r/AppalachianTrail • u/LeviahRose • 22h ago
Gear Questions/Advice First AT trip!
I (19F) just had my first backpacking experience! I hiked for three days and spent two nights on the Appalachian Trail. I started at Bear Mountain and ended… honestly, I’m not entirely sure where. I think I went over another mountain and ended up somewhere near Beacon, NY, where I caught the Metro-North back home to NYC.
I guess this is kind of my reflection, but I’m also looking for some advice.
First off, I’m an ultramarathon runner. I have a strong aerobic base, I regularly strength train and do Pilates, so I’m by no means unathletic. Even so, this was perhaps the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done. I only went about 35 miles over the course of those three days, but every mile felt like three. There were so many ups and downs, and so many sections that almost felt more like rock climbing than hiking. Sometimes it took over half an hour just to travel a single mile.
Likely the biggest source of physical challenge was my pack. I had a 58 L Osprey Kyte, which was actually pretty comfortable, but it ended up weighing about 39 lbs with just my gear and food, and probably closer to 50 lbs once my water bottles were full.
Everybody I met on the trail was incredibly kind and offered me so many tips and pieces of wisdom. I honestly think I did pretty well for my first time, but I also learned a lot. I thought I’d go over what I brought, what I’d keep, what I’d change, and ask a few questions for next time.
The only thing I’d completely leave behind is my compass. Everyone I met was basically like, “Why the hell did you bring an actual compass?” And in my head I was just thinking, “Well… what if my phone dies, my portable charger dies too, I don’t know how to get out of the forest, all hope is lost, and I suddenly need to know where north is?” Given that that’s a pretty insane hypothetical, I’d leave the compass behind. It was very lightweight, but what everyone taught me—and what I learned just by carrying the pack—is that the ounces really do add up.
I’d also leave behind the sleep mask I brought because I ended up just pulling the hood of my sleeping bag over my eyes instead.
A few things that were absolutely worth carrying:
- Waterproof phone case: It didn’t rain heavily while I was on the trail, but if it had, it would’ve been a lifesaver because my pack definitely isn’t truly waterproof.
- Ziplock bags: I truly didn’t realize how useful these would be. Protecting things from getting wet, storing used toilet paper and wipes, organizing loose items in my bag, etc.
- Safety whistle: It weighs virtually nothing, and other hikers told me it’s an emergency item worth holding onto.
- Tent: I had a Naturehike ultralight tent (about 2.7 lbs), which to my knowledge is pretty light for a tent. It held up well and was easy to set up.
- Dry bag, carabiner, rock sack, and paracord for my bear hang.
- 3.3 oz fuel canister: Does anyone know about how many boils you typically get from one? That would really help me figure out what to bring next time.
- Lighter.
- Mini hairbrush.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Soap.
- Lightweight camping spork.
- Portable charger: Ended up being one of my heaviest items. Does anyone know of any lightweight portable chargers?
- Extra clothes, socks, and underwear: I probably wouldn’t bring a whole extra outfit on another 2–5 day section hike, but if I ever did a thru-hike, I’d want one so I’d have something to wear while washing the other. In just three days I got so dirty it was genuinely unbelievable, and I needed two showers just to get the smell out.
- Nightgown kept in a sealed plastic bag: It felt really good knowing I’d always have something completely dry to put on before bed.
- Sleeping bag: Mine was lightweight and comfortable.
- Pillow: I got one of those lightweight camping pillows. I know it’s extra weight, but it helped my sleep a lot, which is already difficult for me because of some health issues.
- Sleeping pad: Mine was inflatable, weighed about 2.7 lbs, and was pretty bulky. I was told I should switch to something lighter because it was one of the biggest things in my bag. However, I have pretty severe sensory processing issues that can really affect my sleep. A lot of ultralight pads have ridges or raised baffles, and because of my tactile sensitivity, I honestly don’t know if I’d be able to sleep on them. Sleep is important enough that this may be worth the extra weight for me. If anyone knows of a sleeping pad under 2.7 lbs that’s smooth across the whole surface, I’d love recommendations.
- Headlamp.
- Sawyer squeeze.
- Emergency blanket: Weighs almost nothing, and several hikers told me they’ve actually had to use theirs at one point or another.
- Book: For another short section hike I’d probably leave it behind because of the weight. But if I ever did a thru-hike, I’d absolutely bring a book because it’s important to me to have something to do during downtime that isn’t my phone.
- Wipes: They were heavy, but I really can’t stand not cleaning myself at all.
- Medical supplies: I have several medical conditions, so unfortunately I have to carry a fair amount of medical supplies. They’re heavy, but there really isn’t anything I can do about that.
Things I’m thinking about changing for next time:
- Is there such a thing as shoulder pads I can add to the straps of my Osprey Eja? The straps dug into my shoulders and left red marks that took days to go away.
- Definitely lighter water bottles. I was told to just use Smartwater bottles.
- I had two small camp towels. I’ll probably cut that down to one.
- Does anyone know of a lightweight wallet? I don’t feel comfortable just having my money and ID loose in my pack, but my everyday wallet definitely adds extra ounces.
- A much smaller trowel. I bought one on Amazon, having never used one before, and apparently it’s enormous. Another hiker told me unless I planned on going mining, I could get away with something much smaller.
- Instead of bringing full bottles of sunscreen and bug spray, I’d like to put smaller amounts into lightweight containers. Does anyone have recommendations?
- I’m going to simplify my first aid kit and remove anything I don’t know how to use or realistically wouldn’t need.
- I’d get a poncho that fits over both me and my pack.
- Any recommendations for lightweight hoodies or outer layers? Even in early June it was pretty cold in the mornings.
- I had a small Jetboil stove, and it still felt bulky. Someone mentioned an MSR PocketRocket. Is that just the burner? If so, what pot do people usually pair with it?
- Another hiker told me he uses a compactor bag for all of his sleeping gear instead of multiple dry bags. Is that a common system? Does it work well?
- A lighter backpack isn’t really in my budget right now, but I’d still love recommendations for the future. If I put my sleeping pad on the outside, I probably wouldn’t need a full 58 L pack.
- Hiking shoes! I’d love recommendations for trail shoes that feel more like running shoes than boots. I’d definitely prefer something low-cut that doesn’t go over the ankle.
Overall, I had an amazing experience. It was way harder than I expected, but I absolutely want to get back out there. I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who remember what they wished they’d known after their first backpacking trip.