AT NOBO Mid-April Gear List:
http://lighterpack.com/r/469qnl
Thought i would share my planned gear list for my 2016 hike. This will be my third long distance hike, planning to hike from georgia to harpers ferry starting mid-april. I am recovering from some knee problems, so i am strongly motivated to reduce weight. What works for me won't necessarily work for others. Still it is fun sometimes to see what others carry.
Much of this gear i used on a 6 week section hike this year, and surprisingly, isn't that different than what i carried on my 99 thru hike. Note that many of the weights are estimated and might have missed a few things, so the total base weight is a rough approximation. Maybe add a pound to get a more realistic number, so 8+1=9 pounds.
I placed an asterisk for the gear that will be new for this trip, only 5 items. Everything else i used on this year's section hike.
Comments on my thought process:
shorts with mesh liner - i use this just because that is what i have always used, there might be something lighter or quicker drying
black diamond hiking poles - noticed that gossamer gear has lighter poles. if i ever buy new poles i'll try those next.
rain gear philosophy: the poncho is to keep me dry. the rain shell (jacket, pants, gloves) are to keep me warm when needed. the rain shell is my primary way to keep warm while hiking when i need more than a wind shell. poncho also keeps pack dry and i can take off my pack under my poncho to access gear or for a snack break. overall i find i enjoy rainy days much more with a poncho.
poncho - currently have a sea2summit model, but it is a little too big and it is bright orange, not my favorite color. planning to make one using roy robinson's pattern, sized down to a more normal size.
wind shell - i carry this in addition to a rain shell because it is comfortable over a much wider temperature range. it also is more comfortable for sleeping in and part of my standard sleep wear. wind shell provides insect protection. wind shell is also more durable for everyday use than the waterproofing used in rain gear.
wool sleeping socks - quilt smells better, can wear hiking in an emergency
warm clothes - these are primarily intended to keep me warm at camp. i plan to keep mileage on the low side, so can't rely on hiking to keep me warm all day and don't want to go to bed early to keep warm. they might get some use hiking, but not much. if the down clothing gets wet, my alternative is to get in bed.
down pants - i used army surplus field pants liners on this year's section hike. they were great, but more than twice as heavy as the down pants, so i am planning to upgrade.
uniqlo down jacket - used it on this year's section hike and it was great. there are a few lighter options out there, but this seems good enough. i tried on 2 montbell models, but did not like the loud crinkly fabric they used.
silnylon tarp - i used a plastic drop cloth this year, same as my 99 thru hike, and it only cost $2. silnylon is maybe just slightly lighter. main difference is should pitch tighter for less flapping in the wind and be stronger in storm conditions. cuben tarps are significantly lighter, but have not found a commercially made tarp that has the features i want: mild catenary curves for a tighter pitch and long for extra rain protection. making my own seems like a big project. still thinking about this. also, cuben is really expensive and not very durable.
down quilt - for a mid-april start, i wanted to be prepared for a 20 degree night. i think a 30 degree quilt with some warm clothing would work, but feel better with a 20 degree quilt. Not much difference in cost or weight. My warm weather option is a 50 degree synthetic quilt that i used last summer. For a colder weather trip i can stack the quilts.
pad - used z-lite this summer, and mostly was happy with it, but occasionally found myself wanting something softer. next year will use full length 1/8" gossamer gear pad, with additional layer of z-lite for torso area. i am a side sleeper and do fine with narrow pads, so will cut it down to 14" wide (really). i will also cut the 1/8" pad into 2 pieces, one sized to be a sit pad. it is possible i will ditch the z-lite and get an inflatable pad, but i hope not.
kitchen - pretty standard setup
pack - my 3rd homemade pack. performed well on my section hike this year. the 70d silnylon (2.3 oz/yd^2) is ideal. Very simple design for a very light pack.
camera - canon s95: great image quality for a light weight camera.