CDT Gear: My Big 3

I intend to hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 2024 and will vlog my experience. Follow me under "Old Man and the CDT."
I am Mike Current, 61-years-old, and retired military. I served for over 30 years in the US Army.
After retirement, I opened two small businesses. But after a few years, I sold both businesses because they were taking time away from pursuing personal goals, like hiking and sailing.
I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2020 and Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2022. I vlogged (video journaled) my experiences under "Old Man and the PCT" and "Old Man and the AT", respectively.
I sailed around the Chesapeake Bay in my Tayana 37 sailboat over the summer of 2023 and vlogged the experience under the KZbin channel "Old Man and the Sea."
I do not monetize my videos in any manner. However, if you would like to contribute to helping veterans thru-hike as a form of therapy for PTSD, please consider donating to Warrior Expeditions at warriorexpedit...
The link to my favorite gear (tyvek ground sheet) is: • Favorite Gear Item For...

[@MrTitanTopper]

Hey Energizer… Look forward to your hike! I’m “potentially” going to attempt an AT Thru-hike next year. I’m considering a new pack, the Hyperlite Unbound. I’ve always had Load Lifters with my backpacks and the Hyperlites don’t have them. I don’t think my base weight is as light as you. I’ll probably be around 18-22lbs. Thoughts or advice about the Hyperlites and NO load lifters? Thnx!

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

I think the HMG packs are comfortable with loads up to 30 lbs. The internal bars work pretty good. I've even had as much as 40 lbs in my pack, but that's when it gets problematic. Some folks go with the Zpacks arc because of the more defined frame, but I've read too many instances of it breaking. Look at the top five packs used on the AT, based on the Trek survey, to narrow your choice. Then pick the one you feel most likely fits your needs.

[@garylindenmuth7468]

Wise choices in sleep system good luck

[@anitasimmons3599]

Thank you for this video. Your luxury items are likely to save you the added weight of the condensate that builds up in inflatable air mattresses over weeks and weeks of use blowing them up with your breath. I use my backpack liner to inflate my mattress, but like you mentioned that takes dexterity and patience to learn to do it efficiently. My mattress is the torso length Neo air, but I am a verticality challenged female. I was wondering if you stayed in the shelters when you hiked the AT. I will definitely donate to warrior expeditions. I have met some of the men and women that hike the PCT with support for them, and you can see the difference in them as they hike north. Thank you for another informative packed video. Best wishes on your CDT journey.

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

You are correct about the moisture in the air mattress. I can see the black mold inside my old one, so it probably wouldn't be too healthy to keep breathing into it. I did stay in the shelters, particularly on evenings when I thought it would rain overnight. It kept me from having to pack up a wet tent in the morning. I never had any issues. Use a ground sheet in the shelter to protect your mattress from splinters. Also, sleep with your head out. The mice run along with walls. So, they can either run over your feet or face.

[@Seeking_Gnosis]

You're not old 😂

[@KrizAkoni]

Western Mountaineering for the win! I love mine. 🤓

[@hope2someday691]

I’ve been thinking about adding a Tyvek ground sheet to my system but don’t know how to secure it?? Do you stake through the Tyvek or do you add tie-offs to it or ???

[@jacobrodesh9019]

I have heard of some people just shaking down a tent over top of the “loose” tyvek. I believe I’d try this method first, less fussing with fewer attachments. You could also sew or plastic-weld some grommets to the corners for an exact fit, but at that pt just get a dedicated footprint, yanno?

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

I just lay it under my tent with my equipment and body keeping it in place. However, this year I did add grommets to the corners. That way, I can use the sheet as a sun shelter in the desert and Great Basin sections where shade is scarce.

[@suemoore1965]

Thanks for the video

[@stevetrimborn3739]

Great gear breakdown. I know the story about the CDT patch, but I don’t recall ever hearing the flamingo story….

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

AT, Day 8.

[@christytucker8944]

Off topic.. I can’t tell you how hearing that music again makes me feel! I watched all of your videos as you went did your through hike on the AT , in preparation for my son’s hike last year. He and I would talk about them and he took so much of your experience to heart ! He completed in 150 days, the last month, nothing but rain. Your videos helped my mental state as he was out there . Thank you so much!

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Thank you for the kind words. So glad to read that your son finished his hike. It's true: last one to Katahdin wins.

[@christytucker8944]

@@oldmanandtheat3093 he magically got a clear day to summit both Mt Washington and Katahdin! The Whites were brutal, especially with the endless rain. Really looking forward to going along this next hike of yours!

[@glengullickson6538]

Great advice.

[@FirstNameLastName-oy2ji]

Western Mountain Versalite will never let you down. Night time recovery is key. Blowing up your air pad at the end of the day is great for your sleep.

[@Simon..Chapman]

Im a cold sleeper too and have learnt that to be comfortable the R value of the sleep pad is an important factor, as is the temperature rating of the quilt

[@BrokenDrum9]

Nice to see you out there again. Enjoyed both of your other long distance hikes.

[@jeevjagostudios]

Another great energized video! I just donated to Warrior Expeditions, which I would not have known existed if I hadn't watched your videos.

[@oldmanandtheat3093]

Awesome! Thank you!