We’re excited to welcome Bryce Bookwalter (KD9YEY) as a visitor contributor on QRPer.com!
I had the pleasure of assembly Bryce on the 2024 Hamvention, the place he shared his plans for an formidable mountain climbing journey subsequent 12 months. Understanding he needed to include radio into his journey, I requested if he’d be keen to carry us alongside by sharing updates on his preparations and experiences on the path.
To assist fund his journey, Bryce has began a GoFundMe marketing campaign, which you’ll be taught extra about on the finish of this put up. Moreover, please notice that a few of the gear hyperlinks under are affiliate hyperlinks that assist assist QRPer.com at no further value to you.
Bryce, take it away…
by Bryce (KD9YEY)
The dream is shaped, and it at all times appears so attainable. It’s as simple as the need to stroll within the woods and discover the great thing about nature. To search out group with the world round you and uncover your reflection is not any totally different than the hills and streams that stand steadfast towards time. I really feel like anybody who needs to pursue a protracted hike begins with these emotions and lofty concepts of what the path might be like and the expertise they’ll have…and you then notice you’re going to should poop on the market.
Whats up, my identify is Bryce Bookwalter and in 2025 I’m trying a thru-hike of the Appalachian Path. This has been a aim of mine since I used to be in my freshman 12 months of highschool in 2005 and first realized in regards to the path.
I used to be in Entrance Royal Virginia on the time and one weekend we went mountain climbing and our path handed by the A.T. I bear in mind listening to that this identical path traveled all the way in which from Georgia to Maine and it blew my thoughts.
I needed to hike it proper then, and I nonetheless need to hike it right now. Life occurs in fact, and I needed to let the dream go for a while. I’ve discovered myself in a singular time of my life just lately the place I might be between education and a brand new job and I noticed that if I don’t hike the path now, I’ll by no means get the chance once more. My schooling has been on and off all through the final decade and 5 years in the past I ran out of my GI Invoice that I acquired from the Military. With solely 2 semesters remaining till I acquired my diploma, I began doing building to save cash to return to high school. 5 years later I’ve returned to Indiana College, and I’m now 1 semester away from lastly receiving my diploma in Group Well being. With this milestone achieved, I’ve determined that earlier than I begin one other job I have to try to full my long-time aim of mountain climbing the A.T.
It’s an attention-grabbing flip of occasions that introduced me again to the love of backpacking. It might appear an illogical path to say that Ham Radio is accountable for my rekindled ardour for the outside, however that is in truth the case. Two years in the past, my stepdad Joe (W9NVY) obtained into Ham Radio, and I made a decision to not less than get my Technician License in order that we will talk by means of the native repeaters. Later that 12 months we each participated within the GOTA workforce for a neighborhood Area Day membership out of Indianapolis. After working to arrange the antennas and function for twenty-four hours, I used to be hooked on HF!
Since then, I’ve acquired my Common License and am at present engaged on my further. I realized about Parks on the Air and found that there’s a entire aspect to this passion that entails getting ready gear, packing it, and carrying it into the wild to arrange and function remotely. This speaks to me in so some ways. Not solely do I get to play radio, which I really like, however I additionally get so as to add mountain climbing and backpacking to the combination.
I’m a gear junkie! I’ll admit it brazenly. I really like researching gear and seeing what works for others and acquiring gear and placing it to the check within the subject. This harkens again to a few of my favourite points of the navy and Civil Air Patrol earlier than that.
So, let’s speak gear! When getting ready for a thru-hike, there’s a lot to think about. You’re not simply planning for a weekend outing however for a 4–6 month lengthy journey. It’s exhausting to know what to take…and even tougher to know what NOT to take. There’s a saying that I agree with that claims, “Backpacking is the artwork of understanding what NOT to take.” That is so true.
There are totally different ranges of backpackers, from standard to ultralight.
Standard backpackers can discover their packs weighing 30-40 lbs. or extra. Ultralight sometimes have their base weight (weight with out meals and water) all the way down to underneath 10 lbs. I discover myself someplace within the center. I lean in direction of light-weight, however I actually don’t think about myself an ultralight backpacker. Particularly contemplating I might be carrying radio tools with me alongside the path.
The journey of discovering the correct gear is a continuing course of, although I imagine I’ve narrowed the listing down significantly. So, I’ll break my gear down into two sections: Backpacking Gear and Radio Gear.
Pack: I went with the Osprey Atmos 65L backpack. At round 4 lbs. this pack is taken into account to be on the heavier aspect.
Nonetheless, for my part this pack carries that weight extremely properly. I’ve worn lots of packs through the years, and that is by far essentially the most snug I’ve used. There’s a mesh backing that gives air circulate and their patented “Anti-Gravity” system makes even the heaviest of hundreds really feel light-weight.
The 65L pack has loads of room for every part I’ll want, and in all honesty, it’s most likely fairly a bit greater than I’ll want. I like having the house nonetheless, and never having to cram and smash every part collectively to get it to suit is a plus. Osprey additionally gives a lifetime guarantee on all their merchandise which makes buying them properly well worth the cash.
Tent: I’m an enormous fan of the corporate Nemo Gear. I’ve been following their growth from after they first began. I used to be within the Military on the time, and I used their airframe bivy tents once I would exit on long-distance longboarding journeys.
Since then, they’ve turn into a mainstay within the backpacking group and when it got here time to resolve on a tent to make use of, their identify was the primary to pop into my head.
After doing a little analysis I made a decision on the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo tent.
At underneath 2 lbs. that is additionally a go-to for a lot of thru-hikers. There are various causes as to why I selected this tent. The load and high quality of this tent are superior to many different choices, however I additionally needed a free-standing tent.
Because of this the tent can maintain itself up with out the necessity for timber or trekking poles. With hammocks, you will need to have a tree out there from which to hold your hammock straps. With trekking pole type tents, you at all times should have floor that’s appropriate for holding in a tent stake. With a free-standing tent, you’re at all times capable of arrange a shelter, whatever the terrain. Over the course of 2200 miles I need to get rid of as many variables as attainable and understanding that my tent is at all times capable of be arrange provides me peace of thoughts.
Sleep System: As acknowledged earlier than, I are likely to go together with Nemo merchandise when attainable. I’m at present utilizing the Nemo Forte 20-degree mummy bag and the Nemo Tensor insulated sleeping pad. I used these on a number of hikes over the winter the place the temps dropped properly under freezing in a single day.
These two labored very properly to maintain me heat and cozy. It needs to be acknowledged {that a} sleeping bag’s temperature score is a survival score, not a consolation score. In addition they require insulation from the bottom to have the ability to obtain that temperature score. So, some type of insulated sleeping pad is required for chilly climate tenting. The Nemo Tensor works extremely properly. It has an R-Worth of 4.8 and weighs 1 lbs. 11 oz. This was excellent for preserving me heat and it’s remarkably snug!
The Nemo Forte is a good sleeping bag as properly and it’s my go-to for chilly climate tenting. At 3 lbs. 14 oz, it’s a bit heavy for what I’ll need for the A.T.
I’ve determined that I might be utilizing a quilt as an alternative of a sleeping bag for the A.T. I’m not positive which quilt I’ll select but, however the weight financial savings of a quilt and their versatility makes it a beautiful alternative. A quilt is mainly a sleeping bag that has the underside faraway from it, making it extra like a blanket. With much less materials they find yourself weighing much less and supply about the identical quantity of heat and luxury as a mummy bag, when paired with a sleeping pad.
The very last thing for the sleep system, and lots of think about this to be a consolation merchandise, is a pillow. I’m a aspect sleeper and have bother sleeping with out a pillow. So, I take advantage of a Nemo Fillo Pillow. It’s light-weight and works properly for my wants.
Cook dinner System: Many thru-hikers select to not prepare dinner and as an alternative do a “cold-soak” the place they put their meals in a plastic jar and let it soak in water till they’re able to eat. I’m one who needs sizzling espresso within the mornings and so I might be bringing a prepare dinner system of types with me. That is topic to alter, however for now, my plan is to hold a canister of gas, an aluminum cup, and a light-weight range I obtained from Amazon.
The BRS 3000T is a compact, tremendous light-weight (26g!) range that works very properly, and I’ve used it for all my backpacking journeys up to now. The MSR Jetboil system can be a beautiful alternative and I’ve seen firsthand how shortly it will possibly boil water. This is a bonus as a result of you find yourself utilizing far much less gas than you’d with different stoves. I wouldn’t have one but, however it could be worthwhile earlier than the A.T. If weight turns into an excessive amount of of a problem although, the prepare dinner system might be one of many first issues I ditch.
Rain Gear: That is an space the place I imagine I used to be overthinking a bit. I attempted Frog-Togs, I attempted plastic rain ponchos (sweat luggage!), and eventually I made a decision to strive a correct rain jacket… and I’ll by no means return! I’ve an REI Ranier rain jacket that works extremely properly.
Once I put on it within the rain, it retains me cool and dry. What else might be stated about it?
As for water safety in my pack, I merely maintain every part inside in a trash compactor bag. These are sturdy, light-weight and waterproof. Quite than attempting to battle nature and maintain my bag from getting moist, I simply let it occur and make it possible for every part inside is saved inside a water-proof bag.
Footwear: Ah sure, the talk between mountain climbing sneakers/boots and path runners. Path runners have turn into the norm for through hikers lately. They’re tremendous light-weight and rugged sufficient to deal with the terrain. Nonetheless, I imagine they serve ultralight hikers higher than anybody carrying a bit extra weight. There are additionally so many manufacturers and designs that discovering replacements on path can show troublesome.
For these causes I’ve determined to make use of Merril Moab 3 mountain climbing sneakers. These are comparatively cheap, high quality, sturdy, and customary. This implies I can discover them just about wherever that mountain climbing sneakers are bought, they’ll final a good variety of miles, and it received’t break the financial institution to switch them a couple of instances on path. There’s a waterproof model of those as properly that I’ll particularly keep away from. Primarily as a result of your toes are going to get moist…it occurs…and I’d moderately them not maintain the water within the shoe however enable it to depart and dry out simpler.
Clothes: That is the place issues get gross. For thru-hikers, one pair of clothes is often used for the complete path. I might be sporting working shorts, and a non-cotton button down shirt. These might be used daily for 4-6 months whereas on path. I may also have a pair of camp garments that consists of a T-shirt and a pair of gray pajama pants. 2 pairs of Darn Tuff socks (1 to be worn, the opposite to be washed and drying tied to the pack), and a couple of pairs of underwear (worn and washed similar to the socks).
A light-weight “puffy” jacket (REI Down Jacket). “Buff” neck gaiter. Baseball cap. And that’s it! Individuals are likely to overpack clothes whereas on path, which is sensible contemplating how typically we alter our garments within the common world, however whereas on path…you’re hiker trash! It’s time to embrace it and reside minimally.
Misc
Trekking Poles: To date, I take advantage of a $35 pair from Amazon (Trekology), and so they have labored nice. I discover trekking poles to be very helpful for going up and particularly down hills. They’re additionally wonderful for dodging vegetation, holding up rain flies on tents, crossing streams, and lots of different issues. In addition they collapse simply and might be stowed for lengthy street walks.
Different: First support equipment, lighter, knife, poop equipment (biodegradable moist wipes, trowel, hand sanitizer).
Consolation Merchandise: I play the bagpipes with a pipe and drum corps in Bloomington Indiana and whereas carrying a set of bagpipes on the path is completely impractical, I do have a penny whistle that’s keyed the identical as a bagpipe. This whistle weighs solely a few grams, is sturdy and low-cost, and permits me to play my favourite tunes. It’s one thing I take with me on each backpacking journey, and it is going to be making the 2200-mile journey with me on the A.T.
Radio: I’ve landed on the QRP Labs QMX as my radio for the A.T. It is a results of consulting a number of hams and listening to their suggestions. The QMX works properly for me as a result of it’s compact, light-weight, and inside my funds.
Ideally, the Elecraft KH1 would serve my wants completely however they’ve a protracted lead-time and and are means outdoors of my funds. The QMX will work properly for me although and I’m grateful to have the ability to have it as a part of my equipment.
My main working mode might be CW and I’m spending the subsequent 12 months studying CW, and I’m aiming to be proficient by the beginning of the A.T. A bonus that the QMX has is that additionally it is capable of do digital modes like FT8. I imagine this might be very helpful on evenings when I’m too drained to do CW however nonetheless need to activate a park or summit.
Antenna: I’m nonetheless within the means of attempting totally different antennas out, however I’m leaning in direction of a Packtenna 20m EFHW.
They’re sturdy, light-weight, and ideal for what I’ll want for this journey. I’ll add about 50’ of heaving line to my equipment in order that I can grasp the antenna from close by timber. Heaving line is light-weight and doesn’t get tangled in timber and is superb for this function.
Energy Provide: This has not been determined but and I’m at present in dialogue with a producer a couple of light-weight battery that can enable for 5-6 activations between prices. Fortunately, CW requires little or no energy so the battery that I might be utilizing ought to final a very long time and never weigh very a lot.
Digital Misc: To cost my telephone and headlamp battery (if it dies between resupplies) I might be carrying 2 NB10000 Gen 2 Energy Financial institution by Nitecore. This offers me sufficient battery provide for five full prices of my telephone and just a little further for emergencies. Quite than having one other merchandise to cost I made a decision to make use of wired ear buds which is able to enable me to hearken to music/podcasts/books and to have a headphone choice for doing POTA/SOTA. I additionally carry a USB-C cable and spare micro-SD playing cards for image and video storage.
That’s lots of info and it’s in fact topic to alter as I be taught extra and expertise life on-trail for weeks on finish. I imagine that it is a first rate place to begin, nonetheless, and it took hours of analysis and subject testing to get right here. I’m very excited to set off on my journey and really nervous! Not just for the hassle of mountain climbing the path, but additionally the stress about life at residence whereas I’m gone.
Sadly, it isn’t as simple as merely strolling within the woods for five months. I additionally should spend cash whereas away, and concurrently not make any cash throughout that point. It is a double hit on my residence life. My spouse helps my dream, however it will be very troublesome to make it occur with out assist.
That’s the reason I began a GoFundMe to assist elevate funds for my aim of mountain climbing the AT. The cash I’ve now’s going in direction of my mortgage and different payments at residence for whereas I’m away. Any cash I elevate goes immediately in direction of the prices related to mountain climbing the path itself. I’ve by no means carried out on-line fundraising earlier than, and I’ll admit it feels a bit odd. However it by no means hurts to strive, and I’m snug with admitting I can not do that with out the assistance of others. So, should you will help and really feel like doing so, please think about donating to my GoFundMe and serving to me obtain the dream of mountain climbing the Appalachian Path and performing POTA/SOTA alongside the way in which!
Thanks prematurely for any assist I obtain, and I stay up for getting you within the logbook whereas on path! 73!
Assist Bryce at: linktr.ee/backpackingbooky
