Gear

This is a list of everything I’m bringing with me on my trip.  I fully expect to drop certain things and pick up new ones on the way so I will try my best to keep the list up to date.  I’m sure you’ll notice that I am not bringing much clothing, especially not  for winter.  The reasoning behind that is sizing.  Assuming I make it any reasonable distance I expect the clothes I start my walk in will not last me long as I start to lose weight.  For that reason I’m bringing little clothes and will need to pick up things (probably at thrift stores) along the way.

If you are crazy enough to do something like this without a cart, everything will need to be cut down to the essentials and the ultralight. All extra space will be used for water.  I’m using a cart to carry most stuff but the backpack will carry extra water if needed and a few valuables.  Also, I know I’m bringing a lot of technology with me that is technically unnecessary but most of it is primarily used for safety and but the tech nerd in me needed some entertainment too.

NOTE: The best purchase I made in preparation was two cans of Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent Spray. I used it on just about every piece of non-plastic/metal material I have.  My wicking/workout shirts are waterproofed, my pants, my walking shoes, even large sections of my pushcart and backpack.  This stuff is amazing. Everything that needs to breathe can still do so while repelling water. I even made a bowl out of my pants to test it and it completely held the water without getting the inside wet at all.

  • 1 Backpack – Teton Sports 5400
  • 1 Push Cart – Aosom Elite II Bike Trailer/Jogger
  • 1 Solar Charging Panel – Choetech
  •  1 USB Power Bank- Anker Astro E7 26800mAh
  • 1 iPhone 6+
  • 1 Spot Gen 3 GPS Tracker
  • 1 Microsoft Surface 3 + LTE -Tip: if you get a device with cell data, go with T-Mobile if possible and you are using it mainly for media consumption (and if you get service in your area).  Most major video and music streaming services (i.e. Netflix, Pandora, Spotify) don’t count toward your data.
  • 1 Pair of Colombia Men’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pants with UPF 50
  • 1 Columbia Sportswear Men’s Terminal Tackle Hoodie w/  UPF 50 sun protection
  • 1 Short sleeve sweat wicking/workout shirt
  • 1 Pair of Synthetic underwear – Ex Officio Men’s Give-N-Go Boxer Briefs (never ever go cotton for hiking on things directly touching your body. It stretches too easily and absorbs water.)
  • 1 Pair of compression shorts (mine are jammer swimsuits by Speedo but others work fine)
  • 1 Windbreaker
  • 1 Hooded cotton jacket (again, I’ll get a better, warmer one in time. Also not directly touching.)
  • 1 Pair of Long underwear (top and bottom)
  • 1 Pair Outdoor Cycling gloves w/ touchscreen compatibility
  • 4 Pairs of wool socks (again, no cotton)
  • 1 Pair walking shoes (Sketchers 50650EW)
  • 1 Pair of sandals (the kind with straps all around the foot, great for walking in heat)
  • 4 oz Camp Suds (all purpose soap-dishes, clothes, body)
  • 1 Frying Pan
  • 1 Plastic Spatula and stirring spoon
  • 4 Camping Sporks
  • 2-32 oz Nalgene water bottles
  • 1-24 oz Water bottle
  • 1-3L water bladder
  • 1-2L water bladder (usually empty)
  • 1-10L water bladder (for sections without towns for several days)
  • 1 package of emergency rations (3 days)
  • 1 Ultralight Medical Kit
  • 1 Jetboil stove
  • 2 Jetboil fuel canisters
  • 1 Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL 2 mtnGLO Tent (ultralight)
  • 1 Teton Sports XL 0 Degree sleeping back – Note: this is not a normal backpacking bag. It is heavy (6.5lbs) and relatively big. I got it because I cannot stand mummy bags as I am super claustrophobic and I am pushing a cart so I figured the added weight was worth the trade-off.
  • 1 Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad
  • 1 Bear bag (for food)
  • 1 Bear Mace
  • 1 Small bottle of pain aspirin (for pain and swelling)
  • 1 Toothbrush
  • 1 Travel toothpaste
  • 4 Tubes of Nuun Hydration Electrolyte Tabs
  • 1 Pack ENGO Blister Prevention Patches
  • 1 Bottle Bug Spray
  • 1 Wide brimmed hat
  • 1 Bottle spray sunscreen
  • 1 neck Gator (Gaiter?) UPF 50
  • 1 Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
  • 1 Tarp
  • 1 Rain Poncho