Backpacking Gear List from the John Muir Trail

 

In 2024 I embarked on an epic adventure on the John Muir Trail. I wish I could say that I completed that journey but I didn't. I ended up bailing on the trail about half way through because I missed my family too much. Here is a list of the gear I brought on on that hike: 

Here are the items that I brought on the John Muir Trail 
REI Flash Air 50L here-- https://tinyurl.com/flashair50 
Nemo Tensor— https://amzn.to/4cAa8bd 
Fortuis 1p Tent— https://bit.ly/3LxK3xD 
Stormloft Down Topquilt—https://alnk.to/d3CWiOX 
1/8 inch closed cell foam pad— https://alnk.to/eDRzQvc 
REI Pillow— https://alnk.to/1C7vg9R
TREKOLOGY Ultralight Pillow— https://amzn.to/46XQCUS 
Outdoor Vitals Sleeping  Bag liner— https://alnk.to/c08d8jF 

Clothing:
Sahara Shade Hoodie - Men’s— https://alnk.to/31rz6Ja
Darn Tough Socks— https://alnk.to/5FaVOYg 
REI Lightweight Base Layer Long-Sleeve— https://alnk.to/7fpKElD 
Outdoor Vitals NovaUL Jacket— https://alnk.to/hDqswuC 
Lightweight Gloves— https://amzn.to/4fQmz5s 
Skyline Trail Joggers— https://alnk.to/3U1m0Yd 
Hiking Shoes— https://amzn.to/3SHD5ev 
Water shoes— https://amzn.to/46RwvaA

Gear: 
Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter-- https://amzn.to/3AtvXMc 
Hydrapak Stash— https://amzn.to/3WWrCsr 
Jetboil Stash-- https://amzn.to/3XgOIeR  
BV500-- https://amzn.to/3yK5tp9
Nitecore NU25— https://amzn.to/3Enoqgx  
REI Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles— https://alnk.to/flwBLX2 
Garmin inReach Mini 2— https://amzn.to/3Mb7ePl
REI Multi Towel Mini— https://alnk.to/hhAWyWP
TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon— https://amzn.to/3AtvCsN
FLEXTAILGEAR ZERO PUMP— https://amzn.to/3STYqko 
VEEKTOMX Mini Power Bank— https://amzn.to/3WLgxdq
REI Lightweight Stuff Sack— https://alnk.to/cHNf3Rj 
John Muir Trail Map- https://amzn.to/4fPNkqw
Insulated Backpacking Meal Cozy— https://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingTrail?ref=l2-about-shopname  
Flip Fuel— https://www.flipfuel.co?sca_ref=4866273.EjbX1UVWCC  
You can use my code: Neal20 to get 20% off your order!  

Hygiene and poop kit: 
Deuce of Spades— https://amzn.to/4dKuEr3 
Porta Wipes— https://amzn.to/47ak4qR 
Toothbrush— https://amzn.to/3Ay7DZB 
Sunscreen— https://amzn.to/3WUUaST 
Sunscreen Chapstick— https://amzn.to/3MdZJHe 

Fishing Gear: 
Fishing Rod— https://amzn.to/3YRouRh 
Fishing Reel— https://amzn.to/3XaeUaE 
Altoids Tackle Fishing Box— https://www.etsy.com/listing/1612146463/altoid-tin-organizer-insert-perfect-for?ref=yr_purchases
Backpackers Pantry— https://backpackerspantry.com/o6dn0o 

If you want to try @drinkLMNT you can use my code and get a free sample pack with your first order! I've been using LMNT for the last four months and love it! 
https://elementallabs.refr.cc/nealbenson  

Other Gear I love: 
Shadowlight 60L— https://alnk.to/d3G7Qlk 

If you want to get a new backpacking stove make sure to check out Fire Maple Gear. Use the code: Peak to get 10% off your order. 
https://firemaplegear.com/discount/Peak?ref=peak 

Some footage might have been shot on GoPro Hero 11- https://amzn.to/3zpVmFP 

Quick heads up: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my channel! 

#darntough #outdoorvitals #backpacking #outdoors #hiking #fun #cute #family #information #travel #Johnmuirtrail #Yosemite #REI

Small Group Questions | The Fulfilled Life | Various Proverbs

As we move into February we typically think of this month as a month of Love. It's a month we think of hearts, Valentine's Day, and expressing our love. In the New Testament Jesus asked His listeners to think about where they placed their affection. It is easy for us to place our affection in the wrong place; we have misplaced affection for money. Of His thirty-eight parables, about half of them deal with money and possessions. In the Gospels, one in every ten verses deal with money. Why so much talk about money? Because our attitude to money reveals a lot about us. Each week, we’ve created small group questions designed to help people reflect deeply, apply personally, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so others can benefit; whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or learning to pray these questions are for you. 

Small Group Questions | The Fulfilled Life | Various Proverbs

The good life is not something we stumble into by accident, it is formed as we learn to live into what God teaches us about our hearts and our treasure. Money is never just a financial issue; it is deeply connected to our priorities, our fears, and where we place our trust. Scripture invites us to slow down and examine not only what we spend, but what our spending reveals about what we value most. The wisdom found in Proverbs helps us see how everyday financial decisions shape our character, our freedom, and the legacy we leave behind. These questions are not designed to produce guilt, shame, or pressure, but to create space for reflection, honesty, and growth.

1) Neal opened the sermon by sharing about a financial lesson he learned in college; the lesson of getting into debt with a credit card. When you think about your life, what is a financial lesson that has stayed with you over time? 

2) For the following questions we will look at the five lessons we learned from Proverbs: 

Hard work pays off: Read Proverbs 10:4–5. How did you first learn the value of work? Who shaped that view for you, and how has it influenced how you approach your work today? (see: Proverbs 14:23 and Colossians 3:23–24). 

3) Live within your limits: Read Proverbs 22:7. We live in a  culture that promotes using debt to accomplish our dreams, Where are you most tempted to live beyond your financial means? (Proverbs 21:20 and Luke 14:28). 

4) Set your heart in the right place: Read Proverbs 8:10–11. What are some subtle ways money can begin to shape our desires, decisions, or sense of security without us realizing it? (see: Matthew 6:21 and 1 Timothy 6:6–10) 

5) Leave a Godly legacy: Read Proverbs 13:22. We can easily mistake a legacy for a financial gift, but Scripture paints a broader picture. When you think about the legacy you want to leave behind, what do you hope people remember most about your faith, values, or character? (see Psalm 78:1-8 and Deuteronomy 6:6–9) 

6) Use money as a tool to lift others up: Read Proverbs 22:22–23. In what ways have you seen generosity, either given or received, change your life or someone else’s  life? (see Proverbs 19:17 and 2 Corinthians 9:6–8) 

7) Which of the five principles challenged or impacted you the most? What do you plan on doing differently with your finances because of what you learned from God’s word in this sermon? 

Close your time in prayer asking God to help you honor Him with your finances.