45 Years of Wilderness Backpacking & Hitchhiking: A Journey Through Nature and Adventure
Join seasoned traveler Gabriel Morris as he reflects on 45 incredible years of wilderness backpacking and hitchhiking around the globe. In this captivating video, Gabriel shares his heartfelt experiences, showcasing the beauty of the natural world and the unique stories that come from a life spent on the road.
From the rugged trails of national parks to the vibrant streets of foreign cities, Gabriel’s journey is a testament to the freedom and adventure that come with backpacking and hitchhiking. With a passion for budget travel and outdoor exploration, he provides invaluable tips and insights that inspire fellow wanderers.
Throughout the video, viewers will be treated to stunning visuals captured with his DJI Osmo Action camera, accompanied by the evocative soundtrack of “Anten Before Dawn” by Candelion. Gabriel’s storytelling shines as he recounts the highs and lows, the friendships forged, and the lessons learned over four and a half decades of exploration.
Support Gabriel’s journey by joining him on Patreon, asking questions on Offreel, or getting free ebooks with a tip via PayPal. Don’t miss the chance to dive deeper into his travels through his book, “Following My Thumb,” or explore more of his work on Instagram and Medium.
Whether you’re an experienced backpacker or an aspiring traveler, this video promises to ignite your wanderlust and encourage you to embark on your own adventures!
Catch the full story in “45 Years of Wilderness Backpacking & Hitchhiking” and prepare to be inspired!
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Video “45 Years of Wilderness Backpacking & Hitchhiking” was uploaded on 08/22/2026. Watch all the latest Videos by Gabriel Traveler on Gretopia




































First!
Right on time 👍
3rd?
That lake in the opening looks like a dead lake, I wouldn't be jumping in. But I don't jump in the water like you, your part fish 😂 I am more like a rabit dog 😂🐺
👍
I've watched enough 1970s piranha movies to know that folks shouldn't swim in murky isolated American rivers. 🐟🐟🐟😱
Your NorCal backpacking videos are my favorite!
Gabe – It’s interesting how after all these years you continue to resonate to your hippie persona. In your 50s now, does this become harder? Thanks for the memories.
Cool video. Loved the mountain views and throwback clips.
Be careful swimming in water in and around the mountains in the west, the U.S. Forest Service has been spraying glyphosphate to kill plants after fires so newly planted trees can grow to be harvested by corporations. Other chemicals are sprayed as well. In California alone, forestry-related glyphosate use quintupled over two decades, reaching roughly 266,000 pounds applied in 2023. As reported recently by PBS.
I'm thinking back to the days when you were stuck in that apartment in the middle east when this latest conflict with Iran started. It was dangerous and you were kinda trapped. Must be such an enjoyable relief being so far from there now.
My Lord! 2 videos of the same ol' memory lane stories? 🤦
🇨🇦❤👍When I See Snow on the Ground that Water has got to be Cold lol🥶Thanks Gabriel🥶
For all the Fallout fans out there, he's in the area between Arroyo and Klamath right now
Yikes, Gabriel, that's such a bad idea! Friends, don't pursue the acquaintance of bears…not without a gun handy. Don't even then, unless you're hungry enough to eat a bear. Also avoid personal interactions with deer. They can and will literally savage you, especially since their populations are growing. Any EMT from a rural county can tell you harrowing stories of people who thought Bambi and Smokey were harmless. Signed, mom of EMTs, one of which is now a doctor of emergency medicine.
41:31 More cowbell.
You're brave to get out after seeing a black bear! Safe travels, enjoy! ✈️✈️✈️
Now this sure beats being trapped in Middle East!
Please do more remote hikes in N America in this channel. Incredibly scenic.
I live in Yokneam Israel. I used to go
hiking on Mt.Carmel, the Galilee and
The Golan when I had. a car. the trails are showed with deferent colours painted on rocks or trees
and on the map you will find the same colors.
It is ABSOLUTELY much SAFER to make a lot of noise to let any bears in the area know that you are there as well!!! Apparently, it's uncommon sense to some… He's not throwing out the welcome mat for them. He's just making his presence known!
Mt Shasta is calling you! Hope to see you spend some time here! You’re so close! Siskiyou Lake is here also!
✌💙🐻
I got more lifts in the USA than anywhere else and I wasn't even hitchhiking 😀 even women would pick me up.
I've never seen a bear, been in bear country so many times. Was in Somiedo Natural Park Spain last week, didn't expect to see one and camped under the stars
Next time on the other side of the world check out the Marble Mountains in Vietnam ~ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ng%C5%A9_H%C3%A0nh_S%C6%A1n
Backpacking in the Wilderness in summer is the best.
Gabe! I really enjoying watching your all vedios its very interesting to watched for me love those views and your out side us different coutrys too where u traveled to I give u. 👍 p.s. your friend had great house by the mountains.
❤
Every time I watch a YouTube video about how to travel, they always say you should not check bags, but I’ve noticed you do check your backpack. Have you ever lost a checked bag?
Thank you for sharing your stories of hitchhiking and wilderness hiking over the last 45 years. Loved seeing the places featured in the stories. The hike today showed just how beautiful the scenery is, going into the Marble Mountains. You have a lot of experience under your belt. Cheers. ❤
I love the nature
You made it into the water – yeah! 🎉
Great video! It would be an amazing season to follow you on a PCT journeyy!
No shaking earthquakes hopefully 😅
Man this is so interesting, incredibly genuine human being, at a time when I am avoiding news or information about current events like anything, his videos are stress free, except for the worry that he remains safe, these videos are life savers and necessary especially NOW!
I would be quite scared to be alone on a trail like this without any other people!
So enjoyed the memories from the past! My favorite was the Woohoo’s before going into the lakes. Loved the old pictures. Take good care, Gabe!
Even as recently as 2012 India was beautiful, until today it has been raped and plundered and you will rarely get the road to yourself even in Himachal Pradesh!
A human who has blessed this earth with his presence!! Thanks Gabriel!
Go to south Africa. Road trip and safari.
Hi Gabriel, incredible scenes in the woods. I'm not surprised that so many people go missing in the woods; there's just so much open territory, anything can happen to someone in those woods upstate NY. The Adirondack Park is uncommon not only for its patchwork of private and publicly owned land, but also for its size. The 6 million-acre Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks – combined!