Gear for Israel
Packing for a backpacking trip is one thing. It is another thing to know that this will be all that you are carrying for a month and a half in a foreign country (how my PCT buddies did it for 6+ months is beyond me). In this post I will lay out all of the gear I will be taking with me to Israel.
Most of the gear I am taking along is also what I ended the PCT with so some of it might look familiar from those pictures. For the items that I have used before I will try to say what I liked/disliked about it. As for the new items in my gear list I will probably write a post-hike blog post about what I did and didn't need so stay tuned for that.
The Big Four
When deciding what to bring on any backpacking trip these are the four heaviest things you will be carrying besides your consumables (food and water). To minimize your base weight (everything you carry minus consumables) you want to try to make these four things as light as possible while still making sure you are comfortable. The big four are your pack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and shelter. For the INT I will be using:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear's 2400 Windrider (size small)
I used this pack for the last 1300 miles of the PCT and I loved every minute of it. If nothing else went right during the day this pack never let me down. The most important feature for me was that it is pretty much completely waterproof so no matter how wet the outside got when I opened it up my sleeping bag, clothing and food were as dry as they would be on even the sunniest of days and that makes all the difference when you have been walking all day in the rain.
Zpack's 20 degree 'Classic' Sleeping Bag
I used this sleeping bag for my entire PCT thru-hike and it was great! I probably could have gotten a 10 degree and been a little warmer considering how cold I sleep but other than in the Sierras when I was sleeping on snow every other night it kept me very warm. Its very nicely constructed considering how light it is (I even washed/dried it in a washing machine which is frowned upon) and it packs down really small.
Therm-a-rest Z-lite Sleeping Pad
This pad I got from a friend (yay free things) it has a couple panels cut off due to a mouse incident but its my favorite sleeping pad that I've used. For the first 1000 miles of the PCT I used an inflatable pad (kind of like this) which was okay but the amount of effort I needed to put into it to blow it up was not worth the barely noticeable increase in comfort over the throw on the ground and sleep set up I have now. Another great thing about the Z-lite is that it can double as a sit pad when you are taking a break or in camp eating dinner. So versatile. So comfy.
MyTrail Poncho Tarp
I'm separating my clothing into what I will be wearing (worn) and what is mostly going to be used for sleeping and camp activities.
Clothing (worn)
Hiking Dress
Okay. Some of you may know that for the first 550 miles of the PCT I was wearing a super stylin' purple dress (this one). I switched into shorts only because I didn't want to fall in the Sierra snow and flash everyone but that is beside the point. I am returning to the original dress I used on my first solo backpacking trip in Texas and I am super excited. Its cute, its flowy and it makes it easy to pee (most important).
Hiking Shirt
I wore this shirt for all of the PCT so every mile of the 2659 mile trail this shirt has seen. I love it. It does what it is meant to do. You can see my slightly sassy review of it here (under Portabella of course).
DarnTough Socks
I cannot get enough of these. I buy way too many..
Sports Bra
Brooks Cascadias
Other than in the Sierras where I used boots because of the snow, I used Cascadias for the whole PCT. I love them. They didn't give me blisters and they are light and dry quickly if they ever get wet.
Outdoor Research Trail-running Gators
When you are in the sun all day it is crucial to have your neck covered. This hat (though looks a little quirky) does just the trick.
Clothing (carried)
Sleep Shirt
Outdoor Research baselayer of some kind. lightweight but really any shirt would be fine.
Sleep Leggings
Puffy
Patagonia Nano Puff. I use the pullover version because I am in love with half-zip jackets and because it was on sale when I bought it. I will also highly recommend the Patagonia bivy pullover nano puff because it has a freaking kangaroo pouch in the front! IT IS SO PERFECT. Its all I really want to wear everyday but it smells pretty bad after not being washed for so long on the PCT.
Sleep socks aka random socks I found in a sales bin somewhere
Extra hiking socks (see DarnTough socks above)
Sleep undies
Beanie
Food Things?
The Toaks 550ml pot is perfect for boiling 2 cups of water. I prefer the older model lid.
Spoon
Ziplock Twist + Lock Containers
Lighter
Electronics
Kindle (the 1st generation archaic brick)
Chargers
Extra Batteries
Toiletries/ First-Aid Kit
Tenacious Tape
This is always the #1 item I put into my "Oh Shit Kit". It can pretty much patch up anything. I've used it on my tent, puffy, sleeping liner, and stuff sacks. It can do everything when it comes to patching up gear. They even come in fun shapes!! Who wouldn't want a cute big foot patch on their jacket?
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Sunscreen 70+ SPF
Chapstick
Neosporin
Alcohol wipes (just a couple)
Sterile gauze (just a couple squares)
Other
Sleeping Bag Liner
I will never not use one of these. I would much rather stick this into a washing machine/dryer whenever I do laundry than deal with a sweaty sleeping bag that takes forever to properly clean and dry omg its such a process I never want to do that again.
Umbrella
Trekking Poles
My Black Diamond poles went through the wringer while I was in the Sierras but they are still in great shape. The handles are slightly angled and it makes all the difference to your wrists when you are gripping them all day.
Xero Z-Trail sandals are great to use as camp shoes or using in town when you don't want to stick your feet into dirty shoes after finally taking a shower. Even if I didn't use them everyday they are so light it did not bother me to carry them around.
When you know you will be using the restroom in the back country YOU NEED TO BURY YOUR POOP IN A 6 INCH HOLE. Don't become your turd and leave unpleasant surprises for other hikers on the trail. Just pretend your digging for some treasure and then just bury some instead. Its not that hard. Speaking of burying stuff. DON'T BURY YOUR TOILET PAPER! CARRY IT OUT! Seriously. Practice leave no trace principles 100% of the time. TP doesn't actually degrade as fast as you might think. Double zip-lock it, triple zip-lock it. Do whatever you have to but DON'T LEAVE IT THERE! The ecosystem will thank you.
Tripod
Pillow