Date: 2009-11-11
To: The Search for the Perfect Gear
Miles today: 0.0

I have written before that many things (in fact, almost everything) feel very different now than they did in preparation for my 2006 hike. In fact, at this time in 2005, I didn't even have the slightest inkling that I would attempt a thru-hike several months later. Once I made the decision to hike, however, I also had a very different approach when it comes to gear. That winter and spring, I began gathering all of my backpacking gear, and bought very little new stuff. This year, however, at the advice of my father, I am taking the approach of worrying less about money and more about having precisely what I want, since I will carry it for six months. This has certainly been painful at times, given that I now own the following: three multi-day backpacks, three stoves, two methods of water purification, two sleeping pads, two sets of raingear, two long underware tops, about a million hats (for warmth), two of which are good for backpacking, a vast array of insulation layer jackets, etc. (You get the point...)I am paying much more attention to the weight of my gear than ever before, and so far, I am loving the results! I am still somewhere between a lightweight and ultralight hiker, as there are certain times that I choose convenience or other forms of comfort over weight. For example, one of the biggest yet-to-be-made decisions is between my Jetboil cannister stove and my Vargo Triad alcohol stove. When I realized that this was a total weight difference (including empty fuel canisters) of just under a pound, there seemed to be no question. As I practice, however, using the alcohol stove (the first one I've ever had) and compare that to the ease, fuel efficiency, and speed of my Jetboil, I'm still completely straddling the fence on whether it's worth the weight savings. I also take into consideration the opinion of a 2008 thru-hiker friend (Hi, Catfish!) who said that he hiked the entire trail with his Jetboil and hailed it the entire way as one of his absolute best gear decisions. He delighted each shelter night in cooking and eating his dinner with ease while his fellow hikers were still waiting on their water to boil. I imagine this may be one situation where I make my best choice before I head to Springer, knowing that I can switch stoves at any time if I change my mind. So, with all this lightweight focus, where has that led me? My gear list is still in-progress and ever changing, but with the current version, my base pack weight is 18 lbs, 15 ounces. (Just changing from the Jetboil to the Triad would take it down to 18 pounds flat.) With estimates on two liters of water and a full six days of food, that is about 32 pounds. (Note- upon starting the trail, one extra down vest and a couple of other items for winter will add approx. one pound to this.) I'm always working on going even lighter, but I'm very happy with that!!! I'm adding gear, little by little to the gear page of my journal. As I said, this is a work-in-progress, so if anyone (particularly former AT thru-hikers) has an suggestions, please let me know. I'm also interested to hear if anyone else has wavered between a Jetboil and alcohol stove, as well as the outcome of all your wavering. Were you happy with your decision?On another note, I just watched the brand new National Geographic documentary on the AT. Wow! The whole thing was wonderful, but the aerial footage of the trail was absolutely incredible!!! I feel so lucky to have the chance to embark upon such an adventure!Yesterday marked precisely four months until I step off from Springer. One hundred and nineteen days! Postscript, March 10, 2011: I'm with Catfish on this one- taking my Jetboil was a fabulous decision!!!