Wanna be through hikers that try a social media presence usually begin with an “Intention” submit. “I simply wish to announce that I intend to hike the AT in 2024.” There, that’s executed. An “Intention” submit is often adopted up fairly rapidly with both a Large Three or Gear Record. I believe many of the “Intention” posts are sort of tacky, that’s why mine is the one line above (and one very quick paragraph in my introduction). I actually love the Large Three and Gear Record posts and proceed to learn all of those I come throughout. If “Intention” posts are your factor, I’ll be sure you sprinkle my intentions by all my non-intention posts.
Disclaimers
The 40 inch lengthy, ⅛” thick foam pad talked about under was given to me by Ron Bell, the proprietor of Mountain Laurel Designs. My mentioning that I acquired it from him might be way more than he meant to get as a part of our transaction. He had a pile of them in his workshop and I believe he actually needed most of them gone. All the opposite gear I bought with my very own cash, usually whereas on sale, all the time after my spouse had bought comparable gear for herself.
I’m lucky to be able the place I can afford the gear offered under. 20 years in the past I used to be utilizing an enormous Kelty pack that was very used when bought. I slept in a 7 pound Alps Mountaineering sleeping bag bought new for beneath $50. And my tent was a closeout particular from a neighborhood store on the brink of exit of enterprise. Though the gear was low-cost and heavy, it supplied the chance for a lot of, many unforgettable (in a great way) days and nights on the path and within the woods with my youngsters. Slowly, over a few years, I’ve realized, saved up cash, and refined my gear as I’ve fallen extra in love with backpacking.
Backpack – ULA Circuit
I’m beginning this listing with my backpack as a result of all through hikers should have one thing to hold all the things in. I had a troublesome time choosing this piece of substances. There are such a lot of good decisions and everybody I spoke to liked the selection they made. After months of on-line and on path analysis I narrowed it all the way down to the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest, and the ULA Circuit. I actually needed the Mountain Laurel Designs Burn to be on my finalist listing, however was involved about the associated fee to get all my gear gentle sufficient for the pack to be snug. Ron, the magician at MLD, is a pal and former neighbor of mine.
The ULA Circuit ultimately gained. I’ve used the pack for over 400 miles to date and it nonetheless seems model new. The Circuit held all my gear and approach too many days of meals on the Foothills Path in SC, an try and climb Mt Whitney, a weekend within the Cranberry Wilderness, and lots of weekends on the AT. That is probably the most snug, even with 12 kilos of meals, of the 4 packs I’ve owned over the past 45 years. Sure, I like to make use of my gear for a very long time. A number of options led me to select this pack: 1) it’s the lightest obtainable pack that can actually final eternally, 2) very customizable, the hip belt, pack, and shoulder straps are all configurable at order time, 3) giant hip belt pockets, 4) made within the USA.

The creator and his beloved backpack on a shakedown hike
The one questions left about my pack are to make use of (or not) a rain cowl and shoulder strap pouch.
Sleep System – Katabatic Gear Flex 22, Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir XLite, ⅛” foam pad (40 inches lengthy)
I spent nearly as a lot time in search of the proper sleep system as I did in search of a backpack. Many quilts, sleeping luggage, and sleeping pads have been thought of. I actually needed the Flex 22 however it is vitally dear. When the 2022 mannequin went on sale, I nearly pulled the set off however hesitated a bit too lengthy they usually have been gone. Just a few weeks later I realized about GGG and found that that they had the 2022 mannequin on sale and I didn’t hesitate.
The Flex 22 is my latest piece of substances. I used to be in search of a heat quilt that might additionally work in the summertime, if the evening acquired cool. The Flex 22 has been good. I took it out a number of instances over the summer season, stored it beside me within the tent, and would pull elements of it over me because the evening cooled. Lately there have been a couple of nights within the low 30’s and the quilt has stored me very heat whereas simply sporting some light-weight working shorts and a protracted sleeve t-shirt, however nothing on my practically bald head.
Everybody on the path makes use of a Therm-a-Relaxation sleep pad. Possibly not everybody, there are a couple of outliers. My first popped as a consequence of poor tent web site choice and Therm-a-Relaxation mounted it for $20. I bought a second one whereas ready for the restore as a result of there was no approach I used to be going again to my 1990’s classic Path Lite self inflating pad. Professional tip, placing a ⅛” thick foam pad (Thanks Ron!) beneath the NeoAir, or any pad, will silence the crackling sound. Please do that in consideration of your tenting neighbors.
Tent – Large Agnes Copper Spur UL3
Sure, this can be a huge tent, however my spouse does permit me a slender part on one facet. The Copper Spur is a big improve from the Lanshan 2 we beforehand used. I actually needed one other trekking pole tent, however none of them had the identical house because the Copper Spur. We finalized our choice when Taylor (Nahamsha) made the swap from a trekking pole tent to a free standing tent in PA. We’re thrilled with the acquisition.

The creator’s tent on the haunted shelter on the AT
On our Whitney try there was torrential rain, to not point out the gale drive winds and hail. We deliberate to camp at Path Camp and make a summit try the following morning. The winds have been so sturdy and the hail so stinging that we determined to return down the path a few half mile to a flat spot subsequent to a cliff wall. Whereas the granite wall supplied some safety from the wind, the tent did absolutely collapse many instances throughout the evening. When the hail turned to rain, a stream rapidly fashioned beneath our tent.
It had been years since I slept on a water mattress, this expertise was comparable. My NeoAir floated properly on prime of the water flowing beneath the tent. Within the morning there was NO water or dampness within the tent. We’re so pleased with this buy. Large Agnes offered us a brand new (used) set of poles for about $50 and Tent Pole Applied sciences unbent out bent poles for a little bit bit much less. I now have two units of poles, ought to somebody want a substitute.
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