thru hike packlist, please advise me

[benben4u]

Appalachian Trail Equpiment checklist





1.Backpack-osprey exos 58
2.Tent-Big Agnes SL1
3.Sleeping bag/pad-20 degreemarmot down bag /thermarest pro
4.cooking system-Jet Boil
5.Filtration-Steri pure with Nalgene bottle pre filter

6.Hydration-Nalgene 3 liter bag
7.hiking poles black diamond
Clothes
1.Rain/wind jacket- Colombia Buggaboo own
2.Fleece x1-
3.Beanie x1-
3.Long johns x1-
4.Underwear x2
3.gloves-

4.Shoes, 1x hiking, 1x camp shoes-
5.Insulated Rain pants x1-
6.Shorts x1 (light, drys fast)-
5.Socks x3- Smart wool one heavy 2 light

6.Gaiters-
7.T shirt no cotton x1-
Misc items
1.First aid kit-

2.watch-
3.cell phone/charger-
4.mp3 player-
5.pocket knife-
6.Lighters x3
7.waterproof Matches-
8.A.T. Guidebook-
9.Headlamp-
10.Flask-
11.toothbrush/toothpaste small
12.Soap-Dr. Bronners small
13.Bandana x2
14.Small compass-
15.sunscreen-
15.Food bag-
16.50 ft rope(clothes line, food line)
17.toilet paper-
18.small duct tape-
19.mini mag light-
20.Backpack Rain cover- Rei

[Moose2001]

What's your proposed start date? That makes a huge difference on what you need to carry.

- Sleeping pad?
- I would cut your hydration system back to 2 liters. Water's heavy! You can easily use just 2 liters, or less, on the AT.
- The Colombia Buggaboo is way too big of a rain jacket! Find something lighter and packs down easier.
- How heavy of a fleece are you taking? Same question on long johns.
- Insulated rain pants? Too heavy. Standard rain pants work fine.
- Lighters/matches. One lighter.....maybe a backup but not both. If yours fails, borrow someone elses.
- Flask? What are you carrying it in?
- mini mag light. You've got a headlamp. Don't need both.
- What kind of first aid kit? Don't need a huge one....just some basics.

Good basic list. You can still cut some things.

[Amigi'sLastStand]

Moose hit most of my points.
Imo, lighten the load as he pointed out and carry a filter. Steripen's are snake oil.

[benben4u]

What's your proposed start date? That makes a huge difference on what you need to carry.

- Sleeping pad?
- I would cut your hydration system back to 2 liters. Water's heavy! You can easily use just 2 liters, or less, on the AT.
- The Colombia Buggaboo is way too big of a rain jacket! Find something lighter and packs down easier.
- How heavy of a fleece are you taking? Same question on long johns.
- Insulated rain pants? Too heavy. Standard rain pants work fine.
- Lighters/matches. One lighter.....maybe a backup but not both. If yours fails, borrow someone elses.
- Flask? What are you carrying it in?
- mini mag light. You've got a headlamp. Don't need both.
- What kind of first aid kit? Don't need a huge one....just some basics.

Good basic list. You can still cut some things.

Great advice, Im leaving March 11th
- my sleeping pag is a thermarest pro
-no fleece yet still looking for the right one
-first aid kid is very minimal moleskin a few bandaids butterfly stitches antibac ointment, gauze etc.
-plastic flask for a bit of whiskey or moonshine

[mountain squid]

Some observations:

eating utensil
does your water bladder have a drinking tube for drinking on the go?
hand sanitizer
maps
whistle (sternum strap buckle may have a whistle)
needle (for draining blisters)
ear plugs
pencil and notebook

Concur:
headlamp should be sufficient
one lighter

Disagree:
a 3 liter water bag can easily hold 2 liters, but a 2 liter bag cannot hold 3 if you find you need more than 2 (especially during the summer)

And, of course, don't forget ID/atm/credit cards. Good Luck!

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[Brass Rat]

Disagree:
a 3 liter water bag can easily hold 2 liters, but a 2 liter bag cannot hold 3 if you find you need more than 2 (especially during the summer)

Agree on the 3L capacity, but a nice alternative is to have a 2L bag plus another, smaller container. That way, if one container fails you aren't left totally dry.

[Rick500]

I must just drink a lot of water and/or am overly cautious, but I carry a 3 liter Camelbak plus another one liter plastic water bottle, and pretty regularly fill them all up and drink them before the next water source.

[Moose2001]

How much water to carry is one of those things you'll get lots of different comments on. Carry what you're comfortable with. However, on the AT it's very rare when you don't see a water source every 8 miles or so. Plenty of opportunity to tank up.

[northernstorm]

I also doubt you will need the sunscreen u till the hot summer months approach. It still gets real damn cold down south in march.

[bigcranky]

Actually, sunscreen is good idea in March. No leaves on the trees = lots of sunburned hikers buying sunscreen at Neels Gap.

[Land_Shark]

Land Shark on the move. The towns are frequent so alot of redundent items, to much food to many lighters do not need a compass. Your on a trail silly. All these extra things are just STUPID. Neels Gad will have most of the items you need if you have not brought them. The first 37 is NO JOKE. only carry what you need. I would advise that you test camp on the weekend and practice minimalist camping. Only take the absolute minimun, food, clothes and cook gear, sleeping ( warm and roomy) and shelter (big enough to not feel like a coffin) do not compromise because when the weather turns nasty THESE items will make you feel comfy. Remember this is real hard and many do not make it. Lite is good.

[Land_Shark]

Lets not forget that if you need something find me and I will make sure that you receive it. Special delivery the whole way up the trail. This service was needed last year and I am here to help provide it this year.

Land Shark, Captain PITA and HIll will see that the needs of the stinky and hungry are answered, as best we can.

[Maddog]

Moose hit most of my points.
Imo, lighten the load as he pointed out and carry a filter. Steripen's are snake oil.

i agree...i wanted it to work...it just diddnt...i used micropur on my thru!

[Moose2001]

Actually, sunscreen is good idea in March. No leaves on the trees = lots of sunburned hikers buying sunscreen at Neels Gap.

Yeah! I have totally fried the tops of my ears at the start of a hike!

[Moose2001]

Land Shark on the move. The towns are frequent so alot of redundent items, to much food to many lighters do not need a compass. Your on a trail silly. All these extra things are just STUPID. Neels Gad will have most of the items you need if you have not brought them. The first 37 is NO JOKE. only carry what you need. I would advise that you test camp on the weekend and practice minimalist camping. Only take the absolute minimun, food, clothes and cook gear, sleeping ( warm and roomy) and shelter (big enough to not feel like a coffin) do not compromise because when the weather turns nasty THESE items will make you feel comfy. Remember this is real hard and many do not make it. Lite is good.

I wouldn't ever tell another hiker what they are carrying is "stupid". It's pretty easy for those of us that have hiked before to be critical of someone else's gear list. I'm betting we're all guilty of carrying too much stuff at the start.....including you Land Shark. The best way to know if you're carrying too much stuff is to use what you have. It takes everyone a while to understand what works and what doesn't. My load is different than yours. That's no reason to dump on someone. HYOH.

[Rocket Jones]

Lots of good advice about what to leave behind. Here's some ideas of things to add:

A laminated card with your blood type, any allergies, emergency contact info, medical insurance info, etc.
Camera? Digital is the way to go these days for the amatuer photographer. If you take one, consider a "Stic Pic". It's a tiny gadget that lets you attach your camera to the end of your trekking pole. Google it. I love mine.
Small notebook and a pen or pencil. Handy if you keep a hike log, budget or just for notes. Write down quick info about pictures taken, people met, etc.

[Bo Carneal]

Hey Ben, Try this: think of your pack as a "house on your back" with the different rooms, ie...bathroom-what do I need in the bathroom? and so on. I used this in completing the trail (by section) over 14 yrs. and it works well for organization.

[Turtle Feet]

Hey Ben - sounds like you're relatively close to the trail. Maybe plan a 2 or 3 night backpacking trip in another month or so, once the temps drop a little. It'll give you a much better idea of what YOU want to carry. Everything sounds good when it's laying on the living room floor, but once it's on your back, well, that's another story...

TF
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1.03.01

[Spokes]

Compare yours with The Mountain Crossings Gear List. It comes in at about 18 lbs. for a winter pack. Tweek it for summer.

[Spokes]

........oh, and ditch the mini mag light (way too heavy). Use your headlamp. If you demand a back-up get a Photon.