Dan Bortz's Ultralight Backpacking Gear List
Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador Dan Bortz
This gear list is designed for 2-3 day backpacking trips in the spring and fall in the forests of the Middle-Atlantic Region. Typical daytime temperatures range from 50-70 degrees. Overnight temps can be anywhere between 30 and 45 degrees. The terrain is infamously rocky, but can also be muddy or swampy because the trails often travel in and out of hollows and stream valleys.
| Category | Gear Selection | Weight (oz) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing | Gossamer Gear Type 2 | 16.5 | Used for 2-3 day hot-weather trips that require minimal gear. |
| Gossamer Gear Pack Liner | 1.4 | Waterproof Liner | |
| Gossamer Gear NightLight Pad | 4.6 | Back pad, sit pad, and dog pad | |
| ZPacks Cuben Fiber Dry Bag (Small) | 0.5 | For any "small stuff" that must stay dry. | |
| ZPacks Cuben Fiber Stuff Sack (Large Rectangular) | 0.4 | Drawstring closure, food bag. | |
| Sleeping and Shelter | Enlightened Equipment ProdigyX | 22 | Quilt rated to 40 degrees. Synthetic Insulation. |
| Warbonnet Outdoors Traveler Hammock | 12.9 | 1.1oz/sq yard, double layer | |
| DutchWare Whoopie Hook Suspension | 4.1 | Hammock Suspension | |
| Titanium Shepherd's Hook Stakes (3) | 0.6 | ||
| DutchWare CRL w/Soft Shackles | 0.7 | Tarp Ridge Line | |
| ZPacks Z-Line 1.25mm | 0.3 | Guy Lines | |
| Mountain Laurel Designs UL Hammock Tarp | 5.4 | Spinnaker tarp, no longer manufactured. | |
| Packed Clothing | Gossamer Gear/Headsweats Beanie | 1.3 | Pink |
| Bridgedale Speed Demon Socks | 1.6 | Spare Socks | |
| Mountain Hardwear Stretch Rappel | 1.2 | Bandana/towel/washcloth/neck gaiter | |
| The North Face Verto Jacket | 3.5 | Wind Jacket. Also provides minimal rain protection. | |
| Hydration | Fred Spring Water Bottle 1L (2) | 2 | BPA Free. Available at many convenience stores. |
| Platypus Platy Bottle 2L | 1.3 | ||
| Sawyer Mini + Backwash Syringe | 2.6 | ||
| Small Essentials | Titanium Long Spoon | 0.6 | |
| Stormproof Matches (10) and Strikers (2) | 0.4 | ||
| Petzl e+Lite Headlamp | .9 | Headlamp | |
| Silva Wristband Compass | 0.2 | ||
| map | 0.4 | ||
| First Aid/Hygiene Kit | 5.1 | Pills, bandages, ointments, TP, soap, bug stuff, etc | |
| Repair/Utility Kit | 2 | Cuben Fiber tape, duct tape, cord, utility knife blade, batteries, etc | |
| iPhone 5S w/Otterbox Preserver case | 6 | ||
| SPOT Gen 2 Personal Locater Beacon | 4.2 | ||
| LT4 Trekking Poles | 8.2 | ||
| Titanium V-shaped Stake | .4 | Spare stake. Doubles as trowel. | |
| Total Base Weight (oz) | Not Including worn items or consumables | 98.5 | |
| Total Base Weight (lbs) | Not Including worn items or consumables | 6.15625 |
This gear list was contributed by Trail Ambassador Dan Bortz, who leads frequent day hikes and backpacking trips in eastern Pennsylvania.