Thru-hikers talk about gear incessantly. No wonder, good gear can make or break any outdoor adventure. Different treks in different climates require thorough research, no one wants to be stuck in the wild with a leaky tent or boots that don’t fit (trust me, I’ve had both). The John Muir Trail is a 340 km/211 mile high-altitude hike in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It’s also a part of the Pacific Crest Trail. PCT hikers normally hit the Sierra in June when the snow is still piled high, and for that kind of adventure you’ll need crampons/microspikes and an ice axe. Regular JMT-hikers see their high-season in July/August when most of the snow has melted off and specialty equipment isn’t required. I hiked the trail in 2017, a record snow year, but in mid-August I still decided against carrying micro-spikes, so this gear list is a fairly “typical” summer hike one. The JMT is graded as a hard trail. Despite being a well-worn path, factors like the steep terrain and altitude pose challenges for many. In addition, because of high bear activity in the Sierra, all hikers are required to carry a bear cannister to store their food & toiletries in. The cannister is bulky and awkward, and soon became the most hated gear item amongst all hikers… Here is my 2017 JMT gear list! Note that this was my first long thru-hike, and I’ve made some changes since then.

 
Big pack for big days

Big pack for big days

 

sleep system

  • ZPacks Duplex tent & 8 ultralight stakes

  • Cumulus LiteLine 400 sleeping bag rated +2C (too cold)

  • Thermarest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad, size R (comes with repair patches)

  • Rab silk sleeping bag liner

  • SeatoSummit Aeros pillow, ultralight regular

clothing

  • Lowa Innox GTW Mid W’s boots – with custom made insoles for my flat feet

  • La Sportiva Akasha trail runners

  • 2x Injinji toe sock liners

  • 2x Darn Tough micro crew outer socks

  • 2x merino panties by Icebreaker and Patagonia

  • 1x Mons Royale sports bra

  • Kari Traa baselayer pants

  • Icebreaker long sleeve – doubles as base layer, pyjamas and sun protection

  • Icebreaker CoolLite t-shirt

  • Houdini ultralight shorts

  • DNT fleece beanie

  • Fleece gloves

  • Patagonia trucker hat

  • Bergans hiking pants – ripped spectacularly during dinner rush…

  • Montane down jacket – packable

  • Bergans shell jacket

  • Camp shoes - cheap plastic flip flops

  • Glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses

 
Duplex suite at Rae Lakes

Duplex suite at Rae Lakes

 

cookery

  • BearVault 500 bear cannister

  • MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

  • Ultralight aluminium pot w/ lid

  • Plastic Spork

  • Lightweight insulated cup – for oatmeal, tea/coffee, doubles as home for the MSR stove

  • Gas cannister

  • Matches

  • Sawyer Mini water filter + pouch

  • 2 Smartwater bottles of 0,75L

electronics

  • iPhone SE + charger

  • Suntactics Solar Charger

  • Headlamp

  • GoPro Hero Silver4 + charger

  • Tripod for GoPro

 
Duplex, a borrowed Helinox chair, bear cannisters and more at Guitar Lake

Duplex, a borrowed Helinox chair, bear cannisters and more at Guitar Lake

 

Toiletries

First aid kit

Toilet paper - I rationed squares. Don’t do that.

Lifeventure trekking towel

SPF 45 sunscreen

Travel sized toothpaste + toothbrush

SPF 30 chapstick

Lucas Pawpaw ointment

Soap flakes - never used

Travel size shampoo & conditioner

Miscellaneous:

Osprey Aura 65L backpack

Leki Cressida trekking poles – some gorilla tape taped around each for repairs

1 dry bag from SeatoSummit for electronics

Plastic rain poncho, the $1 festival kind

Eric The Black JMT mapbook

Book - The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing

Thin A4 journal & pen