Date: 2017-04-05
From: Cincinnati

To: Cincinnati
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and concern. I really appreciate my extended trail family following along on my journey! You guys are awesome!Just a quick health update before getting into gear talk. The RA meds are kicking in and I am experiencing less swelling and pain in the right knee. I'm still on crutches and not weight bearing on the right leg. It's just a waiting game at this point, but I'm lucky to have a wonderful wife who is also a Physical Therapist. She is making sure that I stay compliant with my treatment program. Several folks have had questions about my gear and how it's working out for me on the trail. Today I would like to focus on the Big 4...that is my backpack, tent, sleeping bag and air mattress. My number one objective with the Big 4 was to get the weight down as low as possible while maintaining a good comfort level. The lighter my load, the easier it is to climb mountains and decrease fatigue. Ideally the weight for these 4 items should be less than 10 lbs. My previous tent and backpack were just too heavy (3.1 lbs and 4.5 lbs) so I had to make a change before hitting the trail. My Big 4 weight is now only 6.4 oz. Tent: ZPacks Duplex, 24 oz. with stakes. This has been the best and most important purchase overall. It's a non-freestanding tent that requires you to use 2 trekking poles for center support. You have 8 stakes to make the tent tight and secure. This tent is almost bulletproof and has withstood two major thunderstorms with no leaks. The Cuben fiber material is waterproof and wind resistant. It's a single wall tent so condensation can develop when it rains or on cold nights if all 4 doors are closed. I keep at least one door open to avoid this. It won't be an issue at all when overnight temps increase to 40's and above. This is a GREAT tent!Backpack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L; 32.7 oz. Another cottage industry product like ZPacks with quite a following now. It's ideal for ultralight/light backpackers up to 30 lbs of gear. It has a great fit and rides well on your shoulders and frame. The hip belt is well padded for comfort and hip pockets are extra large for storing snacks and a phone. The only negative is that the Over the Top (OTT) loading style of bag is a little tight which makes it a little harder to pack and unpack. What I love is the the large side pocket that fits my tent perfectly (never have to put a wet tent inside my pack) and the rear mesh panel that provides quick and easy access on the outside to items I need quickly on the trail (water filter, rain gear, etc.). Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering, Goose Down Ultralight; 29 oz. Great bag and a great long term investment for cold weather backpacking. Probably one of the highest quality bags made today. The biggest benefit is that it zips out to a full comforter as the weather gets warmer. I may decide to go to a summer bag as temps get too warm at night. Air Mattress: Exped Synmat Ultraligt; 16 oz. Yes, it's a bit heavier than some, but comfort is key on the trail. I switched from the UL NeoAir which was noisy and uncomfortable. This may be the one product that I switch out in the near future. I just haven't found the perfect sleeping surface for me yet. It's like buying shoes...one size and style does not fit all. Stay tuned!Overall I'm extremely happy with my Big 4! Please note that this was a work in progress over a couple of years and was tweaked several times after section hikes and weekend trips. My best recommendation to anyone who is considering backpacking/thru hikes is to find equipment that fits you best. It's like getting fitted for a new set of golf clubs or a new suit. It has to match your needs and fit. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'm happy to help you in any way. Tomorrow I'll focus on trail shoes and clothing. TTFN