NWES was recently contacted by Open Country to review their recent article on thru-hiking for beginners. After looking it over, this is a great resource for folks who want to get into thru-hiking and don’t know where to start. Checkout their article: Introductory Guides: Thru-Hiking 101.
tips
Most Popular AT Packs
The Trek recently published data on pack usage on the AT. The article covers the top brands, capacity, and base weights, and offers some interesting points. To begin with, the most popular pack is hands-down Osprey (44%). Gregory came in at 3%. Base weight, the weight of your pack without water and food, was a function of the type of hiker with the section hiker average around 20 pounds while through hikers came in around 17 pounds. This is instructive for our club members. I think our averages are significantly higher than these.
We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Pack Covers!
Great tip from a buddy of mine. Put a plastic trash compactor bag inside your pack, put your gear inside the bag, push the air out and rubber band the top. Viola! No pack cover required. No stops to put the pack cover on. When the bag wears out, replace it with another $0.75 bag.
The Ultimate Gear List
Thanks to my friend Russell Young for this slightly modified, carefully curated, and exceptionally good list of long trail hiking gear. I think it’s the “canon” of gear lists.
☐ Backpack
☐ Waterproof backpack cover or liner (I recommend trash compactor liners)
☐ Water bottles (approx. 4 liters worth, may also use a water bladder such as Camelback)
☐ 6-12 one gallon Ziploc bags
☐ 2-3 small stuff sacks
☐ 1 waterproof stuff sack
☐ 550 cord
☐ Pocket knife
☐ Firestarter (lighter, matches, flint and steel, etc.)
☐ Flashlight/headlamp
☐ Compass
☐ Whistle
☐ Toiletries (toothbrush, etc.)
☐ 1 small camp towel
☐ Tent or Hammock
☐ Sleeping Bag
☐ Sleeping clothes (shorts and shirt – may be worn only to sleep in and stored in sleeping bag)
☐ Raingear (must be jacket and pants, Frogg Toggs is an example)
☐ Camp shoes
☐ Hiking shoes/boots
☐ 2 shirts for the trail
☐ 1 pair of convertible pants
☐ 1 pair of shorts or another pair of lightweight hiking pants if you prefer
☐ 2 pairs of socks
☐ Spoon
☐ Bowl/Plate
☐ Cup
☐ Cap or hat
☐ 3 pair of underwear (compression, not cotton)
☐ Light jacket or vest for cold mornings
☐ Clean clothes in a separate bag for the ride home
OPTIONAL ITEMS
There are also a few optional items that many hikers may consider bringing depending on needs:
☐ Medicine (personal meds, antibiotics, pain meds, Immodium, Benadryl, antacid)
☐ Contacts/glasses (contact solution)
☐ Phone/camera
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Journal/pencil
☐ Personal first aid (moleskin, scissors, band-aids, alcohol prep, needle, triple antibiotic)
☐ Instant coffee
☐ Beanie (for cold nights)
☐ Sock liners
☐ 2 bandanas
☐ Spices (Tony’s, garlic powder, S&P)
☐ New bite valve (for bladders)
☐ Hiking poles
☐ Stove and fuel (normally crew gear)
☐ Sharpie
☐ Water filter (normally crew gear)
☐ Baby wipes
☐ SAM Splint