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Not So Ultralight, But Just Right
As any potential thru hiker will tell you, researching and deciding on your gear is an absolute crazy endeavor. If I had a dime for every review I’ve read and every YouTube video I’ve watched regarding all the gear available, well… I’d have a lot of dimes.
So what makes a gear set ultralight anyway?
The way that I understand it is, a base weight less than 10 lbs is considered ultralight and anything under 20 lbs is lightweight. There’s even a superultralight that weighs 5 lbs or less, but that’s certainly something that I’m unable to imagine at this point. But in my case, lightweight works best for me splendidly. My base weight is almost 17 lbs and I’m totally fine with it after many shake down pre hikes. I’m very comfortable and confident with my gear as I hike my own hike respectively.
So here’s what I’m packin:
Shelter:
ZPacks Duplex tarp tent and stakes
Sleep System:
- Western Mountaineering Megalite 30° dri-down 850 sleeping bag
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
- Sea to Summit CoolMax Adaptor Bag Liner
- Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
Backpack:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider 40L Backpack
Clothing:
- ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxers x2
- Patagonia Men’s Capilene Lightweight Long Underwear Bottoms
- Darn Tough Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion Hiking Socks x2
- Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants
- Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite short sleeve T-Shirt
- Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite long sleeve T-Shirt
- MontBell Chameece Jacket
- Patagonia Men’s Baggies Stretch Board Shorts
- Outdoor Research Beanie
- Salomon X Ultra II Low Hiking Shoes
- Dirty Girl Gaiters
- Mountain Hardwear Plasmic Outdry Gloves
- The Packa, pack cover/smock rain gear
Hygiene / First Aid / Survival:
- Hygiene Kit
- First Aid & Repair Kit
- Foxelli Head Lamp
- Platypus GravityWorks Filter System Bottle Kit – 2 Liter
Kitchen:
Luxury Items:
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pump Sack
- Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad
- Crocs closed toe sandals
Misc:
- TheTentLab The Deuce of Spades Trowel
- Nexus 6P, Anker 13000 Charger, tri-pod, cords etc.
- AWOL, nobo half guide
- Leki CorkLite Trekking Poles
- Cuben Fiber stuff sacks x3
- Ear buds
Maybe just a tad too heavy? Only time on the trail will tell…
I probably could have tweaked away a few more ounces, but this is what feels best for me. This should cover the nobo portion of my flip flop thru hike beginning at Harper’s Ferry 4/23. Hope to see you out there and may sunshine flood your path.
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Comments 4
Hey, Barry! So pleased to make your acquaintance. I’ll be seeing you at Harpers Ferry next weekend, and will hit the trail with the gang on 4/23. Unfortunately, I’ll only be doing a week’s practice run this time, but will begin my SOBO southern half in July from HF, and my full northern half NEXT April.
I understand what you’re saying about trying to get the gear weight down but still being able to have a bit of comfort on the trail. I look forward to having a backpack shakedown by those-who-know next weekend.
See you at HF next week! I go by the name of Yogi, after my favorite cartoon character Yogi Bear and my penchant for meditation and yoga every morning.
Thanks for reading & commenting, Ruth. Finding peace with my essentials didn’t come easy, but fortunately it happened. Hope to see you out there and making your acquaintance. My trail name is Discount because, figuratively speaking, I’ve never had to pay full price my entire life. I am totally looking forward to the AT demanding full price+
Congratulations on assembling a very workable gear list. Whatever you do, don’t let anyone shame you for NOT being ultralight. Your base weight is commendable and doesn’t need to change one bit. Hike You Own Hike should apply in every case, but unfortunately hikers afflicted with Ultralightitis believe only THEY are the true purveyors of hiking wisdom and anyone with a base weight in excess of theirs is deserving of a verbal beatdown. It inevitably will occur in the evening, at a shelter, when everyone is getting out their cooking gear, and someone will want to discuss your choice of gear. Just say: Hey man, you carry your pack and I will carry mine, period.
Thanks for the encouragement. Confidently locking in gear for such an epic journey is quite daunting.