I tend to round numbers off in normal life. 3.2 lbs is effectively 3, right?

Wrong. If choosing my gear has taught me anything, it’s that ounces are like rabbits. You don’t pay close enough attention, and all those little pesky ounces start multiplying. You think you only have 4 or 5, and before you can say “Oryctolagus cuniculus” you have 40 or 500 extra pounds weighing down your backpack. (And because I know you’re wondering, Oryctolagus cuniculus is the scientific name for the domestic rabbit. I dare you to say it quickly 5 times in a row)

While I’ll probably never be an ultralight hiker, weight was a very important factor for me in selecting my gear. A lighter​ backpack means less chance of aggravating old injuries, and a more comfortable and enjoyable hike. Budget was also a huge deciding factor. Many of my items were chosen because I happened to find them on sale.

On my last day of work, my awesome coworkers surprised me with a couple of mascots and a bunch of products to take, and while the mascots (very sadly) are extra ounces I can’t quite bring myself to add to my backpack, many of the products have already been stuffed into my toiletries bag.

My total base weight (weight minus water, food, and the clothes I’m wearing) is 17 pounds. I found other hikers’ gear lists invaluable while planning my hike, so for anyone​ who may be interested, here’s mine.

The Big Three

• Backpack: Osprey Exos 58. It’s TARDIS blue, and you really can’t improve on that. Well, except for the keychain I added which has one of my favorite Doctor Who quotes: “We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one.”
• Tent: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent, Tyvek groundcloth. The tent’s heavier in weight, but it’s reasonable when split between my sister and I. Plus it’s oh so roomy – practically a portable palace.
• Sleeping System: Hyperlamina Spark Sleeping Bag, Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol, Sleeping Bag Liner. (Don’t ask me the brand for the liner, I have no clue. It’s cheap and synthetic and probably highly flammable.)

Clothes Worn and Packed

• Marmot Lobo pants
• Stoic Women’s Merino Lightweight Bottom
• Showers Pass Body Mapped Base Layer Top
• Uniqlo ultralight down jacket
• Outdoor Research Option Balaclava
• Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 rain suit
• Darn Tough socks
• Brooks Cascadia 11
• Superfeet Berry insoles
• Dirty Girl Gaiters
• Thermolator glove liners
• Colombia lightweight fleece
• Running shorts
• UA Tech T-Shirt
• UA Eclipse sports bra
• Exofficio underwear
• Outdoor Research Swift Sun Hat
• Sunglasses

Water and Food Gear

• Sawyer Mini
• (2) Sawyer Squeeze 1 L water bladders
• Platypus 2 L water bladder
• Bleach drops, for water purification when I’m too lazy to use a filter.
• Smart Water plastic disposable water bottle
• Solo Stove Lite (shared with sister)
• Lighter and waterproof matches
• Evernew Titanium Ultra Light 1.3L Pot (shared with sister)
• TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon (shared with sister)
• LOKSAK OPSAK bags for food storage. A bear canister will be added later for the sections where it’s required.
• Texsport Stainless Steel 16 Oz. Mug
• Light My Fire plastic spork

Everything Else

• Trash Compactor Bag for pack liner
• Camp Soap
• 2 bandanas
• Outdoor Products dry sacks. I’m in love with roll-top closures.
• Suntactics S5 Solar Charger (shared with sister)
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Pepper spray
• Swiss Army Knife so I can MacGyver my way out of any unforeseen problems.
• Ziplock bags. Lots of them. I’m drowning, er, suffocating? in ziplock bags. But they’re so handily lightweight.
• Phone, Sansaclip MP3 player
• Shining Buddy LED Headlamp
• Maps – both Ley and Guthook
• TruArc 3 compass. Short story: this is not the original compass I planned to take. It’s not the one I’ve used and loved for ten years. I had to get a BRAND NEW compass because my old compass just up and vanished the week before I leave. Yes, I do see the irony in losing a compass.
• Rite in the Rain journal, 2nd small notebook (I can’t help it, I’m a writer), pens, pencils
• Playing cards (shared with sister)
• Duct Tape