Over the years my base pack weight has become lighter and lighter. It took many miles and years of tinkering to get to this point, though!
I have been asked if I had gear lists for the different trails I’ve done. Up until now, I did not.
Since I am dealing with multiple trails and equipment from a decade of thru-hiking, I do not recall the exact weights. The BASE PACK WEIGHT is a guess for the earlier days. I also did not list every item, only the “biggies.”, Obviously, some of the items in 2009 are different from their 1996 or so counterparts. The lists should prove to be instructive, though. I also have my current gear list posted (as of July 2012).
GEAR LIST FOR THRU-HIKES, 1997- 2006
Vermont’s Long Trail 1997 | Appalachian Trail 1998 | Vermont’s Long Trail 1999 | Pacific Crest Trail 2002 | Colorado Trail 2004 | Continental Divide Trail 2006 | ||
BACKPACK | EMS 5500 (1996 Model) | EMS 5500 (1996 Model) | Camp Trails Scirroco (3500 CI) | LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh) | LWGEAR -One Pound Pack (all mesh) | Six Moon Designs Essence (2006 Version) | |
SHELTER | Walrus Swift | Walrus Swift | Walrus Swift | Campmor 8×10 Silnylon Tarp | Oware 5×7 SilNylon Tarp | Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape | |
Sleeping Bag | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | Feathered Friends Hummingbird | |
Sleeping Pad | Z-Rest | Z-Rest | Z-Rest | Z-Rest | Z-Rest (cut down) | Generic “blue foam pad” ( cut down) | |
Cooking | MSR Alpine Cookset | MSR Alpine Cookset |
|
K-Mart Alum Pot (a little beat up) | K-Mart Alum Pot (really beat up) | K-Mart Alum Pot (d-low says it should be thrown away!) | |
MSR Whisperlite | MSR Whisperlite | Alcohol Stove | Alcohol Stove | Alcohol Stove | Alcohol Stove | ||
Hydration | 2 Nalgene Bottles | 2 Nalgene Bottles | 2 Gatorade bottles | 2 Gatorade Bottles | 2 Gatorade Bottles | 2 Gatorade Bottles | |
1 Gallon Plastic jug | Nalgene Cantene | Nalgene Cantene | Nalgene Cantene | Nalgene Cantene | |||
PUR Microfilter | Polar Pure | Polar Pure | Polar Pure | MP-1 Tabs | Iodine Tabs | ||
Jacket | Generic Fleece Pullover | Generic Fleece Pullover | Generic Fleece Pullover | Marmot Driclime Windshirt | Marmot Driclime Windshirt | Montbell Light Shell Jacket | |
Rainwear | Windpants | Windpants | Windpants | Windpants | Montbell UL Rainpants | Montbell UL Rainpants | |
PVC Rainjacket | PVC Rainjacket | Generic Nylon Rainjacket | Generic Nylon Rainjacket | Golite Wisp | Golite Wisp | ||
Footwear | LL Bean Cresta Hikers | LL Bean Cresta Hikers | Asolo 535s | various running/trail shoes | Nike Air Pegasuses | various running/trail shoes | |
BASE PACK WEIGHT (Estimated) | 30 lbs | 28 lbs (weighed at Boiling Springs ATC office) | 17 lbs | 13 lbs | 10 lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit) | 9lbs (I had a digital scale for this kit) |
- I did not include most of my clothing as that has changed very little from the second LT hike in 1999. I still hike in shorts, wear generic polypro and wear a synthetic hat. I may wear a long sleeve shirt, wear sunglasses and use a Boonie hat for sun protection. I also use running socks with lighter footwear. Other than that, my clothing has changed little
- I used the same sleeping bag since 1997 until 2006. It is worth paying more money for a good bag. I did put some new down in it after the PCT. After the CDT, it was time for a new bag.
- Also not included are the weights of sundry items that are less because of equipment used. A plastic bottle for fuel vs. a metal bottle for example.
- I have my full gear list posted as well. It reflects my 2012 gear.
I also took less clothing than I did on the AT vs the LT. Same clothing, just one pair of shorts instead of two for example! Likewise with one vs two hiking shirts This is more of a general overview list than anything, After hiking the AT, I seriously started looking at my gear and rethinking of how I pack.
Hope that makes sense. 🙂
I do remember hiking the LT and people commenting on how little my pack was! Today, it be considered on the higher side of average for many LD hikers.
How many food drops did you have on your CT?
I resupplied in Breck, Twin Lakes and Lake City. I also did fairly high mileage and one big (8 day!) food carry from Twin Lakes to Lake City.
If I did it again, I think I’d still resupply in the same areas but mail myself a quick food drop to the Molas Lake CG.
Do you have or can suggest a gear list for the JMT? Would it be the same as the PCT list?
I’m thru-hiking the JMT in July and have my base weight to 17-18 lb. I am debating changing my MSR-one man Huba tent that has served me well on the AT thru-hike for a lighter tarp-tent. Any suggestions.
Without knowing you, it is hard to say to be honest. What is your hiking style? Do you like to spend time in camp or hike all day? This article map help: https://pmags.com/dirt-bagging
Happy Trails!