What Would You be Willing to Carry for 800 Miles?

I won't be surprised if the answer to this question is different after the first 100 miles on the trail. I have done several 50-milers, but I know it's not the same. I can only tell you what I will carry in the beginning.

Whenever I create my packing list, I start at my head and work my way to my toes, writing down everything I will require along the way.

First off, everything will go in, or on, my 48 liter Osprey pack. It's not huge, so I will definitely have to cinch the tent fly and a few other things to the outside. Mine looks just like this one, except dirtier and with a chewed pocket from squirrels...

So, to cover my head, I have my shelter. Heidi and I chose the two-man, double door, 3-season tent, Morrison 2 tent, made by Mountainsmith. Two doors is hugely important for us because there's nothing worse than climbing over a previously sleeping body...or being climbed over...in the middle of the night to tinkle in the woods.

The tent has a wide floor, so it's comfortable for two, and although it's not the lightest weight or top-of-the-line quality, it's really good for its price. Also, when splitting the weight of your shelter with someone, 2.4lbs definitely seems worth the 35 square foot floor area.

Also to cover my head, I have a fleece beanie, a floppy rimmed hat for the sun, a Buff, which is the best thing ever, and 5 bandanas, though I use the bandanas for many things. I rest my head, and sometimes my backside, on my very necessary Therma-Rest pillow.

It's compressible, so it squishes down and tucks into it's own pocket. For something so lightweight, it gives great comfort for better nights. And on the trail, sleep is extremely important, which brings me to my ears. I bring ear plugs because whether it's an owl hooting, or a bear roaming around in the woods all night, I won't do anything about it until it's truly invading my borrowed space, so I need to decrease the noises on certain nights. Most of the time, I sleep peacefully without earplugs, but every once in a while, I get in my head about how vastly alone and exposed we are, and it helps to not have adrenaline shooting through my veins at the slightest twig snap.

For my eyes, I have sunglasses for the day and my beanie to pull down at night. Even though eye drops would be awesome to have, they aren't essential.

I have a sunscreen stick, mint chapstick, and a small bug spray container for my skin. Medicine-wise, I bring ibuprofen, Benadryl, Zolfran, and Immodium. Can't be losing fluids in the wilderness. 

Regarding that, I have wipes and a trowel for giving my poop a nice grave. My Energizer headlamp has extra batteries, and I bring a pair of glove liners, my DiamondBack trekking poles, and a first-aid kit that includes duct tape, tweezers, fingernail clippers, non-adherent sterile pads, medical glue, steri-strips, and triple antibiotic ointment. All that weighs about 4 ounces. I'll also have two lighters at all times and a few pieces of fuel that will burn under any condition. Speaking of conditions, I carry a pack cover and poncho for rain.

I wear 1 sports bra and 1 polyester t-shirt. I have a puffy jacket and some CuddlDuds long underwear. I am bringing 3 pairs of underoos that I wish were wool, but I couldn't find the right cut for the right price, so these are a cotton/poly/nylon blend. Fine. Whatever. <huff>

To cover me at night, I have a Slumberjack mummy bag (30 degrees) that I've had since high school. It laid dormant for probably 10 years, so it's in good condition. For extra cold nights, when being fully dressed inside my bag is not sufficient to stay warm, I have HotHands - little packets of magical heat that I can put at my feet or butt, the two places that seem to struggle at night.

Underneath me, I'll have my Klymit Satic V mattress, which I absolutely adore. I'm an all-over sleeper, so I like the way it cushions me no matter the position. The non-insulated one like mine has an R value of 1.3, with a 10oz weight. Heidi has the insulated one with an R value of 4.4, but the weight is 1lb 3oz.

I have enough water bladders and containers (mostly by Platypus) to carry 7 liters of water, which I expect to do at least twice on the trail, depending on water sources. I have a Sawyer filtration system with purification tablets as backup.

I have wool-blend boot socks that I got from Wal-Mart that I love more than my Smartwool, Wigwam, Redhead, or Merino Wool socks. Never done Darn Tough ones, but for now, I'm good.

Last, but not least, my boots. I first bought a pair of expensive Vasques from REI that I love, but then I happened upon some brand new Keens at Goodwill for $20! 8.5, just the right size for me! I'll start with the Keens and change midway through if need be.

So, there ya go! That's my gear list! What could you not do without for 800 miles?

Note: I wrote this while half asleep because I work weird hours right now and, after a nice nap, thought it was funny that I forgot to include my toothbrush and toothpaste, lightweight stove and fuel, and deoderant...all of which I can't do without! 😃