My Arizona Trail Gear List: Ultralight…until you see my camera settings

I’ll be heading north on the Arizona Trail in early April.

This was not a carefully planned hike. It was more of a reaction. After months of working in northern Quebec, dealing with snow storms, long shifts, and minus 27°C mornings, I reached a point where I simply needed to leave. Not later. Not when it made sense. Now.

So I booked a hike.

Naturally, my gear list reflects that mentality. It’s a combination of equipment I’ve trusted for thousands of miles, some decisions I didn’t give much thought to, and a very obvious contradiction. I try to go light while also carrying a full camera setup that doesn’t make any sense on paper.

But it makes sense to me.

Shelter

Over the years I’ve reviewed various backpacks and tents and slowly figured out what really works for me on long trails. My first real tent was the Zpacks Duplex and for a long time it seemed like the perfect setup. It was light, simple and followed me over thousands of miles.

When I finished Te Araroa last year it had over 5000 miles on it and was completely destroyed. New Zealand doesn’t make anything easy for you. Constant rain, humidity, soggy ground, equipment that never fully dries. The Duplex held out longer than I expected, but in the end it was done.

That’s when I switched to Durston.

I first used the X-Mid Pro 2 on the GR131 in the Canary Islands and it worked incredibly well. It felt more spacious, more livable, and easier to live in after long days. Later, I tested the X-Mid Pro 1 on my failed attempt at the Uinta Highline Trail. The trip didn’t go as planned, but the store did. Quick to cast, solid, reliable.

For Arizona Trail, choosing the X-Mid Pro 1 was easy. In part it was practical. The tariffs made it a smarter purchase. But more than that, it just fits where I am now. It offers a little more comfort without sacrificing weight and, most importantly, it’s a refuge I no longer think about.

And that’s exactly what I want.

Carry: I tested this setup in multiple environments and it gained my trust.

sleep system

I’m bringing a 0°F quilt to Arizona and yes, that may seem excessive at first. Lihat juga ds4KISn. But I’ve learned it the hard way.

In November 2022, I met Primetime and Skippy during their CDT SOBO tour. I came across them in New Mexico, in the Gila National Forest, just before entering a colder area. We talked about equipment, conditions and what would come next, and they both told me the same thing. Wear warmer clothes. A fleece. A warmer quilt. Something for the cold desert nights.

I heard them, but I didn’t really listen. Part of this was my own experience. I had done enough hiking to trust my setup and it had worked before. But part of it was also ego. I’m from Canada. Accustomed to the cold. A self-proclaimed citizen of the great north. I thought it would be fine. So I stuck with my usual system. Light. Minimum. Sure.

That night he proved me wrong.

The temperature dropped to -15°C (5°F)and I couldn’t stop shaking. Not the manageable kind. The kind that takes complete charge. I was hypothermic. I tried to fix it, adding layers, changing positions, trying to trap heat where I could. At one point, I stuck my legs into my backpack, hoping that would help. It wasn’t like that. Nothing worked. At some point, you stop trying to sleep and just focus on getting through it.

And to make matters worse, my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite I had already been suspended in that same section of the CDT. It literally exploded. No insulation, no backup, just cold ground and bad decisions.

So I broke camp early and ran to Silver City as fast as I could, just trying to build up heat and get to safety. When I got there, I was no longer thinking about miles. Just warmth. Recovery only. I ended up in a random hotel room, sitting in a bathtub full of warm water, eating ice cream just to regain enough calories to raise my core temperature.

That night he stayed with me. Deserts lie. They feel hot, until they don’t. And when they turn they don’t give you much room.

So now I’m carrying more heat than I strictly need. And since then I switched to NEMO tensionerwhich I trust much more. Because I know exactly what the alternative feels like.

And it’s not worth it.

The Fillo pillow stays too. At some point, you stop pretending that comfort doesn’t matter.

Carry: When your system fails due to the cold, you remember it forever.

Backpack

The Hyperlite Unbound 55 is one of those pieces of equipment that has proven itself over time. It’s simple, durable, and built for long miles. There’s nothing flashy about it and that’s exactly why I like it.

It carries everything I need, including things I probably shouldn’t carry, without making me think about it too much. And on a long ride, the less you have to think about your gear, the better.

Carry: The simple and durable will always surpass the complicated.

Unbound Hyperlite 55L

Clothes

My clothing system is designed for versatility rather than variety. The Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie does most of the heavy lifting. It protects from the sun and at the same time is breathable, which is essential in the desert. Paired with running shorts, Darn Tough socks, and a Ciele cap, it’s a setup I’ve used time and time again.

What I carry is more to cover extreme cases. Helium rain gear is less about rain and more about wind and unexpected conditions. The Ghost Whisperer comes out during cold mornings and evenings, especially at altitude. The suede and extra socks complete the ensemble without adding much weight.

It’s not about having options. It’s about having the right ones.

Carry: Versatility matters more than quantity.

Cooking system

There’s nothing creative about my kitchen setup and that’s intentional. All I need is the MSR PocketRocket 2, a Toaks 750ml pot and a long handled spoon.

Boil water. Eat calories. Keep moving.

When you’re tired and hungry, simplicity always wins.

Carry: The simpler the system, the more reliable it will be.

water system

If there’s one part of this gear list that really matters on the Arizona Trail, it’s this one. Water dictates everything. Your pace, your decisions, your margin of error.

The CNOC Vecto combined with the Platypus QuickDraw filter gives me flexibility, while the bottle combination allows me to expand when necessary without always having maximum capacity.

You can’t go wrong with water in the desert.

Carry: Water strategy matters more than weight.

camera equipment

This is where the ultralight philosophy completely falls apart.

The Sony A7CR combined with the 24–70mm f2.8 lens is objectively too heavy for a hike. Add in the Osmo Pocket 3 and it becomes even harder to justify. But I’m not just hiking. I am passionate about adventure photography, capturing the raw moments that happen out there. You can follow my work at instagram.

I’m documenting something that matters to me. Creating something that goes beyond kilometers. That’s why I’m also in YouTube—Don’t hesitate to check it out.

Then I take it. And I accept that each climb will remind me of that decision.

Carry: It’s worth carrying some weight.

Energy and electronics

Running a setup like this means that power becomes essential. Two Nitecore NB20000 batteries, a NU25 headlamp, my iPhone, and cables make for a heavier system than I’d like, but necessary for what I’m doing.

There is no commitment here. If the camera dies, the purpose of carrying it defeats the purpose.

Carry: If you depend on technology, you assume the consequences.

This is excessive, reply at your own risk.

Hygiene and first aid

I keep this setup pretty minimal.

Ironically, being a nurse has pushed me in the opposite direction of what most people expect. I tend to carry less than the average hiker when it comes to first aid. Over time, I learned to accept the suction. The dirt, the sweat, the general lack of cleanliness, it’s all part of the experience. You don’t need much to function here, and most minor problems are resolved with time, rest, or just keeping things simple.

When it comes to first aid, I have noticed that there are two types of nurses on the road.

And believe me, I’ve seen both.

Some carry everything. Complete kits, backup kits, things you didn’t even know existed. I’ve done a lot of blackmailing and for some reason the nurses always have the most unexpected items buried in their backpacks.

I once encountered a hiker who was carrying a stethoscope. As if he was planning to perform full physical examinations there.

That’s not me.

I carry what I really need, based on experience, not anxiety. Because at the end of the day, you don’t run a clinic here.

You’re just trying to keep moving.

Carry: Experience allows you to carry less, not more.

Final thoughts

This equipment list is not perfect. It is not optimized down to the last ounce and will definitely not win any ultralight competitions.

But it reflects exactly what this walk is.

A mix of experience, drive, intention and a little chaos.

Some decisions are smart. Some less. And I’ll probably regret a few somewhere around mile 200.

But that’s part of it.

See you out there

Arizona Trail, heading north.

a new adventure

A heavy camera setup.

And a list of equipment trying to keep up with the plan.

Let’s see what breaks first.