A couples equipment list for the AT

We did our research, bought the guides, tested our gear, tried out some backcountry cooking recipes, and went on our prep hikes. The only thing we haven’t done is meticulously plan every day of travel for the next 5 or 6 months (which we’re told is probably a bad idea). The reality of «I guess we’re committed to this now» is setting in for Jessie and me.

Each of us begins to pack our things and, respectively, begins to be afraid that all our things will not fit in our two small (but powerful) cars. We’re both giving up a place to live and our jobs while we do this, and we thought a storage unit was an unnecessary monthly expense. Instead, many of our friends get last-minute calls to help hold up a rug, a bed frame, a mattress, tend to plants, etc. We’re finding out that it certainly takes a village to do this, and we haven’t even started the process. drive there.

The last few weeks have been busy acquiring the latest equipment needed. Just little things like, you know, the backpack, the sleeping bag, the mat, all the clothes, shoes (we bought like 6 pairs in two weeks), water filter and bear canister. I knew Jessie and I were going to learn a lot about each other along the way, but even off the road, I learned that she is an absolute prodigy of Facebook Marketplace finds. If I ever saw her staring at her phone, I knew it was a photo of a cat or that she had found exactly the piece of equipment she had been looking for. REI Member Month and Expert Voice sales have also allowed us to save a good amount of money on new and better items. Somehow she managed to find almost all of her gear for just under five hundred dollars, and I was able to get all of my last minute stuff for around three hundred.

we will go early (much to Jessie’s dismay) On Monday morning, I spent the entire week driving to my parents’ house in Atlanta and soon after headed to Amicalola Falls. We are super excited to start walking. Once the stress of packing and moving is over, everything should be pure excitement!

Couple’s equipment list

Okay, now for the details part that family and friends may ignore, but that the backpacker side of the Internet can enjoy. Here’s everything coming up with me and Jessie over the next 5-6 months. I’m going to try to break it down by who’s wearing what.

Russell’s Pack

camping stuff

• A POSITIVE DISPOSITION (Most important article)
• Backpack – Durston Kakwa 55L Ultra 200X
• Tent – ​​Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2
• Store Footprint – Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Footprint (Duh)
• Sleeping bag – Big Agnes Greystone 30 degrees
• Sleeping mat – Thermarest Z-Lite
• Bear Vault – Bear Vault BV500
• Water bottles – 4x Smart Waters
• Water filter – Katadyn BeFree 6.0L
• Headlamp – Ledlensor MH5
• Knife – Boy Scout Buck Knife
• Lighter – Probably a BIC, I don’t know
• Poopy Shovel – Pact Camp Palette

Clothes

• Base Layer – Project Merino Wool T-Shirt
• Sun Protection: National Park Service government-issued sun hoodie
• Midlayer: Mountain Hardwear Microgrid Hoodie
• Puffy Layer – Men’s SuperStrand LT Hoodie Outdoor Research
• Rain Jacket – Men’s Ultralight Helium Rain Jacket Outdoor Research
• Pants – Ferrosi Pants for Men Outdoor Research
• Long John’s – 32 Heat Long John’s
• Socks – Darn Tough/ Smartwool Wool Socks
• Hiking shoes – Altra Lone Peak 9s
• Camp Shoes – Xero Shoes Aqua Cloud Flip Flops
• Hat – REI lightweight hat for hiking

Electronics and miscellaneous

• Amazon Kindle
• Anker Backup Battery Pack
• Apple Airpods
• USB-C cables
• USB charging block
• Diary
• AT Guide

Jessie’s Pack

camping stuff

• ALSO A POSITIVE PROVISION
• Aqaufor (or as Jessie would say, his most important element)
• Backpack – Durston Kakwa 55L Ultragrid
• Sleeping bag – Eddie Bauer First ascent 20 degrees
• Sleeping mat – Thermarest Z-Lite
• Bear Canister – BV475
• Mess Set – Odoland 8 Piece Mess Set
• Fuel – Butane canisters
• Water bottles – 4x Smart Waters
• Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze with 1 Gallon Bag
• Lighthouse – Black Diamond Lighthouse
• Bear Protection – Bear Spray
• First Aid Kit – Pocket First Aid Kit
• Soap – Camp Suds Soap
• Toothbrush
• Feminine hygiene stuff (didn’t want me to post all the details, sorry)
• Urine Funnel – Human Equipment Funnel
• Rag – Kula Fabric Antimicrobial Rag

Clothes

• Base Layer – Smart Fleece Shirt
• Sun Protection – Cotopaxi Sombra Sun Hoodie
• Midlayer: Mountain Hardwear Microgrid Hoodie
• Puffy Layer – Women’s SuperStrand LT Hoodie Outdoor Research
• Raincoat – Patagonia Torrentshell
• Pants – Marmot hiking pants
• Hiking shoes – Altra Lone Peak 7s
• Camping Shoes – Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
• Socks – Very resistant wool socks
• Hat – Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat

Electronics and miscellaneous

• Amazon Kindle
• Anker Battery Pack
• USB-C cable
• USB charging block
• iPhone Cables
• Apple AirPods

And that’s all friends!

I’m sure I forgot to include a little something here and there, but that’s the majority of it. It sure seems like a lot when it’s all written out, but each of our base weights are around 20 pounds. I know that’s not impressive for all the people who have the mega-super-ultra-ohm gear, you wouldn’t believe it, but so far, we’re very happy with it! Of course, that could change at mile 100, but that’s part of the fun. We’ll check back next week after hitting the trail! Health!

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