Gear

How can you tell an ultralight hiker from a weekend warrior?

1. Plastic baggies stuffed into their wet sneakers.
2. Cheeky running shorts.
3. Talking in a hurry.
4. Trail Mix for dinner.

There is tons of great gear information available online but for those who appreciate sage advice, here is list of Sunshine and SeeHawk’s favorite thru-hiking gear…

• 2-person, 3-season, convertible Sierra Designs Tent
• Shareable Down Sleeping Quilt (S&S’s was handmade by Downworks, zipped onto a nylon-sheet bottom doubled to insert sleeping pads)
• Therm-a-rest 3/4-length inflatable sleeping pads (clothes under feet help if it’s cold)
• Thick Smartwool socks (thin ones stretch out and wrinkle)
• Aquamira chlorine-based water purification drops.
• Non-Fabric Eyeglass Retainers for stink control
• Silk Balaclava for a warm head while sleeping
• White Capilene Long Underwear feel great while looking ridiculous in the desert
• Thick Wool Mittens good for all wet weather.
• Cheap Waterproof Rain Ponchos are tents you can hike in, eat in, sit in, and take everywhere except onto a windy mountaintop
• Stainless Steel Mugs w/Carabiner Handle REI’s were fabulous (sigh)
• Stainless Steel Thermos w/Sealing Lid Plastic tastes like what you ate last month.

Lots of modern companies make great ultralight gear, but remember who kicked off the thru-hiking craze and be sure to visit his excellent website.