Hey Everyone,
Would appreciate any/all comments regarding my gear and packing list for an upcoming Northbound thru-hike, starting in early March. Had a fair amount of equipment stolen awhile back, so I’m mostly starting from scratch (however, recently – and luckily - came into a bit of money, so I have some leeway with choosing what I like). So what I’d like is to do it right this time around (mostly had hand-me-downs and secondhand gear before).
My goal is to go lightweight, but obviously not ultralight.
Big Four (Five):
Hammock – Clark North American (48 oz.)
Backpack – ULA Catalyst (47 oz.)
Sleeping Bag – Marmot Helium, rated 15F (31 oz.)
Sleeping Pad – Homemade closed-cell foam pad, winged for hammock (16 oz.)
Sleeping Bag Liner - CoolMax (16 oz.)
= 158 oz. / 9.8 pounds
Kitchen:
- Chose the Clark North American due to ease of entry, headroom and pockets for gear storage/insulation.
- Have heard nothing but good things regarding the ULA Catalyst.
- Still unsure about the Marmot Helium; have heard the cover can rip easily, as well as issues with down leaking out. If anyone swears by a particular 15F ultralight sleeping bag, please let me know.
- CoolMax liner to help keep the bag clean, and me dry during the night. Also can use as a sleeping bag when the weather turns hot in the summer, and the 15F bag is to be too much.
Stove – Homemade alcohol stove, with small Bic lighter (4 oz.)
Pot – Walmart camp pot (5 oz.)
Utensil – Lexan spoon (.5 oz)
Fuel Container – Plastic bottle (8 oz.)
Water Treatment – Aqua Mira
Food Bag – Mesh, plus 25 feet of cord
Clothes:
Socks, Wigwam Cool-Lite (3 pairs – 2 hiking, 1 sleeping)
Socks, heavy wool (1 pair, winter sleeping)
Boxers, Patagonia (2 pairs)
GoLite Drimove, short sleeve (5 oz.)
GoLite Drimove, long sleeve (6 oz.)
Mountain Hardware Mesa Convertible Pants (14 oz.)
Nylon running shorts (1 oz.)
Patagonia Capilene 2 Top (7.5 oz.)
Patagonia Capilene 2 Pants (5.5 oz.)
Patagonia R4 Lightweight Jacket (18 oz.)
Rain Gear – Frogg Toggs (16 oz.)
- For the cold weather in March, I figure I can layer the Capilene 2 top under the R4 Jacket, with a rain jacket over that if necessary (I usually hike pretty warm, even in winter).
Headlamp – Petzl e-Lite (1 oz.)
Poles – Pacerpoles
Shoes – New Balance MT571 trail runners, with Superfeet
- Pacerpoles worth it?
Hygiene/First Aid: (16 oz.)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Loop of floss
Vitamins/Ibuprofen/Imodium A-D
BandAids
Hand soap
Bug Spray
Misc: (48 oz.)
Paperback
Bandana
iPod/charger
Journal/pen
AT Data Book
Thru-Hikers Handbook
Sandals
Bug Net
Swiss Army Knife
Digital Camera
Base weight: roughly 20 pounds
Any thoughts on improvements? Thanks for the help!