Pre Thru-Hike : Colorado Trail Gear List

This has been madness, running a start up business, planning a 30 day through-hike – setting up the care of said business during my absence, the sickening rush of running a freeze dryer (that came about 2 weeks late) constantly to prepare enough food to survive in a healthy manner for 500 miles of high elevation hiking. I’ve FINALLY come to final pack contents and gear list with weight for Pre-Trip reporting.

pre thru-hike : COlorado Trail Gear List list

With the extremely helpful LighterPack.com, I’ve listed out everything I’ll be carrying for the first half of the trip. My (approx.) mid-way resupply point will contain my Jetboil Flash and gas canister, weighing in at about 19oz to swap out my blender bottle that I will previously have been cold-soaking food in. This is in preparation for the higher general elevation and more advanced season – I am anticipating a colder half of the hike for these reasons and will add weight in favor of warm food.

Problematically, my stove will not ignite without the aid of an open flame. I’ve included a lighter in the stove kit for this reason. Time will tell if the effort is worth it.

All of these items will be up for review, and may be ‘dumped’ (sent home or potentially swapped out) along the way. I’ll be including a detailed report and run down on the vast majority of the items I use.

I’ve marked any resource that will shrink with use as consumable. I have not included the measurement of 2 extra liters of potential water carry (4.4lbs) The following describes an assumed full pack weight.

To review, our start date is August 10th, end date planned as September 8th. We had everything set and planned before the announcement of Denver Water closing Waterton Canyon and effectively the official start of the trail. I cut my teeth in Waterton Canon, I grew up in Littleton, CO and was a tad bitter about the loss of my anticipated day of Nostalgia. We have re-routed our start to be the alternate of Indian Creek Trail instead of Roxborough park.

Look forward to pictures and journal entries

Thank you for your support

Now, for the disclaimer – I am not a vet, adventure guide, personal trainer, doctor, nutritionist, or medical authority, this is meant to be only a source of information and inspiration, implementing these techniques into your daily life is something you do of your own free will and at your own risk.