Jonesy
05-10-2007, 00:54
Hello everyone! :sun I'm new to the forum but have been doing a good amount of planning and preparing for my southbound thru-hike. My tentative ETA in Maine is mid June.
I think I could use a little help from people more experienced as I'm kind of new to long distance backpacking. I also am on somewhat of a budget where I like to be thrifty but not cheap. I also am not a great sower and will not be making any gear yet but would like to make a quilt sometime in the future (after this hike)!
My sleeping system will consist of my Summit to Sea thermoreactor bag liner (warms up to an additional 8 deg. cel or 15 deg. f $35 on ebay, 9.3 oz.), a pair of Patagonia capilene long johns (6.5 oz, $12) for bottoms when cold warrants it and one pair of altletic boxers for the summer (1.5 oz). For the top I have a lightweight Patagonia Wool 2 capilene zip l.s. shirt (6.4 oz, <$40). I also have a Craft L1 short sleeve thermo which is form fitting and puts out some serious heat for it's packability and weight (4.9 oz) but I get stinky quick in it! Jury is still out although it's a nice piece of kit as some would say.
I will also be able to utilize the clothes I plan on bringing allowing me to use a higher rated bag (I think). I have a lightweight pair of wind/rain pants (5.7 oz, free). Right now I own a Patagonia micro puff synthetic vest (7.4 oz, $24) and an uberlite Columbia microfleece (6.9 oz, $15). I'm thinking of leaving the micro puff at home and getting a Montbell U.L. thermawwrap jacket (8oz, $80 if I can fit into a small, $120 otherwise :eek: ) for more versatility and use an ultralight thin wool vest instead of the micropuff. I think I should purchase a silkweight balaclava (1-2 oz.?). I will also be bringing a suitable hat for cool windy weather/nights (1.5-3 oz?). Last resort would be my Outdoor Research Ion wind/rain jacket (3.5 oz?, it's in the mail, $60).
My tent is the first verson Squall tarptent (28 oz or so) and my groud pad is a lightweight blue pad as of now. Will probably modify it a bit later (<7 oz).
Now on to the main component of my system which I am at a bit of a crossroads. I'm thinking of getting one good bag with a full zip rated to around 30-40f or possibly two bags. For example: Kelty stratus for the beginning/end of the trip and sportsman guide ultralight bag for the summer part of my hike.
Here are my choices I'm consdering (thanks for reading this far :cool: o' helpful wise whiteblazers) and please feel free to debate/add recommendations.
sleeping bag considerations as of right now:
Marmot Arrete (1lb, ?oz and willing spend up to $165 incl shipping 40f)
Exped Wallcreeper (2lbs 3 oz?, 30f on sale for $180) probaby won't buy this but thought I should include it)
Lafuma 07 600 or 650 extrem series syn. bags (45f, $40-60 or so)
Lafuma 07 warm n' light 600 down bag (40f, $90-$100)
Kelty Status 35 deg. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=334610 (a bit heavy though 2lbs 3 oz, $50)
Sportsmanguide Ultralight ($25, 50f, 1lb 5oz?)Thanks for any help. I'm obviously torn between getting a mediocre to high quality down bag, using a light synthetic bag or using a two bag system for different seasons/climates i.e. the stratus/sportsman ultralight in consideration to my tent/pad/clothes/bag liner/budget.
Sorry for the haphazard post! Gear list will hopefully be ready in a week or two. :p
Cheers,
Jonesy
I think I could use a little help from people more experienced as I'm kind of new to long distance backpacking. I also am on somewhat of a budget where I like to be thrifty but not cheap. I also am not a great sower and will not be making any gear yet but would like to make a quilt sometime in the future (after this hike)!
My sleeping system will consist of my Summit to Sea thermoreactor bag liner (warms up to an additional 8 deg. cel or 15 deg. f $35 on ebay, 9.3 oz.), a pair of Patagonia capilene long johns (6.5 oz, $12) for bottoms when cold warrants it and one pair of altletic boxers for the summer (1.5 oz). For the top I have a lightweight Patagonia Wool 2 capilene zip l.s. shirt (6.4 oz, <$40). I also have a Craft L1 short sleeve thermo which is form fitting and puts out some serious heat for it's packability and weight (4.9 oz) but I get stinky quick in it! Jury is still out although it's a nice piece of kit as some would say.
I will also be able to utilize the clothes I plan on bringing allowing me to use a higher rated bag (I think). I have a lightweight pair of wind/rain pants (5.7 oz, free). Right now I own a Patagonia micro puff synthetic vest (7.4 oz, $24) and an uberlite Columbia microfleece (6.9 oz, $15). I'm thinking of leaving the micro puff at home and getting a Montbell U.L. thermawwrap jacket (8oz, $80 if I can fit into a small, $120 otherwise :eek: ) for more versatility and use an ultralight thin wool vest instead of the micropuff. I think I should purchase a silkweight balaclava (1-2 oz.?). I will also be bringing a suitable hat for cool windy weather/nights (1.5-3 oz?). Last resort would be my Outdoor Research Ion wind/rain jacket (3.5 oz?, it's in the mail, $60).
My tent is the first verson Squall tarptent (28 oz or so) and my groud pad is a lightweight blue pad as of now. Will probably modify it a bit later (<7 oz).
Now on to the main component of my system which I am at a bit of a crossroads. I'm thinking of getting one good bag with a full zip rated to around 30-40f or possibly two bags. For example: Kelty stratus for the beginning/end of the trip and sportsman guide ultralight bag for the summer part of my hike.
Here are my choices I'm consdering (thanks for reading this far :cool: o' helpful wise whiteblazers) and please feel free to debate/add recommendations.
sleeping bag considerations as of right now:
Marmot Arrete (1lb, ?oz and willing spend up to $165 incl shipping 40f)
Exped Wallcreeper (2lbs 3 oz?, 30f on sale for $180) probaby won't buy this but thought I should include it)
Lafuma 07 600 or 650 extrem series syn. bags (45f, $40-60 or so)
Lafuma 07 warm n' light 600 down bag (40f, $90-$100)
Kelty Status 35 deg. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=334610 (a bit heavy though 2lbs 3 oz, $50)
Sportsmanguide Ultralight ($25, 50f, 1lb 5oz?)Thanks for any help. I'm obviously torn between getting a mediocre to high quality down bag, using a light synthetic bag or using a two bag system for different seasons/climates i.e. the stratus/sportsman ultralight in consideration to my tent/pad/clothes/bag liner/budget.
Sorry for the haphazard post! Gear list will hopefully be ready in a week or two. :p
Cheers,
Jonesy