Appalachian Trail Winter Section Hike

Gear List

 

This is what I used for my 18 day winter AT section hike and the changes to what I would bring. I’ve included only the brands for the gear that I would strongly suggest. I will list the specific gear I used at a later time.

Sleep System

  • 0 degree sleeping bag

  • Therm-a-rest sleeping pad (Thermarest.com)

  • Inflatable pillow

  • Cooking

    • Jetboil

    • Spoon

  • Clothes on person 

    • Down Jacket 

    • Base layer top

    • Long sleeve shirt 

    • Underwear

    • Thermal bottoms 

    • Trail runners

    • Socks (darntough.com)

    • Sock liners

    • Beanie

    • Glove liners 

  • Pack 

  • Shelter 

    • Tent w/ poles and stakes

  • Clothes in pack

    • Socks (darntough.com)

    • Sock liners 

    • Rain jacket

    • Rain pants

    • Pants 

    • Synthetic jacket 

    • Gloves 

    • Waterproof socks

    • Two grocery bags as other waterproof foot layer

    • Smartwool neck cover

    • Buff 

  • Miscellaneous 

    • Toiletries (toothbrush w/paste, shit tickets(TP), and lip balm)

    • First aid (duct tape, sewing kit, and moleskin)

    • Water purification tablets 

    • Multitool

    • Two 1.5L Nalgenes 

    • Trowel 

    • Lighter

    • Paracord

    • Extra batteries

    • Phone charging cable 

    • Bandana 

- I had three dry sacks: one for miscellaneous stuff, one for clothes, and one for food.

- Everything in the main compartment of my pack was in a compactor bag.


Base Weight: 24.0lb*

*This includes everything in the pack excluding water/food/fuel.


What I Would Have Added:

Overall I was very happy with what I brought and didn’t feel as though I didn’t have everything I needed. The one thing that I would say is a must if I would do a comparable trip to this in the future is trekking poles. I didn’t bring them because I didn’t think they’d be very important, but after talking with others about the joint pain I experienced, I’m not going on another multiday backpacking trip without them. Other than trekking poles, there is nothing I felt like I missed out on. I was satisficed with the gear I had brought. I do plan to gradually upgrade the quality of my gear in the future, but having reflected on the trip the only new piece of gear I would add are the trekking poles.

What I Would Leave Behind:

  • Buff

    • I never used it because it was too cold and I always wanted something warmer on my head.

  • Grocery Bags

    • My water proof socks were perfect and I didn’t need these.

Best Piece of Gear:

TRAIL RUNNERS. Before my trip, I had a decision to make. Should I bring my insulated, waterproof winter boots or trail runners. The decision might seem obvious, but I went with the trail runners and didn’t regret it for a minute even through the freezing rain and hail. My feet were always warm even in the 20’s. I always stayed dry with my waterproof socks on when it rained. I never rolled an ankle. When you pair all of that with my trail runners being SIGNIFICATNLY lighter than my boots it was a great decision.