Lists, Gear, and Gear Lists

Sometimes planning is fun, and sometimes it is daunting. Planning for this trip turned out to be very daunting. There are so many different sources, and so many different approaches when it comes to gear, weight, etc. 

It really seems like it boils down to two important things: practicality, and personal preference.

I chose a fair amount of the gear I’m taking with after discussing the topic (and making a lot of spreadsheets and lists). I also am fortunate enough to have an amazing support network that literally showered me with all sorts of outdoor equipment and clothing. So there’s a combination of gear I carefully selected, and other stuff my friends and family picked out for me. 

First of all: as you’re reading this, I’m already on the trail. Yep, it’s happening. However, my amazing wife is helping me put up these posts, so sometimes they might be a little behind my current activity.

As I mentioned earlier, my friends and family really came through in support. I was hoping/planning to be sponsored by a veterans organization that will go unnamed–but that fell through. Honestly, it was a little bit of hubris on my part. However, my friends and family, upon hearing of my misfortune, went out of their way to make sure that this trip would be possible for me. For that, I am grateful beyond words. In a way, this turns out to be better, because I’m not beholden to any organization and I got to choose some of the gear that I wanted to use. 

The Gear:

Pack:

For my pack I decided on a Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 70L. I decided to go with the vest straps, so I had as much access to random stuff that I could. That way I could have snacks and anything else available on hand. I added on two Zpacks waist packs, too. That ended up holding my gloves, fleece cap and gaiter. The other pocket ended up being used for my hearing aid case, earbuds case, and a few other small essentials.

Other bags:

I was inspired by a YouTube video to get a waist pack, and went with an REI 3 liter beast. It’s meant to be a lower back pack, but it fits comfortable in the front. It also houses important pain meds, and a few personal items. 

The waist packs combined with the vest give me more on-hand storage than I’ll ever need. Experience has taught me that if I can avoid taking off my pack until I need to, I’ll be happier.

My surprise favorite items are my Forclaz Trekking Waterproof Compression Cover – I’m using a 20L and they’re basically waterproof stuff sacks. What makes them so great are the air nozzles they have. This allows you to close the top and squeeze all of the air out, and then you can close the nozzle. It’s an ingenious design that allows me to get more precious space.

Clothes:

I used to be a boot hiker, but I decided on Altra All Wthr hiking shoes. I purchased a similar pair that lasted me most of last year, and it turns out to be a solid choice. I don’t need all that weight on my feet, and there are plenty of places to buy new shoes when I need. 

My best friend is currently living in Germany, so I got a lot of Forclaz stuff from Decathlon. Gloves, long johns, my midlayer and puffy coat are all Forclaz. So are my hiking poles, and they’ve turned out to be great. 

Tech:

My brother got me an inReach Mini 2, mostly for safety, but it has helped me keep in touch with my wife. I also use the FarOut Guides App, which has proven to be essential. 

Sleeping: 

I was originally going to go without a pump for my old Thermarest, but I discovered that using a pump helps with insulation and longevity of the pad. I went Flextail pump. It’s one of the lightest pieces of gear I have, and it is great for (relatively) quickly filling up my pad.

For a tent I have the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. It’s spacious inside, and it has kept me dry on many excursions so far. This might be one of my favorite pieces of gear.

My sleeping bag is a Sea to Summit 0 degree bag rated for 15 degrees comfort. Yeah, it’s heavier than it needs to be, but I’m going to ditch it for something lighter when there’s no more threat of freezing. It’s probably the only thing I regret buying, despite how light and warm it is. It packs down to 20L, which is enough to take up a huge chunk of my bag.

To supplement it I have an Army issued poncho liner I’ve had since my Army days. I affectionately call it my woobie, which seems to be what most places call it.

I also have a Forclaz inflatable pillow, which I both love and hate. It’s a great pillow, but for some reason I manage to deflate it every single night.

Food and Water:

As for necessities like water and food, I have a hand me down Katadyn water filter, which was gently used. And a hand me down pocket rocket stove to complement my Snowy Peaks titanium cup and spoon.

Last is my BearVault cannister.

I hate it. It’s heavy and I wish bears would just leave my food alone. I’m hungry, too. 

But it is secure and simpler at the end of a long day than other solutions. And I’ve heard it makes a great table or chair in a pinch.

There are a few odds and ends you can see in the pictures I ended up not mentioning, and some things I didn’t take. I was originally going to bring a Nintendo Switch Lite, but between crap battery life and reliance on Wifi, I opted to leave it out.

While this is what I had planned the night before I hit the trail, I’m sure my setup will evolve as I head north.

But as it is, it’s enough to get me started and through my first resupply.