My Favorite Gear as I Head for the Trail

Hi friends.

The countdown is officially under a week. I have been busy finishing up things at work, making last-minute gear purchases, and spending time with family, friends, and the pup – of course. So it hasn’t completely sunk in yet that I will be starting this adventure that I’ve been dreaming about for years.

This post about my favorite gear will be for all you gear nerds.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded Jacket

This is my absolute favorite piece of gear.  It is 800 fill and Q-Shield treated, meaning the down stays drier longer. It’s super light, extremely comfortable, and pretty wind resistant. This jacket is expensive but I think it was worth every penny. The fit is great and I can comfortably layer underneath.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2

This tent is awesome. It is an ultralight, three-season, freestanding tent. It’s super easy to set up and takes only a few minutes. I purchased the two-person because I wanted the extra room and comfort. Plus, it only adds a few ounces.
There’s a reason that Big Agnes is one of the most popular brand of tents on the trail.

ULA Equipment Circuit Pack

This is a 68-liter pack and weighs in at approximately 41 ounces. I struggled to find a pack that I liked, fit properly, and didn’t weigh a ton. So needless to say I lucked out with this one. ULA is an amazing company and has remarkable customer service. There really is something special about cottage companies. Plus, I love the color and customization options.

Honorable Mention

Not quite sure this classifies as gear but it deserves some recognition. Jiva Cubes. They are a fantastic version of instant coffee. There are numerous flavors to choose from and they are chemical and preservative free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO. Not to mention they actually taste like a real cup of coffee and not a cup of brown, coffee-like water. Plus, you can vary the amount of water you use to make a stronger or weaker cup of coffee. You can buy Jiva Cubes from their website and Amazon.

Grounded Advice

Gossamer Gear sells a polycryo ground cloth for $9. No need to spend $70 or $80 on a footprint for your tent. This ground cloth comes in two sizes and can be cut to your specific need. It’s an awesome product from a great company.

Thank you for reading and you’ll be able to find my complete gear list on my author page. There you will be able to see all of my gear, as well as specs on each item.

I also want to take a moment to thank my family and friends who have helped me with my gear, listened to me talk about the trail (for hours), and have filled these last few weeks before my departure with laughs and a few beers. See y’all soon.