Jupiter. I’m another guy who is 2 or 3 times older than you but I’ve followed you and read your about your hike from your writings on Wordpress. I couldn’t get a palentes pack at the time because they were all hiking and not at work building packs. But I got a zpacks ‘Nero’ that weighed 11 oz. Then a 40 degree quilt from eBay that is 15 oz. (40°) Without much money to spare I got a six moon designs tent that’s about 21 oz. And an air mattress that weighs a pound. I found I need the thickness or I just cannot sleep. Just a titanium cup and a mini propane stove. And damn! My pack went from 44 lbs with food to 10! I’m obese so having that difference means lots of enjoyable miles and actually forgetting I am wearing a pack. Before I was toast at 5 miles. Also I’ve discovered that I can fast without to much discomfort. So my body weight went from 271 to 230 so far. Just wanted you to know that your videos have helped me extend my life. 🙏 Thanks!

It's about time someone brought up the importance of yoyos in the woods, one will make things easier but four will save your life

Your storytelling skills are much appreciated. Hiking 500 miles with a 60-70 lbs pack is impressive itself! Back in the day backpackers had it rough with the ultra-heavy gear.

I failed a 1/2 PCT attempt in 2015. Started Southbound in Washington at Rainy Pass. I wrecked my foot from over training, reduced to tears on day one, day two I limped into Stehiken and stayed there for 6 days and 5 nights healing. To my surprise my foot was basically 100% and those northern Washington PCT sections are demanding. I wanted to make it 1000 miles to the Oregon-California border. I made it 300 miles and called it quits. My body was ready for more but my heart wasn't... I suppose. I had too little clothing and too much gear to start and skimped on the prep. had no jacket when I arrived but picked one up just before hitching between the airport and trail head. I was hurting so bad at Stehiken but couldn't quit after the second day so I stripped my gear as much as humanly possible and mailed home something like fifteen pounds of gear I mentioned last time. But being up in the cascades was a very novel and profound experience. What a rush. Sobo in July on the PCT had the advantage of solitude I was camping solo half the time and was able to hike alone every day.

Jupiter. I bet I am 2 or 3 times older than you but . . . Your wisdom is an inspiration to this old guy. Videos are very interesting & well spoken. So glad I subscribed and did the patreon thing too. I guess that makes me both a fan and a customer !! Anyways, thanks for all your sage advice.

I LOVE THIS!! Thank you for sharing this! Honestly, I think people who start watching your videos now may become intimidated by how far along you already are. This shows them that you are a real person who started just the same as everybody else! Appreciate it and thanks again!

I had a big grin the whole video😁! Sometimes we look at elite athletes like yourself and we don't realize that everyone starts somewhere. Way to break it down and connect! As you said, " pursue it". That sums it up! Awesome videos!

Takes me back to Grand Canyon 1997. Trying to get my girl into hiking, 5 day permit, me 70lb pack, her 15lb pack,.....those were the days. Great story and info, hike on!!

i carry a fortune cookie paper in my wallet that says, "the first attempt is the hardest....". i totally agree!

This is an amazing story. Thank you for your insights. Great to hear about your experience and learning curve. It is inspiring.

Thank you for your experiences and inspiration and the time spent in dedicating your life into something that matters to you, thus inspiring me and I’m sure others through your example. Many blessings on your journey brother. 🙏❤️

Super honest and thoughtful piece. Really appreciate you sharing it. There are a lot of posts about the ups and downs of through-hiking, but not very many as accessible and down to earth as this one. Thanks.

Probably one of the best videos on this app. Great stuff Jupiter

What an amazing video! Continues to remind me to follow my passions. Learning from mistakes and giving it your all! Thank you

IMHO this video took a lot of courage to both produce and present. Your honesty is astounding. Taking the time to present your mistakes and how those mistakes developed you into the man you are today will truly help many. My greatest take on this, fall...get up...think about the fall...get back into the game. Thanks man. Truly, many sincere thanks.

Love this video and appreciate the vulnerability of being honest about what you have learned/ how you’ve grown.

Great message. Thank you so much. I'm glad you're around for when others are (hopefully) doing research. I appreciate the inspiration ☀

Yes! Thanks for the back story. It’s super encouraging. 😊

This could be my favorite video from you yet! Thanks!

Wow I would have never thought you started out, like I am now, actually I'm worse, but getting more obsessed on a daily basis! You are quite the inspiration, you have something very special about you!!!

Thanks. I’m using your formula for bike packing.each lesson is packed with excellent knowledge. I live in Oregon. Many camping adventures are a six hour ride from home

Great videos, thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge it makes a difference to us rookies

You did an awesome job conveying your experience, very nice!

What an awesome story! You’re a really neat guy. Just subscribed. I’m leaving March 16 2019 for my AT thru hike which is only a few days away. I’ve been planning for this trip for a few years now. Every emotion is hitting me! I feel ready as I’ll ever be. Thanks for your story. Take care.

Thanks for sharing. Back in the day I used to carry a 50 pound back all the time. But only on 2 to 3 day trips. We would hike the Whites in NH and a ten mile day was good. My body would truly be sore. Fast forward my gear now weighs next to nothing and I often have ten miles done by 10 am. Thanks for sharing your story and how far you have come. You have helped a lot of people to press themselves to be better. You have helped me. Thanks so much. Take care

Super cool man. Your honesty is enjoyable and gives you a level of credibility that you just can't get any other way.

I’m so glad I found your channel. Lots of good info. Thx. Old guy from Arkansas 🇺🇸

Thanks again for an inspirational video. My first long distance hike was by accident and a wacky cousin. Down in central Mexico we took a bus at 10 pm to be in the middle of nowhere at 3 am in the southern Sierra Madre night hiking to pick up my grand mother to bring her to Guadalajara Mexico. 13 miles, no water or food, moonlight was the only thing we had to help us follow the dirt road, we crossed a bridge over a creek and found out only after we crossed it. I was 19, now I'm 60. These experiences are life. The synthetic cozy better than thou keep up with the Jones's world that when I was in the US Navy called "the world" become the cameo of what our hearts do not yearn. The wilderness....home. Thanks again for an honest heartfelt video.

Nice story :) I heard about you few years ago and find your videos really helpful. Enjoy living 🙌

I love your videos! I thru hiked the AT in 2012. I think I might have started just a little before you (March 7). A whole bunch of Big Life Things have happened since the end of my thru hike, but I'm getting back into hiking and backpacking again in a serious way again after several years of not hiking much or even at all (I think in 2017 I didn't go on any backpacking trips). Anyway, I love your passion. And I love how down to earth you are. You've certainly inspired me!

Thank Jupiter! I watch a ton homemade wanderlust, Darwin onthetrail and your video. before going out pct. I had serious unfortunate of events to lead to injure. Like you said once you can do everything right and thing can still go wrong. You gave me hope to get back out there. Once i am full healed. I am going to head back out!

Beautiful !!! And you are a winner !!!

My first internal frame pack was a jandd hargash...about 130 litter. Used to carry 50lbs but never went that far on a trip. Quickly went back to my old external frame pack for comfort and weight. I've learned a lot since then.

Thanks for sharing this story with us. It makes me think of how I thought of backpacking before I actually started backpacking.

Really liked this video. Very inspiring! Thank you! ♥️

Awesome video, and awesome channel, keep up the good work!!

Lol and thanks for your honesty. Not a thru hike, but my 1st backpacking trip ever which was in 2017, I had an Amazon Teton pack, stuffed, and then had everything dangling and chiming on the outside of my pack.

Thank you for your honesty!

Great story! We definitely all have to start somewhere. And as my kids teachers say ‘Mistakes are great they let us learn!’

first of your vids that I've watched and I loved it. I've dreamed of getting out on the trail and I just started putting my pack together this year. Don't have the cash for ultra light gear but ill make it work. Thanks for the inspiration.

You’re a great story teller / communicator ... thanks for the insight. Your chosen background reminds me of Giverny ; Monet’s pond near his house... gorgeous !

Thanks for being 100% real about your experiences.

Hey you did 500 . And you learned from it . You have a wonderful demeanor and outlook. I knew I liked you from the first minute, I love to yo yo . Defiantly watching your other videos .❤️❤️❤️

Outstanding. Thank you.

Great story and lots more memories not mentioned here I'm sure. Great advice at the end of the vid too!

Great vid ,,, my first time backpacking I was Gona do 44 miles on the pct just to test the waters ,,, I over packed ,,I guess I thought I would need most of the extras I took but didn’t really use much of it ,,, my pack weighted over 40 pounds so it was a little brutal ,, my friend tagged along and he’s also a noobie ,,, so about 6 miles in my friend didn’t want to continue on ,his pack was about the same weight as mine ,, I was willing to continue on but just felt my pack was too heavy ,,,, this weekend I’m goin back up into the mountains and just start doing over nighters by myself ,,, maybe within a year or so I wana be able to do my first thru hike ,,, thanks for all ur tips ur one of the hikers I like to follow for all the backpacking wisdom ,,,

At almost 77 this 5' woman trained for and started out to hike 246 miles on the John Muir trail. But I had prepared dehydrated food that I enriched with Nido powdered milk and whey protein and I proved to be lactose intolerant and my food made me so sick. None the less I managed 2 weeks in the high country. I was briefly disappointed but quickly changed the story from a failed hike to one of a venture of discovery, learning and exploration and I had a wonderful time. I'm again training to do the JMT this summer. Without spending money I can't afford I can't get my pack below its trail head weight with food in a bear can and water below the 36 lbs. I could leave behind the camera and its accessories but I can't imagine doing that and I could leave behind the few comfort items such as the bag liner that keeps me comfortable in the 20s temps or the 7.5 oz camp chair but if I'm really uncomfortable I'm not having fun and the idea of the trip is enjoyment so it's building muscle and stamina. My pack, even at this weight is comfortable and of course I'll eat my way to a lighter pack weight.

fabulous video talk about honesty thank you

Thanks for the awesome story!

Very thoughtful guy. Glad I watched and subscribed :)

Great story, thanks for sharing

Great story man. I will definitely try to see what I can learn from your experience. Still a little confused between the bushcraft/camping in the wild experience vs hiking. Have to admit I think I need a lot of pots and pans, containers, drybags, boots , saw, knives.. a lot of survival tools basically. And then I see you haha. Well I guess I will find out soon what sucks and not. Thanks.

Thanks for this. As a newbie planning her first thru hike, it's reassuring to know that even the high level hikers made beginner mistakes starting out.

My first pack was a Deuter 75L pack and it weighed 46 lbs leaving Muir Trail Ranch on the JMT. It was my first hike where I would be out for more than a weekend. By the end, I knew what I wanted, needed, and needed to replace including an attitude adjustment. Along with the physical weight, I dumped the weight of my expectations and plans. Now I really enjoy my hikes, and I found hiking with a focus on enjoying my time reduces my mileage by about 10% but increases my enjoyment immeasurably. It probably helps that my base weight is about half what it was on that first JMT hike. :-)

Thank you for teaching me something today...

I like your approach - its kind.

I love it. So funny. Such a difference for you.

I wish you would have vlogged those early hikes! Enjoying your channel, keep um coming.

Great video just to see how you started...awesome...Interesting how you feel that by only making 500 miles was a failure.... at the time.. but it was for the better to turn your life and hiking into a more positive change

Good video, thanks for sharing.

Couldn't relate more to that first story when I was new to backpacking as well! Thanks for sharing Jupiter!! Also, I just got back from my 30-mile section hike on the blackwater section of the Florida trail, and someone stole our food bag on the first night. We heard the truck rev up and then proceed to honk his horn at my cousin and I in our tents. We wound up going 22 hours without food and hiked 24 total miles.

I guess a lot of people go through this same thing. I made literally every single mistake as you😂 i made it 100 miles with 70 pounds then ditched half of it and did 300 more. That experience is exactly why i feel so confident now when it comes to hiking. My new base weight is 16 pounds and i honestly feep more comfortable at night with this gear than i did when i had the 70 pound pack👍 it means a lot hearing someone elses story and their genuine opinion on how it effected them😊👍

I also failed a 1/2 Te Araora long distance hike in New Zealand in 2017. I had planned on trying a 1000 mile section. This time I wrecked my achillies. unlike my PCT injury this one lasted weeks, close to a month. I ended up hiking about 300 miles on various trails. Although I didn't make it too far I experienced some amazing alpine hiking. I had made my pack a bit lighter than before. The problem with both these particular hikes are they are unforgiving from the start. Massive elevation loss and gains and brutal trail conditions. I am leaving for the PCT nobo in two weeks for a full blown thru hike attempt. Anxiety levels are high but I am going to take it easy at the get go this time and slowly work my way into thru hike condition and listen very closely to my body. I am also modifying my meal planning to keep inflammation to a minimum and stuff like that. I have 600 miles of hiking experience this time. I have been going through several permutations of the PCT in my head and in spread sheets and gearing up for the past few weeks. Experience is the best teacher.

Another great vid great advice

This is my second time watching this video, something struck me wrong 2 years ago when I saw it but I couldn't put my finger on it. I just did! Your first trail hike, young and impulsive, not prepared. I'd say you did damn f*cking good you made it a 1/4 of the way!

Super cool video man!

Speaking of fails ... my best friend and I were hitchhiking to the Grand Canyon. Since the Colorado River flowed through it, we hitchhiked toward Colorado. Well into the journey a driver gave us a geography lesson and we changed our destination ...

Glad to find your channel. Very interesting you are

My pack is still huge because I’m big and I require bigger items but I’ve narrowed down my luxury items and found UL alternatives to lower pack weight and I’ve really learned to embrace the suck a bit more. Great videos!

I did the nearly exact same thing heading south on the AT, years ago; about 70 lbs., but I didn’t get nearly as far as you did. My health tanked shortly afterwards and put a stop to that sort of thing. I’m recovering now and thinking of going adventuring like I never got to do correctly before, should I recover enough. I’m good enough at this point to start camping again, even if I should not yet attempt a through-hike, so I’m watching all these ultralight videos. Doing that research. And here you are almost telling my story. I came to the same conclusion as you did. What do I need any of that crap for? Ultralight! Thanks for sharing your story! Maybe I’ll see you on a trail someday. 🖖

You and Cheryl Strayed :) So interesting that you went from someone who refused to plan, to someone who is a spreadsheet planning "nerd." Great video.

Wow, what a great story. Just like my first backpacking experience. And my first backpacking trip, my backpack must’ve been 50 pounds. A 5 pound backpack, a 7 pounds sleeping bag, a 7 pound sleeping pad, a 1 pound stove, 15 pounds of clothing at least, 4 pounds tent and the list goes on and on. On my second and third trip I made the very same mistakes, I cannot believe it. In my fourth backpacking trip, was a winter backpacking trip, I put so much in my backpack that it must’ve been a 70 pound backpack. After that, I started making research for months and months and my backpack, including food and all, wind down to 25 pounds and now days my backpack situation is between 15 and 18 pounds including everything. I remember that in my first backpacking trip, every step I took him to the mountain, I regret it I was there and wanted to roll down the mountain bike to the parking lot and go home. I did not want to do that ever again but I got up SAST with it just like you. When I first starting backpacking, I was able to see but later on I got Blind. Being blind did not stop me from going backpacking and winter backpacking is my favorite season of the year. I am 57 years old, I am blind and I have a heart condition but I am still going backpacking every year. I’ve been backpacking for the last, maybe 15 years now and I still have not had enough. Your story is very funny but yet very inspirational. Very good video. God bless you.

Great video 👍

Great story and advice.

Thank you for all the encouragement and advice. I'd sure like to do the AT. My luxury items would include a sub 1lb. fishing outfit. I just love to drop a line here and there. Like beside where you are sitting.

Really enjoyed this.

Great story, well told. Everyone messes up. Some of us predict it ahead of time, and then advertise it afterwards.

Thanks for the honest submission, I guess failure to plan - plan to fail. Its a process and we all go thru it.

That was a brave start :) Thanks for sharing. And btw. much better focus (on the camera) in this video ;)

-Love me those Jupiter Vids 😉

Awesome video!!! 🤗🤗👍👍

Ballsey move hiking without research and prep work . pretty cool story . i studied a year b4 doing just a section hike of a t and that 15.8 was so hard but rewarding . i cant imagine doing 2200 miles . would love to try it thou. Real nicely done video

This is literally me on my first ever thruhike... I stood at the PCT monument with my 75 liter stuffed backpack, no trekking poles waiting for someone to arrive for a few hours so i could ask them which way the trail was... Also i carried 8+ liters of water hanging from my backpack at all times the first 100 miles. without trekking poles. When i learned about guthooks and realized that i didnt need 90% of the stuff i carried things got alot easier :)

Respect for owning up to your mistakes, everyone does indeed start somewhere

I like how humble he is but confident at the same time. Great role model for all ages.

You're a wise young man. And, wow! What a cool Mom!

Error is the best teacher. Critique your hike. Continue to improve your process.

Thats one heavy backpack!!! Cant believe you even attempted that stuff, LOL! I remember packing my bike with 40-50pounds of gear (i didnt have a waterfilter, so a lot of it was water), and what was intended to be maybe a 5 day trip, turned out to be just a single night of camping. Just ~10km away from home. On a bike, that weight is not as bad as if you try to carry it on your back, but the terrain had a lot of hills (first one was about 3km uphill, and i am still really proud that i got up without a break), so i quickly learned that 20-25 pounds is more decent for someone who are new at bikepacking. If it was flat terrain, 50 pounds would have been "acceptable" - but only at low speeds, as the bike gets a lot more difficult to control with that much extra weight...

Happy for you

Great video!

My first back pack was an intended 3 days, made it 9 miles with 55 lbs including a big folding shovel, in rigorous California coastal mountains. Ran out of fuel first night boiling water and went home. Now 32 lbs for 9 days.

it cracked me up when you said Dahlonega, phonetic spelling is Duh lawn eh ga, Need to use that southern drawl :-), Enjoyed your video. Thanks

Sounds like me! About to start my first backpacking trip on the 13th (AT Thru-hike) with a 75 liter pack, a month of planning (impulse to finally do it) and a dog. However, starting in my 30s with no kids lets me trade planning for money. My only real obsticals are my mental state, getting a major injury, and my dog. About to get in the last of my gear and do my base weight, but even with my dogs stuff it should be around 15-20 lbs. Maybe 22. Then its food, water and fuel. Should cap out at 50 lbs with a full load of food and water. We'll see!

Really well said

All through scouting at the start of each backpacking trip we would pick up each other bags and see who’s was the heaviest. It was like a bragging right in a way. I even carried this old army surplus jacket that weighed a ton and all I used it as was a pillow. I’m pretty sure that’s the heaviest pillow in existence other than a rock of some kind. It wasn’t really until I got back from Philmont Scout ranch in New Mexico that I realized how much weight and how uncomfortable it can get after a week of hiking. I kept hiking but only cutting several pounds of clothing and a few other things out. The second time I went to Philmont my pack was much lighter but still heavy. When I came back from that trip I realized I had a much better time on it. My pack weighed less and I wasn’t as sore and tired at the end of the day. Mind you my pack still was probably high 30 pound mark and with a full resupply probably higher 40 pound mark. It wasn’t until a section hike of the JMT with my cousin carrying no tent and no stove and hardly anything else because of his pack shake down that I realized how light I could go. I kept up with him fine and wasn’t tired at the end of the day. The next year I hiked the JMT with a friend. My 65 liter bag was super empty and too big. After that trip I started going more and more light. I’m at around 11 pounds right now and leaving for the PCT in a little over a week

Sage advice.

New subscriber- just did my first hike from Juniper Springs to Gold Head Branch State Park on the Florida Trail. Was a great learning experience. 50lb plus water was very newb of me with almost 0 hiking or trail knowledge. I've done self sustained distance cycling and thought enough of that knowledge would transfer but no. Definitely Definitely Definitely research the preferences of those who have made the mistakes and who have mastered the trails. KZfaqrs like this one, Follow Bigfoot and Wanderlust are absolutely amazing sources of information. Sorry for the random plug! TN- NoloContendre

Truly a beautiful soul.

Thank you for sharing your story. It's really nice to hear you talk about your "shortcomings", especially considering the trail beast you've become.

Great vid