T minus 3 days

Deciding what gear to take and how much weight to carry is part art and part science. It's also a deeply personal decision. Some hikers are true minimalists with years of experience and want to rough it as much as they can. Others must have their creature comforts.

As Bob said recently of his pack, "It's been difficult to balance warmth, comfort and functionality with my desired base weight range of 23 pounds (minus food and water)." Much like travelers who braved the Oregon Trail in order to create a new life for themselves, things will eventually get left behind - or shipped home - when they no longer serve a purpose or are just too darn heavy.

Here's a glimpse of Bob's starting equipment (with a shout-out to REI and all of the many AT hikers who have written and YouTubed about their equipment decisions).