2. AT Gear

In this section, I talk about the gear that I am taking on the Appalachian Trail and my philosophy on gear while backpacking. The next section will be about clothes, then food.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Appalachian
• Trail
• AT
• A.T.
• long
• distance
• thru-hike
• Thru
• Hike
• backpack
• Backpacking
• Hiking
• Gear
• jon
• Meserve
• tuts
• Trek
• Adventure
• Equipment
• camping
• camp
• outdoors
• wilderness

[CheezeTank]

Is there anything that you showed in this video that you ended up not using or that you would discourage anyone from bringing on an AT Thru-Hike?

[Tuts999]

@CheezeTank This is a great question. I never really address this in my films about the other trails I've done either. A month into my hike, I got rid of my trowell, tent, mittens, mask, and replaced my two nalgenes with two quart sized powerade bottles and replaced my water filter with iodine tabs... I think that's about it. I also made a stove out of a catfood can which decreaced my food wait by 60 percent. All this being said, I would suggest bringing all of these things when you start.

[CheezeTank]

@Tuts999 - What did you use for a towell? What was your sleeping arrangement like (i.e. Hammock, Shelter, etc.)? What do you mean by "bringing all these things when I start"? Should I come over prepared and shed what I don't need? The reason for all my questions is because I'm preparing for a SOBO thru-hike starting in June or July and I want to be ready.

[Tuts999]

@CheezeTank I didn't take a towell with me. I also slept in shelters every night. They are spaced so close together, that making it from one to another is pretty much a given. The only reason I would suggest to a new thru-hiker to take around 30 lbs of gear is that they might not be comfortable with taking less. Also, everyone finds their ideal gear amount rather quickly and it is much easier to get rid of gear than get new gear once you have started hiking. Good Luck on the SOBO, have fun!

[Tuts999]

@CheezeTank It depends on the season you plan on leaving in. If you leave in June, which is seemingly when most southbounders leave Katahdin, then you'll probably run into a bit of mud... moreso than the south in, say, March or April. That being said, it really depends on what kind of hiker you are. A minimalist would go with trail running shoes, while the more traditionalist goes with a good solid pair of boots. If you haven't done much long distance hiking, go boots first, change later.

[dtdude42]

I don't want to come across like a hiking snob, but it doesn't seem to make much sence that you made a video about what to bring on the AT before you actually hiked it. you might find that some of your "indispensible" items aren't as necessary as you think. case in point: when i hiked i used my sunglasses twice in six months, and i have sensitive eyes.

[Tuts999]

@dtdude42 A great question. From my experience, most people take too much before they leave for a thru-hike. While I was prepared for this, I did, in fact, get suckered in to taking more than I needed, however, my sunglasses were a great help, especially when it was snowing while I hiked through the south. I continue to take my sunglasses while I backpack. This whole series is a documentary of how I did my thru-hike, not necessarily how-to thru-hike. I hope this clears things up a bit.

[rainbowhiker]

Hey Tuts, I know your gear has changed since making this video, but, have you considered a child's 3/4 sleeping pad? I use one and I'm 6'3". The one I use is sixteen inches wide and it saves me about 8 oz. over my 20" wide 'adult' 3/4 length sleeping. I sleep on my side and I'm perfectly comfortable with it. Looking forward to watching all your videos to see if you 'found your smile. Best always, :o)

[mp4542]

Goo vid dude, I hike some of the AT last week in the Smokey mtn. Happy trails my friend.

[ThouGreatOutDoors]

I like the hammock, the dd travel is 1.9 ounces and it can be use as a bivi

[CheezeTank]

@Tuts999 - I know that you were a NOBO, but to the best of your knowledge can you recommend a shoe/hiking boot to start out from Katahdin?

[camp4christ]

great video. pliers, that particular gps, and rope- this is stuff the inexperienced could certainly use. I love using the whistle myself- bear, bobcat, and the like.