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.

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Personal Gear List

Clothing (including the clothes on your back):

• 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 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

Making Music on the Trail

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.
  

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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.

• 1-2 non-cotton shirts 

Synthetic tee shirts are fine.  Button-down, long-sleeved nylon "fisherman" shirts are great because you can roll the sleeves up and down for bug and sun protection, and they have lots of pockets.  For an inexpensive option, look for synthetic work-out shirts at Good Will.

• 1-2 non cotton shorts  

Make sure they have a comfortable waistband, and pockets are a great bonus.  Usually women's shorts don't have pockets, but feel free to buy across gender lines.  Inexpensive work-out shorts can be found at big-box stores.

• Rain Jacket  
• Rain Pants

Water-proof/breathable materials like Gore-Tex are best.  Its important to invest in quality rain gear.  The Sierra Designs "Hurricane" series is a great balance of quality and affordability.  Beware rain gear that is sold as "water resistant" -- it is much cheaper but you definitely need gear that is "water proof" for our trips.  This gear will also serve as a warm layer in windy conditions and can be worn as a shell to keep the bugs off.

• Non-cotton warm layer (fleece jacket or wool sweater)

Make sure this is a nice warm layer, since it is the only one you are packing.  Cheap fleece jackets abound in retail stores, used clothing stores, and your friends' closets.  If it has a hood it will keep you even warmer.

• Underwear

Female-bodies folks will find cotton underwear is more breathable and keeps your privates healthy on the trail.  Male-bodied folks may want to consider compression shorts to reduce painful chafing.

• 3 pairs thick wool hiking socks

Invest in really nice thick trekking socks, the thickest option available from a company like Darn Tough or Smartwool.  Your socks and footwear are the most important keys to enjoying your trip.  The Cabot Hosiery Sock Sale offers great deals on Darn Tough seconds in Central Vermont each November.

• 2 pairs thin nylon or polyester liner socks

These socks will be worn under your hiking socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters.  Thin nylon men's or women's dress socks from the drug store are  inexpensive and work extremely well.

• Warm fleece or wool hat

If you head is warm, the rest of you will stay much warmer.  Bring a nice warm hat.

• Polyester or wool long underwear top

• Polyester or wool long underwear bottom

It is absolutley essential that you have a non-cotton set of long underwear -- this will be kept dry in your pack at all times and you'll change into it if you get completely soaked and chilled.  Polyester and merino wool both work great.  The least expensive option is probably work out clothing from a big box store.

• Clothing stuff sack

This should be big enough for all your clothes and can double as a pillow.

• Hiking boots that fit well and are broken in

Boots that fit well and are broken in are essential to avoid blisters.  Try them on in the store and walk around for a while to see if anything rubs.  You want boots with a high collar for ankle support (no sneaker-style hiking shoes).  They can be all-leather or have fabric panels, either is fine.  Vasque and Hi-Tec make decent quality boots for a good price.  Gore Tex boots are okay, but don't break the bank to get Gore-Tex: the Gore-Tex lining usually wears out within few weeks of heavy use, and can make your feet clammy because they are not as breathable as non-Gore-Tex boots.  Any hiking boot with ankle support is fine, you don't have to get the super-heavy-duty, all-leather mountaineering boots.

• 3 bandanas

Bandanas are so useful.  You'll want at LEAST three.

• Crocs or flip-flops

These are sandals to wear in camp, to let your feet breathe and dry out after a day of hiking.  Big Box stores have lots of inexpensive options.


Sleeping:

• Sleeping Bag rated to at least 30 degrees (0-15 degrees for fall trips)

You know best if you sleep hot or cold.  If you sleep cold (many women do), get a warmer bag.  The temperature ratings are "survival" ratings, not comfort ratings, so buy a bag rated at least 20 degrees colder than the temperatures you expect to encounter.  Down bags are warm and comfortable but you have to be really careful to keep them dry or they won't insulate.  Synthetic bags are less affected by moisture but are heavier and bulkier -- Polarguard 3D or Polarguard Delta are good synthetic insulation types.  In general we recommend a synthetic bag, and make sure you get a Mummy Bag (warmer and lighter) not a rectangular one.  Used bags are usually a bad deal, as the insulation compresses over time.  If you know how to sew, you can also make your own"sleeping quilt" (a hiker's blanket with a foot pocket) using an affordable kit like this one: http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Quilt-Kit/index.htm  Mary made a sleeping quilt from this kit and used it all summer for 6 years, including a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail -- she highly recommends it for summer camping.  For fall trips, you'll want a real Mummy Bag with a hood.  Between trips, always store your sleeping bag un-compressed, not in its stuff sack!

• Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad is essential to insulate you from the cold ground while you sleep.  Inflatable sleeping pads like the Therma-rest are very comfortable -- untill they get a leak and then they are useless.  If you can handle a less cushioned sleeping experience, we recommend a closed-cell-foam pad like the Z-Rest or Ridge Rest.  Cheaper versions of these are sold as exercise pads at big box stores and sports equipment stores.  Yoga mats are not thick enough to make a good sleeping pad.

• Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack

A compression stuff sack is nice but not essential.  Usually a decent stuff sack will come with your sleeping bag.


Gear:

• Backpack with comfortable hip belt, capacity 65-85 liters

Go to a store with a staff trained to measure your torso and fit packs.  EMS and REI stores do well at this and have special measuring tapes.  Try on lots of packs before you consider buying anything in the store or online.  You'll find certain brands fit your body better than others.  Put pillows and sandbags in the pack to simulate a load and have the salesperson show you how to tighten the straps correctly.  If you are female-bodied, try both women's packs and men's packs.  Tall women may have a torso measurement too long for women's packs, most packs have adjustable back lengths but only within a set range.  Osprey is the Cadillac of backpacks if youc an afford it, with Gregory close behind.  For a stalwart, good-quality, affordable model, try the Kelty Red Cloud.  Avoid buying a backpack online that your haven't tried on in person.  The cheapest option may be to get an old external frame backpack from a thrift store or a relative's attic and replace the hip belt with a modern padded one (good gear stores will stock these).  External frame backpacks work extremely well, they're just a bit out of style.

• 2 one-liter unbreakable water bottles

Anything that won't shatter and has a good lid seal will work.  You can buy fancy steel water bottles or BPA-free Nalgenes if you like.  An extremely functional, lightweight, and affordablle option is to buy two one-liter bottles of Gatorade and wash them out.  They are surprisingly durable: Mary drank out of one for all 2,177 miles of the Appalachian Trail and it was still in great shape.

• Headlamp with fresh batteries

Any headlamp from a major outdoor brand is a good bet.  Cheap headlamps from big box stores or hardware stores (often "Energizer" brand) usually break faster, but they are fine for a short trip.  Lithium batteries will last longer than alkaline batteries, and are lighter weight as well.

• Plastic or metal bowl
  

This is just something to eat out of.  It can be anything from a stainless steel bowl to a cottage cheese container.  Keep it simple.

• Spoon

All you need on the trail is a spoon.  Forks and sporks just get in the way.  Grab one from your kitchen drawer.

• Journal and pen

Bring a small, lightweight journal of any kind, or looseleaf paper if you prefer, and simple pen.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

Its nice to bring an almost-empty tube of toothpaste or a travel-size tube -- brand new full-sized tubes are unneccesary weight.

• Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, or diva cup)

Bring plenty of supplies even if you don't expect your period, the extra exercise can mix up your schedule.  If you use a diva cup, bring a small 2oz bottle of Doctor Bronners and your guide can show you how to keep it clean in the backcountry.

• A whistle you can wear around your neck

We'll all be wearing whistles for the whole trip.  Any loud whistle on a lanyard will do.  If you have a whistle built into your backpack's sternum buckle, that's great but it doesn't count -- you need one around your neck.

Optional:

• Pocket knife

This is nice for cutting up cheese and starting whittling projects.  Knives with locking blades are much safer, and non-serrated are easy to keep clean.

• Reading book

A lightweight paperback is best.  Short Story collections are fun to pass around or read aloud.

• Camelbak-style hydration bladder (you still need the two water bottles as well)

A hydration bladder with a drinking hose is very convenient on the trail.  However, they do get leaks sometimes so you still need your shatterproof bottles.

• Daily personal vitamins or medications

Bring just the number you need, not the whole jar -- pill boxes labeled with the days of the week are great for this.

• Glasses or contact lenses

Contacts are hard to keep clean on the trail, consider bringing glasses instead or in addition.

• Sun hat or sun glasses (required on canoe trips)

On hiking trips the foliage blocks much of the sun, but on canoe trips these are essential!  On any trip, its nice to have a hat with a brim in the rain, especially if you wear glasses.  A simple baseball cap or visor works great.

• Non-cotton long pants (required on canoe trips)

Make sure they are some kind of quick-dry nylon.  These can be nice for sun and bug protection.

• Bug spray

If you won't use it, don't bring it.  DEET is most effective but some herbal preparations work pretty well.

• Mosquito head net

A nice non-chemical way to keep the bugs out of your face.  

• Small bundle of colored pens or pencils for journalling

For the artistic souls.

• A second non-cotton warm layer (required on Sept and Oct trips)

Usually only necessary in the fall.

• Small, light, durable musical instruments (harmonica, penny whistle, jaw harp, ocarina, ukulele, etc.)

Only bring cheap, non-precious instruments -- it may get dented, scratched, etc.  We have a Moutainsong Expeditions ukulele we can bring on request.  Drop us a note if you think you'd play it.  Its nice to print out the chords and words to a few songs before you leave so people can sing with you.

• A pair of trekking poles (required for the Artemis Thruhike and Thruhiker Bootcamp)
  

Hiking poles are incredibly helpful, we highly recommend all participants on backpacking trips give them a try.  They will give you an upper body workout, catch you when you stumble, and take a huge amount of stress off your lower joints.  They may feel awkward for the first few hours but soon they will feel like extensions of your body.  The cheapest and most romantic hiking poles are obtained in the following way: go into the forest and cut down two small saplings, cut them to about the height of the middle of your rib cage, and you're ready to go!  This can be done at home or on the trip.  Dead sticks are not good because they are liable to break just when you are putting the most weight on them.  Other options include expensive collapsible trekking poles from outdoor gear stores (these are really nice!), inexpensive "Swiss Gear" brand trekking poles from Walmart, and old ski poles from a thrift store or your grandma's garage.  Some people find "shock absorbing" trekking poles annoying because of the bouncy effect, evaluate carefully whether on not you'll like these.

• Small Camera

Don't bring anything too expensive or precious, cameras tend to die on wilderness trips.  A simple digital camera or disposable camera will work well.  Pack it in a sturdy ziplock bag to keep out the wet, and its very nice to have a little camera holster on your backpack straps so it will be handy when you want it.

Special Gear for Particular Trips

Here are some special items and considerations necessary for longer 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.