Date: 2015-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, I think I have a much better understanding of what is needed for the trip. I don¢t think there is any ONE way to do a thru hike, or any ONE gear list that suits all people. This is the gear that I used. If it helps anyone who is planning a long distance hike to look at what I used, I am happy to share my list. 1-Backpack (Osprey-Aether 60)(I was happy with my backpack, even though it was heavier than a lot of other packs I saw on the trail. It is a tough and durable pack that doesn¢t have to be babied, and is easily capable of lasting the entire trip) 1-Raincover (for backpack)1-Tent (Velocity 1)(The Velocity 1 worked well, but I would probably go with a tent that is just a little bit bigger if I were to do it over again. It would have been nice to have enough room to put my backpack inside my tent. I was able to keep it inside the vestibule, but that didn¢t always stay completely dry.)1-Ground sheet(I started with a Tyvek ground sheet for my tent, but got rid of it in Damascus, VA. My tent worked just fine without it, and it was just another item I really didn¢t need.)1-Sleeping Bag (Sierra Designs-Zissou 12)This winter bag was necessary for only one or two really cold nights, it was way too warm most of the time. I switched to a 38 degree bag in Damascus on 4/20/15, and used it for the rest of the way.)1-Bag liner(I think I could have done without a bag liner, but it did help keep my bag clean, and sometimes I just used the liner without the bag when it was warm.)1-Full length Thermorest sleeping pad1- Wallet2-Waterproof stuff sacks (Sea to Summit)(I used a 13 liter stuff sack for my food and an 8 liter stuff sack for my extra clothes)2-Water bottles(I used a cheap water bottle and a 1 liter coke bottle. I would only use 2 Coke bottles if I were to do it over again. They are readily available and cheap to replace.)Zip lock bags(zip lock bags are perfect for backpacking, they can be used for anything from keeping your phone dry to keeping your food organized)1-pair low cut hiking shoes (Keens)(I used these waterproof shoes for the first 800 miles, then switched to lightweight running shoes for the rest of the way, which I replaced several times. I went through 3 pairs of shoes)1-Pair rubber sandals (for camp shoes)2-Hiking poles (Black Diamond Flicklock)(The tip came off of one of those poles, so I replaced them with the same thing, except I opted to go with the ergonomic, cork handled ones about halfway through)1-2015 AT Guide (AWOL¢s)1-Down jacket(I sent my down jacket home in VA on 5/10/15 and got it back again in the White Mountains on 7/3/15)1-Rain jacket1-Pair rain pants2-Pair shorts (with removable legs)(I had one pair of legs that fit on both pair of shorts)2-Long sleeve tech shirts(I gave one of those shirts away in TN on 4/13/15 and sent the other one home when I was in PA on 5/24/15) 2-short sleeve T-shirts(I replaced one of these shirts with a long sleeve EXFFICIO shirt in PA on 5/24/15. I found that long sleeves worked better than bug spray to keep from getting bitten by mosquitos.) 3-Pair socks(I washed one pair of socks in a creek almost every night, to keep the smell manageable, then I hung the wet socks from the back of my backpack the next day to dry.2-Pair briefs1-Pair running tights( I probably would not bother with running tights again. The 12 degree bag kept me warm enough, so that I hardly ever wore them. I sent them home from Hot Springs on 4/9/15.)2-Hats(One baseball hat and one winter hat. I sent the winter hat home from Hot Springs on 4/9/15 and added it back to my pack again as I entered the White Mountains on 7/3/15.)1-Pair of light gloves(I sent these home from the Shenandoahs on 5/10/15 and added them back to my pack on 7/3/15 as I entered the White Mountains.1-Pair mittens(I sent these home from Hot Springs on 4/9/45)1-Bandana1-water filter (Sawyer mini)(This filter worked OK, but I would go with the regular size filter the next time. The flow rate is better with the regular size Sawyers. The squeeze bag needed to be replaced almost every four weeks) Water purification tablets(These were only used as a backup when my squeeze bags failed.)1-Stove1-Pot1-Spoon1-Fuel canister1-Lighter1-Leatherman tool1- HeadlampToothbrush and toothpaste1-Roll toilet paper1-smal bottle of IbuprofenA few band aids4-Saftey pinsShort length of duct tape(I wrapped a few yards of tape around my water bottle so that I wouldn¢t have to take an entire roll.) 50¢ of paracord for clothes line and bear bag1-smart phone (Note 4)(I was very happy with this phone and the camera that it has)1-battery pack (for phone) This gear may not work well for everyone, but it worked pretty well for me.