Big Island Traverse Gear List

There is purity in self-sufficiency, and it seems this is a dying sentiment. The Big Island Traverse is an unsupported fastpack, meaning that all gear and supplies, with the exception of water, will be carried at all times during the trip. Depending on availability, water will be procured at limited locations along the route. In drought conditions, it may become necessary to cache water at prescribed locations, such as the Mauna Loa Lookout and the Saddle Road, and/or to carry large volumes into the backcountry.

The Big Island Traverse requires preparation for a wide range of weather and temperatures, thus necessitating a fairly large kit. Ideally gear choices balance functionality and durability with lightness of weight and cost. My gear choices are based on my experience and personal preferences, some of which are planned and accepted trade-offs. The preliminary gear list is as follows:

CLOTHING ITEMS - WORN

1. Patagonia Capilene-1 SS
2. Cloudveil Journey Trail Short
3. Smartwool Adrenaline Crew Sock
4. Montrail AT Plus GTX
5. GoLite Visor
6. Rx Glasses/Sunglasses
7. Multifunction Watch

CLOTHING ITEMS - CARRIED

1. Patagonia Capilene - 1 LS
2. Under Armour Cold Gear Tights
3. Patagonia midweight hiking socks
4. Patagonia R2 Jacket
5. Marmot Evolution Glove
6. Black Diamond Beanie

INCLEMENTS - FOULIES

1. GoLite Phantasm Jacket
2. Arc'teryx Alpha SL Pants

PACK

1. Black Diamond Infinity 50
2. Black Diamond Pure Carbon Poles
3. Granite Gear Dry Block Medium

SLEEP SYSTEM

1. Marmot Arete Down Sleeping Bag
2. Marmot Alpinist Bivy
3. Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

KITCHEN

1. Snow Peak Lite Max
2. IsoPro Canister 8 oz
3. MSR 600 ml Titanium Pot
4. MSR Titanium Spoon
5. Lighter

PANTRY

1. Platypus 3 liter Bladder
2. Platypus 1 liter soft Bottle
3. Ultimate Direction Fast Draw Plus
4. 100+ Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
5. Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem 32 Servings
6. GU - 12 Packets*
7. Sport Beans - 6 Packets
8. Zone Perfect - 12 Bars
9. 1st Endurance Ultragen - 8 servings
10. Mountain House - ProPak - 4 Entrees
11. Instant Espresso

NAVIGATION - UTILITY

1. Map
2. Compass
3. Black Diamond - 1 watt LED Headlamp
4. AAA Batteries - 6
5. Fenix L2D 180 Lumen Flashlight*
6. AA Batteries 6*
7. Miniature CD Signal Mirror
8. Miniature Multi-Tool
9. 3 mm Accessory Cord - 10 feet
10. Duct Tape affixed to hydration bladders
11. Large Tube of Super Glue

MEDICAL KIT - HYGIENE

1. TP and Baby Wipes
2. Biodegradable Soap*
3. Water Proof Matches - 1 Book
4. Kinesys Sunscreen - 1 oz
5. 2 Toms Blister Shield - 4 Packets
6. Skin Prep - 4 Packets
7. Iodine Prep - 4 Pads
8. BNZLKCL Wipes - 4
9. 2x2s - 4
10. 4x4s - 2
11. Steristrips 1"
12. 2" Compression Wrap
13. 3.0 Nylon Sutures - Straight Needle
14. Antibiotic Ointment - 4 packets
15. Rx - 6
16. Ibuprofen 800 mg - 12
17. Dexamethasone 4 mg - 2
18. No Doz Caffeine Caplets - 10
19. Diphenhydramine 25 mg - 2
20. Imodium AD - 2
21. Rolaids Travel Pack - 1
22. Aqua Mira