Although this isn’t a cycling caper, I decided to add this adventure to my site. The photo for the index page of this post is from June 2018 when I hiked for five days in the Smoky Mountains with my friend Julia. This photo is from the Appalachian Trail (AT) near the Icewater Spring Shelter which is 100 miles further north than I will be going. The start of the hike is just over two weeks away and it seems like I have been gathering supplies for over two years. My friend, Julia, knew she would do this hike when she retired and that time is now. I asked for hiking poles as a 2020 Christmas present and will be putting them to the challenge. Below is a series of photos of the all the supplies I will be taking. If I were doing the entire hike, I would ship back the cold weather winter clothes once spring was in full swing. I am also taking more food than I should to start because I am taking freeze dried fruit. That is something you can’t just get at a gas station and I wanted at least a little “comfort” food for a few days. The good news is, as I eat the extra food, the backpack will only get lighter! My “base weight” is about 23 pounds. Base weight does not include the clothes you are wearing nor the food/water which are considered consumables. Including food, my backpack is about 30 pounds. I plan to carry my water on my waist bag. Two items that I purchased that are not making the trip include an ultralight camp chair (18.5 oz) and a hands-free umbrella (7.3 oz). I just can’t handle more weight.
We did a pre-hike, in September of 2021, in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was just a few days of hiking, however we did set up our tents, carried our backpacks, ate freeze-dried food and worked out “the bugs” in our equipment needs. Cell service will be spotty at best along the AT, however I will try to post as often as I can. I will only be doing 100 miles; my friend aims to complete the whole darn thing!! I am sure with good luck, and a couple of pairs of hiking boots, her determination will carry her all the way.
Backpack full, along with poles. Two solar charges (one doubles as a light) and camp shoes are attached. Not shown, but inside side pockets are hand soap & sanitizer and a headlamp. Weight is about 30 pounds including around six pounds of food.
The main contents: (back row, L to R) sleeping bag, tent, inflatable sleeping pad (with an R factor of 4) and extra foam, sleep clothes. Front row: gloves/mittens, tent footprint, backpack rain cover, rain coat/pants.
Food bag (bear proof?) with reflective tape, cook stove & cup/pot, odor proof bag with food, and a bag of toiletries/some first aid. The water filter and empty water bottle will not be inside food bag.
What’s in the odor proof food bag within the food bag: three freeze dried meals, several different snack/breakfast bars, instant coffee & creamer, almond butter and lots of freeze dried fruit. There are a few extra bars & freeze dried fruit not shown. The only thing left to add are small fajita wraps for the almond butter. An ultra light spork is missing from the photo.
Odds & ends that will go inside the hyperlight grey bag: first aid, female urination device in brown bag, cord for hanging food bag, lighter, camp towel, inflatable pillow, night splint for plantar fasciitis, mini foldable brush, duct tape (for repairs), disposable masks, and a bunch of electronics (including a hotspot to try and get a phone signal). We do hope to get a hotel room once in a while to recharge ourselves and our electronics. I plan to use a solar charging Garmin watch to track mileage so I don’t have to keep asking “how far have we gone?” like I did hiking in Michigan.
Clothes worn: quick dry pants (can convert to shorts), black hoodie, base layer grey wool top, green “bugs away top,” waist pack (to carry hotspot, Chapstick, suntan lotion, safety spray, and that day’s snacks), gaiters to help keep bottom of pants dry, cap, neck buff, hiking boots, and a puffy jacket that can compress into its own pocket plus wool socks (not shown).