John Muir Trail Packing Guide (Minus Food)
Hello everyone!
We’re just over a month away from starting the John Muir Trail! If you’re not familiar with the trail, it’s a 211 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, in California. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful sections of trail anywhere in the US and we FINALLY, after three years of being in the lottery, got permits to hike it!
Hiking in the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument backcountry
Owen and I will be doing the trail with his mother, Sissy! We plan to complete the trail in 16 days, which means we plan to do just 15 miles a day so we can enjoy the scenery and have a zero day (a rest day of no hiking).
MAK in a slot canyon in Utah
I wanted to start talking through the planning process with you all as time comes closer, but I thought the perfect place to start was our current gear list! Good gear is so important for long distance hiking because you have to rely on it every single day. As a gear nerd I was really excited to start planning out what we would all need on the trail.
This is the tent and backpacks we will be using on trail
The first thing I turned to was the book The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail I’m not usually one to pick up a book and read about gear… you know, because of the internet, but this book was amazing! The author is a very experienced long distance hiker and I loved reading about the different thought processes behind choosing gear. I ended up reading it cover to cover!
Owen testing out some backpacker meals
Our favorite eating multi tool from Reform Life (below for link)
The Gear List
(per person unless otherwise noted)
Clothes:
1 x Long Sleeve SPF Shirt - Columbia Omni-Shade LS
1 x Short Sleeve Shirt - Undecided
1 x Running Shorts with Liner - Patagonia Baggies Men’s | Women’s
3 x Underwear - Owen = Saxx | MAK = Icebreaker Merino Underware
2 x Sports Bras - Lululemon Free To Be Bra (already own)
1 x Hiking Pants - Owen = Mountain Khakis | MAK = old La Sportiva Pants
1 x Fleece or Soft Shell - Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody Men’s | Women’s
1 x Brimmed Hat - We will be using old hand me down hats
2 x Socks - Injinji Wool Socks
1 x Trail Runners - La Sportiva is our fav
1 x Bedrock Sandals
Camping:
1 x Backpack - Hyperlite 2400 Windrider
1 x Sleeping Bag - Sierra Design Backcountry Quilt
1 x Sleeping Pad - Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol
1 x Air Pillow - Trekology Ultralight Pillow
1 x Tent - Owen & MAK = Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 | Sissy = Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1
1 x Head Lamp = Petzl TIKKINA
1 x Remote Canister Stove - MSR Wind Pro II
4 x Fuel Canisters
2 x Lighter (group)
1 x Eating Multi Tool - Reform Life Titanium tool
1 x Mug - GSI Outdoors Backpacker Mug
1 x Evernew Titanium Non-Stick 1.9 liter (group)
2 x Sawer Squeeze (group)
1 x Bottle of Chlorine Dioxide (group)
1 x Water Bladder - Hydrapak Shape Shifter
Hygiene:
1 x Toothbrush with Handle Cut Off
2 x Mini Bronners
1 x Sunscreen (group) - Think Sport, reef safe
1 x Roll of TP
1 x Light Weight Spade (group)
Other:
1 x Sunglasses - We both have Zeal Optics Sunglasses
1 x Gaiters - Dirty Girl Gaiters
1 x Hiking Poles - Black Diamond Alpine Trekking Poles
1 x Map - National Geo JMT Tear & Water Proof Map
1 x Digital Watch with Compass - Have not picked one yet. Any recommendations?
1 x Pocket Knife - Don’t have on yet. Any recommendations?
As of right now that is the complete list. If you see that we are missing anything place let us know! We’re experienced hikers but multi day hiking, especially though hiking is new to us! We can’t wait to share more of the process with you guys. If you have any questions or things you would like us to go over, we are all ears!
Enjoy!
MAK
