Ultralight Lessons from 166 Miles on the Appalachian Trail

This past July, my boyfriend Shane and I tackled a 166-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail, from Pearisburg, VA to Damascus.  I've been slowly accumulating ultralight gear for years, weighing every item, and plugging it into my spreadsheet.  Long-distance hiking has intrigued me for years, and I finally had the chance to put it all to the test.

Shane, on the other hand, is a fan of what he calls "suffer hikes"—25 miles summiting 12 peaks, with 10k feet of elevation gain, little food, no shelter, and old gear that’s seen better days. During the Great Range Traverse, his hiking partner passed out from dehydration on Mt Marcy, and when they finally got back to the car it wouldn’t start.  Shane had to make a new fuse out of a piece of fence wire.  When we weighed in at the hostel in Damascus, before catching a shuttle to our start, my pack came in at 26 pounds. Shane's? A whopping 45 pounds. Most of his gear was hand-me-downs, including an oversized Denali expedition pack that wasn’t even the right size for him—and that broke halfway through. 

With my brother’s wedding in 16 days, we were on a ticking clock: 166 miles to hike, followed by a 7-hour drive to make it to the big day. While Shane is as tough as he is strong (carrying tree trunks is just part of his day job as an arborist for Fleming Tree Professionals), I had my doubts about making it. We pushed hard, covering 20 miles on some days and a whopping 28.5 miles on our last day.

Even with my lighter, carefully packed gear, it was tough. I was sore, exhausted, and more than ready to crash in a real bed at the end. Had I been carrying Shane’s nearly double-weight pack, I don’t think I would’ve finished the hike, or maybe even made it to the wedding.  The bottom line? Ultralight gear makes all the difference. I truly believe my pack setup is what set me up for success—though it didn’t make the hike easy! So, I’m unlocking my spreadsheet and letting you in on the secret. 

My Top 5 Tips to Get Started in Ultralight Backpacking:

1. Weigh Everything
   It’s easier to decide what to cut when the numbers are staring you in the face. Use a kitchen scale and make a copy of my spreadsheet (linked below).

2. Ounces Make Pounds
   If you’re new to ultralight, start small. You may not be able to invest in a pricey tent right away, but you can swap out heavy cookware for a titanium pot and spork.

3. Keep Clothing to a Minimum
   Modern wool blends don’t trap odors like synthetics, even after multiple wears in the backcountry. You don’t need a full wardrobe—wash your spare pair of underwear at night and let them dry as you sleep or hike.

4. Opt for Trail Runners Over Boots
   They’re lighter and dry faster, especially in wet conditions. Plus, they’re much easier on your feet over long distances.

5. Invest in a Good Pack
   If you can only make one big purchase, your backpack is the most important investment. Packs are sized by torso length and volume, so find one that fits your body, is comfortable when loaded, and suits the gear and weight you plan to carry. Visit Water Stone, and we’ll help you find the perfect fit!

Where I Indulged:

Life is about balance, and cutting weight where it’s not needed frees you up to enjoy some small luxuries that can make or break your experience. Here’s where I allowed myself to splurge:

1. Sleeping Pads:
   I carried both a foam pad and an inflatable. A good night’s sleep meant more miles the next day.

2. Sleeping Bag Liner:
   Nylon sleeping bags can get sticky and gross in the heat. Halfway through the hike, I picked up a twin sheet from Dollar General and hand-sewed it into a liner using dental floss. On my next hike, I’ll pack a real liner.

3. Food:
   Shane can survive on PB&Js and Sheetz burritos, but if I’m not eating well, I feel awful. I brought freeze-dried meals from Good To-Go and Packit Gourmet, which have healthier options without preservatives. For lunches and snacks, I packed tortillas, PB, cheese, tuna packets, dried fruit, crackers, and even fresh kiwis, avocados, and baby carrots.

4. Books:
   We finished three books on this hike. Reading in the mornings over coffee and at night by headlamp made for some of my favorite memories.

5. Toiletries:
   After 20 miles of hiking, being able to clean up and do my skincare routine felt like a luxury. I stored everything in GSI Outdoors ultralight condiment bottles, so they didn’t add much weight.

Check out my full gear list here:
My Ultralight Gear Spreadsheet

Note: Some of the gear on this list was bought before I started working at Water Stone, so we don’t carry all these brands. However, I’ve included suggestions from brands we do stock that are similar in quality and function.