All this will sustain a hiker on the Appalachian Trail for about five days and, with empty water bottles, weighs about 25 pounds.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Appalachian Trail hikers carry most everything they'll need for the duration of their hike
- Thru-hikers carry the same essentials, but usually no tent and less food
- Backpacks are designed to transfer much of the weight to the hiker's hips
(CNN) -- Section-hikers carry with them virtually everything they'll need for days or even weeks. Backpacks are designed to transfer much of the weight to the wearer's hips. Here's what I carried on a recent four-day hike through part of New York. Many of the items are in sacks to keep the pack organized. The total weight of the backpack above and everything in it, excluding water, is 25 pounds. Clockwise from lower right:
Section-hiker's 50-liter volume pack
Folding padded seat
Compass/thermometer
Headlamp (White and red bulbs. Using red light at night reduces the brief blindness that occurs when white light is shut off.)
Knife
Bandana
Bear bell (Lets them know you're coming.)
Lip balm
Bug spray
Bug-bite ointment
Trowel (Field toilet.)
Change of clothes (One extra shirt, socks for each day, underwear for each day)
Self-inflating sleeping pad (In addition to the padding, it provides insulation from cold ground.)
40-degree sleeping bag
Sleeping bag liner (Adds another 5-10 degrees of warmth.)
Single-person tent (81 x 34 inches, total weight of tent, poles, fly: 3 pounds, 8 ounces)
Tent rain fly
Six aluminum tent spikes
Tent footprint (Protects bottom of the more expensive tent from wear and provides some insulation from cold ground.)
Camp soap (Biodegradable)
Deodorant (This is considered a backpacking no-no because the scent can attract critters, including bears. But sometimes I need it to get to sleep.)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Anti-bacterial body wipes (In lieu of showers. Packed out after use.)
Hiking backpacks have a rigid frame and are designed to put the load on the hiker's hips.
"Chaco Taco" and Margolo" are thru-hikers, carrying backpacks weighing 20 and 18 pounds.
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Matches (In zipped plastic bag.)
First-aid kit (Bandages, alcohol wipes, blister pads, elastic bandage.)
Quick-dry towel
Spare boot laces
Breakfasts (Dehydrated eggs with sausage, peppers and potatoes; oatmeal.)
Energy bars, sports drink mix
Tent poles
Coffee cup, instant coffee
Collapsible sink
Fork and spoons
Water bottles (Wrapped with 2 feet of duct tape for use in tent and backpack repair or as an emergency bandage.)
Dinners (Dehydrated shepherd's pie, dehydrated chicken and rice, dehydrated lasagna, etc.)
Camp stove, pot and fuel
Pump-style water filter
Backpack rain cover
Heavy plastic, double-zipper bag for packing out trash
Added later: light rain jacket
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Thru-hiker's 50-liter pack
Thru-hikers carry many of the same essentials but strive for an even lighter load. They can get by without a tent by staying in shelters and can resupply as needed in towns along the route. Here's what "Margolo" is carrying on her hike from Georgia to Maine. The total weight of her backpack and everything in it, excluding water, is about 18 pounds, she said.
Three-quarter length sleeping pad (It provides padding and insulation from cold ground, but provides neither below the knees unless the sleeper is curled up.)
4-liter water bladder in backpack
Gravity-style water filter
35-degree sleeping bag
Hammock
One pair toe shoes (much lighter than hiking boots), one pair sandals
Change of clothes (Four pairs socks -- two toe socks, two thicker woolies, three pairs undies, one hiking skirt, one T-shirt, two tank tops, one pullover fleece, one puffy down jacket, one wool hat, one pair long spandex.)
Bandanna
Hand sanitizer
Glasses and contacts: lens solution, case, two spare pairs
Foot powder
Headlamp
Comb
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Barometer/altimeter and compass (Used by her great-grandfather.)
Smartphone
Waterproof matches
Emergency blanket
Bug spray
Snack bag (Chips, nuts, dried fruit, cookies, string cheese, peanut butter.)
Her hiking partner, "Chaco Taco," carries a comparable set of personal gear plus these items, making the total weight of his backback about 20 pounds:
Alcohol stove
Kettle
Deli tubs (All-purpose cups/bowls.)
Dinner (Usually couscous, about 2 pounds.)
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