My First Back Packing Trip – The Plan and the Gear

WHO: I am going on this trip with some members of Boston’s AMC chapter as a part of their Spring Hiking Program. There are 9 people in our group, including the leader. (8 out of 9 of these people are women – wahoo!)

WHAT: My first backpacking trip.

WHERE: Friday night we are meeting at the Osceola Vista campground and then I am guessing we are getting in cars Saturday morning to get to the Flume Visitor Center where we will park our cars near the Liberty Springs trail head. We will then hike up the AT a.k.a. Liberty Springs Trail to the Liberty Springs Campsite, a spot known well by AT hikers. From there, we will hit Mt. Liberty and Mt. Flume via the Franconia Ridge Trail. Sunday, we will descend back down the Liberty Springs trail.

WHEN: June 2-4, 2017. per AMC leaders, this weekend is notoriously rainy. I say bring it on. I want an excuse to test out my zpacks rain kilt.

1. Pack – Osprey Aura 50L and 2L Osprey hydration pack

2. Sleeping Quilt – Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt (10 °F) in Zpacks large stuff sack

3. Thermarest NeoAir XLite (Regular)

4. Tent – Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and footprint (*note: since Big Agnes came out with the new version of this tent, I no longer see the model I own on their website)

5. Pillow – Thermarest Down Pillow (while I hike, my sleeping clothes will be stuffed in this and then when I sleep, I will stuff it with my with my Uniqlo puffy)

6. Sleeping Clothes – tights, long sleeve t-shirt, thick wool socks, compression socks, hat and an extra pair of hiking socks.

7. Rain gear – Frog Toggs jacket (not pictured), Zpacks Rain Kilt, Zpacks pack cover

8. Camp Shoes – Crocs (I actually think these are super cute)

9. Chest Pack – Zpacks Multi-Pack with Nalgene bottle for ascent up to Mt. Liberty and Mt. Flume

Headlamp (in ditty bag) – Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

Trekking Poles (not pictured) – Black Diamond Women’s Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Hiking Clothes (not pictured) – Injinji Liner Toe Socks, Darn Tough Wool Socks, Altra Lone Peak 3.0 (waterproof) trail runners, spandex tights, sports bra, exofficio underwear, synthetic tshirt, and buff.

10. Kitchen – cheap-o stove + fuel, cheap-o pot, spork, Sawyer squeeze + dirty water bag, smart water bottle, snacks + food all stored in a zpacks roll top food bag from their bear bagging kit, lighter.

11. Comfort – Thermarest Zseat, Thermarest NeoAir Mini Pump, charged iPad (not pictured), iPhone headphones, iPhone, external battery + cord, sunglasses, contact solution + glasses, toothbrush  (my friend Marissa gave me a couple toothbrushes with toothpaste pre-applied – can’t wait to try this out!), Dr. Bonners, extra bandanna, pocket knife, small amount of Picardin and sunscreen to reapply, bathroom kit with antibacterial, whistle, and small first aid kit.

So, that is it, ladies and gentlemen. I am looking forward to a fun weekend in the mountains, but I am also excited to see what I learn. Like one of my heroes, Ms. Frizzle always said, “Take risks. Make mistakes. Get messy!” If anyone has any advice or critiques to add before I leave on Friday, I would love to hear them. I will check back in after the hike to let you guys know how everything played out. CATCH YA LATER ! <3