Personal Gear

A line of Thru-hiker backpacks on the Appalachian Trail.
All group gear and food are provided for our trips, including tents, camp stove, maps, etc. If its something that has to fit your body (clothes, backpack, sleeping bag) or is an item for your personal use, it is "personal gear" and you're responsible for bringing it yourself.
On this page you will find several resources: A compact list of the items you need, an annotated version of the same list offering suggestions for selecting quality gear and ideas that can help you save money on gear. And lastly, you'll find lists of additional items needed for specifc trips: the Artemis Thruhike, Thruhiker Bootcamp, and Adirondack Canoe Quest.
On this page you will find several resources: A compact list of the items you need, an annotated version of the same list offering suggestions for selecting quality gear and ideas that can help you save money on gear. And lastly, you'll find lists of additional items needed for specifc trips: the Artemis Thruhike, Thruhiker Bootcamp, and Adirondack Canoe Quest.
Personal Gear List
Clothing (including the clothes on your back):
Optional:
- 1-2 non-cotton shirts
- 1-2 non cotton shorts
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Non-cotton warm layer (fleece jacket or wool sweater)
- Underwear
- 3 pairs thick wool hiking socks
- 2 pairs thin nylon or polyester liner socks
- Warm fleece or wool hat
- Polyester or wool long underwear top
- Polyester or wool long underwear bottom
- Clothing stuff sack
- Hiking boots that fit well and are broken in
- 3 bandanas
- Crocs or flip-flops
- Sleeping Bag rated to at least 30 degrees (0-15 degrees for fall trips)
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack
- Backpack with comfortable hip belt, capacity 65-85 liters
- 2 one-liter unbreakable water bottles
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Plastic or metal bowl
- Spoon
- Journal and pen
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, or diva cup)
- A whistle you can wear around your neck
Optional:
- Pocket knife
- Reading book
- Camelbak-style hydration bladder (you still need the two water bottles as well)
- Daily personal vitamins or medications
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Sun hat or sun glasses (required on canoe trips)
- Non-cotton long pants (required on canoe trips)
- Bug spray
- Mosquito head net
- Small bundle of colored pens or pencils for journaling
- A second non-cotton warm layer (required on Sept and Oct trips)
- Small, light, durable musical instruments (harmonica, penny whistle, jaw harp, ocarina, ukulele, etc.)
- A pair of trekking poles (required for the Artemis Thruhike and Thruhiker Bootcamp)
- Small camera
The first rule of backpacking is...

Adrian packed a bit too much...
Don't Pack Too Much!
- Bring the items on the list.
- Bring the lightest versions of those items you can find: a small paperback book instead of a hardbound copy of Harry Potter, a small headlamp instead of a big Maglite flashlight, an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera instead of your fancy camera with different lens attachments, etc.
- The hardest rule of all to folllow: Don't bring any items that aren't on the list! Really. You won't need them. At the end of a long day, your knees will thank you that you aren't carrying them. Your guide will be going through your personal gear item-by-item before we start the trip, both to make sure you haven't forgotten anything and so she can help you decide what you DON"T need.
- Life on the trail is simple, and you'll love the freedom of carrying only enough to meet all your needs. Many people have been inspired to go home and do a big clutter purge after a wilderness trip, realizing how happy they are when life is simpler.
Annotated Gear List: Help Selecting Your Gear
You depend on your gear for your comfort and safety in the wilderness, but good-quality solutions don't have to be the most expensive. This section will explain why certain gear is needed, how to pick top-quality gear, and how to save money on gear.
Where should you buy your gear? Its great to patronize local gear shops (in Vermont, try Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, Onion River Sports in Montpelier, or Sam's in Brattleboro). You can also get great service and selection at large gear chains like EMS and REI, and for clothing Dick's Sporting Goods or similar stores can be great. If you know exactly what you want, there are great gear deals on the internet at REI Overstocks, Sierra Trading Post, Campmor, and many other sites.
Clothing (including the clothes on your back):
You don't want to bring too much clothing, and you don't need to change your outfit every day in the mountains. You just need enough to keep you dry and warm in all weather.
Sleeping:
Gear:
Optional:
Where should you buy your gear? Its great to patronize local gear shops (in Vermont, try Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, Onion River Sports in Montpelier, or Sam's in Brattleboro). You can also get great service and selection at large gear chains like EMS and REI, and for clothing Dick's Sporting Goods or similar stores can be great. If you know exactly what you want, there are great gear deals on the internet at REI Overstocks, Sierra Trading Post, Campmor, and many other sites.
Clothing (including the clothes on your back):
You don't want to bring too much clothing, and you don't need to change your outfit every day in the mountains. You just need enough to keep you dry and warm in all weather.
- 1-2 non-cotton shirts
- 1-2 non cotton shorts
- Rain Jacket
- Rain Pants
- Non-cotton warm layer (fleece jacket or wool sweater)
- Underwear
- 3 pairs thick wool hiking socks
- 2 pairs thin nylon or polyester liner socks
- Warm fleece or wool hat
- Polyester or wool long underwear top
- Polyester or wool long underwear bottom
- Clothing stuff sack
- Hiking boots that fit well and are broken in
- 3 bandanas
- Crocs or flip-flops
Sleeping:
- Sleeping Bag rated to at least 30 degrees (0-15 degrees for fall trips)
- Sleeping Pad
- Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack
Gear:
- Backpack with comfortable hip belt, capacity 65-85 liters
- 2 one-liter unbreakable water bottles
- Headlamp with fresh batteries
- Plastic or metal bowl
- Spoon
- Journal and pen
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, or diva cup)
- A whistle you can wear around your neck
Optional:
- Pocket knife
- Reading book
- Camelbak-style hydration bladder (you still need the two water bottles as well)
- Daily personal vitamins or medications
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Sun hat or sun glasses (required on canoe trips)
- Non-cotton long pants (required on canoe trips)
- Bug spray
- Mosquito head net
- Small bundle of colored pens or pencils for journalling
- A second non-cotton warm layer (required on Sept and Oct trips)
- Small, light, durable musical instruments (harmonica, penny whistle, jaw harp, ocarina, ukulele, etc.)
- A pair of trekking poles (required for the Artemis Thruhike and Thruhiker Bootcamp)
- Small Camera
Special Gear for Particular Trips
Here are some special items and considerations necessary for longer trips.
Backpacking Trips longer than 7 days
Canoe & Kayak Trips
Backpacking Trips longer than 7 days
- Trekking poles are required
- Extra batteries for your headlamp and camera.
Canoe & Kayak Trips
- Sunhat/sunglasses and long pants are required.
- You may want to bring a lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection.
- We will provide simple, no-frills PFDs, but you are welcome to bring your own.
- We will provide paddles, but you are welcome to bring your own.
- We will provide canoes or kayaks, but let us know if you'd like to bring your own.