Have fun out there! Thanks for supporting hilltop packs

Wishing you good health, safe passage and good fortune. May your journey give you peace and comfort Happy Trails!

Great decision bud, a lot of weight saved!

Sunday, February 25th: Whatever works for you! We all carry items of different sizes and weights. You got this! Happy Trails! Ross08

Should start with the Nemo tensor. It’s more than enough with a late March start date. 1lb is a huge savings not to mention all the bulk of the STS pad. I would also rethink the extra GoPro battery. You will be the first person ever to get the life out of one battery you think you will get.😂 Have a great trip!

I have a pair of full fingered MTN biking gloves that are like a lighter pair of mechanix gloves. If it's really cold, i put my extra darn tough socks over that. If it rains, i use a couple of Ziploc bags over that.

I just read that they don’t recommend bear cans in the Smokey mountains and you have to hang bear cans too, good decision. I have the msr minis but I’m not sure if I need the larger ones too (I have Durston large stakes). I’ve decided sadly not to bring my go pro 12 because it sucks so much battery but am thinking of bringing my Insta360 flow… it’s 1 lb 6 oz so not sure if it’s worth the weight but it is a once in a lifetime adventure. I have the same size journal/sketchbook and really want to take it. We’ll see. This was really helpful and I still have a couple of weeks to decide. Thanks for sharing! I’m shocked you are getting so much time with your batteries, I go through 3 in a day but I do like messing with it and doing a lot of creative shots, good for you!

Sunday, February 25th: We all make plans, then reality hits. A buddy of mine threw his bear cannister at a bear. We were laughing so hard at his puzzled look on his face, trying to explain to him that's not how a bear cannister works! You do you. You got this! Good luck! Happy Trails! Ross08

Just to say…that is the biggest bear canister!

Pemmican is excellent and underutilized in the thru hiking community. I'm making pemmican as well. A batch that's salty to add to meals and a batch with powdered freeze dried blueberries as a snack. As long as your rendered fat is clean, the product comes out pretty tasty.

Think you are making some good decisions. Am curious as to why so much food when you start? Are you planning to take five days to reach Neel’s Gap? Once you reach Woody Gap there are a number of options to get off for resupply/hostel/etc. You could consider something like that and drop several days worth of food. Ideally, 25lbs or less with food and water would be great, especially considering “our” ages. I was 66 at the start of my through hike and my pack was 27 or 28lbs and it hurt. I sent some stuff home at Neel’s Gap. Looking forward to following your adventure.

Love the video! Where did you find the GoPro mount for your Trekking Pole? I'd like to get that

i was just served this channel by the algorithm and have enjoyed your content, i do have a question for you tho. have you thought about making a rubaboo stew? its a stew that made from pemmican and a few other ingredients and is more nutritious than pemmican alone. i have been making both for a few months now and i can attest that its much more enjoyable for not a lot of weight. if you have please disregard.

I think, as Punxsutawney phil said, it will be an early spring, so you may very possibly not need the microspikes. Good call on the notebook, or get a very small one, pocket sized. .......Moneypenny....😅....brilliant.

That’s a lot of weight saved…good call to trade those items out. 🤓