How I Ended up with a Jacket that Makes Me Look Like a Breath Mint

In my former, non-hiking, life, I selected my wardrobe based on style, color, fit, price, quality, and whether an item flattered me or not.  Not that I was ever really into fashion, but when necessity drove me to the mall, one of my top considerations was always how a piece of clothing looked.

Once I started seriously considering an AT thru-hike, though, I realized that approach wouldn’t work.  Hiking the steep, rocky Appalachian Trail is tough enough without a pack.  There was no way I was going to lug forty or fifty pounds up and down those mountains for ten to twelve hours a day and do it for months on end.  To have even the remotest chance of making it from end to end I needed to pack light.  Really, insanely light.

That meant I had to scrutinize every potential piece of gear and clothing with new criteria — its utility and weight. If I didn’t need it, I wouldn’t get it.  If it wasn’t light enough, I’d cross it off my list — because every single ounce I carried would put additional stress on my knees and feet.  It takes roughly five million steps to complete a thru-hike.  I couldn’t afford to cart a bunch of heavy clothes around, no matter how cute they looked.jacket

Which is how I ended up with jacket that makes me look like a breath mint.  Sure, it’s ugly.  But it’s down, which should keep me warm in camp at night.  It fits inside its own pocket, a pretty nifty feature, I think.  And I’m absolutely thrilled by the weight – a mere 6.4 ounces!  Never mind that my husband’s first question when he saw it was whether or not it could be dyed.  By buying it in an offbeat color, I got it for less than half of list price.

So I’m slowly and ruthlessly acquiring my hiking wardrobe.  Nothing matches.  It’s an odd accumulation of clashing “performance” clothes I’d never wear in my normal life.  But I’m weirdly proud of every item, actually feeling gleeful when each piece arrives in the mail because damn, these puppies are light. And considering some of the bizarre get-ups I’ve spotted on the trail — including slippers and flannel pajamas — I figure the stranger I look, the more I’ll feel right at home.  All I have to do now is roll in the muck and dirt to get that real thru-hiker look — assuming the dirt doesn’t weigh too much!

jackets stuffed

My down jacket and rain jacket zipped into their own pockets

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Comments 15

  • Kmeg : Sep 8th

    Ha! This is so true, Gail. I always say the more mis-matched you are the more legit your skills! And if people really can’t stand the color, I tell them to roll it in the dirt a bit 😉

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 8th

      Good advice, Kmeg! I told my husband that if he hates the color of the jacket so much, he only has to remember that a black one would have cost a hundred dollars more:)

      Reply
  • Mary E. : Sep 8th

    Hi Gail! I’m so happy to see another woman close to my age getting on the AT! I’m 52 and planning a section hike next year. Like you, I am going ultralight with my purchases. I’m looking for a hiking buddy if you’re interested!

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 8th

      Good for you, Mary! I think there are a lot of us older hikers on the trail these days. The only problem with our age is whether our bodies can take the punishment long term. But my husband and I are going to try! What section do you plan to hike?

      Reply
      • Mary E. : Sep 8th

        So sorry that posted twice. I didn’t think the first one posted so I typed it again. I’m still trying to decide which section to start. I’m hoping to find someone to hike with and then decide together.

        Reply
        • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

          I understand, Mary. Going it alone sounds daunting. As far as partnering, see my reply below. I’d love to meet other hikers on the trail!

          Reply
  • Mary E. : Sep 8th

    Hi Gail! I’m so happy to see another woman close to my age getting on the AT ?. I’m 52 and planning a section hike next year. Like you, I am going ultralight with my gear and clothes. I’m looking for a hiking companion if you’re interested!

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

      Mary, my husband and I hope to start out in Harper’s Ferry, WV, heading north, in mid-April. I can’t commit to partnering with anyone since I’ll be with him, and we don’t really know our pace, etc. yet, but I’m really hoping to meet up with other hikers (especially older ones like us!) and form a loose-knit “trail family.” I know there are others starting out when we plan to in this area, but I don’t know their schedules yet. Closer to April I’ll check on whiteblaze.net to see if anyone has posted anything. If you’ll be in the mid-Atlantic area, let me know! It would be fun to be part of a group!!!

      Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

      I have to add, Mary, that after today’s awful hike, I’m even less certain I can do this. I’ll blog about it soon, but suffice it to say that at this moment I can’t promise anyone, even my husband, that I can survive the trail. Still, if you’re going to be in the mid Atlantic area, let me know. It would be fun to meet!

      Reply
  • Rambler : Sep 8th

    I’m 59 and working in increasing my endurance. I’m going to start smaller– Pine Mtn Trail (FDR park in GA), and then maybe try to do the GA part of AT eventually. I have some health issues, so I’m taking my time to build up and see how it goes. Good luck, ladies!

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

      Great strategy, Rambler. My husband and I have been doing day hikes on the AT every weekend (still without weight so far). We live in Maryland, so we’ve just been hiking around here. Already I’m worried about my knees, though. Every time I do too much they start to hurt, and I’ve never had problems with my knees before:(. I think I’ll just have to keep building up slowly and then creep along at my own pace. Otherwise I’m afraid I won’t get too far.

      Reply
  • Rambler : Sep 8th

    That’s supposed to say 50 (in Oct).

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

      I wish I could say the same:))))

      Reply
  • Scott Davis : Sep 9th

    Love it! I have a lime green rain ultralight rain jacket that was reduced by over $120 (!!) so i bought it. My kids think it looks ridiculous but it is really good kit and I plan to “lime” my way to Katadhin in March.

    Reply
    • Gail Barrett : Sep 9th

      It makes sense to me, Scott! Green slime rocks!

      Reply

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