So my biggest complaint when I was preparing for my hike and reading other AT blogs, was that no one would come back and write what worked and didn't work when it would come to gear. People would post about the start of the trip, but I had no idea if they made it or if they changed anything. I started to update my AT gear list after I summited Katahdin, but I figured I would just create a new gearlist for the PCT with everything updated from my learnings on the AT... so head on over to my PCT page and see whats going to take me from Mexico to Canada, 95% of the same gear will easily take you from Georgia to Maine, but please continue to read my PSA below
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Gear is important... but only kind of. No one summits Katahdin with the exact same gear, we all carry different equipment, have different needs, and hike differently. I saw people who were 100% outfitted at REI summit, and I met ultralight hikers who dropped out. So yes gear is important, but your attitude and desire to be on the trail is much more critical to your success. If you want to be on the trail, you will find a way to stay on the trail, if you don't want to be on the trail, you will find a reason to get off. Its that simple. I urge you to read other peoples blog, as the system I described below worked for me and my habits, but may not work for you. I also urge that you borrow your friends gear, or join an outdoor club to try gear out before you buy it. I have a closet full of old gear that I have purchased in the past since I bought items before I really had my "hiking style" down which is a waste of money; So try as much as you can before you make big purchases.
I was not ultralight, which is to I was not carrying a base weight of 10lbs or less, which is everything you carry except food, water and fuel. I was probably around 15 to 16 pounds when it was all said and done. It comes down to personal preferences, comfort and amount of money you are willing to spend (you don't always have to spend more to be lighter, infact the lightest weight gear, is gear you don't bring with you). Light weight gear is easier on your joints, and tends to allow you to walk further distances burning less calories, but its all a balance that you have to determine yourself, so again, try out gear, go on hikes that last weekends to weeks which will allow you to get a good feel of your hiking habits before you purchase a lot of gear and head for Springer.
Below is my original post before I left the trail. I leave it on this page so you can see what I started out with before I left for the hike
Below is the gear list I plan on taking when I hit Springer Mountain March 23, 2015. I basically selected all of the gear based on what sales I could find at the time. I tried to keep my gear light, but not sacrifice any comfort.
My Base Weight without food and water will be about 16 pounds in the cooler months and 13.5 pounds in the warmer months.
I'll make sure I swing back to this page at the end of the trip (hopefully I am not eaten by a bear, or locked up in a cabin by some crazy mountain man) and update the list with what worked, didnt work and what I changed along the way
