Curious about what goes into a hiker’s backpack?  These are the things that came with me on my trek.  All this gear miraculously fits in my pack, nice and tidy, protected in waterproof stuff sacks to keep it all organized and dry.

The Pack and Poles

Pack: ULA Circuit
Poles: Leki – ultra lightweight with anti-shock and carbide tips (note the orange duct tape I wrapped around them for emergency use)

The Outer Later

Rain Gear: Marmot Precip Jacket and Marmot Precip Pants
Jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium 850 down-fill jacket
Gloves: Outdoor Research fleece gloves with wind block (not pictured – I actually gave these black gloves to someone else)
Hats: Turtle Fur fleece hat and SunDay Afternoon billed cap
Sunglasses: Anthropologie

The Clothes

Shirts: Icebreaker Merino Wool tank, t-shirt, and mock turtleneck half-zip pullover; and a The NorthFace tank top
Pants: Duluth Trading Co. Dry-On-The-Fly convertable roll-up pants and Duluth Trading Co. Dry-On-The-Fly shorts
Underlayer: Patagonia Capilene 1 and 2 baselayer pants
Girl Support: Moving Comfort Fiona sports bra and Rhonda Shear Ahh Bra (for sleeping)
Socks: Darn Tough (for hiking) and Smart Wool (for sleeping)
Shoes: Crocs (for camp) and Salomon (for hiking)  **The Salomon’s have been since been replaced with some Salewa hiking shoes.

Sleeping Arrangements

Tent: Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 2
Footprint: Homemade Tyvek cutout
Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Q-Core
Sleeping Bag: MontBell Down Hugger 900 (in waterproof stuff sack)

Eating and Drinking Gear

Stove: Pocket Rocket (fits nicely in that red container)
Cookware: Snow Peak Titanium pot and cup set (with an MSR fuel canister and lighter nestled inside)
Water Bladder: Platypus 2-liter container
Eating Utensil: a titanium spork

First Aid

Self explanatory.  If I get hurt, these are the things to fix it.

Toiletries

Gotta keep it fresh!

The “Always Handy” Items

These are the things I like to have in my pants pocket or in my belt pocket for easy access.
– Black Diamond headlamp
– Tent stake for cat hole diggin’ (Yeee-HAW!)
– Gerber lightweight pocket knife (with hot pink parachute cord attached so I can find it if I drop it, or clip it on my pants)
– Nail clippers
– Tiger Balm for sore muscles and foot rubs
– Advil and Ibuprophen
– Hand sanitizer
– TP (because we’re still somewhat civilized in the woods)
– DeLorme InReach satellite tracker
– Blueber (Blueber is my blue crawfish mascot guy.  I got him from a St. Patty’s Day parade float in New Orleans last year.  He rides outside my pack.)
– Water (I refill this bottle and use it many times.  It fits perfectly in my pack strap)
– Pages from AWOL’s Appalachian Trail guidebook (my elevation map and shelter, town and water guide)
– Chapstick
– Timex Iron Man watch
– Lucky trinkets and jewelry
– Sunscreen
– Aqua Mira water treatment drops
– A sweat rag that fits around my wrist
– A lightweight towel
– Spare batteries
– Floss
– Eye drops
– Kimber Lifeact Pepper Blaster
– Small compass
– Camera

The Jewelry

Come on now.  Did you really expect me to go into the wilderness without some girly trinkets???

The lizard, train and two crosses were given to me by my mom and have their special meanings to me.  The lizard and train are pins and are snapped onto my shoulder straps.  I wear the two crosses on the same necklace, always.  The dolphin earrings were picked out by Neal to remind me of our honeymoon (where we saw some wild dolphins), and the blue ring is my sturdy silicone wedding ring, made by Qalo.  I left the fancy diamonds at home.  (**Not pictured is my inspiration/motivation bracelet that I’ve been wearing diligently for the last year.  It has a simple elastic band with a brass plate that reads “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  I wear it every day.)