sobo gear check

[sobo joe]

starting up katahdin on the 22nd and any feedback on my gear would be greatly appreciated. this is my first post but i've been reading these forums and planning my trip since february, and i feel pretty confident in what i'm bringing, but let me know what you guys think.


total FINAL base pack weight: 21 lbs

misc group:
4x sil-nylon stuff sacks
backpack (six moons starlite)
pack cover
at guide book, sobo edition
black diamond trekking poles
25 feet rope
duct tape
pv foam drying cloth

sleeping group:
tent (six moons lunar solo)
tyvek ground "cloth"
down sleeping bag (mummy, rated to 25f)
torso length fold-up sleeping pad

luxury group:
kodak waterproof camera/camcorder
2x memory cards
cell phone (turned off most of the time to conserve battery)
kindle reader (few thousand books for the weight of one paperback, battery charge lasts a month+)
fold-out solar charger (has rope loops for strapping to the back of my pack during the day, can plug in a gadget to charge at night)
ipod
journal
pen

water group:
2x 2 liter water bladders
hydration tube
steripen water purifier
24 liters worth of water purification tablets (backup if steripen dies)

safety group:
waterproof belt wallet
compass
pocket multitool
keychain clip light & extra batteries
whistle
head lamp

first aid group:
bandaids, small & large
8x small safety pins
2x sewing needle
sun block
neosporin
moleskin
blistex lip balm
ibuprofen
pepto tablets

hygiene group:
toilet paper
deodorant
floss
toothpaste
toothbrush
handful of q-tips
concentrated liquid soap
hand sanitizer

kitchen group:
ursack bear-proof food bag
3x opsack water / smell bags
3x hand sized lightweight towels
8x firestarter cubes
2x bic lighters
flint and steel
fuel bottle
3-cup aluminum pot
pot cover
pot lid
pot handle
tupperware cup and cozy
windscreen
small alcohol stove
small plastic fuel measuring cup
plastic combination spork / knife

clothing group:
hat
head bug net
croc knockoffs (cheap light plastic slip-on shoes for camp and fording)
boots
3x pair nylon liner socks
3x pairs wool socks
3x patagonia underwear
1x patagonia long underwear top
1x patagonia long underwear bottom
1x patagonia short sleeve shirt
1x patagonia convertible pants
1x patagonia shorts
1x patagonia fleece jacket
1x marmot precip rain jacket
1x marmot precip rain pants
1x ultralight umbrella
1x patagonia waterproof insulated gloves
1x generic lightweight wool hat

[kayak karl]

starting up katahdin on the 22nd and any feedback on my gear would be greatly appreciated. this is my first post but i've been reading these forums and planning my trip since february, and i feel pretty confident in what i'm bringing, but let me know what you guys think.


total FINAL base pack weight: 21 lbs

misc group:
4x sil-nylon stuff sacks
backpack (six moons starlite)
pack cover
at guide book, sobo edition
black diamond trekking poles
25 feet rope
duct tape
pv foam drying cloth

sleeping group:
tent (six moons lunar solo)
tyvek ground "cloth"
down sleeping bag (mummy, rated to 25f)
torso length fold-up sleeping pad

luxury group:
kodak waterproof camera/camcorder
2x memory cards
cell phone (turned off most of the time to conserve battery)
kindle reader (few thousand books for the weight of one paperback, battery charge lasts a month+)
fold-out solar charger (has rope loops for strapping to the back of my pack during the day, can plug in a gadget to charge at night)
ipod
journal
pen

water group:
2x 2 liter water bladders
hydration tube
steripen water purifier
24 liters worth of water purification tablets (backup if steripen dies)

safety group:
waterproof belt wallet
compass
pocket multitool
keychain clip light & extra batteries
whistle
head lamp

first aid group:
bandaids, small & large
8x small safety pins
2x sewing needle
sun block
neosporin
moleskin
blistex lip balm
ibuprofen
pepto tablets

hygiene group:
toilet paper
deodorant
floss
toothpaste
toothbrush
handful of q-tips
concentrated liquid soap
hand sanitizer

kitchen group:
ursack bear-proof food bag
3x opsack water / smell bags
3x hand sized lightweight towels
8x firestarter cubes
2x bic lighters
flint and steel
fuel bottle
3-cup aluminum pot
pot cover
pot lid
pot handle
tupperware cup and cozy
windscreen
small alcohol stove
small plastic fuel measuring cup
plastic combination spork / knife

clothing group:
hat
head bug net
croc knockoffs (cheap light plastic slip-on shoes for camp and fording)
boots
3x pair nylon liner socks
3x pairs wool socks
3x patagonia underwear
1x patagonia long underwear top
1x patagonia long underwear bottom
1x patagonia short sleeve shirt
1x patagonia convertible pants
1x patagonia shorts
1x patagonia fleece jacket
1x marmot precip rain jacket
1x marmot precip rain pants
1x ultralight umbrella
1x patagonia waterproof insulated gloves
1x generic lightweight wool hat
does the clothes
list include what u r wearing???

[sobo joe]

does the clothes
list include what u r wearing???

err yeah, that's *all* the clothes that are coming with me, including the ones that will be on my back

[TJ aka Teej]

at guide book, sobo edition < only the pages you need
25 feet rope < bearbagging? use fishing line instead
duct tape < you'll need less than you think
pv foam drying cloth < huh?
tyvek ground "cloth" < your tent has a floor
kodak waterproof camera/camcorder < ziplock it anyways
waterproof belt wallet < ziplock instead
compass < no good without a map
pocket multitool < whatcha gonna use them pliers on?

deodorant < that's funny
3x hand sized lightweight towels < why 3?
8x firestarter cubes < no need, use pine needles
2x bic lighters < take just one (a see thru plastic one)

pot cover < tin foil
pot lid < more tin foil

3x pair nylon liner socks < yeah, you'll stop wearing these
3x pairs wool socks < 2's enough
3x patagonia underwear < 2's enough, you won't wear any later on

1x marmot precip rain pants
1x ultralight umbrella < really?

Your food choices going into the 100 Mile will make worrying over a few grams here or there seem silly later on.

[Chomp09]

To piggy back on TJ's comments, there is a lot of duplication on your list where I think you could trim back some weight/volume.

Additionally, if you are going to bring rope, (I was happy to have it, especially down south) you should double the length so it's actually functional. 25ft isn't going to get you very far bear bagging. I would also be willing to put money on the bet that you will ditch the solar charger by Monson. Anyone wanna start a pool? =]

In all seriousness, best of luck to you on your adventure. It's an experience that you will truly never forget!

[sobo joe]

I would also be willing to put money on the bet that you will ditch the solar charger by Monson. Anyone wanna start a pool? =]

haha, i wouldn't even take that bet myself, it's highly possible. the charger itself is only like 6 oz, but if i send it home then i'm sure the camera, phone, ipod etc will all be going in the box with it. by monson i very well might decide i'd rather give up the toys than haul the extra couple of pounds the rest of the way to georgia. we'll see how it goes.

thanks for the rope tip, i'll take your advice and bring 50ft instead of 25. i actually already have a 50ft length that i was planning to just cut in half before i left, so that'll be an easy adjustment.

would you mind elaborating on which things you think i could get away with dropping?

[TheRaven]

What type of rope? I was thinking Para cord would be pretty good?

[sobo joe]

What type of rope? I was thinking Para cord would be pretty good?

yup, parachute cord

[ScottP]

Sounds like a reasonable list of stuff to start with--just be prepared to send a box of stuff home after a few days.

[Blissful]

Looks pretty good. I mean I wouldn't bring all the fire starter stuff, the kindle, the deo, and I'd leave the steripen at home and just take aqua mira. Solar chargers effectiveness vary from what I hear.
But that's me

Have a super hike

[sobo joe]

seems like a lot of previous thru hikers on these forums haven't been very thrilled with steripens for some reason :(

[Chomp09]

So here is the group of items from your list that I would question. You may have specific reasons for including them, and if so, more power to you. I'm certainly not here to tell you how to hike or what to carry. My goal when prepping for a trip is to focus on bringing items that serve multiple functions whenever possible.

Qoute [
-pv foam drying cloth
-3x hand sized lightweight towels (1 quick dry towel is all you need)
-fold-out solar charger ( I already spoke to this... =] )
-ipod (for me, hiking is getting away from technology)
-2x 2 liter water bladders (only need 1. Add a Gatorade bottle)
-24 liters worth of water purification tablets (Try to have your system figured out before you start)
-waterproof belt wallet ( zip lock bag)
-keychain clip light & extra batteries
-whistle

-bandaids, small & large
-8x small safety pins
-2x sewing needle (Why bring this if you have nothing to sow with?)
-sunscreen ("Green Tunnel" Maybe have some in a bounce box for the- whites)
-neosporin (since your body is not clean while hiking, using neosporin, or similar, helps to keep dirt and infections in)

-deodorant
-concentrated liquid soap

-ursack bear-proof food bag (overkill if you're bear or mouse hanging)
-4x sil-nylon stuff sacks (just stuff everything in your pack. Better use of space)
-3x opsack water / smell bags (One large food bag is really all one needs)
-8x firestarter cubes
-2x bic lighters (just need one. Those suckers last for a LONG time. You'll know when it's getting low)
-flint and steel
-pot cover OR pot lid
-tupperware cup and cozy
-small plastic fuel measuring cup

-hat OR 1x generic lightweight wool hat[/QUOTE
-3x pair nylon liner socks
-3x patagonia underwear (be free! )
1x ultralight umbrella ( I could actually go either way on this. There were some days when I would have been really envious if I passed someone with an umbrella! )
1x patagonia waterproof insulated gloves
]

[Chomp09]

Also, regarding the rope, make sure that whatever you choose slides over heavy bark and branches easily. There's nothing worse than catching your food 20ft above the ground and not being able to retrieve it...

[Blissful]

seems like a lot of previous thru hikers on these forums haven't been very thrilled with steripens for some reason :(


They take batteries, they're heavy, they wear out quick and some have had issues (though I have not seen a whole lot of them on the trail). Esp on a long distance hike SOBO with limited resupply, you don't want your water system giving out with no way to fix it. Just my thought. And you can also cut our your 'back up" with Aqua mira alone.

[Spokes]

What type of rope? I was thinking Para cord would be pretty good?


yup, parachute cord

Paracord is great, if you plan on jumping out of any airplanes on your hike.

Otherwise, save the weight and the hassle- get about 50 feet of 2 mm cord. Cut 10-12 feet off for a clothes line and the rest for bear bagging food.

Think ounces.

[TheRaven]

Paracord is great, if you plan on jumping out of any airplanes on your hike.

Otherwise, save the weight and the hassle- get about 50 feet of 2 mm cord. Cut 10-12 feet off for a clothes line and the rest for bear bagging food.

Think ounces.

Clothesline rots and hold water...para does neither. The weight difference dry is also negligible

[TheRaven]

Clothesline rots and hold water...para does neither. The weight difference dry is also negligible

Oh yeah...is cheaper too :D

[Blissful]

Just pick up some cheap cord at wally world in the camping section. I have had no issue at all with it and dries fast

[sobo joe]

thanks for the insightful feedback everybody, especially chomp for the detailed list and comments. "be free", lol.

unfortunately i already mailed my stuff to maine ahead of time because i don't trust three layovers worth of baggage handlers on the flight out, but after reading some of the responses i think i'm probably going to cull at least a few things out of my pack before i leave millinocket. good advice, thanks guys.

[bigcranky]

Also, regarding the rope, make sure that whatever you choose slides over heavy bark and branches easily. There's nothing worse than catching your food 20ft above the ground and not being able to retrieve it...


What Chomp said, +1. Don't ask me how I know this....but I have the wildly expensive slippery Spectra flat bear bag cord from backpackinglight.com now....Never gets stuck.

(But you aren't supposed to hang an Ursack in any case.)

Overall this is a good list. I might choose differently -- for example, I find I never have time to read on the Trail, but I always want to take more photos -- but you're not starting out stupid heavy, so you'll be fine.