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The Trek: Bring It or Leave It?
John W goes through his thought process on his gear list for solo hikes.
The Trek: Bring It or Leave It?
Last updated:
May 5, 2025
| 5 min read
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John W goes through his thought process on his gear list for solo hikes.
Read more about the projectBring It or Leave It?
I have been camping and backpacking for years. I don’t usually carry a basket, but that doesn’t mean everything I usually carry is completely appropriate for a long solo trek.
Most of my trips are leading youth groups. I joke with the parents that it is still an “A” if I return with 90% of the youth I started with. But, in reality, I take extra precautions to ensure that all the youth are safe and that we really do return with all of them. That translates to, “If it might be important, then it probably ends up in my pack.” And doing things as a group often means different equipment. For example, group cooking typically means a couple larger pots and stove like a whisperlite that can accommodate them. Those things can be split among group members to keep each person’s weight low. Using things like smaller pots, that can still work for shorter solo trips, but would put a lot of strain on my legs over 2650 miles.
Continue reading to learn more about what to pack for solo trips, written by John W.
John W
Hi everybody! I’m John. With some time on my hands over the winter, friends suggested I go on a longer backpacking trip.
Bring It or Leave It?
I have been camping and backpacking for years. I don’t usually carry a basket, but that doesn’t mean everything I usually carry is completely appropriate for a long solo trek.
Most of my trips are leading youth groups. I joke with the parents that it is still an “A” if I return with 90% of the youth I started with. But, in reality, I take extra precautions to ensure that all the youth are safe and that we really do return with all of them. That translates to, “If it might be important, then it probably ends up in my pack.” And doing things as a group often means different equipment. For example, group cooking typically means a couple larger pots and stove like a whisperlite that can accommodate them. Those things can be split among group members to keep each person’s weight low. Using things like smaller pots, that can still work for shorter solo trips, but would put a lot of strain on my legs over 2650 miles.
Continue reading to learn more about what to pack for solo trips, written by John W.
John W
Hi everybody! I’m John. With some time on my hands over the winter, friends suggested I go on a longer backpacking trip.
Bring It or Leave It?
I have been camping and backpacking for years. I don’t usually carry a basket, but that doesn’t mean everything I usually carry is completely appropriate for a long solo trek.
Most of my trips are leading youth groups. I joke with the parents that it is still an “A” if I return with 90% of the youth I started with. But, in reality, I take extra precautions to ensure that all the youth are safe and that we really do return with all of them. That translates to, “If it might be important, then it probably ends up in my pack.” And doing things as a group often means different equipment. For example, group cooking typically means a couple larger pots and stove like a whisperlite that can accommodate them. Those things can be split among group members to keep each person’s weight low. Using things like smaller pots, that can still work for shorter solo trips, but would put a lot of strain on my legs over 2650 miles.
Continue reading to learn more about what to pack for solo trips, written by John W.
John W
Hi everybody! I’m John. With some time on my hands over the winter, friends suggested I go on a longer backpacking trip.
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