Man looses his favorite spoon and he hikes the trail again to find it years later… EPIC. lol

Good luck to you. Don’t get injured and you’ll be fine.

Glad to see back on the trail, Darwin! Can’t wait for your KZfaqs. 👍😊

Excited to see you hiking sections of probably my fav long distance thru hike, the PCT. Not been on any serious hikes in awhile but you always inspire me to get outdoors. And the pct is right here in my neck of the woods where I grew up. Now I’m 60. My only new gear I got recently was I found a great deal on that all in one cook system. The jet boil. Been wanting to try one for awhile. I figure I can use it camping as well. I’ve used my old BRS on day hikes when I wanted a hot mug of coffee or cocoa when I stop for lunch. It’s a luxury I know but I love having it in the car. I’ve used my little firebox twig stove to cook on even at home on a hot day. So I don’t heat up the house on a So Cal heatwave day. Thanks for all your inspiration

Nice to hear you are back out on the trails and revisiting your favorites. I also love how the themes from the podcasts are starting to creep into your videos (or maybe I am just now noticing.) The outro really emphasizes this trend. I see you are on your way to building a stronger community and becoming a more well-rounded content creator.

It’s really good to see you back! You seem to be in a really good space right now! Glad to see it! Looks like a really fun year ahead. Enjoy, stay safe and will be looking forward to your videos!

Your plans for 2024 sound great, I look forward to following along on your channel. Thanks.

Very much anticipating the comparison of those two tents👍

Glad your back. Have fun and happy trails.

Maybe I will see you out there! I am also in the class of 2024. Getting so close. Plant Papa

Cant wait to here your comparison on the 2 tents and also if you intend to keep your gear in the tent with you and how well it fits.

I know you've been back for a abit already, BUT DUDE, so glad you decided to come back ;)

Outstanding editing, your content is simply flawless! 👏👏

I traded in my old Thermarest self-inflatable pad for a Nemo Tensor Insulated - Reg Mummy. Impressed at the comfort, warmth, and lightweight change in my pack! Looking forward to getting out on the trail properly with it this summer.

I use the FlexTail Tiny Pump 2x. It's a little heavy and loud, but I like it. I use it for both inflating and deflating my pad. The deflation aspect of it saves me from rolling out the air (and then re-rolling to fit it in the stuff sack).

Brynje Mesh/Fishnet base layers top and bottoms! A staple in the Scandinavian hiking/skiing community but never really took off in the US...probably due to marketing of "magic" fabrics we fall for. It'll change your world😂

crazy how time changes off trail. hiked it last year and it's already felt like a lifetime ago. Can't imagine how long it feels after multiple years.. Enjoy brotha!

I added the XMid Pro to my kit last year and really enjoyed it for the space. It seems more like a hybrid single wall as there is more mesh inner than my zpacks tents. I'm torn each time I go out, choosing between my plex solo, a tarptent notch li (because its a true double wall) and the durston ( more space). They each have pros and cons and they each woo me with lovely nights on the trail. Don't make me choose. I like them all. My newest gear includes your pot (super anxious to get it out this season!), the flextail zero pump, and some new clothes, including the merino hoody from your website. I've worn it out and about for winter activities and it is very comfortable.

So fun! Hopefully we'll see you out there!

Happy for you. Can't wait to see the desert part of the PCT.

Stoked for the year to come, man! I’ve got the TMB planned for 2025 so I’m particularly looking forward to seeing your hike there. Welcome to the sage cult by the way 😉

I have the Durston X-MID 2 (not pro) and like it. I’m a weekend backpacker, and the tent fits me, a friend, and my 60lb dog.

Enjoy the desert section of the PCT! Nice new gear. Funny ive been looking at the flextail zero. I'm still using the sea to summit etherlite xt reg wide pad. Its been a great pad these past two years. So a pump instead of the pump sack would be nice and i will have the pump sack with me as a backup. Looking a trying a new tent aswell. Not sure which one yet though...? Stay safe! Hike on!

Darwin--awesome! Glacier Peak Wilderness! My favorite wilderness area in WA! So great that you will be back on the trail up there. And my best mountain climb experience was Glacier Peak.

Looking forward to your trail video.. the group hikes sound great fun

Super excited for your direction - cheers!

I was thinking that area by Sisters in Oregon, because I can catch a bus from Eugene. Went to check out Big Bear a few years ago from a Vegas Greyhound to San Bernardino & up through L. Arrowhead. That trip flopped into a flight to SJC & job interview by Santa Cruz for Bay Photo. Did some nice packing through the Santa Cruz Mtns & towns. Met some real nice folks, same folks in the same places...like the outdoor in flagstaff. Great people out there! Makes backpacking the best profession.

So excited to watch your adventures. Good luck.

and good call on the mini pump saving you time and energy

As an asthmatic a little pump is super helpful. I’m glad to see this one get tested I’m interested

Awesome to see you back out and on trail Brother maybe some day get to share the trail and a meal

Hello 👋 Darwin, greetings from Northern California. Thank you for sharing this informative video. I look forward to your new adventures. Stay safe out there. 😊

Looking forward to it Darwin. Hey, if you are interested, I have 2 extra permits for a SOBO JMT if you are wanting to do more of the PCT. We start in Yosemite on July 1st if you're interested!

Loving my Schnozzel pump sack from Exped. Works great with the Nemo pad valve and also serves as a dry bag and pillow. Good luck out there Darwin! You're an inspiration.

I've had the Tiny pump 2x for a while (though I just got the zero) and I've liked it a lot! Beyond blowing up and deflating sleeping pads (which makes getting things back in their bag quicker and easier), I've also found it's great for speeding up getting a fire going when at camp. The 2X also has a light which can be nice at times. The Zero drops the light and some weight but it's quieter in the high frequency range and I'm excited to try it out on trail.

Thanks! Great video.

Full Send Bro! See you out there!

Looking forward to the tent comparison as I have been looking at them for myself

I was planning on Nepal. Too bad that particular trip didn't work out. Sounds like you have some great adventures planned. Hope to share the trail with you again in the future.

Just need to say thanks for your vids they are exactly what I need to watch. Today’s was great all the questions I have had you have coming up. It’s like you read my mind. Especially as I’m in Australia I have pct plans and for me to buy a tent it cost me over $1000. So I want to get it right as there is also import tax. So thanks.

Looking forward for the TMB adventure 😀

I jus bought the offset solo also. Haven’t used it much, but so far I like it.

Awesome dude have fun! Maybe we'll run into each other on a PCT section!

Super excited for this.

Awesome news! Would love to see trail vids

Love the xmid pro 1, did 1200 miles on the PCT last year with it, hoping to finish the other 1400miles this year. Many xmids on the trail last year its a great design.

Darwin, I was just on the PCT last week at Eagle Rock where I did a 13 mile section. Great to see you back on the PCT.

Sounds like you've a full plate this year. Ill be looking forward to it. As for myself, i doubt ill be doing any trips which require much gear. Ill be having rotater cuff surgery in april and projected time off work is up to 6 months.

Damn, has it been that long! That was the first thruhike series I watched and I loved every episode. Good luck!

I'm looking forward to videos from the trail with gear mixed in. My favorite type of videos. I like my flextail pump to help avoid moisture and mold on the inside of my sleeping pad. I'm really curious what your findings will be. Using a pump is also so much easier than an inflation bag in my Plex Solo when I'm trying to get out of inclement weather, which is probably the biggest selling point for me. I'm also looking forward to the tent reviews. they are both very high up on my wish list (as well as the Duplex Lite). Good luck with the upcoming hikes!

Using a Flextail pump (the tiny one that also is a camplight) for couple years now and would not want to miss it.

Love my X-mid Pro 1

I don't know what through hikers who count grams think of the Flex tail pumps, but for those of us who do 3 to 5 day trips they are great. Keeps enough charge to pump for 3 people for 4-5 days.

I bought the offset solo last month and will be testing it out on the Ouachita Trail next month.

Yay!!!!! Excited ❤❤❤

My first multi day hike will be TMB in juli. I started watching your channel to prepare for the adventure. (As a first we will sleep in huts tough).

I'm interested in that little air pump, but for a different reason. It only takes me 12 to 13 breathes to inflate my Klymit pad, but I see that pump has a deflate option as well. I would like something that deflates my pad better so I can deflate it quicker and pack it more compactly.

I'll be doing my first long trail this year--The Coloado Trail in late July. So I'll be very interested in your updated gear recommendations. Good luck on Island Peak...6000+ meters 🎉 I'll be in Nepal mid April and I'm hoping for Annapurna and Cultural Gokyo.. 🫶🤙

Just did Glacier Peaks (WA Section K) this last September. Was BLOWN AWAY. Dont miss the view from the toilet at Lake Sally Ann!

Woooo!!! Excited for these new videos!

Greetings from fellow Highlander !! Class 2022 Montenegro !!! Happy to hear that you will be participating !!!

Wow 7 hrs ago. Hot off the grill. Yeah those 2020 years were wierd. I might be out that way too. No exact plans yet. I admire your planning.

Will be fun to watch

Got some new trail runners, thinking of trying it out this year.

I had no idea that you were back to making videos, this is awesome news! ❤😅 I don't have experience with the pro version of the Durston tent but I have the version 2 of the original and honestly I haven't been thrilled with it. I just can't work out how to get the tensioning right and the bathtub of the floor is just too shallow to be safe. I suspect that my opinion would differ if I could try the version with solid walls but I just don't trust this tent for inclement weather use at all. I have no doubts that it would hold up in the wind but I have very strong doubts that it would protect me from the soggy marshy ground which is basically everywhere in the northern Highlands of Scotland where I need it when I eventually return there to finish my hike of the SNT. I'd far rather get the updated version of the tent that I originally brought (original was the Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL2,) than trust my Durston X Mid 1 for anything but fair weather summer hikes. It's not Scotland-worthy, nor do I believe it to be North American thruhike-worthy, which is really disappointing. I personally really need my tent to be able to protect me from all weather; Scotland gave me too strong of an acquaintance with hypothermia and I need to be able to fully trust all of my gear to keep me safe. - Songdog

I look forward to hearing some of your upcoming gear reviews. I have an old Zpacks Solplex (the 2 pole model). It’s been great, but the design of the offset looks like it would fix my two biggest complaints: the rainbow zipper and the head room being in the center. I have a flextail 2 pump and love that thing! I’m a tiny gal with small lungs, blowing up a pad is one of my least favorite parts of a trip. I gladly carry the extra 3 ounces. Thought the flextail zero could be nice to shave off 2 ounces.

On the PCT this year, but schedule not nailed down yet pending more snow data, so not sure if we'll cross paths. I think I'll either be ahead of or behind you in the north Cascades, depending on a potential flip. I'm sold on the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 DCF, which I'll be taking, but haven't had enough time in it to give useful feedback. I also got a FlexTail Zero Pump as an upgrade to the Therm-a-Rest Micro pump I've had for several years. Although it's a "luxury" item, I wouldn't head out without one, as the mental health benefit of not having to face manual inflation at the end of an exhausting day is well worth the slight weight, and as others have pointed out, it keeps moisture issues out of play. Mine packs out at 2.07 oz including the nozzle and rechargeable battery. I'm using the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Regular Wide pad. The extra width has been a great problem solver, keeping my elbows off of the tent floor, which makes a big difference in the quality of my sleep. - Pine Nut

those flex tails may not make sense for thru-hiking, but they are GREAT for when I hike in some floaties for my kids for a day at the lake! highly recommend it for things like that. I am researching the best (budget) stuff for my teen. Almost man-sized but growing so fast that I (and my wallet) can't keep up. Clothing lasts one season if we're lucky and shoes last a few months.

Like the Nemo pad. My fav.

You’ll be using that Flextail Zero to pump your pack raft! Necessary item for sure. Curious what packraft you will be using? We head out for a 9 day Grand Canyon trip on 2/29 starting at Lipan Point working our way to the north side with 3 floats of the mighty Colorado River. Hoping the LCR is that amazing blue color! We absolutely love the Supai Adventure MatKat packraft with their dual paddle for a combined weight of

Big fan (pun intended) of the flex tail zero. Not only does it do pads nicely but if you, like me, have got a little flat pack twig stove (220grams) then it’s an awesome fire stoker.

Sounds great! I like my nemo tensor and my x-mid but we have the 2p for two people. Hadn’t heard of the z-packs one before. Enjoyed your pct series a lot so why not revisit a great hike!?!? 💛

Signed up for the 3-Day Highlander Big Bear event. Looks awesome, and maybe I'll see you there!

I love my pump and I bet you will come to appreciate it… I hope you come back to the AT someday and do something similar

Looking forward to see your comparison video between Durston and Zpacks 🙂

Another, possibly more important, reason to use the mini pump is that you're not introducing as much humidity into the interior of your sleeping pad. Maybe minimizing the mold potential after prolonged use? And also what others mentioned about the speed and efficiency of deflation in the morning while packing other stuff.

Hype trainnnnn on the station 😆👏👏👏👏👏

FLEXTAIL zero uses misleading marketing - it is NOT 1.2oz in any useable form. You need a battery and you need to connect a nozzle so it then weighs about 2.3oz. Still several good features and I actually like how it can free-stand and fill your air pad without having to hold it.

May seem like a small thing, but no more Swiss Army Knife! In the military I carried Gerber knives and multitools for decades. I swapped the little red one for a Gerber Dime - their “micro” tool. (Scissors and tweezers are AWESOME!) So gonna see how it does on trail. I’m not a UL hiker, but I’m older and have a 90% disability rating with a LOT of restrictions and injuries, so I am VERY weight conscious. A multitool is not something I skimp on. Hoping this Gerber holds up to their standard!

Anxious to see what you think

Hey Darwin. Continued thanks for your great videos. I’m 6’5” and wide (think lineman). I tried the Altaplex and was greatly annoyed every time I tried to lean up and had the wall sitting on my shoulder. I tried the X-mid 1 Pro, and while that issue was resolved (as demonstrated by your video here), everything about it was just too tight (length and width). When you look at the Offset, can you mention whether this might be a better option for folks like me on the taller and bigger side…. Thanks!

I have the TinyPump 2x and like it. I thought about getting the new one you've got but I don't feel I've use the TinyPump enough to warrant a replacement. I also have a Nemo Tensor, which basically replaced a shortie S2S that I got during pandemic when there were limited options. I basically chose it because it was listed as the quietest pad and the S2S is NOT. But this way I have some loaner gear, or maybe I'll get around to selling the S2S.

Hell yeah!!!

Two things… I tried the Durston Dyneema tent briefly. It’s not 100% Dyneema and the design just didn’t work for me. Personally, I’ve used Z Packs tents for years and the quality has me sold. I used the Altaplex on the CT in 2022 and now sport the Plexamid. Love these single pole tents. Secondly, I too bought the air pump and so far am enjoying the simplicity of it. Happy hiking in 2024 and look forward to more videos!

the pump sack that comes with the Nemo pad works a charm; no batteries required and weights almost nothing

Would love to hear about your experience on Island Peak. I've heard pretty nightmare stories about the trail/route quality degrading in recent years.

o yea Dessert section is by far my favorite

That offset sit tent design is genius...

I am a proud owner of Sierra Designs High Route 1 tent. I believe the Durston Mid X is modeled off it and are remarkably similar. I believe the HR is no longer made by SD and weighs 29 ozs. Sad :( as I think it could always be improved.

What about using a pump sack instead of an electric pump? I use the exped schnozzle pump sack on my nemo pad and it doubles as a dry bag for my quilt.

dont forget to take Dan Becker along! lol

So nice ❤

excellent news

Finally another gear video for the Dyneema junkies :D

I use one of the military thermarest sleeping pads cuz it’s wider than the standard one. Also blow up mats hurt my back.

Hey Darwin: I used a Durston X-Mid 1P and a Nemo Tensor Wide pad for 200 miles on the AT last March. It was cold and I was comfy! (I'm 6'0" and a side sleeper.) I finally caved and bought a pump too. Love that there's no moisture inside the pad. Puffin

Aw, we love you too bro! 😊

i wanna see a head to head of the xmid 1p pro, zpacks offset 1p. and the dipole 1!!!! make it happen!

8:14 - when blowing up a mattress with your lungs, you put lots of moisture inside it, causing mould and lowering the R-value due to the inside being wet

Hey Darwin! The Highlander trips range from a 1 day to a 5 day route with different names for each. Which of those is the one that you will be leading since I saw they start at different days?