Enough people have asked me about my Long Trail gear list so I thought I would post it.   It’s similar, almost identical, to my PCT Gear List, with my Borah Gear tarp replacing my trusty Big Agness FlyCreek.   I hiked in September, so I had to be prepared for chilly weather, which was in abundance, and also rain, which was also in abundance.  I think a for a summer-only hike you might get away with a lighter bag, but you probably want to keep the down jacket.   And bring bug dope, plenty of it.

Summary

Backpack: Osprey Exos58.   Way too big, but I owned it, and it’s got 3000+ miles on it, and I love it.

Tent: Borah Gear 7×9 silpoly tarp, that I used exactly once.  Every other night was spent in a shelter, or indoors.   Ti stakes.

Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20.   3000 miles on it now, and I still love it.

Sleeping pad: Thermarest Neoair Xlite.   I struggle with these – one popped 1/2 way through my PCT hike, and this one developed a hole some time near the end or just after my LT hike.   In a recent backyard campout I discovered it wouldnt hold air for more than a few hours.  Still, when it works, it’s an awesome pad.

Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 4s.  Dope.

Trekking Poles: Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fiber poles.   See how to jazz them up with Leki tips here.

Cooking: MSR pocket rocket and titanium pot.

Water: Sawyer Squeeze, 1.5L bottle and 2 1L platypus bladders.

 

Resources

Long Trail Map – having a paper map to spread out on picnic tables, make notes on, and share with other hikers beats the phone-maps by a mile.

Long Trail Guide – again, having an actual paper book to make notes in, highlight things, circle things with a pen, etc. gives you something to look back on.

Inn at the Long Trail – stay here!

Nye’s Green Valley Farm – in Johnston – stay here, nice people

 

Things to do

Stop in Bennington for pancakes

Take the bus into Rutland and get coffee

Eat thimbleberries

Stay in Stark’s Nest

Stop on Jay Peak and get out of the weather

Hitch to St. Albans and take the train home