Badger’s Long Trail Gear List – The Trek

After hiking an 80 mile section of the AT, the first 30% of the Oregon Coast Trail, a 100-mile section of the CDT (which was supposed to be the Pfiffner Traverse), and 60% of the Wind River High Route, I am determined to finally fucking finish something in 2019.  That something is widely regarded as the most rugged trail in the country- The Long Trail, a 272-mile footpath running the length of Vermont.

Not to brag, but: It is my sincere goal to set the new FKT on The Long Trail.  That is, Fattest Known Time.  This hike will be an ice cream / brewery tour on foot with ~135,000 feet of elevation change.  If you’re reading this and know of any standout breweries / ice creameries along the trail, please unleash some words in the comments.

I also chose this time of year in hopes of catching some of the legendary New England foliage- and to avoid bugs and mud.  Not necessarily in that order.

Here’s the stuff I will be bringing.

The Big Stuff

Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite. This is the full length. I have officially retired from the short version (what I used for 70% of my PCT thru-hike).  The only scenario that could possibly draw me out of retirement would be if I were struck by a shrinking ray gun on the “Chaunce” setting.

Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20.  I’m fully expecting northern Vermont (aka Canada’s southern crust) in late September to be cold as fuck.  For that reason, I’m not messing around with a quilt.  This will be my first time using this bag, though I did use the Lark 10 on the Colorado Trail (in the heart of September), which worked great.

Shelter: Nemo Hornet Elite 1p.  This trail is rugged and the odds of me snapping a trekking pole are above 0%, so I opted for a semi-free-standing tent.  Although there are shelters (which are quite nice, from what I’ve heard), I generally prefer not sleeping a few feet from strangers. I’m also bringing one MSR Blizzard Stake to dig holes for poo.

Pack: Mountainsmith Zerk 40. As much as I dislike the person behind the design of this pack, I very much like the way it carries, its plethora of large pockets, and roll-top closure.  The pack is lined with a trash compactor bag.

Fanny Pack: Gossamer Gear Bumster. Because the Zerk lacks a hip-belt (and thus hip-belt pockets), and I like having a hoard of snacks within reach at all times, a fanny pack is a must.  The Bumster worked great during my AT section hike earlier this year.

Clothes

Rain Jacket: Montbell’s Versalite Rain Jacket. It’s lightweight (6.4 oz), features a pair of zippered hand pockets, and performed well in the Winds.

Rain Pants: Montbell Convertible Rain Pants (6.1 oz).  As if the fanny pack wasn’t enough, my dad-like fashion sensibilities requires zip-off pants in some capacity.

Puff Daddy: Montbell’s Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (8.4 oz). The best down jacket I’ve ever used and going on >3,000 miles strong.

LS Base Layer: Icebreaker Oasis Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood.  I treat this more as a mid-layer, though will likely use this next to skin if/when it rains.

Underwear: One pair of Saxx, one pair of ExOfficio.

Leggings: IceBreaker Oasis Leggings

Socks: Darn Tough, three pairs (two for hiking, one for camp), treated with Sawyer Permethrin.

Active Layer: Exofficio Bugsaway Halo Check Long-Sleeve Shirt. Not expecting the mosquitoes to be an issue this late in the season, but deer ticks are an ever-present, satanic, disease spewers in New England and homie don’t play.

Shorts: Nike running shorts, treated with Sawyer Permethrin.

Gloves: Icebreaker Merino Glove Liner and OR Revel Rain Mitts (both not pictured)

Trail Runners: Altra Timp 1.5 (not pictured, I somehow always forget to include my shoes).

Watch: Garmin Fenix3 (not pictured)

The Other Stuff

Trekking poles: Leki Makalu Lite Cor-Tec Trekking Poles.  Though I mentioned that I’m somewhat cautious of breaking a trekking pole, I’ve been using Leki’s since my first thru-hike (AT 2011, drink), and have yet to snap one.

Filter: Sawyer Squeeze

Portable charger: Anker 26800

Food bag: Zpacks Large Food Bag. The girth on this thing is impressive (insert). The wider entry makes it easier to quickly peruse food options and achieve my FKT dreams.

Hygiene: Baby wipes, TP, tooth brush / paste, sunscreen, supplements, non-illicit drugs, Swiss Army Knife, and other stuff.

Headlamp: Coast FL75R.  I’ve never used this, but wanted something brighter than my Black Diamond Spot since daylight will be at a premium (relative to summer hiking at least). And I’m interested in testing something with a rechargeable battery.

Cords: Cords.

GPS Communicator: SPOT Gen3. To remind my wife that I’m alive and to not get remarried yet.

Pot: Vargo’s Bot 700

Stove: Snow Peak LiteMax Stove. It’s light (1.9 oz) and turns isobutane and propane into fire. What else could you ask for?

Spoon: MSR folding spoon (the only one that I haven’t lost, not pictured)

Wall charger: Anker 4-port Charger

Wallet: Zpacks Zip Pouch

How’d I do? Roast me in the comments below.

Disclosure: Many of the products in this post were donated for the purpose of testing. I’ve had most of this gear for years, so I can’t recall which were bought and which were supplied. Just assume that everything was given to me. Except for the garbage bag. That was all me.