I Brought 3 Cameras on a Thru Hike…One Was Dead Weight!

On my thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail, I brought three different cameras thinking it would help me capture better footage and create more unique shots. Instead, one of them barely got used and ended up being dead weight in my pack. In this video I walk through the camera setup I used on the TRT, what actually worked on trail, and the lessons I learned about workflow, simplicity, and filming backpacking trips. If you’re thinking about documenting your hikes, this may help you avoid the mistakes I made. I also share how these lessons are shaping the camera gear I’m testing for my 2026 hiking season. Camera Gear Mentioned In This Video: Sony ZV1 ii: https://amzn.to/3OSKf01 Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4sykmkB Sony E 15mm F1.4 G Lens: https://amzn.to/4lgzXmj DJI Osmo Action 6: https://amzn.to/3MQ8bk9 DJI Osmo Pocket 3: https://amzn.to/4uazPsF Insta360 X5: https://amzn.to/4aVFA63 HoverAir X1 ProMax Drone: https://amzn.to/4rdLFzz ---------------------------------------------------------- P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. It helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ---------------------------------------------------------- Ways to Support the Channel: Venmo: @colbyonthetrail ---------------------------------------------------------- Discount Codes: Tell Your Trail 12% off: ColbyontheTrail12 https://tellyourtrail.com/?ref=ColbyontheTrail12 Hilltop Packs 10% off: COLBYONTHETRAIL https://hilltoppacks.com/colbyonthetrail Backcountry Foodie 20% off: COLBYONTHETRAIL https://backcountryfoodie.com/aff/73/ ---------------------------------------------------------- My Favorite Gear: Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/4kLxv71 Titanium 750ml Pot: https://amzn.to/4kWEk5t Ultralight Stove: https://amzn.to/4kUKbbr Water Filter: https://amzn.to/4o45itc Ultralight Trowel: https://amzn.to/4iaU7Mr Summit Suds Powdered Soap: https://amzn.to/3FyXOgx Unpaste Toothpaste Tablets: https://amzn.to/3DUGIJh Outdoor Research Echo Sun Hoodie: https://amzn.to/4iay6gG Nike Men's Challenger Dri-fit 5" Lined Running Shorts: https://amzn.to/4kq1S2B Garmin inReach Mini 2: https://amzn.to/4kAYVML inCharge XL 6-in-1 Multi Charging Cable: https://amzn.to/41QdkMh Camera Gear: Camera Gear: DJI Pocket Osmo 3: https://amzn.to/3QVjNRi DJI Osmo Action 6 : https://amzn.to/4axDqtE Insta360 X5: https://amzn.to/4qm7qOw Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4qkKwa5 Sony G Master 15mm f1.4 Lens: https://amzn.to/4b7pyX9 ---------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 0:00 – I Brought 3 Cameras on a Thru-Hike… One Was Dead Weight 0:58 – The 3 Cameras I Brought on the Tahoe Rim Trail 2:26 – What Didn’t Work on Trail 3:32 – Why One Camera Barely Got Used 6:33 – 3 Lessons Learned on Trail 8:05 – Camera Setup I’m Testing for 2026 11:28 – Final Thoughts on Filming Backpacking Trips ---------------------------------------------------------- #hiking #thruhiking #backpacking