I’m Heidi (Maine or Sandbox girl on the way). I hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2024, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 2025, and now I’m attempting the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2026. My gear hasn’t changed much, but I’ve made some adjustments.
my refuge
I have the Durston x-mid pro 1 tent and used it on all 3 trails. It’s great for drying quickly, very lightweight, and in my experience the customer service is amazing. I wish they didn’t have ultralight zippers because in New Mexico I did have problems with all the dust. It’s a trekking pole tent and I have Leki Cressida trekking poles. I’ve used the Durston ground sheet, but in the desert I prefer a version more like a Tyvek cloth from the hardware store. I have 6 MSR mini groundhog stakes and a small bag to store them.
my package
Right now I have a Litewerks package. To be revealing, I got it for free in exchange for photos and videos while touring the CDT. I don’t have a current contract with them but it worked well for me on the CDT so I decided to use it on the PCT. The hip pockets are removable, so I chose to use a fanny pack instead of hip pockets. On the AT I used a ULA circuit backpack. I think it’s a great package and my customer service experience was great, it just wasn’t the right package for me.
Waist bag
I have a 2 liter fanny pack and I have a few things accessible. I have pepper spray, wallet, sunscreen, lip balm, some snacks, leucotape, hand sanitizer, knife, body wash, and medications (ibuprofen, Tylenol, excedrin).
Quilt
I have a 22 degree Katabatic flex quilt. I have used this quilt on all 3 trails. To keep it simple, I don’t change comforters or bags during warmer weather. To give it some life back between trails, I wash it with detergent according to the printed instructions.
Sleeping pad
I used the thermarest neoair xlite nxt pad on the AT and CDT. For the PCT, I was in a small store that didn’t have the Thermarest pad in stock, so I bought the Nemo tensioner pad. So far I don’t care about the difference. The R (warmth) value of the Nemo tension pad is lower, but I tend to run hot.
Pillow
I like a real pillow. I used sea to ship one, but switched to the Nemo Fillo Elite pillow, which is very soft. I like to put my neck polisher on my pillow.
Hiking equipment
Yes, an outfit in the singular (which is very common). On every walk, I receive a new Jollygear ultralight sun hoodie that has buttons and feels very light. I start out with outdoor research ferrosi pants, but will eventually switch to shorts and spray sunscreen. I also have an outdoor research hat, outdoor research sun gloves, icebreaker underwear, and a Nike bra.
Shoes and socks
With each walk my feet have gotten bigger and bigger. I’m currently testing the men’s Altra Experience Wild 3 as they have a wide toe box and don’t have zero drop like other Altra shoes. They don’t have a wide version for women, so I use the men’s version. I started wearing compression sleeves after suffering shin splints on the CDT. Then I wear injinji socks and dirty girl leggings. I also have flip flops as camping footwear.
layers
I wasn’t too picky with my layers and got what had good reviews and was on sale before my AT hike. I still use them all. I have a senshi fleece that is very comfortable and lightweight, a puffy mountain hardware women’s ghost whisperer, and a lightweight helly hansen merino base layer. I also have a nylofume liner to keep my clothes, comforter, and pillow dry.
sleepwear
I usually sleep in a random t-shirt and Nike Pro shorts. I also use the Nike Pro shorts as city shorts when I don’t have other shorts.
rain gear
I have a team lit visp jacket that has zippers in each armpit and I also use it as a windbreaker. I also have a ULA rain skirt that I tested at CDT and I like how easy it is to put on and take off. I usually only wear rain gear if it’s cold that night and I’m worried about staying dry. I’m bringing a Litetrek umbrella for the first time, but it’s mainly for shade. I’ll probably send him home after the desert.
Food
My food system has been the same on all my hikes, except when I have had to use a bear can or adotec bag. Right now I use an ultralight hilltop lunch bag, a small rock sack with paracord, a long toak spoon (Brittany named it), a 750ml toak pot, a lighter, and a pocket rocket stove with mountain hardware. When I get to the mountain ranges I’ll have to use a bear can. I also keep a small cloth in my pot to hold it in hot weather and to dry it. This year I purchased an Alpenflow fuel swivel to transfer fuel to my canister.
Water
In the desert I like to have two 1.5 liter water bottles and then two 1 liter bottles for other sections. I use a sawmill vise, a 3 liter CNOC bag and a coupler. The little blue coupler allows me to filter water by gravity and I can use it to backwash my filter. If I need more water than my bottles can carry, I will use my CNOC bag to carry extra water.
Bag of ditties
My songbook is a small dry bag that has various things in it. I keep my electronics, toothbrush, lotion, alcohol swabs, some Aquamira tablets, DCF tape, needle and thread, tweezers, nail clippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and a tick remover.
Electronics
I have an Anker 20k battery, a nitecore nu25 headlamp, Garmin inreach 2 (satellite device), Garmin venu 3s watch and their respective outlets and cables.
Toiletries
I have the bogler co ultralight palette, ziploc toilet paper, feminine products, bags for used feminine products, kula cloth and wipes.
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