Pile of backpacking gear
Pile of backpacking gear

Everything I’ll Admit to Bringing on my AT Thru-Hike

Written By: Steve Monaco

WARNING: Gear post in 3, 2, 1…

Here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing for my 2021 thru-hike of the AT

I’ll start with an apology of sorts. I really meant to post this update weeks ago. It’s long overdue. Quite frankly I’ve been repeatedly messing with the gear I’m intending to bring. The ‘Covid monster’ has me pushing my start date back into mid-April. Which in turn has me choosing somewhat less heavy winter items. And shhhh, a dirty little secret here; that it’s waaaaaaay easier to buy n’ try new gear thanzpac physically train for the grueling nature of the AT.

Somewhere through this process, I may have just missed one of the first lessons of the AT; that flexibility and just rolling with it is a key hiking survival skill (and I blew right past ‘less is more’). My gear will change so frequently thru adjustments for weather, seeing what other fellow hikers brought, gear fails, my conditioning, etc, that at any given point it’s just gonna be my best guess anyway. So I’m embracing my current gear, but being open to its evolvement to the backpack loaded with the gear of my dreams! Or at least good enough.

Note: This isn’t a gear review BUT…I will mention I bought all of this stuff with my own money, and shockingly, I’m not a Brand Ambassador or influencer for anyone.

So without further ado…here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing on my AT thru-hike.

Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha
Maelezo ya vyombo vya habari kutoka Trek
Trek ya

Njia ya Appalachian, Njia ya Divide ya Bara, Njia ya Crest ya Pasifiki, na kila kitu katikati. Tumejitolea kutumikia backpackers ya umbali mrefu.

Sisi sote ni vitu vya nyuma vya umbali mrefu.

Njia ya Appalachian, Njia ya Divide ya Bara, Njia ya Crest ya Pasifiki, na kila kitu katikati. Tumejitolea kutumikia jamii ya thru-hiking na umbali mrefu wa backpacking.

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Mlango wa Zoe
Editor at Backpacker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
Hiker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker