Gear Packing Anxiety
Yup. This is Happening
My AT thru-hike attempt next year will be my first long distance hike. Ive taken a few multi-day trips before but have never tackled any hike of this magnitude. I have all my gear, tested most of it (still a couple shake down hikes left to do), watched hundreds of YouTube videos, read countless books on the AT, and now the only thing I can think of is how Im going to pack my backpack.
Im Obsessed
I cant be the only one who constantly thinks about how Im going to organize my pack, can I? I mean, it consumes my thoughts for most of my waking hours. When Im at work, Im taking care of customers, but in my mind, Im wondering where Im going to put my toilet paper and first aid kit. When Im trying to go to sleep at night Im thinking about layering gear in my dry bag (trash compactor bag). Maybe I should talk to a professional. This could be a serious problem, but Im afraid a professional counselor might commit me, and Ill miss my April 16th start date. OK, I have to take a break from writing for a minute, I have to go pack and un-pack my gear. Be right back!
Calming Myself Down
I think I can now continue since Ive had some gear therapy, but Im still thinking about packing my pack. Arrrrgh! One thing Im thankful for is that my ULA Equipment Circuit Pack doesnt have a ton of outside pockets for storage. It has two hip belt pouches, two side pouches, and the mesh compartment on the back of the pack. Thats it. I see some packs that have pockets everywhere. How do you people with those packs even function? Id already be committed if I had all those choices, and Id want to fill each and every one of them with something. My pack would probably weigh 60 lbs, and Id be the laughing stock at Neel Gap when I asked them to do a shake down on my pack, if I even made it that far. Fear not. Theres hope. Keep reading for Grumpys Rx for packing anxiety.
Grumpys Rx for Packing Anxiety
Take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Packing your gear really breaks down to two things, keep things that need to stay dry
well, dry, and keep emergency gear and camera close at hand. Thats it. Let the trail decide where your gear winds up in your pack. Everything will find its place, trust me. Youll be packing and unpacking your pack at least once a day, and youll learn as you do where you like to have certain things. As I said above, some things require easy access, like your camera, first aid kit, maps, toilet paper, snacks, and water. Please, please, please do not bury your TP deep in your pack because you never know when the urge to go will become an emergency. The last thing you want to do is litter the trail with your gear trying to find it. Everything else will find its place, and I bet itll happen within the first week on the trail (maybe even the first few days). Dont let packing anxiety take away from the excitement of planning and getting ready for the most epic journey youll likely take in your lifetime. See you on the trail! (Ill be the old fat guy with a panicked look on my face, throwing gear everywhere because I cant find my TP).
Grumpy Gramps
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