AT Southbound and Down (On Weight) Gear List

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 2022 Southbound Gear List

Full Shelter

• Gossamer Gear The One
• Tent Stake: MSR Groundhog Mini (8), Gossamer Gear Aluminum (2)
• Polycryo 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
• Sillnylon StuffSack for Quilt and Camp Clothes

Backpack

• Waymark Gear Thru 38 Liter
• NyloFlume 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 Thermal

Water Storage

• Smart Water Bottle with the Sports Caps (one 0.75 Liters and one 1 liter)
• Katadyn BeFree 1 Liter

Ditty Bag

• 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

DIY Hip Belt with Fanny Pack

• Hip Belt off anOld Pack
• Custom MADE OF Upcycled Fanny Pack
• Chorded Headphones
• Canon Owl Sure Shot 35mm Camera
• Extra Film
• Chums Wallet