This is the complete gear list of what I’ll be carrying on The Colorado Trail.
Nikon D5000 DSLR Camera
3 spare batteries for camera – This is probably overkill, but I already had them, and better safe than sorry.
several 8 Gigabyte Memory Cards
REI Quarter Dome T1 One-Man Tent
stuff sack, complete tent, rainfly, stakes
Merrell Moab Ventilator Shoes
ULA Catalyst Backpack
best backpack I’ve ever owned – not too heavy though not too flimsy and ultralight, capable of hauling 35-40 pounds – I saw a lot of people with this pack on the John Muir Trail, but only occasionally in Grand Canyon.
ULA pack cover
Sierra Designs 15 Degree Down Sleeping Bag
I forget the exact model of this bag – I think it’s discontinued – purchased from REI Outlet in 2007 for The Long Trail.
Sea To Summit 8 Liter Dry Sack stuff sack for sleeping bag
Marmot Precip Rain Jacket
This is an absolute favorite among thru-hikers, for good reason. Lightweight, not too many bells and whistles, stuffs down to nothing, works.
Marmot Precip Rain Pants
ditto
Katadyn Hiker Water Filter
This is still my favorite, old stand-by method of water treatment – descendent of the PUR Hiker, basically the same product. I’ve used iodine, used nothing at all, and toyed with plenty of other people’s filters and methods (MSR, bleach, Aquamira, etc.), and I still turn to this. Don’t get the PRO version, it’s inferior.
CamelBak Omega HydroTanium Replacement Reservoir
The best water bladder out there – I own their largest capacity version (100 ounces), first purchased for those summer 115+ degree Grand Canyon treks. I was formerly “against-sucking-my-water-through-a-tube-I’ll drink-out-of-a-bottle-thanks.” Now I’m a fan.
One 32oz. Plastic Vitamin Water Bottle
Cheaper and lighter than a Nalgene – I like these quart size plastic bottles better than those made by Gatorade.
One spare water bottle cap in case I drop the lid in some rocks or over a cliff or down a stream, etc.
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
I formerly used a self-built denatured alcohol Pepsi-can stove. Yeah it weighed nothing and cost nothing, and the fuel was available in just about any gas station (Gas line anit-freeze), but the thing sure was ghetto. I got tired of waiting forever for it thing to boil water, and didn’t trust it at elevation, so I picked up a Pocket Rocket for the John Muir Trail. Now I love cooking, this little thing is so fast and easy.
ISOPRO fuel canister
MSR Two Liter Stainless Steel Pot
I use a big pot for cooking. I can cook two Knorr(Lipton) meals in this thing. I can cook a pound of spaghetti in it. Oh yeah. It’s not too big for the Pocket Rocket. It came as part of a set. My fuel can and stove fit inside it just right for packing.
Lexan Spoon just one of those generic cutlery spoons you can find in any camping department
Victorinox Swiss Army Climber II Pocket Knife
It’s a Swiss Army Knife, I use it for a lot of things. Like picking food out of teeth, or ticks out of my flesh. And opening bottles of wine. And bottles of microbrew. And opening cans of tuna. And cutting things. Duh. I’ve had this one for quite a while, since before my long bicycle tour in 2006.
Petzl Tikka Headlamp
This is the best headlamp ever made. I bought my first one in Hot Springs, North Carolina, on the Appalachain Trail in 2001 after I saw that everybody else had one, and figured they must be on to something. Hmmm… this is the way I end up choosing a lot of my gear. Replaced the original one with this about a year ago.
Silva Polaris Compass Tells me which way is north – a gift from my father before I began The Appalachian Trail in 2001 – high sentimental value.
Outdoor Research Stuff Sack, Size #4 my food bag. I prefer a Granite Gear Toughsack, but mine fell victim to the teeth of a nasty rodent in a shelter on The Long Trail in 2007 (Congdon Shelter… I can’t believe I remember that… oh wait yes I can) – but I already have this OR sack and it works just fine.
Car Keys A multi-purpose item that I use every day in the backcountry. Don’t believe me? Good. You shouldn’t.
Regular Size Wallet Some people prefer a lighter billfold. I’m too lazy for that. This trip is only 4-6 weeks… it’s not like six months or anything.
Parachute Cord about 40 feet, I think
Duct Tape
Toilet Paper For a long hike I like to start with a full-size roll, and see how many days it takes to use it all up. 
Mirror One of those generic camping department signal mirrors. Lighter than a feather. Really. Ever pick up a down sleeping bag?
Chapstick
Cigarette Lighter
Toothbrush
ToothepasteWhen I’m only hiking for a few days, I skip the paste and just dry-brush with a toothbrush. That’s not the case on this trip.
Small spiral bound notebook for journal, notes, etc.
2 Bic Pens
MapsI got the map set by The Colorado Trail Foundation for this hike, and I don’t like them at all, but I’m too cheap to replace them. I should have got all the Trails Illustrated maps.
3 Cotton Bandanas One for my glasses and camera lense, one for sweat and wearing on my head, one for blowing my nose… maybe this is one too many. The key word here is cotton, – this is the only cotton in my pack.
2 Pair Smartwool Expedition Trekking Socks These always tend to develop holes in the heels for me a little too soon, but I just can’t resist that cushy comfort of Smartwool.
Patagonia Capilene Mid-Weight Long Underwear
Regular Underwear Anything that’s not cotton and doesn’t rub in the wrong places is good.
Shorts Just a cheap lightweight pair of synthetic athletic shorts from Wal-Mart.
2 T-Shirts Same deal, anything synthetic is good. I got mine at Target.
Long Sleeve T-Shirt Synthetic. See a trend? This was a Christmas gift from my mommy from Old Navy.
Fleece Hoodie I’ve had this for about five years and I’m very attatched to it. Doubles as my pillow at night. Got this from a Kohl’s department store, much cheaper than those fancy North Face / Columbia fleece jackets, and still going strong after many many miles of use and abuse.
Outdoor Research Base Glove Nice liners with some warmth, but never sweaty.
Fleece Hat
Wide-Brim Floppy Sun Protection Hat My favorite hat ever – fits in my pocket folded-up. Made by RoyalResortwear though I can’t find it on their website.
Casio Wristwatch This thing is a classic! Pure efficient simplicity at it’s finest. I don’t need a barometer reading or crummy elevation gauge etc. thanks.
Other gear I like that won’t be with me on the Colorado Trail:
Bear Vault BV500 Simply the best bear canister on the market – came with me on The John Muir Trail, and I’m taking it into Grizzly country in Grand Teton National Park.
Slide Stopper Cleats Simple lightweight crampons – these can be a lifesaver at the Grand Canyon in the winter.
Acer Laptop “Netbook” 10 inch Computer Well this actually is coming with me on The Colorado Trail. It will be in my “bounce box” so I can update this site while on the trail. Best little laptop out there, and what a price!
