Date: 2013-04-11
From: Johnson City, Tenn

To: Johnson City, Tenn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

April 9 thru 11 Johnson City, Tenn Rest and RecoveryI lost too much weight walking without eating those last two days on the trail. My body is getting it¢s needed rest and food. Trekker and I plan to start hiking again on Friday the 12th. I went to an outfitters and replaced my ripped Dri duck rain pants with a pair of North Face Hyvent DT rain pants. So now is maybe a good time to review my gear choices. Osprey 85 pack: I now have plenty of extra space in my pack and would have purchased a smaller pack if I knew then what I know now about gear and how to pack. That being said, the 85, which is about 4.2 pounds, is easy to carry and I am very happy with it. Lunar Duo Tent: I am very happy with this tent. I get compliments from other hikers on it all the time. It has more than enough room for me and my pack. When it's warm, I can roll up the water proof sides of the tent and have just the netting for some fresh air and view of the sky. It is also very light at 40 ounces. Water filter. Had the MSR and switched to the Sawyer. Gigantic weight savings. Now I just put my smart bottle in the flow of a stream scoop up the water screw my Sawyer filter onto the smart bottle then squeeze the smart bottle so the water goes through the filter and fills my pack bladder. I don't even take my bladder out of my pack. Cat Stove: weighs nothing and boils water every time. Very nice. For me, cooking is always boiling water and adding it a dinner package. Bear bag: Mountain Laurel system. One of the best things I ever purchased. The size of the bag is perfect for the dinners etc. The 3 odor bags that I put my breakfast, lunch and dinner in are perfectly sized to. It all slots into my pack just right. The light string and pouch for a rock are very light. Whole setup is great. Western Mountain Sleeping Bag: 20degree bag got me through the snow. Sometimes had to put on thermals and I dragged my fleece in there too just to sleep against and add put over my shoulders for additional warmth. Very happy with itNeoAir air mattress: still no holes. Very comfortable. Monkey Man fleece: love it. Wear around camp and use for pillow or as extra blanket in my sleeping bag. PatagonIa Hard Shell: it does keep me dry during rain and snow. I'm worried it'll be hot in summer rains but maybe, if I just wear only a wicking base layer under it, it will be okSri Duck rain pants: ripped right away because most of the trail has thorny bushes. Trashed them.   Now have North Face Hyvent which I haven't used yet. Gaiters: sent them home early on. The mud, though all over the trail, doesn't really get on your pants that bad and when you stay at a hostel, the muds cleans off of the pants easily. Gloves: I have that condition where my toes and fingers freeze very easily. I can't even unbutton my shirt when they get that way. So my big OR mittens I have found essential and I more than willingly carry their extra weight. 3 pair of socks and 3 pair of liners: just about right number. It lets me wear fresh socks most of the days between resupply points. I haven't had a blister yet and I think wearing clean socks helps in that regard. Wrist watch: my son Chis and wife Jessica gave me this watch awhile back and it is one my most essential pieces of equipment. I always take a little break on the hour and having that rest to look forward to is how I'm able to keep going. Another essential piece of equipment is my side bottle that I plop electrolyte pills into. I use my pack bladder for regular hydration but depending on how hot I get I use the electrolyte bottle to keep my body from getting dehydrated. That's all I can think of for now.