Originally Posted by
AT Traveler
Base weight from what I call "standard carry" items can be subjective. It really depends how much you want to live without. For example would you want gaiters, camp shoes/sandals that double for water crossings, water container(s) or system of some sort, compass, length of rope to hang food, bear canister (required in some places), camera, journal book, cat hole trowel, sharp single blade knife, redundant fire starting tools (matches, lighter, magnesium fire starter), sunscreen, bug juice, sewing kit, a multi-tool to make repairs or modifications to gear? These items don't necessarily add a lot of weight, but I would consider them standard carry. A first aid kit is also high on my list of standard carry gear, along with a small supply of ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, and any medications you need to take.
Then there is another tier of items many feel are standard carry but could be considered luxuries; headphones and cell phone (to play music, contact home, etc), GPS and supply of batteries, solar charger, seasoning for food, soap, eating dish or bowl, harmonica, and reading material/trail maps and books.
The trail will be a better teacher of what gear or tools you may want with you all the time for the full trip over what you shed along the way. Seasons and terrain change will determine clothing, food needs, and comfort gear you may opt to carry for periods of time, for example you may want to have base layer underwear, gloves, and winter weight hat, coat/shell that you may use for the first month or two of walking and be rid of it, replacing it with different gear more appropriate for conditions to come.
Other suggestions/alternatives:
There is a gear store right on the AT in North Georgia at Neel's Gap (Mountain Outfitters) that help a lot of people with gear issues once they have spent a little time with what they brought.
A hearty Bounce Box may be a good investment to keep supplies moving ahead of you along the trail for pick up at local post offices. Conversely, having someone from home ship different gear for different seasons to a post office you select several days in advance may be the better way to make change outs.
Food for thought certainly. Best of luck with the walk in the woods!