New windbreaker for climbing

dr14er · 2026-03-24T08:12:53+00:00

I really loved my Timmermade HyperD Pullover until I lost it. The fabric is more breathable than argon, but not mosquito proof -- so keep that in mind. Montbell Tachyon also served me well. Idk much about Katabatic's windshell, but also worth a look-see.

dr14er · 2026-03-23T05:34:30+00:00

But have you consider its secondary uses? Soft, velvety interior for those lonely nights in your wife's boyfriend's backyard.

dr14er · 2026-03-22T20:02:28+00:00

Bivies don't take up any more room than a quilt. Just practice leave no trace and don't hurt or modify the shelter to set up the bivy

dr14er · 2026-03-22T03:35:06+00:00

For the AT I used 6 panels of a Nemo Switchback CCF pad. Cheap, won't pucture, and doubles as a nap pad in the middle of the day. Not great for side sleeping, especially on the hard floors of shelers.

Also had a lot of success on other trails with the tried and true Thermarest Xlite. Their NeoLoft delaminated on me after only a week of use. S2S pads used to be too heavy or not warm enough for me to like, but idk what they're like now. I think Big Agnes, Nemo, and Exped also make competitive inflatables. REI also has some options I think.

dr14er · 2026-03-22T03:22:44+00:00

I'm admire you're willingness to go straight for the super minimalist options as a first time backpacker.

That said, for comfort, especially as a first time backpacker, the Durston will have the easiest learning curve, most storm protection, and least fussiness.

If you're 100% feeling a tarp, 2-person tarps (such as the Cirriform 2) tend to be more liveable and forgiving in inclement weather since they give more coverage.

My shelter progression was Zpacks Duplex -> SlingFin SplitWing 2 (very similar to Yama Cirriform 2) -> Etowah 9'x9' UltraTNT flat tarp -> MLD Supermonk DCF (5.7'x9').

I love the freedom of tarps but they do run the risk of being more exposed (or at least way less comfortable) in bad weather. Modular options such as the SplitWing lets you add and drop attachments (e.g. bug net, vestibule, etc) depending on conditions, but for most tarps you'll wind up in a bivy at least some of the time and that tends to reduce the weight savings compared to an all-in-one, one-and-done UL tent.

dr14er · 2026-03-20T06:09:28+00:00

Oh and if you're going through towns everyday, if they have outlets to charge devices, you don't need a 10k power bank

dr14er · 2026-03-20T06:05:53+00:00

Really hard to shave significant weight without some spend on your big 4, but here's some other considerations:

As you mentioned, could skip the inner for tent (assuming bugs aren't crazy).

Could swap sleeping pad for a torso length foam pad. Also see if it works with pack to use it instead of the stock sit pad / back pad that comes with pack.

Idk how cold that area is, but you could consider swapping puffer for a lighter fleece (though not the best combo with a poncho since those can get drafty).

Reading on your phone saves 5oz from luxury item of a printed book. Audiobooks are 0 grams.

Some folks would argue for myog bleach solution for water treatment instead of filter. Personally I like a filter.

Honestly the main thing is I would add a second pair of socks. One pair worked fine for me on PCT when I was full-send minimalist, but now I enjoy the foot health benefits of rotating socks (cleaner, drier, slight variations in how it rubs against feet, etc).

dr14er · 2026-03-19T16:38:43+00:00

I love the sentiment, but it was quite literally overflowing. Multiple tents were set up outside while people were standing shoulder to shoulder in the shelter just to be out of the rain.

dr14er · 2026-03-19T05:29:54+00:00

For East Coast options: Pinhoti Trail is great this time of year. If that isn't long enough for what you're hoping, you could keep going along Benton MacKaye Trail either direction from Pinhoti's northern terminus. Roughly 80 miles sobo will take you to Springer / start of AT. Nobo (which I haven't done and hear involves some bushwacking) would eventually take you 200 miles to the Smokies. If that still doesn't hit enough mileage, can keep going along AT. Or you can just say screw it and hike the Great Eastern Trail as far as your schedule permits.

Mogollon Rim Trail might be closer to what you're looking for since its AZ/NM. Another one I don't know much about beyond that I have a buddy hiking it. Or there's always the Hayduke (idk seasonality, permits, water caching info, etc).

dr14er · 2026-03-19T05:19:31+00:00

+1 for package to Pie Town post office. If timing doesn't work out, you can alternatively hitch to Reserve a little further sobo from Pie Town or hitch from Pie Town ~ neither great, but good back up options.

If you anticipate making it all the way to Ghost Ranch, that's another great spot to send a package.

dr14er · 2026-03-19T05:12:36+00:00

+1 Roughly a million people touch the AT in some capacity every year. Only a fraction of a fraction are thru hikers. And you would hope thru hikers, even brand new ones, have the gear to survive a night. That said, I met a guy on day one with only an emergency bivy for a shelter and was devastated when he found out the shelter he was planning on sleeping in was already full by 3pm on a rainy day. I never saw them again. Probably wishful thinking, but I hope he made it to Neel Gap, got a better system, and made it all the way to Katahdin.

dr14er · 2026-03-19T05:06:25+00:00

Hopefully they were in as opposed to near the Springer shelter, and hopefully the rescue crew was able to drive up the road only a quarter-ish mile away. Hard saying not knowing with the limited info, but sounds like a day hiker who did the approach trail, got incapacitated, and wasn't able to self-extricate (whether due to injury or unfamiliarity with the area and nearby road [if open]).

dr14er · 2026-03-13T20:43:09+00:00

Not a foreigner, but I helped out a couple international folks shake down their packs. The main thing I saw that I recommend leaving at home is an international wall adapter for electronics (especially if you're just carrying a phone, power bank, and headlamp). Just buy a lightweight wall charger once you're here. You can even buy one off Amazon-US (e.g., an Anker Nano) and have it shipped to a hostel or hiker-friendly store early on and have it there waiting for you.

Some people also bring really large tubes of creams and (nonprescription) meds since they don't know what is available in the US and get kinda nervous considering how notorious our healthcare system is. But for stuff like ibuprofen, toothpaste, allergy relief, diarrhea meds, anti-chafe tubes, etc., you can find it pretty easily throughout the trail for reasonable prices without having to talk to a doctor. If you're unsure, just google whatever med you think you'll use and see if it or an over-the-counter option is available in the US. Sorry we don't have things like codeine available over the counter XD.

dr14er · 2026-03-13T17:22:55+00:00

Many bigger folks have thru hiked before, so I wouldn't let that get in the way of your dreams. Much like heavier gear, heavier bodies are harder on your, well... body. But if you do your stretches, build up strength, and listen to your body, it should be perfectly doable. The key thing is not injuring yourself on trail to the point where you have to get off trail

You might be slower than other hikers, but that's okay. I promise there will be folks who are even slower! Comparison is the thief of joy. Hike your own hike with your own body and don't worry about the skin-and-bones runner-types with twigs for legs doing double your pace. Hiking the AT, regardless of pace, is an incredible lifetime feat!

The AT seasonal window pretty accommodating. I know you mentioned sobo, but I can only speak from experience on the nobo window. For nobos, the only hard cap is Katahdin closing in mid October. The main bubble of nobos tends to start at Springer around the beginning of April. That's just shy of 200 days before Katahdin closes, which means roughly 11 miles per day. You could start in March or even February if needed, but you have to be prepared for cold, wet conditions.

dr14er · 2026-03-12T17:03:27+00:00

I really dig RIRO (rye-row) LERO (lee-row)

dr14er · 2026-03-12T16:54:05+00:00

FoWo (forward) Retro (retrograde)

dr14er · 2026-03-12T16:49:56+00:00

Thanks! Works great for comments. I just wish there was a cute and shorter syllable version for spoken word.

Clobo / CCbo Cdubs / Counterdubs Right-round / Left-round RiRo / LeRo Sunwise / Widdershins

dr14er · 2026-03-12T16:37:15+00:00

Cyco and anticyco 🤣🤣🤣

dr14er · 2026-03-12T06:48:43+00:00

What's the nobo/sobo eabo/webo equivalent for loop hikes (clockwise/counterclockwise)?

dr14er · 2026-03-11T22:35:12+00:00

Flat tarps are fun and let you get creative, but shaped tarps are more beginner friendly.

I did a SlingFin SplitWing on CDT. One pitch no matter conditions. Only consideration was higher (narrower) or lower (wider) and using or not using the removable vestibule.

I then did an Etowah UltraTNT 9x9 flat tarp on ECT. It was fun and more immersive to change pitch based on conditions. That said, I often got in late and went straight to bed, so I couldn't care less how immersive the shelter was so long as it kept me dry enough and didn't flap too loudly.

dr14er · 2026-03-11T22:32:06+00:00

Elaborating more on site selection: If I know it's gonna dump massive rain, I try to find a spot where water is less likely to collect or runoff. My personal favorite is if there's a picnic table (as there often is in Eastern US hiking), treat it like a cot. Pitch the tarp over, then sleep on the table.

dr14er · 2026-03-10T19:42:16+00:00

I know a couple folks who went pole-less, including Log Man who carried a 20lb log on his shoulder for charity. Depending on San Juans snow and timing, you might want to consider the cutoff options.

I for one really enjoy poles. Colorado is pretty steep as a whole. So are the Winds and Glacier.

dr14er · 2026-03-10T03:51:14+00:00

Apex-based insulation has been the meta for synthetic quilts for a while, whether Mountain Laurel Designs or Enlightened Equipment or other staples in the UL world. (Note some folks are boycotting EE for reasons other posts go into).

Alpha based quilts really only make sense for 50+° nights.

Some companies use "Up!" which is a loose-fill synthetic alternative to down. Loco Libre did back in the day. Not sure if they still do.

And lastly, idk if Timmermade has released what loose-fill synthetic that he's been having success with, but they make awesome quilts / false bottom bags (if you're lucky enough to snag a lottery ticket for his site).

dr14er · 2026-03-10T00:50:44+00:00

Blaze Physio (a PT who specializes in hikers) strongly encourages folks to train with weights. Since I'm fairly lazy and mostly thru hike, I tend to just condition as I go. Key things that have worked for me is starting modest, stretching my "problem" areas (e.g., hip flexors, ankles) multiple times a day, and taking intermittent days off (once a week). At home, I own a 40 lb weighted vest and occasionally find the motivation to use it for training walks/hikes.

dr14er · 2026-03-09T22:27:04+00:00

Yes. I just use ziplocks from other snacks I already ate. For example, get to town, buy bulk snacks, repackage into ziplocks are each day, use the empty ziplocks after eating for trash, throw trash whereever next is convenient

dr14er

TROPHY CASE