This is the list of gear I used on the 2014 Allegheny-100 Challenge. The challenge I chose was to cover 100 miles on the North Country Trail in 72 hours. Not being the fastest hiker, 17 of these hours were night hiking by headlamp. This kit is about as light as I am able to use for 3 days on trail in Pennsylvania in mid-June. Wet trail conditions and occasional thunderstorms are the norm. Night temps are often in the 50's, daytime into the 80's.

Polycryo Tarp

Gossamer Gear DIY Polycryo Tarp and Minimalist Backpack

Category Gear Selection Weight (oz) Details
Packing Gossamer Gear Minimalist Daypack 10.1 "Just" a daypack, but works well with this light kit
Gossamer Gear Pack Liner Bag 1.2 Keeps the insulation dry
Large Stuff Sack 0.6 DIY out of Spinntex, holds quilt and clothing
OP Sack 1.3 For food
Sleeping Hammock Gear Burrow 50 11.8 Down top quilt
NeoAir Xlite Regular 12.0 I can't sleep well on something less cushy
Shelter Polycryo Tarp 5.3 DIY from a large Gossamer Gear Polycryo ground sheet
Skewer stakes (6) 1.2 Titanium
Zpacks Poncho Ground Sheet 5.1 Double-duty as rain gear
Packed Clothing Silk Skins Top 4.1 Sleepwear
Silk Skins Bottom 4.6 Sleepwear
Spare Fox River Liner Socks 0.8 Wash and hang one set to dry on pack while hiking in the other set
Spare Darn Tough Hiking Socks 2.7 Wash and hang one set to dry on pack while hiking in the other set
Spare Under Armour Boxers 3.2 Wash and hang one set to dry on pack while hiking in the other set
Fleece Beanie 1.1 DIY from generic fleece
Hydration Sawyer Squeeze Mini 1.4
Sawyer 2 L reservoir 1.0
Gatorade 20 oz bottles (2) 4.2 Wt. includes attachment to pack straps with cords and cord locks
Cooking Stoveless / Potless 0.0 If I brought one, it would be a beer can pot and Esbit burner
Small Essentials iPhone 5 4.9 In LifepProof case; use for map and navigation, music, photos
First Aid / Repair Kit 2.4 Bacitracin ointment, Aleve, Leukotape, Needle/thread, Etc.
Zebra Light Headlamp 2.9 Bright enough for night hiking, did many hours of this over 3 days
Spare Lithium AA's (2) 1.0 I used both spares, so good I had two
"Original" cathole trowel; TP 0.7 Titanium cathole trowel from QiWiz.net
Total, oz 83.6
Total, lb 5.2

This ultralight backpacking gear list was contributed by former Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador Rob "QiWiz" Kelly.

October 06, 2014 — Brian Fryer