No items found.

It’s Dreaming Season

Written By: Emma Slaughter

I have long since left the mindset of a normal human being and now only think of things in terms of weight, necessity, and functionality. As the thru-hiking season draws near, my excitement grows. The need to indulge in ramen noodle bombs, mud-soaked socks, and pop tart challenges takes my focus from my daily life and I doze through “normal” conversations in a gear induced coma. I find myself at a crossroads between saving money to have a comfortable cushion to come home to or splurging, again, and buying that shiny new Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack. The pack wins.

Working in the outdoor gear industry, the language of backpacking is pretty much the only one I’m fluent in. The words “hiking” and “The Appalachian Trail” slip off my lips a dozen times a day. Rest assured that if you are in my general vicinity I will bore you to death with degrees of merino warmth and unsolicited hiking trivia that will leave you wondering how I worked it into conversation.

Packing for this trip, I find myself wanting to pass up the comfort of an inflatable sleeping pad for the ease of a roll-out Switchback. All the better for more accessible midday napping! What we bring on our trips is ever-changing and growing with our experiences. Here is where I am at so far.

LAST UPDATED

May 6, 2022

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

The Trek

Media Mentions from the Trek

Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and everything in between. We are dedicated to serving long distance backpackers.

We are All Things Long-Distance backpacking.

Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and everything in between. We are dedicated to serving the thru-hiking and long distance backpacking community.

NOTE: Cordial debate is allowed and encouraged. If you're rude, however, your comment will be deleted. If you make personal attacks at another commenter or a Trek Blogger or Writer, you will be banned from this page.

MEDIA MENTIONS

Fresh drinking water is essential. This water filtration system ensures you will never run out as long as there is a nearby natural water source. It can filter out bacteria, protozoa and microplastics.

Allen Foster

MEDIA MENTIONS

Faster and more efficient than pumping or waiting for chemical treatments, the Sawyer Squeeze System offers on-the-go hydration at a good flow. This product is long-lasting, affordable, reliable, cleanable, and very user-friendly.

Alan Dixon
AdventureAlan

MEDIA MENTIONS

But Sawyer was way ahead of me — 15 years ahead, to be precise. In 2008, the brand started its Clean Water for All initiative, which provides Sawyer filters to developing countries around the world. And the company spends 90% of its profits funding it.

Shauna Farnell