Everything I’ll Admit to Bringing on my AT Thru-Hike

Written By: Steve Monaco

WARNING: Gear post in 3, 2, 1…

Here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing for my 2021 thru-hike of the AT

I’ll start with an apology of sorts. I really meant to post this update weeks ago. It’s long overdue. Quite frankly I’ve been repeatedly messing with the gear I’m intending to bring. The ‘Covid monster’ has me pushing my start date back into mid-April. Which in turn has me choosing somewhat less heavy winter items. And shhhh, a dirty little secret here; that it’s waaaaaaay easier to buy n’ try new gear thanzpac physically train for the grueling nature of the AT.

Somewhere through this process, I may have just missed one of the first lessons of the AT; that flexibility and just rolling with it is a key hiking survival skill (and I blew right past ‘less is more’). My gear will change so frequently thru adjustments for weather, seeing what other fellow hikers brought, gear fails, my conditioning, etc, that at any given point it’s just gonna be my best guess anyway. So I’m embracing my current gear, but being open to its evolvement to the backpack loaded with the gear of my dreams! Or at least good enough.

Note: This isn’t a gear review BUT…I will mention I bought all of this stuff with my own money, and shockingly, I’m not a Brand Ambassador or influencer for anyone.

So without further ado…here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing on my AT thru-hike.