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2000miler
02-25-2015, 18:50
Hey all - Hoping you can lend your experienced eyes on my gear list for my 2016 NOBO Thru! :banana

I'll be starting first week of April. I plan on doing shakedown hikes throughout this year to get the gear broken in, but can you help me identify where I have too much / too little gear?

Total Cold Weather Base Weight: 17.9lbs
Total Cold Weather Pack Weight (with Consumables): 27.1lbs
Total Cold Weather Weight Carried and Worn: 32.0lbs

Total Warm Weather Base Weight: 15.9lbs
Total Warm Weather Pack Weight (with Consumables): 25.1lbs
Total Warm Weather Weight Carried and Worn: 29.0lbs






Weight each (oz)
Quantity
Total Weight (oz)
Total Weight (lbs)











1. Pack Group

















Backpack
ULA Circuit
41
1
41.0
2.6



Backpack Liner
Big black contractor bag
2
1
2.0
0.1



Subtotal: Pack Group



43.0
2.7











2. Shelter Group

















Tent
Zpacks Solplex with 8 titanium stakes
16.2
1
16.2
1.0



Groundcloth
Gossamer Gear Groundcloth
1.6
1
1.6
0.1



Tent Stuff Sack
Zpacks Stuff Sack
0.3
1
0.3
0.0



Subtotal: Shelter Group


18.1
1.1











3. Sleeping Group

















Sleeping Bag
Zpacks 30 degree bag
15.1
1
15.1
0.9



Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad
12
1
12.0
0.8



Sleeping Bag Liner
Cocoon Silk MummyLiner
4.7
1
4.7
0.3



Dry Bag / Pillow
Zpacks Dry Bag / Pillow
1.65
1
1.7
0.1



Earplugs
Pair of earplugs

0.05

10
0.5
0.0



Subtotal: Sleeping Group


34.0
2.1











4. Kitchen Group

















Stove
MSR Whisperlite
10.9
1
10.9
0.7



Cooking Pot
TOAKS Titanium 900ml Pot

3.6
1
3.6
0.2



Cozy
AntiGravityGear Pot Cozy
2.5
1
2.5
0.2



Mug
TOAKS Titanium 450ml Mug
2.6
1
2.6
0.2



Utensils
TOAKS Titanium Spork

0.6
1
0.6
0.0



Lighter
Standard Bic Lighter
0.25
2
0.5
0.0



Backup Matches
1 pack matches
0.25
1
0.3
0.0



Water Bottle
1 Liter Smartwater Bottle
1.25
1
1.3
0.1



Water Bladder
2L Platypus Bladder
1.2
1
1.2
0.1



Water Purification
Sawyer Squeeze Mini w/ Backflow Cleaning Syringe

3
1
3.0
0.2



Bear Bagging Kit
Zpacks Roll Top Food Bag, 50-ft z-line slick cord, rock sack, carabiner
3
1
3.0
0.2



Subtotal: Kitchen Group


29.4
1.8











5. Hygiene Group

















Hand sanitizer
Small Purell
1
1
1.0
0.1



Toilet paper
Folded in Ziploc
0.5
1
0.5
0.0



Trowel
REI Snow Stake
1
1
1.0
0.1



Bandana
Bandana
1
1
1.0
0.1



Nail Clippers
Nail Clippers
0.25
1
0.3
0.0



Soap
Bronners Soap (1 bar)
5
1
5.0
0.3



Toothbrush
Travel toothbrush
1.6
1
1.6
0.1



Toothpaste
Travel toothpaste
0.85
1
0.9
0.1



Subtotal: Hygiene Group


11.2
0.7











7. First Aid / Repair / Navigation Group
















Multitool
Leatherman Squirt PS4
2.1
1
2.1
0.1



Headlamp
Black Diamond Spot (w/ batteries)
3.2
1
3.2
0.2



Roll of Duct Tape
Duct Tape 50-inch Rolls by Adventure Medical Kits
1.6
1
1.6
0.1



First Aid kit (with prescriptions + Epipen)
10
1
10.0
0.6



Subtotal: First Aid Group


16.9
1.1











8. Luxury Items

















iPhone

4.6
1
4.6
0.3



iPhone Outlet plug

2
1
2.0
0.1



iPhone lightning cable
1
1
1.0
0.1



Kindle

7.3
1
7.3
0.5



Kindle charging cable
1
1
1.0
0.1



Bluetooth Keyboard
For journaling on phone at EOD
7.4
1
7.4
0.5



Keyboard Batteries

4
1
4.0
0.3



External battery charger
6
1
6.0
0.4



Safety Whistle

0.8
1
0.8
0.1



AT Guide
AWOL Guide - Loose Leaf (Partial)
3
1
3.0
0.2



Headphones
Sennheiser Headphones
0.6
1
0.6
0.0



Sunscreen
Sunscreen
6
1
6.0
0.4



Chapstick
Blistex
0.15
1
0.2
0.0



Closed-cell foam sit pad
Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad
2
1
2.0
0.1



Cheap Sunglasses

2
1
2.0
0.1



Camp Shoes
Crocs
11
1
11.0
0.7



Subtotal: Luxury Group


58.9
3.7











9. Rain Gear

















Rain jacket / Pack cover
Packa
9.5
1
9.5
0.6



Rain pants
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Pants
8.0
1
8.0
0.5



Rain mitts
eVENT Rain Mitts
1.2
1
1.2
0.1



Ziploc Freezer Bags
Ziploc
0.1
12
1.2
0.1



Subtotal: Rain Gear Group


19.9
1.2











10. Clothing in Pack - Cold weather
















2nd layer - Windshirt
Marmot DriClime Windshirt
8.8
1
8.8
0.6



3rd layer - Jacket
Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket

13.1
1
13.1
0.8



Spare Base Layer
REI Lightweight Power Dry Shirt
9
1
9.0
0.6



Spare socks
Darn Tough Hiking Socks

4
2
8.0
0.5



Spare Underwear
Adidas Sport Underwear
2.8
1
2.8
0.2



Long Johns
Icebreaker Long Underwear
4
1
4.0
0.3



Fleece hat
North Face windstopper hat
3
1
3.0
0.2



Glove Liners
Ibex Unisex Glove Liner
1.3
1
1.3
0.1



Hood for sleeping
Zpacks Goose Hood
1.3
1
1.3
0.1



Spare sock liners
injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Xtralife Socks

1.6
2
3.2
0.2




Subtotal: Cold weather clothing


54.5
3.4




















11. Clothing in Pack - Warm weather
















Spare socks
Darn Tough Hiking Socks
4
2
8.0
0.5



Spare sock liners
Injinji
1.6
2
3.2
0.2



Long sleeve shirt
Smartwool Lightweight Long Sleeve Crew
8.46
1
8.5
0.5



Spare underwear
Adidas Sport Underwear
2.8
1
2.8
0.2



Subtotal: Warm weather clothing


22.5
1.4











12. Consumables

















Fuel
White Gas / Coleman / MSR SuperFuel
15
1
15.0
0.9



20oz Fuel Canister
MSR Fuel Canister
4.8
1
4.8
0.3



Water
1 Liter
33.8
2
67.6
4.2



Food (per day)

20
3
60.0
3.8



Subtotal: Consumables


147.4
9.2











13. Clothing Worn / Items Carried - Cold weather
















Base Layer Shirt
Smartwool Lightweight Long Sleeve Crew
8.46
1
8.5
0.5



Long Pants
NORTH FACE M's Paramount Peak II Convertible Pants
13.76
1
13.8
0.9



Trail runners
Brooks Cascadia
12
1
12.0
0.8



Insoles
Super Feet
5.8
1
5.8
0.4



Socks
Darn Tough Hiking Socks
4
1
4.0
0.3



Sock Liners
injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Xtralife Socks
1.6
1
1.6
0.1



Underwear
Adidas Sport Underwear
2.8
1
2.8
0.2



Hat
Boston Red Sox Hat
8
1
8.0
0.5



Backpacker wallet

0.5
1
0.5
0.0



Watch

2
1
2.0
0.1



Glasses

2
1
2.0
0.1



Trekking poles
Black Diamond Ergo Cork
18
1
18
1.1



Subtotal: Clothing worn / items carred (Cold)


78.9
4.9











14. Clothing Worn / Items Carried - Warm weather
















Base Layer Shirt
Icebreaker merino wool t shirt
6.4
1
6.4
0.4



Trail runners
Brooks Cascadia
12
1
12.0
0.8



Insoles
Super Feet
5.8
1
5.8
0.4



Socks
Darn Tough Hiking Socks
4
1
4.0
0.3



Sock Liners
injinji Trail Midweight Mini-Crew Xtralife Socks
1.6
1
1.6
0.1



Underwear
Adidas Sport Underwear
2.8
1
2.8
0.2



Hat

8
1
8.0
0.5



Backpacker wallet

0.5
1
0.5
0.0



Watch

2
1
2.0
0.1



Glasses

2
1
2.0
0.1



Trekking poles
Black Diamond Ergo Cork
18
1
18
1.1



Subtotal: Clothing worn / items carred (Cold)


63.1
3.9

Malto
02-25-2015, 19:46
I would can the Kindle and keyboard and the rest of extra electronic stuff beyond iPhone. (I did a full journal on an iPhone.) get a small alcohol stove, and ditch the camp shoes, rain pant for warm weather, sleeping bag liner, seat pad, sunscreen. I would also pare your first aid kit by at least 2/3rds. Then when that was done I would get a 1 lb or less pack. Bet you would be down to about 10 lbs with no real loss of comfort.

Rocket Jones
02-25-2015, 20:06
I would carry a second lighter instead of matches, and only carry 3 pair of socks - two for hiking and one for sleeping. Do you really need 12 ziplocks? Also, if you use a white trash compactor bag instead of the black for your pack liner, it's easier to find things inside. To seal the liner, use a girl's ponytail holder, they're much stronger and last longer than rubber bands.

Praha4
02-25-2015, 21:04
there's lighter windshirts than that 8.8 oz. Marmot DriClime windshirt.... the Montbell Tachyon anorak is very nice, weighs 2 oz., and selling for $75 at Montbell website.

warm weather hiking you might still need something warmer in camp than the Smartwool Lightweight L/S crewshirt.... I only saw an Icebreaker Tech Tee shirt you were using for hiking in warm weather.... you could ditch that heavy Driclime windshirt and get a lighter Montbell U/L Down or Montbell U/L Thermawrap jacket and be set for the entire hike

good list, have fun on the hike

mtntopper
02-25-2015, 21:11
I would change out the stove to a lighter one. Ditch the kindle for the beginning of the hike and maybe pick it up later after you have done some miles. A pack cover would be nice. A wet pack weighs much more than a dry one. I like my camp crocs to wear around. It is nice to get my feet out of the boots. Good luck and have fun.

CarlZ993
02-25-2015, 21:23
I may be repeating some of the other posts.

- Lighter stove (alcohol or canister; your call)
- White trash compactor bag (easier to see your stuff)
- Kindle? Your choice. While I was hiking, I was glad I didn't have any extra gear; @ camp, I wish I had something to read.

Regardless, enjoy your hike. Hope all goes well for you.

Zman

Frye
02-26-2015, 11:05
I don't know your purposes for bringing the silk liner so my comment may not matter but I've noticed when playing around with the same one that it provided no worthwhile increase in warmth. I use a quilt rated at 30 also (Enigma Elite) and will happily take it down into the teens by wearing my insulation layers. Now if your purpose is to keep the quilt spic and span than disregard my input.

Oh and I also had a problem with it getting tangled up. It was just more trouble than it was worth imo.

2000miler
02-27-2015, 16:38
Thanks for the replies, everyone!


I would can the Kindle and keyboard and the rest of extra electronic stuff beyond iPhone. (I did a full journal on an iPhone.) get a small alcohol stove, and ditch the camp shoes, rain pant for warm weather, sleeping bag liner, seat pad, sunscreen. I would also pare your first aid kit by at least 2/3rds. Then when that was done I would get a 1 lb or less pack. Bet you would be down to about 10 lbs with no real loss of comfort.

I’ve been batting around the idea of keeping the light Bluetooth keyboard / phone and using that to journal every day, vs the traditional notebook. Anyone gone this route before? Full journal on an iPhone tapping away at a touchscreen sounds awful.

As for the kindle… I love to read, I burn through at least a few books a month now with a full-time job. For the convenience of having a ton of books at my disposal after a long day hiking, I’ll carry the extra weight of a kindle in a freezer bag for protection.

For rain pant, do you recommend keeping for cold start / end, but sending back for warm weather? I was on the fence for the longest time of whether to even take rain pants.


I would carry a second lighter instead of matches, and only carry 3 pair of socks - two for hiking and one for sleeping. Do you really need 12 ziplocks? Also, if you use a white trash compactor bag instead of the black for your pack liner, it's easier to find things inside. To seal the liner, use a girl's ponytail holder, they're much stronger and last longer than rubber bands.

Great idea for the backup lighter, noted! Same with the white compactor bag.

For socks, I have 3 pairs of Darn Tough and 3 pairs of liners, I like to wear the Injinji under the Darn Toughs. 2 pairs to cycle while hiking each day, and one pair for camp / night.

For ziplocks, I have no idea, I just wanted to account for having some freezer bags to carry stuff in and protect from rain.


there's lighter windshirts than that 8.8 oz. Marmot DriClime windshirt.... the Montbell Tachyon anorak is very nice, weighs 2 oz., and selling for $75 at Montbell website.

warm weather hiking you might still need something warmer in camp than the Smartwool Lightweight L/S crewshirt.... I only saw an Icebreaker Tech Tee shirt you were using for hiking in warm weather.... you could ditch that heavy Driclime windshirt and get a lighter Montbell U/L Down or Montbell U/L Thermawrap jacket and be set for the entire hike

good list, have fun on the hike

Thanks for the note on clothing, that’s a system I’m still trying to get locked in. I’ll probably send home my Patagonia Down Sweater and keep the Rain Jacket, which provides some good cover for camp. Do you think the long sleeve shirt + the Marmot light jacket is enough for the warmer months? I’ll probably hike in the short sleeve Icebreaker and hang out in camp / sleep in the long sleeve shirt (or shirtless?)


I would change out the stove to a lighter one. Ditch the kindle for the beginning of the hike and maybe pick it up later after you have done some miles. A pack cover would be nice. A wet pack weighs much more than a dry one. I like my camp crocs to wear around. It is nice to get my feet out of the boots. Good luck and have fun.


Camp cooking isn’t my strong suit, that’s why I’ve defaulted to the Whisperlite to get grounded. I’m definitely open to figuring out my stove game closer to the hike, but I wanted some experience on something like the Whisperlite.

I have the Packa as a rain jacket / pack cover combo for when it rains! Love the concept. Haven’t tested in the field yet, though.

I’ll see if the Crocs are worth it in camp during my shakedown hikes, I’m planning 5 nights in the Cascades in northern WA as well as several smaller trips around Chicago area.


I don't know your purposes for bringing the silk liner so my comment may not matter but I've noticed when playing around with the same one that it provided no worthwhile increase in warmth. I use a quilt rated at 30 also (Enigma Elite) and will happily take it down into the teens by wearing my insulation layers. Now if your purpose is to keep the quilt spic and span than disregard my input.

Oh and I also had a problem with it getting tangled up. It was just more trouble than it was worth imo.

My purposes for the silk liner were both that you mentioned (increase in warmth + cleaner down bag). That’s disappointing you didn’t get the warmth adder that others have reported. I haven’t tested out in the field. Hoping it keeps my bag clean at the very least, I understand that thru-hikers have historically been a bit dirty at times.

Hoofit
02-27-2015, 20:29
Thanks for the replies, everyone!



I’ve been batting around the idea of keeping the light Bluetooth keyboard / phone and using that to journal every day, vs the traditional notebook. Anyone gone this route before? Full journal on an iPhone tapping away at a touchscreen sounds awful.

As for the kindle… I love to read, I burn through at least a few books a month now with a full-time job. For the convenience of having a ton of books at my disposal after a long day hiking, I’ll carry the extra weight of a kindle in a freezer bag for protection.

For rain pant, do you recommend keeping for cold start / end, but sending back for warm weather? I was on the fence for the longest time of whether to even take rain pants.



Great idea for the backup lighter, noted! Same with the white compactor bag.

For socks, I have 3 pairs of Darn Tough and 3 pairs of liners, I like to wear the Injinji under the Darn Toughs. 2 pairs to cycle while hiking each day, and one pair for camp / night.

For ziplocks, I have no idea, I just wanted to account for having some freezer bags to carry stuff in and protect from rain.



Thanks for the note on clothing, that’s a system I’m still trying to get locked in. I’ll probably send home my Patagonia Down Sweater and keep the Rain Jacket, which provides some good cover for camp. Do you think the long sleeve shirt + the Marmot light jacket is enough for the warmer months? I’ll probably hike in the short sleeve Icebreaker and hang out in camp / sleep in the long sleeve shirt (or shirtless?)




Camp cooking isn’t my strong suit, that’s why I’ve defaulted to the Whisperlite to get grounded. I’m definitely open to figuring out my stove game closer to the hike, but I wanted some experience on something like the Whisperlite.

I have the Packa as a rain jacket / pack cover combo for when it rains! Love the concept. Haven’t tested in the field yet, though.

I’ll see if the Crocs are worth it in camp during my shakedown hikes, I’m planning 5 nights in the Cascades in northern WA as well as several smaller trips around Chicago area.



My purposes for the silk liner were both that you mentioned (increase in warmth + cleaner down bag). That’s disappointing you didn’t get the warmth adder that others have reported. I haven’t tested out in the field. Hoping it keeps my bag clean at the very least, I understand that thru-hikers have historically been a bit dirty at times.


"Thru hikers have historically been a bit dirty at times" Ha! Now that can be an understatement !
But living in the woods can turn you into a carefree vagabond and that's part of the pleasure of the whole hike. To be free of the usual expectations of you. And it isn't so bad to smell a little either!
it's kind of like garlic...if everyone is eating it, no one notices the odor.

Hoofit
02-27-2015, 20:41
Good list by the way!
i'd take a second bandana,bic lighter and headlamp. The pocket rocket stove worked well for me..
good luck! I may run into you up north as I finish up a thru hike I started in 2010, July to September 2016.

2000miler
02-27-2015, 22:23
Good list by the way!
i'd take a second bandana,bic lighter and headlamp. The pocket rocket stove worked well for me..
good luck! I may run into you up north as I finish up a thru hike I started in 2010, July to September 2016.

I'm so looking forward to the "dirty" part of my hike (everything after day 1) - Hoping to run into you! Best of luck finishing up your hike in 2016!

Hoofit
02-28-2015, 14:17
Greenwod lake,new york state in mid July.....plwenty of time to reach Katahdin before mid October.....thinking about it every day!

Hoofit
02-28-2015, 14:21
Just one more thong, carry some Deet ....Lyme Disease took me out in 2010,don't let that happen to you
especially up north!

2000miler
02-28-2015, 14:45
Just one more thong, carry some Deet ....Lyme Disease took me out in 2010,don't let that happen to you
especially up north!

Ah, good call. Probably not necessary to have deet in the beginning, right? I was planning on waiting until warmer weather. Anyone know what state / month the bugs start to get bad?

norts
02-28-2015, 23:54
I used a silk liner all the way, it kept my s/bag clean. Also was able to just sleep in that on the warm nights. Head torch - I started with a spot , sent it home and carried a Petzel elite alot lighter and was fine for around camp. Spare batteries are alot lighter too. If you are planning on night hiking disregard the previous.
Stove is way too heavy and a real overkill, canister or alcohol are much simpler and fuel is nearly always available.
Camp shoes I would keep, handy to give your feet a rest and to let them air, to wear around town, to wear around hostels( to the shower etc). A shake down hike wont show you how handy a pair of camp shoes are, its not the camp so much as in the towns.

Taz
Why cant you use your iphone as your kindle? I read all the game of thrones series on my cheap nokia on my thru hike.

2000miler
03-01-2015, 12:47
I used a silk liner all the way, it kept my s/bag clean. Also was able to just sleep in that on the warm nights. Head torch - I started with a spot , sent it home and carried a Petzel elite alot lighter and was fine for around camp. Spare batteries are alot lighter too. If you are planning on night hiking disregard the previous.
Stove is way too heavy and a real overkill, canister or alcohol are much simpler and fuel is nearly always available.
Camp shoes I would keep, handy to give your feet a rest and to let them air, to wear around town, to wear around hostels( to the shower etc). A shake down hike wont show you how handy a pair of camp shoes are, its not the camp so much as in the towns.

Taz
Why cant you use your iphone as your kindle? I read all the game of thrones series on my cheap nokia on my thru hike.

Hey Taz, thanks for the reply.

Why did you ditch your Black Diamond Spot? Any reason in particular?

I see now the folly of my ways... The stove is too heavy! I had fun almost burning my apartment down learning to use the Whisperlite, now I'm looking forward to actually burning it down learning to use a canister / alcohol stove.

Nice point about using the camp shoes as shower shoes.

The LCD screen of an iPhone is MUCH different than a kindle, which is softer and legit looks like ink on paper. I stare at an LCD screen all day at work now and I'm very much looking forward to escaping staring at computer screens for extended periods of time.

Gersh
03-02-2015, 00:45
I carried a whisperlite stove the whole way.. I have had it since '95 and I am comfortable with it and I find it great in cold weather/wind. Alcohol is lighter for sure but the whisperlite is still a great stove. However, I would not carry the 20oz cannister. I had the 11oz fuel bottle and it was plenty. When full, using it once a day to boil water would last me 2 weeks. You can find the fuel anywhere so carrying 20 oz is overkill.

I find bladders are a pain.. especially when needing to unpack to refill on the trail.. I started with one and quickly ditched it. Course having it explode in my pack could have had something to do with that decision.

2000miler
03-02-2015, 11:40
I carried a whisperlite stove the whole way.. I have had it since '95 and I am comfortable with it and I find it great in cold weather/wind. Alcohol is lighter for sure but the whisperlite is still a great stove. However, I would not carry the 20oz cannister. I had the 11oz fuel bottle and it was plenty. When full, using it once a day to boil water would last me 2 weeks. You can find the fuel anywhere so carrying 20 oz is overkill.

I find bladders are a pain.. especially when needing to unpack to refill on the trail.. I started with one and quickly ditched it. Course having it explode in my pack could have had something to do with that decision.

Thanks for the suggestion on the fuel. I'll try out the smaller cannister if I end up taking the Whisperlite. It all depends on the shakedown hikes over the next 6 months.

I am planning on either taking 2 Smartwater bottles + the bladder, or 3 Smartwater bottles. The bladder is pretty much weightless empty, and depending on conditions, I may want more than 2 liters of water. Plus it'll be good for camp at end of day, especially if the water source is farther away.

Gersh
03-03-2015, 01:20
I am planning on either taking 2 Smartwater bottles + the bladder, or 3 Smartwater bottles. The bladder is pretty much weightless empty, and depending on conditions, I may want more than 2 liters of water. Plus it'll be good for camp at end of day, especially if the water source is farther away.[/QUOTE]

I only carried 1 liter most of the time and stopped to refill. Water is everywhere. There are only a few sections where you will need to carry more, but I never carried more than 2 liters

2000miler
03-03-2015, 11:16
I only carried 1 liter most of the time and stopped to refill. Water is everywhere. There are only a few sections where you will need to carry more, but I never carried more than 2 liters

Nice, thanks for the data point. I'll have to think it through a bit more.

Busky2
03-03-2015, 12:27
I must have missed the point a bit because I would ADD more weight in the area of food than the 20 oz per day listed unless you need to or want to drop pounds.

2000miler
03-03-2015, 14:09
I must have missed the point a bit because I would ADD more weight in the area of food than the 20 oz per day listed unless you need to or want to drop pounds.

What would you all recommend to plan on for food per day? I'm 5'11 150 so I don't have a lot to drop. I was also doing some research about maintaining weight on the trail / making sure to get enough calories out there, but I think that's a whole other thread.

Ethel
03-03-2015, 14:45
You could lose all the different electronics and get an iPad mini with Verizon for 312 grams total. That would replace each one of the separate electronics on your list.

2000miler
03-03-2015, 16:19
You could lose all the different electronics and get an iPad mini with Verizon for 312 grams total. That would replace each one of the separate electronics on your list.

I replied separately above but I hate staring at an LCD screen, hence the kindle paperwhite, which seems to be a good middlegorund between a heavy book and an iPad. I'll be taking the iPhone though, mostly so I can listen to the Game of Thrones audiobooks at some point during the hike :)

I'm also ditching the bluetooth keyboard as suggested earlier in this thread, I'll be fine tapping out my journal entries at EOD. Don't know what I was thinking before, including that as a necessity.

norts
03-04-2015, 00:59
Got rid of the Spot as it ate batteries, so I was carrying spares 3 AAA is a lot of extra weight for a light that you can ride your bike with. The e-lite uses small 2032(i think) battery, I used 2 batteries from Daleville to Katahdin and still have the second battery in the lamp, and I used it to hike for 4 hours at night the other day. Not great for that but I knew the track.

Taz

2015 Lady Thru-Hiker
03-04-2015, 09:15
I replaced the syringe for back flushing my sawyer with a smart water sport bottle top ( i think i got the idea on here ). Its fits perfectly and seemed to work well the times I have used it.

2000miler
03-04-2015, 10:54
I replaced the syringe for back flushing my sawyer with a smart water sport bottle top ( i think i got the idea on here ). Its fits perfectly and seemed to work well the times I have used it.

Nice idea, I'm gonna try that out! Would be nice not to need the syringe.

xrayextra
03-05-2015, 15:06
For rain pant, do you recommend keeping for cold start / end, but sending back for warm weather? I was on the fence for the longest time of whether to even take rain pants. I tried rain pants and didn't like them. They may be great for having in camp and provide additional insulation against the cold, but I sweat so much underneath when hiking in them that they became useless. I'll be taking an umbrella this time around :)


I'm also ditching the bluetooth keyboard as suggested earlier in this thread, I'll be fine tapping out my journal entries at EOD. Don't know what I was thinking before, including that as a necessity.You might want to try practicing first. Do a few journal entries this week using just what you plan to bring. If you don't like it, either try to get used to it or go ahead and take your keyboard. The whole combination is 1 lb, 1.4 oz which is a lot actually (I'd practice till I got really used to tapping out the journal).

I don't see a camera in your list. Some people like to double up their iPhone as a camera. IMO this is a very bad idea b/c you'll take far fewer pictures, primarily b/c you're worried about battery usage on your iPhone, low on charge, out of charge, etc. You'll miss out on a LOT of good pictures. Take a camera. I used an Olympus TG-1 on my thru-hike and took over 6000 pictures with it (wish I took more). It is waterproof, shockproof, and has GPS so I know exactly where every picture I took was.

It's all about what you're comfortable with and what you USE. Some say it's NEED vs WANT and that's true to a degree, but if you have something and definitely plan to use it EVERY day, then bring it.

Some things you won't use every day (like rain gear) but when the time comes to use it and you choose not to, then get rid of it.

If it's not a whole lot of extra weight, bring it and try it out. When you hit Neel Gap and you realize you didn't use it like you planned, send it home.

Good luck!

q-tip
03-06-2015, 12:00
++ Great light weight list. The stove, a soto is 3oz. I am a very cold sleeper and use a WM Aspinlite + overfill most of the time. A 30 d bag even with the liner might be a close call.

2000miler
03-06-2015, 15:59
I bought the stove on sale at REI, so returning shouldn't be an issue.

I was thinking of picking up the Snow Peak LiteMax cannister stove instead. Question, for cannister fuel, do you have to buy a new cannister every time you want to refuel? You can't pour in fuel to refuel like you can with white gas, correct?

Also, I'm not starting until April. Do you all think a 30 degree Zpacks bag + silk liner will be enough?

jimmyjam
03-06-2015, 19:05
The butane canisters cannot be refilled. I did a NOBO section from Springer a couple years back in April with a 30* quilt and a silk liner and I was fine, a good insulating pad makes a huge difference.

2000miler
03-06-2015, 20:48
The butane canisters cannot be refilled. I did a NOBO section from Springer a couple years back in April with a 30* quilt and a silk liner and I was fine, a good insulating pad makes a huge difference.

That's good news. I'm bringing a Thermarest Neoair Xlite. Hope that will be enough.

swisscross
03-06-2015, 21:04
If you decide to keep the whisperlite be sure it is the international model.
Can lose over 1/2 pound with a canister stove. I don't like alcohol, personal preference.
Ditch most of the electronics.
Find lighter camp shoes, if any at all. I like vivobarefoot pures.
A standard toque or wool buff is more versatile than the goose hood.
Petzl e+lite is all I have ever needed.
Houdini or other lighter wind shirt/jacket.
Wrap duct tape on poles, out of pack.
Not completely sold on the down sweater. I have one but prefer primaloft or fleece.
Love my MH microchill.

2000miler
03-08-2015, 14:12
Well, I swung by REI yesterday to return my Whisperlite and pick up the Snow Peak Litemax cannister stove. Man, what a difference in weight! And it's pretty much idiot-proof. Seems like there is plenty of cannister fuel available on the trail as well.

Getting excited to try out this gear in my shakedown hikes this year. Just booked a trip to the Cascade mountains in Washington to hike a week with my buddy along part of the PCT, and the Chicago Backpacker's Association here in Chicago will be doing trips as soon as the weather here turns warmer.

One year away!

trbjr
03-08-2015, 18:36
Try getting a lighter stove

Singto
05-22-2015, 21:59
Why aren't people who like to electronically journal on their hike not using voice recognitions apps on their devices instead of keyboards or the touch screen? Certainly they are accurate enough to record everything and then, if necessary, quickly edit later. I think a light tablet is OK if it is a replacement for a paper guide book weighing about the same. I.E...get the AT guide as PDF and carry it on your tablet instead of carrying the book.