BirchBark
04-24-2007, 00:11
Following a series of misfortunes and unavoidable delays that nearly caused me to call off my plans for a thru-hike this year, I am most thankful and happy to say that I'll be getting on a Gainesville-bound Amtrak early tomorrow morning.
As many of you must know, the most difficult step is often the first one out the door. All of our grandiose daydreams may be forgotten, and the thousands of dollars spent on gear and countless hours of dutiful planning might be lost in an instant. In my case, that instant nearly occurred when my mother (who had major hip surgery last year following a bad fall) took another bad fall in late February, just as I was gearing up for a mid-March departure. Thankfully she has regained mobility to the extent that she can take care of herself again, and I am free to go.
And go I will, with the following on my back:
pack:
Gregory Whitney
Jeff's gear hammock/pack cover
shelter:
Hennessy UL ASYM hammock
Sportsman's Guide 9x9 camo tarp (a la Neo)
JrB Nest
fleece sleeping bag to be used primarily as a quilt
clothing to walk in:
1 underarmor long-sleeve shirt
1 tank top
1 Columbia convertible pant/shorts
3 pairs smartwool socks
1 pair bike shorts from Wally World
clothing to sleep in using the layering method:
3 pair light fleece baselayer pants
2 fleece baselayer tops
1 fleece balaclava
cooking:
Sierra Zip stove w/windshield
Snow Peak Trek 1400 Titanium Cookset
waterproof matches/bic lighter
4 boxes worth of matches shaved into kindling
1 spatula-shaped eating utensil
3" folding knife
boots:
Keen (unsure of model)
lightest teva flip-flops I could find
poles:
Leki Enzian
water:
Miniworks EX filter
nalgene bottle
collapsable nalgene bag
lighting:
$15 Energizer headlight from Target
reference:
Thru-hiker's Companion
I hope to meet as many of you as I am able. Though I'm starting off a bit late, my spirits are high and my eyes are looking forward. Hey, I just might catch up...
BB
As many of you must know, the most difficult step is often the first one out the door. All of our grandiose daydreams may be forgotten, and the thousands of dollars spent on gear and countless hours of dutiful planning might be lost in an instant. In my case, that instant nearly occurred when my mother (who had major hip surgery last year following a bad fall) took another bad fall in late February, just as I was gearing up for a mid-March departure. Thankfully she has regained mobility to the extent that she can take care of herself again, and I am free to go.
And go I will, with the following on my back:
pack:
Gregory Whitney
Jeff's gear hammock/pack cover
shelter:
Hennessy UL ASYM hammock
Sportsman's Guide 9x9 camo tarp (a la Neo)
JrB Nest
fleece sleeping bag to be used primarily as a quilt
clothing to walk in:
1 underarmor long-sleeve shirt
1 tank top
1 Columbia convertible pant/shorts
3 pairs smartwool socks
1 pair bike shorts from Wally World
clothing to sleep in using the layering method:
3 pair light fleece baselayer pants
2 fleece baselayer tops
1 fleece balaclava
cooking:
Sierra Zip stove w/windshield
Snow Peak Trek 1400 Titanium Cookset
waterproof matches/bic lighter
4 boxes worth of matches shaved into kindling
1 spatula-shaped eating utensil
3" folding knife
boots:
Keen (unsure of model)
lightest teva flip-flops I could find
poles:
Leki Enzian
water:
Miniworks EX filter
nalgene bottle
collapsable nalgene bag
lighting:
$15 Energizer headlight from Target
reference:
Thru-hiker's Companion
I hope to meet as many of you as I am able. Though I'm starting off a bit late, my spirits are high and my eyes are looking forward. Hey, I just might catch up...
BB