Colorado Trail 2017 Thru-Hike Gear List

[Brandt]

Hello all,

I am planning a CT thru this summer, starting July 7th from Waterton Canyon. I’ve been obsessing over my gear list for the past couple months and feel I have refined it to my liking, but would like other people to pick it apart and tell me what I can make better. Here is a link to it on GearGrams:

https://www.geargrams.com/list?id=14178

 

A little background into my philosophy: (if you care)

I know that many things could be cut for the sake of cutting weight. However, I tried to do a weeklong hike from Waterton to Breck 2 years ago, and was unable to because of altitude sickness. After reflecting on the trip, I also felt my gear was too “finicky.” I had to spend too long (for my liking) setting up my tarp and bivy, bear bagging, getting every little thing out of my backpack so I could use it to put under my feet when I slept on my small Neo-Air, etc. all to save a few ounces.

My goal with this loadout is a lack of “finicky” things – a large, comfy NeoAir so that I don’t have to mess with emptying my pack completely and sleeping on it “just right” so my feet aren’t on the cold ground. I’m using a pack that is way bigger than I need so I don’t have to compress things/worry about packing everything exactly right, and that can carry much heavier loads than I need, but that will stay very comfy with the loads I expect. I am also using the spacious ZPacks Duplex tent that will set up quickly/hassle-free and give me a place to stretch out and get away from the bugs if I need to.

 

Anyways, all comments/suggestions/feedback are welcome!

[Brad P]

I’m not experienced enough to critique, but I’m curious why your list has individual items in ounces and all totals are in grams.

[Bob Moulder]

If you are happy with your list and have reasons for all the items (per your explanation of overall philosophy) and don’t mind carrying the weight, who is to know better than you?

 

 

 

 

 

[Lester Moore]

+1 on Bob’s comment. There seems to be no crucial missing parts to your kit.

[Brandt]

Thanks everyone!

To Bradley: I think I fixed the problem with the grams/ounces mixup.

To Bob and Lester: You make an excellent point. I do feel really comfortable with everything on my gear list, and the way it fits into my idea of backpacking. I may change things during the trail as I find what works and what doesn’t, but that’s all part of the journey I suppose. I’m glad to hear I’m not missing anything crucial as I was concerned I was overlooking something.

 

Any additional feedback is always appreciated! Thanks!

[T C]

Looks good! My only comments are 1)  I’d wonder if you really need all the water containers and 2) I always find a smart wool neck gaiter useful and we’ll worth the weight.

[Katherine .]

TP?

Maybe that counts as consumable, not base weight? Maybe you’ve got the moss/river rock/smooth stick thing down?

It’s what I almost forgot this past weekend!

You have some nice gear.

[Brandt]

Thank you so much for all the feedback! I have (finally) switched to LighterPack and updated my gear list. Check it out here:

https://lighterpack.com/r/54wud8

To TC:

Thanks for the feedback! To #1: I think I agree with you, I could cut out at least 1 SmartWater bottle. Just so you know my thought process: my ideal method of water treatment is to filter enough to fill up all of my bottles (~4 liters) and then hike until I need to refill most or all of them. I know some like to filter as they go, and only filter 1 liter or so at a time. I find that time consuming (even though it may not be), as I don’t like to stop and filter more than once or so a day. I will look at cutting a bottle or 2 though.

To #2: On my LighterPack list, I added a Buff with UPF protection and InsectShield. Great minds think alike! I noticed many people listing a Buff and figured I should check it out.

To Katherine:

TP is a must for me! I just consider it consumable and haven’t listed it. I’ve also learned my lesson after running out during a 4 day trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail. I will also include WetOnes in my TP category (knowing they need to be packed out).

Thanks for the compliment on gear! I have been doing extensive research for years really, kinda feels like I’ve been preparing for this since I started backpacking about 7 years ago. I’ve also been saving as much as I can since then to get the best gear that fits into my philosophy of backpacking.

 

Once again, thank you for the feedback, any other feedback is welcome!

[Katherine .]

Let’s just say the restroom gods at the Bridge of the Gods reminded me and I tipped well at the classic PCT thru-hiker restaurant where I stopped with my son en route.

The SO Divide is high on my wishlist for my parent/child trips.

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