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This year, I’m returning to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) northbound to link up with my 2024 footsteps in Wyoming. Maybe I’ll go further too, who knows. I am to move fast and light.
I completed a section hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2019, which was my first backpacking trip. I managed to have just over a 9 pound base weight, diving right into off tarp and bivy camping.
I use much of this same gear today, only slightly more dialed in. Much of this gear set-up went with me to thru hike the PCT in 2023, section hike the CDT in 2024, and complete the Uinta Highline Trail in 2022.
Lightweight and Minimal
I credit my thru hiking gear choices with the experiences I had in my first career in the humanitarian aid sector. For approximately ten years, I traveled outside of the U.S. internationally to areas which required me to carry less clothing, and minimal items in a small suitcase.
There was relief knowing I could carry a bag in an emergency with only the bare essentials. Relief knowing that my luggage could fit into various modes of transport: small taxis and cars, trains, small planes, and helicopters.
Little by little I wove my more minimalist tendencies into my daily life. I still own things—lots of books for example—but I strive to be purposeful with everything in my life. I prefer sleeping on a Japanese futon on the floor, for example. This carried over to thru hiking, blending both worlds.
I loved my gear on my PCT section hike, falling in love with the ease of bivy camping bug-free beneath the stars. My pyramid-shaped tarp performed well in strong winds and blizzards, and I found success with a smaller, frameless backpack.
Gear companies have evolved since 2019, but my thru hiking kit remains largely the same.
My CDT Gear
For the CDT this year, and my hopes to move as quickly as I can, I will have about an 8.5 pound base weight.
Being short with a short torso, the smaller the backpack the more comfortable.
Everything is minimal, and has been carefully selected to meet a specific purpose. After various knee surgeries, this setup also helps avoid strain on my body.
My final lighter pack is here.
The Big Three
I use a bivy for bug protection. This summer I’ll be using the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Splash bivy. I’ve not had issues with condensation, and the bug netting is wide enough to see the sky well. Katabatic Gear also has a great bivy, as does Borah Gear (both of which I’ve used before on past hikes).
I’ve used the same tarp set-up since I began backpacking, and prefer pyramid tarps on trails with bad weather and high winds. They aren’t perfect for use with bivies in terms of hanging the net off your face, but in bad weather they work just as well. The Zpacks Hexamid tarp has many miles on it, and performed well on the CDT in 2024 in high winds, lightning, and hail.
I have used the same backpack for the entirety of my backpacking experience, which is the Pa’lante Pack V2.
This pack comes in a 16 inch torso, and sits higher on the shoulders making it more comfortable. For the CDT this year, I’ve fully removed the seatbelt style hip belt. I prefer moving without anything attached to my hips or waist. For that reason, I also do not use a fanny pack.
As the final part of the Big 3, I’ll bring the 15 degree, extremely poofy, Katabatic Gear Sawatch quilt. I’ve used this on all of my backpacking trips, and it’s kept me warm.
Clothing
I’ll be trying out a newer Sambob alpha 90 fleece as my mid-layer and sleep shirt. I have a slightly beat-up Enlightened Equipment Torrid jacket as my puffy. I also carry a Montbell rain jacket, a Montbell wind jacket (my favorite piece of gear), and Enlightened Equipment wind pants.
My one lesson learned from the CDT in 2024 was that it rains. Unexpectedly. Sometimes a lot. And of course, I expect daily rain and thunderstorms in Colorado and Wyoming. I became mildly hypothermic hiking in the Bob Marshall wilderness in cold rain. This time, I’ll be carrying a rain skirt and some REI rain gloves for Colorado and beyond.
Going southbound through Montana I struggled with wind and dust, and so this summer, I’ll be bringing a modified buff to cover my nose and face. I am also very partial to the sun hoodie, and will be wearing one from Janji.
I personally prefer to carry two pairs of hiking socks, and one lighter sock for sleep. All are from Darn Tough. I also still carry an older pair of Patagonia lightweight capilene leggings (I wish they would bring these back). I’ve experimented with only using wind pants, and I’ve determined I prefer to keep the lightweight leggings in my kit.
Sleep and First Aid
I use a Thermarest Xlite air pad for sleep and a Sea to Summit pillow (I already don’t sleep well outside so that comfort matters to me). I miss the days when Thermarest made a true torso I length aid pad. It was lighter, and easier to pack up in the morning. Perfect for short people (please, please bring this back!)
The biggest areas which have required revision between hikes have been my first aid kit and items for personal safety, and fun. For fun, while hiking along the divide, I’ve chosen to carry a small harmonica. I do not know how to play the harmonica, but I sure did play it while hiking across open ridges in Montana. It’s small but brings joy.
My first aid kit has grown over time, adding items after slicing open my leg on fallen trees, falling on rocks, helping other injured hikers, etc.
The kit has a couple of gauze pads (in a pinch, a sock or buff would work well too), antibiotic cream, along with Leukotape and KT tape to bandage cuts and blisters. I think I have a slight allergy to KT tape, so I avoid using it for injuries where I can.
To cut athletic tape for blisters or injuries, I carry tiny scissors that I found through Litesmith.
I carry two alcohol prep wipes, a small hand sanitizer, a tiny bidet, and a teeny tiny dropper bottle of unscented soap. All of which can be used to clean wounds, avoid getting sick (soap for norovirus), along with a myriad of other uses.
I carry a hearty amount of Benadryl (I am allergic to red ants, wasps, and hornets). As well, I carry Aleve, some other daily medicines, a bic lighter and safety pin, enough antihistamines for an allergic reaction, and an inhaler (prescription).
For personal safety—after enough bizarre, strange, and unsafe encounters in the outdoors while thru hiking and day hiking—I’ll be carrying jogger fogger.
Snow Gear
For Colorado, I’ll have my Camp Corsa ice axe and microspikes mailed to me. I have a warmer weight fleece that I plan to swap out with my lightweight fleece, along with warmer gloves from Outdoor Research. Depending on the conditions I may also use waterproof socks for warmth, but this will depend.
For rain, I’ll have waterproof rain gloves. Additionally, I’ll use an emergency poncho from Walmart which will help cover my pack, and a rain skirt. I plan to add a second liner to shore up my main Nylofume pack liner. I was miserable in heavy rain in Montana, and I aim to improve my ability to stay warm and dry.
On Electronics and En Fin
To charge my devices, I will carry one Nitecore Gen 3 10,000mah power bank through New Mexico, and add my second power bank (which I think is Gen 2) for Colorado and beyond. For a headlamp, the Nitecore NU20, also found on Litesmith, is outstanding.
I’ve encountered severely injured hikers and fires on the PCT, and carrying an emergency beacon that I can text with is non-negotiable. I use the Garmin InReach Mini 2. As a luxury, I do carry cordless Bluetooth earphones. Music is important to me enough that this is worth it.
This about sums things up. I’ve found the less I carry the happier I am, but everything (mostly) serves a specific purpose, performs well, and is ultralight but with some comfort.
My humanitarian career has reached a rather unexpected close. But, in addition to the honor of serving the public, it taught me to pack minimally, each item being carefully thought out and selected. I always need less than I think.
That said, packing perfectly light should still never be a barrier to getting outside.
It’s more important to get outside and try backpacking or hiking than it is to obsess over gear as much as I have.
Onwards, north!
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