I wonder how many times the people saying that have WALKED FROM CANADA TO MEXICO and back? 🤔 Don't listen to the haters. You guys have been a game changer for me.
I have been following you since the beginning and as a veteran of just about every type of foot travel since the early 1970’s I can say that your metamorphosis has been fun to follow. Many times I have said to myself “they finally figured that out.” And many times I have said “maybe that would be something I should try.” Hence I have gone back to some of my own old ways (food storage at night) that many others do not grasp as best practices and ultimately raise my base weight, but I can tell you from personal experience standing at the PCT border fence (no wall,no monument, just a handmade wood sign)in 1980 with a 60lb pack, 7 Days of food, kelty boots that probably weighed 5lbs, heavy wool clothing, a sigg bottle filled to the brim with white gas,heavy Nalgene water bottles, water purification system that was another pound, that now having a much more lighter setup for about 90% of my gear and a base weight around 13 pounds makes the journey much more enjoyable and easier at 65 years old. And I am prepared for just about any extreme or emergency short of carrying an epi pen or snake anti venom which I know some people will carry. It comes down to personal preference or “live and learn.” I am envious of both of you and the journeys you have made. Most people don’t have the ability/time/drive to make that happen. Before you know it time will run out. Cheers,
Please keep doing what you are doing. You make hiking and backpacking accessible and understandable for those of us that are new to the lifestyle. I learn something every single time you post (even if it's as simple as "the turns were harder to follow than we realized" on your SanFrancisco urban thru hike). I now make my own meals because of you, and my body is MUCH happier. Thank you for not gatekeeping!
I've hiked in the desert and in the Arctic. https://theopentrails.substack.com/p/a-trail-for-a-lifetime Back then, backpacks were incredibly heavy, and it took at least three days to adjust to the weight. Now I'm very careful about everything I take on a hike, but I'm not fanatical about it: I just remember things were worse. 🙂
I’ve followed your journey for a long time and truly admire the perspective you’ve gained over thousands of miles. Your transition from carrying magnetic Scrabble sets to streamlined kits is a great example of how experience refines our needs. However, I’ve noticed a shift in the recent content that feels a bit more dogmatic than the "hike your own hike" ethos I’ve always appreciated from you.
While I agree that a lighter pack generally leads to more miles and less pain, the tone has started to feel a bit binary. It feels as if there is a "correct" way to experience the woods and everything else is just "enduring." For many, the "luxury" items or the sturdier gear choices are not distractions. They are often the point of the trip. Whether it is for safety, photography, or just personal comfort, those choices are valid parts of their experience.
It is great to help people like Luca lighten their load, but it is also important to remember that for some, the "shitty situations" mentioned in your comments are real risks based on their specific environments or skill levels. I would love to see a return to that nuance you mentioned by acknowledging that while ultralight is a fantastic tool for enjoyment, it is not the only way to have a meaningful relationship with the trail.
Thanks for everything you do. I just hope the community can stay focused on being inclusive rather than prescriptive.
Totally agree, with a small caveat. I started the CDT with some reasonably lightweight gear I'd used mostly for 1-2 night trips for years, that I bought with consideration for weight and durability. As a matter of fact I met you guys on trail! You blew past me somewhere around Silver City or Grants while I was struggling to make my mileage goals lol.
By the time I hit Colorado I made some UL upgrades, mostly with my sleep system. For thru-hikers, it's 100% worth counting ounces. Even with delicate gear, I'm more likely to damage it getting it in and out of my truck than when I'm on a long trail with an established routine. You also have the best possible data before you decide to send a piece of gear home.
Does it kind of suck how much all the cottage industry stuff costs? Absolutely, but for most people a thruhike is a once in a lifetime thing, and especially if you aren't paying rent back home, it's worth spending a month's rent on gear you'll be carrying nonstop for a full season.
Is it worth it for weekend warriors? No, maybe not (depending on your budget), but that's partially a cost-benefit analysis for how much you're gonna use it, and partially because, again, I've literally torn up more gear getting snagged on my backseat than I ever did on trail.
Don't worry too much about it though, the normies will never understand anyway.
I wonder how many times the people saying that have WALKED FROM CANADA TO MEXICO and back? 🤔 Don't listen to the haters. You guys have been a game changer for me.
I have been following you since the beginning and as a veteran of just about every type of foot travel since the early 1970’s I can say that your metamorphosis has been fun to follow. Many times I have said to myself “they finally figured that out.” And many times I have said “maybe that would be something I should try.” Hence I have gone back to some of my own old ways (food storage at night) that many others do not grasp as best practices and ultimately raise my base weight, but I can tell you from personal experience standing at the PCT border fence (no wall,no monument, just a handmade wood sign)in 1980 with a 60lb pack, 7 Days of food, kelty boots that probably weighed 5lbs, heavy wool clothing, a sigg bottle filled to the brim with white gas,heavy Nalgene water bottles, water purification system that was another pound, that now having a much more lighter setup for about 90% of my gear and a base weight around 13 pounds makes the journey much more enjoyable and easier at 65 years old. And I am prepared for just about any extreme or emergency short of carrying an epi pen or snake anti venom which I know some people will carry. It comes down to personal preference or “live and learn.” I am envious of both of you and the journeys you have made. Most people don’t have the ability/time/drive to make that happen. Before you know it time will run out. Cheers,
Bill M
Thanks Bill! Hope to meet you on the trail someday!
Please keep doing what you are doing. You make hiking and backpacking accessible and understandable for those of us that are new to the lifestyle. I learn something every single time you post (even if it's as simple as "the turns were harder to follow than we realized" on your SanFrancisco urban thru hike). I now make my own meals because of you, and my body is MUCH happier. Thank you for not gatekeeping!
I've hiked in the desert and in the Arctic. https://theopentrails.substack.com/p/a-trail-for-a-lifetime Back then, backpacks were incredibly heavy, and it took at least three days to adjust to the weight. Now I'm very careful about everything I take on a hike, but I'm not fanatical about it: I just remember things were worse. 🙂
Nice piece! Here's the facilitator's equivalent: https://joyofconvening.substack.com/p/eliminate-facilitation-clutter
Thanks for sharing, Travy!
I’ve followed your journey for a long time and truly admire the perspective you’ve gained over thousands of miles. Your transition from carrying magnetic Scrabble sets to streamlined kits is a great example of how experience refines our needs. However, I’ve noticed a shift in the recent content that feels a bit more dogmatic than the "hike your own hike" ethos I’ve always appreciated from you.
While I agree that a lighter pack generally leads to more miles and less pain, the tone has started to feel a bit binary. It feels as if there is a "correct" way to experience the woods and everything else is just "enduring." For many, the "luxury" items or the sturdier gear choices are not distractions. They are often the point of the trip. Whether it is for safety, photography, or just personal comfort, those choices are valid parts of their experience.
It is great to help people like Luca lighten their load, but it is also important to remember that for some, the "shitty situations" mentioned in your comments are real risks based on their specific environments or skill levels. I would love to see a return to that nuance you mentioned by acknowledging that while ultralight is a fantastic tool for enjoyment, it is not the only way to have a meaningful relationship with the trail.
Thanks for everything you do. I just hope the community can stay focused on being inclusive rather than prescriptive.
Totally agree, with a small caveat. I started the CDT with some reasonably lightweight gear I'd used mostly for 1-2 night trips for years, that I bought with consideration for weight and durability. As a matter of fact I met you guys on trail! You blew past me somewhere around Silver City or Grants while I was struggling to make my mileage goals lol.
By the time I hit Colorado I made some UL upgrades, mostly with my sleep system. For thru-hikers, it's 100% worth counting ounces. Even with delicate gear, I'm more likely to damage it getting it in and out of my truck than when I'm on a long trail with an established routine. You also have the best possible data before you decide to send a piece of gear home.
Does it kind of suck how much all the cottage industry stuff costs? Absolutely, but for most people a thruhike is a once in a lifetime thing, and especially if you aren't paying rent back home, it's worth spending a month's rent on gear you'll be carrying nonstop for a full season.
Is it worth it for weekend warriors? No, maybe not (depending on your budget), but that's partially a cost-benefit analysis for how much you're gonna use it, and partially because, again, I've literally torn up more gear getting snagged on my backseat than I ever did on trail.
Don't worry too much about it though, the normies will never understand anyway.
Totally agree that it’s all a balance! The way we look at it, ultralight is just about being intentional with what you do and don’t decide to take.
What was your trail name on the CDt!?