I've had a complete gear list for a couple weeks now, but finally got everything together & complete tonight. It's always rewarding to gather everything together and actually see what it looks like spread out. It's a bit overwhelming to look at the little assemblage of items that will sustain me for almost a month. Not second-guessing myself at all, but, whoa.
I've always been interested in these "exploded" looks at gear for long-haul trips. The utility of things fascinates me. Every little item shown below has a purpose, or else it would definitely not be coming along. So you don't have to wonder what that "thingamabob" is, I've numbered the items below. Who does that? Who numbers their gear items & lists every one of them on their web page? THIS GUY.
| 1. Tent 2. Sleeping Bag & Pad (Underneath) 3. Maps 4. Water (More specifically, Smartwater Bottles... The best!) 5. Tent Rain Fly, if necessary 6. 3 days worth of food @ about 2 lbs each bag 7. Fleece Beanie 8. Gloves 9. Rain Jacket 10. Rain Kilt (Yeah, you read it right) 11. Spare Socks 12. Short Shorts 13. Cat Tank-Top (Essential) 14. First Aid Kit 15. Towel 16. Wet Wipes 17. Body Glide 18. TP 19. Chapstick 20. Toothbrush/Toothpaste 21. Bug Repellent 22. Cordage 23. Patch Kit (For Sleeping Pad/Tent) 24. Hand Sanitizer 25. Sunglass Strap | 26. Water Treatment Drops 27. Sunny G's 28. Multi-Tool 29. Spot GPS Messenger 30. Compass 31. Thermometer 32. Firestarting Equipment 33. Mini Tripod 34. Bug Headnet 35. iPhone SE 36. iPhone Charge Cord 37. Battery Pack 38. Headlamp 39. Backup Headlamp Batts 40. Cathole Digger (Yes, for pooping) 41. Down Jacket 42. Brooks Hat 43. Balclava 44. Pants 45. Socks 46. Hiking Shirt 47. Backpack 48. Trekking Poles |
The next picture shows all the gear pictured above stuffed away for safe-keeping. That's it! All that gear condensed into these slick little stuff-sacks. Naturally, all these little satchels (with the exception of the poles) fit nicely into my backpack. Although I knew they'd all fit just fine, it's still a bit nerve-racking fitting everything in the pack for the first time. Did my gear somehow multiply to the point that it won't fit? The answer was no, but still. It's a big moment!
Because I know you want hard evidence, here's my full pack ready to go with all food & water on board for the first 3.5 days. "But, how are we supposed to know that you didn't just stuff a bunch of chickens in there?!" Good point, I guess I could have, but I didn't. This is chicken-free pack. Blast-off in 3 days. Let's do this dang thing! Just as a reminder, if you want to geek out over every single item I'm taking with me, feel free to wander on over to my official gear list, you weirdo.
