Thanks to everyone at Whiteblaze for so much advice! I've been lurking anonymously ever since I decided to thru-hike, and all of your information has helped me get my pack weight down to about 35 pounds with 9 days of food, minus water. I suppose it could be lighter, but it could be much heavier, and I feel comfortable/safe with my gear list.
I have a whopping four nights of backpacking experience under my belt. I am a big dayhiker, though, and I'm no stranger to the terrain of ME/NH/VT. I'm completely prepared to be the newbie everyone jokes about, but I'm stubborn as hell and ready to learn and I know I can do this.
I head up to Maine today, hike Katahdin with my parents tomorrow, and head south on Monday.
I really hope I get to meet some of you, and thanks again for all the information.
I've wanted to use the dancing banana since I joined whiteblaze, so here goes:
TO MAINE!