$300 Challenge

[weary]

...and as a side note..good luck in keeping ANY shoes waterproof. :O

Mags, as usual, is right. But on weekend hikes in winter, in Maine, I'll continue to use LL Bean boots, or their copies, with double heavy socks, and, at least, water resistant boots.

Starting south in March -- or from North in late May -- I might make an alternative choice. Which choises are wiser. I dunno. One or the other, certainly.

Weary

[Mags]

Mags, as usual, is right. But on weekend hikes in winter, in Maine, I'll continue to use LL Bean boots, or their copies, with double heavy socks, and, at least, water resistant boots.



Weary

My ex-girlfriends woulds strongly disagree with the first sentence.

But, safe to say, real winter hiking (Maine!) is different than the thru-hiking conditions most see. Snowshoeing in duck boots/Sorels for a day or weekend outing works well. I'd hate to use them for multiple days over many miles, though. But, in winter, you'd have no choice. I ski tour in leather boots with wool socks (and the increasingly rare times I snowshoe, I use a similar boot)...but the fluffy snow seen in deep winter is probably different than the ultra slushy snow seen in the Smokies during March.

Every hiking shoe will get wet in those conditions. A boot will take much longer to dry vs a trail shoe. And they will get wet at some point. (I think it is a law or something. )

[Idealist]

Inspired by this thread and buy other cost saving articles on this site, I endeavored to show my in-between-jobs, outdoor-loving brother how he could, indeed, afford a thru-hike this year. He decided instead to move to Chicago (Oh well, the trail will be there later if he changes his mind), but I had already put together the following pack list and thought I’d share it in the challenge. It was a lot of fun to create!

Total pack weight: 17 lbs
Cost: $300, on the nose

Sleep System:

Sleeping Bag: Micro Tek Ultra-Compact Mummy 30-Degree Sleeping Bag: Walmart: 48 oz:$35
Sleeping Pad: Stansport Pack-Lite Camping Pad: Walmart: 08 oz: $13
Cover : Poly Tarp: REI: 24 oz: $13
Stakes: Cut ironwood: Homemade: 03 oz: $0

Packing

Backpack: Mountainsmith: Yardsale : 80 oz: $8
Sacks (3: food, clothes, misc): Outdoor Recreation Group: Walmart: 08 oz: $12
Raincover: Trashbags: Homemade: 03 oz: $0
Stove : Vargo Outdoors Triad Titanium Alcohol Stove: REI: 01 oz: $20
Fuel bottle: Recycled soda bottle: Homemade: 01 oz: $0
Alcohol: Methyl Alcohol: Ace: 12 oz: $3
Windscreen: Aluminum foil: Homemade: 01 oz: $0
Cookware: Aluminium Pot: Walmart: 12 oz: $18
Untensil: Spork: Wendy's: 01 oz: $0
Fire starter: Bic mini-lighter: Ace: 01 oz: $1
Water bottles (2): Recycled soda bottles: Homemade: 03 oz: $0
Purifier: Porta Aqua Iodine Tablets: REI: 01 oz $7

Clothing (everyday clothing not counted in the overall pack weight)

base shirt: Wicking tee: Walmart: 16 oz $10
long sleeve: Tech Tee: REI: 32 oz $20
pants: REI Adventure's Pants: REI: 32 oz $16
overlayer: fleece: Thrift store: 32 oz: $4
Rain cover: Poncho: REI: 05 oz: $6
socks: Merino Wool: REI: 10 oz $10
shoes: Hi-Tec Auckland WP Trail Running Shoe: Sports Authority: 64 oz $40
Headgear: Bandana: Home: 01 oz $0
Hat: Thermolite Cap: REI: 08 oz $17
Gloves: Spandex Gloves: Walmart: 08 oz $10

Extras:

Deet: Maxi Deet: REI: 01 oz $3
Guide : DataBook: ATC: 09 oz $5
Safety: compass whistle: REI : 01 oz $5
Trekking Poles: Ironwood sapling: Homemade: 34 oz $0
Headlamp: Petzl Tikkina: REI : 03 oz $20
Toilet paper: roll: Home: 02 oz $0
Toothbrush: cut short: Walmart: 01 oz $1
toothpaste: mini tube: Walmart: 01 oz $1
lip balm: carmex: Walmart: 01 oz $1
safety pins: Home: 00 oz $0
duct tape: two yards: Home: 02 oz $0
hand sanitizer: small bottle: Walmart: 02 oz $1

[Jester2000]

Since all of this supposedly costs zero, I'm assuming that you're stealing the V8, Heet, Coffee, etc.?

I think that the answer is recycling and re-appropriating from non-hiking household use. If I have it under my sink for household use, I don't have to buy it and for the purposes of a gear list, costs "0". Like counting the cost of TP for a weekend trip.

Mister Krabs; I could not have said it better-thank you.

Well, if manufacturers didn't count the cost of materials and labor (which is the case for all of the $0 items on this thread), then production cost for everything would be zero.

And if I'm "recycling and reappropriating," why do only non-hiking items count? If I'm recycling a pack by buying at Goodwill for $20, I get to say it cost $20, so if I choose to reuse gear that I bought for only one thru-hike, shouldn't I be able to say:

"All my gear from a previous thru-hike: $0"

[mister krabs]

Well, if manufacturers didn't count the cost of materials and labor (which is the case for all of the $0 items on this thread), then production cost for everything would be zero.

And if I'm "recycling and reappropriating," why do only non-hiking items count? If I'm recycling a pack by buying at Goodwill for $20, I get to say it cost $20, so if I choose to reuse gear that I bought for only one thru-hike, shouldn't I be able to say:

"All my gear from a previous thru-hike: $0"

If that's what you want to do, I support you.

[Jester2000]

If that's what you want to do, I support you.

Hahaha! Thanks!

[tuswm]

Trying to get my brother and my best friends girl friend outfitted here are some deals that we found at the REI attic sale. If you have tome before your hike you might want to invest time and show up hours early and just grad what you can.

MH alchemy jacket $70
MH wind stopper tech fleece $50
MH down jacket $19
arc tryx gortex shell $10

Asolo fugitive size 9 wide $8
Asolo fugitive size 10.5 $3
green super feet all $2

Jet Boil PCS- lid $20
Jet boil Flash $30
MSR pocket rocket $15
MSR reactor $60
Snow Peak Giga Power Stove with Piezo $15
MSR wisperlite international $30

2 steri pens $9 + $11

Ti letherman surge $6

REI sub kilo 20* mens sleeping bag $30
REI down time 10* down womens sleeping bag $50
thermarest 4 season $12
thermarest womens $7

rei flash 65 backpack womens $23
rei flash 65 backpack mens $40

[Manikwest]

Core:

Pack-17 oz. Gossamer gear G4 Pack 125.oo
Shelter/rain gear- 9 oz. Outdoor products multi-perpose poncho. 14.oo

Bivy- 7 oz. Slumberjack "Bivouac cover" 33.oo
Sleeping bag- 41 oz. Slumber jack Super guide 30 deg long 46.oo
Bug Bivy- 4 oz. 3''x5'' of walmart wedding veil fabric 4.oo
Pillow/stuff sacks- 1 oz. Small garbage bags Free
Trekking Poles- Carried Wooden sticks from the trail Free
Chord- 4 oz. walmart braided chord 100' 2.oo

Kitchen:

Stove/pot-3. oz Home made alcohol stove,and pot Free
Fuel container- 1 oz. 20 oz Water bottle from home Free
Water treatment- 3 oz. Iodine,and vitamin C tablets 3.oo
Water bottles- 3 oz. 3 one liter wide mouth water bottles Free
Bear bag- 1 oz. Chord mentioned above\small garbage bag Free
Water bag- 0.1 oz Gallon Zip-Lock Bag Free

Cloths:

Shell- worn Polyester T-shirt from walmart 6.oo
Insilation- 14 oz. Compmor 200 wt fleece jacket 26.oo
Gloves- 2 oz Light wt. Mechanics gloves 3.oo
Hat-1 oz. Knit hat Free
socks- 3 oz. Walmart wool blend 3.oo
Extra socks- worn Walmart wool blend 3.oo
Pants-worn Cheap walmart athletic pants 12.oo
Underwear- worn Silk boxers From home
shoes- worn New balance running shoe From home
Hat- worn large bandanna From Home

Essentials:

First Aid-3 oz Band-aids, Tylenol pm, butterfly's From home
Gauze, needle (in ziplock)
Sunscreen- 0.5 oz. Repackaged sunscreen sm. bag From home
Soap- 0.2 oz. Campsoap repackaged in visine bottle From home
Toothbrush 0.5 oz. toothbrush/toothpaste/floss From home
Hygiene- 0.4 Alcohol gel in micro bottle 2.oo
Bug repellent- 0.3 Tube of Ultralon 5.oo
Camera- 1 oz. Disposable 5.oo
Lighter- carried Bic adjustable lighter 1.oo
Knife- carried Lightweight box cutters 1.oo
ID- carried ID, Key, and Cash From home


Total base pack weight= 120 oz. or 7.5 lbs
Total base pack coast= $294.oo (So close!!!!)

Total with food, and water, and fuel= 18.5 lbs.

This is my ultralight set up. I know it is minimalist, but we all have different reasons for going into the wilderness. With few exception this is the base pack I will be starting my Thu-hike in 2011. The only changes I may make is bringing a better camra, and possibly a full-shelty such as "THE- ONE" by Gossamer Gear. That would still keep me under the weight limitations, but would put me over in cost substantially.

Hope this helps others lighten up, and the best of luck to all.
Thanks,
Manikwest

[pcasebere]

..shop at second-hand stores () like thrift stores, yard/garage sales, or even online at craig's list or ebay; lots of good items at rock bottom prices do surface to those who extend some effort to search 'em out.

[JAK]

I do most of my shopping in my own closet these days.
Still nice to keep an eye out though.

[couscous]

Currently on the trail near Bear Spring Cabin Trail in Maryland. The 15# total pack weight was easy for the short (31 mile) section from Smithsburg to Harpers Ferry, but I wouldn't make the $300 limit.

[BOWSINGER]

Today I saw Walmart had a new candidate for a $300 set. Outdoor Products Desert Ridge internal frame pack. Weighs about 2 pound, 4 ounces. Holds 54.5 liters (3,520 cu.in.) Features two removable aluminum stays, cyclone bladder ready. Sells for about $30.

I've been waiting for paychecks to get a larger bag for winter weekends, but this seems like it's gonna work.

I got me one of these packs about a year & half ago. It has held up well with no problems.
My buddy bought the hunting camo model and has blow a pocket zipper.
The new version this year has better-bigger side pockets.

[Mags]

Updated my list:
http://www.pmags.com/300-gear-challenge


You can get different gear, but this gear should work for anyone just starting out. Heck, the gear I started with truly was not any better.

Not meant to be concrete, but to show how a person who is creative and willing to do leg work can get what they need w/o breaking the bank.

[Marta]

Thanks for posting this. A friend of my husband is planning an AT hike next year and is wrestling with gear issues. This will give him more information to confuse him.

[Feral Bill]

Updated my list:
http://www.pmags.com/300-gear-challenge


You can get different gear, but this gear should work for anyone just starting out. Heck, the gear I started with truly was not any better.

Not meant to be concrete, but to show how a person who is creative and willing to do leg work can get what they need w/o breaking the bank.

Using cheap gear to start also makes for smarter decisions when buying upgrade later. It beats getting a pile of costly gear and discovering it doesn't suit you.

[JAK]

A little extravagance is ok now and then if it gets you on the trail. Maybe even a good investment if it gets you spend less money on a hiking weekend than otherwise. My own style is ultra-cheap though. Still, like any old crow I do like the odd "shiny" item if it is reasonably functional and on sale. Biggest mistake early on was a heavy pack. The 'heavy' tent was still useful for backyard and car camping. A quality bag can be worth spending money on, but you can save alot of money there two if willing to carry a few extra ounces and find a good fitting near-quality bag on sale. Dirt-bagging can be half the fun, and necessary for some of us, especially with other hobbies and kids you want to spend some money on also. Looking at some new cross-country skis, if we get the snow. Winter sucks up here without snow.

Off to do papers.

[bardo]

Asolo ultralight 55 $90 - 2lb
Ebay 1 person tent $20 - 2.1lb
Amazon special 30f bag $35 - 2.5lb


http://www.ebay.com/itm/190737622584...84.m1497.l2649

[tammons]

Hammock setup

Not $300, more like $400, but this is most of my actual setup with a few exceptions.
11# and a lot of MYOG and some used.
My min base is less due to some lighter Eq that does not fit into $400 but I do have all this stuff.
The Jam II is a bit small especially with the IX UQ and pad. I do have a lighter bigger pack.

A 45dF setup like this would weigh about a pound less. Add another $200-300 and you are down to 8-9# base depending.

A MYOG full bug net adds 10 oz and $18 via walmart 2nds.

Might give some people ideas.
I am sure a few things are missing.

M50 shell QUILT MYOG 5XP 30dF 20 oz $120
8x10 sil tarp & lines used 18 oz $40
5x12 double layer hammock, MYOG 14 oz $20
6' whoopies 3 3 oz $18
Tree Straps 2 MYOG 2 oz $5
IX 2 LAYER UQ 13 MYOG 13 oz $28
IX extra layer 4 MYOG 4 oz $8
Blue Pad 11 oz $10
Pack JamII stripped USED 18 oz $50
Dry Bag 2 CHINA 2 oz $3
Pack cover MYOG 4 oz $14

Driducks 10 oz $15

Lifestraw WATER FILTER 2 oz $20
FUNNEL FREE 1 OZ

WATER CONTAINER
2 1L bottles free 3 oz

COOKING
18oz kit FOSTERS/TANG CONTAINER 5 oz $15
Alcohol stove

PACKED CLOTHES GOT MOST
Poly Shirt Salv Army 5 oz $3
Fleece hat 2 oz
Gloves 2 oz
Spare socks 2 pair 4 oz
Head net myog 2 oz $6
Down jacket 20 oz $25 on sale last yr

WORN CLOTHS GOT THEM ALL
Hat 2
POLY compression Shirt 4.8
POLY compression Shorts 3.8
Zip off pants 10
merino socks 2.2
Trail Runners

EVERY DAY STUFF, GOT IT ALL 8 oz
MED RAiDED THE MEDICINE CABINET 2-4 oz depending


TOTAL 11# $400

[scudder]

bumping this

[kyhipo]

A good question about going cheap came up on the thread Shoestring Budget. One of the neatest threads I ever saw was called the $300 challenge over on www.thebackpacker.com. Since that thread had been dead a while, I figured I would start a new one here.

The rules - you have $300 to spend on a pack. Temperatures expected should be about 40 degrees F and above - maybe good enough for an AT thru-hike starting in April. The goal is to build a complete pack with clothing, shelter, cookware, first aid, etc. You can assume that certain things may be already owned by a non-backpacker like a toothbrush, spoon, etc, but these weights must be included. The base pack weight (weight without food or water) should be less than 15 pounds.

Who is game?

too easyky