How My Pack Came to Be
The following list is the culmination of years of working for deals at an outdoor retailer, thorough sale hunting, and saving money in a Folgers can in a backyard guarded by alley cats. I have been backpacking for about eight years now, and I even completed the Uinta Highline Trail in Utah last summer. This was the final level of the game that is dialing in a pack. The gear passed. With some minor tweaks to the final iteration, and an updated spreadsheet… I am finally ready to share my gear list for going Southbound on the Appalachian Trail.
Some People Like Coffee Over Tea
I would like to preface though that this gear is not for everybody. Frameless packs can be uncomfortable, this type of sleeping pad is known to pop, and many will question the lightness of this load because I have two socks and a pillow. Sleep and dry feet are important to me, but that just goes to show all gear lists are opinionated and tested to fit individualistic needs.
Gear Lists: Good For Reference Not for Stone Carving
There is never going to be the holy grail of gear lists, but if Monty Python has taught me anything it’s that having a set plan is advantageous, as opposed to not having a horse at all.
AT Southbound Gear List
Full Shelter
Gossamer Gear The One
Tent Stake: MSR Groundhog Mini (8), Gossamer Gear Aluminum (2)
Polycro Ground Sheet/Fun, Little, Rain Skirt
Full Sleep System
Gossamer Gear Thin Light Pad
Thermarest NeoAir Xlite
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Degree Quilt
Sea To Summit Aeros UL Pillow
Sil-nylon Stuff-Sack for Quilt and Camp Clothes
Backpack
Waymark Gear Thru 38 Liter
Nylo-Flume Pack Liner
Not Worn Clothes
Darn Tough Lite Hiker Crew (for the ground feel ya know)
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket
Frog Toggs Rain Jacket
Off-Brand Midweight Thermals (I am frugal at heart)
Head Gloves
Hand-Sewn Wool Knit Beanie
Under Armor Compression Shorts
Arctyrex Quarter-Zip Fleece
Water Storage
HillTop Packs Medium Bag
Anker Power Bank
DIY First Aid
Two Small Charging Chords
Extra Batteries for 35 MM Camera
Backcountry bidet
Deuce of Spades Trowel
Petzl Bindi Headlamp
Cash and a Rubber Band
Pilot G2 Pen with Custom, Aerodynamic, Luco Tape Grip
Rite in the Rain Spiral Notebook
Natrapel Small Bug Spray (I like my skin)
Cook System
Snowpeaks Titanium 700 Mug
MSR PocketRocket 2
Sea to Sumit Alpha Light Spork
Trail Rag by Glacier Gear
Bag to Keep the System Contained in Pot
Food Bag
Hilltop Packs Large, Custom “Hiking Sucks,” Bear Bag
Hilltop packs Rock Bag Kit
Worn Weight
Darn Tough Lite Hiker Crew
Black Diamond Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
Patagonia Baggies
Jolly Gear TOPO Triple Crown Button Down
Altra Lone Peak 5’s
The North Face Hat
REI Bandana (for fashion)
KD Classics Sunglasses
Hip Belt off an Old Pack
Custom MADE OF Upcycled Fanny Pack (The Shaggy Baggy Coming Soon!)
Chorded Headphones
Canon Owl Sure Shot 35mm Camera
Extra Film
Chums Wallet
