The final countdown has begun. I can’t believe how quickly the last few months have gone. We’ve been slowly gathering gear, repairing things that needed some extra love, replacing or warrantying others. Today, I finally just took everything out of the closet and just put it out on the floor–not the easiest task in a one-bedroom apartment. I had the LighterPack page open and only winced a little bit as I added every item to the chart.
For those who may not be familiar with LighterPack, it’s a website that allows you to essentially create a spreadsheet logging your gear and its weight. It’s the lazy-person’s Excel. You can mark stuff that will be worn (ie: clothing, poles, shoes), or consumed (toothpaste, food, fuel) and it even tells you what percentage different categories take up. I have mine divided into Big Four (even though on trips with Ben, he carries the shelter, it’s included in my Big Four), Kitchen (including water and food storage), Clothing, Miscellaneous (things like the med kit, bathroom stuff, chargers, and finally, a new addition for this season: Camera Kit. (I’m EXCITED. Caps lock. That’s how excited I am.)
For those who are curious, my current base weight (sans shelter) is hovering around 15 lbs. Not the lightest I’ve ever had, also not the heaviest. I AM NOT an ultralight hiker. But I do like to keep my stuff as light as possible. My camera kit, which includes an early generation mirrorless Sony, comes in at (gasp) about two lbs. Now, I could likely get this down even more, but I like the idea of having a mini-tripod (it is on the way from Joby) and the camera accessible on the outside of my pack.
The Big Four
We own the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL II Platinum. It is an awesome ultralight tent! I like that it’s free-standing, has vestibules for both of us and is pretty roomy for a two-person tent. The tent, in all its snowy glory, below.
I’m rather fond of my Osprey Exos 58. It’s the older model (when they still had hip belt pockets. Why Osprey, why did you remove the hip belt pockets?!) I have a lot of safety pins on it. This is to help keep the holes in the mesh together that I’m too lazy to repair and also to dry things, like socks.
For a sleeping bag, I’m still going with my Marmot Plasma 15. It’s a classic mummy-style bag that works for me up in the mountains (and desert on cold nights).
Finally, the plus one, of the Big Four, the sleeping pad. My Thermarest NeoAir XLite got sent in for warranty a few months ago and has yet to return. Instead, I’ve been rocking the NeoAir. It has a higher R-rating and is a legitimate rectangle, versus the XLite’s tapered shape.
Kitchen
Pretty happy with my kitchen set up right now. It’s not the lightest it could be, but there’s also a few “luxury” items snuck in. For a stove, I’ve gone with the PocketRocket 2. I used to have the “mini” model, which was super great! But it got taken away during airport security. Learn from my mistakes. Just check your stove with your other questionable items (trekking poles, I’m looking at you.)
I’ll carry a mini Bic and whatever size fuel canister I can find. I’ve been cooking in a titanium pot (MSR Titan Kettle), which has been awesome. It has a little spout, which is so helpful for pouring freshly boiled liquids.
My luxury item here is the double-walled titanium mug. I’ve hiked without a mug in the past, but it is so lovely to have a hot drink WHILE you’re eating. Definitely lux.
The water filtration system is a little bit mixed. I’ve used the pumps before, have used the drops. The system I like best so far for hiking is one that uses hollow fibre membrane technology. I’ve had both Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree. My preference is the BeFree. The flow rate is insane. You could barely drink enough to keep up with it. That is, until it’s not as fast. If you’re on an extended hiking trip, like oh, I don’t know, maybe a thru hike, the BeFree has the potential to get clogged up and it loses that flow rate super quickly. This is where the Sawyer Squeeze excels. The Squeeze also comes with a syringe to back- flush the filter. The BeFree, you kind of run under the tap.
For food storage, we’re going with Smelly Bags and an Ursack. The SmellyBags should prevent the smell from being smelled and the Ursack is the bear protection.
Clothing
It’s all about the layers. If your clothes layer well together, you’re on your way to a winning backcountry experience. We’ll start with our heads and work our way down.
I like hats. I like ball caps and toques. I did not see myself in a flat brim hat. But here we are and I’m loving it. I like to carry a Buff as well. It has so many uses. It can be a headband, a neck tube, a neck covering from the sun, a way to pre-filter extra gross big things out of your water, something to wipe your face with, I could go on.
For the trails I’m looking at doing this summer, I think a long-sleeve will be the best. I can roll up the sleeves if I get too warm, but I will try to keep them down. The long-sleeve is about sun protection! I’m a really big fan of my Icebreaker Cool-Lite. It’s a natural fibre too, so I found it didn’t get quick as smelly as a synthetic fibre (did I mention I don’t pack deodorant). I may, MAY, bring a tank top or a T-shirt for some variety, but also, may not. Again, I like to stick to natural fibres, but have been known to wear synthetics. I’ve got a fleece from OR that I picked up in Bishop, CA during our Sierras section of the PCT a few years ago. This has been a great layer, but I may look to replace it at some point with something a little lighter.
I have a mix of puffy layers and rain layers that I may swap in or out depending on the trip. For the PCT, I went with the synthetic MicroPuff from Patagonia. For the Rockies this summer, I’m looking at a down option from Arc’teryx, the Cerium with a hood. For a rainproof layer, I have both an OR Helium and a Beta AR from Arc’teryx. The Helium is a great option, but not very breathable. It’s quite light but is not Goretex. The Beta AR, on the other hand is quite waterproof. It’s Goretex. It is heavier. But for the Rockies, I think I’m going to be more comfortable with the Beta AR.
I’ll pack two sports bras no matter the length of the trip. This way, I can usually count on having one that’s dry to change into at camp. Sleeping in camp clothes sucks. On that note, I will usually carry sleep clothes. This is my base layer. I have a 200 weight long-sleeve and tights. They can be worn on cold days as well, but usually they stay in my bag for sleeptime.
I like to hike in shorts. I did (nearly) the entire PCT in shorts. It’s just a preference. Some people really like pants. I sweat a lot, so shorts just seem more my speed. I cut out the underwear liner in a pair of lightweight running shorts from Lululemon and they have been great. I’ve mended a few holes in them, but they’re survived a life pre-thru hike, a thru-hike and life post thru. They have a zippered pocket on one leg. I don’t have a bad thing to say about these shorts.
If I’m wearing pants, I think I would go with the Cita pants from Arc’teryx. They’re got a little bit of DWR, so water to a degree, will make a droplet and fall off.
These days, I’ve been carrying a pair of Sierra Designs rain pants. I can’t remember what they’re called. I ordered them on the PCT after a really cold, windy night when I didn’t have any. They also serve as bug protection.
Just like the bras, I will pack two pairs of underwear. Then you can always (hopefully) have a dry pair. I do not skimp on socks. A system I found to beat blisters on the desert in the PCT was a toe-sock liner (like Injinji) and then Darn Toughs over top. Darn Tough socks are great by the way and have an awesome warranty. They just replaced a couple of my pairs that had holes in them.
I waffle on shoes. For a thru hike, you need to get shoes that will fit your feet after a few days in the California desert. Guys, listen. Your feet will grow.
I started that trail in size 9 ladies running shoes. By mile 101, my feet were a mess. So many blisters and hot spots! I was becoming a foot care specialist. By the time we walked into Warner Springs, I was a hurting unit. 2 Foot Adventures, the mobile gear shop that was there, helped me (and like a million other hikers out). She set me up with a pair of Altras (my first-ever experience with them) that were, get this, a men’s 10. So for those keeping track, I went from a ladies’ 9.5 to a men’s 10 in a shoe with a notoriously wide toe box. I’ll tell you what though. I don’t think I had another blister on the trail…
This year, I’m trying out a pair of Salomons. I’m in a men’s 8.5 of the XA Pro. I like that these shoes are a bit beefier ( I spent last summer in Brooks Cascadias).
Miscellaneous
Oh, now we’re into the stuff that we’re not really sure what category it belongs, so we make up one. First up, foot traction. Not sure if I’ll need it or not, but a nice thing to have in your arsenal. There’s a lot of foot traction out there. The ones I have are some random brand that I picked up at the store in Kennedy Meadows before starting the PCT. Yeah, that was a goooooood call.
Toilet kit: this includes toilet paper, hand sanitizer and wipes.
First Aid kit: This needs a little more work and fine-tuning. Currently includes a little multi-tool, tape, bandaids, benadryl, tylenol, needle and thread, tooth floss.
On shorter trips that will be around or in treeline, I like to pack my hammock. For longer trips, it will stay home at 24 oz for hammock and straps. Instead, I have a flimsy (read light) sit pad cut from a closed-foam cell pad that I found in a hiker box on the PCT.
Headlamp and watch charger go here as well. Ben carries a battery bank that we can charge our stuff from. Then we charge the battery bank in town.
One more addition here: poles! I don’t know how I ever walked before poles. They have seriously been lifesavers! I’m sure I would have landed on the ground far more often if I wasn’t using poles. It’s not that I’m clumsy… if you walk from Mexico to Canada, you’re bound to take a few missteps along the way. I swear by Black Diamond’s Alpine Carbon Cork model. They just sent me some new straps and a pair of videos to help me replace the straps. I’m a fan of the cork too.
Camera Kit
This is a new addition for me. In the past, I just used my iPhone, but as a professional photographer, the phone just wasn’t cutting it for me. I bought a secondhand Sony A7 camera that is mirrorless. I’ve gone with the Peak clip to have the camera attached to the outside of my bag, right on a chest strap for easy access and have ordered a Joby tripod for some long exposure shots, maybe a selfie or two.
OK, I’ve gone on long enough about my own stuff. I’d love to know what is your favourite piece of gear you own?
