of gear I am already considering as it can help cement my decision or there may be something I have not considered. For mistakes, my biggest was using the wrong type of tent for where I was camping. Was fine at campsite but exposed and in a gale it was utterly useless. Learnt quickly to choose based on most exposed place I'm gonna camp rather than mere convenience for shape and setting up.

Always a fun educational vid. thanks

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Shoes. I had the wrong shoes hiking pictured rocks in the up Michigan. It ruined a really awesome trip because my entire foot basically became one big blister. I now have the right shoes for me. And had a much better hiking experience because of that.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

I've done the same thing. It's great when you get your footwear dialed in.

Great content all year. Happy New Year

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well!

Definitely used to pack my fears. Although, I still bring too much food haha. I think the biggest mistake I made in my early hikes was not doing enough research on the trail I was planning to hike. I got myself in some pretty sketchy situations just by not planning ahead and being prepared for the terrain, not knowing where water sources could be found, etc. I’m glad I made those mistakes, because I am so diligent about details now!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

You and me both, Jim!

Congrats Randy! When watching youtubers.... Think to yourself, would I actually use that? Do I have that need? Am I happy with what I already have? Does that work with the gear I already have? Is that needed for where I backpack? There's a lot of cool stuff out there that I don't have a need for because of what I already have, the style of backpacking I do, the comfort level I like to have, and the areas/seasons that I backpack. You've done another great video, John, thank you.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Doc!!!

Happy New Year, John! My biggest mistake, (and I keep doing it), is planning food for me and my 11 year old as if he eats as much as an adult. I carry all of our food, and end up carrying 25% of it back to the car. Of course the trip where I cut back will be the weekend he decides to start eating like a teenager. I also went camping over Thanksgiving weekend with a buddy when we were in High School. My bag didn’t have a temperature rating, but it was my Dad’s Woolrich bag that he used at hunting camp. In hindsight, It was probably a 40 deg bag. Well, it snowed 6” overnight, and I froze my butt off wearing every piece of clothes that I brought, including spare socks on my hands. I learned the value of a warm bag and pad, and to know the forecast. I haven’t repeated that mistake 30 years later.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Food and cold weather can definitely be an issue.

1. I learned early on to tie stuff to me with dummy cords so I didn’t lose my penknife, torch or compass. However being a bit too clever I also used a sunglasses sleeve to protect my Silva compass, by cutting off one corner of the sleeve and passing the lanyard through the hole. What’s wrong with that? I chose a sunglasses sleeve that had a metal spring closure, and that amount of spring steel so close to my compass (when I pulled it out of the sleeve to take a bearing) created sufficient compass error over a long night March over Salisbury Plain to take me down the wrong valley. I still use a sunglasses sleeve, but not with a spring closure. 2. You can NEVER have enough waterproofing! Really… 3. You can eat anything if you add enough curry powder :)

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Great tips. My favorite is the curry powder! 🍛

trying to listen for those kids ;) Great lessons learned man! Congrats to the winners!!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Lol. Always learning.

Good vid man yes everyone is diffrent in gear and how they Carry it

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

It's definitely a personal thing.

Congrats to the winner! What an awesome prize, Thanks John for being a Rockstar as well as the other KZreadrs that are doing this as well.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎉🎁🥳🎊

One of the biggest mistakes I made was waterproof boots or shoes. When water does get in it cannot get out leading to swampy feet and that is very unpleasant and a bad health hazard. So now I buy are Trail Runners that have ports for water to escape. They keep my feet a lot dryer and as a diabetic on trail for many days at a time that is very important to me

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

I did the same thing.

@medekmom

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley what do u wear now?

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

@@medekmom I’m rockin’ the Topo Ultraventure Pros.

@medekmom

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley awesome! I wear brooks cascadia or altra zero drops

Congrats to the winner!! My mistakes is I tend to overpack alot. That causes me to have everything all over my backpack

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

I believe a lot of us suffer from that one.

Hey buddy how's it going. This was good hearing about your mistakes that you made when you first started. It's good advice and reminders. My biggest mistake I made was going hiking after a decent snowstorm & Weeks Later the temperature was in the 70 to 75 degrees. I thought all the snow was melted. Let me tell you hiking through mud and snow in flip-flops & having my toes slamming into rocks was brutal. That was one time that I was frustrated about having very extremely wide feet with very fat wide toe that were equally straight across. With flip-flops being the only Footwear that I can wear I did not want that to stop me from hiking. It's rough and tough but as long as I take my time and be careful I can get it done. John happy New Year's to you and your family and I hope you have a safe one.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year, Mack! Have you gotten those new shoes yet?

@mackjenkins7721

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley hey buddy how's it going. Thank you man I really appreciate that & Happy New Year to your family too. Yes I did get my new shoes & I really put them to a test today. We just got 7 inches of snow & I wore my shoes instead of flip-flops man let me tell you what a huge difference. I was out there shoveling snow with my kids with shoes on. My neighbors could not believe it. I have a really really good neighbor he understands my situation and he feels bad so he helps my kids to shovel the driveway. I tried to get my neighbor money for shoveling my driveway but he doesn't want to take it but he lets me pay in other ways. I wore the shoes while I was shoveling outside today. They felt really good and comfortable. I had a lot of toes space for my toes being extremely wide. They kept my toes warm until the shoes got very wet & then my feet started to hurt. But I was out in 7 inches of snow for 4 hours so I'm not complaining. I want to test them out just in cold weather now while wearing them barefooted 👣 to see how long they keep my toes warm. Want to hear something funny John? I had a buddy of mine down in Miami Florida invite me & my whole entire family down there for New Year's. We left Miami a little early because of the snow storm that was about to hit at home and we was trying to beat it. Me and my whole entire family only wore flip-flops because in Miami it was 80 / 85 degrees there. The forecast was not calling for any snow when we was arriving back home. 100 mile away from home we ran into snow. I had to stop at the gas station and get gas & use the bathroom and people were staring at us like crazy cuz we was wearing flip-flops in the snow. A man at the gas station said to me you don't like to wear boots in the snow? I said no me and my family we are traveling back from Miami Florida and it was 85 degrees there and we were trying to beat the storm but it didn't work out. He LOL & said ok Florida is warmer than us this time of year. He then said man you have some very very wide feet & some very fat wide toe. At this point 5 of my sons came up to the counter with me & when piecing down he said I know these on your son cuz all of them have very wide feet just like you. I laughed and I said yes they are. It was embarrassing everybody staring at our feet especially me and my 3th son John because we both have big very fat wide toe. John just curious do you still wear your Nike flip flops that you have?

All very truthful and useful info excellent video like always brotha happy new year btw!!😁✌💚

Congratulations to the winner. I’m an Eagle Scout so I thought I was suppose to pack my fears (always be prepared) lol.

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Lol. I didn’t make it to eagle, but I was a Boy Scout, so I get it.

My biggest mistake when hiking with "the guys" was not checking my pack prior to heading out on trail. The first time I (unknowingly) carried three 16oz beers to our first overnight spot. Though I guess there was an upside for the group.

Mistake? Trying to pee out of my hammock...I’ll let you all do the math🤣 Congrats to the winner!!! 🎄🎁

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂

Absolutely great information John. 👍

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

I love Clifty!!! My first hiking trip ever was along the unmarked Trail by the river. Talk about nervous 😱🤣 good times

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

It’s really beautiful out there.

@theblindhiker6960

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley it really is!

Thank you John for your wonderful videos and superb content - Happy New Year to you and yours 🥳 🎉 🎊 🎈🍾🥂🍻🍷

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Happy New Year!

Congratulations Randy! The only KZreadrs that I haven't listened to are the ones pushing those godless hammocks. Yeah I said it!...Great video John. Be bold start cold is huge!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 I’ll get you in a hammock yet!

@TubaSolotheHiker

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley LOL!..........maybe.

Thanks John for the great Intel and scenery 😀

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dan! It was a beautiful location. I need to get out there more.

@pappytrails

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley tried to hike there today with my pup but the stream crossing was a little tough because of the recent rain. but me and Sapphire had a great time hiking in a short way and taking a side trip to Sky Bridge afterwards. Not much adventure there but an easy walk for the pup (and me) with no stream crossings. Thanks for your channel my friend!!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

@@pappytrails it was pretty dry when I was out there. I can’t imagine how high it was after this week.

Like the realtors say , location , location , location determines the type of gear needed. Thick under quilts , puffy jackets , gloves , insulated hats all useless items for me. I get a informative education from videos on that type of gear. Here in Florida's semi-tropical climate my goal is to stay cool not warm. Your not alone on the mistakes , mistakes are great teachers. Just like trial and error which are also hard line educators. Setting up camp and you know it's going to rain. ME ...Did you seam seal the tent ? Camper... .I don't need to seam seal this tent the manufacture did it for me. Morning , all you hear is that useless tent leaks. I have heard that to many times to count. I camp in a Hammock. lol

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Lots of great knowledge there, as always, Chuck!

I think I told U this recently, a mistake I made…but I didn’t pay attention to the plant life around me when I went to dig my very 1st cat hole, EVER, & I got poison ivy/oak-whatever…I got it in a very uncomfortable place too!!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah. You may win the award for worst poop experience.

@terryweaver9770

2 жыл бұрын

@@john_kelley feel free to use me for any examples U may need in future videos, lol!!

My biggest mistake was not only taking gear advice from youtubers ... but hiking with them ... sheesh ... these guys

My biggest mistake backpacking is, one time I brought a Mountain House Meal 🤢. I’ll never make that mistake again 😂 Happy New Year brother 👊🏻

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 happy new year to you too, Mr. Backpacking With Jason Sir!

John, I have a question and need some help. We just moved to Indiana from Colorado. It’s much more humid here. Even the winter weather is way more biting… with the moisture in the air. So I’m curious what we need to do to be better prepared for this new climate. It’s been way muddier, humid and bone chilling with all the added wetness. Plus, there are way more vegetation, bugs and rodents. We have more fears about snakes out here, along with insects, and any harmful and poisonous plants (ivy, oak, and blue algae). Do you think you and some of your other KZread friends that live around in this part of the mid west could do some videos to help some of us understand and do well here, coming more westerly, aired climates? I know I would much appreciate it.

Congratulations

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Woo hoo!

I like your hat. Where can I get one ??

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

REI

The same I pack to much stuff I don't need iam trying to break away from prepping to hiking

Hey John is there any chance you could give a comparison or recommendation on a ULA Ohm vs the Waymark Lite framed version? Thank you for any input.

I brought along the sleeping bags I was issued for Afghanistan. Well, let’s just say the “loft” left! I froze my a$$ off! And when I say that, my butt cheeks were literally cold to the touch. I survived. Barely. When I woke up the next morning, if someone had walked up and said, “Give me $10K and you’ll never sleep like that again.” I would have replied, “I’ll take two.”

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds awful.

John info is sent to your email..Thanks for the opportunity

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats, man! I hope you enjoy it!

Congrats to the winner and great tips JK!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Wally!

Congrats to the winner!

@john_kelley

2 жыл бұрын

🎊🎁