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Lightweight Gear List for three-season hiking Since my 1999 thruhike of the AT, I've reduced my base pack weight significantly. Rather than list a gear list for each hike I've been on since 1999, I've created this gear list which has been used with slight modifications for each subsequent hike. My base pack weight to start is now about 14 pounds. To that, I add about two pounds of food per day and two pounds for a quart of water. I may trim some gear in the hottest of months or add a bit for temperatures approaching that of winter months. [Even for the coldest conditions in which I would use this list, this list in no way approximates a winter hiking gear list. For me, winter hiking means winter mountaineering, with extreme cold and harsh conditions and some specialized equipment.] Footwear Bridgedale socks (Ascent (was AT Boot Plus), Light Hikers, or Ultra) New Balance shoes (991s, 963, or 806s) Camp sandals (very lightweight cheapo Walmart teva copies) Gaiters (long and waterproof for rough, cold, and wet conditions or non-waterproof shorties for warmer weather to keep stuff out of my shoes) Warm weather clothing Bicycle shorts Underpants/bra (optional) Short sleeve shirts (silkweight Patagonia Capilene or New Balance tops) Micro-fleece sweater Cold weather clothing Thermal shirts (lightweight Capilene) Lycra tights Filled jacket (MEC Northern Lite full-zip) Fleece lined lycra hat WindBloc fleece glove-mits Polypro glove liners Fleece ear band Rain jacket/pants (El cheapo waterproof stuff from Galyans or Montane Pertex for times when hard rain is not expected.) Equipment Backpack (ULA P-1 for sub-25 pound loads, Kelty Vapor (now Cloud 4000)) Raincover (Equinox) Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo or Wanderlustgear Nomad long tent 20 deg. Big Agnes Zirkel sleeping bag Design Salt Cocoon ripstop silk sleeping bag liner Big Agnes Air Core pad (plus a 5mm Evazote pad in cold conditions) Leki Super Makalu hiking poles with canted rubber handles Soda can stove (alcohol) Evernew 1.3 liter titanium pot Lexan fork and spoon Lighter (cheapo mini-Bic) 4 qt. Dromedary water bag with hydration hose Aqua Mira or Potable Aqua iodine tablets First Aid kit Toiletries Misc/Repair kit Mini Buck Knife Black Daimond Ion Headlamp Compass/mirror Whistle Handkerchief 1/2 of a small PackTowl 50' Bear bag cord Camera Datapouch Fuel Water Food Last updated, March 8, 2006.

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