“He Gone!” Stuff I Threw Out* My First Week

*By “threw out,” I mean, gave to my AT mentor to send to my parents, or the ATC ridge runner truck to give to a hiker box.

“He Gone!”

This is what my brother (who watches ESPN) says all the time. The sports announcers say this this when a guy gets thrown out of a game or gets fouled out.

So here’s my “He gone!” list of what I threw out my first week of thru-hiking:

* The journal that days ago I praised as an essential – he gone!

* The extra mirror and sunscreen and headlamp – they gone!

* The bandanna and stocking cap – they gone!

* The knife and Leatherman tool and firestarters – they gone! (I still have the lighter and small Swiss Army knife, though).

* The bajillion extra socks, pants, and hiker skirt – they gone!

Thank you, Mary Stewart, for the custom-made shakedown and to Katie “Captain Planet” Rapp for taking some of my extra stuff.

The Mary Stewart Murphey shakedown.

“Captain Planet, she’s our hero—takes AT anxiety—down to zero.”

Katie “Captain Planet” Rapp—ATC ridge runner.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 16

  • Matt : Mar 20th

    Wow, you probably shouldn’t be hiking.

    Reply
    • Joe : Mar 30th

      Wow, you probably shouldn’t be a jerk.

      Reply
    • Eleanor Shell : Apr 5th

      Would love to know what makes you qualified to disqualify someone.

      Reply
  • Jill muir : Mar 21st

    Pairing down, something we all should learn to do… only taking what you need. Check !!! Sounds like the trip is going well and you are with some terrific people. ??

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      Belated thanks for this, Jill! Miss you and hope you’re well 🙂 – Cari

      Reply
  • Lisa Kunstadter : Mar 21st

    Lightening your load…so happy for you!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      Belated thanks for this, Lisa! Hope you’re well, and thanks for your encouragement along the journey! – Cari

      Reply
  • Siân : Mar 21st

    Yep. It’s like going on holiday and only basically wearing the same thing the entire time. You really don’t need it all !!! Good for you !

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      So true! Thank you, Sian!

      Reply
  • Cindy Tether : Mar 21st

    The Holy Spirit doesn’t weigh anything, so you should always keep that in your backpack and your heart as well ❤️ . Blessings on your travels.
    Cindy

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      Such a great point, Cindy! Belated thanks for this, Cari

      Reply
  • Bob Thielhelm : Mar 21st

    In spite of your KC Royals hat, I wish you great days with satisfying progress…and No setbacks that you’re not up to… Cheers, Bob

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      Belated thanks for this, Bob! I hear you are extra happy these days 🙂 So glad, and well deserved! Cari

      Reply
  • Adam : Mar 22nd

    “There will always be a guy making a fire and they all carry a knife.”

    So much for feminine independence. ?

    Reply
    • Eleanor : Apr 5th

      Great way to be open to community living.

      Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 23rd

      Very good point, Adam. Belated thanks for this. I edited that out. Although, in true fact, 4 months into thru-hiking later, my mentor’s statement that you quoted above proved true! Hope you’re well.

      Reply

What Do You Think?