My 2009 Gear List - Help Needed

[Unclegorb]

Hey everybody, I was wondering if I could get some help with my gearlist. It's still a little "unfinished" because I'm still undecided on a few things. So, feel free to critique or suggest any products that might fill the gaps in my list...thanks

GEAR LIST MAY 2009:
-------------------------------

Navigation:
Map / Guidebook - ?
Compass - Brunton - 1.5 oz

Sun Protection:
Sunscreen - 4 oz
Sunglasses -1 oz
Hat - 3oz

Fire:
Lighter - BIC Lighter - .6
Fire Starter - Improvise

Water:
Platypus Bladder - 2 Liter - 1.3 oz
Camelbak 3 Liter - 8.7 oz
Water Filter (Katayn Guide) - 17 oz
Water Tablets - 3 oz

Lighting:
Tikka Plus Headlamp - 2.7 oz
Tikkea Elite - .06 ounces
AAA Batteries - .4oz Battery

Repair Kit:
Gerber Multi-Tool (w/ Sheath) - 7 oz
Duct Tape - ?

Clothing: (not sure of weights on some of this stuff)
Fleece Jacket
(2) Wicking T-Shirts -
(2) Under Armor Underwear -
Polartec Long Underwear -
Shorts - New Balance Running Shorts
Long Sleeve Shirt - Under Armor Cold Gear
GTX Rain Jacket - 13.5 ounces
Rain Pants - Marmot Precip Pants
Bandanna -
Gloves -
Knit Hat -

Footwear:
Hiking Shoes - (I'm not sure if I should get trail runners or boots. I've always worn Trail Runners, but i've also never walked 2,000 miles, any suggestions would be appreciated.) I'm thinking - New Balance 801 (http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanceM801AT.htm)
(2) Liner Socks - 1 oz per pair
(3) Smart Wool Socks "Adrenaline" - 2 oz per pair
Flip Flops - ?


Cooking:
Brunton Flex (w/ bag) - 4.3 oz
MSR Fuel Canisters - 12.5 oz per can
Titanium Cook Pot - 5 oz
Food Sack - 2 oz
Spice Sack - 2 oz
Fozzils Bowl - 1 oz
MyTi Spork - .6 oz


Sleep System:
Tent - Tarp Tent Contrail - 24.5 oz
Footprint - 5.5 ounces
Pillow - Not sure about this yet, I used to use a BassPro Pillow :(.
Sleeping Pad - Therm A Rest Deluxe (Cut into 3/4) - 16 oz
Sleeping Bag - I'll be switching to a down bag...I'm thinking: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 - 24 oz (Any suggestions on temp rating)
Waterproof Stuff Sack - 3 oz

Basics:
Backpack - Undecided, I'm moving down to a smaller pack from my huge Kelty...Thinking Osprey Aether, ULA Catalyst, GOLITE Quest, or something similar in size.
Pack Cover - Mountain Laurel - 2.4 oz
50 Ft. Nylon Cord - ?
Trekking Poles - El Cheapos - 21 oz
First Aid Kit - 4.6 oz

Personal Items:
Insect repellent - 100% DEET - 3 oz
Toilet paper - ?
Campsuds - 4 oz
Toothbrush - (Toob Brush) - 1 oz
Hand Sanitizer - 4 oz
Pack Towel - (MSR Ultra Light Packtowl - 2 oz)

Other Items:
Camera - Cannon Powershot - 11oz
MP3 Player - Sandisk 2GB - 1.5 oz

[SurferNerd]

Pack-Gregory Z55, lightweight, and fantastic quality.
Pack Towel-get the REI multitowel, half the price
Sleeping Bag-REI Sub Kilo 20F, it's on sale this week for $169, and it weighs 1.5lbs
Shoes-get medium tops if your going lightweight, high tops if your going heavy or bad ankles.

[smaaax]

NOBO or SOBO, and when are you starting.

don't need compass, you will learn to identify directions very well by the sun and such.

camelbaks are heavy, just get another platy if you need that much capacity, or just grab some powerade bottles.

People argue about water treatment all the time. That is heavy, but its personal preference.

You don't really need a multitool for anything. Just get a tiny knife.

Eliminate a top or two, you may not need rainpants depending on your start date/direction

I was really happy with my solomon trail runners. They have GTX and non-GTX versions.

Sent home my liner socks, they don't really do anything.

pilow=the clothes you aren't wearing. Jacket is great.

Sleeping bag: depends on your direction and date. WM makes fantastic bags.

The catalyst is a fantastic and amazingly comfortable bag. I love mine.

Toothpaste

cell phone depending on preference.

do you need a charger for your camera/mp3 player?

sporks SUCK, grab a spoon

[Unclegorb]

Oh, my plan is to leave nobo in May 09...

But, could possibly start sobo in June 09, not sure yet...

[Panzer1]

I would say add a watch with day and date. It worth the weight. My watch weights only 1 ounce. I use it all the time to compute the distance that I have hiked, how much time I have left to get into town, to arrange meetings with people, ect..

Also add a journal and pen/pencil to record your trip.

Also I would recommend trecking poles of some kind.

To be a fully prepared hiker, I would keep the compass.

I would keep the multi tool but I would say that at 7 ounces yours seems a little heavy. My swiss army knife multi tool weights 3.6 ounces. I think you do need a multi tool of some kind.

At 11 ounces the camera seems a little heavy. You could get a disposable camera for about 4 ounces.

Also, could you post your total weight?

Panzer
good luck

[Squeaky 2]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif My 2009 Gear List - Help Needed
Hey everybody, I was wondering if I could get some help with my gearlist. It's still a little "unfinished" because I'm still undecided on a few things. So, feel free to critique or suggest any products that might fill the gaps in my list...thanks

GEAR LIST MAY 2009:
-------------------------------

Navigation:
Guidebook

Sun Protection:
Sunglasses -1 oz
Hat - 3oz

Fire:
Lighter - BIC Lighter - .6
water proof matches

Water:
Platypus Bladder - 2 Liter - 1.3 oz
MSR bleach solution

Lighting:
Tikka Plus Headlamp - 2.7 oz
AAA Batteries - .4oz Battery

Repair Kit:
vaseline
Duct Tape -

Clothing: (not sure of weights on some of this stuff)
Fleece Jacket
(2) Wicking T-Shirts -
Shorts - New Balance Running Shorts
GTX Rain Jacket - 13.5 ounces
Rain Pants - Marmot Precip Pants
Bandanna -
Gloves -
Knit Hat -

Footwear:
new balance trail
(3) Smart Wool Socks "Adrenaline" - 2 oz per pair


Cooking:
spoon
alcahol stove, fuel
greese pot

Sleep System:
Tarp
Pillow - use your fleece.
Sleeping Pad - Therm A Rest Deluxe (Cut into 3/4) - 16 oz
Sleeping Bag - I'll be switching to a down bag...I'm thinking: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 - 24 oz (Any suggestions on temp rating)
Waterproof Stuff Sack - 3 oz

Basics:
Backpack - Undecided, I'm moving down to a smaller pack from my huge Kelty...Thinking Osprey Aether, ULA Catalyst, GOLITE Quest, or something similar in size.
Trekking Poles - El Cheapos -no cheap ones here, go leki ultra light
First Aid Kit - 4.6 oz
pack all gear inside a bin liner inside your pack, and one fashioned around yhe outside to keep the pack dryer

Personal Items:
Insect repellent - 100% DEET - 3 oz
Toilet paper - ?
Toothbrush - (Toob Brush) - 1 oz


Other Items:
Camera - Cannon Powershot - 11oz
MP3 Player - Sandisk 2GB - 1.5 oz

try this list, all the best

[jesse]

Pillow, I slide a shoe (could be anything) under my pad. Works great. The problem with using clothes is they don't provide much lift. Also in Winter, you may want to wear everything.

Sporks are over rated. I use a spoon.

[workboot]

Yeah ditch the spork.... get a spoon :D

[bigcranky]

Pack: the Aether 60 is popular, as is the Gregory Z55. The REI Cruise UL 60 is a great deal at $130. I like my Six Moon Designs Starlite.

Bag: The MH Phantom 32 is good. The REI bag mentioned above is also decent. Since you are starting in May, a 30-F rated bag is plenty. The Western Mountaineering Megalite is a terrific bag.

Shoes: trail runners are fine. You probably don't need liner socks, either, just two or three pairs of light synthetic socks. Camp shoes are also a good idea. After several trips when I left my rubber clogs at home to save weight, I realized that they were definitely worth carrying. Flip flops are fine in summer.

Clothes: you can hike in a short-sleeved synthetic shirt, and wear a long sleeved top around camp. The NB running shorts should have a mesh liner -- no need for underwear. A light fleece would be useful, but in May I would take my Marmot Driclime jacket instead. By late June you'll have cut waaaaay back on clothing.

Kitchen/water: start with a small canister for your stove -- just one is fine if you start at Springer. You can buy more 30 miles up the trail. Unless you are preparing multi-pot gourmet meals, you won't need multiple large canisters. I like 1-liter Aqua Fina bottles for water. The filter is fine, though there are lighter options. Bring something to collect water in -- I use a 6-liter Platypus Big Zip bag. It's much easier to go down to the creek or spring, fill the bag, and bring it back to your camp to filter or treat. (Also, this lets the water settle, keeping your filter element from clogging as quickly.)

[robmurphy]

Bring a digital camera that uses AA batteries rather than this model that uses a lithium battery. More bulky and a heavier, but you don't need a charger. Also bring a spare memory card for the camera. In case of failure, you don't lose all your photos.

[SurferNerd]

Bring a digital camera that uses AA batteries rather than this model that uses a lithium battery. More bulky and a heavier, but you don't need a charger. Also bring a spare memory card for the camera. In case of failure, you don't lose all your photos.

I'm taking a Canon A590, it has a viewfinder so shut off screen to save battery, it runs on AA, and it supports SDHC, hence my 16GB cards

[Bare Bear]

The most important thing to take is a good attitude. Really.

[Panzer1]

Also bring a spare memory card for the camera. In case of failure, you don't lose all your photos.

I'm not an expert on cameras, but i'm guessing that even if your camera broke/failed/ect that the memory card itself would probably survive almost any misfortune; which means that you would not loose pictures, in theory anyhow... Anyone who is an expert on cameras, feel free to chime in..

Panzer

[SurferNerd]

I'm not an expert on cameras, but i'm guessing that even if your camera broke/failed/ect that the memory card itself would probably survive almost any misfortune; which means that you would not loose pictures, in theory anyhow... Anyone who is an expert on cameras, feel free to chime in..

Panzer

*From A Camera Expert*

Flash Memory Card corruption occurs in every 1 of a 1000 cards. It causes either unreadable pictures, or lines and waves in the pictures. Once this starts, the only way to repair the drive is to attempt a reformat which of course means losing everything. If the reformat is unsuccessful, the drive is shot and will always give you those errors and lines. The drives are designed to withstand just about 2000 write/read cycles, and once that number has been reached, its a ticking bomb waiting to blow up your memories. So advice given, take a new card on the trail, or carry some extras.

[smaaax]

Bag: The MH Phantom 32 is good. The REI bag mentioned above is also decent. Since you are starting in May, a 30-F rated bag is plenty. The Western Mountaineering Megalite is a terrific bag.


I wouldn't recommend the phantom, as it seems to overrate its rating more than usual. My friend was cold many 45 degree nights with his thermals on...

WM is worth the money;)

[Nearly Normal]

The thing I see least taken by most hikers is some sort of barrier to sit on. Wet, cold conditions make sitting down difficult.
I take a plastic table place mat. Great for sitting or standing on for a spit bath and changing socks.
It's also another layer between me and the pack load.
Lite-weight comfort item.

[Blissful]

Don't need batteries, plenty of places to buy on the trail.
Won't need gloves until later on. No long underwear that time of year, might consider convertible pants instead. Leave rain pants at home until later.
I'd go with a liner and a 30 degree bag to start - you can still get cold periods in May. Or bring a lightweight pair of long undies and mail them home end of May.
Trail runners are great, but have many pairs. And insoles (I used Spenco hiker insoles myself). Be good to your feet.
I'd leave out the bowl and spice sack.

Good start