WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKPACK?

I'll begin by offering this brief disclaimer: there are as many opinions on just what's the best gear as there are AT hikers!  What I'm about to show you is what works best for ME.


I think it's best to start at the beginning!  One of the first essential pieces of gear to consider is the backpack.  I can attest to how important it is to choose this correctly, meaning take the time to get ACCURATELY  measured before dropping some dollars on this piece of equipment.  I stress the word "accurately" because getting a pack that fits correctly can literally make or break your hiking spirit!

I truly thought that I'd measured myself correctly before buying my first pack.  I excitedly rushed into Dick's Sporting Goods and purchased a Kelty pack, selecting the one next in line from the biggest one they make.  It weighed in at 5 or 6 pounds (if my memory serves me), and I was certain it would have room for everything I planned to carry on my first overnight hike on the AT.  This is me, standing at the sign marking the trail to the Springer Mountain Shelter.  See that smile on my face?  Trust me when I tell you it didn't last long!

I'd measured myself right at the 18" mark, and opted for a regular torso length pack.  All seemed well - at first.  We made it up the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls.  I probably didn't even notice how much I was hurting from a pack that didn't fit me correctly because everything else in my body ached as we climbed Springer Mountain.  But when I woke up the next morning, the area above my hip bones was so sore that I honestly didn't think I'd be able to put the pack back on.  I did, and we finished out hike.

The next day, however, we headed to Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap for a pack shakedown and advice on my issues.  Turns out, my pack was too big for me.  When the very knowledgeable young man in the store measured me, I needed a small torso pack.  He chose one for me to try on, and the difference was amazing!  Because it fit me correctly, the hip belt didn't touch the tender areas my other pack had caused.  The fact that it was a women's pack meant that the design of the shoulder straps was a bit different too, making it fit me much better around my shoulder area.  I truly couldn't believe the difference!  So, $200 later, I left with the right pack, and still carry it today.

My ULA Catalyst

Yeah - I know.  It doesn't look like it would cost $200, but it was some of the best money I could have ever spent!  It's a simple pack, weighing in at 3 pounds.  It's a top-loader, with a large net pocket on the outside, a smaller, zipped one inside, two large pouches on each side, and two small pouches attached to the hip belt.

Yes, it can be a challenge to load until you do it a couple of times.  And, at the end of the day, I do have to take everything out to get to my sleeping bag.  But I really have no complaints about this pack.  It's served me well!  About 3 years ago, I purchased an Osprey women's pack, but have yet to carry it.  It's a heavier pack with a different type of suspension, and Osprey does seem to be "the name" you see most on the trail.  For now, however, I'm sticking with what's tried and true.  I'll be taking my ULA on my next adventure!

Selecting gear can almost seem overwhelming at times.  Not to mention, it can get really expensive.  My personal advice to you is this:  if you're on a budget, I think the three items that are worth spending the most money on are your pack, your tent, and your shoes.  Ultralight is expensive, folks.  There's a limit to what I will (or can) spend on gear, no matter how cool and shiny it looks, or how many people carry it on the trail.  That being said, shoot for a good backpack before anything else.  There are tents you can buy that might be a bit heavier, but will do the job.  My first tent was a Eureka 2 person tent.  My sister and I hiked together so we split up the weight.  It came it at about 5 pounds or so, but proved itself to be waterproof and roomy ( since we shared it).

If you know someone who hikes, maybe they have some  gear they'd be willing to let you borrow - but please, don't take it personally if they don't want to - we tend to guard our gear pretty fiercely.  If you can only afford one costly item to begin with, go for a good pack.  You can always add to your ultralight collection later if you decide long-distance hiking is for you! 

Next time, I'll cover a bit more of my basic gear like my tent and sleeping system.  Again, it's all things I've learned over the course of my section hikes.  I'm by no means an expert!  I don't claim to be!  Part of the fun of a hike such as this is the planning and learning.  My hope, however, is to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made!

HAPPY HIKING, EVERYONE!!!