Long distance hikers
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This used to be how I did it as well. On an 11 day hike in the Olympic Peninsula my pack weighed 72lbs. At the end of the day, I was whipped and didn't have much energy to play and night hike. Reducing pack weight doesn't mean you do without so much as how you feel at the end of the day.
Buck
When you get all of your gear together, lay it out on a floor and pick up each piece and ask yourself, "Will I really need this?". If you're not sure, leave it home. Don't just take stuff 'cuse its cool. The A.T. is a long hike and each ounce will begin to weigh on you. You've already chosen heavy boots. If you can ellinimate 5 lbs, it will help exponentially.
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I guess a little background on myself might help to. I am a land surveyor. I am used to carrying the instrument, tripod, battery back, my utility belt and machete through the woods with me for 8-10 hours a day. Due to the lack of work in the housing industry right now, I have a little free time.I am used to carrying quite a bit of weight on a daily basis. The only perk is a very comfortable back instead of a pelican case with two webbing straps on it. I do appreciate all of the input. This is one of those things that if you asked 100 people you would get 101 different responses.
I did meet a guy last weekend that tried to thru hike a few years ago. He told me I was crazy for even considering the gear I am planning on taking. He did have some good ideas as well. His hiking partner got injured in NY and they bailed. He said they were covering 25-30 miles a day. I think that he was full of s***. Of course that could be why his buddy got hurt too.
I did meet a guy last weekend that tried to thru hike a few years ago. He told me I was crazy for even considering the gear I am planning on taking. He did have some good ideas as well. His hiking partner got injured in NY and they bailed. He said they were covering 25-30 miles a day. I think that he was full of s***. Of course that could be why his buddy got hurt too.
I'll chime back in. I am always the big man on our hikes. As such, I end up carrying most of the group used gear and occasionally a soft cooler with beer and ice on our shorter trips. I can go days with a pack twice as heavy as most, I am just built for it. However, there is a difference between days and weeks or months. Overtime, that weight, while you can handle it, will make your trip less enjoyable.
You'll regret ever extra ounce when you are a month into the trip and you hit a period of rain and are hiking on muddy, off camber trails.
You'll regret ever extra ounce when you are a month into the trip and you hit a period of rain and are hiking on muddy, off camber trails.
In the world of ultra light hiking, those mileage numbers are not out of range at all. I did 16 miles with 50lbs once.
The lighter you make your base pack wieght the more you reduce your caloric intake needs. Which in turn reduces the amount of food and fuel needed. Which in turn means you don't need as heavy duty a boot. There is a pattern going on here and that pattern can work in the opposite direction of increasing weight as well
NOTE- Again, I am not a ul hiker. I like to eat well, sleep well, fish and just play and have fun when backpacking. Long distance through hiking is a different animal alltogether. It's about mileage to complete the goal in a timely manner.
I envy anyone with the time and desire to through hike a long trail. If I could, I would bet that my base pack weight for such a trip would be around 22lbs.
The Marine Corp humps at an average speed of 4mph. Humping is the term used for force marching or troop movement. Grantid we cary crew served weapons and old style gear, which I still hike with, but that's a pretty good clip. Now that being said I think I read somewhere that the pace neaded to complete the PCT is 25-30 miles in a day...
Solo or group? The best way to lighten your pack is to have someone else carry all your stuff 
I don't like to be uncomfortable or hungry when I'm hiking or hunting so my gear reflects that if I am tired and hungry then I'm not going to get where I need to go or be able to hunt as hard as I may need to.
I have become a huge fan of couscous for trail food - Far East brand is like 99cents a box and it will really fill you up. Keeps well and cooks really fast. Jerky is my favorite trail food, dehydrated at home before hand. Use whatever meat is on sale. Oatmeal and granola are staples as is trail mix and dehy fruit mixes. I usually make room for as much cheese as I can pack, makes every meal better and don't forget some spices, hot sauce or the like to help out bland trail food. Peanut butter and honey also if there is room. I shop for calories mainly, then ration enough good stuff to have as a treat or look forward to after a ong day. Coffee is another must have for me, the Jetboil cup and french press will probably be my next gear purchase. Already use the Jetboil group cooking system but it is a little too heavy for solo use on a long trip.
Overland Journal did a review of badass stoves in one of their issues, also had some good ideas about brewing coffee enroute. They gear reviews towards motorcycle riders with limited space/weight issues so there is some good info on gear that would suit hikers not just expedition vehicles.
I am a huge fan of Vasque and Meindl brands of footwear. I would really look into some lightweight boots and a better quality, thinner socks than the Wigwam brand socks I am familiar with. After taking care of your appetite and sleep, the other necessity is your feet. Everything else is secondary to me at least. You can't spend too much on a good boot.
I also think you can never have too many ziplocs or trash bags. Do you have to have a porta toilet? That is a huge burden IMO and one that is pretty important. Also - can't you easily resupply on the AT? I have a hard time coming from the wide open West thinking that at any time you could be more than a day's hike from a Wal-Mart at any place on the whole trail.
I think you are on the right track with the Mountain hardwear lighweight fleece and gore-tex outerwear. Not too sure about the kilt, especially if you take the previous poster's comments about underwear seriously...
I don't like to be uncomfortable or hungry when I'm hiking or hunting so my gear reflects that if I am tired and hungry then I'm not going to get where I need to go or be able to hunt as hard as I may need to.
I have become a huge fan of couscous for trail food - Far East brand is like 99cents a box and it will really fill you up. Keeps well and cooks really fast. Jerky is my favorite trail food, dehydrated at home before hand. Use whatever meat is on sale. Oatmeal and granola are staples as is trail mix and dehy fruit mixes. I usually make room for as much cheese as I can pack, makes every meal better and don't forget some spices, hot sauce or the like to help out bland trail food. Peanut butter and honey also if there is room. I shop for calories mainly, then ration enough good stuff to have as a treat or look forward to after a ong day. Coffee is another must have for me, the Jetboil cup and french press will probably be my next gear purchase. Already use the Jetboil group cooking system but it is a little too heavy for solo use on a long trip.
Overland Journal did a review of badass stoves in one of their issues, also had some good ideas about brewing coffee enroute. They gear reviews towards motorcycle riders with limited space/weight issues so there is some good info on gear that would suit hikers not just expedition vehicles.
I am a huge fan of Vasque and Meindl brands of footwear. I would really look into some lightweight boots and a better quality, thinner socks than the Wigwam brand socks I am familiar with. After taking care of your appetite and sleep, the other necessity is your feet. Everything else is secondary to me at least. You can't spend too much on a good boot.
I also think you can never have too many ziplocs or trash bags. Do you have to have a porta toilet? That is a huge burden IMO and one that is pretty important. Also - can't you easily resupply on the AT? I have a hard time coming from the wide open West thinking that at any time you could be more than a day's hike from a Wal-Mart at any place on the whole trail.
I think you are on the right track with the Mountain hardwear lighweight fleece and gore-tex outerwear. Not too sure about the kilt, especially if you take the previous poster's comments about underwear seriously...
Appalachia + {kilt - skivvies} = 
This is exactly right. The more you take, the more you have to take. And, the less you take, the less you have to take. Sounds like some circular reasoning, but if your base weight is 10 or 12 pounds, you could wear trail running shoes and you can cover more ground in a day. If you take more (and heavier) stuff it will slow you down. Maybe you could reach the next town to resupply in 6 days with your 42 pound pack and hiking boots. But if you cut your pack weight to 20 lbs and wear running shoes you could reach that town in 5 days. Since you can now get there in 5 days you can cut a day's worth of food and water from your pack and maybe get there in 4 days...
Same with carrying water to the next water stop. With a 20lb pack you might be able to "camel up" and reach next water without carrying any. With a heavier pack you might have to carry a litre or two just to make it to the next water stop.
Here are a couple of sites from guys who have cut weight. They are as detailed about hiking as guys here are about their LandCruisers. If you want to thru hike, you WILL be shaving ounces. Do it before you begin, or you will do it on the trail.
Onestep's Ultralight Backpacking Resource
Joe's Ultralight Backpacking
A site about technique complete with a gear lists and reviews of many items:
BackpackingLight.com -- Home Page
Here is one lightweight vendor, just to show what is possible, there are others...
Gossamer Gear - Ultralight backpacking and hiking gear
IMO dragonfly and whisperlight stoves are still too heavy for a thru hike. If you take one of these stoves, you need fuel, which means you also need a metal container to carry it in. (the more you have, the more you have to have) Try an esbit stove or alcohol stove. These can be 4oz to under 1 oz, and the fuel is dry, or can be carried in a plastic bottle. YMMV Be sure to practice.
Here are a couple rules I go by.
1. Don't pack any more clothing than you can wear at one time.
(I still take an extra pair of socks for sleeping)
2. Don't carry more than one item that serves the same function.
3. Carry the lightest item possible for each function.
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test out some smart wool socks, I used to be a wool and poly pro guy but, I'm converting... I still use both but man, those smart wools are sooo comfy. Full leather boots w/good ankle support are a must and somebody mentioned moleskin already... put that stuff on as soon as you feel a hot spot.
I'd love to do the AT some day, i'm jealous...
my max mileage was 21 in a day and not in the greatest shape. I've heard AT thru hikers do min 20 per day, after your first week of warm up of course.
A good petzel headlamp would be worth while?.?.?. I think I have the tika something?
good luck and have fun
I'd love to do the AT some day, i'm jealous...
my max mileage was 21 in a day and not in the greatest shape. I've heard AT thru hikers do min 20 per day, after your first week of warm up of course.
A good petzel headlamp would be worth while?.?.?. I think I have the tika something?
good luck and have fun
I haven't done the whole AT---yet but I have hiked a good bit in the south. I would not recomend the kilt dues to bugs, ticks, noseeums, etc. I think the convertable pants idea is much better and I'd rather have my legs covered than not on the trail. An option on the AT is to ship gear to drop points along the trail to help your load and I've noticed more and more through hikers packing heat but I can't say that's really necessary. You going S-N?
I saw Francis Tapon at an REI seminar in Sacramento about a year ago. He gave a great account of his yo yo hike of the Continental Divide Trail, MX to CA to MX, which he completed in 7 months. He also has gear list etc. Two things conspicuously missing are a stove and tent, since he didn't use either. He has a web site section on the AT as well. Interesting guy.
Continental Divide Trail | Travels | Francis Tapon: author, world traveler, public speaker, personal coach
Not sure why the URL looks so goofy...that's not what I pasted but the link works.
Continental Divide Trail | Travels | Francis Tapon: author, world traveler, public speaker, personal coach
Not sure why the URL looks so goofy...that's not what I pasted but the link works.
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LIngo, I'm up in Asheville and have been working full time in the outdoor industry outfitting hikers for over 20 years. You do not need the Whisperlite international. The std. whisperlite is cheaper and very "field repairable" if you even need to. The alcohol stoves are very popular on the trail and much lighter. I would agree with the others comments on this. Most hikers who start dump over 50% of what they started with in the fist week. You will take to much and realize the advantages to lighter weight and less regardless of the shape you are in. Unless you have done this before or have spent time doing shakedown runs I would suggest starting with the basics you have and then deciding in the early part of the hike what works for you. Up through NC there are plenty of opps to change gear and ship stuff home. The best advice is to have fun and be flexible with your daily schedule. If you have specific questions about gear pros and cons send me an email and I'll try and help.
Just a couple thoughts from someone who's a slow and heavy hiker...my longest unsupported (no food or shelter) BP trip was only 2 weeks & I've spent 2 months living in a tent on a geology trip, but I carry loads of camera equipment on top of my camping gear, I'll see pack weights in the 80#+ range...and that includes fairly lightweight gear, but eating well, having some extra 'comfort' items, etc...it is slower going, maybe 2.5 mph, but I make sure I'm up early, hike most of the day (wandering might be a better description), and will cover 20 miles without any major issues, and still keep my head up to enjoy the view...i spent a few years on the ultralight bandwagon and decided it wasn't for me (to each their own though).
My basic gear list
My basic gear list
- MSR Hubba tent
- Whisperlight int'l (I agree, no need to for the int'l in the US - white gas is readily available) + extra fuel container depending on how long i'll be out
- uber-thin thermarest camping pad
- Marmot bag
- Arcterix Bora 95 pack
- Basic LED headlamp from wallyworld, sometimes a flashlight
- 2 nalgene bottles + empty bladder (just in case)
- lots of powdered gatorade
- MSR sweetwater filter (plus doodads like viral filter)
- iodine tables (backup, always carry two types of water purification)
- 1st aide kit, either small (short hikes) or medium (longer/unsupported/remote hikes), extra moleskin
- bodyglide (for feet & critch to prevent chaffing)
- Cell phone + extra battery
- lots of parachute cord
- at least 3 pairs of socks...it's wet in the PNW, so i always have extra pairs just in case
- cheapo columbia titanium rain jacket (like 10 years old now, but still waterproof)
- cheapo REI gortex pants
- 2 x shorts, 2x shirts
- deoderant
- I carry lightweight gators depending on where I'm going, they can really help in scratchy brush areas or if you are at altitude with possibility of deep snow
- printed maps of the entire trip (usually via NatGeo Topo on waterproof paper)
- compass
- GPS, with cool waypoints pre-loaded if available
- extra batteries
- oatmeal for breakfast, PB&J bagels for lunch (squeeze bottles or pre-made if not too long of a trip), freeze-dried meals
- write-in-the-rain notebook + extra pencil
- leatherman
- regular blade
- duct tape wrapped around nalgene bottle (replace every trip! i learned my lesson it will fail after too long on the bottle)
- lots of spices, double-wrapped in ziplock bags
- titanium cookware - only bring one pot + lid for frying pan
- lighter + wateproof matches + magnesium starter (always a backup)
- cotton balls soaked in vaseline
- piles of camera gear
So are there any of you that use a bivy sack instead of tent? What are y'alls thoughts on that?
I used a bivy on my last 2 week trip in Montana and it worked out just fine. It's not for the claustrophobic though. If you are going to be hiking where the potential for extended rain is high I'd re-think a bivy as it would get old pretty quick if you were forced to spend any length of time in it during the day. Mine has a hoop that keeps it somewhat tented over your head which is nice.
Patrick
Patrick
Thank you, we used them almost exclusively during my career in the corps. I still use it when backpacking, but haven't done any extreme camping since I got out. I found that when it was wet out, it usually got wet in because there was no vestibule to transition from wet clothes to sleeping bag.