So what all do you need to carry on your back to be able to survive on foot for 4 months? I really wasn’t sure either; there are hundreds of blogs and sites out there advising different gear and survival strategies. Being a super high maintenance lady known for bringing 5 kinds of face lotion and 10 pairs of shoes on a weekend trip, I didn’t feel very prepared to sift through all the information out there on thru-hiking gear to what I really needed.

Luckily my friend Thigh Gap (a trail name, most everyone gets one eventually….. aaand guessing mine will be SheWee or something else I incessantly harp on about) was there to help. He’s a triple crowner, meaning he has hiked all three major U.S. long-distance hiking trails: The Pacific Crest Trail, The Continental Divide Trail, and The Appalachian Trail for a total distance of 7,900 miles, and therefore has some major experience in what works and what doesn’t, what is worth carrying every step of every mile of the trail, and what isn’t.

Look below if you want to see me packing the final choices and an exhaustive list of items by category. Let me know in the comments if y’allz have any questions!

Edit: my total base weight(total weight excluding food,fuel, water, and other consumables) landed up being just shy of 12 lbs. Usually ultralight hikers aim for no more than 10% of their body weight as a goal for base weight. SUCCESS! I’ll be a minimalist UL hiker yet!

The Toiletries

Cooking and Drinking

Electronics

Weather Wear

Extra Clothes

Hiking Outfit (will not be packed)

The Pack, Poles, and Bear Cannister

Next up, getting to the trail and a bit of training, stay tuned!