I once lost the trail while hiking in an area that "I knew like the back of my hand", which is why I didn't bring a map. Turns out, the back of my hand was a bit unfamiliar to me. Since then I have always carried maps of where I am hiking even though I now download my route onto my phone. I have helped many hikers figure out where they are and where they needed to go because I had a map and they didn't, except for the one on their phone...their dead phone. I also had my phone die on me once, and I was happy to have some paper maps. Getting lost once in the wilderness is all it takes to make you wish you were carrying an extra 2 ounces of paper maps.

@ceciliahikes

Жыл бұрын

Map and compass is definitly good to have. After all, a few winter hikers have passed away after losing their way in the dark after their phone died on them.

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

Yep. I'm with Kyle that it is no longer a "must have," but a couple of thoughts: First, make sure you have redundancy in your electronics so it doesn't fail. Battery charger, downloaded maps, waterproofing etc. Second, having a map and compass is...a SKILL. If you know how to use them, you know how to navigate in general, and that has lots of side benefits (such as not being flustered or panicking if you do lose your GPS). And they weigh very little, so there's no real downside.

@4jack8mama

Жыл бұрын

You could also lose or break your compass... just saying. Seriously though, make sure you get good quality maps. I got lost in a downpour and the map I printed on regular paper on an inkjet printer was useless. The compass wasn't as helpful, and this was before waterproof cellphones so it didn't work properly. Gotta find the right balance of saving weight and being overly prepared.

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

@@4jack8mama I doubt you'll find a single person to advocate a map and compass as primary--no one here is. Yes, printing maps has that drawback, although in the US at least (I am not) you can easily buy real maps. As for saving weight, well, that's as with anything. A good map and compass probably puts you out about 8 oz, cheap ones less than that. Ultimately, it's just a choice--but if you don't know how to navigate, well, roll those dice at will... This and all related subtopics are aspects of risk management--we're talking about exactly that, really. There is ALWAYS a tradeoff. The thing to remember is a navigation aid falls into the area of "extremely low risk of occurrence/extremely HIGH risk of adverse effect" You don't need it, unless you do. And if you do, well... To quote survival expert and former Special Forces Operator (a real one, not an influencer). "Too much reliance on technology over navigational skills is the leading contributor to situations that require Search and Rescue. If your tools require batteries and/or cell or GPS signal, they should be backed up by gear and skills that do not require them. Using a GPS unit or your phone is fine when it works, but when it doesn’t, you can no longer help yourself." Enyart, Joshua. Surviving the Wild (p. 34). Mango Media. Kindle Edition.

@DamionJR4923

Жыл бұрын

@@mctaguer I think it just depends on what trail you are hiking and how busy it is.

I don't think the map & compass advice is outdated. I actually started carrying extra maps on trail because I have had to help so many people find their way off the trail after getting lost following All Trails or other apps. Or their phone died and they had no idea how to find their way back.🤦‍♀

@randywatson5707

27 күн бұрын

Two is one, one is none. Also, if would depend on well established trail vs bushwacking.

I'm a woman, 65, and I'm not afraid to hike and camp alone, nor have I ever been, even when I was young. And fyi you probably have more women enjoying your channel than you realize. I'm subscribed and I could be your grandma.

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

😂😂 thank you for watching

@djw8504

Жыл бұрын

Lol! Me too! I’m Dorothy 52 and love this channel! It’s silly like myself and family!! Keep going Kyle!! 👍👍

@lspthrattan

Жыл бұрын

Me too. Sixty now and still rocking right along!

@3derevo3

Жыл бұрын

I am a 60 year old woman who hikes but never alone. Unless I’m hiking in my backyard. Lucky to have a backyard in the heart of Appalachia. BTW all those stories about Dub V are true! Be very afraid! 😜

@larapalma3744

Жыл бұрын

You should smack him

For all the women backpackers worried to go out by yourself I personally have never felt inadequate in the backcountry. The only thing I have ever gotten nervous about are human predators because they are out there. I make sure I always have a knife of some kind it doesn’t have to be big. I use a carabiner in the tent of my zipper. It obviously won’t help if someone really want in but it will buy you more time to protect yourself. Remembering who you pass and who is camping around you is important. Knowing where to run to for help and knowing what faces you’ve seen too many times is important. Women are more than capable to backpack solo. Don’t let people deter you.

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

yes!! get after it!!

@maxinemcclurd1288

Жыл бұрын

I carry a 357 mag and feel very confident but I have carried all my life , other wise I'd carry bear spray for what ever predator in question.

@mendyviola

Жыл бұрын

I only felt really scared once camping alone. It was at a state park, but a remote primitive site near a major freeway. I was woken up in the middle of the night by a large BANG, like a gun (or more likely a tire blow-out). Though I had mace, whistle and a personal alarm, I never felt so inadequately prepared to face a possible armed 2-legged predator in my life. This was in Texas.

@michaelb1761

Жыл бұрын

I agree, the biggest threat in any environment is other humans. Even then, that is a much bigger threat in a town or city than in the wilderness. Good to hear that you haven't let other people fill you with their fears.

@fether1632

Жыл бұрын

I agree 100% as a women I do solo hike at times. The only fear I have is from humans even then not so much. Just be aware of your surroundings and trust your intuition that little voice that’s says something is not right. I hike in the Sierra and it’s those afternoon T storms that worry me the most. 😅

I guess I break your demographic. I'm a 49 yr old female solo backpacker, and the only times I've felt somewhat creeped out are when I've met men (usually older than me) on trail who tell me I'm not safe by myself. I've enjoyed your content for years, but like so many others who've commented, I really think you've hit your stride since you've been back from the PCT. Thanks for fleshing your content out while staying the same Kyle we love!

@darchgirladventures4417

Жыл бұрын

You have a demographic buddy, I am 50. Have had the same experience on the trail with older men. Think it has more to do with their own social awkwardness than intentionally being creepy.

@ESJohnson14

Жыл бұрын

I can also say I only feel creeped out when a man reminds me of how unsafe I could be. Last time someone commented I straight up asked him if he was personally a threat to me? It’s off putting that the first thoughts someone has when they meet you and realize you’re alone is that it’s easy to take advantage of you. As Kyle said, common sense will keep you far safer than a gun. I feel the same about being solo.

@SinMore

Жыл бұрын

@@darchgirladventures4417 nah, I had this one old fart bugging me and telling me how to breath and hike at Guitar Lake. He was a "mansplainer"...he couldn't stop his impulse to "give advice" to a woman. Other hikers were ready to intervene and he suddenly stopped. I belched at him a few times.

@SpankyDaTanky

Жыл бұрын

I have a friend that constantly says never go alone you’ll get raped and i just think it’s dumb I’m not in your shoes I’m 5’10 man so I’m not on the larger side but on popular trails like the pct and at you are truly never alone there are amazing people everywhere that will help you out no matter what. Kyle always brings up fear mongering and that’s really all it is

@dominicbenecasa7893

Жыл бұрын

@@darchgirladventures4417 if they over 50 like me (64) I was raised by Alan old fashioned ww2 vet. I was taught in my upbringing that we look upon women to be put on a pedestal and protected. If that’s chauvinism, I guess I am one, my wife loves me for it.

This is a great episode and I have some "rules" in life for my kids (my son is 10 so we are starting these processes) - He can't have his own GPS device for our hikes until he can navigate an entire (challenging) hike using nothing but a map and compass (gotta know the basics first). He can't open water swim without me (ie - go with his friends) until he can swim 100 lengths of a pool. He can't go on a hike without me (with his friends) until he can hike a 50KM mountain hike unassisted. The list goes on. Same goes for me. You have no business relying on a "GPS" device if you have zero idea how to use a map and compass (if you had to). You never know what life is going to throw at you:)

I'm a woman who backpacks alone in trail runners, and I leave the gun at home (because it's so heavy). However, I do like paper maps in case the phone battery runs out, and I bring a keychain compass, just in case.

@miken7629

Жыл бұрын

Most keychain compass have 5 degree (or more) resolution and not reliable for navigation. Some follow my finger instead of pointing north. I use a Brunton Map Compass around my neck and set it whenever I get off trail.

I’ve been an outdoor educator for sneaking up on 20 years, and this is a really wonderful video. Everything here is on point, I will add. A few things. Yes! You don’t have to wear boots, but I do recommend that NEW hikers/backpackers wear a lightweight hiking boot for their first season because they haven’t yet built the calf, ankle and foot strength needed to prevent injury. No you don’t have to carry a map and compass, but you should no how to use one! It will give you an understanding of how to “stay found” if/when your cell phone dies - Personally I think people should carry them, but I get that most don’t. Lastly, NOLS did research on the skin to skin for rewarming a wet hypothermic patient. You don’t end up with two warm people, you end up with a cold person and just slightly warm person. There are better methods to warm someone who is hypothermic. Take a wilderness medicine class to find out. Thanks for a great video!

@Julia-b9x

Жыл бұрын

* the word “know” when referring to knowledge has a k and a w in the word.

@patclair9555

Жыл бұрын

@@Julia-b9x Thanks for that great contribution. Do you feel better having made it?

@Julia-b9x

Жыл бұрын

@@patclair9555 Sure do! Thanks for asking!

@pell222

Жыл бұрын

i disagree, as a new hiker i got an injury from going immediately for boots that braced my ankle too much. maybe "lightweight" is the key word but if it really is "lightweight" then it isn't actually doing anything other than being less breathable. the higher stack of boots also meant that on the mountainous terrain around me i was often very unstable because trails traversing slopes are graded for water management and that means your ankle is fighting the trail tread's side slope and you're topheavy on the stack so you roll a lot, vs a lower shoe that you can't roll off of nearly as easily on those graded trails. going low stack improved my stability on that terrain instantaneously

@kodiakpb

9 ай бұрын

Remind all of us not to take your class

The compass alone is reasonable to take. You can get one that weighs nearly nothing. I never “needed” one, but i often liked to get a quick direction reference.

I hiked the entire AT solo. I occasionally teamed up with other hikers, but over 90% I did solo and I felt completely safe. I did carry a Garmin mini but I only used it to communicate with my loved ones. I felt completely safe as a woman hiking the AT, no gun or weapon necessary. 💯

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

Perfectly logical, sensible, and great story/advice. Good for you!

@SinMore

Жыл бұрын

yeah, a lot of fear mongering. I was left alone to play in Yosemite all day when I was 8 years old. We would literally do the most dangerous things.

@clvrswine

Жыл бұрын

So what? The AT is inches away from towns, stores, phones, police the whole way. Not the wilderness in any way. Not worth bragging about. Hiking alone is plain foolish.

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

@@clvrswine She's not bragging, she's stating a fact. It, like any activity, is about risk management. Details matter. Solo hikers need to take extra things into consideration; that's it. There are no absolutes in this, and I'm guessing you don't have enough knowledge or experience with this problem set to assess that outcomes of solo hiking warrant your "analysis." It's your opinion, not a fact. To declare it "foolish" unto itself without context is, well, FOOLISH.

@masonmunkey6136

Жыл бұрын

@@clvrswine AT isn't worth "bragging" about?? Inches away from police?? Have you ever even been anywhere in the Appalachians??

Drives me crazy when people freak out because I go hike alone. I have a gps and make a plan/share it with my family but I’d never hike if I didn’t go alone! Thanks for addressing that!

I conceal carry….but I also am a combat veteran who has been around guns most of my life and carry a judge ordered permit that I maintain. Concealing a gun is fine (in the states) on the trail but I feel it’s similar to driving….it’s not really yourself, it’s the idiots on the road that scare you. If you don’t know how to operate a gun like the back of your hand, it may just only going to make a situation worse. Learn, practice, maintain. Also, I have been a solo female backpacker for years and yes, that adage has been directed at women far more than men and IDGAF….I’m hiking. And I prefer solo because I can do what I want when I want….there’s real freedom in solo backpacking.

@darchgirladventures4417

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it is the most free I ever feel.

@margaretImhappy

Жыл бұрын

Agree 100%

Having done a lot of winter backpacking throughout the world, I can confidently say that sleeping nude does NOT keep you warmer. 🥶 A layer of dry, snug (but not tight) fitting fleece will keep you loads warmer than your birthday suit. But most importantly…WEAR SLEEPING SOCKS (fleece or down). In cold environments, my feet can take an hour to warm up in my bags, and a dry, loose fitting pair of fleece sleeping socks really help. 👍

@jgalt99

Жыл бұрын

I don't advocate sleeping naked, but I definitely see a benefit from sleeping in just my base layer; that way when I wake up the next morning, (usually before dawn) and it's still super cold I don't have to transition from my warm sleeping bag and have nothing to put on if I slept in my pants and mid layer. Probably just psychological but it's much easier for me to get up and put on a couple layers to transition into the cold. Especially in winter.

Kyle, I just have to say you have quickly become my favorite hiking channel. I don’t know you but I feel proud of you and the success you’ve achieved by working hard on your channel… through your creativity, humor, thoughtful videos and great editing skills. Very cool too that you are now getting sponsored by brands like Sawyer. I feel like some people would have let what happened to you out on the PCT just crush them (I let a hike-ending injury on the AT last year crush me), but you just came out on the other side absolutely crushing it instead. Anyway, keep up the great work, lots of us are enjoying it tremendously!

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow this is such a nice comment!! Thank you so much seriously! I've been working hard and I appreciate you watching

I don't carry a Compass but I almost always carry a map. Maps help me determine distance to resources. Also if I ever do end up off trail, "lost" I can use the map to Bushwick back to the trail or navigate to some other major landmark, like a road or river. Or a town. If you know where you started, which direction you were going and what direction you started, let or right, when you got off the trail you can navigate well enough from that small bit of information. Watching the sun for east west will help too.

@vl4n7684zt

Жыл бұрын

Wear an anolog watch for a free built-in direction-finder. Point hour hand to sun. Half-way between 12 and hour hand is south. (Works east coast, not sure if this works on west coast)

Sawyer was hugely instrumental in getting water filters down to Puerto Rico after Maria. Love them!

I'm female and hike alone all the time. I tell people, I am more likely to be murdered in my city than I am out there. Criminals are too lazy to go where I go. 😯 The ones that piss me off I say, " so you're volunteering to go with me on my next hike?" That shuts them up.

@mendyviola

Жыл бұрын

I keep telling my mom and sister that I feel safer camping/bike-packing than I am refueling or staying in a hotel off the freeway, especially at established state/national parks. Out in the woods my biggest danger is either myself or wildlife (or both).

@deannefalise2784

Жыл бұрын

@@mendyviola I agree! Happy hiking!

@DustySoles0826

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! That's what I tell people. I am more likely to have someone break into my house in the city and harm me than I am for someone to stalk me in the back country!

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

That's EXACTLY what I say too.

@vagabondwildernesswanderings

Жыл бұрын

Yep

I lived in a cabin on the Long Trail from May-Oct one year, as a Caretaker. Had two incidents (one with a group of drunken guys building an illegal fire and the other with a creepy guy who was staying in the cabin with me.) I was nice to the drunken guys, just asking if they were ok and asking them to put out the fire when they left. I sent a day hiker down to civilization to call a friend to come up for the night, as a deterrent. I was trepidatious about the group of guys. I knew I was potentially in trouble with the creep. I had practiced ways out and honestly knew the trails and side trails by heart and could escape in the dark. I saw hundreds of people, almost all were great. I never feared bears (and there were bears) but I had to listen to my gut. Your gut can save you. And so can a gps!

Solo female backpacking thru hiker noob here. THANK YOU for knocking down that hiking alone scare tactic right off the bat. Some people will never know what they're missing.

For every scared of something happening to them on a thru hike just know that if you are in such a remote area most people won’t do anything because the fear of a stab wound or getting pepper sprayed can critically hurt them as well

@Chevsilverado

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. The most dangerous trails are always the ones with easy access to a road or a town. No criminal is going to hike multiple days out to mug someone. It’s risky and it’s also just a lot of work for what may be little reward. However while that risk goes down the risk of encountering an animal goes up. Nothing a bear banger cant fix though. In fact, one trail near me has multiple access points fairly close together, but it’s remote enough that there’s not too many people hiking it. It’s basically the perfect combo for criminals and it’s rate of attacks and stuff is much higher than anywhere else, however still low overall because it doesn’t even happen that much anyway.

Man I miss trail runners. I used them for like a year and a half and then when I was at sequoia I stepped off a curb and my ankle completely crumpled beneath me. It took 6 months of constant bandaging to bring down the swelling in my ankle and all the doctors I saw were pretty surprised that it didn't hurt based on how it looked. I've been condemned to a life of boots but they sure have saved my ankles again a few times since then. The tradeoff is obviously the weight.

@mctaguer

Жыл бұрын

Erin, don't give up hope on that. I first injured my ankle very badly in high school and wore boots for the same reason afterward/assumed the same. Truth is, my ankle just got stronger over time--it took years. I had another, far more severe, high ankle sprain 14 years ago that I was convinced would require support the rest of my life (I was 40 by then; I can still feel it), but lo and behold, it took about 5 years, but that too eventually got strong enough that I need nothing extra. Don't give up. ;-)

@BlackSeranna

10 ай бұрын

Something like that happened when my dog on the leash pulled me off a bad piece of sidewalk and I turned my ankle. I still have a sensitive ankle some days but I’m careful. Like you, it took a while to get the ankle back to normal.

@JRoss707

6 ай бұрын

If you’re comparing trail runners to the clodhoppers we wore back in the 70s and 80s, like Redwings and Danner, etc., then yes, I agree with Kyle, trail runners are the way to go. But today’s lightweight mid-length “boots”, that are made by Merrell, Solomon, Keen, Columbia, Altra even has 2-3 models of mid-hikers, and countless other brands, these are basically high top sneakers they’re not boots, even though they’re called boots. I have worn both in the last 6-7 years and I can honestly say I don’t really have a preference of one over the other. I know I will never buy another pair of Altras, after 150 miles on the JMT they were split apart and toast. I have basically gone back to the Merrell Moab Mid as their 10 wide size fits my foot like a glove. I may end up going back to a trail runner. I’ve heard really good things about the Topo Persuits. But honestly, I kind of doubt it, as I can generally find my Merrells on an open box on eBay for about $65-70 and I know I ain’t gonna get a pair of Topos at that price.

Kyle, nice plug on Sawyer and their efforts around the globe to enable potable water, something most of us take for granted. I did not know about their work beyond the backpacking world until I dug into their site a year or so after beginning my hiking journey. Glad they sponsored you and you talked very positive about their products.

I solo thru hiked the AT one and a half times, along with a handful of short and longer section hikes. Plan to attempt the PCT next year. Hiking alone is the most liberating thing a woman can do and I highly recommend it! It's far, far safer than walking alone in civilization.

I have been a solo day hiker for 15 years. I have never felt unsafe. I DO use street smarts and carry (very visibly) mace, Knife and whistle. I also know I can defend myself like a frigging ninja with my trekking poles as well. I am always aware of my surroundings, looking who is behind me etc. If I ever run into someone sketchy like a hiker named Kyle for instance...I find if I talk randomly and quite angrily to myself...no one comes near me cause they think I am Bat Sh*t crazy. Which is not too far off. My point being..Do not let be alone scare you! I prefer it. It is all about attitude. If you have confidence while hiking , it shows. If you hike like a scared rabbit , you look like prey.

Regarding a map and compass, simply going 25 yards off trail to use the bathroom can easily render the trail invisible and cause you to walk literally in the opposite direction which just makes things worse.

I'm a 67 and hike alone all the time. No fear!! Sometimes others can be good company, other times > excess baggage. You and your hiking partner should be kindred souls! 😎👍

@connorcarrington-house7770

Жыл бұрын

I agree although my hiking alone experience was hard I can definitely see the appeal

@yournextjourney3786

Жыл бұрын

Hiking the Camino Frances in April. 🥾🥾

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

good for you!! keep crushing it out there

@yournextjourney3786

Жыл бұрын

@@connorcarrington-house7770 Depending on where/when I'm hiking I'm never alone for long. I always carry my Garmin Mini.

@maxinemcclurd1288

Жыл бұрын

I'm 63 and hike alone , I prefer it . I don't mind hiking with others once in a while if every one keeps their own pace.

The incidents of NON-backpackers in a situation where having and knowing how to use a gun in OFF-trail incidents being beneficial is SO much higher than incidents where a backpacker might have wanted to have a gun for a situation that it’s not even funny. Being on trail is SO much safer than being anywhere in any city it’s not even comparable…

The idea behind sleeping naked is you’ll sweat wearing clothes, which will make you colder. This is something I first heard back in the 80s, when polypro and other synthetic baselayers were very new, the same goes for merino wool, and we were pretty much stuck with thick, coarse, scratchy, itchy wool. When I was stationed in Korea 33 years ago while in the army one of my friends would sleep naked in his sleeping bag when we were in the field in winter, and if you’ve never experienced a Korean winter “brutal” doesn’t begin to describe it. I slept in my itchy, scratchy wool longjohns and vented with the bag zipper when necessary. I usually wasn’t cold, except when the temp dropped below the bag’s rating. That was when you brought your woobie in the bag with you. Boots? I’m generally more comfortable in boots, but I’ve hiked a lot in hiking shoes over the past 5 years or so. Not wimpy stuff, either, but rocky, muddy stuff in the Whites and mountains of NW Maine. Trail runners just aren’t very comfortable to me. I’m 54 now and I’ve worn either combat boots or steel toes at least 5 days a week for the past 36+ years. My feet are used to boots.

@tomsitzman3952

Жыл бұрын

You can tame the itchy wool using an old English method of putting lanolin back in the wool, which was removed in the processing to make it easier to make into yarn. It's simple to do. You can find How To on the web. I'm wearing wool on wool as I type that I lanolinlized . I gave up on poly clothes years ago.

@philsmith2444

Жыл бұрын

@@tomsitzman3952 Too much work, I just use Merino which doesn’t need anything done to it. Even then, I rarely use Merino except for sleeping and an outer layer on warm-ish winter days (10-20F.) A silkweight synthetic baselayer wicks moisture better and isn’t too warm under my mid/outer layers.

@Chevsilverado

Жыл бұрын

however the sweat would not cool off, because the environment inside the bag is still warm. It’d make no difference because there’s no cold air convection to cool the sweat to make you colder. The sweat would just be the same temp as your body and the sleeping bag around you.

@philsmith2444

Жыл бұрын

@@Chevsilverado Feet wet with sweat get cold more quickly in winter, there doesn’t need to be air convection because the sweat moves heat faster than air.

@Chevsilverado

Жыл бұрын

@@philsmith2444 But where does the sweat move the heat to? The air. So without convection sweat won’t do very much at all. In a nearly 37 degree sleeping bag with 37 degree body and 37 degree sweat you’ll gain exactly nothing by sweating. Wet feet get cold in the winter because the boots are colder than the feet, but in a sleeping bag and under multiple layers that isn’t the case so the air is not colder than your body generally speaking.

1. Hiking solo - it's a different hike than with someone else. Each way of hiking offers its own advantages and joys. But yes, I asked my facebook friends which they preferred. Almost universally, non-hikers said I should never hike alone and cited safety. That wasn't even my question, I only asked which type of hike they preferred, directing the question at hikers. 2. My great-nephew asked me if I brought a gun. I told him no, and I told him why: All the legalities, plus I'm not trained in gun safety. My brother, who considers the Bill of Rights to be 10 instances of the 2nd amendment listened to my answer and agreed with me completely. 3. I'm thinking of trying trail runners someday. I used relatively lighter weight boots but I've been thinking about trail runners. 4. I just use FarOut w/GPS and have an inReach tracker. 5. I bring night clothes, very light, so that I don't stink up my bag by sleeping either in my hiking clothes or naked. So I agree 4 out of 4, with the other I accept as probably correct.

I am 60 and I go out alone all the time. I feel safer in the woods than I do in town. And your audience may be mostly male but I've been watching you for a while. Was going to buy you dinner at the timberline Lodge but my life kind of fell apart before your hike. Anyway one female here not afraid of the woods

Tbh I feel more safer hiking by myself then walking to the grocery store in my current location Los Angeles (this is what I have said to some people who hate on me for hiking solo and they still don’t buy my excuse even though I’ve shown proof of how dangerous LA has gotten).

learned that trick in the military to sleep in the buff . heres a tip though ., leave your socks on when in a cold environment and wool hat , . i always stuff my clothes down to the bottom of the sleeping bag . in the morning i pull on my warm clothes that were in the sleeping bag

I have a funny story from my last backpacking trip, which would make a great topic for a video. "Funniest comments you have gotten from non-backpackers" In April I went on my second backpacking trip, 5 months pregnant with our third. When I dropped off my two boys with my Mother-in-law, she asked me if my husband and I were staying in an BNB or something. I reminded her that we were going backpacking. So we were going to hike out, then camp. She freaked out. "Oh, it's so cold this weekend. It's supposed to snow. Do you need an extra comforter?" This comment had me laughing the entire weekend. I just kept imagining myself walking down the trail with my backpack on, carrying a queen size comforter. 😂 She was very well meaning. And I let her know that we had lots of layers and warm sleeping bags. Also, reassured her that if we felt unprepared for the weather while on the trail that we would turn around.

@Captain_Jackass

Жыл бұрын

Haha love this😂

"Did you carry a gun for bears?" Number one question asked by family and friends when I solo hiked the JMT nobo. You just have to laugh, as it's understandable to think that if you don't have any hiking experience. Also, I'm pretty sure solo women out numbered solo men on my JMT thru hike. Not one creepy person on trial, although that's what I experienced, they're out there for sure.

@JRoss707

6 ай бұрын

Same here, Charles. Very common question especially among coworkers when they find out I’m hiking out on the JMT.

@cobra7282

2 ай бұрын

You could if you just want to piss the bear off. Could be a useful tool in case of a bad human interaction. Bear spray is probably the way to go for most run ins with animals.

1) tell people close to you where you're going and the dates you expect to be gone, tell them exactly what to do if you're not in contact 2) have an emergency GPS device and/or if you have the means, make sure you buy a phone/watch that supports SOS messages (for example an iPhone 14) 3) carry a knife that is easily accessible at all times 4) be generous when packing food, cooking equipment, and water treatment items 5) where I go (in Australia) most parks have QR codes at the start of trails so you can download the relative maps or simply take a photo with your phone as a reference point. I find grabbing a map from a local hiking store is great for reference in terms of elevation and major lookouts, and also a great piece of memorabilia Even though I'm a guy, I have noted that it's very, very rare to find anybody that's suspicious on a hiking trail, especially multi day hikes. I find when doing multi day hikes, you'll meet multiple people who you will spend time with at each camping ground. Naturally, you'll keep check of each other. I've met the best people while solo hiking, and honestly feel safer out in the wilderness than I would walking around a city a night.

Solo hiking is especially great if you're just gone a day. I live in the South-West of England, and so any nearby paths, not only are pretty close to people, are also safe. I can be alone, but I can get to any people pretty easily. (Like a mile max)

Always carry a compass. Know what direction a main road is. Always.

In the military we were told to take our heavy clothes off but keep our base layer on when crawling in our sleeping bags, never to strip naked and about the maps, I guess I've just grown used to having it with me along with a compass. I've had my phone die on me once but it was on a piece of trail where there were many other people and everything was marked so it would be quite a task to get lost. Great content this Kyle makes, hmm - Yoda

I was totally lost today while winter hiking. A map and compass was totally useless as the terrain is different when covered in snow. My GPS and backup GPS saved me. As an old school map user, I have to say GPS is great, but always have a backup navigation system.

@Swansniff2

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, many map promoters forget just how much easier it is to navigate with a gps. Even better with something like Far out app where you have live comments about water sources, potential hazards etc. Maps are great backup if power runs out, but navigating with a gps is arguable safer, especially for most people who are not experienced with old school maps.

I agree for everything except.....the map and compass. It does help, more so if you don't have any cell signal and are hiking in cooler weather where there is ongoing snow falling, maybe even under a heavy fall brush/leaves bed covering the trail. Sometimes the markers are even covered by snow.

I’ve had some cold nights in my quilt and have never thought to myself: “I could really take off some clothes to feel warmer right now”.

I always hike with Kyle's mom.

Best weapon for backpacking is a sling. First ammo is everywhere and two it’s basically a leather strap. Practice is a must

Thank you, great video. Very much seen from an American perspective, I would add. Where I live (Norway), going out hiking without a map and compass, and not knowing how to use those, is not sensible as you would not have cell phone reception and the battery on your gps will run out. And for me, I don't even have a smart phone. The gun thing is laughable, to be honest, so thanks for bringing that up. I would add the stupid advice to bring almost everything, which I often hear. Carry light and hike longer, I say. Also, it will save your knees and back so that you can continue hiking for your entire life.

@Swansniff2

Жыл бұрын

Svensk här, map and compass are rarely necessary on any of the big established trails. Funny enough I have more use of a map when hiking in the very south of sweden because of the tree cover and hundreds of small forest roads and different paths you can make a wrong turn. When hiking in the Nordic mountains there is rarely more than one trail crossing per day and usually very good marked, and the trail is visible for kilometers. Also done some off trail hiking where map is absolutely necessary. Totally agree with the gun thing lol. Please dont bring guns anywhere in scandiniavia lol.

@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen

Жыл бұрын

@@Swansniff2 I think maybe you didn't read my comment. Batteries run out. But I guess it you're constantly near civilization, you can go somewhere and charge up your electronic devices.

@Swansniff2

Жыл бұрын

@@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen yeah sorry my response was maybe a bit confusing. In most cases when hiking established trails its hard to get lost or be far from a cottage or other hikers and just using a gps on the phone is fine. You can also prepare with a powerbank. I get around 12 days with my phone on flight mode on my current setup. I will run out of food before battery. However, I would always bring a map if I would be hiking a hard to navigate trail or going off trail, especially if I don't expect to meet other hikers. Although maybe more unlikely, a map can also be lost or be ruined. It has happened with two of my compasses before for example. But yeah, it takes experience and needs risk calculation for every trail. You never do wrong by bringing a backup map.

@Captain_Jackass

Жыл бұрын

Hey! Also Norwegian and I would agree. Big reason would be that there are just not many single established trails, but rather a network of trails. So it’s easy to get lost. I walked through Nordmarka last year and this year I’m walking from Oslo to Gjøvik. Bringing a map is crucial. I know I’m not going to have any signal part of the trail so a map is nice to ensure I’m walking in the right direction. And yeah you want to try to pack lightly. It’s just a matter of sitting down and thinking “what do I actually need?”. Also always a first aid kit. Learn first aid and know what’s in your first aid kit. If you’re hiking with multiple people you don’t necessarily need more than one. But you want to be able to treat injuries to prevent further injuries (and infections) along the way. If you’re lucky you won’t need it and that’s great. But it sucks if you end up needing it and don’t have it.

I bike-pack (not backpack) solo often. I make sure I’m prepared for gear/bike mechanical failures, first aid, sudden weather changes (Texas weather y’all), carry reasonable non-leather defense (mace/bear spray, whistle, etc), power bank, an emergency fire/water kit, etc. I ALWAYS carry a map of some sort of my area, compass, pencil and a small note pad. I grew up navigating by maps and compasses before the invention of smart phones and GPS devices - even for just driving. The last thing you want is for your tech to either get lost, broken, or run out of juice and not be able to find your way for the sake of saving a few ounces. And PS - always wear clothes when camping. If you have to high-tail it for any reason, you don’t want to waste time getting dressed first.

Oh, also: Most commercial trail runners come with crap for insoles. Throw out the factory ones and put in Superfeet or something. Your ankle support comes from below, so having your shoe and insole cradle your heel properly is critical. Once I made that switch, I found that my ankles did better, my knees did MUCH better, and I fell down a lot less.

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

agreed!

I’ve hiked alone for decades and never had any issues! I’ve never come into contact with anyone creepy or that gave me bad vibes while out hiking.

Another solo female hiker here - the comments and questions I get when people find out I go out on multi-day trips alone is frustrating at times. As long as you're confident in your gear and your skill, there's no reason not to! I feel safer in the woods than in the city as a female, actually. I did get a zoleo this past summer, which is nice when doing more remote trails with no cell service, like the Quehanna Trail here in PA. And while I do have a concealed carry permit, I've never carried on trail - I could never figure out a way that would be comfortable and have it be easily accessible. So every time I get asked that question, I always tell them I have bear spray, mace and 2 pointy trekking poles, as well as my pocket knife. That's plenty good enough. And I always say the chances that some weirdo is sitting in the middle of the woods waiting for a victim to stroll by is probably much less than one waiting in a Walmart parking lot, so yeah, I don't feel the need to carry on trail.

@userequaltoNull

Жыл бұрын

Try a shoulder holster. They tend to work better for women. OWB holsters in general often work better for women.

@rockytopwrangler2069

Жыл бұрын

@@userequaltoNull .. shoulder holsters generally don't work because of pack straps ,, and summer clothing is too minimal for any concealment ,,, but a proper designed fanny pack (worn in front) alerts no one ,, works well and looks normal,, especially since many pack manufactures don't put hip belt pockets on their belts ..

Dude I’ve got a solid ten years on you (37) and I’ve learned a lot. And you admit the shit lots of dudes wouldn’t. I also couldn’t hack the PCT and I live to hike.. I’m naturally a good hiker. 100miles of it kicked my ass into a bad depression.. a literal depression. You made it far further than I did. Totally agree on hiking in groups. You can totally hike alone, always act like you know where you’re going and don’t be all smiles and look like a target.. same advice I’d give to a small women walking a city alone too. If you’re able to conceal carry, just do it. Not for animals but for humans.. it’s a sad fact. A gunshot lost can also save your life. I don’t own not will I ever own a gun though. I’ll take my chances with my knives, which I’m good with. If I had to get up close and personal to fend someone off me, I think I could. Pray that never ever happens tho obviously.

My background is fire, EMS, and wilderness search and rescue (specifically, mantracking). My best piece of advice is to go out there PREPARED. Seems obvious but you'd be surprised at just how many people go out there unprepared for the terrain or the weather. That comprises the highest percentage of SAR calls where I live.

If you're not hiking with at least half a dozen other armed people with boots and a compass, it's clearly not safe. You should also make sure you have a tent with really strong (ironically named) bugnetting to keep bears and attackers out. If you cannot carry a firearm for whatever reason, you can carry a piece of cotton fabric. As everyone knows, cotton kills...and it doesn't require a background check.

There are Personal Locator Beacons, satellite messengers, and I'm sure new tech right around the corner. Lots of reasons to hike solo and do it safe. GPS and phones allow you to navigate, especially on day hikes. Learning to use map and compass definitely won't hurt. Regarding shoes, I had really bad feet as I got into the outdoors, boots saved my feet. Boots have also drastically dropped in weight over the last couple years, still not trail runner light, but way lighter than a decade ago in many cases. Also like you said in the snow, definitely get good waterproof boots, you do not want cold wet feet in the snow. But I have used some trail runners for common trails and they are growing on me. I think your rule may hold true for most people, but also know yourself and your feet. Love your stuff. Keep at it!

@Swansniff2

Жыл бұрын

Using trail runners is only possible because packs got lighter as well. And honestly you need to train up your feet to avoid injury. I would still recommend lightweight boots for beginner backpackers for this reason. Make the jump to trailrunners when you feel that your feet are ready!

Never rinse your toothbrush in unfiltered water. Never apply 100% DEET on your balls. Never hike naked in bare country.

@richjoebushcraft

Жыл бұрын

If I walk into bare country, I'm going bare. I don't want to stand out as the weirdo, so I'll be as nekkid as humanly (and humanely) possible.

@KyleHatesHiking

Жыл бұрын

these are facts

Basic navigation skills are never unimportant even though technology has helped simplify them. The confidence created by knowing navigation skills will make hiking more comfortable. I always carry my Suunto compass and practice with it even in areas I know well. It’s a skill that doesn’t need batteries or a cell / satellite signal.

The stock footage of the two disoriented old people with brand new Walmart gear got me good haha😂😂

Hey Kyle, happy new year!I agree with pretty much all of this. I do still take a map and compass bc when I was first starting out backpacking, technology wasn't as prevalent. I do use Far Out these days, but I still keep the ole map and compass just in case. As a female who mostly backpacks solo, in years of trips I only felt nervous once...on the Art Loeb trail several years ago. And that was definitely due to the assholery of a group of people hiking near me...not a fear of being alone in the woods. I just stepped on it and got away from them. Dunno if it was follow bigfoot or Dixie.... someone who brought up guns on thru hikes made the statement that most criminals are lazy and it's kinda true. You can usually get away. I have used Sawyer filters for years, didn't know about their charitable work so thanks for the info. Very cool and congrats on the sponsorship. I'm a female who enjoys your content...then again, I have the sense of humor or a 7th grade boy lol keep up the great work!

Good points, all! I do hike solo. I carry a PLB, leave a safety plan, and I didn't hike solo until after my daughter was grown. I still don't bushwhack solo, or go solo in deep winter in anything tougher than the local park. We all have our own level of risk tolerance. "Never hike alone!" is fine advice for an eleven-year-old boy scout, which is when a lot of us first heard it. Do I carry on the trail? If I were carrying, I'd be a fool to tell you. If I weren't carrying, I'd be a fool to tell you. I've given advice on pack lists betore. It always ends 'and a couple of pounds of none-of-your-business'. That isn't about carrying nearly as much as it's about it's none of your business whether I've brought my nylon pail, my camp chair* or my teddy bear. But wait a minute, I don't even own a camp chair. Do I wear boots? Yes, in winter. Even on a horribly wet trail, I do better in trail runners with mesh uppers that might eventually get dry again. But I bring more extra socks, so that I can keep washing the grit out of the pair I'm wearing and putting on whichever pair is driest. (No, NOT the sleeping socks!) And I wax my feet on a trail like that. Got me through NPT in a year of insane beaver activity. Do I carry a map and compass? Always. But relatively little of my hiking is on superhighways like the AT - and about a third of it is out-and-out bushwhack. I'm really not comfortable without my compass even if I'm just stepping off the trail to make camp or [Deuteronomy 23:13]. Do I sleep naked? If I'm naked in bed, it probably isn't to sleep. But don't sleep in your puffy jacket, you'll be warmer spreading it on top of your bag.

As a 72-year-old who has been hiking in the mountains for more than 60 years, I can honestly say you are spot on in every point. I swore by boots until I was in my mid-60s. Switching to light-weight shoes let me up my daily mileage about 50 percent. As to maps and compasses, I can tell you that very few people have any idea how to use a compass if they have one, and probably can't read a map, either.

@NJGardengirl1961

Жыл бұрын

You're right. I was in the Army and had to take map reading AND STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE I AM!

@Kirbysbelt

Жыл бұрын

Yes. I teach kids how to use a map and compass. You'd be amazed at how many people don't know how to read a map.

@davidkuhns8389

Жыл бұрын

@@NJGardengirl1961 I'm a retired Army sergeant major. I spent countless hours trying to teach soldiers land navigation. Some people just can't get it.

@Captain_Jackass

Жыл бұрын

Orientation is, or at least was 10 years ago, a part of the curriculum in Norway where I’m from. Still most people don’t know how to use a map and compass. I was also in the scouts growing up and picked up a few things that has made a huge difference later on.

Even though trails like the AT are 'pretend wilderness', I always have a compass just because I like playing with it and navigating some short trails just to give me the feeling that I could actually survive if I really got lost. (I'd probably fail and die anyway). I live in the U.S., I have a global compass and it goes where I go including Australia and Japan to visit relatives. I just think it's cool that it can work when magnetic north is in the Northern Hemisphere and depending where you are you have to compensate for declination. For me it's fun to play with. As for the maps, years ago I purchase a set of topographical maps at a garage sale that has PA, NJ, NY for various places. I'm sure the declinations are outdated, but I have use them just for fun a couple of times. Thanks for the video.

Thank you for popping into my search option lol. I’m going to the Grand Canyon with someone in two weeks and I’ve never hiked he has but not I lol. And I had to educate myself and thank you because I now want to pack light and smart. Work smarter not harder xD

A little off topic but do you suggest the AT or the PCT especially for a newb?

Great advise about the gun. I carry a gun daily, but I backpack in some states where I can’t, so I don’t in those states. I certainly wouldn’t go out of my way to carry a gun if I didn’t already. Fortunately, I can legally carry in all the places where I hear banjo music in the woods.

Good vid. Thanks for the tips.

I always worry that sleeping naked will add more body oils and sweat to my down bag and get it dirty faster. But yeah don't put all your layers on if you're cold. It's amazing how much a layer of dead air can insulate. I once forgot my sleeping bag on an overnighter. My feet stayed warm inside my emptied out pack. I threw my pack cover over my knees and they stayed amazingly warm. Then ultimately my upper body was warmest when I draped my puffy jacket over me like a blanket. If I ever get cold I find that using my coat like a blanket on the outside of my bag is warmest. If I'm cowboy camping and get cold and have a tent with me,(and it's not windy) then I just pull the tent over me like a sheet and the air it traps around me makes all the difference.

But it’s definitely a good idea to carry a map and compass. A good video you could make is outdated advice that’s actually good advice and people should definitely still take.

In cold weather I always sleep in a base layer to keep my sleeping bag clean. My clothing always comes off and I lay it under my sleeping bag, this does two things keeps my clothes warm and helps insulate from the ground therefore keeping me warmer.

Eagle Boy Scout here. lots of cold camping experience. The reason we strip day clothes off before sleeping bag, is due to sweating in those clothes. Damp clothes make you colder. Strip. I use dry socks and loose comfortable silk or cotton sweats, to trap body heat.

I agree 100 percent about alone in 2020 i hiked the pct and i did the seirra section alone it was amazing

In my tent .in the grayson highlands alone lol . Only thing scary out here is not making it out of tent to the cat hole . Compass is a good idea if there lot of snow trail is hard to find. lost yesterday Compass made it eazy to head in one direction to find trail

I mostly agree with the heavy boot vs trail runner advice, though I personally find I get clumsy towards the end of the day, and am more likely to kick a rock, and definitely wish I had my heavy boots at that point. Any trail runners with good toe protection out there?

If I don't bring a gun, and I run out of money... How will I get the money I need, and I am entitled to, from your pocket, into mine? There are no large retail stores I can just shoplift less than $1,000 from and not be prosecuted out there, ya know? Sarcasm.

@kickerofelves85

Жыл бұрын

Break off a small stick approximately the length of a gun and point it at them through your pocket. Or just knock them out with a big stick and take their money.

@HouseOfStupid

Жыл бұрын

@@kickerofelves85 right on!

About boots...I agree with you if you are not crossing snow fields. It's hard to kick in steps with trail runners. Some of the trails I go on may not melt out until mid August sometimes and people aren't aware of this Same thing for map and compass, when you are hiking in a place that has snow, sometimes you need a better understanding of the terrain than what a small screen can show you in order to route find. I have run into a few groups of people early season (may- july) in Washington state who were not aware of snow/trail conditions that were lost and in some sketchy spots without gear or a way to navigate.

As someone from Europe the section about guns seems like something from a parallel universe

Only time I ever went hiking was in Wales, and it was messed up, I took too much stuff inc. water. I felt like I was carrying Gibraltar. But first night I'm in a wood alongside the Menia Straits, it's not urban but there's homes here & there. I'd basically stopped on a flat bit of grass on the path as darkness had come, my bed was a tarp, a huge plastic 'survival' bag & sleeping bag. Every time I scratched my nose it sounded like someone had opened a huge crisp packet (crinkling) I started hearing broken twigs getting closer as if someone was walking down the path in the dark and stepping on branches. So I wake Europe up trying to get out of this bag as silently as I can. I'm looking for a torch beam. Nothing. I then gauge that the walker has walked past me far to one side and then he was behind me. I'd got to this place when it was getting dark so didn't know what was around me. But sleep is impossible and I'm laying on my S bag, knife in hand, ready to rock'n roll. I could see orange Street lamps thru the trees and as I moved my head looking, I thought one moved. Like if someone had a LED on a baseball cap looking ahead towards me and then turning the head to walk away. This was on the path I'd walked up, it was the 'behind me' direction I'd last heard this thing going. I don't know if that 'light' appeared to move as I was moving my head, or if someone was using night-vision to look at me in my clearing, and seeing me with knife, etc, decided to go just as I looked in their direction? The next day I looked at what was on this route at the side of me. Someone walking up this path thru the wood, heard me and detoured thru a dip/valley and will have rejoined the path beyond (behind) me. Did he have night vision? No idea but whoever he was walked thru a seldom travelled woods in pitch black stepping on branches & twigs every so often. I saw some of them! 🙂 Couple of years later they announced there was a serial killer in North Wales killing men. It makes you think. Now it coulda been a guy coming home from the pub & taking a short cut and, hearing me ahead and was maybe wary of blundering into someone sleeping rough? Or he coulda been up to no good? But he did take the road less travelled to avoid me. (I think it was a overgrown path) This was late 90s/before 04.

I carry a 40 mm quad mount with me. Protects me from random weirdos and I can bring down aircraft with it for my afternoon amusement.

@randomEnature

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, but the prices of ammo these days...

I was a total total beginner from Ohio. I flew to Colorado and hiked 104 miles of the CT for my first trip. It was a little scary at night but it was great. I wouldn't recommend that for everyone but if you're a country boy who is pretty comfortable with your outdoor skills, go for it!

Most people who carry a compass don't know how to use it. I had a friend who carried 3 (!) compasses to break the tie if 2 compasses disagreed on polarity.

One thought on sleeping in the buff. In theory, if you sleep with too many layers in a warm bag, you may overheat and start sweating. Once you start sweating, you can get cold as your sweat cools.

Hey, I subscribed- like your videos Kyle! Keep up the great work and much of your information is invaluable; because, it is practical and real! All the best!

It is absolutly possable that I got a little bit paranoid during millitary but I never would sleep nacked in a sleeping bag, if my clothes are not wet. If there is something and you have to leav the tent or a anchor break in at night in an storm, you are naked and you have to peel on first and this can take a while. But I get it comfort is a thing and means less dirt in the sleeping bag. It may get warm quicker but for the most time colder at night.

I LOVE hiking alone!! Never had a problem *knock on wood*

I am a woman subscriber who hikes/backpacks alone without a gun and without a Sawyer product (BeFree for me). I wear trail runners (HOKA One Speedgoat 5s) and use the FarOut App, though I may plan with a map at home for local section hikes off the AT (I’m in Maine and hike NH/VT). I don’t sleep naked and stay plenty warm.

The real reason for sleeping in the buff is cause you will sweat in clothes, thus the sweat will cool you off too much. This is how it was explained to me in the army.

If your feet are older, have a many, many miles on them and have been injured in the past, the support from boots can make hiking more comfortable, so please be easy on us. Also, when off-trail they can protect your feet and ankles from bad steps when your foot might get scrunched between rocks. I've had it happen. The ankle protection from a boot is really just helping the outsides of your ankle. Having said that, for trails, trail runners are clearly the way to go. I wish we'd had them (waaay back) when I started. The ultralight movement is revolutionary.

on the sleeping naked part (i'm nit picking on the hypothermic bit)..the whole strip down and spoon in a bag is also outdated. SAR teams heat water and load up 4-5 water bottles. Place them in the pits and crotch for rapid rewarming of someone in medium to mild hypothermia..

Hiking Alone: I've hiked alone about 80% of the time. It's not that I mind hiking with others. It's nice. But usually people are either WAY too slow or WAY too fast. It's hard to get people to take the same Zero's as me. I've never felt it's "dangerous" to hike alone, just that it's unpractical. Maybe I'll catch up with someone. Maybe they'll catch me. Maybe I'll never see them again. Maybe an idea for a future video--- "Never sleep with your food. Never, ever." To get you started: from “Yogi’s PCT Handbook”: (mind you these are triple crowners. Anish is a triple-triple crowner.) Yogi: "I put my food bag into my pack with all my other gear. Then I put my pack under my feet as I sleep.” Anish: “Bear canister in the Sierra, otherwise it’s in an OPSAK under my feet.” Bink: “Outside of bear canister required areas, I sleep with it next to me.” Hiker Box Special: “Bear can in the Sierra. Slept with it everywhere else, no ploblemo.” Scrub: “At night my food always went in an Ursack Minor…I put the bag right next to me (when cowboy camping) or right outside my tent door (when tenting). If I had hung my food in a tree or stashed it far from me every night, I would have had problems all the time.” Bart Smith has logged 35,000 backpacking miles, states he always sleeps with his food. Me: I have about 10,000 backpacking miles. If there are bear box/cables/etc I'll use that, OTW I sleep with my food in my pack, in my tent, by my side. I have NEVER had a problem, even with rodents. BUT...I follow the 2 articles below to the letter. Two articles for folks to read: "Andrew Skurka: Admission: Yes, I sleep with my food" "Bears:The Hiking Life" (I don't know how many miles Cam "Swami" Honan has under his belt right now, but it's gotta be like 40,000) (yes, I'm bored during the winter...waiting for Spring to come)

@nicksam5518

Жыл бұрын

this. I usually hike alone even in a group. someone is too fast, or lagging behind me. set ones mind in a good spot to enjoy the trail, and then meet up at that nights 'camp'.

I love being alone when I’m out in the woods. I prefer it and can do things at my pace

As for sleeping bag and what to wear. There are several considerations. First, the goal is to create a tropical environment inside the bag. That means an inside bag temperature in the mid 70s F 22.2 C degree range. If you are under the hide of an arctic mammal with hollow fur fibers, you probably will not want much beside your skivvies.. All the spaces between the hairs are dead air space and hold your body heat. If using a down bag the secret is buying the right size bag. The more space inside the bad the more heat that will be required to fill the space. Since your furnace only has one temperature of 97.5 find a bag that fits your body with just enough wiggle room but not too big or too small. The question you did not mention was What is the temperature range expected. If you know the temperature, bring a bag rated for that range and you will be comfortable in your skivvies. In any bag, you never want to overheat. In a bag, it is better to be cool and never hot. The system called MSS developed in the 1990's by all the cold countries militaries use the Modular Sleep System. The modals allow the sleeper to find the right number for the expected temperature. Start with a one pound bivy bag to enclose the system, Second wear a base layer to keep the bag clean, which pulls moisture off your body. The third layer is the bag liner , the fourth layer which adds about 8 degrees of warmth. The fifth layer is a light weight down sleeping bag. The sixth layer is a mid weight down sleeping bag. Experiment until you find out what combinations create the tropical environment at the outside temps you are experiencing. A light weight plus a mid-weight sleeping bag nested for extreme conditions. The whole system has to be able to breath to allow the two cups of body vapor to exit. As for guns. In all my years as a wilderness guide and solo trips I have never had the need to kill anyone.

The advice about sleeping naked comes from the fact that you still sweat a lot even when you sleep. Wearing a bunch of clothes especially ones that you have been wearing all day and all evening that are already sweaty and dirty is going to restrict the breathability of your sleeping bag and make you sweat even more. Which isn't a good thing. That being said, no I don't sleep naked but I don't wear sweaty dirty clothes to bed and I make sure I have a sleeping bag that will keep me warm without having to bundle up too. It makes sleeping in the backcountry so much easier and more comfortable. That's probably a better way of putting it. And if someone is telling you they need to wear every piece of clothing they have inside their sleeping bag just to stay warm at night, just tell them to stop being dumb and get a warmer sleeping bag.

If your options are hiking alone or hiking with people you've just met or don't know well you are probably much safer alone. You don't need boots, you need grip. Don't hike in cheap sneakers that will be smooth plastic after a mile. Hike with something with a decent sole. What is above that sole is not that relevant, whatever is comfortable and works for you, works for you. And if you need a map you KNOW you need a map. The kind of situations where a map is vital aren't the kind of situations you get into accidentally, really. If you do you won't know how to use it anyway and just get lost. If you're doing that kind of stuff you know what you are doing and know that you need a map to do it. The sleeping bag thing is mostly 2 things. 1. You FEEL warm faster if you get out of your cold clothes and into the bag, but overall you'll be colder and 2. Lots of people have bags that are too small so if you wear too much in it, you barely fit in and flatten out all the air layers, which will make you colder than only a sleeping bag that has properly fluffy layers. But then the issue is that your bag is wrong for you, not the clothes.

Okay, and yes I have subscribed. 1. Firearms, there are places on the AT, CDT and PCT where you cannot carry a firearm. Plus, you need to carry one big enough to stop a bear, so at least a 45. 2. Leather boots, I have bad ankles and need the support. If you are going to wear leather boots on trail, you need to break them in. By wearing them for at least a year before you hit the trail, plus find the right socks and insoles. And Leather boots can be water proofed easy enough. 3. Map and Compass, I will always carry them for the area I will be in. Why, because GPS on a cell phone relies on Cell Phone Towers and having a cell signal. No Signal, no GPS. I live in Wyoming and there are places that are so remote, there is no cell service. I think that about covers it. Nice channel by the way.

Back it the day (40 years ago), when I first started backpacking and in the winter, I'd jump into my sleeping bag after peeling off my outer layers. That left me in cotton thermal underwear and the socks that I had hiked in. With a cheap sleeping bag, my feet would feel like blocks of ice in no time. I learned to change into dry clothing before getting in the sack. I imagine sleeping in the buff could have been warmer that wearing the clothing I had on all day. But you didn't sleep in the buff when backpacking with 10 or 12 other teenage boys.

I don't have backpacker friends, have almost always hiked alone. I sleep in a tshirt and shorts. I do feel warmer.

About sleeping naked to be warmer i used to beleive that after trying it but the things the frabric of the top quilt on your skin is not confortable if you have sweat a little bit .. prefer to have a base layer that breath a little bit !

On the map and compass...there is SOME value in having it as a backup, sure. It's also that if you know how to USE it, you're probably just more aware of where you are, how to navigate in general, and less flustered/bothered if your electronics fail. I agree it's not a "must have" though; not anymore (but yes, I bring it). So... the sleeping naked thing (I was hoping this was on the list. And yes, it's outdated). I was a Boy Scout back in the 80s and had backpacking/hiking book that specifically prescribed this. It is NOT about compressing insulation or space. It came about as a simple yardstick to keep people who'd been hiking/sweating all day long (and probably wearing cotton clothing to boot) from sleeping in their damp, sweaty clothing. And I can tell you that, if you DO that in late fall/early spring and jump into your sleeping bag as such, yes, you can wake up feeling cold. THAT is where it came from--it had NOTHING to do with any magical warming properties of the naked body. The improvements in hiker knowledge (vastly better in the internet age), the proliferation of cheap, quality synthetics/ Merino wool/people abandoning cotton are what have made this irrelevant.

A guide book and compass is lighter then the battery pack you'll need for gps but yeah it's not necessary it's just nice to do somethings the old fashioned way.

@KyleHatesHiking

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very true

The #1 responsibility for someone who carry is to know where your firearm is at all times. There are too many times where this may not take place. Odds say, there is no reason to carry on the AT, it’s not total deliverance.

Regarding firearms, there's an exception in the US and that is Alaska, or really anywhere with brown bears or polar bears. In those places you should probably carry a firearm as default, especially in places with polar bears. Otherwise, it is extra weight, and can change your gait which can cause other annoyances. Firearms should be ready to be drawn if carrying for self defense which limits places it can be stowed on you balance-wise. Also, a person needs to practice shooting under stress. Otherwise, it's just extra weight and a liability. That said, I carry legally concealed 80% of the time (in the Northeast US) when hiking, and have only put my hand on the pistol ready to draw once out in the woods. Was very glad at that time I did have the sidearm with me.

I backpack by myself (with my dog) all the time and I have a Zoleo in case of emergencies. Regarding the guns I realize it's not for everyone and it wasn't for me for a long time either but now I carry a small 9mm with me. that being said the gun is not to protect myself from bears or other wild animals it's the bipedal creatures that I carry it for haha. For the bears I carry bear spray and I am perfectly fine using that as animal defense. My reason for carrying a pistol comes from a bad experience I had in the desert a few years back where a guy didn't like my dog and he pulled a gun on me and was threatening to kill my dog. Keep in mind my dog is a very friendly golden retriever so the guy was obviously mentally ill. That experience was enough for me to start carrying while backpacking. Regarding shoes I totally agree about trail runners and I dig zero drop trail runners! For the map and compass I just load maps on my phone and have a small light GPS as well so for me two devices is enough contingency.

On the topic of sleeping naked keeps you warmer... Have you ever been fully dressed in a sleeping bag or quilt system, and felt like your legs and feet were kind of chicken skin cold, and it wasn't getting better? Maybe your head and hands followed. I think this is where the naked sleeping advice shines. I've found that when my core can share heat with my legs and feet, things warm up quickly enough, but maybe more importantly, if my legs can share heat, they can start to avoid getting colder and colder going further down into the sleeping bag. If you think about it, there's less thermal mass, hip down, so, it kind of makes sense that if you partition those parts away from what has more thermal mass, and blood flow significantly slows down, there's going to be less heat available. Then there's the cotton t-shirt sleepshirt dilemma. As long as conditions aren't that cold, sometimes it makes sense, but in my experience, it's a pretty finicky border between being cool with cotton, and suddenly absolutely requiring something wicking, or simply warm, and that dance does not get easier under a sleeping bag or quilt. But, to each their own, and on a hot summer night, I love some cotton. We're very moisture producing creatures (was it a gallon I heard, of water we respirate out per night?), and moisture control plus insulation are the two big things that determine heat and homeostasis. For myself, I've always had wet feet, and been a cold sleeper, so when I got a nice 0° down bag, thinking 'Now I'll never be too cold again,' it was kind of awful. I was warm alright, but the foot box of my otherwise comfortable lay was a slightly steamy moisture trap. The fabric puckered, and the down wiggled it's way out from what amounted to the entire foot box in later taping repairs. Not only did I switch from down, I switched to synthetic puffle quilts, after that repair job. (Also a huge fan of hammocking.) Anyway, that brings me to what has worked. I favor the pants-less approach. Tops and socks have some play, but I've generally found that instead of wearing some tight underlayer or shirt, the way to go has been wearing a wool or polar fleece layer. I have a duckworth, wool fleece pullover that I love (felted, mid-weight). I've also worn heavy irish sweaters, and I've now got a heavy polar fleece layer I think will work well. (Definitely gets used as an outer layer, with the option of putting a poncho on top for rain, and a sweater underneath for even more warmth.) From a comfort standpoint, and as a side sleeper, I think having drawcords and zippers can sometimes be irritating. What you wear is probably going to ride up. Lots of layers moving against each other + your own movements sleeping = lots of fabric twisting, and catching, and rucking up. I'd go for something simple and spacious, where you don't end up putting unusual stress on zippers, in a hardy, heavier weight fabric, so it doesn't naturally want to slip around, and it can take some seriously irregular movement. For example, I'm psyched that my polar fleece jacket is a longer cut, with snaps up the front. That way there a few ways it can navigate twisting about my hips without making a problem I have to manually solve. And that brings me to the fact that when I sleep, I want to sleep hard. I know a lot of people don't, especially out on the trail, but personally, sleep for me is the foundation I've got to have to heal and function. Everything else is second, so I'm serious about comfortable deep sleep. If I think I'm going to have to keep waking up to adjust things, that's a big problem. It's one thing to organically wake up at two or three, and go back to sleep an hour or two later for a quality morning snooze. It's quite another to wake up in the twister version of your sleep system, too hot, or too cold, maybe even both at the same time, stressed, only to have to plan exit, adjustment, and re-entry with half a brain. Then to feel stupid and alone until the sun comes up. Preferably, I favor the system that conks me right out, so comfortable, that my unconscious mind doesn't think to move, no geisha training required. If that takes some weight, then that's worth it. So, I'd say, in this case, I'd simply test the coats I'd be packing anyway, and the socks I think I might earmark for sleep, for comfort overnight. Underwear, would also be on the list, if that's how you want to play it. I'm not a fan of bras, so I really don't know if there's such a thing as a comfortable enough bra to sleep in. My immediate reaction is 'Urgh, no, can't be good for the lymph system,' so... 😈