Zirkel Wilderness (Colorado) Backpacking - July 2011

This is a previously un-published video of my first Colorado backpacking trip to the Zirkel Wilderness near Steamboat Springs in July 2011. Jaden and I drove out to Colorado and met up with my son, Christian, who prior to our arrival had spent a couple weeks at the Vista Verde ranch in Clark, CO with a friend of his.

This video was never published because from a backpacking perspective the trip was a bit of a train wreck! Poor trip planning and preparation resulted in our original plan (4-day hike in the Zirkel Wilderness on the Continental Divide Trail) having to be scrapped completely due to deep snow on our route and dangerous/impossible stream crossings from the snow melt runoff.

But since I’ve been unable to get out on the trail lately in 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, I’ve been trying to find ways to create new content, and as I looked back through this trip I realized it would actually make for a good video.

Despite the change in plans it was still a great road trip, and adventure, with Christian and Jaden in the early days of my backpacking ‘career’. We were able to complete our first Colorado backpacking trip, squeeze in a couple days of car camping at Steamboat Lake Campground, did day hikes to Fish Creek Falls and the summit of Hahns Peak, took in the 4th of July fireworks in Steamboat, and even enjoyed watching some summer-time ski jumping. The video also contains the first ever Dunkin Donuts coffee ‘moment’.

For those who have watched my other videos this one is done in the same style - about 35 minutes in length, intended to bring the audience along for the 'ride', and with a still picture slide show with music at the end. If you just have a few minutes skip to the end and enjoy the pictures.

Equipment / Gear List:

Still and Video Camera: Nikon Z6 https://amzn.to/3dHJvni
Lens: Nikkor 24mm f1.8 Z-mount lens https://amzn.to/2QZqNOo
Tripod: Sirui T-025X carbon fiber tripod https://amzn.to/3bH3Rvg
Camera shoulder clip: Peak Designs Capture clip system https://amzn.to/2wRdusp
Video Editing Software: Vegas Pro 16 https://amzn.to/2X5dKyu
Pack: REI Flash 55
Tent: Nemo Meta2P
Sleeping Bag: Zpacks 20degF Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir X-Therm https://amzn.to/2yjrUlj
Sleeping Pad: Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite https://amzn.to/39zju6v
Pillow: Exped Air Pillow UL https://amzn.to/2WYE5hZ
Stove: JetBoil Flash https://amzn.to/3azKRi7
Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 https://amzn.to/3dPtOL5
Pot: MSR Titan titanium 0.9L kettle https://amzn.to/3bF1RDB
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot https://amzn.to/2R0JvoW
Buff: Merino wool Buff https://amzn.to/3dCYHSC
Recharging Battery: Anker 3500mAH ‘lipstick’ charger https://amzn.to/2URI7G3
Camp Chair: Helonix Chair Zero https://amzn.to/2xzbwgh
Camp Shoes: Xero Shoes Z-Trek https://amzn.to/3bA3X7I
Wet Wipes: Survivorware Wet Wipes https://amzn.to/2JwbQ2e

Видео Zirkel Wilderness (Colorado) Backpacking - July 2011 канала David Gray