The Final Haul

And here it is. The final haul. I’ve been going back and forth with my gear, over and over again debating what I can leave behind and what I can take. For now, plus or minus my camera, this is it. Without my camera, my base weight is 16.

The Big Three

  1. Gossamer Gear Small Mariposa Pack
  2. Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
  3. Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo LE Tent 

Clothing

  1. Eddie Bauer down jacket
  2. Eddie Bauer rain coat
  3. Columbia rain pants
  4. Reebok long leggings
  5. Nike running shorts
  6. 1 target bra/exofficio underwear
  7. Trek trucker cap
  8. Buff
  9. Watch
  10. 2 pairs Darn Tough and 2 Injinji liners
  11. Bug net for my head
  12. Brooks Cascadia 11 running shoes
  13. Luna Leadville Trail sandals
  14. Stuff sack that doubles as a fleece pillow inside out
  15. Camp shirt and long underwear to sleep in

Hydration

  • 3 L Platypus because it’s the only size I had (I don’t plan on keeping it full) – originally wasn’t going to take it at all but have discovered when I have asthma attacks holding the straw in my mouth/trying to drink helps me slow my breathing down and keep me distracted enough to stop hyperventilating. Yay!
  • SteriPEN
  • Nalgene, because my steriPEN doesn’t fit in anything smaller

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush/biodegradable toothpaste
  • Diva cup/ flannel pad
  • Comb – I don’t think the hospital I’ll be working for would appreciate me coming home with dreads
  • Dr. Bronner’s mini soap
  • Tweezers and nail clippers
  • Green Goo All Purpose Healing Salve from Gossamer Gear
  • doTERRA holder with mini bottles of eucalyptus, peppermint (to help open my airway and for sore muscles) lavender, digest zen, melaleuca, TerraShield and my own mix of geranium, lemongrass, and citronella for tick/bug repellent and a spray bottle for repellent.
  • Roll on magnesium oil to help with tight everything
  • Small bottle of zinc oxide sunscreen
  • Inhaler
  • Bandana

Kitchen

Miscellaneous

  • Black Diamond Spot headlamp
  • DIY first aid kit in moleskin package with extra benadryl, tylenol, ibuprofen, tape, gauze, and moleskin
  • Backup batteries for steriPEN
  • Leatherman tiny pocket tool
  • Earbuds
  • Power bank
  • iPhone/charger
  • AWOL AT Guide
  • Moleskin notebook/pen
  • Half of a Therm-a-Rest pa
  • Lyme and biting insect prevention
  • Bear bag with paracord
  • Canon Rebel T2i camera (opted out for now)
  • Snowpeak stake/trowel
  • Kelty poles not pictured here

Pro: It’s under 20! (24 with food and water!) The lightweighter in me wishes I could take out a few things in the miscellaneous column, but the other parts of me wants to keep them. I know more time on the trail will help me discern what I need and what I don’t.

I’ve always been a highly sensitive person, so while to some people carrying essential oils, supplements, and homeopathics seems strange, to me, it’s pretty essential. I’ve always been a little different with my self care, and I’m expecting similar on the trail. I’ve also kind of promised to all those that helped me resolve my back/hip/ortho stuff going on that I would take good care of my bod on the trail(and promised myself), which includes taking magnesium oil and the supplements along. I  have a daily B12/B6, a multivitamin, weekly probiotics to help with the massive amount of gluten free grains I’ll be eating that my stomach is not accustomed to consuming, and apple cider vinegar/barley grass to help with lactic acid balance, some antii-nflammatory and joint support herbs(just as needed because I haaate taking Tylenol or NSAIDS), and celtic sea salt for electrolytes/trace minerals because I don’t drink Gatorade or sports drinks.

The  Dilemma

I can’t decide if I want to carry the weight of the camera or leave it behind for the first part. I don’t want to be kicking myself for not having it, but part of me also really wants to be present for the first part of the trip. I don’t want to be so focused on taking pictures that I miss out on being present for each moment. However, the artist part of me is begging for an outlet now that I’m free from schooling (switched from photography/art major to nursing 4 years ago) and I know this is the opportunity I’ve been dreaming of to finally carpe diem the vagabond lifestyle and capture it with my camera. Also, I’m hoping to steer clear of using my phone much, so I’m hoping having a camera will help with this. But it’s so gosh darn heavy(2 lbs)! I still haven’t decided. As of now, I’m thinking of leaving it behind for the first part until I get accustomed to carrying weight all the time and then I’ll have my mom send it when I’m ready.

I’m slightly annoyed with myself that I’ve spent so much time weighing different combos with my pack. I even tried without the stuff sacks for the sleeping bag, tent, camera, and toiletries, and it ended up being heavier! How does that happen!? In reality, at the end of the day, it shouldn’t matter how much your pack weighs as long as you feel comfortable carrying it. Butttt, I’ve been training with my brother’s old medium Mariposa Plus (literally 12 year old from Gossamer Gear) and just realized the reason I’ve been in so much pain when I hike with a weighted pack (other than lack of experience long distance hiking) is that the pack is the wrong size! Unfortunately, (and fortunately) the bottom part ripped almost off the pack the other day, and it’s really no longer in commission. This allowed me to make the leap to the newest Mariposa edition which I have fallen in love with( and accurately measured myself for). After training with the old version, this one already feels fit for royalty.

I just want to be comfortable, but I think that’s part of this whole learning experience. I refuse to cut off all my zipper ties, toothbrush ends, and leave my Nalgene to be a lightweighter.  I’ll take my eucalyptus oil if it helps me use my inhaler less, and my B12 if it means I’ll feel more like myself each day. And I’m taking my Nalgene. It reminds me of home. I’ve always been the girl who has everything anyone could ever need when I travel (mini sized of course, so it fits in a backpack). When I was a camp counselor, I was the go-to person most of the time for any malady because I always had my pack stocked full and ready for any situation. I like being prepared for anything. It helps me sleep at night. Butttt I guess I’m learning that I might not be able to fully prepare for this kind of adventure until I get out to Maine. For now though, I have what I need to start, so that’s what’s important. I’m choosing to be grateful instead of worrisome.

Until next time!

Love and snap peas,

E

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Comments 2

  • Nick Ross : May 30th

    I’ve been using a Panasonic Lumix cameras for the past eight years. My newest, is ZS40 camera that has a 30x zoom, 18.1 Mpx I bought two extra batteries ( offbrand). It’s a great little point-and-shoot camera. I purchased it at Costco for about $250. I also have a Nikon Coolpix 42x zoom 18.1 Mpx but it is a little bit heavier so I seldom take this one out on hikes.

    Reply
  • Heather : Jun 19th

    I love reading your blog posts! I have to eat gluten free too and am excited to learn how you manage food on trail! I’m getting into backpacking more so thank you for the tips….have fun!!! 🙂

    Reply

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