Empty Your Pack: 55+ Ultralight Thru-Hiker

Barney "Scout" Mann hiked the Triple Crown after turning 55. Here's his ultralight pack list for trips of any distance.

Triple Crowner, self-confessed gram-weenie, and Backpacker contributor, Barney “Scout” Mann has backpacked 16,000 miles–more than 10,000 of those since turning 55. “I use this packlist for a single-night or five-month trek,” he says. “The only thing that change is the water and food.” He is the author of Journeys North, which chronicles the reality of a northbound Pacific Crest Trail hike. Read the excerpt we published in our Nov/Dec 2020 issue.

Total Pack Base Weight: 9 pounds, 3 ounces

Gear that saved the day: Tent

I’m in a lightning and hail storm—20 strikes a minute—on the Continental Divide Trail above 11,000 feet in New Mexico. I’m the only human being for miles. It’s only 17 degrees and the booming and rat-a-tat-tat on my tent sounds like a war zone. But I’m whooping and hollering for joy, wishing I could kiss the feet of whoever sewed this beautiful shelter.

My luxury item: Sit pad

For 1 ounce I get to insert a veneer of civilization between my rump and snow, gravel, or rock. It enhances any break, lunch or dinner, almost as much as a pizza delivered trailside.

I’ll never part with: My umbrella

You won’t find me peering out through a tightly cinched hood with a frown on my face in driving rain. Instead, my cone of dryness extends to my waist. I am “Umbrella Man.”

Continue reading the full pack list from the 55+ ultralight thru-hiker here.

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Medya Mansyone soti nan Sackpacker
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Nan BACKPACKER, nou enspire ak pèmèt moun yo jwi deyò yo pa bay enfòmasyon ki pi fè konfyans ak angaje enfòmasyon sou avanti bakkontri nan Amerik di Nò.

Nou pran angajman pou onètete, respè ak kolaborasyon nan tout relasyon nou.

Nou konprann ak reponn nan yon mòd alè nan pwodwi a ak bezwen sèvis nan konsomatè nou yo.

Nou pran yon wòl lidèchip nan edike ak patenarya ak lòt moun ki pataje enterè nou ak valè nou.

Nou sipòte pwogram, règleman, ak konpòtman ki ankouraje pwoteksyon nan zòn dezè aktyèl nou yo ak deziyasyon byen konsidere nan nouvo yo.

Nou angaje nan montre bon jan kalite a pi wo nan konvenk foto ak istwa enspire.

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Nou ankouraje dirab, itilizasyon ki ba-enpak nan dezè.

Nou sipòte ak ankouraje youn ak lòt pou inovasyon, mennen, grandi, pran risk, pataje lide, ak eksprime yon pasyon pou dezè a.

Medya Mansyone

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.

Sean Gold
Founder & Lead Writer

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Secure a small loop of cord to a trekking pole to create a convenient place to hang a water bladder and filter water.

Nathan Pipenberg
Ekriven

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It contains 20 percent picaridin, a powerful insect repellent that will make nights around the campfire much more enjoyable.

Liz Provencher
Freelane Writer