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  1. #1
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    Default Planning March 2014 NOBO Thru. Need help on gear shakedown.

    Hi, Im new to WB and just recently started planning my March 2014 thru hike. Ive been backpacking for a little over a year but have invested a good amount of time and effort into getting my system right.The longest trips I've taken to date are around 3-55 day trips so I'm worried I might be missing something that would work better for a thru hike on the AT. I intentionally left out a couple of clothing items such as a hat, shirt and insulating layer. I have not decided what Im going to buy to fill these roles. I also have a toiletries bag with tooth brush sport glide Dr bronners etc wich weighs 6 oz. Any advice will be appreciated.


    Item Name Weight
    Shelter TT Moment DW 35.00
    Pack GG Vapor Trail reg. 35.00
    Bag Liner Silk Mummy 8.00
    Sleeping Bag Zpacks 30 D 15.00
    Sleeping Pad Thermarest NeoAir Xlite Wr 11.00
    Rain Jacket Columbia 10.00
    Ground cloth Cut down Eureka 5.80
    Stove MSR Pocket Rocket with case 3.90
    Light Source Princeton Remix headlamp 2.70
    Water filter Sawyer squeeze 3.50
    Survival tin Homemade, variable weight 0.00
    Compass Ndur with directions sheet 0.00
    Water Bottle Platypus 1 liter and .5 liter 1.60
    Fire source Bic Lighter x2 1.00
    Socks Darn tough x2 5.00
    first aid kit Homemade, variable weight 5.00
    Cooking pot Vargo 750 ml with cozy and sack 5.40
    Pack liner compactor bag 2.00
    Spoon Sea to Summit alloy long handle 0.50
    Total Weight 9.4

  2. #2
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    Default

    Please ignore any items with a weight of "0.00" next to them. This is real time gear list, so any items that are zeroed out are because I don't plan on taking them on the AT.

  3. #3
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    P.S. I meant 3-5 day trips not 55 lol.

  4. #4
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
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    Hey Marine, you out yet or gettin' out soon?

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by coach lou View Post
    Hey Marine, you out yet or gettin' out soon?
    Getting out in December. Cant wait. Its going to be culture shock all over again going from the Corps to hiking the AT on my own schedule with no one to answer to. It will be liberating to say the least.

  6. #6
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cjlusmc View Post
    Getting out in December. Cant wait. Its going to be culture shock all over again going from the Corps to hiking the AT on my own schedule with no one to answer to. It will be liberating to say the least.
    Take your time, don't rush.......anything. Enjoy life.....in January it gets easy! Semper Fi!

  7. #7
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    I plan on enjoying every minute of it! Thanks for the words of wisdom.

  8. #8
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    Any one have any comments, concerns, advise?

  9. #9
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    What? Tell a Marine what to do? I don't thinlk so.
    On the other hand...
    Have you read about weather and trail conditions in March? 2013 was interesting. Full winter gear, snowshoes, etc.
    Thank you for your service. Enjoy your hike.

    Wayne

  10. #10
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    I haven't looked into previous weather conditions but I will now that you mentioned it. Snow shoes? How long did this last? are these kind of conditions common in the mountains in GA?

  11. #11
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    This year was unusual. Normal March conditions are cold nights, cool to warm days, and a couple of winter storms (on average.) The Smokies are generally colder and wetter. I'd be prepared for the occasional night in the mid teens. (Actually, what I would do is start in mid-April, but that's just me...)

    List looks good. As long as you've been happy with it on 3-5 day hikes, it'll work for a thru -- which, after all, is a series of 4 or 5 day hikes strung together. You'll probably end up wanting some more water carrying capacity as the springs dry up in the summer.

    Have fun, and yeah it is different. Take it easy.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  12. #12
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    Thanks for the info on the weather. I'm fine hiking in the cold, I prefer it over the heat as long as I'm not slogging through snow. I wanted to leave early to avoid the crowds as much as possible. I'm thinking about using the evernew bladders with drinking tube. anyone know if that tube kit will fit a platypus?

  13. #13
    CF97 > Everything Else.
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    Good list.

    I'd ditch the pocket rocket case and use a bandana to warp it up in and put it in your cook pot (if it fits).
    "... I know it is wrong, but I am for the spirit that makes young men do the things they do. I am for the glory that they know." --Sigurd Olson, Singing Wilderness.


    AT '12, LT '13, CT '14, PCT '15

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by fireneck View Post

    I'd ditch the pocket rocket case and use a bandana to warp it up in and put it in your cook pot (if it fits).
    the case weighs nothing. what kinda advice is that?

  15. #15
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    It won't fit in with my canister and the only thing I want to carry two two of is mini bics. I'll already have a bandana on my shoulder strap. It want a bad thought though

  16. #16
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    Looks like a pretty solid list so far. You mention that you don't have hat, insulating layer, etc. yet. Given any thought to it at all? Down or synthetic? Checkout www.blackrockgear.com for a down beanie if interested, and www.montbell.us for down jackets.

    I have a bunch of USMC ARFF buddies out of Cherry Point. Thanks for your service.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Firefighter503 View Post
    Looks like a pretty solid list so far. You mention that you don't have hat, insulating layer, etc. yet. Given any thought to it at all? Down or synthetic? Checkout www.blackrockgear.com for a down beanie if interested, and www.montbell.us for down jackets.

    I have a bunch of USMC ARFF buddies out of Cherry Point. Thanks for your service.
    Hat I have covered. I want to go as light a possible but be comfortable so I'll probably do a wool base layer with a medium weight fleece for insulation with a wind/rain resistant later on top. Any have any good high quality wool base layers to recommend-preferably with a partial zipper in front?

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by cjlusmc View Post
    Hat I have covered. I want to go as light a possible but be comfortable so I'll probably do a wool base layer with a medium weight fleece for insulation with a wind/rain resistant later on top. Any have any good high quality wool base layers to recommend-preferably with a partial zipper in front?
    For a medium-weight base layer, check out the Ibex indie hoodie. It is arguably my favorite all-around piece of gear, period.

  19. #19
    Coach Lou coach lou's Avatar
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    [QUOTE=cjlusmc;1481170]Hat I have covered.


    Ha Ha.............as you can see in most of my pics........I have my cover on my lid while hiking...................no starch!

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sunwolf View Post

    For a medium-weight base layer, check out the Ibex indie hoodie. It is arguably my favorite all-around piece of gear, period.
    I will almost certainly be getting that hoodie after checking it out. The only thing I'm not sure about is the thumb holes for the sleeves. How warm would you say that hoodie is?

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