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Long Trail Gear List: Section Six

Here’s the gear list for my last major section hike of The Long Trail, a 4-day, 50 mile backpack from Johnson, VT to the Canadian Border. This gear list weighs a bit more than those from my late spring and summer hikes because the weather up north is getting a bit cooler at night. On this trip I’m bringing a stove along for the first time in several months for cooking hot dinners and a sleeping pad with better insulating characteristics if I need to sleep on cold ground. I’ve also brought along a little extra clothing, including underwear, socks and sock liners. I’ve heard that this section of the trail is notoriously wet and muddy, and given it’s remoteness, I’ve opted to bring along some extra clothing in case I get soaked as a safety and comfort precaution.

Long Trail Hike

With a base weight of only 13.4 lbs, this will still be a comfortable pack to carry. My food bag for this trip weighs under 7 lbs, so my total pack weight with water and fuel will probably come out to be about 25 lbs for the trip.

If you have any questions or comments about my gear strategy or selections for this trip, please leave a comment below. I’m always looking for feedback or suggestions.

Backpackoz.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus Backpack25.0
1 Panel Gossamer Gear Nightlight Sleeping Pad1.1
Equinox Backpack Cover3.2
2 Gossamer Gear Hip Belt Pockets1.4
Gossamer Gear Internal Backpack liner (lg)1.7
Mini REI thermometer0.3
Fox 40 Whistle0.1
Skunk Light Solar LED0.6
Swiss army classic knife0.7
Shelter & Sleep System
Sea-to-summit 8L waterproof stuff sack1.1
Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping bag (20)29.9
Big Agnes Air Core Sleeping Pad22.0
Jacks R Better 8 x 8 Silnylon Tarp10.3
Gossamer Grear Polycro footprint3.3
9 titanium stakes2.8
Gossamer Gear Bug Net2.7
Sleep Clothes
Outdoor Research Helium Ditty Bag0.4
Patagonia Capilene 1 Bottoms5.7
Patagonia Capiline 2 Jersey6.6
Hydration
3 L platypus hydration bladder1.4
3 L platypus hydration bladder1.4
General Ecology First need water filter/purifier15.9
Platytpus hose and camelback bite valve2.1
Kitchen
DIY Freezer Bag Cozy1.7
Snow Peak Gigapower Stove, Titanium, Auto Start3.8
Snow Peak 700 Titanium Pot4.2
MLD bear bag system (bag, rope, rock sack, carbiner)3.0
OPSACK odor barrier bag1.1
Long handled titanium spoon0.4
MSR pack towel0.7
Misc Stuff
Outdoor Research Helium Ditty Bag0.5
Buff bandana (permethrin)1.3
Mountain Hardware polypro hat0.8
Golite Team Mesh hat (permethrin)1.5
Brunton LED Lantern2.9
Pro-tec Illiotibial Band Strap1.0
Photon Freedom LED0.4
Polypro Glove Liners1.5
Extra clothing
Golite Reed Rain Pant7.0
Outdoor Research Celestial jacket (Packlite Gore)9.0
Cocoon Polarguard Vest +  OR Helium Stuff Sack6.4
1 REI Boxer Synthetic Underwear4.1
2 pair REI Polypro sock liners2.0
2 Medium wool socks5.2
Navigation 
Suunto a10 compass0.9
digital camera6.6
Murphy Bag
Gear repair3.9
First Aid/Emergency Kit4.1
base pack weight in lbs13.4

6 comments

  1. I'm almost to embarrassed to ask, but can you expound on the synthetic underwear topic? I've realized that I really need to ditch my cotton boxer breifs, but I'm not sure what synthetic are good. I was considering the Ex Officio ones, but they are expensive to simply be trying out. Which brands have been successful for you?

  2. I just got back from a long 5 night backpacking trip, and one of the pieces of new gear that I tested were the REI boxers. They are synthetic and are relatively cheap at only $18/pair. I wore them today on a 12 mile hike, under rain pants, in the pouring rain. They prevented all thigh chafing and were quite comfortable, but absorbed a lot more water than my mesh ex officio briefs, which have been known to chafe when it's hot out and I sweat a lot. That could be a problem if you have to wear them day after day since they may never dry out.

    There's no doubt in my mind that you should get rid of the cotton boxers you are wearing today. I can't comment on the ex officio's since I only wear their briefs. The REI boxers pass my thigh chafing test, which is my biggest concern when it's wet, but I still want to try a pair of Patagonia boxers since they're probably made out of capilene 1 and should provide both thigh chafing protection and faster drying time. Ex Offico, Patagonia, and REI are in my short list of top brands to choose from. Hope that helps.

  3. That's a light pack, Earlylite. I need to cut, cut, cut..

    I've been wearing Under Armour boxers this season. Plenty of "support", no chafing (they are very fitted), and the sweat just seems to pass straight through them.

  4. But Chris, you're into mountaineering and photography (have I ever told you how blown away I am by your photos) which have very different gear demands than hiking in New England. Don't cut too much weight: we don't want to see you turn into a popsicle.

    I have also used Under Armour shorts this year, but not the boxers. I'll have to try them as well. The shorts, as you say, have great support, much better then the REI boxers I wore yesterday. I didn't realize that they made underwear.

  5. Thanks, Earlylite, means a lot to know that you like the photos.

    I'm not, and will probably never be, a lightweight climber for the reasons you mention. But I like the discipline of knowing how light it's possible to cut down to – keeps me on my toes, even if I'll never get down to that weight.

  6. I've used the Under Armour Boxerjock on several multi-day trips this year. Very comfortable, no chafing. The cost is about $19/pair. The only downside is that they are a bit slow to dry.

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