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I have been reading the forums for a few weeks and I believe I have put together some decent gear, but I have never done any serious backpacking. I am a student so I can’t afford too much nicer than what I have already, but if there are some cost effective alternatives or other ways I can cut some extra weight please let me know. I am using a trash compactor bag as a liner and Ziploc bags for everything inside that.
I am a graduate student in Tallahassee, FL (FSU) and b/c of school I can only hike for a month this summer, probably June. I plan on doing a through hike some day, BUT I won’t be able too for a few years b/c of grad school, so my question is if you had only 1 month and could do any section of the trail in June, which section would you recommend?
Go-Lite Pinnacle (4500 in^3) Pack
Eureka Zeus Exo 1 Tent (sealed seams and scotch guarded b/c I read they sweat a lot)
Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3, full
Alpine Design Sierra Mummy Bag (20 deg; crappy, but it was 60% off)
Croc’s
Kayland Contact 1000 boots
LED headlamp
Small straight edge pocket knife
Camera and cell phone
SteriPen
Cooking: homemade alcohol stove, denatured alcohol, Heineken Pot, spork, bowl
Rain gear: heavier poncho
Clothing: dry fit Nike shirt, fleece pullover, bathing suit, nylon pants, baseball cap, wool socks (2 pair)
First Aide: Moleskin, IB Profurn, Excedrin, ear plugs, band aids, tweezers, Neosporin, athletic tape, Ace bandage
Random: lighter, duct tape, batteries, phone charger, camera charger, bug spray, rope, safety pins, small notebook
Handkerchief (2)
Nalgene (1L x2)
Toiletries: 1/2 ed toothbrush, travel toothpaste, alcohol sanitizer, biodegradable soap, TP
You may want a pre-filter for the Steripen. It won't get rid of any particles of dirt or other junk in the water.
theinfamousj
02-07-2009, 22:43
You may want a pre-filter for the Steripen. It won't get rid of any particles of dirt or other junk in the water.
Wouldn't prefiltering through one of the handkerchiefs work in the place of a dedicated prefilter? Assuming of course that they are thin ones rather (like bandannas) rather than the thicker ones (which aremore like cloth diapers).
A lot of people lighten up some by using Gatoraide bottles[or simular type], instead of the heavier Nalgenes.
Might want to add some stuff sacks, to separate clothing, food stuffs[bear hanging?], misc gear like lighter/bug stuff/tape/first aide, etc.
Might switch out "heavier poncho", for lighter rain gear[frogg toggs?] if you can afford them.
I'm sure you'll get more ideas here.
I'm, by far not an expert, but, my first impression of your list was "not bad for someone that is new to packing/hiking".
Enjoy your summer hike.:sun
sounds good, some thoughts for organizing. I have 6 stuffsacks I use when hiking and load them into my pack in this order to keep things organized. This was the hardest thing to learn after having looked for that one thing that was in the bottom of my pack countless times. the contents and order is bottom up in my pack. also, I use waterproof stuffsacks, but it is not necessary if you use a big garbage bag inside your pack:
1) Sleeping bag
2) food
3) clothing
4) tent
5) misc bag (poncho, pack cover, meds, headlamp, rope, batteries, lip balm, ect) many in separate baggies
6)sleeping pad outside pack
all this comes to 19 lbs (except food) and I can load up easily and find things rather quickly. Wish you well
gollwoods
02-08-2009, 19:11
do you have a cup? i use a large vitamin bottle with the top sawn off, indestrcutable and cheap
soccrosse
02-08-2009, 20:12
I'm glad you are aware that the Zeus is prone to condensation. I used one several years ago and was awakened in the middle of the night by heavey condensation dripping onto my gear. It was so bad I had to abandon ship to stay dry. You may want to reconsider this option.
Thanks for all the advice guys! Glad to see things look good. This website is very helpful.
I meant to say bandanas instead of handkerchief so I plan on using that to filter the water.
I used the Zeus last weekend in GA, temp. in the 20-40's and there deff. was some condensation. I sealed the seams and added some waterproofer to the exterior to see if that helps. I like the tent so I am optomistic.
Thanks!
flemdawg1
02-09-2009, 15:34
Thanks for all the advice guys! Glad to see things look good. This website is very helpful.
I meant to say bandanas instead of handkerchief so I plan on using that to filter the water.
I used the Zeus last weekend in GA, temp. in the 20-40's and there deff. was some condensation. I sealed the seams and added some waterproofer to the exterior to see if that helps. I like the tent so I am optomistic.
Thanks!
Condensation isn't caused by leaks. Rather it is warm, humid air coming in contact w/ a cool surface. (ie cold glass on a warm day). Ventilation is the answer.
Condensation isn't caused by leaks. Rather it is warm, humid air coming in contact w/ a cool surface. (ie cold glass on a warm day). Ventilation is the answer.
Well that does make more sense. I guess I will be better protected in a flash flood, but I think i will try to open up the vents more next time to help w/ condesation.
I have read a bunch of diff. things about ground cloths. My impression is that despite what I have read in some places they are just for wear and tear, not waterproofing. Do I need to have one then? Do I need at least something for under the vestibule to keep my pack dry at night or will it stay dry as long as the vestibule is over it?:-?
...I have read a bunch of diff. things about ground cloths. ... Do I need at least something for under the vestibule to keep my pack dry at night or will it stay dry as long as the vestibule is over it?:-?
As they say in the real estate business, location, location, location.
Meaning, it all depends on where you set up.
Ray Jardine writes well, in his books, on choosing tent/tarp locations. Go to the library and see if they have some of his books for you to read. And, if you're not careful in reading, you may even get other ideas from his philosophy.:sun