Date: 2012-08-21
From: Final entry: gear review

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A few people have contacted me requesting a gear review.  I'll attempt one, but if something's not clear, feel free to ask more  specific questions.  Here goes:I loved my ball cap....I lost it once and had to use a bandana and discovered I'm not the bandana type.  The cap protected me from the sun and stayed put. My uniform for the trip stayed pretty consistent.  I wore a Champion polyester blend shirt and quick dry running shorts.  I carried a pair of lightweight cycling shorts to wear when I was menstruating. ( the chamois provided extra protection).  I only took one pair of panties and changed  out panty shields every day.  At one point I switched shirts and used a cycling shirt but it wasn't as lightweight as the quick dry one so I switched back.  My favorite socks were Swiftwick.  I wore Teva's the entire trip, and the Swiftwicks dried quickly and didn't pick up leaves or debris.  I liked the Injinji toe socks but they wore out too quickly.  For cold weather I preferred Seal skin over socks.  They eventually got wet, if it was an all day rain, but continued to insulate and kept my feet warm....even in snow.  I carried a pair of Smartwool socks to wear when I got to camp.  I also carried a cotton t-shirt and extra sports bra to change into after a day of hiking.  At the beginning of the trip I carried a pair of fleece sweat pants,  capilene top and bottom and a down vest.  I never wore the capilene bottoms and switched out the vest for a Mont-bell synthetic down jacket which I used the entire trip.  I used my rain pants and loved my Mt. Hardware rain jacket.  I used Smartwool mittens, when the weather was cold, with ULA over mitts.  I started out with E-vent over mitts but they leaked.  I also carried a pair of thin latex gloves to wear as a thin under layer.  For a very short time I carried a toboggan to wear at night, but only wore it on nights that dipped below freezing. My Teva's were the Hurricane XLT and I went through three pair; they lasted about 700 miles.The big three:  pack, tent and sleeping bag;  they were extremely lightweight and performed well.  My pack, for most of the trip, was a ULA Circuit pack.  I loved the ULA especially because the waist belts are interchangeable.  I ended up needing an extra small by the end of the trip. I carried a tent that used my trekking poles for set up.  The brand:  Six Moon Designs Skyscape.  I never set it up in a storm, so I can't really give a review on how well it might perform in heavy rain.  My sleeping bag was  a Golite quilt.  I loved it.  I never felt restricted,  but it kept me plenty warm.  I also carried a Cocoon silk sleeping bag liner that got a lot of use when the temps were really warm.  It was like having a sheet that provided enough 'cover' but also protection from mosquitos.  For water treatment  I carried a  MSR gravity water filter.  I also had a camel bag bladder system that worked with the water filter.  The camel system was good for me because I found that I drank more and stayed better hydrated if I used it vs. a water bottle.  The gravity filter was great, because I didn't have to pump water when I was tired.  A lot of people used aqua mira purification drops or bleach, but I didn't like the taste and there's a wait time before you can drink your water.  I replaced the filter cartridge three times....like the Tevas they lasted about 700 miles.  My stove was a MSR pocket rocket.  I used the MSR teapot for my cook pot because the fuel canister fit inside perfectly .  I also carried a small titanium cup for coffee.  I never had to worry about replacement fuel canisters.  Just about every trail town had them.  My only utensil was a titanium spork  that I threaded on a piece of para cord and wore around my neck.  That way I was always prepared if anyone offered free food.  My sleeping pad was a lightweight self inflating thermarest.  At first I had a Neoair but hated it because it was so noisy every time I moved.  My trekking poles were Black Diamond (carbon with cork handles) and I loved them.  Most everyone  broke or bent their poles, but mine were sturdy and strong till the very end.  I loved the cork handles because they didn't slip or get slimy.  Extras included a petzl headlamp with a red light feature so I could read at night in the shelter.  Camp shoes were flip flops.  My pillow was an inflatable one made by Cocoon.  And then, perhaps the most valuable item of all; ear plugs.  I didn't like the foam ones. I preferred the soft silicon variety that you can find at Walgreens.  Other comfort items that I can't imagine doing the trip without:  Via coffee....I tried all the freeze dried varieties but Starbuck's Vias were hands down the best.  I even carried the Moo half and half creamers and they held up well.  I also carried a miniature pack of playing cards, a sheet or two of KenKen, Sudoku and crossword puzzles along with a pencil and sharpener.  One last comfort item was a battery operated mp3 player. It held over 120 songs and when I wanted to listen to music I didn't have to worry that I would run down my phone battery.  It ran on one AAA battery.  I carried an IPhone in the Life Proof case.  I highly recommend the case.  I never had to worry about keeping it dry when it rained and it protected the screen from shattering.  I typed my journal entries, every night, in the notes section of my IPhone.  I kept the phone on airplane mode and that enabled it to stay charged for up to a week.  However, when I summited a mt. or came close to a road I'd switch it over and check for service.  When I had service I'd immediately stop and post.  The only things I couldn't post from the trail were pictures.  I tried a few times and they ended up sideways, etc. Pictures were added when I had access to a computer.  My phone was also my camera....and watch...I hope that's helpful!