Kim2Pine Gear

I will attempt to answer the questions I received about my gear. Much of it is the same as for the PCT.

My quilt is the same, a 22F one that did well on the PCT. It’s probably overkill for August (and I don’t sleep cold) but I don’t have a special summer quilt so this one will have to do. I bring a silk liner (mostly to keep the hiking dirt off the quilt) so on hot nights I often just use that and drape the quilt loosely over myself in the colder morning hours.

My Zpacks Duplex (DCF 2P tent) is still going strong and I love that palace. Finding enough space to set it up shouldn’t be an issue on the PNT! Weight is about 19oz with a drying line inside.

I decided to go without the inflatable pad this time (saves time and issues with leaks). My Nemo Switchback pad was cut shorter and a cord attached to keep the pillow in place (Aeros Down by Sea to Summit, with Buff over it).

My new backpack is a KS Ultralight 50 with some custom options (one taller side pocket, back pad system etc). It’s made of “Avocado” coloured UltraGrid 200 material as well as Ecopak EPL 200 Ultra X (the dark grey parts). It weighs 552g as is with 2 shoulder strap pockets and some attachments for bottles, tent, etc … and I’m excited to try it out!

My cook system is contained in the Toaks 750ml pot. The stove (Soto Amicus), gas and mini sponge all fit inside. Separate is my Titanium long handle spoon.

My food will be kept safe from critters and bears in the Ursack, lined with an OdorNo bag. It’s a proven system to keep unwanted visitors away (and my food doesn’t smell strongly anyway). What do I eat? Mostly ramen, wraps, peanut butter, Oreos and whatever else I can find. Big salads in town, and I often crave fries when hiking.

I filter water with my Sawyer Squeeze from the Evernew bladder (mini scoop for shallow sources). Proven, reliable, safe. From the bladder it gets filtered into my Smartwater bottles (1l in side pocket and 700ml in shoulder pocket). I don’t usually carry more than 700ml unless the next water source is too far away.

This is what I wear! A Columbia Silver Ridge Lite button up shirt, Arc’teryx pants, Patagonia sports bra, Darn Tough socks, Glacier gloves, Dirty Girl gaiters, and a Sunday Afternoon hat. I use Leki carbon poles … still (my tent needs trekking poles to set up). All of this (except underwear) will be treated with Permethrin to keep ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs away (I do not like insect repellant on my skin).

For a summer hike I don’t bring a lot of extra clothing … a sun hoody and short sleeve shirt, an extra bra, two pair of extra underwear, two extra pair of socks, a wind shirt, a rain skirt, long leggings and a puffy.

Altogether the extra gear weighs 1054g (includes rain skirt and puffy) … could probably work on reducing this some!

That is mostly it! Some toiletries, first aid and repair kit, trowel/bidet, plastic slippers (I would be okay with my hiking shoes around camp but plastic shoes are handy for showers, creeks etc too). My luxury item is my Kindle and a small Nalgene bottle (for shaking up breakfast and using it as a hot water bottle – can make a huge difference!).

Ah yes my shoes. I’ll be hiking in the Topo Pursuit trail running shoes. They seem to be more durable than the Altra (which I still love) with the same wide toe box. I’ve been running in them for 500km already and they did very well! Most likely I will have to replace them somewhat soonish (since they are not new) but my friend Heather is standing by with a new pair ready to mail!

Let me know if you have questions!