Let's start with the main items:
Pack - ULA Catalyst
The main reason for getting this pack was because it can fit a bear can easily! It can go horizontal or vertical and fit everything else I need for a long trip in the main pack. Also to be honest - it has a pretty color! Yes that is a main factor when it comes to some of my gear! It is not the most ultra light pack but one of my favorite outdoor stores Nomad Ventures Escondido, they keep them in stock! I had the ability to try it on and make sure I really liked it. I love the mesh pocket on the outside for being able to get to everything quickly. The only other thing I wish this pack had was another small zipper pocket for larger snacks towards the top so I wouldn't have to open the major compartment but I have learned to use the hip pockets and mesh better. I do love the hip pockets and can fit my iPhone 6, small camera, AND headlamp in one and then I put snacks, chap stick, and small map in the other. The first time I took this pack on a short overnight backpacking trip and it rubbed one of my hips pretty raw and felt very stiff but I do not think I had all the straps adjusted correctly. Now that I have done many trips and the JMT with it - it feels like a part of me. I love this pack and when I go backpacking with Reecy, all of her additional gear and the Bear can still fit!
Tent - Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2
LOVE THIS TENT! I have had it since 2016 and still going strong. It is big enough that I can take a friend or Reecy with me and light enough that I can carry it on my solo trips! I love that on solo or trips with Reecy I can fit my pack and everything inside. It does well in rain, sleet, high winds, and humid/moist air when sleeping on the beach. One part of the poles did get bent during high winds but I was able to bend it back pretty well and I am sure if I could go without it for a bit Big Agnes would fix it for me. I am currently using Tyvek footprint (since 2016) but also have Polycryo for lighter trips (only used once with sleeping pad - no tent).
Sleeping Bag - Egret UL 20 Women's Sleeping Bag
I get cold and I hate it. I would much rather be a little warm then trying to put on everything I own on to go to sleep at night. So I spend the extra money to go American made and get the best I could find at the time. I am SO in love with this bag. They make "pretty" colors for the women's bags now - which I would totally switch for but love this bag. I do use a liner on colder nights or longer trips to help keep it clean but it is really not needed. My feet have gotten cold on a few nights but a pair of socks and a hot hands pack down there solves everything!
Sleeping Pad - Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite
I love sleeping on this pad! I am a side sleeper and toss/roll a LOT in my sleep! This pad is quite, warm, and very comfortable. I did not like the nightly ritual of having to blow it up... so watched a video on blowing them up with a trash bag - which I use as a liner inside my pack anyways. It is amazing and I do it ALL the time now! I should do a video on youtube - but you can search and find it.
A Couple Extras:
Sleeping bag liner - RAB silk Standard
This is awesome! I use it on longer trips or colder weather in my bag or without my bag for summer months. It saves my bag and it is so comfortable. I do not feel confined and it is super easy to wash. I was trying to find one shorter that would fit me better but it is nice to have longer.
Pillow - Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light Regular
So this was a real debate for me if I "needed" a pillow or not. Well... let me tell you what this has made a world of difference. I am a side or stomach sleeper. At home I typically have one arm under my pillow and arms reach out above my head... that is a bit hard to do in a bag/tent so it has been an adjustment. I was trying the clothing bag as a pillow and even my pack but it just wasn't working. Right now I am saying I will gladly carry the extra ounces for this every time! This is how I really look when I wake up!
You have likely seen this in a few of my pictures. At first I thought this was dumb. Who needs an umbrella while hiking? Well, after getting sun blisters, thinking I was going to pass out from heat in Catalina, and this being our only source of shade.. I will never knock it again! It is SO light I cannot even notice I have it most of the time. I have not used it for rain but I love it for the sun protection and resting breaks.
InReach - I love having this and it was great for the JMT to communicate with my family! I highly recommend for anyone solo! They do have a newer model - which seems to be easier to navigate through.
JETBOIL MiniMo! I love this stove. YES there is lighter, cheaper, more compact options - YES you can even go stoveless - but let me tell you what - This thing boils water super fast and can even simmer! Baking on the trail.... is FUN! It has warmed me up, provided hot chocolate, coffee, and tasty food on the trail and been bad ass. The fuel efficiency on this compared to cheaper models makes it worth the weight and cost in my book. And it is pretty - yes that matters. <3 p="">
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<3 p="">JETBOIL STASH! This is my newest stove and let me explain why I wanted it after much debate. It is great for a light, fast, and is SO easy. First off - I LOVE JETBOIL as a company! I have had the MiniMo since 2016 and it is still amazing. I got the Genesis Basecamp Stove in our Van and did something dumb thinking the pot lid would also work for the skillet... and melted it - not once BUT twice after buying another one thinking I was just using it wrong. I wrote to them asking what I was doing wrong and they kindly said that it was not meant for that - use tinfoil and here is a new lid free of charge. I will forever be their customer... so that was also a push to test this out. I did a side by side comparison to the MiniMo before leaving and the stash has a few second longer boil time at no elevation and average Southern California temperature. My first big trip with this was backpacking the Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim - and I have to say I was SO happy to have this. It went with me on a sunrise hike to Plateau Point. Up to the North Rim to melt snow because the water was shut off. The lid fits PERFECTLY on the snowpeak 450 cup - which is great for steeping my tea. I love how light, compact, and simple it is. I will choose this for most of my trips. Reasons I would go back to the minimo: fuel efficiency seems better and longer trips or multiple people using one stove I think I would need less fuel. Only other reason - would be to make muffins/ steam bake. Other than that - I love this and highly recommend for those looking for a lightweight simple stove. Jetboil Stash
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<3 p="">Favorite Clothing:
Yes - this hat is my favorite - and every other one she makes! It is a local artist to my home area in Southern California. I love all of her hats and she even has made mountain ones! Please check her shop out! 2 Legged Mermaid
I also love my Down beanie I got on MASS DROP - if you haven't used that site before... Check it out!
Jacket - Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
Buff - I have these in every material! The wool is likely my favorite, then the fleece lined, then the UV protection.
Day Pack - Camelback
I really like this pack. It is super comfortable and I can fit a ton of stuff in here for a long day hike. I can carry 5 liters of water comfortably with extra clothing and food. I did add a hip pocket to it so I could have a place for my phone or camera because I my shorts typically do not have pockets. That was a great add-on that I wish daypacks had.
REECY (Dog) Gear
Backpack - Reecy's pack is Good2Go Backpack. I tried a different one before and it did not fit her well and created sore spots where the straps rubbed by her arms. She carries two .5 liter bottles, one in each side, a few treats, couple poop bags, and her water bowl. She does try to shake it off and doesn't love wearing it but when we are moving keeps up well.
Reecy's Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardwear, Ultra Lamina 32 - synthetic
At first I was little Reecy snuggle with me on the cold nights. Then, I got poison oak! This was a nightmare, my bag was getting dirty, and I was cold. It just wasn't working out. So I found this bag on a resale site and it was cheaper and lighter than getting a "dog" sleeping bag. It is about 1 1/2 pounds and compresses very small! Also the synthetic material makes it a lot easier to wash. We tested it a few times at home before going on the trail and she did great. I recently had my mom cut off the bottom half so it is officially for my dog! Yes my dog is spoiled and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Dog sleeping pad/bed - Ruffwear Highlands BedI originally got this at a REI garage sale or outlet. It was a great find. It is a little bulky and weighs just under a pound. It works well for a sleeping pad or resting spot. She knows "bed" and will go sit on it and stay (for the most part). So it is nice when I am setting up the tent or getting stuff ready to have a spot for her. Normally at the end of the day she is tired enough that she will curl up on it and take a nap.
Dog Jacket - Good2Go Fleece Jacket.
I never thought I would put my dog in clothes... but here we are and she is shivering and needs something. Thankfully I got this on clearance at Petco for $4! Seriously best find! She really doesn't like wearing stuff (jacket, bag, and don't even try shoes). But she will tolerate me putting this on her and it does help with the warmth.
UPGRADED FROM:
First pack - Kelty PK50
I got this pack at an REI garage sale. It was a size small, fit me somewhat well, and was half off. I needed a pack and didn't want to do much research so grabbed it and looked it up. Looked like it got good reviews and the pack didn't have any damage so I got it. It is comfortable and a nice size for backpacking trips. It can fit a bear can standing up and everything else except the tent on the inside. It had a small compartment that I could detach and either take in the tent with me or leave behind for a smaller pack on peak trips. This was pretty nice to have. The main thing I didn't like about it was there are no outside pockets that are easy to get into. The pockets on the hips stretch and can fit my small point and shoot camera but after a week of using them they started to get some major holes and I didn't trust them much longer. It just wasn't the "right" pack for me.
GPS - Garmin eTrex 30
I was very thankful for this hand me down GPS but now only use my InReach!
Yes - this hat is my favorite - and every other one she makes! It is a local artist to my home area in Southern California. I love all of her hats and she even has made mountain ones! Please check her shop out! 2 Legged Mermaid
I also love my Down beanie I got on MASS DROP - if you haven't used that site before... Check it out!
Jacket - Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
Buff - I have these in every material! The wool is likely my favorite, then the fleece lined, then the UV protection.
Day Pack - Camelback
I really like this pack. It is super comfortable and I can fit a ton of stuff in here for a long day hike. I can carry 5 liters of water comfortably with extra clothing and food. I did add a hip pocket to it so I could have a place for my phone or camera because I my shorts typically do not have pockets. That was a great add-on that I wish daypacks had.
REECY (Dog) Gear
Backpack - Reecy's pack is Good2Go Backpack. I tried a different one before and it did not fit her well and created sore spots where the straps rubbed by her arms. She carries two .5 liter bottles, one in each side, a few treats, couple poop bags, and her water bowl. She does try to shake it off and doesn't love wearing it but when we are moving keeps up well.
At first I was little Reecy snuggle with me on the cold nights. Then, I got poison oak! This was a nightmare, my bag was getting dirty, and I was cold. It just wasn't working out. So I found this bag on a resale site and it was cheaper and lighter than getting a "dog" sleeping bag. It is about 1 1/2 pounds and compresses very small! Also the synthetic material makes it a lot easier to wash. We tested it a few times at home before going on the trail and she did great. I recently had my mom cut off the bottom half so it is officially for my dog! Yes my dog is spoiled and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I never thought I would put my dog in clothes... but here we are and she is shivering and needs something. Thankfully I got this on clearance at Petco for $4! Seriously best find! She really doesn't like wearing stuff (jacket, bag, and don't even try shoes). But she will tolerate me putting this on her and it does help with the warmth.
UPGRADED FROM:
First pack - Kelty PK50
I got this pack at an REI garage sale. It was a size small, fit me somewhat well, and was half off. I needed a pack and didn't want to do much research so grabbed it and looked it up. Looked like it got good reviews and the pack didn't have any damage so I got it. It is comfortable and a nice size for backpacking trips. It can fit a bear can standing up and everything else except the tent on the inside. It had a small compartment that I could detach and either take in the tent with me or leave behind for a smaller pack on peak trips. This was pretty nice to have. The main thing I didn't like about it was there are no outside pockets that are easy to get into. The pockets on the hips stretch and can fit my small point and shoot camera but after a week of using them they started to get some major holes and I didn't trust them much longer. It just wasn't the "right" pack for me.
Sleeping Pad - Big Agnes Q Core SL (20 x 66 x 3.5)
I was very thankful for this hand me down GPS but now only use my InReach!
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