Post AT thru hike gear | what was in my pack after 2,198.4 miles?!

[@chaosncheckt9356]

OG - that's not damage, those are WAR WOUNDS :). Your gear served you well and deserves a bit of love. Take care. Odin sends.

[@Ladythyme]

Perfect example that you don’t need all of the super expensive gear to do the Trail and still meet your needs….and with maybe even a little extra 😊

[@OGhikes]

For sure, I had a few expensive pieces mixed in with some budget options. Overall I was happy with the setup! 😁

[@johnthompson8432]

Thanks for sharing. Great to know what’s really important to take on trail. Best wishes. Let’s Go!!!!

[@OGhikes]

Sure thing! I was happy with my setup 👍. Thanks!

[@MrMarkmtn]

New T-shirt 😊

[@OGhikes]

Had to switch it up. 😂

[@HilltopPacks]

Nice setup, and congrats! Delamination is covered under warranty. Hit us up, and we will get you a replacement. Unfortunately, with ultralight fabrics that can sometimes happen. But we got you. Hit us

[@OGhikes]

Awesome. That sounds great. I almost feel guilty asking though, I mean I used it everyday for 2,198 miles

[@HilltopPacks]

@@OGhikes it's all good. We support ya

[@PacemakerandButtons]

Wow it felt like you were talking right to me at the end there. Thank you for all the great advice. A lot of it was a good refresher. I know weather plays a big part on comfort and protection. We will be starting 25 Feb. this is why I admire your advice for us. Hope to see you out there. Please follow us.

[@OGhikes]

Awesome! I’m excited for you! Will you be vlogging the hike? I like your start date 😄

[@PacemakerandButtons]

@@OGhikes yes, we’ll be vlogging the best we can. Hopefully on a daily basis.

[@OGhikes]

Awesome. Please let me know the channel name so I can follow!

[@PacemakerandButtons]

@@OGhikes Pacemakerandbuttons2024

[@PacemakerandButtons]

@@OGhikes youtube.com/@Pacemakerandbuttons2024

[@Woodthrush]

Cute doggie! I really appreciate seeing what gear made it to the finish line. Nice to see that folks do not need all the most expensive gear to complete the AT. Happy Trails!

[@OGhikes]

Thanks so much. Yes, there are lots of options available! Thanks!

[@bermyboy3952]

Your hiking style is so relaxed and smooth...just like all your gear choices in this video. I had a great time watching your hike over the past five months and miss your updates already... I hope to meet you one day as I live nearby your town, thanks to Ramdino mentioning you as friend...ha ha! I am currently working on section hiking northward on the AT...bit by bit during the Spring and Fall!! Aron, you are an inspiration to all AT hikers in my opinion. Look forward to seeing you out there again. Thanks for the ride!

[@OGhikes]

Thank you, that is a cool compliment! 👊. I appreciate it. Great job on the sections! I met so many super cool section hikers that were knocking it out as they could, that takes such determination and motivation to stick with it! I really appreciate your kind words. I miss the trail already and hope to be back. At least a few shorter hikes anyway.

[@bishopshaw5691]

I love the equipment review, OG!!! Thanks for going into the details! 😎

[@OGhikes]

Sure thing my friend! 😁

[@josephmayes8302]

Great video brother. Thanks for taking time to share this info with us. Lots of good stuff here!

[@OGhikes]

Thank you, I really appreciate you!

[@IamMuddy]

Thanks, very informative! I’m questioning my swap out point now…trail will let me know.

[@OGhikes]

Don’t sweat it, the trail will for sure let you know! Thanks!

[@hike2024]

This was a great help... I'm planning to do the AT next year. Thanks for sharing.

[@OGhikes]

You bet, glad it was helpful! Let me know if I can answer any questions.

[@Randee04]

What an outstanding recap of your gear! Excellent suggestions and explanations! You better keep that lucky shirt in rotation :) Thank you for taking the time to go over everything. I bet it would be hard to toss things that you wore (like the shoes that took you to Mama K for example). Looking forward to your next video and, oh my.....your last words made me so excited! I want you to do it again, some do the trail many times!!!!!

[@OGhikes]

Thanks so much! Yeah, I almost tossed those shoes but I just couldn’t let them go! I could see maybe doing it again someday.

[@MontanaJewels]

Thank you OG for all the suggestions ❤ It's really nice to know that thru hike equipment doesn't have to be super expensive 😁 Thank you again for all you've shown me ..I really appreciate it ❤️❣️

[@OGhikes]

Sure thing! Thank you!

[@bkbland1626]

Doesn't matter WHAT was in your pack. It's what was in your heart, your mind. THAT'S what gets you there. Stuff is useful and handy, but that's all. Have a good one.

[@OGhikes]

You got that right!

[@debsmith7050]

Grace seems very happy to have you home. Your gear got you through but it is clearly well worn! Fun review OG - thanks

[@OGhikes]

I think she might have missed me. It’s funny to see the pictures of the gear pre hike compared to now. That 2,200 miles was hard on it! 🤣

[@ervinslens]

Great upload bud, your gear is awesome and you elaborated everything so nicely! 👏

[@OGhikes]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@dalewagner6416]

Very informative and renewed my interest in attempting this someday, knowing you don’t need so much and expensive items. I love simplicity!

[@OGhikes]

I recommend a good lightweight tent and good quilt! The ones I carried were awesome!

[@sulj3373]

Very helpful OG. Looking forward to your video thru hike next year from my recliner in New Orleans.😂❤ Well, maybe your do the PCT.

[@OGhikes]

Haha. Would love to thru hike again next year, hopefully that can happen. Thanks for following! 😁

[@WanderingMonkHikes]

Awesome video OG! Some great practical tips. I’m planning to switch to the quilt and sounds like the 10 degree is the way to go. I like how you packed your camp shoes. I have Xero sandals, but never found a good way to carry them. So, they usually stay at home. Simple fixes. Thanks!

[@OGhikes]

I really liked the EE quilt, mine is a wide. The camp shoes were a very helpful luxury! Thanks!

[@ridgepath]

Depending on when u bought it, Thermarest will replace the air pad. They have replaced 2 Uber lights for me for the same problem - you just send them a photo of the receipt and pictures of the blown baffles.

[@OGhikes]

Sounds good, I bought it around this time last year. I’ll give it a try if I can find a receipt

[@middleearthchronicles2269]

Definitely try to get the warranty replacement. They are usually pretty good about it when the baffles go. Get the brand new one and then experiment with the cut down. I switched to buying my warranty items like this from REI because it makes it so much easier keeping track of the receipts on my account history.

[@Jennifer-xv6sk]

I have watched a lot of videos and by far yours won me over . I may be in touch with questions lol … Hiking AT this coming year ‘24

[@OGhikes]

Thank you! I’m happy to answer any questions or talk trail with you anytime. Headed to the Foothills trail tomorrow. Excited to be back out in the woods!

[@globetruck17]

Great review!

[@OGhikes]

Thank you! 😁

[@snark007]

Thanks for the gear review. Instead of patching your pack won’t REI replace it under their warranty policy? Your information was very good.

[@OGhikes]

I’m not sure it is still under warranty. I honestly would feel bad asking them to replace it after all I put it through! 😁

[@robertdesrosiers4743]

thanks og

[@OGhikes]

Sure thing 👊

[@MrMarkmtn]

Ever try sealskinz socks? Great for rain and snow.

[@OGhikes]

I had a friend that carried a pair through the Smokies. I’ve never tried them.

[@bestillonthetrail234]

Nice post hike gear review OG. Not sure if you already commented on it and I missed but wondering how the dog bite is doing? Was up in ME and VT on Monday and Tuesday supporting more hikers.

[@OGhikes]

Nice! You are a good one! 😁 Dog bite is good, I’ll always have a gnarly scar but scars are cool! 🤣🤣

[@mary.peacefulhikesn.j.3350]

Hi! We met on trail in my home state of NJ. We enjoyed your videos so much. We are attempting our thru hike starting in GA this fall since I don’t tolerate heat well and I am a winter hiker backpacker. Then resume NOBO in Feb. what would be one exercise you would say would help the most and what piece of wisdom could you share for 50+ backpackers? Thank you, Mary

[@OGhikes]

I remember meeting you! I was with Taylor that day, right? Work on stabilizer muscles in the ankles and knees. Lots of videos on exercises you can do. Chase Mountains is a good YT’er with some great workouts. Also work on getting your feet as tough as possible. Any kind of weighted step ups, leg strength work is key. Best piece of advice is get your pack weight as low as possible and don’t carry too much food! Tons of places to resupply and food and water get heavy! Keep your pack tight and light and don’t carry too much food and water. After that, get up early and knock out morning miles, then just cruise after lunch break. You got this… Let’s go!!! 👍

[@mary.peacefulhikesn.j.3350]

Yes, that was me!! I was a little embarrassingly star struck by Taylor and still feel weird about that, lol!! I was with my friends scoping out a new overnight backpacking routes. Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it!!! @@OGhikes

[@OGhikes]

@@mary.peacefulhikesn.j.3350 haha, I was major fanboy when I met her too 🤣. Such a cool person and awesome hiker!

[@owenbrown5807]

Aaron! You can return that thermarest pad for a new one. I had baffles blow after 3 years. It’s pretty much a limited lifetime warranty. They switched mine without question

[@OGhikes]

Thank you! I’ll contact them 👍

[@paulslagle1800]

Another great video! How are you making out post trail? I know when I come home from a section I need a few days before I blend back in with “the Muggles” lol. Just curious how you are blending?

[@OGhikes]

Thank you! The transition has been okay, but I miss the trail and daily hiking.

[@DennisPennington555]

Thanks OG, was there anything you wish you had with you on the trail and I didn't see rain pants, was that by choice?

[@OGhikes]

Hi, yes I don’t like rain pants, I hate the way they feel and the way they stick to your legs. I just prefer hiking in shorts. I did see a rain skirt a couple times those looked interesting and might be a good option. But honestly when it rains all day your just going to be wet anyway. When I had to wear the bug net I wished I had a hat or visor to keep it off my face, but I don’t really like wearing hats so that would have been a waste in my pack most of the time 🤣.

[@DennisPennington555]

Awesome, thanks for taking the time to answer. @@OGhikes

[@OGhikes]

👍

[@maryemilymcdonald]

That was really informative and interesting! One question I thought of when you showed your long pants that you mailed home is I wondered if you ever had to deal with poison ivy since you wore your hiking shorts most of the time? If not, how’d you prevent it from being a problem?

[@OGhikes]

I was fortunate to never get poison ivy! I watched out for it and the trail maintainers have done an excellent job of keeping it off the trail. There was plenty of it off trail though, I was pretty vigilant in just trying to avoid it! 👍

[@ybuzzdry]

Did u ever or come across other hikers who suffered from poison ivy/ oak. How were they handling it.

[@Alpinenutclimbing]

Super helpful info....Do people carry bear spray at all? Do people always hang their food bags when there is not a bear box? ...Congratulations!!

[@OGhikes]

Thanks! Bearspray is very rare on trail, it’s an unnecessary weight. Some people hang food bags but many do not.

[@Alpinenutclimbing]

Thanks for the insight! @@OGhikes

[@OGhikes]

😁

[@cheri7828]

Now that you have the Senchi, would you have started the hike with it rather than the bulkier REI fleece?

[@OGhikes]

That’s a good question. The REI is warmer and it was cold at the beginning! I’m hiking the Foothills Trail the end of this month and I’m still debating which one to use. I just haven’t tested the Senchi in cold weather yet, so I’m not sure how it would perform. I’ll bring it on this upcoming hike and see how it does. I’ll do a video series on the Foothills trail too if you are interested. Are you planning a thru hike for 2024?

[@cheri7828]

​@@OGhikesyes, I'm planning a thru hike. I've hiked a bit on the AT with 100 wt fleece. It's worn out and The fleece they make now doesn't have the same feel to it. I bought a MHW airmesh hood on sale. It's similar to the Alpha Direct stuff. I use a windshirt and thought maybe I could use the Airmesh with a windshirt in place of my old fleece. I will have plenty of time to figure it out this winter but wanted your thoughts on it.

[@mbfld6195]

What was the toughest part about your journey?

[@OGhikes]

Probably missing family, so the mental aspect. Then by the end my body was worn down and I was tired, so that part the physical challenge kicked in and I had to keep pushing.

[@mhickox170]

Did you treat any gear with permethrin?

[@OGhikes]

That’s a great question! I never actually used the spray on my gear but a section hiker who was finishing up a section gave me a small bottle of permethrin lotion and I applied that to my socks. I only found 3 or 4 ticks on me the entire hike and none of those had attached. I had a friend that got Lymes and was sick for a couple of weeks. My buddy Gummy used permethrin regularly with several applications on trail and he never had any issues. I used the permethrin lotion through NY/Conn and Vermont then I think I gave it to someone. I started using deet in NH and Maine when the flying bugs got really intense.

[@davef5916]

did you have any sleep pants?

[@johnmys5am]

HEY!.....You can get a free Thermarest. They will give you a new one because of the blowout.

[@OGhikes]

I’ll give it a try 👍

[@olddad67]

Rudy do us all a favor my friend never do any show where you don’t have somewhere to bail out quick

[@OGhikes]

Will do