Continental Divide Gear List for 2025 NOBO Start

After some fits and starts, ordering and reordering, weighing and replacing, And going through my gear bins I am finally packed for my noble start on the continental divide trail in late March 2025. The last 15 months have been a real learning experience from my through hike on the Appalachian Trail to starting southbound on the continental divide trail, and starting to walk the Camino Frances last January. I have learned what works best, what is needed and what is not, in how to minimize. A shout out to my wife who helped me get rid of about 2 lbs of stuff that I didn’t even notice. So, without further delay…

The Big Four

My pack is an ARN Featherlight Freedom from New Zealand. I bought this last year as I was walking the continental divide trail and I was struck how well it fit, how well balanced it is, in the effectiveness of the large 6-liter balance pockets up front. This is the first pack out of nine that I have purchased that the hip belt fits correctly. Also, the pack pivots off the hip belt so that when you bend you’re not twisting the pack and the pack is not pulling against the hip belt. I am very short waisted as there is about 1 inch between the iliac crest of my hip and my lowest rib. This Aarn pack fits me like a glove and the reviews on the pack echo my experience. It felt like I wasn’t wearing a pack at all. While it weighs little more then the ultralight high-end packs that I have purchased, it carries lighter.

My sleep system is it Zenbivy Light Bed including their 25° F  down Ultralight quilt, Light Sheet, and three piece in  Zenbivy pillow. The sheet slips over the mattress pad and have straps to keep it in place and a hood that is either insulated or uninsulated depending on your purchase. This Zenbivy quilt attaches to the sheet by loops sewn into the quilt and hooks attached to the sheet. The way the quilt and shader fitted together prevents drafts when you toss and turn like I do and can be unhooked if you need a little less warmth, and a Western Mountaineering silk liner.  My three-piece pillow consists of a pillowcase, an ultralight air bladder, and a down topper. The pillow hooks into the hood of the sheet so no searching for your pillow in the middle of the night after it is slipped out from under your head. My sleeping pad is a NeoAir® XLite™ NXT Sleeping Pad. It has a 4.5 R-value and weighs about 1 LB. The pad packs down small and is comfortable. When I get further north to Chama NM I will swap it out for my NXT Max that has a 7.3 R value.

My tent is a Z Packs Duplex Zip. It weighs 21 ounces and is the tent that served me well on the Appalachian Trail in 2024. It is a Dyneema fabric trekking pole tent that requires a minimum of six stakes, the tent pitches easily and packs down small. I’ll be using the tent without the freestanding kit and instead use the trekking pole configuration.

Clothing

Carried clothing is a base layer, underwear, Injinji sock liners, two pair of Darn Tough socks, and a long sleeve shirt.

Worn clothing is a pair of Outdoor Research zip off pants, a synthetic shirt, Smartwool underwear, Injinji sock liners and Darn Tough socks, an Evolved Supply sun hoodie, and a “Hike” ball cap from The Trek.

Cold weather. Gear consists of an Enlightened Equipment Torrid synthetic jacket, Melanzana waffle top, Outdoor Research gloves with the screen touch fingertips, and a Turtle Fur Hat. Some things may be changed out further north.

Rain gear- RAB rain pants and Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Coat

Cook Set

Toaks 650ml pot with lid and titanium spoon, Jetboil burner, fuel can stand, and a lighter.

Electronics

COROS Apex Pro 2 watch, Apple iPhone 16, DJI Osmo 5 Action Pro camera with mini microphones, battery handle, selfie stick, and battery pack, Hearing aids, Nitecore headlamp, and the various cords and wall charger, Garmin InReach Mini 2, Shokz Open Fit  ear buds, and a Dark Energy Poseidon battery pack.

Other items

Black Diamond Trail Cork trekking poles

Gossamer Gear Umbrella and thin pad

Lite AF Dyneema food bag—Ursack Ursa Major will be carried further North

ZPacks Dyneema clothing bag

Hilltop Packs zipper cases for electronics, hygiene and toiletries

Deuce of Spades Trowel and compressed Clean Towels

Sea to Summit Light Towel

Katadyn BeFree and Sawyer Mini water filters and Hydra Pak Flux+ and CNOC water bladders

First Aid kit

There are a few items not listed to keep length to a minimum. I wrap Luko Tape around my trekking poles so I have 8 linear feet available, gear repair tape, KT Tape, etc

Food Choices

My staples this year will be RecPak and commercial backpacker meals. I used RecPak last year and it gives me 700 calories of high quality nutrition in the morning. It is my go-to food!!! Add water and shake. I have also used it for supper when I’m too tired to light the stove. There are so many backpackers meal companies giving a wide range of choices that will satisfy most anybody. I’ve found great deals on Mountain House and on Peak Refuel. Peak honors the GOVX program that provides a big discount to First Responders, law enforcement, military, and Veterans. I saved 25% on a 90 meal box. Various snacks and meals will substitute in and out over time.

This covers most things. I use the FarOut, Gaia GPS, and All Trail apps for navigation and have the Expedition Plan subscription from Garmin to allow better communication and tracking. I also have SAR, Search and Rescue, insurance should things go very poorly. Hopefully I have all bases covered and things go as well as they can, but “Pray for Peace, Prepare for War”. Counting the days and refining my playlist and I think I have most things covered. My going uphill songs are “Kaktus” by Bovska, “Atomic” remix by Blondie,  and “Twighlight Zone” by Golden Earring on loop.

I like the idea of walking towards my home in Montana instead of walking away. See you on the far side of the trail!

Final Thoughts

“The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, and the last duty is done.” – George MacDonald

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any company, organization, or producer.