Appalachian Trail

As everyone probably knows the Appalachian Trail, or AT as some people call it, is a hiking trail that goes from between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine.

This April, 2011, I will be doing my first thruhike, walking from one end of the trail and finishing 2,200 miles later at the other end. I will be walking north, or doing whats called a NOBO hike, which just means North Bound. I am also considered a GAME hiker for those of you that are new to trail speak, hiking from Georgia (GA) to Maine (ME), if I was going southbound it would be a MEGA hike.

The Appalachian Trail blog starts here, or if you are more interested in watching some of my Appalachian Trail Videos you can watch this YouTube Playlist to see my trip from start to finish.

Most people aren’t too familiar with the Appalachian Trail and they seem to think that my hike will take a week or so. That’s not quite correct, it will take me between 4 to 6 months of walking to complete a full thruhike. (It took 5 months, I summited Katahdin on September 8th, 2011 after leaving Springer Mountain on April 8th)

Once they understand that they want to know where I’ll be sleeping, because certainly I couldn’t be sleeping outside the whole time. But yes, I assure them that I will be sleeping outside, and in some cases in shelters built along the way. And no I wont be buying water everyday from a store, I have a filter for that.

Most people, once they get past telling me what to be afraid of or suggesting that I carry a gun, ask what I’m taking with me. So like a good little thruhiker I have included a gear list below. This is the finalized version and though I’m not sure what my pack weighs I will be weighing it again before the trip starts. (I did weigh it earlier today, fully packed with food but no water and the scale registered 22 pounds, for some reason I think it is hevier than that even without the food and water.)

AT Hike Gear

Backpack: Osprey Talon 44

Sleeping System:

  • Suise Sport Adventure 30 degree sleeping bag
  • Thermolite Bivy 2.0
  • zlite closed cell small mattress
  • exped inflatable pillow
  • Tube tent – Homemade
  • 1 Heat Sheets Personal Blanket (emergency)

Hydration:

  • Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter
  • 2 liter hydration bladder
  • Gatorade bottle

Clothing: 

  • Underarmour Zip up Sweatshirt
  • 2 pairs Underarmour Heat socks
  • 1 pair extra thick socks
  • 1 pair Underarmour Gloves
  • Nike Fit synthetic winter hat
  • Underarmour Long Johns top and bottom
  • Nike Fit Storm Jacket
  • Columbia Packable rain pants
  • Cotton T-shirt (for sleeping)
  • Short Sleeve Synthetic Hiking shirt
  • Long sleeve synthetic hiking shirt
  • 2 pairs Underarmour underwear
  • 1 pair of synthetic lightweight shorts (for sleeping)
  • 1 pair hiking shorts
  • LL Bean Mens TrailHiker shoes

Hygene:

  • Travel size Toothbrush
  • travel size toothpaste
  • disposable razor
  • 1 Camp Towel
  • 1 Right Guard Deoderant – travel size
  • Nail Clippers
  • 1 Half Roll of Toilet Paper
      

First Aid: 

  • 1 QuikClot Sponge
  • Band Aids
  • Antibiotic sanitizer wipes
  • purell Hand sanatizer
  • Jolly Rancher Lip Balm
  • Q-tips

Extras:

  • Swiss Army Knife
  • Knife Sharpener
  • Small roll Gorilla Tape
  • Mini Bic lighter
  • mini LED Flashlight
  • plastic long handled spoon
  • Notebook
  • Hikers Guide Book
  • Prescription Glasses
  • 5 Safety Pins
  • Cell Phone and charging cord