
If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 19 years since I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT). In those 19 years I have hiked the Triple Crown, done thousands of other miles (and biked) and more importantly, learned a ton. The AT was my first long thru-hike, so as you can imagine I was a novice hiker at best.
Realizing it’s been so long and both my approach to hiking, my skill level, confidence, and the gear available have changed greatly, I wanted to write this post to show what I would do if I went back and thru-hiked the AT.
If I hiked the Appalachian Trail again I would start later so I didn’t have to carry as much cold weather gear, which would also mean using a much smaller pack. My approach would definitely be fast and light, with limited time spent in town. With the vast number of resupply stops one doesn’t need to have a big pack.
It’s my hope this comparison will help others in selecting their own gear and possibly help speed up the learning curve.
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PACK & SHELTER
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
Pack
Pa’lante Packs V2 or Gossamer Gear Kumo 36
With towns and water sources being so close together one doesn’t need a large pack. Both packs are versatile, with optional hip belts and their simplicity make them winners.
Arcteryx Bora 75, 6+ pounds
Big Agnes Scout 2 Carbon
Weight, size, easy of set up.
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight
(Yes, that was its name)
My first go on the Appalachian Trail was my first big hike. The result was I bought a big pack and I filled it. I learned the hard way that no matter what size pack you buy you’ll fill it. The simplest way to limit how much your base weight is to buy a small pack.
The AT has plenty of resupply stops. There’s one about every 3.5 days. A a result one doesn’t need a huge pack.
Since the AT has over 200 shelters I didn’t use my tent much. I also became what I call a “Shelter Rat”. I based my daily mileage solely on where the shelters were, which was very limiting. If I went back the AT I would avoid sleeping in shelters and use my tent more. With the high numbers on the trail these days and the flexibility tenting offers, it’s a win win in my book.
Health/First Aid
Item
Brand
Reason
What I Used Last Time
Custom First Aid Kit
Over the counter kits had items I don’t need, better to carry items I do.
Pain Relief
Advil
No change.
Advil
Medicine
No change.
Blister Care
Duct Tape or K-tape
I rarely get blister so if I didn’t I would compromise with these.
Head net and wear long sleeves
I would simply cover up over using Deet.
Deet
Sun Screen
Better for your skin and doesn’t sting my eyes if I sweat.
Coppertone Sport
Oral Care
Tooth brush, flosser & paste
No change but adding a flosser.
Tooth brush & paste
Toiletries
Less bulky, more versatile, and better at cleaning up.
Toilet paper & hand sanitizer
Vision
Disposable Contacts or get Lasik
Lasik would be the best option, but the daily wears are much better for my eyes than wearing normal contacts for days on end like I did the first time.
Glasses & contacts & case / contact fluid
My health/first aid wasn’t that big to begin with, but it has changed some over the years. I ditched my glasses and just carry extra contacts. I don’t use toilet paper anymore but wipes instead. No bug spray. My current First aid kit is smaller and simpler.
I’ve added duct tape and K-tape to my kit and that’s about it.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the beginning of the article, returning to the AT would be a completely different experience for me. I would hit the first blaze with tons of experience and trail confidence under my belt.
During my first AT thru-hike I made most of the newbie mistakes. But I also enjoyed the social aspect of the trail very much and it was a great way to enter and learn the thru-hiking world, with others like myself.
As my hiking style has changed I enjoy more solitude and that is the reason for my new style. I also like to do bigger miles and my gear and other decisions reflect this. If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again, it would be much more personal endeavor.
My hope is this post will show others thinking about doing the trail for the first time what a veteran hiker would bring when it comes to gear and assist them in learning some of the things I had to learn on the trail itself.
Lastly, your gear list should reflect your needs and style. Do your research, do shakedown hikes, and build your trail confidence before hitting the trail.
MORE RESOURCES
Read these next or checkout the main resource page.
Gear lists from the AT, PCT and CDT; Pros & Cons; Things I’d do different; and Tips.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I hiked the AT, PCT, LT, and CDT.
Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.
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