A Belated Gear List Update: What Made It to Maine

Hello from Michigan, where we say things like, “If you don’t like the weather now, just wait fifteen minutes,” and, “ope!”

A rainy trip hiking sections of the Manistee River Trail and the North Country Trail.

A quick update: It’s been a generally snowy holiday season thus far, but it’s rainy and relatively warm this week. Good for my marathon training; not as good for general morale. Aside from the weather, I’ve been enjoying my new job at a local gear shop immensely because I get to talk to people about their outdoor pursuits, pass the time with coworkers who share some similar interests, and move around on my feet all day. I also feel like a beginner again. What a gift.

But I have to say, as the clouds blanket the earth in grayness and the days get swallowed up by these early sunsets, I miss being outside all hours on the Appalachian Trail with some of my favorite humans. Life somehow felt more “real” there. Really, I think it’s just that I was entirely present there, and removed a bit more from the cacophony of… society?

Good morning, Mama K.

There are things I’ve treasured about being back home, though — modern plumbing chief among them. But also: sipping peppermint mochas throughout my mornings, reading (heavy) books, catching whiffs of my perfume and remembering I actually smell good now, going dancing, traveling by modes other than foot, picking out a Christmas tree with my family, surrounding myself with art and things that feel comforting, enjoying short backpacking trips around northern Michigan, people watching… Now I do these things with more presence, more appreciation, more tenderness.

Even though it’s been nearly four months since I finished my hike, it’s still pretty fresh. My friend Jensen said I’ll be processing my time on trail for the rest of my life. In a recent Instagram post, fellow 2024 thru-hiker Newt wrote that it is “a privilege to get to choose your suffering.” Looking back, though, maybe it doesn’t feel like suffering anymore. I still believe that hiking the Appalachian Trail was the best thing I’ve ever done. More on that here.

Waking up to an autumnal sunrise just a quarter mile from Lake Michigan.

 A favorite running spot of mine when it’s not too busy.

 

My Updated Gear List

Anyway, as the internet has started lighting up with posts from folks prepping for their 2025 thru-hikes — and the “Appalachian Trail Hikers 2024” group on Facebook has officially updated its name to “Appalachian Trail Hikers 2025” 🥲 — I thought now would be a good time to circle back and share an updated AT gear list.

I had next to zero backpacking experience prior to hiking the Appalachian Trail. So as I researched gear, I found that the most useful information came from talking directly to the more experienced backpackers in my life and reading the gear lists here on the Trek, especially those that reflected what hikers had in their packs at the end of their journeys. My gear continues to evolve as I hike in new places and try to reduce my base weight. I’ll share an update before I head to the Pinhoti in March (!). For now, see what I carried to Katahdin below.

Lastly, I’m not big on unsolicited advice, but here I am being a hypocrite. Read on if you dare:

I’d like to assure any new backpackers or first-time thru-hikers out there that you’ll learn what works for you as you go. Carry what you need to, you know, survive, but try not to stress so much that it prevents you from getting out there in the first place. And also, it really helped me to think of the first few weeks on the AT as a series of three-to-five day backpacking trips. If you’re going NOBO like me, just take it one literal step at a time to Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap. Enjoy that frozen pizza. You’ve got this. x

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Comments 1

  • Jess : Jan 2nd

    “the “Appalachian Trail Hikers 2024” group on Facebook has officially updated its name to “Appalachian Trail Hikers 2025” 🥲 ”

    😂 This is so real honestly. When ’23 turned to ’24 before I left for the AT I was like !!!!!!!! … Now ’24 is ’25 and I’m feeling things 🥲

    Thanks for sharing this! This will be super helpful for the 2025 class.

    Reply

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