2,000 mile review on the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest backpack
Read MoreAppalachian Trail Gear List
In April I hopped on the Appalachian Trail for a few weeks. A few friends asked me to join and I came out with the possibility of thru hiking the entire trail. Some opportunities came up back home, but this is the gear I would bring for a thru hike, section hike or weekend hike on the AT.
Main Gear
Backpack - Hyperlite Waypoint 35
Sleeping Pad - Nemo Tensor Insulated Regular
Quilt - Hyperlite 20 Degree
Shelter - Hyperlite MID 1 + 6 stakes
Trekking Pole - Gossamer Gear LT5 (single for tent pole)
Pillow - Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Regular
Packed Clothing
Puffy - Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pullover w/hood
Mid Layer/Thermal Bottoms - UA Base 2.0 Leggings
Mid Layer/Thermal Top - Senchi Hoody
Sleep Socks - Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks
Extra Socks - Injinji Midweight Trail
Undies - Exofficio Bikini
Rain Jacket - Montbell Versalite
Rain Pants - Montbell Versalite
Beanie - Fjallraven Vardag Beanie
Worn Clothing
Short Sleeve - Icebreaker Cool Lite
Socks - Injinji Midweight Trail
Bra - Patagonia Barely Bra
Hat - Baseball Cap
Cotton Bandana - Bandana
Shorts - Yogalicious 5" Shorts
Kitchen
Utensil - Toaks Titanium Spoon
Lighter - Mini Bic
Pot - Vargo Bot 700
Water Filter - Sawyer Squeeze w/coupler
Stove - BRS 3000T
Fuel - MSR Small
Electronics
Phone - iPhone 13 Pro w/Case
Power Bank - Nitecore NB 10000
Headlamp - Nitecore Nu25 (w/UL band)
Headphones - Iphone Headphones
Charging Cables - Charging Block/Cables
Dry Bag - Hyperlite Roll Top 3L
Camera Gear
Camera Body - Fujifilm XT-2 Body
Fujjifilm Battery - Camera Battery x2
Lens - 18-55mm Fuji Lens
Camera Strap - Peak Design Leash
Hygiene
Toothbrush - bamboo w/cover
Toothpaste - Travel Size
Hand Sanitizer - 1 oz bottle
Trowel - Deuce Trowel
Bidet - Culo
First Aid
First AidTA oint/bandages/alcohol wipes/KT tape/Benadryl/advil/charcoal/immodium/earplugs
Repair Kitpatch/thread+needle
Wallet - Lite AF "First Aid"
Lip Balm - Dermatone Coconut
Sunscreen - Travel Size
Stuff Sack - Hyperlite 2L
Truck Camping: Our 2005 Four Wheel Camper Eagle
It took us years, around 5 to be exact, to go through the process of deciding to get a camper, which type to get and eventually find one. Is she perfect? No, but this Toyota Tundra and Four Wheel Camper (FWC) rig ticks a lot of boxes.
The decision- Pop up camper VS Campervan
Initially we wanted a van, we still sort of do, but most vans can only go so far on rutted forest service roads. We wanted to get out and explore deeper than most. We wanted to camp with a little more privacy and feel like we were in the middle of nowhere. Leave it to our trusty 2000 Toyota Tundra V8 with newly upgraded Falken Wildpeak tires to get us there (Not a plug of any sort, Darren simply agonized over getting these tires or not due to cost, and he was so happy that he did. We went on some pretty rough roads this summer and everything held up.).
The ability for the truck to get us places most trailers, vans, and fifth wheel campers cannot swayed our decision. Sure, we could get a newer 4X4 van, but that would cost an arm and a leg. We are currently using this vehicle/camper combo to get us out for a few months at a time- not live in it full time.
Why a popup camper?
My obsession with campers began 5 or 6 years ago. With full time jobs, I couldn’t get Darren on board with dropping everything and buying some rickety old thing to travel the world in. Imagine that. So, in the spring of 2018 I rented a VW Vanagon and we roadtripped around the desert for a week, exploring Nevada and Utah. I had always been enamored with the style of the Vanagons, and our experience in the camper solidified that sentiment. It was indeed near perfect in its design. The thing was, these vehicles are not so reliable. They are old and break down often. Just in our one week in the Vanagon interior knobs and levers broke off.
Initially, this didn’t deter me. Once we got home, I continued to look for Vanagons for sale. The price was acceptable at first, then prices started rising higher and higher. There was no way we would spend $40k for a 30 year old vehicle that is bound to break down constantly. Then we looked at Eurovans. Same issue. One thing I loved about the Vanagon was the poptop concept. Vans with this setup were over our budget, and we didn’t really want a camper van as a main vehicle. Then comes the truck and popup camper idea. In the meantime, we would thru hike the John Muir Trail in 2019, Long Trail in 2020, and Pacific Crest Trail in 2021.
A Reliable Vehicle
When we returned from the PCT in fall of 2021, Darren purchased a 2000 Toyota Tundra. He had looked for well over a year before finding the right one. Being from Ohio, most of the old generation Tundras are rusted out underneath due to winter salt exposure. This one was pristine. Sure, he could have purchased a new Toyota but again, price and also SIZE. The old gen Tundras are small and that’s how we like it.
As a year 2000, I know you might say- but, that truck is OLD AF. Well, that’s true- 22 years old, but the previous owners took amazing care of the truck and this Tundra generation is meant to last. They can go upwards of 500,000 or more with the proper care and maintenance. Since it is a common Toyota, more mechanics will know how to fix it. We had it tuned up before our 2 month trip through California and Colorado and the only issue was a tiny chip in the windshield on the way home.
Gas mileage is pretty pitiful with the camper on the truck. We wager that it’s around 15mpg on the highway going at a responsible speed. If we go over 80mph, the miles per gallon decreases significantly. We keep her at a comfortable 60-70mph. It takes longer to get anywhere, so we take that into consideration with planning.
Reliable Camper
Our research for campers was extensive. Since we loved the popup concept, we gravitated toward popup campers to put on the truck. Low profile, lightweight and some of the most reliable on the market, Four Wheel Campers stood out as the ideal choice. They were known to hold up while the competitors popup campers were known to leak. We knew we wanted something older, because guess what? These FWC are some of the most expensive popup truck campers on the market. If you order one new it’s around $30k, and the wait can be a year or longer.
They hold their value, and possibly even gain value throughout the years. We were shocked by the cost of these campers, especially the used older models. These campers, new and old, were selling the day people listed them.
We realized that we’d have to get lucky and find one that was the perfect size for our small old truck. It would also have to be near-ish to us, which is a long shot because these campers are highly uncommon in the midwest. If it’s old, the condition has to be great, otherwise it’s not worth the money to us. We didn’t want to spend time stripping down and building out a camper, but we were willing to build onto it.
After over a year of searching and many failed attempts at purchasing, I finally found a 2005 Four Wheel Camper Eagle, the perfect size for our small Tundra. It was in great condition and was shell model, meaning it was lighter weight even with a custom build. It didn’t have a sink, but that wasn’t an issue for us. The thing was- it was in Florida. That’s a story for another time- I’ll share how we found our camper and the journey it took to get there in separate post.
We named the camper “Heisenberg” aka “Walter White”.
We Don’t Need Luxury… but a little bit is nice
As thru hikers, we know what it’s like to live with less. Living on the trail means no showers, toilets, or warm beds to sleep in at night. No refrigeration for cold drinks or skillets to make fancy tacos.
This camper is a legitimate upgrade from sleeping in a tent every night. We have a solar panel that keeps the battery charged, offering power for our refrigerator/cooler, laptops, fan and lights. The bed up top pulls out to make a larger than Queen size bed. We added extra storage for clothes and toiletries with the addition of the shelving with flexible rope baskets. There is no shower in the camper, but we do use a solar shower occasionally. We have a cassette toilet inside the camper, but we still haven’t used the thing. Reminder- we are thru hikers and are accustomed to taking care of business outside.
The camper is equipped with an old Coleman Camp Stove, which has flung itself from flimsy mounts on the counter multiple times when off roading. We’re going to have to find a better mounting system for that. We love to cook, but are somewhat limited with ingredients due to storage. We ate a ton of tacos and “bowl” foods cooked in our cast iron skillet.
Our Experience so far and additional thoughts
Over the past few months, we’ve had a blast in this camper. A positive is that it’s small, compact and lightweight- great for off roading and better for gas mileage. You don’t want your truck to be weighted down and struggling to perform. On the other hand, a negative is that it’s small and compact- for two people it juuuust works, but there will be times when you have to step outside to get your own space. It’s a pretty tiny area to share with another person for months at a time.
We drove up rutted out forest service roads with minimal clearance due to low hanging branches. Basketball sized boulders littered the road and we drove over them like a Tonka truck. We squeezed between trees that others had scraped up. When everyone was camped at the first pullouts, our rig was able to get us further in to be immersed in the wild.
In and out of the truck- this is where a van would be the better choice. Eventually you get comfortable in the camper and you will have forgotten something in the cab. We cannot easily access the cab without exiting the camper and going around. There is a lot of back and forth between the two depending on how you store things, but a van would be more convenient since everything in contained in one unit. That is our only gripe about having a truck camper… and it’s not really that big of an issue.
Stealth with a popup truck camper could also be an issue if you plan on sleeping in the city and want to be discreet. It’s not important for us to be stealthy, as we are mostly camping in the forest. You could opt to not pop the top and sleep on the bench, but I still think a van wins here.
Security was a big deal for us, so we took preventative measures and installed antitheft products in our rig. We saved so much on the camper that we had extra in our budget to customize a few things.
Lots more to talk about on this subject, but overall we had a great time and enjoyed our experience in the camper. We have made a few mental notes on things we could change for our next trip… bring less clothes, update the mattress, and possibly build out more storage solutions in the cab.
Any questions? Let me know in the comments!
PCT 2021 Short Film
A short film on my PCT 2021 thru hike
Read MoreMy Camera Gear
All of my current camera gear.
Read MoreUltralight PCT Gear List (Summer)
The gear I took on the Pacific Crest Trail summer of 2021
Read MorePCT Blaze Necklace
Handmade by me and available to purchase!
Read More10 Eco-Conscious Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts in 2021
Each year, I find myself looking to spend money on gifts that are better for the planet and our society as a whole. This gift guide features sustainable and eco-friendly products that can help reduce waste while supporting companies that are working to make the world a better place. By purchasing from brands with sustainability in mind, you are making the choice to help create a safer future for us and the planet.
This Patagonia flannel is super cozy, soft and will last for years to come. I own two of these Fjord Flannels and I love the style and durability. They are great for daily casual wear, hiking in the mountains or working on the land. Made with organic cotton, which reduces CO2 emissions by 45% and water usage by 90% compared to conventionally grown cotton. If your Patagonia garments begin to fail, you can send them in to be repaired through their Worn Wear program!
These blankets are eye catching with their puffy design and unique patterns. They are packable and lightweight at 2 pounds- perfect to take on that epic road trip you’ve been planning. Finished with protective DWR, rain and stains won’t stand a chance. The best of all? This blanket is made with 100% recycled polyester fill and 30D ripstop fabric.
Soft to the touch, flexible and beautifully designed, Pela cases are the world's first truly sustainable phone case. They are durable enough to protect your phone from drops and scratches and are also compostable! The Pela Case is made of flax shive and a plant based biopolymer. Pela is committed to create a waste free future by donating a % of every sale to Ocean Cleanup and Preservation Initiatives.
Lightweight and warm, these jackets are on the top of the list for hiking and backpacking adventures. I’ve owned my Ghost Whisperer for 5 years and have taken it on all of my thru hikes. It always performs spectacularly. Once it wears out, I’ll likely get a new one because look at those colors! Mountain Hardwear is bluesign approved which guarantees that the products were manufactured with responsible use of resources and the lowest possible impact on people and the environment. Partnering with Allied Feather & Down, you can track where your down came from by scanning a QR code on the inside tag.
Stasher Bags
Want to ditch ziplock bags? These are the perfect solution. This is one item that would be a perfect gift for those who like to go on day hikes, road trips, picnics or simply want to reduce their footprint. They are made of platinum silicone and harbor no toxic chemicals. You can put them in the freezer, dishwasher, or microwave. They can be washed and reused over and over, reducing your need for single use plastics. A portion of every Stasher sale goes to nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating our oceans.
I have found the perfect massage ball for relieving tension and muscle pain, not too firm and not to soft… and best of all- they are made from 100% sustainable cork. Being lightweight, they are great to take along on your hiking or backpacking trip. I have brought them on thru hikes and also keep a small one in my bag at all times. I like them so much I bought my mom a set for Mother’s Day. Also great for stimulating fitness recovery, reducing stiffness, and improving mobility.
Looking for a heavier duty camp blanket? The Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket is just that. With classic designs and color ways, this wool blanket will not only keep you warm, it will stand the test of time with its durable fibers- 4 times more durable than other natural fiber to be precise. You can feel better that Pendleton wool buyers know each grower by name, with relationships spanning generations. Much of their wool is grown in Umatilla Country, Oregon, near the Pendleton mill. Other wool is sourced from responsible farmers around the globe. When a wool item has reached its end use, it can be recycled to create new textiles, insulation and more. When disposed of in the right soil conditions, wool will naturally decompose, slowly returning valuable nutrients back into the earth!
Polarized to protect your precious eyeballs from the sun’s harsh rays, I love the look and the lightweight feel of these Sunski Dipseas sunglasses. These have been with me on 2 thru hikes and although the fancy mirror coating has worn off (recently learned this was a bad batch), the positive is that Sunski provides a lifetime warrany on their products. Sunski invented a way to turn scrap plastic into recycled frames. Instead of going to a landfill, their SuperLight recycled resin gets a new life of your adventures.
Here’s another way to reduce your reliance on single use plastics- Bee’s Wrap! Made of beeswax and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton, it’s washable, reusable and fully biodegradable. It’s easy to clean and is naturally antibacterial, so it will keep your food fresher longer. They use beeswax and plant-based waxes that are responsibly sourced. Bee’s Wrap may cost a little extra upfront, but in the long run the cost evens out.
Taken on many of my adventures, this Fjallraven Kanken backpack is ultra popular among outdoor lovers and for good reason. These backpacks are durable, minimal yet well-designed and ultra versatile. I take this backpack on hikes, use it for travel, to store my camera gear and for transporting my laptop. When designing and producing their products Fjallraven keeps sustainability in mind. They place strict standards on themselves and their suppliers in order to develop the clothing and gear that lasts for generations. In addition to the laptop backpack, I also own a Mini Kanken Backpack for daily use!
Links in this post are affiliate links from which I may or may not receive a small commission when you make a purchase. These links help to keep this blog going and provide you with useful information. :)
We made it to Canada, staying warm in the EE Torrid Pullover.
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pullover Review
My tried and true pullover review
Read MorePCT 2021 Gear List
Gear I’ll be taking on my 2021 Pacific Crest Trail Thru Hike
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