Your sleeping bags are very bulky, so you'll need large (and heavy) packs. Your bags need a 19"x9.5" stuff sack, a decent down 15F bag (e.g., EMS mountain light) takes 11"x7". Don't forget to bring sleeping pads, at least $7 walmart blue pad.
Originally Posted by
swjohnsey
The tent and bags are very heavy and very bulky for the trail. ...
As a couple you might consider going to a white gas or canister cooking system so that it would be easier for two to cook on one rig. ...
I'd say try homemade alcohol stoves first because they're free. If you don't like those go for canister over white gas unless it's winter -- the canister stoves are lighter, cheaper and very easy to use but the fuel can be harder to find. A standard one is: http://www.rei.com/product/643058/sn...ove-with-piezo
Take a look at tarp tents: http://www.tarptent.com/
Originally Posted by
BrianLe
...
Other than water treatment, first aid kit, possibly camera, I can't think of a lot of other things to share. Even then I'd be inclined to have each carry some basic first aid supplies --- you might find yourself walking separate for hours at a stretch (my wife and I often do). So ditto some sort of camera maybe. Really, from doing a lot of solo hiking now my bias is strongly towards being self-contained as much as possible. You might even consider that if one of you carries the tent, that the other has a poncho and knowledge of how to set that up as a shelter at need (though much less of an issue there on the AT).
Each person should always carry gear to survive a night in inclement conditions if you get separated. Even if you're intending to always walk together it's easy to get separated and lost in fog, rain or snow.
Originally Posted by
ambroseya
... We are going to start test driving in the next couple of months (3-5 day short hikes) to make sure that we get accustomed to hiking and camping themselves, before trying to thru-hike...
Since you're not far from the AT and the smokies, you ought to get out for some overnights around the time of year you're planning to start. It'll give you a good idea of how your gear works in the cold. Also, don't worry about finding the perfect gear until you know what you really need. Just get out there and try things out.
If money is a problem and one of you sews, you could make yourselves sleeping quilts. Ray Jardine and his wife have done many trips as a couple using homemade ultralight gear. He has lots of good ideas even if you don't go ultralight. Take a look at his web site or read one of his books to see how they do it:
http://rayjardine.com/index.shtml
The miscellaneous stuff people start with can add up to a lot of weight. Be ruthless in paring down what you carry and you'll be happier.
You can definitely do the trail with that tent and those bags, but it will be very tempting after a week to switch to lighter gear at the first outfitter you find (at high prices).
Check out the articles on WB -- on the left side of the home page.