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I bought a bunch of new things for my hike across the Grand Canyon. We planned to hike across in one day (rim to rim) and I had lots of worries. I bought a few things to make it easier but I wasn't sure if it was worth it. Here are 4 pieces of outdoor equipment and clothing I bought just for the hike and whether I needed them. PS - I have an 8 minute video of the hike with lots of "live" updates recorded along the way, and I'm making a video now with my COMPLETE packing list.
This spring I walked across the Grand Canyon in one day, you can watch the video here • Grand Canyon hike Rim to Rim I'm in my 50s, I have a full-time job, I volunteer in the community, and I'm married with a family. It's not easy to find time to be healthy let alone take on a challenge like this. Here's what I did to get ready.
If you've ever thought of walking across the Grand Canyon, rim to Rim or R2R, here's a video with my full experience. Starting at the North Rim on the opening day of the summer 2024 season, we hiked down the North Kaibab trail to Phantom Ranch, crossed the Colorado River, then hiked up the Bright Angel trail to the South Rim. End to end, it took about 14 hours (including a 1-hour rest at Phantom Ranch). I was with a group of 10. Three of us made the trip in one day, and five (by some miracle) got to take advantage of a last-minute cancellation that created an open cabin at Phantom Ranch. They hiked out the next day. One, Johnny, hiked out after getting the other 5 settled, then headed back the next morning to join them on the final 9 miles.
In May I'll be joining a small group to walk 24 miles across the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon Rim to Rim) in one day. In addition to the 24 miles, the crossing starts with about 6,000 feet of descent and ends with about 5,000 feet or ascent. I recorded this video in what I thought was winter's last gasp; as it turned out, we had an amazing "bonus" late March snowstorm, and I got some great ski days in after all!! I'll be crossing the Grands Canyon in one day in May. I hope so. "Training" feels like a pretentious word - I prefer to call it "getting ready." But here's how I'm training... Ready to head into a winter wonderland with your camera?
Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, photos and videos in cold weather require the right gear. In this video, I share my 5 essential items for cold-weather photography or videography. 1. Shammy Cloths: Learn why a simple piece of shammy can be your best friend for keeping your gear dry and lenses clear in snowy conditions. 2. Hot Liquids: Discover the importance of staying warm from the inside out with hot beverages to fuel your creativity (and prevent hypothermia.) 3. Glove Liners: Find out why glove liners are essential and better than fingerless mittens or gloves. 4. Spare Batteries: Don't let the cold drain your camera's power – keep spare batteries warm and ready to ensure you never miss a shot. 5. Extra Layers: Always have a backup and stay adaptable with this tip. Get ready to elevate your winter photography or videography with these essential gear tips! I've put the Peak Designs capture clip to the test for FOUR YEARS! Would I still buy it now? I'll tell you what I like and what I don't like about it. One of the best camera equipment (video of photo) purchases I've ever made was this set of three Rokinon prime cine lenses. They came in a package with the Sony VG900, what I thought would be a game-changing full-frame camcorder with interchangeable lenses. The whole package cost about $4,000. That was a big deal at the time! The camera did not turn out to be a game changer, but the lenses did.
Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount Rokinon 14mm T3.1 Cine DS Lens for Sony E-Mount I was searching for a versatile daypack that would seamlessly transition between carrying camera gear and serving as an all-around pack for your outdoor adventures.
I found the Gregory Jade 22 Women's Daypack. I share practical insights into how I use the Gregory Jade 28 Women's Daypack to carry my camera equipment while shooting videos and spending time outdoors. In the video: - The key features of the Gregory Jade 28 Women's Daypack that make it ideal for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. - How the hip pockets, adjustable setup, and strong frame support of the daypack enhance functionality and comfort during long hikes and outdoor shoots. - Practical tips on organizing and accessing camera gear within the compartments of the Gregory Jade 22 Women's Daypack. - Real-life experiences and anecdotes showcasing the daypack's reliability and versatility in various outdoor settings. Whether you have plans for a photo or video expedition or a weekend hike, I hope this video provides valuable insights. I should change out of my sweatshirt. I should brush my hair, I should put on makeup.
But I want to talk about this now. I love looking at reviews. Whenever I'm going to buy something new, like a piece of video equipment, audio gear, something for backpacking, something for camping, or new clothes, I search YouTube. I want to see the object. I want to hear real-life reactions to it. The other day I was curious about a knapsack. It's a women's specific pack, and I looked it up on YouTube. There was a video from the manufacturer, there was a pretty good video from an outdoor retailer, but I wanted some real-life perspective. Someone who's actually used it... and this is why I'm telling you the story. I could not find a review from somebody who actually used the pack. I did find two videos. TWO of them that featured a woman wearing the pack (because it is a women-specific pack) with a man standing next to her, pointing and talking about its features and fit, but NOTHING from the person actually using it. I'm thinking about a little experiment ... I'm not going to buy anything new for this. I'm just going to talk about some of the things that I use. You should probably do it too ... we need more voices trying out gear and sharing their reactions. |
What is this?I switched from outdoor work to a corporate job, and sometimes the desk life feels soul-crushing. This channel is me figuring out how to keep life interesting. Archives
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