Date: 2016-12-20
To: Pack Weight
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

This afternoon I took some time to figure out what the base weight of my pack was going to be. The weight I calculated does not include water, food or the items I will be wearing for most of my hike. I have been hesitant to do this because it is very likely that my pack weight will be changing before I depart for my hike. As a member of the 2017 Thru-hike Syndicate, I will be receiving gear from Vasque, Opsrey, Leki, Nemo Equipment, Darn Tough, and Lifeproof. As of now, I am not sure what gear they will be sending me but I expect it to change the weight of my pack, for the better. After looking at what other syndicate members have received in the past, I believe I will also receive new hiking shoes/boots, a backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping bag, socks, and a case for my phone. Other than getting new gear from the companies who make up the Thru-hike Syndicate, I am also considering changing some of my own gear and leaving some items at home. To get around the issue of my pack weight changing, I added up everything that I would be carrying if I were to leave tomorrow and I also added up everything I could potentially be carrying when I leave in March.Pack Weight Now: Sleeping Gear:Eno Hammock: 6.5ozEno Tarp: 22ozEno Bug Net: 16ozEno Hammock Straps: 5.7ozSea to Summit Liner: 9.3ozTherm-a-Rest Pad: 10ozEMS Sleeping Bag: 42.5ozJacks R Better Underquilt: 22.5ozPack:Osprey Atmos 65 AG: 70ozSea to Summit Compression Sacks: 12.5ozOsprey Hydration Reservoir: 10.8ozOsprey Pack Cover: 3ozCookware:GSI Outdoors Cookset: 10.9ozKatadyn Vario Water Filter: 18ozMSR Pocket Rocket: 3ozMSR Isopro Fuel: 14.8ozClothing:Outdoor Research Rain Jacket: 15.4ozEddie Bauer Down Jacket: 12.2ozOther Misc. Clothes: 16oz (Estimated)Extras/Luxury Items:Black Diamond Headlamp: 3.9ozGoPro: 5.2ozIphone: 6.6ozOutdoor Tech Power Bank: 10.30ozMisc. Charging Cables: 2oz (Estimated)First Aid Kit: 8oz (Estimated)Thru-Hikers' Companion Book: 5oz (Estimated)Total Weight: 22.16lbs I'm fairly content with this weight but it could definitely be lessened by a few pounds.If I end up receiving a tent from Nemo Equipment, I am planning on carrying both my hammock system as well as the tent. Some people would say that is unnecessary but the added weight of the tent would be so minimal that I think it would be worth it to have the ability to throw a hammock up or set up a tent. Potential Pack Weight (Including gear from Syndicate companies):Sleeping Gear:Eno Hammock: 6.5ozEno Tarp: 22ozEno Bug Net: 16ozEno Straps: 5.7ozTherm-a-Rest Pad: 10ozJacks R Better Underquilt: 22.5ozNemo Equipment Sleeping Bag: 33ozNemo Equipment Tent: 32ozPack:Osprey Exos 48: 36.96ozSea to Summit Compression Sacks: 12.5ozOsprey Hydration Reservoir: 10.8ozCookware:GSI OutdoorsCookset: 10.9ozSawyer Squeeze Filter: 3ozMSR Pocket Rocket: 3ozMSR Isopro Fuel: 14.8ozClothing:Outdoor Research Rain Jacket: 15.4ozEddie Bauer Down Jacket: 12.16ozOther Misc. Clothes: 16oz (Estimated)Extras/Luxury Items:Black Diamond Headlamp: 3.9ozGoPro: 5.2ozIphone: 6.63ozOutdoor Tech Power Bank: 10.3ozMisc. Charging Cables: 2oz (Estimated)First Aid Kit: 8oz (Estimated)Thru Hikers' Companion: 5oz (Estimated)Total Weight: 20.3lbsEven while carrying both a tent and a hammock system, my pack weight comes in at less than what I currently would be carrying. Of course this weight is only speculation based on the gear I am likely to receive. If I were to ditch my hammock system and only carry a tent, my pack weight would come out to 15.76lbs. The benefit of carrying a hammock system is that I get a much better night of sleep in my hammock than I have ever gotten in a tent. I feel that a good night of rest every night will leave me feeling rested and ready for the next days challenges. A hammock also allows me to set-up nearly anywhere that I want. As far as food goes, I plan on carrying roughly 2lbs of food/day with resupplies every 4-5 days. I should be looking at roughly 8-10lbs of food at a time. For water, I plan to carry 2L in my hydration bag as well as 1L to cook with at night if necessary. With water weighing 2.2lbs/liter I am looking at 4.4-6.6lbs of water. With food and water, 16.6lbs can be added to my pack weight, maximum.