Thru-Hiker's Luxury Items on the Continental Divide Trail
A Continental Divide Trail hiker details ten non-essential items, from a lucky mascot and a drone to Yorkshire tea and maps, that add comfort, joy, and
A hiker on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) carries ten personal luxury items to increase comfort and enjoyment without adding much weight. The list, shared on The Trek, moves beyond a strictly minimal survival kit. The hiker first assembled a minimal kit where every item was weighed and compared, and eliminated if it could be replaced by something lighter, with most items having multiple purposes. They then considered what items would make life nicer, bring joy, or add comfort, as long as it didn't add too much extra weight.
The Personal Touches
The hiker's oldest companion is a small red devil mascot named Rambo, carried on significant hikes since age 13. This stuffed toy has endured extreme weather, including freezing temperatures, hail, being buried in snow, and river crossings. Representing home is a small Yorkshire flag flown from hiking poles in windy exposed areas, though the hiker notes it can snag on low branches.
For a taste of home, the hiker carries Yorkshire Tea for a lovely evening cup at camp to round off the day. Musical ambition comes in the form of a harmonica, intended for practice during solitary evenings at camp, though frequent company has limited playing time so far, but there's plenty of trail left.
Practical Comforts and Skills
A tennis ball serves dual purposes: rolling out sore muscles and feet as an alternative to a cork ball, and playing games. A flint and striker worn as a necklace provides a reliable, small fire-starting method when lighters are lost or conditions are very wet; it has been used only a handful of times. The hiker uses a rechargeable lantern every night for 360-degree ambient camp and tent light; it is solar or cable rechargeable, compresses flat, inflates to a cube, and can float on water.
An umbrella, intended as a sun umbrella for desert sections, has been used more for protection from hail. It is lightweight, has clips to attach to a backpack for hands-free use, and is quicker to deploy for a passing shower than putting on a rain jacket. A neck gaiter, or buff, has multiple uses as a headband for sweat, a wristband, a facemask, or a bandana.
Navigational Debate
The final item, paper maps and a compass, is considered essential by the hiker but a luxury by many other thru-hikers, who often rely solely on phone GPS. The hiker argues that while they love and use a GPS watch for day-to-day navigation, old-school navigation is a critical backup, a perspective informed by firsthand experience with device failure earlier on the hike.
The hiker's items, from a drone for epic video footage to a lucky mascot, add unique interest and comfort to the thru-hiking experience.
