Hiking Gear

Here is a listing of the gear I've bought, and at least until now, what I think of it.

Equipment

Backpack

I picked up the Mystery Ranch model Coulee 20 in Black (small/medium). It is adjustable, which is good, as I'm short-torsoed, this pack fits great.

They don't say on the website description, but in the comments Mystery Ranch says to assume about 1 lbs per liter of capacity as the weight carrying limit for a back. That's good to know, as I'd tried to stuff 40 lbs into this pack, and scuffed up the hydration bladder pocket, and found it kind of uncomfortable, so now I don't go above 30 lbs. The first time I put weight in this, versus my last pack (which was a glorified school book bag), it was like being hugged by a cloud... very nice.

This is pretty small for overnighting, but should be great for day hiking, and the [[1]], for which I'll just have a bunch of water, a bit of food, and emergency gear. I really like the full-length center zipper and top pocket. I'm using the top pocket for my headlamp, medical supplies (toe tape, analgesics, and allergy relief) and emergency tools (knife, mylar blanket, signal mirror, whistle, etc.). I will also through my beanie and light gloves up here. For Rim2Rim I'll probably through some Kind bars and goo gel packs up here, as well as LMNT hydration packets.

In the main pouch I have both the 2 and 3 liter Platypus hydration bladders so I can drink on the go. For the Rim2Rim, I'll carry a scrunched up puffer jacket, rain jacket/poncho, spare socks, mid layer, heavy gloves.

Pack weights

I've been rucking for several weeks now to improve my overall fitness and weight-bearing capacity (which hopefully will maintain my bone density while I drop fat off of my body). I'm working to keep my pace up, or get it back close to my no-weight pace, and so now when I hike without weight in there I feel like I'm floating.

I bought 5 of these Yes4All 10 lbs platespla with straps to cinch them together so they don't carreen back and forth separately in my pack.

Satellite Communicator

I bought a Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator. I've used Garmin gear for a long time, and although I plan to use my iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 extensively (and they both have some breadcrumb, GPS, and satellite communications capabilities), at the end of the day I really thought it was best to have a dedicated SOS system, with text messaging capability, that can send breadcrumb track info to my loved ones, that has a long battery life. I also splured for the Garmin SOS rescue Insurance.

I like that I can mostly operate this unit with the iPhone app, and that it can send position updates ever 2 or 10 minutes, depending on plan, and has a dedicated SOS button and long battery life. I picked up this silicone protective case from Tusita and this glass cover (also from Tusita) to keep it pristine, and this Garmin retractable lanyard to attach it to my pack to keep it handy. Perhaps I'll sell it later (after my bigger, more dangerous hikes), and if so, I'll want it to be in like-new condition.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

I upgrade from a Series 5 watch, which was no longer able to last for an entire hiking session (up to 20+ miles) - even with the screen off, to the new Ultra 2. I like that it can do GPS tracking and "retrace" your path, has excellent battery life, and the chef's kiss is the satellite communication feature. It's also nice that it's slightly bigger, so I can get more data on the default watch face, and the titanium case is nice looking.

SOS Satellite Communicaiton

I bought the yearly Freedom Recreation plan and the Garmin InTouch Mini 2 to use with it to signal for rescue should I need it.

Search and Rescue Insurance

I bought the yearly Freedom Recreation plan for the InTouch, and their Search and Rescue Insurance to go with it, the basic 100 Annual plan, as I don't plan to do high risk activities.

Garmin SAR Coverage as of December 2023

	SAR 100	SAR High Risk
Covered person	Insured individual	Insured individual
Membership period	365 days	365 days
Requires supported device	✓	✓
Search and rescue benefit * Per claim * Total per membership period	$100,000 USD $100,000 USD	$100,000 USD $100,000 USD
Accidental death and dismemberment benefit	$5,000 USD	$5,000 USD
Coverage for specified high-risk activities<superscript>3</superscript>		✓