Two Hats & a French Press

“Gotta have your coffee and I’m not about to drink instant coffee”

“I have a work phone and a personal phone. I data mooch of my work phone”

Pack Buddy "My friend funds her hikes by selling Pack Buddies; she’s a triple crowner having thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail. I’ve carried my pack buddy for about 700 miles now.”

Knitting supplies “Back in Pearisburg, VA (~900 miles ago) I encountered someone with spare yarn. I’d already been thinking about acquiring knitting materials so I snagged a set of chopsticks at an all-you-can-eat buffet and I’ve been knitting ever since”

Tarp “My dad always carried a tarp when camping, this is mainly a comfort item”

“My dad always carries an American Flag and I’ve always carried my North Carolina flag during our AT section hikes leading up to my thruhike. It represents my home state pride. My lil’ homie was given to me by a friend who traveled with him across the country and now it’s my turn to take him on another journey.”

“I want to throw this rock away half the time but I’ve kept it because my friend asked me to carry it and he was there everyday last season helping me build my home”

“My dad gave me the hat. Music is everything.”

“I call this my Bag of Shame. I could throw out the entire bag and I wouldn’t miss it at all but I carry it anyway. Thru hikers are so meticulous about weight but this is my dirty secret. There’s a broken phone in there, might as well be a stone.”

“The pillow has made sleeping so much better. I would not give it up for food.”

“What you put in is what you get out” -Lost Cookie

Luxury Item: Spinach

“I have had three knee surgeries recently from tearing my ACL. I have not used my knee brace since the Shenandoahs but I am carrying it all the way to Maine. I want to hold it on Katahdin as a victory to show what I have overcome. I’ve carried the water gun for about 1400 miles (since Hot Springs) and I used to spray hikers on hot days.”

Some choose the luxury of a light pack.

Soakin’ in the Sun with a solar panel and some fancy shades.

Everyone has their own definition of luxury verses necessity. Boot weight is a good topic of debate.

“I like to sit”