Critique My Gear List

[kate]

Hi. I would like to have my gear list critiqued. The list includes everything except for ziplock bags, sil-nylon stuff sacks, and my trail runners. Approximately 1 pound of the clothing will be worn.

This list is for my upcoming southbound thru hike. The food will obviously not always be 16 pounds.

I would appreciate suggestions on how to further lighten my load.

Many thanks,
Kate




Item Brand Model Ounces Pounds

Tent Dancing Light Gear Brawny Tarptent 22.25 1.390625
Ground Sheet Gossamer Gear 1.375 0.0859375
Sleeping Bag Western Mountaineering Summerlite 21 1.3125
Sleeping Pad Wal Mart Basic 13.5 0.84375
Pack Gossamer Gear Mariposa 18 1.125
Pack Liner Gossamer Gear 1.5 0.09375

Water Treatment Aqua Mira 3 0.1875
Stove Jet Boil Includes fuel 21.625 1.3515625
Lighter Bic Mini 0.375 0.0234375
Rope 2 0.125
Water Carrier Platypus 3L Hoser 3.75 0.234375
Light Photon Micro Light II 0.25 0.015625

Toilet Paper Charmin 2.5 0.15625
Tooth Brush Crest 0.75 0.046875
Tooth Paste Crest 1 0.0625
Razor Gillette Daisy 0.25 0.015625
Brush Goody Mini 1.75 0.109375
Medication 2.25 0.140625
Wet Wipes Wet Ones 15 pack 3.125 0.1953125
Food 8 days 256 16


Shorts Brooks Thin Black 4.625 0.2890625
Shorts Brooks Blue Stripe 4 0.25
Shirt Arc Teryx Ether 2.75 0.171875

Shirt Patagonia Sport Tank 5.75 0.359375
Shirt Mountain Hardwear Feather weight 4.625 0.2890625

Fleece Mountain Hardwear Micro Ozone 9.25 0.578125

Pants Mountain Hardwear PS Tights 6.625 0.4140625

Socks Thorlo 3.625 0.2265625
Socks Smartwool 3.25 0.203125

Underwear Brooks Runderwear 1.375 0.0859375

Hat Brooks Baseball Cap 2 0.125
Hat Brooks Beanie 1.5 0.09375
Sports Bra Victoria's Secret Sport 2.5 0.15625
Rain Jacket Dancing Light Gear Brawny 4 0.25



Camera Olympus Stylus SW 12.375 0.7734375
Cell Phone Motorola V325 6.25 0.390625
Camera Battery 0.5 0.03125
Pocketmail 8.22 0.51375

Water 70 4.375

Total Ounces 539.47 Pounds 33.716875

[bfitz]

Mabye you could get by on less food...I usually find a way to buy food every 3-5 days on the AT (with occasional exceptions...) and some find that a homemade denatured alcohol "stove" made out of an aluminum can is more authentic if not much lighter. I'd add something fun like cards, mini-chess, a frisbee, a book, whatever you find entertaining...miniature bowling sets are very light, and can make the shelter a social ongoing competitive event in the evening...As you go along anything you haven't used in a couple days that isn't essential survival gear or personally desirable can be dropped. 33 pounds is great work with all that you have, though...Even leaves a little wiggle room for extras, like a hoagie for the first nights dinner....

[SGT Rock]

Hi. I would like to have my gear list critiqued. The list includes everything except for ziplock bags, sil-nylon stuff sacks, and my trail runners. Approximately 1 pound of the clothing will be worn.

This list is for my upcoming southbound thru hike. The food will obviously not always be 16 pounds.

I would appreciate suggestions on how to further lighten my load.

Many thanks,
Kate

Item Brand Model Ounces Pounds

Tent Dancing Light Gear Brawny Tarptent 22.25 1.390625
Ground Sheet Gossamer Gear 1.375 0.0859375
Sleeping Bag Western Mountaineering Summerlite 21 1.3125
Sleeping Pad Wal Mart Basic 13.5 0.84375
Pack Gossamer Gear Mariposa 18 1.125
Pack Liner Gossamer Gear 1.5 0.09375

Have you tried the GG ground cloth? I didn't like it, too much like using sarran wrap for a ground cloth. Stuck to itself and everything else, plus the thing was longer than I needed and not as wide as I wanted.

Also, I am not certain if that tent comes with stakes, you may want to check that out. I also don't think it comes with guylines either.

And the GG Mariposa is a nice pack, but 33 pounds is probably too much for it.

Water Treatment Aqua Mira 3 0.1875
Stove Jet Boil Includes fuel 21.625 1.3515625
Lighter Bic Mini 0.375 0.0234375
Rope 2 0.125
Water Carrier Platypus 3L Hoser 3.75 0.234375
Light Photon Micro Light II 0.25 0.015625

Spoon?

I also used a photon micro light for a while but found it a little too small for some chores. I went to a Petzyl Zipka Plus with AAA Lithium batteries which is only 1.9 ounces - but if it works for you then no sense in changing

Lastly, I am not a JetBoil fan. I think there are some better stove and pot options out there, but if you like it, be happy

Toilet Paper Charmin 2.5 0.15625
Tooth Brush Crest 0.75 0.046875
Tooth Paste Crest 1 0.0625
Razor Gillette Daisy 0.25 0.015625
Brush Goody Mini 1.75 0.109375
Medication 2.25 0.140625
Wet Wipes Wet Ones 15 pack 3.125 0.1953125
Food 8 days 256 16

I assume medication is a first aid kit? What about a pack towel or a bandanna? Also wouldn't think you would need wet wipes and TP, but that is a preference thing.

Shorts Brooks Thin Black 4.625 0.2890625
Shorts Brooks Blue Stripe 4 0.25
Shirt Arc Teryx Ether 2.75 0.171875

Shirt Patagonia Sport Tank 5.75 0.359375
Shirt Mountain Hardwear Feather weight 4.625 0.2890625

Fleece Mountain Hardwear Micro Ozone 9.25 0.578125

Pants Mountain Hardwear PS Tights 6.625 0.4140625

Socks Thorlo 3.625 0.2265625
Socks Smartwool 3.25 0.203125

Underwear Brooks Runderwear 1.375 0.0859375

Hat Brooks Baseball Cap 2 0.125
Hat Brooks Beanie 1.5 0.09375
Sports Bra Victoria's Secret Sport 2.5 0.15625
Rain Jacket Dancing Light Gear Brawny 4 0.25

How about some gloves for when it gets cold at night in the mountains? Also I wouldn't have two sets of shorts and t-shirts but that is based on preference, if you are happy then it is a good thing

Camera Olympus Stylus SW 12.375 0.7734375
Cell Phone Motorola V325 6.25 0.390625
Camera Battery 0.5 0.03125
Pocketmail 8.22 0.51375

Water 70 4.375

Total Ounces 539.47 Pounds 33.716875

Well the camera is a bit heavier than I would carry, but you probably take better pics than me. I also wouldn't take the cell phone and simply make calls from towns along the way.

Other things to think about not on your list:
Maps
Guide book
Compass

Looks like you have been planning well though. Good luck!

[map man]

Sgt. Rock has some good suggestions for lightening up. I'm wondering about a few light things you might add: duct tape for repairs and other uses; deet or catnip oil for insects or maybe a head net in the absence of those; something in addition to your one pair of lightweight tights to cover your legs in case of cold, wet weather days when your tights are soaking wet after hiking. I know there's always the option of getting in your bag to warm up, but if you've spent ten hours of wet hiking, 14 hours of just sitting around in your bag could get old, especially if the cold rain goes on for more than one day.

[kate]

bfitz in regards to my high food weight, I will only be carrying 8 days of food for that first stretch through the wilderness.

Sgt. Rock:

Ground cloth: so far I like it better than using an emergency blanket.

GG Mariposa: I totally agree with you on that. It is only for that first stretch where due to the weight of food I will be above 26 pounds. At what weight would I be better off switching to something like the Vapor Ki?

Spoon: Completely forgot that one. Add .25 ounce for lexan spoon.

Light: I may switch to my Petzl Tikka Plus if I find that I don't like the photon.

Stove: I love the Jet Boil. To save weight it looks like I will have to switch to my alcohol stove set.

Medication does include first aid kit.

Add 2 oz. for bandana

Add 1 oz. for sil nylon mittens

The 2 pairs of shorts and 2 tops is so that I have one set to wash and one to wear.

I highly doubt that I take better photos than you. It is shock and water proof. If not for those features it would just be dead weight.

Guide book pages, i.d., and visa will add another 4 oz.

Mapman:

I will add duct tape to my hiking poles.

Add 2 oz. for Deet.

I will only be hiking in my shorts. The power stretch tights are too warm to wear when hiking.


Ok, so now I have added 9.25 oz. to my total weight. I reduced my sleeping pad to 5.5 oz. through some heavy trimming. So it equals out to a 1.25 oz. gain in weight.

Many thank yous,
Kate

[kate]

The tent weight includes 5 titanium stakes and it does come with guy lines.

Kate

[Whistler]

Looks like a great list. You may want to consider chopping down that sleeping pad as an easy way to lose weight, and especially bulk. I think that pad comes as 72" long... I'm 6' and I can get by with 32"... consider chopping it down to 50" or so and see how you like it.

I'll also weigh in as preferring an alcohol stove to canister, but lthat's your choice, of course.

Instead of a 3L Hoser, my preference would be a 1L and a 2L. These sizes will fit in your the side pockets of the pack easily, so you'll have better access. I've never needed to carry around 3L [6lbs] of water on the AT, and I'd rather not put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. The smaller sizes are also easier to tote around town doing errands and such.

Lastly, I'm not sure how you'll like the DLG rain jacket. It's completely waterproof/non-breathable, so it could turn into a sauna. Cheap, light, alternatives would be something from Frogg Toggs, O2 rainwear, DriDucks, or Red Ledge.
-Mark

[krazyvan]

I would lose the extra shorts. Wear your pants while washing shorts and such. I second trading the 3L Platy for a 2L and 1L. Get rid of the pad and go with something lighter...maybe a Gossamer Gear Nightlite..around 9 oz. You can lose the ground cloth with your Brawny tarptent...just be selective with your campsites. I would also switch to an alcohol stove due to empty canister weight and re-fueling issues on the trail. D-natured can be found everywhere!! You can repackage the Aqua Mira into BPL mini-droppers for a 2 oz. savings. Just include the remaining for refill in a bounce box. Start looking at all the little things...you are right on track with your big stuff.

[Wonder]

Loved the Jet boil.....but after a month I went to an alachol stove.....Jet boil is judt too heavy......even with the fuel. Oh, and ditch the razor and wet ones......go with baby wipes. I found wet ones to dry me out.

[SGT Rock]

Well I wouldn't ditch your pack, I think it is a good pack from what I know of it, but based on my experience with GG packs I would try to keep weight below 25 pounds max, and try to keep an average of about 20 pounds. I think you can do that by:

- Carry only about 1 quart of water at a time most of the time. This would drop ~2.3 pounds.

- Keep max food down to about 4-5 days, this would drop you 8-10 pounds as well.

But that said, I know there are times when you need to have more. That pack is listed at a max recommended weight of 30 pounds, so just keep it in mind. As long as all your stuff fits in there you should be happy. With the mods you said you made, and by keeping your food and water down, you could probably stay around 22 pounds.

Now your gear seems about set, all you have to do is keep up a good attitude and you should be fine

Good luck!

[Happy]

Great gearlist...you did some good research!

I think you will be fine with the GG Mariposa. It was an improvement over the old G-4...it has the stays, sterium strap and is recommended to 35 pounds but I would try and stay at below 30 pounds. The volume of the bag is smaller and does not sag like the old G-4 and does not ride on your butt like the G-4.

As SGT. Rock stated a reduction in water and some food would put you below 30 now. And you stated that you would normally be in the 26 pound range anyways.

I have recently purchased this pack and have used it several times with 25-27lbs and been very satisfied. What are you using in the pad pocket for support? I purchased the torso Nightlight pad and it only weights 3.1 oz and costs only $16 and custom fits the pad pocket for more support to your back. Use the pack under your legs at night for additional support. I notice that you have already custom cut your existing pad to 5.5 oz., so you may be satisfied.

Have a super hike and let us know how your gear list works out.

[dloome]

I think everything there looks pretty good. Ever thought of eating with a tent stake though?

I personally don't like canister cooking systems, but that's just me. In theory, you could get your base weight a few ounces lighter with an ultralight alcohol cooking system as someone suggested, but alcohol boils water less efficiently than jetboil fuel. So taking into account fuel weight, the longer the distance between resupplies the narrower the gap between the two gets. On the AT where reupply is pretty frequent an alcohol stove will end up being slightly lighter, but the quick cook times of the jetboil just might be worth it.

Your list of clothing looks to me the only place where you could probably save some significant weight. I think one pair of shorts is all you need, especially if you are wearing underwear, underwear will keep the shorts from smelling like ass and you can rinse them out on the trail easily. Two base layer tops is perfectly adequate.

My clothing (3 season)
TOP
1 Duofold t shirt
1 Patagonia fleece pullover
1 North Face Hy-Vent shell

BOTTOM
1 Ex Officio nylon running shorts- liner removed
1 Frogg Toggs rain pants
2 pair Darn Tough running socks

I have no dedicated town clothes or sleeping clothes. I rely on an ultralight silk mummy liner to be comfortable at night and keep to my bag clean of body grime. Even with no underwear, my shorts rarely get really nasty between towns where I can do laundry. My shirt does often get stanky so I usually sleep shirtless or in my fleece and give it a quick rinse and dry at night. Rain pants are all I find I need for occasional cooler weather insulation and they are also better than tights for bug protection.

So if you are interested in droping some ounces, I'd take a close look at your clothing. It all depends on your grunge tolerance and if you're willing to clean things out on the trail. Hope this helps.

[Panzer1]

Are those weights approximate??

Panzer

[peter_pan]

Kate,

About the rope....."Rope 2 0.125".....

If this is 20.125 it is a lot....2 or 3 MM line is plenty strong enough, even to hang a 16 pound bear bag....and lengthwise I personally find 32 feet vs 50 feet is more than enough....you should be able to get that for 2-3 oz depending on the brand and size you select...

Enjoy your southbound and good luck!

Pan

[chemist]

Pan-
I think she's saying that it's 2 ounces or .125lb not 20.125oz. Appears that the formatting is a bit screwy. I hope at least!

[hopefulhiker]

Regarding the water supply, water will not be a problem from ME to CT and you could get by on less water with more treating. I used the Jet Boil and Sgt Rock's new stove last year and I liked Rock's stove better but I ate mostly dehydrated food..I liked the pocketmail, and I got by on the photon lights. There are a lot of towns up north, but the biggest stretches were the 100 mile wilderness, and the Smokeys for me... I liked the Thor lo socks too..