Armchair Adventures III: Top 5 Backpacking Videos

Winter storms Fern and Gianna are now behind us, but according to the groundhog 2026 has another 6 weeks of Winter up its sleeve! In keeping with the yearly tradition, here are some Armchair Adventures to keep you busy while waiting for the trails to thaw.

Good stories can be found in a variety of mediums. Which is why I'm changing things up this time with five of my favorite Armchair Adventure videos. Some of which served as an inspiration for telling stories through my own videos.  You won't find content from big name channels like Dan Becker, Adventure Archives, or Homemade Wanderlust on this list. I think often times we put so much focus on the most popular names in the outdoor world, we miss out on the hidden gems. Multi-part series' are also excluded. Those deserve a separate list of their own!

For more Armchair Adventures check out the first two posts in this series:

• Armchair Adventures I

• Armchair Adventures II

Linville Gorge's Best Hike | Backpacking the South Loop

@Whistlepig Films

Sometimes you don't get it right on the first try. Or even the second. Sometimes it takes getting back out there a third time understanding there's a real chance this attempt might not be successful either. In this video, Michael shares his experience backpacking the South (a.k.a Is That All Ya Got) loop in Linville Gorge. We get a clear picture of how intense traversing the obstacles and terrain of the Gorge can be. Having done it myself, I can attest to the fact that this is a punishing route! He does an excellent job of weaving together a narrative about his prior history with this loop and the events currently unfolding. We see how those unsuccessful attempts motivate him this time around. They also serve as a good reminder that wilderness areas are unpredictable. Rather than upbeat fast paced music, Michael uses a soft mellow track and the natural sounds of the Gorge to draw viewers in; which he blends together nicely between scenes. His use of wide and high perspective shots show the vastness of the rock features this route leads him and his companions through. While his use of panning landscape and close-up shots give us a feeling of being on the trail with them. This is an entertaining and inspirational trip video about a man not letting past defeats keep him from achieving a goal.

*Although Michael refers to this route as the Grand Loop in his video, he corrects the record in the description. It's actually the shorter South / ITAYG loop.

This is not a beautiful hiking video | A Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike

@PeterHochhauser (a.k.a. Chopper)

"This is not a beautiful hiking video" condenses a 2,600 mile journey down to just 9 minutes, while still capturing the full PCT experience. Despite being more like a highlight reel than a full length documentary, we still get a sense of what Peter goes through in his daily life as a thru-hiker. We see him struggle and grow along the way, making his accomplishment at the end so much more rewarding. The editing in this video is nothing short of spectacular. The color grading has a distinct style, as well as the use music and sound. Together they give the story a very nostalgic feeling. Peter's use of narration and quotes help tie the whole narrative together. He also does a great job of maintaining that balance between showing and telling. To sum it up, "This is not a beautiful hiking video" is a short but impactful hero's journey told through a PCT thru-hike.

I FAILED to complete the John Muir Trail

@ElsbethWeeks

The disappointment that comes with having to call it quits after months of meticulous planning and jumping through logistical hoops is crushing. It's a situation Elsbeth wasn't expecting to find herself in when setting out on her JMT thru-hike. Her experience is a testament to the fact that despite our best efforts, the unexpected can still strike and derail our plans. This video does a great job of showcasing the beauty of the John Muir Wilderness through Elsbeth's perspective. We see how a challenge early on in the trip turns what should have been an enjoyable trek into a race against the clock. Realizing what a rare opportunity this is, makes witnessing her defeat hit even harder. I love the way she blends in-the-moment talking head shots with B-roll and narration to tell this story. Even though Elsbeth's thru-hike ends prematurely, it's well worth watching!

Snow! In The Roan Highlands

@Navster Hikes

In this short trip video, Navster shows us a side of Roan Mountain very few get to experience. His camera work and choice of music immediately draw the viewer in. His narration is insightful without explaining too much; adding just the right amount of context and detail the camera alone can't capture. We get to see the unpredictability of weather at higher elevations; and how that sudden change in the forecast leads to a change in plans. We see the challenges fresh snow on the trail adds as well, as he and his hiking partner make their way to their new stopping point. "Snow in the Roan Highlands" puts the surreal scenery of the A.T. in Winter on full display. It's a fun micro-adventure hikers of all experience levels can appreciate.

Rae Lakes | A documentary about one of the most beautiful places in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

@Outmersive Films / Chris Smead

"Rae Lake" by Chris Smead (Formerly Chris Is Awesome Productions) is one of the first backpacking videos I ever watched. I was blown away by the incredible production quality, and found it hard to believe this was just one guy doing the filming, animation, and editing. It still impresses me to this day. Chris' videography, narration, and music selection are all worthy of praise, but the element stands out the most is his use of animation. It adds a whimsical touch to his already larger than life adventures. He shared in an interview several years ago that it started as a way to cover up mistakes or areas in his footage he wasn't happy with. It ended up becoming a signature part of his style and a creative touch viewers really appreciate.

Although he's best known for his video "The John Muir According to Chris" and feature film "Highline", "Rae Lakes" really resonated with me at the time as someone trying to get my own spouse involved in backpacking. The video follows a documentary format using interviews and narration to describe the events. The interviews bounce back and forth between Chris and his wife, showing us the perspective of both a beginner and seasoned backpacker. This video offers some great lessons in introducing someone to the outdoors. Like taking both party's expectations into account and not pushing the other person too far. What might be invigorating and motivating for one person might be terrifying and demoralizing for another. It's a scenario we can all relate to, regardless of which side we've been on. Thankfully, the challenges Chris and his wife face on this trip do NOT destroy their marriage! In short, "Rae Lake" is well produced, has a well told story, and really breaks the mold for backpacking trip videos.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this post and consider subscribing to some of the channels featured above. Stayed tuned for more armchair adventures in the future...