STICK
04-07-2010, 16:55
So, I have a gear list that I have started working on for my thru in 2013 (yes, 2013! Gotta start planning sometime though right?) I figure if I go ahead and compile a list now it will make it easier to know what I need to be saving for, and then just go down the list. I am quite certain that by the time my Thru is here some of the items on my list will be replaced by others, or simply left off. This is not a "definite list" but it is one that I feel comfy with right now.
I have put this together with some gear that I already have (however, a lot will be replaced as you will see), and by looking at other peoples gear list. I do not have measurements on it all and a few items I took measurements from the website or from peoples more accurate reviews (such as can be found at backpackgeartest.org).
I have 3 columns here. First is the gear, next is prices, and then last weights. The price list is incomplete since I have only listed prices for the things I still need to purchase (makes it easier for me to go down my list). Of course weights because I either couldn't find them or I will just need to weigh them once they are complete (such as the FAK, TP, and a total amount of batteries, etc...).
It wasn't all scrunched together on my Documnet Sheet, but this happened when I copied and pasted. Sorry if it's difficult to read. I bolded the prices and immediately following is the weights.
Also, the items that have the astricks (**) in front of them is part of the "10 Essential" items.
Pack:
Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone $229.00 3 lbs
**Sea To Summit Rain Cover $39.90 4 oz
**Trash Compactor Bag For Liner
Shelter:
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 $249.00 2 lb 6 oz
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 Footprint $44.95 5.5 oz
11 MSR Groundhog Stakes 7.8 oz
Sleeping:
Western Mountaineering Megalite (Regular, Left Hand Zip, w/ 2 oz Overfill) $354.95 1 lb 10 oz
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir (Small) $129.95 9 oz
Sea To Summit Silk Sleeping Bag Liner $59.50 4.4 oz
Pillow (Haven’t Decided Yet)
Kitchen:
700 ml Ti Cook Pot w/ Lid & Stuff Sack 4 oz
Ti Spork 0.5 oz
Optimus Crux Canister Stove 3.1 oz
4 oz Fuel Canister (or 8 oz ~ Depends) 6.9 oz
Primus Windscreen 2.3 oz
Homemade Tyvek cozy 1.8 oz
Regular Size Bic Lighter
Bandana
Water:
100 oz Camelbak Bladder w/ Shut-Off Valve & Bite Block 9.3 oz
**Aqua Mira Water Treatment Drops (2 oz) 3.1 oz
32 oz Gatorade Bottle
Miscellaneous:
Leki Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles $119.90 1 lb 0.6 oz
**Eureka! Glide 51 Lantern/Flashlight (w/ Batteries) 3.9 oz
**Petzl Tactikka Plus Headlamp (w/ Batteries) $43.95 2.5 oz
2 oz Jungle Juice Insect Repellant (when needed) 2.9 oz
iPod w/ Ear Buds 1.6 oz
**Gerber Ultralight L.S.T. Knife $20.60 0.6 oz
Simblissity LevaGaiter $26.95 1.8 oz
Outsak UL (For Food Bag) 4.3 oz
1 20 x 12.5 LokSak To Line Outsak $11.75
60’ Of Rope For Food Bag
Bandana
**Sunglasses
Ear Plugs
Digital Camera
StickPic $11.99 0.35 oz
Assorted Ziplocs / Stuff Sacks / Carabineers As Needed
Navigation:
**Highgear Axio Max Altimeter Watch (w/ Compass) $139.00
**Maps w/ Elevation Profiles
**Guide Book Pages (Printed Out And In A Ziploc)
**First Aid Kit:
6” Ace Wrap
Mole Skin
Bandage Scissors
2 Straight Needles
10 Strands 30” Silk Thread
2 - 2” Gauze Pads
4 Alcohol Prep Pads
2 Packets Neosporin
10 Assorted Size Band-Aids
Triangle Bandage w/ 2 Safety Pins
6 - 25 mg Benadryl Tabs
10 - 800 mg Motrin Tabs
Multi-Vitamins
1 Roll of Rolaids
1 Benadryl Roll-On Stick
1 - 2” Roll of Kling Gauze
Duct Tape
Mueller Knee Brace
Personal Hygiene:
MSR Packtowl Ultra Light (Small) $13.95 0.7 oz
Small Toothbrush
Travel Size Toothpaste
Small Bottle of Germ-X
Toilet Paper
Wet Wipes In A Ziploc
Emergency / Extras:
**SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger $169.99 5.2 oz
Brunton Solaris Flexible Personal Solar Panel (?) 7.1 oz
**Swedish Steel Scout Model Fire Steel 0.9 oz
**REI Storm Proof Matches w/ Extra Striker 0.8 oz
**1 Package Wet Fire 0.2 oz
**Emergency Blanket
**Cell Phone
Extra Batteries
2 Rubber Bands
**Whistle
Small Journal with Pen
Clothing :
(Base Layer)
2 pair Under Armor Boxer Briefs
1 pair Patagonia Capilene 1 Long Pants (As Needed) $40.00 5.5 oz
1 Patagonia Capilene 1 Short Sleeve T-Shirt 5.1 oz
1 Patagonia Capilene 2 Long Sleeve Crew 5.8 oz
2 pair “Hiking Socks”
1 pair Columbia Omni-Dry Silver Ridge II Convertible Pants(w/ Belt) 12.65 oz
(Mid Layer)
1 pair Terramar Heavy-Weight Long Pants (As Needed) 7.9 oz
1 Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover (As Needed) 12.8 oz
1 Mont-bell Ex Light Down Jacket (As Needed) $164.95 5.6 oz
(**Rain Gear)
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket $139.95 6.8 oz
Sierra Designs Hurricane HP Rain Pants (Not Sure If Bringing) 7.8 oz
MLD eVent Mitts 1.2 oz
(**Sleeping / Town Clothes ~ Kept in Ziploc)
1 pair Under Armor Polyester Shorts
1 cotton T-Shirt
1 pair “Hiking Socks” (Can Be Used For Hiking If Needed)
(Other Misc. Clothing)
1 pair Outdoor Research PL150 Gloves (As Needed) 1.7 oz
Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Wind Stopper Boggin (As Needed) 2 oz
Under Armour Cold Gear Hood $24.99
Just a few notes:
I am wanting the GG Ozone because it has a frame and it is top-loading. I don't care about panel loaders, plus I will be using a trash compactor bag inside which would make the panel loader or sleeping bag compartment worthless. I have looked at the Vapor Trail but I am not sure I will have my pack weight to 30 lbs or less (water and food). (I have also looked at some of the ULA and MLD packs, but again I want a frame.) The Ozone seems to have a tad bit beefier suspension (over the Vapor Trail) which allows it to carry more of a 40 lb load, which would be good for when there are many days between resupply. I am hoping to have my typical pack weight at around 35 lbs (this is with full water and food, so hopefully closer between 30 - 35 lbs).
As for the tent, I have come to the conclusion that a tent will probably be easier for me, however I am still playing with my tarp. I am thinking that for my thru I will be happier with a tent. Once I decided this, I decided that I wanted a double wall "freestanding" tent. By this I mean basically the body is freestanding. However I will stake it out every chance I can.
So, I chose the Seed House SL 1 over the Fly Creek 1 because the Seed House is a few inches longer and it appears to be more-so free-standing without stakes (I'm not talking about the vestibule here). I also want to get the compatible footprint so that I will have the quick pitch option. (Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but is this tent capable of setting the fly up and then getting underneath and setting the tent up?) It seems to me that the Seed House SL 1 is about the lightest cheapest option (that fill my bill).
For my pad, I am going to go with the small size NeoAir, however once I come up with a total weight for everything, I may go with a medium. I'll just have to see if I want to add another 4 oz, but the extra $10 wouldn't be too bad. Also, I am going to try to get the extra 2 oz of overfill for the WM Megalite, which may drop it down another degree or two (from 30*) and plus the silk liner is said to add another 10* to the sleep system. I figure that for the colder nights I can use the bag, liner and the Ex Light jacket and I should stay pretty warm, especially in a double wall tent. I will probably keep the liner the whole trip, at least to keep my bag "cleaner."
I am bringing the Optimus Crux (canister stove) over alcohol because it seems more logical than carrying all the fuel with an alky stove. I am going to plan on using it rather infrequently, mostly at nights, so 4 or 8 oz canisters will depend on my next stop, or resupply. However, if I find an efficient alky stove that works well with the small diameter of my Ti pot (3 5/8") I may go with that. I just can't help but think the canister stove will be more efficient which equals lighter.
I am going to try to use Aqua Mira as it will be lighter than a filter. I have the drops, however may go with the tabs so that I can just drop one or two in my bladder. I also do not plan on carrying my bladder inside the hydration sleeve but rather in an outside pocket or somewhere that is more convenient for me to get to easily. However, since I am using a liner in my pack, it may be just as easy to carry it in the hydration sleeve, I'll just have to see. I am also carrying a 32 oz Gatorade bottle but am debating one of the Katadyn water filter bottles instead. Not sure yet.
I also have a flashlight and a headlamp listed. Not sure if I will carry the flashlight with this headlamp. The headlamp seems to offer a pretty bright light, so if so I will just carry the headlamp. (And it has the friendly red lens covering on it!)
I am choosing to carry an Outsak with an LokSak lining it. The Outsak weighs in at 4.3 oz so it is a little heftier than a simple food bag, but those little critters can't get in the Outsak. I love these bags! I will not use a carabiner with the Outsak either since it has a hang loop built in. (Save a smidgen of weight there!)
The watch that I want offers a compass and it says that the declination can even be set, so I do not plan on carrying a traditional compass. Also, I will only carry sections of the Thru-Hiker Companion inside a Ziploc. I am debating with the actual maps. I will probably have one thrown in my pack, however I will print the elevation profiles and keep them in the Ziploc with the Thru-Hiker Companion pages, and of course easily accessible.
I feel like my FAK and my Personal Hygiene list is adequate and will get weights on them eventually, however probably just total instead of individual weights.
For my "fire starters," lets see, I have a Bic listed in the kitchen area, and now a fire steel and the REI Storm Proof Matches. I think I will be covered. However for the weights on these pieces, I don't think that it will hinder me with the "extra" weight too much, so I am happy with the 3 forms of fire! I may change the Wet Fire for something else. When I went out and played with it I had a very difficult time trying (not succeeding) to light it with the fire steel, and then it didn't burn to well in water (which is what it is supposed to be for....) So, I'll see.
Clothes. I will probably start out with the Terramar heavy-weight pants and the cap 1 long pants, however I may just swap out the heavy weight for the lighter weight cap 1 pants when it starts warming up . I will also send the R1 pullover, the Ex Light jacket, gloves, boggin, and UA Cold Gear hood (which also converts to a neck gaiter) back when the temps start getting warm.
And, with the rain gear. I am debating the pants. I don't know if I want to carry pants, and if I do I would probably enjoy the full zip Marmot Precip pants more than the SD Hurricane pants which only unzip a few inches up from the bottom. Also, the OR Helium jacket looks pretty sweet for 6.8 oz, but I wonder what kind of rain will it really shed? Could I use this thing all day in rain? Any one have any use with this jacket or ones similar? One downfall I see is that it has no venting options, however at less than 7 oz, it may not need it......
I added up the stuff that I do have weights on that I will be carrying inside (and including) my pack (except for trekking poles [won't be carried], base & mid layers[these will be worn and swapped out], and sleeping clothes [don't have weights]) and it comes to 14.99 lbs. With all the other stuff I have listed I would assume it will come to another 4-6 lbs making my total "dry pack weight" around 19-21 lbs or so. I figure for the other clothes I am not wearing, around another 1-2 lbs, and then with water and food, I don't know. Maybe another 10-12 lbs with total food and water. So, lets just say the 15 lbs I have now, 6 lbs with other extras, 2 lbs for other clothes, and 12 lbs for food and water that would put me in the neighborhood of 35 lbs. About what I planned on at the beginning, hence the Ozone bag. What say your thoughts on these "calculations?"
So, here it is. I have made a few gear list, but I like this one better. So, pick through it and tell me what you think. And if you can answer any of the questions in my "notes."
I have put this together with some gear that I already have (however, a lot will be replaced as you will see), and by looking at other peoples gear list. I do not have measurements on it all and a few items I took measurements from the website or from peoples more accurate reviews (such as can be found at backpackgeartest.org).
I have 3 columns here. First is the gear, next is prices, and then last weights. The price list is incomplete since I have only listed prices for the things I still need to purchase (makes it easier for me to go down my list). Of course weights because I either couldn't find them or I will just need to weigh them once they are complete (such as the FAK, TP, and a total amount of batteries, etc...).
It wasn't all scrunched together on my Documnet Sheet, but this happened when I copied and pasted. Sorry if it's difficult to read. I bolded the prices and immediately following is the weights.
Also, the items that have the astricks (**) in front of them is part of the "10 Essential" items.
Pack:
Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone $229.00 3 lbs
**Sea To Summit Rain Cover $39.90 4 oz
**Trash Compactor Bag For Liner
Shelter:
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 $249.00 2 lb 6 oz
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1 Footprint $44.95 5.5 oz
11 MSR Groundhog Stakes 7.8 oz
Sleeping:
Western Mountaineering Megalite (Regular, Left Hand Zip, w/ 2 oz Overfill) $354.95 1 lb 10 oz
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir (Small) $129.95 9 oz
Sea To Summit Silk Sleeping Bag Liner $59.50 4.4 oz
Pillow (Haven’t Decided Yet)
Kitchen:
700 ml Ti Cook Pot w/ Lid & Stuff Sack 4 oz
Ti Spork 0.5 oz
Optimus Crux Canister Stove 3.1 oz
4 oz Fuel Canister (or 8 oz ~ Depends) 6.9 oz
Primus Windscreen 2.3 oz
Homemade Tyvek cozy 1.8 oz
Regular Size Bic Lighter
Bandana
Water:
100 oz Camelbak Bladder w/ Shut-Off Valve & Bite Block 9.3 oz
**Aqua Mira Water Treatment Drops (2 oz) 3.1 oz
32 oz Gatorade Bottle
Miscellaneous:
Leki Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles $119.90 1 lb 0.6 oz
**Eureka! Glide 51 Lantern/Flashlight (w/ Batteries) 3.9 oz
**Petzl Tactikka Plus Headlamp (w/ Batteries) $43.95 2.5 oz
2 oz Jungle Juice Insect Repellant (when needed) 2.9 oz
iPod w/ Ear Buds 1.6 oz
**Gerber Ultralight L.S.T. Knife $20.60 0.6 oz
Simblissity LevaGaiter $26.95 1.8 oz
Outsak UL (For Food Bag) 4.3 oz
1 20 x 12.5 LokSak To Line Outsak $11.75
60’ Of Rope For Food Bag
Bandana
**Sunglasses
Ear Plugs
Digital Camera
StickPic $11.99 0.35 oz
Assorted Ziplocs / Stuff Sacks / Carabineers As Needed
Navigation:
**Highgear Axio Max Altimeter Watch (w/ Compass) $139.00
**Maps w/ Elevation Profiles
**Guide Book Pages (Printed Out And In A Ziploc)
**First Aid Kit:
6” Ace Wrap
Mole Skin
Bandage Scissors
2 Straight Needles
10 Strands 30” Silk Thread
2 - 2” Gauze Pads
4 Alcohol Prep Pads
2 Packets Neosporin
10 Assorted Size Band-Aids
Triangle Bandage w/ 2 Safety Pins
6 - 25 mg Benadryl Tabs
10 - 800 mg Motrin Tabs
Multi-Vitamins
1 Roll of Rolaids
1 Benadryl Roll-On Stick
1 - 2” Roll of Kling Gauze
Duct Tape
Mueller Knee Brace
Personal Hygiene:
MSR Packtowl Ultra Light (Small) $13.95 0.7 oz
Small Toothbrush
Travel Size Toothpaste
Small Bottle of Germ-X
Toilet Paper
Wet Wipes In A Ziploc
Emergency / Extras:
**SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger $169.99 5.2 oz
Brunton Solaris Flexible Personal Solar Panel (?) 7.1 oz
**Swedish Steel Scout Model Fire Steel 0.9 oz
**REI Storm Proof Matches w/ Extra Striker 0.8 oz
**1 Package Wet Fire 0.2 oz
**Emergency Blanket
**Cell Phone
Extra Batteries
2 Rubber Bands
**Whistle
Small Journal with Pen
Clothing :
(Base Layer)
2 pair Under Armor Boxer Briefs
1 pair Patagonia Capilene 1 Long Pants (As Needed) $40.00 5.5 oz
1 Patagonia Capilene 1 Short Sleeve T-Shirt 5.1 oz
1 Patagonia Capilene 2 Long Sleeve Crew 5.8 oz
2 pair “Hiking Socks”
1 pair Columbia Omni-Dry Silver Ridge II Convertible Pants(w/ Belt) 12.65 oz
(Mid Layer)
1 pair Terramar Heavy-Weight Long Pants (As Needed) 7.9 oz
1 Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover (As Needed) 12.8 oz
1 Mont-bell Ex Light Down Jacket (As Needed) $164.95 5.6 oz
(**Rain Gear)
Outdoor Research Helium Jacket $139.95 6.8 oz
Sierra Designs Hurricane HP Rain Pants (Not Sure If Bringing) 7.8 oz
MLD eVent Mitts 1.2 oz
(**Sleeping / Town Clothes ~ Kept in Ziploc)
1 pair Under Armor Polyester Shorts
1 cotton T-Shirt
1 pair “Hiking Socks” (Can Be Used For Hiking If Needed)
(Other Misc. Clothing)
1 pair Outdoor Research PL150 Gloves (As Needed) 1.7 oz
Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Wind Stopper Boggin (As Needed) 2 oz
Under Armour Cold Gear Hood $24.99
Just a few notes:
I am wanting the GG Ozone because it has a frame and it is top-loading. I don't care about panel loaders, plus I will be using a trash compactor bag inside which would make the panel loader or sleeping bag compartment worthless. I have looked at the Vapor Trail but I am not sure I will have my pack weight to 30 lbs or less (water and food). (I have also looked at some of the ULA and MLD packs, but again I want a frame.) The Ozone seems to have a tad bit beefier suspension (over the Vapor Trail) which allows it to carry more of a 40 lb load, which would be good for when there are many days between resupply. I am hoping to have my typical pack weight at around 35 lbs (this is with full water and food, so hopefully closer between 30 - 35 lbs).
As for the tent, I have come to the conclusion that a tent will probably be easier for me, however I am still playing with my tarp. I am thinking that for my thru I will be happier with a tent. Once I decided this, I decided that I wanted a double wall "freestanding" tent. By this I mean basically the body is freestanding. However I will stake it out every chance I can.
So, I chose the Seed House SL 1 over the Fly Creek 1 because the Seed House is a few inches longer and it appears to be more-so free-standing without stakes (I'm not talking about the vestibule here). I also want to get the compatible footprint so that I will have the quick pitch option. (Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but is this tent capable of setting the fly up and then getting underneath and setting the tent up?) It seems to me that the Seed House SL 1 is about the lightest cheapest option (that fill my bill).
For my pad, I am going to go with the small size NeoAir, however once I come up with a total weight for everything, I may go with a medium. I'll just have to see if I want to add another 4 oz, but the extra $10 wouldn't be too bad. Also, I am going to try to get the extra 2 oz of overfill for the WM Megalite, which may drop it down another degree or two (from 30*) and plus the silk liner is said to add another 10* to the sleep system. I figure that for the colder nights I can use the bag, liner and the Ex Light jacket and I should stay pretty warm, especially in a double wall tent. I will probably keep the liner the whole trip, at least to keep my bag "cleaner."
I am bringing the Optimus Crux (canister stove) over alcohol because it seems more logical than carrying all the fuel with an alky stove. I am going to plan on using it rather infrequently, mostly at nights, so 4 or 8 oz canisters will depend on my next stop, or resupply. However, if I find an efficient alky stove that works well with the small diameter of my Ti pot (3 5/8") I may go with that. I just can't help but think the canister stove will be more efficient which equals lighter.
I am going to try to use Aqua Mira as it will be lighter than a filter. I have the drops, however may go with the tabs so that I can just drop one or two in my bladder. I also do not plan on carrying my bladder inside the hydration sleeve but rather in an outside pocket or somewhere that is more convenient for me to get to easily. However, since I am using a liner in my pack, it may be just as easy to carry it in the hydration sleeve, I'll just have to see. I am also carrying a 32 oz Gatorade bottle but am debating one of the Katadyn water filter bottles instead. Not sure yet.
I also have a flashlight and a headlamp listed. Not sure if I will carry the flashlight with this headlamp. The headlamp seems to offer a pretty bright light, so if so I will just carry the headlamp. (And it has the friendly red lens covering on it!)
I am choosing to carry an Outsak with an LokSak lining it. The Outsak weighs in at 4.3 oz so it is a little heftier than a simple food bag, but those little critters can't get in the Outsak. I love these bags! I will not use a carabiner with the Outsak either since it has a hang loop built in. (Save a smidgen of weight there!)
The watch that I want offers a compass and it says that the declination can even be set, so I do not plan on carrying a traditional compass. Also, I will only carry sections of the Thru-Hiker Companion inside a Ziploc. I am debating with the actual maps. I will probably have one thrown in my pack, however I will print the elevation profiles and keep them in the Ziploc with the Thru-Hiker Companion pages, and of course easily accessible.
I feel like my FAK and my Personal Hygiene list is adequate and will get weights on them eventually, however probably just total instead of individual weights.
For my "fire starters," lets see, I have a Bic listed in the kitchen area, and now a fire steel and the REI Storm Proof Matches. I think I will be covered. However for the weights on these pieces, I don't think that it will hinder me with the "extra" weight too much, so I am happy with the 3 forms of fire! I may change the Wet Fire for something else. When I went out and played with it I had a very difficult time trying (not succeeding) to light it with the fire steel, and then it didn't burn to well in water (which is what it is supposed to be for....) So, I'll see.
Clothes. I will probably start out with the Terramar heavy-weight pants and the cap 1 long pants, however I may just swap out the heavy weight for the lighter weight cap 1 pants when it starts warming up . I will also send the R1 pullover, the Ex Light jacket, gloves, boggin, and UA Cold Gear hood (which also converts to a neck gaiter) back when the temps start getting warm.
And, with the rain gear. I am debating the pants. I don't know if I want to carry pants, and if I do I would probably enjoy the full zip Marmot Precip pants more than the SD Hurricane pants which only unzip a few inches up from the bottom. Also, the OR Helium jacket looks pretty sweet for 6.8 oz, but I wonder what kind of rain will it really shed? Could I use this thing all day in rain? Any one have any use with this jacket or ones similar? One downfall I see is that it has no venting options, however at less than 7 oz, it may not need it......
I added up the stuff that I do have weights on that I will be carrying inside (and including) my pack (except for trekking poles [won't be carried], base & mid layers[these will be worn and swapped out], and sleeping clothes [don't have weights]) and it comes to 14.99 lbs. With all the other stuff I have listed I would assume it will come to another 4-6 lbs making my total "dry pack weight" around 19-21 lbs or so. I figure for the other clothes I am not wearing, around another 1-2 lbs, and then with water and food, I don't know. Maybe another 10-12 lbs with total food and water. So, lets just say the 15 lbs I have now, 6 lbs with other extras, 2 lbs for other clothes, and 12 lbs for food and water that would put me in the neighborhood of 35 lbs. About what I planned on at the beginning, hence the Ozone bag. What say your thoughts on these "calculations?"
So, here it is. I have made a few gear list, but I like this one better. So, pick through it and tell me what you think. And if you can answer any of the questions in my "notes."