Date: 2007-02-06
To: Final Gear Report
Miles today: 0.0

I figured I would write about the gear I chose, and how it held up over the course of my trip. I did a lot of researching when it came to what to bring, being that most of my gear was outdated and needed an overhaul. All in all, I am very happy about the choices I made.BACKPACKI really love the ULA backpacks. I purchased a P-2 before they were discontinued, and then also picked up a Circut just before my hike. I chose the Circut to save some weight, although it did not hold up well when packed over 30lbs. The frame ended up bending, and poked a hole in the bottom of the pack. This happend in PA, and so I switched to my P-2. The P-2 rides so comfortable, and holds 32lbs a lot better. The only time I ever got over 30lbs, was when I carried my cold weather items in the begining and towards the end. So I wish I would have went with my P-2 from the start.SHELTERHenry Shire's Tarptents are great. I used the Virga with the bug-netting and floor. I seam sealed it before hitting the trail, and overall I would give the tent a 9 out of 10. The only area of concern for me was on real windy cold nights early in the hike. The tent doesnt exactly trap heat, but it will keep you dry. I plan on purchasing a Squall 2 for my next hike, just to have some more room for my gear inside the tent. I dont think the vestibule on the Virga is a good place for gear when its rainy out. The only place I could put it was at the foot of the tent, which cramped my legroom.SLEEPING SYSTEMI have a love/hate relationship with Big Agnes. First off, the insulated air core mattress is the most comfortable sleeping pad around. Nothing can top 2.5 inches of air to sleep on. The problem of leaking is something I was aware of before I left, and it made me nervous. The pad developed a slow leak in Damascus, only 400 miles into the hike, and slowly got worse. By the time I got out of Virginia, it wouldnt hold air for more than an hour. The company did replace it for me, just shipping charges, and the second one held up from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin. It can be a pain to blow up at the end of a long day, sometimes taking as many as 20 big breaths, but as soon as you lie down on it you forget about it real fast. As long as the company continues to replace the ones that develop a leak, Ill stick with them.FOOTWEARI knew that big heavy leather hiking boots were not needed on the AT, unless you carried 40+ pounds, so I went with 3/4 tops. They only lasted 400 miles, and I was not happy with the way they held up. Not only that, but Montrail didnt do anything for me in return. I ended up switching to trailrunners in Damascus, and they felt great at first. It didnt take long for my weak left ankle to start rolling, and I knew 3/4 tops were needed. I switched to a heavier boot for the second half of PA, since my left ankle had taken a beating in VA. The rocks ended up not being too brutal, a lot better than it would have been in trail runners which have thinner soles. In NJ, I purchased 3/4 top Merrel's and they last the rest of the way. Merrel moab ventilator mid's to be exact. Ill be buying the same ones sometime soon.CLOTHINGThanks in part to a dry begining of my hike, I sent my Frogg Toggs home rather early. I had wind pants and a ultralight non-waterproof jacket, so that was the extent of my raingear for the whole trip. Ill probably get a Marmot Precip jacket for upcoming hikes, but not the pants. Hiking in rainpants really heats me up, Id rather just wear my convertible pants or maybe my wind pants. Having a bouncebox made it easier to tinker with what I was carrying clothes-wise. Any choice I made could be changed back the next time I got the box. Besides the raingear, everything else worked out great. This was my basic set up:Cold Weather (for me, Springer Mountain to Atkins, VA and then north of MA)Polartec Hat, REI one gloves, Micopuff insulated jacket, Ultralight non-waterproof jacket, Capilene top, Longsleeve Hiking Shirt, Shortsleeve Hiking Shirt, Wind pants, Capilene bottoms, Convertible Pants, 3 pairs socks, and Biker shorts.Warm Weather (VA to MA)Shortsleeve Hiking Shirt, Cotton t-shirt, Ultralight non-waterproof Jacket, Convertible pants, Gym shorts, Biker shorts, 3 pairs of socks.I also sent my Keen's home in VA, and bought Crocs/Waldies in Wayneboro. Keens were too heavy, and not as comfortable as crocs for my aching feet. I still love my Keen's, just not as camp shoes.COOK SYSTEM/WATER FILTRATIONI love my Brasslite stove, the thing took a beating and is showing no signs of dying anytime soon. I will switch from the .9L REI pot to the 1.3L one instead. Big appetites on the trail call for a larger cook pot. If I wanted to make 2 Liptons, I would always spill a little while it was boiling.I became sold on the Steripen during the second half of my hike. My parter was using one, and it sure beats pumping. I didnt try Aquamira drops once on the trip, so I cant comment on those. All in all, you dont need to filter your water all the time anyway, but if I chose to I would purchase the Steripen. And I will. Just make sure to use lithium batteries for longer life.