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  1. #1

    Question Gear list for a section hike - any comments?

    I'm section hiking for two weeks in June/July in NH. Total weight at the moment (not including food & water) is 430 oz/26.3 lbs. I need to add a guide book, trekking poles and pot or metal mug. Anyone have any other suggestions on the list below?

    A couple of questions to go along with it:

    1. What's the temperature in the mountains in NH in the end of June? I can either bring a down sleeping bag (50 oz) or a synthetic one (34 oz). The synthetic bag is comfort rated for 55F, survival rated for 32F.

    2. Gators? Should I add them or not?

    3. What length of rope should I bring to hang the food?

    *Clothes*
    base layer - tights
    base layer - top
    sports bras (2)
    underwear (2)
    3/4 length pants
    shorts
    t-shirts (2)
    sweatshirt
    raincoat
    camp sandals
    socks (3 pairs)
    hat

    *Utility Bag*
    headlamp
    mosquito headnet
    bug spray (w/ duct tape around bottle)
    lighter
    stove

    *Emergency/First Aid*
    compass
    emergency blanket
    triangular bandage
    gauze
    tweezers
    ibuprophin
    polysporin
    whistle
    safety pins
    mirror

    *Toiletries*
    toothbrush
    comb
    floss
    soap (Doc Bonner's)
    sunblock
    conditioner
    nail clippers
    earplugs
    sewing needle
    hair elastic

    *Gear*
    tent body & fly
    tent poles/pegs
    sleeping bag
    thermarest (3/4 length)
    groundsheet
    rope
    knife
    water filter
    cotton bandanna
    water bag (2L)
    pack
    pack cover/plastic bag

    *Other*
    phone
    toilet paper
    hand sanitizer
    camera (w/ case)
    pepper spray
    phone charger
    passport
    money/ID/credit card

    I know a lot of you are going to tell me I don't need the conditioner, sunblock or pepper spray. I have really fair skin and long curly hair, so unless I want to come home burnt to a crisp and with dreadlocks (not really my thing) the first two are essential. Carrying the pepper spray is for my mom's sake.

    Any comments are great! Thanks a million!

  2. #2
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    You want the warmer sleeping bag. It could be below freezing at night. Having a nice warm bag will give you a refuge when you get thoroughly wet hiking and get to camp.

    I'll let others address clothes and hair care.

    FB
    "It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss

  3. #3

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    I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard coconut oil works well as a conditioner. If you have any extra, you could add it to your dinner for extra calories.

    Emergency blanket?

  4. #4
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    I have not been lucky enough to section hike any of the new england area, so I guess I can't say for sure, but are base layers needed in June/July?

    I would definitely forget the gaitors, emergency blanket, and compass. I have only sectioned out about 200 miles, but I have not used or needed a compass yet. I would also ditch the phone charger (keep it off during the day) and passport.

    Don't forget to add some fuel for your stove, and if it does get cold at night up there, I would definitely have a beanie for sleeping. Definitely not needed here in the summer months, even at 6000 feet.

  5. #5

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    Thanks for the tips so far. I'll stick with the warmer sleeping bag.

    The emergency blanket is just one of those silver foil things (2 oz.) but if you think it is unnecessary weight, I'll leave it behind (I'll leave the compass as well - I wasn't sure if it was just one of those things that was 'good to have').

    Thanks again!

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by UpTheDubs View Post
    ....
    2. Gators? Should I add them or not?
    I think it would be rather cold in VT & NH for gators who are more accustomed to a tropical climate, plus of course they're rather heavy. Now you might want to bring gaiters for the fabled New England mud.

    Sorry, I could't resist

  7. #7

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    oops! gators... gaiters... small but important difference! hehe

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by jbsbestfan View Post
    I.... I would also ditch the phone charger (keep it off during the day) and passport.

    Don't forget to add some fuel for your stove, and if it does get cold at night up there, I would definitely have a beanie for sleeping. Definitely not needed here in the summer months, even at 6000 feet.
    Keep in mind, the OP hails from Ireland and will thus have his/her passport. Stove fuel must be purchased in the US - can't bring it on the plane.

  9. #9
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    you're carrying more than I'd be comfortable with

    gaiters are personal preference. I don't like them, many do.

    You probably have far too many clothes.

    I'd want more water storage--a few gatorade bottles should do.

    enjoy your hike

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by UpTheDubs View Post
    .......I'll leave it behind (I'll leave the compass as well - I wasn't sure if it was just one of those things that was 'good to have').

    Thanks again!
    If you don't have a compass make sure you get a good set of maps that show local trail names. Signs along the AT, in that area, often carry the local name instead of Appalachian Trail.

  11. #11
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    Section or thru this gear list is all you need to know. Add trash compactor bag as a liner and you're good to go.

    Tried and true.
    Last edited by Spokes; 06-16-2011 at 18:38.

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    No need for shorts if you are wearing the pants.
    Forget the pepper spray. Tell mom it's not allowed on the plane.
    Triangular bandage? If you can"t stop the bleeding with gauze and duct tape......
    Headnet....naw, leave it out
    Sweatshirt? you mean a regular cotton sweatshirt? Just use your base layer top instead.
    Conditioner? If that's for after the hike just get some when you need it.
    You might want to add some rain pants. They work well to block the wind, which can be considerable in the mountains, as well as rain.

    Have a great hike!

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    Quote Originally Posted by UpTheDubs View Post
    I'm section hiking for two weeks in June/July in NH. Total weight at the moment (not including food & water) is 430 oz/26.3 lbs. I need to add a guide book, trekking poles and pot or metal mug. Anyone have any other suggestions on the list below?

    A couple of questions to go along with it:

    1. What's the temperature in the mountains in NH in the end of June? I can either bring a down sleeping bag (50 oz) or a synthetic one (34 oz). The synthetic bag is comfort rated for 55F, survival rated for 32F.

    2. Gators? Should I add them or not? LIGHT SUMMER TYPE OK, NOT TALL WINTER STYLE

    3. What length of rope should I bring to hang the food? 50 FEET OF LIGHT LINE LIKE KELTY TRIPTEASE OR PARACORD

    *Clothes* NOT COTTON ANYTHING EXCEPT MAYBE ONE TEE
    base layer - tights
    base layer - top
    sports bras (2)
    underwear (2)
    3/4 length pants
    shorts
    t-shirts (2)
    sweatshirt FLEECE JACKET WITH HOOD AS INSULATION LAYER UNDER JACKET
    raincoat
    camp sandals
    socks (3 pairs)
    hat CAP WITH BRIM AND KNIT CAP FOR SLEEPING

    *Utility Bag*
    headlamp
    mosquito headnet BRING THIS
    bug spray (w/ duct tape around bottle) IF SPRAY LEAKS ON TAPE--NOT GOOD
    lighter
    stove

    *Emergency/First Aid*
    compass SMALL BUTTON IS GOOD--LARGE IS OVERKILL
    emergency blanket BRING THIS--UNOPENED PACKAGE IS STERIL--USEFUL FOR MANY REASONS
    triangular bandage A BANDANA WILL BE OK UNLESS YOU EXPECT ANKLE TROUBLE
    gauze KEEP IT DRY AND SMALL
    tweezers
    ibuprophin
    polysporin
    whistle
    safety pins
    mirror

    *Toiletries*
    toothbrush
    comb
    floss
    soap (Doc Bonner's)
    sunblock
    conditioner
    nail clippers
    earplugs
    sewing needle THREAD WITH LENGTH OF DARK OR LIGHT COLOR
    hair elastic CONSIDER HAVING BRAIDS

    *Gear*
    tent body & fly OK IF LIGHT AND SMALL OR SHARED WEIGHT WITH FRIEND--OTHERWISE CONSIDER A TARP
    tent poles/pegs
    sleeping bag GO WITH THE DOWN
    thermarest (3/4 length)
    groundsheet PROBABLY OVERKILL IF YOU HAVE A TENT
    rope SOME SHORT BITS AND BEAR BAG PIECE
    knife SMALL SWISS ARMY CLASSIC IS ALL YOU NEED
    water filter MANY USE AQUA MIRA
    cotton bandanna BRING TWO
    water bag (2L) ALSO PICK UP SMALL PLASTIC BOTTLE WITH SODA OR JUICE PURCHASE
    pack
    pack cover/plastic bag

    *Other*
    phone
    toilet paper
    hand sanitizer
    camera (w/ case)
    pepper spray A SMALL ONE MIGHT SERVE FOR PEACE OF MIND BUT PROBABLY NOT NEEDED
    phone charger
    passport GET A WATERPROOF BAG FOR IT
    money/ID/credit card

    I know a lot of you are going to tell me I don't need the conditioner, sunblock or pepper spray. I have really fair skin and long curly hair, so unless I want to come home burnt to a crisp and with dreadlocks (not really my thing) the first two are essential. Carrying the pepper spray is for my mom's sake.

    Any comments are great! Thanks a million!

    Have a great hike--hope this helps, grayfox

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