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It's good to follow along with someone that shares so much of my same ideas. When I'm out hiking in the mountains I feel so close to God, most likely in the same manner that you express. Good luck on the trail.

What a terrific and simple idea. Thank you for sharing such a helpful tidbit!

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to your journey.

Yes please, how much? I can Venmo.

Endurance! Great book on what we can do!

Congrats. God Bless you

Wow, that is an awesome idea!

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing that.

That is such a great idea!!!!!!

Excited to watch your progress! Best of luck and here's best wishes for favorable conditions!

A lot of people just slop through the creeks in their hiking shoes and often that is probably going to make the most sense. However, I carry Xero sandals as camp shoes because they work well for wading creeks. They weigh about 10 oz. and you can wear socks when it's a little cool. I also have the Birkenstock slides, but they are only a little lighter, don't pack down as small, and aren't very good for wading. I'm looking at the Zpacks camp shoes for when I don't think I'll be wading. As for the Kindle, I find I don't read as much as I thought in camp because of being tired and all the other things that need to get done. I find my phone is more than adequate as a reading platform. it looks like your gear is pretty dialed for how you say you want to hike. Best of luck!

Forgot to mention that I'm 71.

Wow this is great news, my brother, God bless you. I just left a post on your gear selection. I've been looking at the Kakwa 55; I took the Osprey Exos 58 on the AT. Keep us posted with its performance. I spy Alfred Lansing's Endurance on your bookshelf! Terrific story of leadership. I'm a recreational sailor w/ a 22' sloop. Being on the water really connects me to God's wonderful creation-gift. Regards, Barnacle Dave

Hey there! I had to laugh when you showed the Mazama "pee bottle." I have the same bought at REI w/ reward $$, but with the original purpose in mind; never considered your intent! Some thoughts based on my NOBO-flipflop late April 2022, starting at Harper's Ferry. At the kick-off festivities, a ridge-runner did a pack shakedown. "Lose the Gore-tex overmitts," she said, along w/other items that sliced off 5 lbs. I kept them. Do you know what happened the 2nd day out? 50* temps w/ rain & wind....super glad I could put them on! Cold hands are miserable - they roll up small and weigh very little. Another hiker helped me pare down 5 lbs. more; went from 41 -> 31lbs. He began at Springer. His best advice (now always echoing in my mind) "Only carry what'll be used EVERY day or have multi-uses (ex rain coat). On power bricks, take the one that's most versatile. Lastly, you'll be sufficiently tired each day that setting up camp, eating then crashing for the nite will be enuff. Reading most likely won't interest you. FWIW, I had turned 62 on the trail and found 1 day rest each week suited me well.

I had the same pack and liked it. I found that my 2-person tent allowed me to keep my pack inside with me, which was very helpful for me. Body Glide is a must! I used running shorts with liners, and was very happy. I also had a pair of cheap nylon "dance pants" with elastic at the waist and ankles. I think 3oz. I used toe-socks liners in combination with wool socks and had NO feet issues. Might want to consider trip insurance. AT is not as remote as PCT/CDT, but evacuation after a fall is always possible. Happy hiking!

Thoughts: If using air mattress, try Flextail zero pump. 1.7 oz. I loved it! Be ready for poor phone reception, which burns power. For all your electronics, you probably need 2 power packs. Look at RovyVon Aurora A28 light, which can clip to hat brim. I found 3-liter CNOC bag to be worth the extra oz. Much more convenient. BTW, I carried a 1/2-liter bottle on the pack strap, and had a 1-liter and a 1.5-liter bottle at various fullness levels on the move. Get a no-odor bag for food. Put tape or something on the top handle of your cook kit. It gets hot! I reused the freeze-dried meal bags to mix food in. They reseal to avoid odors. Clip your knife to the waist pack zipper. Buck knife is heavy. You might consider a neck knife. Having been to countries whose septic systems can't handle toilet paper, I found the bidet is perfectly good. No paper required, and cleaner. I used toothpaste tablets that work and are lighter. I brought a 3-foot and a 6-foot high amp charger cable. Less weight, faster charge. The bottoms of the flops may not be hard enough to be worthwhile with the rocks and trees. Be careful with sit pad, I lost 2 of them. My luxury was a blow-up Flextail pillow that can strap to air mattress. Pretty much, you gear looks good! As you say, there are a lot of personal choices.

Class of 23 you'll be fine probably lose the nalgene buck knife, shower cap, rain mittens, excess first aid, different stuff sacks, bottom line is starting with what you have is good, just stay open minded and enjoy the journey. You will whittle down the weight as you go. I think you are one to make it to Maine. No worries.

Good luck old fella. Let the old boys lead the way in 2025

That looks like a normal Sawyer, not a mini... Did they redesign the mini?

Thanks🦋❤️

Beautiful sites, thanks for sharing. Stay safe and warm -Acorn

I think base weight should be winter weights summer weight. Found your video very informative. Looking forward to your hike.

Have you seen or considered the 3D printed cap for the top of your poop trail ? And maybe aluminium stake pusher ? 🙏🏻

Great gear review! Yes, I am interested in seeing how the phone holder is used and interested in your son making me one.

Have you considered the new Zpacks camp shoe?

I am new to your channel. This was a well done video and I am looking forward to watching the next one. I was surprised to see that you are using a shower bottle cap. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one doing that. I have been using one since around 1995. Those who have never used one may want to experiment with the size and number of holes. Add warm or cold water depending on your need. Put the bottle in the sun to warm the water if you don’t want to use your stove or don’t have a fire. I made a hanger out of small paracord. It works great. I love diy ideas. Thumbs up on your phone holder. Very cool. Thank you for sharing.

Excited for your journey!

Good video. I am sure you know the mountains in March can be very snowy and frigid. Who is hoing to take care of your beloved dog?

Right on. Wicked Awesome! Wow hike for Christ. Spread the good news. We will be following. We are excited for you. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

great video, informative, well thought out. Suggestions and questions. the R rating on that pad may not be enough, maybe for springtime. what about the neo air xtherm much higher r rating equals better sleep or maybe the new Nemo Tensor pad, also high R rating remember the EIN Rating on sleeping bags is a "Survivability" rating. again it may not be adequate for the cold months on the Trail. Add in wind chill, high sustained winds or 37 degrees and raining with wind your kit may? need tweaking. I had a 20 degree and I froze my ass off and I shivered more than I slept. however, caloric intake was part of that problem.

first best of luck. Have a wicked awesome time. take your time, enjoy your journey. We will be following. Questions and Suggestions........ Durston Kakwa 55 awesome! I would really really be interested in how that works for you, how it rides, and especially how it feels on your body. I have very recently been turned onto that pack, for me Ultralight is a important. I really need to be Ultralight, but only with well thought out, hiker informed Calculated risk. you can get this thing called hot lips and it's this tiny little thing that attaches to the rim of your pot so you can drink out of your pot out burning your lips. fuel transfer valve, wow very cool, I will look into that. firebeaner. check it out a very cool little piece of kit with many purposes. great decision about switching to the Zpacks bear bag. I carried a canister and the damb thing nearly buried me so I did exactly what you did. right on! Swiss army knife, buck knife, don't need save the 2 lbs just bring nail clipper, and tiny single blade gumball knife. something I learned on my 2018 AT HIKE, which went terribly sideways, (mostly hiker error) was that there is always weight to lose. leave those home, bring the USB c and a charger instead. I have had similar issues with rain gear. but I will say to have rainpants could not only really save you if you ever got extremely cold day or night, they are awesome to have in big winds especially at sub alpine, alpine summit, and they can keep you dry. many functional uses.exactly multi purpose those rain mitts are awesome! Great choice can't you just recharge your headlamp just by using a USB cord and plug it into your battery bank? how does that Kingston Memory Block thing work? how do you transfer the video from phone to block and then upload to youtube?? does those Shockz open earbud set have an inline mic so you can narrate videos with them? very very neat idea with your camera cord right! checkout this amazing little piece of kit called a SELFSKI. it attaches to your trekking poles or any cylindrical item it holds your phone and even has a tiny blue tooth remote so you can take all kinds of awesome shots from a distance, group shots etc all the while being completely hands free. check it out. a mini tripod with a phone mount can be great to do walkers too. I used to carry a fanny pack as well for many years until I found the Ultra Summit Bum at thru packs.com . it's a fanny pack that slides right onto your hip belt of your backpack. it has become one of my favorite pieces of gear. no more rubbing and chaffing and dig marks on my waist from the fanny pack straps and no more entanglement. check it out. I too am iny 50s, and completely agree, you have to sleep well. recover well. rest well I put money into those gear picks. and I agree you have to take care of your wheels, no wheels, no go. okay man. take care. all our best.

Yeah I almost opted for that same 3 port 150w charger but decided it was overkill since it divides the 150 watts over 3 and hardly anyone's backpacking electronics charges above 15 watts. I needed 3 ports so I chose the smaller 2 port 45w and a battery bank that supports pass through charging so I can recharge all my devices simultaneously and shave off 4 ounces. A lot to those blocks that's largely missed from many of these videos.

Looking forward to following your journey!

I love your video. Thanks so very much. Looking forward to following your journey. I'm going to look into some of the gear you mentioned. Thanks for sharing this video. -Shybee

zpacks came out with a crazy light camp shoe that im interested in. but for now im taking my crocks that have been cut up and sanded down to be even lighter

Where did you get the fuel transfer valve? Please let us know how well it works for you when you're out there. Be safe!!

Should be baby time in the beginning

I want to carry only what I need. But I want long-lasting, rugged equipment and that usually means somewhat heavy. Thankfully, I'm still able to carry relatively heavy loads with no problem (in my 50s). For footwear I wear steel-toe work boots. I'm just used to 'em and appreciate the secure feeling they offer. "Heavy", sure. But perfect for me. Great video!

Rain dress does make you feel like girl a bit but works well to keep you mostly dry and much warmer

0:23 new subscriber!!!

Always have nalgene, an just screw your Filter right on the water bottle and drink like that, that's what I do.

Archies flip flops 👍. Lightweight with arch support.

Take a look at Seekway water shoes, super light breathable and cheap.

Nice video. Check out the Zero brand sandals for camp shoes. They are light and can also be used for stream crossings without worrying that they might come off.

For camp shoes, try super lightweight slides made of eva foam.

I have the same pillow from the survey. It's awesome. I also use it on the plane when I fly for work. Subscribed. I pick a few thru hikers every year to follow along with. I enjoy the older folks(like myself). I'm also following a family of 6 that start in Feb. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

Just make sure you have the kindle app on your phone and books downloaded. No extra weight and not anything extra to charge.

I'll be hitting the AT April 14th 2025, See you on trail!

Looks like you’re ready to go!

Congratulations! Does the chaplain work with different faiths or are there several chaplains who serve a particular faith? Hope you have many, happy trails. Thanks for all that you do.