Ashwin Lewis
In 1995, Cheryl Strayed embarked on a 2,650-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey that would later be immortalised in her memoir, Wild. Strayed began her journey with little experience, ill-fitting boots, and a pack so heavy it earned the nickname Monster. Despite the challenges, Strayed persevered and her journey became a testament to the human spirit. One of the essential items that accompanied her on this trek was her sleeping bag. Strayed's choice of sleeping bag was a Sierra Designs model, one of the first designed specifically for women, accommodating their body shapes. This bag was not only functional but also a source of comfort and security during her arduous journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sierra Designs |
| Model | N/A |
| Year | 1990s |
| Gender | Female |
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What You'll Learn
Cheryl Strayed's Sierra Designs sleeping bag was one of the first designed for women
In 1995, Cheryl Strayed embarked on a 2,650-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). She had no backpacking experience, ill-fitting boots, and a pack that was too big. Despite this, she persevered and learned a lot about gear along the way. Strayed's journey inspired the national bestseller, Wild, and a feature film starring Reese Witherspoon.
Cheryl Strayed's Sierra Designs sleeping bag is still her favourite. It was one of the first sleeping bags designed specifically for women and their body shapes, including hips. Strayed still owns the bag and used it on her entire PCT hike. She describes it as "fantastic".
The sleeping bag was recreated for the film adaptation of Wild, and Reese Witherspoon's character is seen using it. Strayed was heavily involved in the film's production, particularly when it came to the backpacking details. She also provided her input on the script and had conversations with Witherspoon and Laura Dern about the real people they were portraying.
In addition to her sleeping bag, Strayed still owns and uses other gear from her PCT hike, including a WhisperLite stove and a compass that she keeps tied to her pack. She also has a fleece anorak that she wore throughout her journey, which she still wears despite its ragged condition.
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She still has the bag and used it on her PCT hike
In 1995, Cheryl Strayed embarked on a 2,650-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), with no prior backpacking experience. She started her journey in the Mojave Desert, and her gear included a massive pack she nicknamed \"Monster\", too-small boots, and a Sierra Designs sleeping bag.
The Sierra Designs sleeping bag was one of the first sleeping bags designed specifically for women, taking into account their different body shapes. Strayed still has the bag and used it on her PCT hike. She also still uses her WhisperLite stove and has kept her compass, which remains tied to her pack.
Strayed started her journey with a lot of unnecessary gear but learned to pare down as she gained experience. She advises novice backpackers to take less stuff, noting that it's important to strike a balance and bring items that may not be necessary but that you'll want.
Strayed's journey along the PCT inspired her memoir, "Wild", which became a national bestseller. The book and subsequent film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon brought attention to the gear she used, with Strayed consulting on the film to ensure the accuracy of the backpacking details.
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Strayed started her journey with a lot of unnecessary gear
Cheryl Strayed embarked on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with a massive pack she nicknamed "Monster", which weighed around 60 pounds. She had no prior backpacking experience and brought a lot of unnecessary gear. Strayed herself admitted that she started with a lot of gear, but was able to reduce it as she gained experience. She also acknowledged that it is a common mistake among novice backpackers to bring too much stuff.
Strayed's pack included a variety of items, some of which were unnecessary or too heavy. She had a vintage MSR WhisperLite stove, a North Face tent, and a Sierra Designs sleeping bag, one of the first sleeping bags designed specifically for women. The sleeping bag was period-authentic for the film adaptation of her journey, in which Reese Witherspoon played Strayed.
In addition to her gear, Strayed also carried the wrong size boots, which resulted in her losing six toenails due to rubbing. This added physical challenge compounded the spiritual quest of her journey, which was driven by the recent death of her mother.
Strayed's advice to novice backpackers is to try and find a middle ground when it comes to packing. She suggests bringing items that may not be necessary but that you'll want, while also being mindful of the weight and bulk of your pack.
Despite the challenges posed by her excessive gear, Strayed was able to complete her journey and gain valuable insights about herself and the grieving process. Her story serves as an inspiration to others facing their own struggles and seeking meaning in their lives.
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$74.99
She lost six toenails due to ill-fitting boots
Cheryl Strayed embarked on a 2,650-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. She had no backpacking experience, ill-fitting boots, and a massive pack she nicknamed "Monster". In her memoir, "Wild", Strayed writes about the lessons she learned on her 93-day trek.
Strayed started her hike in the Mojave Desert, heading towards Oregon. She had set out with a lot of unnecessary gear but learned to pare down as she gained experience. She recounts that the physical weight of her backpack mirrored the internal weight of her grief. Strayed's journey was a spiritual quest, a physical test, and a means to process her mother's death.
Strayed's boots were too small, and this ill-fit led to her losing six toenails due to the rubbing. She also made the mistake of sleeping outside her sleeping bag on one occasion, waking up covered in hundreds of little black frogs.
Strayed's Sierra Designs sleeping bag was one of the first designed specifically for women, accommodating their hips. She still owns this bag and considers it her favourite. Other gear she used included a WhisperLite stove, a North Face tent, a heavy pack that weighed nearly 60 pounds, and a Mountain Light Cascade pair of shoes.
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Strayed's journey was a spiritual quest
Cheryl Strayed embarked on a spiritual quest when she embarked on her 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. Strayed's journey was prompted by the death of her mother, which she described as her "genesis story". In an interview with Oprah, Strayed described how she felt abandoned by God after her mother's death, and how she struggled with heroin use and self-destructive behaviour.
Strayed's journey on the Pacific Crest Trail was a way for her to confront her grief and find meaning in her life. She described the hike as a physical test that was deeply connected to her spiritual quest. Strayed also shared how the hike helped her discover a powerful strength within herself and taught her important life lessons, such as having the courage to be vulnerable and seeing the light in the midst of darkness.
Strayed's journey was also a way for her to connect with her mother, who she felt was with her every step of the way. She described her mother as the "taproot" of her life and felt that her mother's presence was guiding her throughout the hike. Strayed's journey was a way for her to honour her mother's memory and find peace with her grief.
In addition to its spiritual significance, Strayed's journey was also a physical challenge. She started the hike with little backpacking experience, ill-fitting boots, and a massive pack. Despite the obstacles she faced, Strayed refused to turn back and pushed through, demonstrating her resilience and determination.
Strayed's journey on the Pacific Crest Trail was a transformative experience that helped her heal from her mother's death and discover her strength and resilience. By confronting her grief and finding meaning in her struggles, Strayed was able to turn her failures and triumphs into gifts.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheryl Strayed used a Sierra Designs sleeping bag.
It was one of the first sleeping bags designed specifically for women, taking into account their different body shapes.
Yes, the sleeping bag was curated from collectors and Craigslist and featured in the film.
Yes, she does. She still uses it and it's still her favourite sleeping bag.
