AT Thru Hike Gear

**cmich** · 03-07-2014, 15:34

I am starting my thru hike attempt of the AT on 3/26/14.

I am currently using a Golite Jam 50, and just received my HG 20 Phoenix and HG 20 burrow. I am very impressed with the quality of these quilts and the fast turn around time (9 business days to my door), but not so much on the customer service aspect. Adam is a great guy... when you can actually get a hold of him

... end rant!

Anyways my pack was working great with a different sleeping bag that I had. But with the added bulk of the new TQ and UQ, with 4 days of food the pack is stretched to its limits.

Here is my load out. What other pack options should I be looking at, What works for you with a similar load?

Loaded Pack (NO FOOD)- Base weight 16.4 lbs

Quilts

Hammock - DIY 1.1 w/ Whoopie Slings & DIY Fronkey Bug Net, Tarp = HG standard w/ doors, Shepard Hook & D-VAC stakes. Dutch clips & buckles.

Clothing Carried- Zpacks Cuben Rain Jacket, Patagonia Down Sweater, Patagonia Houdini, Smartwool top & bottoms base layer, Nike Running shorts, Columbia T-Shirt, Darn Tough Socks x 2, Wool IQ socks, Under Armor Beanie, Buff, Sunglasses

Cook Kit (all stows in 1400)- Snowpeak 1400 (Handles Removed, Bail Added) , MLD 475 Mug, Trail Designs 12-10 stove, Ti pot stand

Ditty Bag - Repair, First Aid, Spare Water Bladder, Bug Net, ACE wrap, Mirror, Fire Start, Ear Plugs

Ditty Bag 2 - Headlamp, Marker, Gerber Multi-tool, Compass, Towel, Spoon, Cuben Pack cover, Sawyer Squeeze, Body Glide, Deet, Zinc Oxide

Bear Bag- Zpacks food bag, 50 ft Dynalglide, Hygene kit

Various- Electronics, TP, AT Guide, Hand Sanitzer

Other - Neo Air Short (Shelters,Smokies,Whites), Sit pad/foot pad, Polycro groundsheet

......and thats everything!! What do you think?
When summer comes and I switch out my 20 burrow for 50 burrow, and send some clothing home, I think the Jam would work wonderfully. But for winter, its packed FULL, and I'd like to have a little room to spare.

**Dutch** · 03-07-2014, 15:53

You look prepared. You might want to bounce or not take some stuff but you got what it takes to start it and will figure it out along the way. I don't want to tell anyone no to take a compass in the woods but the AT is really well marked. Bring a roll of toilet paper.

**ShellHammock** · 03-07-2014, 16:08

ditch the sunglasses; there are too many trees on the AT! (haha not much space saving there)

Maybe pack the pads on the outside of the pack to free up some more space?

Why are you bringing two rain jackets?

What about a compacter bag liner to keep everything inside dry?

That 50L pack should be plenty. My 40L jam has been stuffed fuller than what you have pictured. Fully loaded for me is not being able to roll the top shut more than once or twice.

Swapping out your burrow's will do a lot for you! and wearing your down jacket to bed can help supplement so you can maybe do the switch early!

I'm envious of your trip!!

**cmich** · 03-07-2014, 16:19

I pack the pads on the inside to act as additional frame support.

I have one rain jacket (cuben fiber) and one wind jacket (houdini)

Have the compactor bag liner.

The pack will close with 4 days of food, but I do not like the idea of having NO room to spare.

Will try to make the switch on sleeping bags early to free up space, but am not going to put myself at risk to do so.

Thanks for the replies.

**TallPaul** · 03-07-2014, 16:26

Solid looking bunch of gear.
I don't see much of anything adding extra bulk you can get rid of until it gets warmer.

Do you pack your quilts loose in the compactor bag, or put them in stuff sacks? Eliminating the stuff sacks (if you are using them) might help push the quilts into the corners of the pack.

**gargoyle** · 03-07-2014, 16:32

Good luck on your journey cmich.

**cmich** · 03-07-2014, 16:37

I stuff the quilts loose in my pack. No stuff sacks

**Paulie** · 03-07-2014, 16:48

I also have a Jam 50, and just got a Ribz pack to put my daily food, ditty bags, TP, trail guide, phone, etc. Thanks for posting your gear list w/ pics!