Ever since we published a series of backpacking gear lists this spring (an ultralight backpacking gear list, a traditional backpacking gear list and a beginner’s backpacking gear list) several blog readers have contacted me to ask which of those items I personally carry. After all, it’s one thing to compile lists of suggested backpacking gear, and another thing entirely to disclose exactly what I take on the trail.
Well, what better way to follow up those gear lists, and answer that question, than with another gear list? Using the above trip as an example, here’s what both Leah and I carried in our packs (and wore) for our overnighter:
Just over a month ago, we left home early on a Saturday morning for the Smokies, planning on a 25+ mile overnight hike. Our route was to begin at the Elkmont ranger station, taking us up to the Appalachian Trail via the Little River Trail and Goshen Prong Trail. From there, we’d stay in the Double Spring Gap trail shelter for the night, then hike west along the AT past Silers Bald, returning to our vehicle via the Miry Ridge Trail and Jakes Creek Trail.
When I go backpacking alone, I trend toward an ultralight* setup (base weight of 12 pounds or so, less when sleeping in trail shelters), but when my wife — Leah — and I are backpacking together I take a much more comfort-oriented approach. Instead of trying to cover as much ground as I possibly can, we hike at a more casual pace, since the goal is having fun and we enjoy being outdoors together. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only a few hours away from Chattanooga, and the many trail shelters along the Appalachian Trail allow us to skip the tent and travel in comfort while keeping our packs below 20 lbs.
* Yes, I know this doesn’t qualify as TRULY “ultralight” to those that use a hammock and whoopee slings, or or sleep with a tarp shelter that isn’t fully enclosed. Perhaps “superlight” is a more appropriate term; it’s a very light setup, but not to the point of masochism.
Since we’d be staying in a trail shelter at about 5400 feet above sea level, we checked the weather forecast and were expecting night-time temperatures slightly below freezing. Being early May, the weather is unpredictable in the mountains, so we were prepared for cold and/or rainy conditions; in reality, it never dipped much below +40F, and despite plenty of fog and mist it never rained. Because we’d be spending the entire first day gaining 3,500 feet of elevation in 12 miles, we planned on dressing relatively light while on the trail, with warm items packed away to wear at camp and at the beginning of our ridgeline hike along the Appalachian Trail the following morning.
Note: It has been a couple of years since this trip, so we’ve updated the list to include the current versions of the gear we used!
We also carried some additional small items: trowel and toilet paper, a pocketknife, a first aid kit, trail map, headlamps, an emergency blanket, a handheld GPS, a freezer ziploc for garbage and some paper towels for cleaning our mugs. All told, my pack weighed in at just under 20 pounds, and Leah’s backpack was closer to 18.
So, what stands out about this list? Our differences in personal preference should be obvious. I don’t carry trekking poles when my pack is less than 30 pounds or so. We both carry a spare set of SmartWool socks, so we have dry ones to sleep in if we get our feet wet. I prefer a light 3-season sleeping bag & liner, whereas Leah is a cold sleeper and usually carries the warmer sleeping bag. I like to carry the Miniworks EX despite the weight; it’s so effective, I’d filter drinking water from a puddle on a horse trail without hesitation. Without a tent, my 50-liter pack is definitely too large for an overnighter, but it’s so comfortable I took it anyway. I only bring gloves when it’s snowing.
We both love the Capilene 3 crews, which are great for sleeping in and breathe well enough for cold-weather hiking. We also both prefer the Platypus bottles for hydration, as they weigh almost nothing and slide into the side pockets of a backpack more easily than a Nalgene bottle.
With such a temperature swing between the daytime high (while hiking uphill) and the evening temperatures (sitting at camp atop a wind-swept ridge), we found ourselves hiking in technical t-shirts, but wearing base layer + fleece + down jackets at the trail shelter. We were toasty warm at night — a bit too warm, actually — but that meant we could partially unzip our sleeping bags and sleep without wearing a hat, which was quite pleasant. After we split off of the Appalachian Trail and the morning fog burned off, the second day’s hike was primarily downhill, and those 13.5 miles flew by… we were back home in Chattanooga before dinner!
Remember, everyone’s needs and preferences are different, so there are a hundred different ways to fill your backpack for a weekend on the trail. Have questions? Post them below in the comments, or ask away on our Facebook page!
Update:
A few notes here. First, while I’ve listed our base layers and the clothing we brought, there’s not much of an explanation of why and how we layered our clothing for this trip. As mentioned above, we ended up hiking in tech tees and layering up with base layers and mid-layer fleeces as necessary. If you’d like more information on layering outdoor clothing, check that link for a more in-depth article.
Second, you’ll notice both of us carried Osprey Packs. This is no accident; I believe Osprey makes the best backpacking packs in the industry, and I personally own a full range of them, something I’ve written about before. Having a good pack is every bit as important as what you put in it, perhaps more so; don’t sell yourself short, get properly fitted and purchase a quality hiking pack.
anonymous says
Personally, I wouldnt put as much trust in that Miniworks EX, now a LifeSaver water bottle, yeah I would. I promise I’m not a retailer or employee, but I do rugged “outdoor adventures” that last for 1 – 2 weeks, always solo. It’s impossible to port enough water, so I’m left to obtain water from **seriously** questionable sources. Bad water is not something I can afford when I am 30+ miles from civilization, even with my ACR/GPS. With the filtering capabilities of the LifeSaver bottle, I no longer feel it necessary to do a small prayer before I drink filtered water. Just my 2 cents.
Jeff Bartlett says
Thanks for the feedback! For what it’s worth, the LifeSaver bottle utilizes an activated carbon filter in conjunction with a ceramic filter, and the manufacturer specifies that the ceramic filter pores are 0.2 microns in size. These are exactly the same specifications for the MSR Miniworks EX, which uses a ceramic filter cartridge with a carbon core. Is it possible you are confusing the MSR Miniworks EX with the MSR Sweetwater filter, which uses a silica filter media instead of ceramic?
In any event, it’s exactly that ceramic filter technology that I think justifies carrying these types of filters, despite lighter options being available, so we are completely in agreement. I’ve used my Miniworks to filter from a pool so dark with leaf tannin that it resembled coffee, and on a caving expedition where our water source was both murky and known to contain fecal coliform bacteria (I know… yuck!), without incident. I believe it is the lightest and most compact water filter to utilize a ceramic filter element.
Jason says
Ill be hiking the length of the AT in the GSMNP in Mid october. Will the weather be approximately the same? Ill be going pretty light – under 20 lbs with 4 days of food, but am wondering if I should bring even warmer clothing – Id rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks for any insight!
Jeff Bartlett says
Here’s a good overview — Clingman’s Dome is the high point in the park and represents your worst-case scenario. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/weather.htm#CP_JUMP_47810
The “typical” low up there in October is 35-40, but that can vary widely. You’ll be pretty well protected in the trail shelters. Expect wind in the gaps, and all bets are off if the forecast in Gatlinburg calls for a chance of rain! A few years back, in February, I was caught in freezing rain and stiff wind as I approached an AT trail shelter (Mollies Ridge) and awoke to find 4″ of fresh snow on the ground …and several more inches coming down. The mountains really do make their own weather in the shoulder seasons.
My rule of thumb is to throw something like a Patagonia Nano Puff or a down vest into my pack as “insurance” beyond what I expect to need, temperature-wise; as above, I carry a Marmot Zeus Vest, which is 10 ounces and makes a handy pillow if I don’t end up using it as insulation!
Chandler Abney says
I just planned the same hike for this summer except we’re going to split it up into two nights. This is our first hike in the smokies but we’ve been on multiple multi night trips back home. In your opinion, is this a good hike as far as scenic views and getting to know the smokies?
Jeff Bartlett says
Actually, if you’ve never been to the Smokies I’d recommend going up Mt LeConte, and perhaps over to Icewater Spring to check out the side hike to Charlie’s Bunion on the second night. This route was cool, but it’s a not necessarily one of the classics. LeConte is a must-do, great views from the top (and on the way up, depending on your route).