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DBCFlash

Collecting gear

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DBCFlash
, 03-02-2011 at 18:55 (2313 Views)
I have been collecting gear and theories on how to use the gear, primarily from Whiteblaze.net. I've also been picking the brains of those I know who have done some hiking, and I'm starting to get an idea of what my hike might end up being.
Having read many posts in the forums, and a good many blogs, I truly get the impression that there are many, significantly different reasons and goals for hitting the AT.
Despite the number of posts indicating that a pack should be the last thing to purchase, I went ahead and bought an EMS Trail 70 Backpack. It was a decision primarily based on comfort. I understand that this pack is larger than many think is necessary, but it settled well on my hips and just felt better to me than the others I had tried on.
I built my own version of a penny alcohol stove and tested it, cooking a variety of dried foods ( Quinoua , oatmeal, ten grain cereal and Mountain House dried foods). I still have to design a better pot stand, and get a better pot. Still considering an Esbit stove, if it will fit my skinny budget.
Got a deal on a Big Agnes Encampment sleeping bag with the BA thermal pad. I'm 6'1" 210# and found the BA roomy and comfy. Tested it by sleeping on the back porch on a chilly 30 degree night. My wife thought I was insane. I need a better pillow and a pee bottle so I don't have to get out in the middle of the night.
Next on my list is a good lightweight tent. I need to find a really good deal on a 4-5 lb tent, as my budget won't bear full price for a new one. Keep looking, keep looking.
I think I'm sold on a pair of Merrell Refuge hikers. I have flat feet and have real difficulty finding shoes that are comfy. The Refuge I tried on were truly supportive and felt very light. Looking for a deal on these too.

Updated 03-02-2011 at 23:08 by DBCFlash

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  1. skeeter's Avatar
    Too funny..had to comment. This last weekend I got a new lightweight down sleeping bag,A Kelty Cosmic 20 degree. Had to know if it would pass the test, it was pretty cold here ,20's, so I went out on our open front porch and tried to settle in. A while later my 13 yr old daughter opened the front door, trying to find me, she thoght I had actually lost my mind, as did my wife when she told her where I was. My neighbors already think I'm crazy from last year. We had tornado and severe winds warnings, great opportunity to test the durability of your tent right? I rushed to set up my tent and found that it held up quite well(the falling tree limbs were a little scary). My tent is a Big Agnes Copper Spur ul1. Great tent, worth the $ ! I made my own stove last year before I hit the trail but decided this year to go with a Jetboil Flash. Works great, everything packs snug as a bug and it's lightweight. Boils water fast on a relative small amount of fuel usage.
  2. DBCFlash's Avatar
    Nice to know I'm not the only crazy one Skeeter.
  3. DBCFlash's Avatar
    More crazy testing. I stood in the shower today to test my gear for it's ability to keep me dry. Columbia shell, dry! Nylon pants, Dry! Gloves, wet. Shoes, wet (I knew they would be. Not waterproof at all). Once again my wife thought I was nuts and posted pictures on Facebook of her crazy husband.

    Made a few purchases today to resolve these water related shortcomings. Got a new pair of Merrell Refuge waterproof hikers. I only have a short time to break them in as I leave for Ct in five days.

    I packed all my gear in my backpack and it weighed in at 23 pounds with two liters of water and fours days of food. I still have to aquire my tent (I'm told it's just over four pounds) and my penny stove and cook-set with fuel but those can't weigh very much. With fingers crossed I'm predicting my total weight to be less than 35 pounds.
  4. DBCFlash's Avatar
    Back from the hike. We only made it 22 miles before an unexpected knee injury sent us home early. Rather than risk further damage we opted to save the rest for another time.
    The morning I left, by pack weighed in just under 44 pounds. All those little things really add up. That included 2 liters of water and 1 liter of Gatorade.
    We hiked shelter to shelter so my 5 pound tent was sorta expensive insurance. A simple tarp and groundcloth would be a better choice and probably save me four pounds. Water management was an issue. Started out carrying too much, later on ran out too often. Food worked out great and my penny stove and caldera cone worked flawlessly! I need to find a fuel bottle that will slip inside my pringles can with everything else in there.
    Things I brought but never used: Rain shell, camp towel, playing cards, tent, emergency blanket.
    Things I didn't have enough of: Chemical hand warmers, trail mix, lighters or matches, ibuprophin.
    Things that I would find alternatives to: Tent, Mountain House Mac and cheese (not too yummy), Mountain House chicken and rice (blah).
    Things that worked out very well: Map, Trekking poles, Mountain House Chili mac, Mountain House Beef Stew, Gas line antifreeze for stove, Chicken of the Sea tuna salad in a pouch (yum!), flour tortillas for sandwiches, big chunk of cheddar cheese (big yum).