Colorado Trail List – a bit nervous, I’d love some feedback

[Jake S]

https://goo.gl/VayPSb

I'm new to thru hiking, but I'm not new to backpacking. Am I crazy to be going this light on my first thru-hike? I'll be doing so weekend-long test/training hikes sometime soon to give it some testing.

My wife and I are in a bit of a transitional period in our lives, and this summer seems like a perfect time for adventure. So on June 27th, were headed to Denver to try to walk to Durango on the CT.

Her load-out is heavier, we'll be posting that sometime soon, too.

[bjc]

Two items that would be necessary for me: insulated jacket not vest, and hard shell for cold, windy rain storms. But I get cold easily. I know others would be fine with your choices. Stove might be an issue if we have any restrictions. I don't think your base weight is too light. The issue for me always is can I keep myself warm and reasonably dry when it gets cold and nasty! Love the CT. I hope to hit the trail mid July.

[Luke Schmidt]

Two thoughts come to mind.

1. Are you sure you want to use a poncho tarp? It can be done, but I wonder if a bigger shared tarp might be more enjoyable. Strictly person preference though.

2. There are some longish dry sections on the trail, (not like the PCT or CDT though). If you hike fast you can probably get through just fine with the Burn pack, if you are going slower you might think about carrying all that water in a sturdier pack. Again I met lots of hikers with frameless packs, just make sure it fits your strategy.

Have fun, its a cool trail.

[Brian B]

When you do your "weekend-long test/training hikes," you may want to bring the food you have planned for your longest section — particularly, your longest section on the second half of the hike when your appetite has really kicked in. For me, after two or three weeks, that'd be in the 4,500 cal/day area (people vary quite a bit on this though). With the Burn (which I've used), I'd be worried about the weight and volume — if volume looks tight, you can bring a ~13 liter dry sack for the quilt and attach it to the outside of your pack. (Also, I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to weight in a frameless pack, so don't let my concerns there worry you if you feel good about it.)

[Clint Lum]

I think the list looks pretty good honestly. I plan to hit the trail about the same time and I will likely bring my Prophet but I will have a little more gear than you (carrying a Solomid XL and Poncho instead of just one).

Like Luke said a poncho tarp may bit a bit skimpy, but this is personal preference. I do know that it may be less enjoyable to be using the poncho tarp during July and early August as you can expect rain/thunderstorms in the afternoons many days. But if you are comfortable with it I say go for it, less weight.

I also think the down vest will be fine especially giving your active layer is a wool shirt. I would prolly carry a down vest if I were buying a new mid layer right now but I already have a MB UL Inner so I dont really see the need to replace it for 2 oz or so.

There are a lot of bail points for the first bit of the trail, if you get out there and a piece of gear is not working or you would prefer something else it really isnt that hard to get into a post office/town. I think Breck is at mile 72 (?), which should give you a good feeling out section of trail.

Just for refernce, I think Ill be hitting the trail with a 8.5-9 lbs base weight depending on whether or not I bring my kindle. And that is with carrying a full length pad and shelter that doesnt double as rain gear.

Most importantly…have fun! I love the nomadic feel of long trips. I usually find the first week or so unnerving and then really love the feeling of freedom that inevitably follows.

[Ben C]

I like your list, especially if you'll be hiking long days and not spending much time in camp. There are a few things I would change, but its mostly personal preference.

First, those turkey bags are a bit flimsy. I use a cuben (non-hybrid) pack, but I don't use the turkey bags anymore. Its a little hard to keep them together for a week or more. I do see you have re-inforced the bottom seam; maybe that will fix the weekness

Second, I would carry a light rain jacket, maybe a driducks, and a light cuben tarp like a trailstar for the 2 of you. You're likely to have some rainy nights. My wife and I would be much happier in that than separate poncho tarps. Plus, you'd only have one tarp to put up each night.

Third, if you are re-supplying from groceries along the trail, its nice to have a real pot to be able to cook that food in. You can also cook one larger meal for the 2 of you and eat from one pot. If you're sending all FBC meals, your current set up is fine.

Fourth, I don't see anything for hanging your food.

Have fun. I'm jealous.

Fifth, the driducks pants are not durable at all. I like the top, but the pants are hard to keep together. If you've been able to wear them – great – but they split on me the first use. If you take them, use care.

[Greg Mihalik]

"I'll be doing so weekend-long test/training hikes sometime soon to give it some testing."

About a 6 weeks away …

Figure out how to get in a long 3-day weekend. Start hiking Thursday pm and continue through Sunday pm. Do longer days than you plan for the CT. A lot will show up with the fatigue… diet, hydration, shoes, gear, attitude, etc. If you can knock off 60+ miles you will have total confidence when you get to Colorado.

You don't mention where you live, so altitude might be a factor. All you can do is listen to your body and adjust down. In a week you'll be fine.

[Allen Butts]

Shelter: I would consider bringing a much bigger shelter for 2, possibly something fully enclosed. It doesnt happen often but there are some storms in Colorado that will last for 1-2 days. I got caught in one on the CT 5 years ago and was VERY happy to have carried a tarptent.

Pack: The Burn in an awesome pack. For me personally it would have been a bit small for the CT. I could have carried it for about 75% of the trail but the section from salida to lake city can be a lot of weight in food… and water, I personally was happy to have a frame on that section.

Hope this helps!

-Allen

[ed hyatt]

I did the CT in 2013.

Your list looks OK – rain jacket, Via (rather then your coffee choices), sunscreen, a double skin tent would be my deviations. Being up at 3,000m in a storm is tough with no decent shell.

I used a Talon 33 and carried 5 days food for the Coll West alternate (did it in 4); so pack size is about where I'd be.

Great trail.

[Nicholas Meadors]

Meh, probably won't need a rain jacket with the poncho. Just be prepared for the wind blowing that thing around.

I would say that your "Worn" LS merino and LS nylon will be an either/or situation. One of those will often be packed except for mornings. That's just me though, I heat up so quick that I'll usually head out of camp with just my LS merino and wind shirt on. 30 minutes up the trail I'm stripping the wind shirt off.

There are also a quite few sections where 1.4L of water capacity may not cut it unless you're moving really really fast. I'm planning on being able to carry up to a gallon.

I'm heading out June 26th midday, so I'll probably see you out there at some point. I've been flip flopping between my hammock or a bivy with my tarp. I am really really leaning towards my hammock. It's been treating me right for a few years now. Can't wait to get walkin'!

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=6784

[Jake S]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback and ideas.

Unfortunately, my wife was hit by a car while biking home from work the other day, so our plans have, eh, changed. :(

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da.

There's always next summer.

[Author]

Posts