Please read the title of this post at this voice.
I just got back from my first weekend trip of the season, so I thought I might as well join the party and drop off my gear list.
The reluctant inhabitant of the earth
Being on the east coast and never short of trees, I have been exclusively a hammock camper during my backpacking career. I find hammocks incredibly more comfortable and efficient, but that’s a rant for another day. Sadly my beloved Dutch chameleon I just won’t be flying west on the Tahoe Rim Trail, so I have to do my favorite thing of all time: research gear.
Since I will only be using the tent system on trips without tree cover, I wasn’t willing to go all out. Instead, I purchased looking for a combination of price, weight, and ease of use. I also took the opportunity to upgrade some pieces of equipment that needed to be renewed anyway.
The big three+
I said goodbye to my trusty ten-year-old Osprey, which although as strong as a tank, weighed about the same as one, and upgraded it to a Gossamer Gear Butterfly 60 . I considered a few other backpacks, but decided on the Mariposa for its capacity, weight, durability, and comfort. It is an incredibly comfortable backpack. I’ve only used it on the trail once so far, but fully charged it holds up better than expected. I especially like the pivoting hip belt system which allows the hip belt to rotate with my hips as I walk. This makes it easier to carry overall since my body doesn’t fight the backpack as much. I also put a water bottle pouch and phone pocket on the shoulder straps. Yes, there are lighter options, but I barely feel the pack on my back and the extra space in the pack is worth it. Lined with a nylofume package linerIt will withstand any weather that comes its way.
To maximize the weight savings, I opted for a tent with trekking poles, the Six Moons Skyscape Trekker Designs. I’m tall and broad-shouldered, so I knew I needed a tent with ample room to sit, move around, and not feel buried. I also knew I wanted a tent with trekking poles, since I use poles Now, why bother carrying tent poles; It’s just one more thing to break. The Skyscape Trekker climbs easily, although there is a learning curve with trekking pole tents, and has plenty of room. At 28 ounces, it’s a reasonable weight for the amount of space, and it kept me warm and dry in an early season storm and wind. I was lucky to find the tent on sale at a well-known online retailer, so it was a bargain I couldn’t pass up.
I also upgraded my quilt and bought one Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Degree Quilt, Regular Width. I chose the 7D fabric, so I’ll have to take care of it, but it maximized the weight savings. I haven’t taken the quilt out on the road yet, but based on my testing at home, it’s incredibly warm and soft. EE also sent me one of their Cloud 9 inflatable pillows, which I will use with a hammock pillow and my benefit to make a higher and softer pillow system. Wide shoulders + side bed = high pillow needed. Yes, it is excessive. No, I’m not compromising the dream.
My sleeping mat is a Sea to Summit Ether Lite XT. Since Sea to Summit just launched the Ether XR, I was able to get it at a significant discount. At 24 ounces, it’s also not the lightest option, but it’s warm enough, comfortable enough, and you can’t beat the price.
The rest of my sleep system will consist of a Slim Gossamer Gear Light pad, to add a little more warmth and protection to my inflatable pad, and a Minimum Equipment Claim Bridge sheet to protect the bottom of my tent and my pad from punctures (yes, I’m paranoid, so sue me).
The most important equipment is at your feet
Without a doubt, the most important part of a hiker’s equipment is the feet. It took me a while to find the trail runners I liked, but once I found the Topo Athletic Crossing. I need a stability shoe due to overpronation, and the Traverse gives me just the right amount of stride correction and durability. I also have a wide forefoot and the toe box gives me plenty of room to spread my toes and avoid black nails. With laces for a good heel fit, my feet don’t bother me all day. I use the classic Damn hard quarter socks (light because the foot sweats). Darn Tough’s replacement policy is second to none.
Seriously, put the time and effort into finding the right shoes. I spent a weekend backpacking and got some pretty gnarly blisters on my feet from poor quality shoes. I had a great time, but I was limping the whole time. I once met an AT hiker south of Waynesboro, Virginia who went by the name «Maxi Pad.» Why do you ask? Because her feet were so torn from her bad shoes, she had taped large pads to the soles to reduce swelling and oozing. Good boy.
The rest of the things
I am a fan of customization and thanks to Hilltop PackagesI have a custom printed dry bag for my camp stuff.
Inside said bag is my camping equipment, which includes:
My first aid kit is in another zippered bag from Hilltop Packs, with:
- a few strips
- i hate
- Benadril
- leukocyte ribbon
- neosporin
- tick removal tool (thanks to big pharma)
- eyeglass repair kit
- and of course, vitamin I (which is ibuprofen).
For my water/food/cooking system, there hasn’t been and won’t change much. I’m still using the tried and true. MSR PocketRocket 2 and my snowy peak pot/pan combination. Everyone hates the frying pan until I make scrambled eggs and berry crumble with an extra packet of oats. HA!
I cut through my stubborn meats, cheeses, and mylar bags with a neck knife.
My dehydrated food and I are rehydrated with a food bag and the venerable Sawyer Squeeze/Cnoc combination.
My food and all the other things that smell are secured from Yogi and his band of outlaws in the BV475complete with bear tin key. When I’m not using my bear can, I use a Zpacks Dyneema Roll Top Food Bag.
Last but NOT least: the you know what time it is kit; what is a bidet, pallette, compressed wipesand a dropper bottle of soap.
And that’s all. That’s the kit. You can see the full list, plus some things I’m sure I forgot to mention, in my Lighter package.
Phew.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!
For more information, visit the About page of this site.
