Hi, everyone! I am a lone female hiker who will be hitting the trail in April 2011. I am trying to make a comprhensive (except for food and water) gear checklist and I'd love your input. I know the list is long but I am trying to think of positively everything. Will you please help me cull items I don't need and add items I may have overlooked? I have never done any sort of extended hike and I am trying to ensure my success. Obviously I want to be comfortale on and off the trail, and I know I will have to make some compromises, but I'm not sure where I should alter this list. I would be ever so grateful for any and all assistance.
Appalachian Train Gear List:
c Backpack with camelback insert: Osprey Xenon 85 Women's Backpack
c Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
c pack rain cover:
c
SHELTER AND SLEEPING:
c Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow plus pole extender tips, tyvek groundsheet, and stuffsak
c Sleeping Bag: Halo +25
c Thermal sleeping bag liner
c Sleeping pad: Thermarest Neo Air Mattress
FOOD AND HYDRATION:
c Bear Vault: BV500
c Stove: Jetboil personal cooking system
c Fuel:
c spork
c long-handled spoon
c coffee press cup
c Water filter: Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter
c
CLOTHING:
c ____ pairs underwear (what kind???)
c 2 sports bras (one to wear, one to pack)
c 1 pair lightweight compression shorts in case I experience chafing
c 1 pair convertible pants
c Macabi skirt
c 2 short-sleeve shirts (one to wear, one to pack)
c long-sleeve shirt
c MontBell Ultralight Thermawrap Insulated Parka </SPAN>
c ___ pair socks (What kind??? Should I layer two pairs?)
c rain pants
c rain jacket
c hat
c gloves
c should I bring thermal underclothes?
c shoes: probably trailrunners, but what about camp shoes? water crossings?
TOILETRIES AND MISC. PERSONAL ITEMS:
c Decomposing Field wipes (available at Wal-Mart)
c Diva cup or tampons (need to check out the possibility of straight-though BCP to dodge the issue altogether)
c disposable razor (yeah, I know...should skip the shaving altogether but I hate the way my legs feel when they get hairy)
c shampoo
c conditioner
c Body Glide
c hand sanitizer
c deodorant
c wide-tooth comb
c brush
c hair bands for braiding my hair
c toothpaste
c toothbrush
c dental floss
c toilet paper
c tweezers
c nail clippers
c Dr. Bronners soap
c towel: somewhere I read about a towel that can be found in the austomotive section at Wal-mart: small and lightweight but very absorbent
TOOLS:
c headlamp or flashlight
c lantern to journal by
c cat hole shovel
c compass (attached to pack, weighs virtually nothing)
c knife or leatherman tool
c Duct tape (have a couple of yards on my trekking poles)
c Bic lighters
c waterproof matches as backup
c Toby’s Swedish fire steel )probably don’t need this but Toby wants to give me something for the trail)
c rope,,,what kind and how much?
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
c first-aid kit plus moleskin
c whistle
c bug spray: what kind? I am a major bug magnet!!!! My friends are always astounded
c sunscreen
c water treatment tablets (backup in case filter fails)
MISCELLANEOUS:
c playing cards
c journal with fine-tip writing implement
c camera with charger, spare batteries, spare memory cards
c ear plugs
c MP3 player and charger
c cell phone and charger
c 2 bandanas
c ID
c Credit Cards
c cash
c Ziploc bags