Date: 2013-01-11
To: Pack Essentials After 6 Months
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Pack weight seems to be among the most important factors as the novelty of your hike wears off and you settle into the routine of tramp, tramp, tramp... I've checked the backpacking sites and you can spend big bucks getting nice, lightweight equipment! In my case, I'm trying to balance price with good products (ie. hikers give good reviews). I've planned this hike for a couple of years and watched for sales. The result can be viewed in my equipment list - it boils down to personal decisions at the end of the day. I'm the type that will go with it, no regrets. I don't plan on changing anything - at this timeSo, as promised, here is what two hikers ended up with at the base of Katahdin, right after their last climb. Note: there may be transcriber errors, I'm typing from a handwritten list.Socks Pack List:Osprey Ariel 55Osprey Pack coverTrashbag linerKelty Lightyear Down 20 degree sleeping bagThermolite Reactor LinerThermarest Z lite - cut in half5L StuffSack Blue Sea to Summit Dry Bag Northface Convertible Pants2 pair wool socks1st Ascent Sweater Jacket (down)pink cotton gloves1st Ascent Long Johns - baselayer, top and bottom1st Ascent fleece glovesMt. Hardware Purple Plaid SkortMt. Hardware Shirt Bra2 exofficeo undies1 patagonia undiesLongtrail HatHomemade Peruvian Hat (Peru, another hiker made it and gifted it to her)Eddie Bauer RaincoatJetboil Stove Set and fuel canister (8 oz)plastic spoonplastic spatulabowlSea to Summit mugFood bagcleaning towels (they were pieces really)green scrubby (for cleaning the pot)MSR miniworks filterMSR 2.5L Dromedary1 Gerber pocketknifeLeki PolesSlumber Jack Camp PillowCell Phone and chargerToothpaste/toothbrushIbuprofinContacts and glassesHeadlamp (petzl)Extra hair ties1 mega handwarmer1 pen1 9 hr. candleRoll of Athletic tape1 map of the White Mts. (she was saving this for me)Mt. Hardware wallet w/emergency sugar packs 1 purple lighter1 pair New Balance Minimus1 pair Vibram 5 Fingersfeminine productsHemp braceletHoop's List:Gregory Baltoro 65LREI DuckBack Pack Covertrashbag liner2 L. Platypus Big Zip Bladder1L NalgeneBlack Diamond Plastic Carabeener L.W.Black Metal Mug8" titanium spooninflatable trail lite thermarestNorthface Cats Meow Sleeping Bag - 20 degree2 Granite Gear Stuff Sacks, 6L and 4LBurt's Bees chapstickSlumberjack Camp PillowShamwowPetzl headlampMt. Hardware raincoatPatagonia NanoPuff down jacketHubba Hubba Tent w/footprint, rainfly-toiletry drybag contained:   1 roll TP/toothbrush/toothpaste   ink pen   5 bandaids   cortizone cream   fingernail clippersSunglassesSealtone Drybag w.camera batteries, headlight batteriesCoolpix Cameraharmonicafoodbag (old sleeping bag stuff sack)pair cotton fleece glovesHiker Trash T-shirt (this was a '2011 Hiker Trash' t-shirt someone made)Long sleeve Mt. Hardwear Shirt2 pair exofficio undies3 pair wool sockspair merino long johnspair REI trail running shortspair eVent gaitersMerrel bootsVibram 5 fingersLeki poles lighterknife1/2 comb (really, it was cut in half)Northface tobaggon hatPlastic waterproof walletWhite BandannaHemp NecklaceWow! Bare necessities. There aren't any, what I consider, luxury items. I'm thinking of carrying a book (just one at a time) and I really like to brush, not comb, my hair. And then one of my friends in my clay sculpture class wanted to know how I can go for 6 months without creating something. She wants me to take up woodcarving...well maybe, after all - there is a lot of wood in them 'thar hills!