And my favorite question, is that a keg?
It’s a bear canister, not a keg. The food goes in the canister so the bears can’t get to it and (hopefully) won’t learn to associate humans with food. It’s unfortunately not a Poké Ball for bears.
If you want a list of the specific items with weight breakdowns, click here.
This post is for people who want to know what kinds of things I’ve decided to carry but who don’t need the specs. A couple of caveats before we get started:
- Gear lists are specific to person, place, climate, and the length of the trip. This is my list for the CDT, but I don’t bring a lot of this stuff on summer weekend trips in Ohio.
- My list is going to change as I learn what works and doesn’t work for me in an entirely new environment. I’ve never backpacked out west, and I’ve never done a trip even close to this long. I’ve done a lot of research, but I fully expect to learn a good number of things the hard way.
- I’m not carrying all of this gear the whole time. Some of it will get shipped to me for the sections where I need it and I’ll ship it home afterwards.
- Weight factors into every gear decision. If you’re wondering why something doesn’t appear on this list, weight is at least a part of the answer.
The List
For the Walking
- Backpack
- Trash bag (pack liner because the pack isn’t waterproof)
- Trekking poles
- Hiking clothes
- Hiking socks (2 extra pairs)
- Sun gloves, sun glasses, buff, and brimmed hat
- Ankle braces
- Boots
Extra Layers for the Walking
- Fleece gloves
- Puffy coat
- Rain jacket and pants
- Bug head net
- Camp shoes (also shower shoes for in town)
Shelter & Sleep
- Tent (includes poles, rain fly, stakes, and footprint)
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Sleep clothes
Water & Food
- Water filter and 2 liter filter bag
- 1 liter water bottles (x4)
- Bear canister
- Silicone sheet (to hold canister in place on pack, also works as pot holder)
- Cold soak container (Nalgene)
- Titanium long handled spoon
- Bandana
Health and Hygiene
- Waste Ziplocs
- Trowel, toilet paper
- Kula cloth (antimicrobial pee cloth)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Retainer
- Sun screen
- Lotion
- Hand sanitizer, baby wipes
Electronics
- Phone
- Sat device (for emergency communication and back-up navigation)
- Headlamp
- Battery banks (for charging phone)
- Wall plug & charger cords
- Headphones (x2) and adapter
- Small tripod
Repairs, First Aid, Utility, & Navigation
- Small repair & first aid kit (gray pouch)
- Leukotape (literally magical medical/blister tape)
- Pack towel
- Compass
- Paper maps
- Knife
- Water purification drops
- Microspikes (traction cleats)
- Steno pad & pens
- Wallet (inside repair/aid pouch)
- RoadID (medical ID, not pictured)
Section Specific
- Base layers for hiking
- Beanie
- Warmer socks (for hiking and sleeping)
- Neoprene booties
- Stove and titanium pot (for when I get fed up with cold soaking my food)
- Snow gloves and liners
- Fleece balaclava
- Ice axe
- Crampons and crampon bag
- Bear spray (will buy in Wyoming because shipping it legally is pretty much impossible)
Marin on the CDT 
This is a great list; I am going to need to try the Leukotape. I can only dream of the day I am badass enough to need to carry an “ice axe” haha … and I have that exact same toothbrush. Where we backpack (south central PA) a bear canister is not needed (very sporadic black bear activity) so my son and I get by with counterbalance-hanging two inexpensive “Outdoor Products” dry sacks.
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WOW!!! Make sure your first aid pack has Benadryl just a couple should be fine incase you encounter some poison ivy or anything you didn’t know you may be allergic to (idk if poison ivy is a thing where you’re going (but regardless it’s super good to keep incase if anything))
So excited to keep up with you’re amazing journey!!!
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I will! I have benadryl and zyrtec, and also doxy to take after tick bites to prevent Lyme disease. I’m crossing my fingers for limited poison ivy encounters, it’s the worst.
Thanks! I am so excited 🙂
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