Date: 2019-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

2 days before startThe old pals ....Tent: ZPacks Duplex -- The tent only weights 21oz. I have used it in winter camping as well. It could be difficult to setup in high wind. I was debating with myself for a long time trying to decide taking the tent or a tarp. At the end, the tent will go with me, mainly for the bug protection. In the rain, the tent may be much better. When needed, my poncho will work as a small tent for cooking in the rain.Sleeping bag: GoLite 20 degree quilt -- It is like a blanket + a foot box. I like the warms and puffiness of this light weight quilt, only about 1.3lbs. Together with a winter hat some clothing, it is quite nice for 3 season backpacking. In cold night, I can wear my down jacket to add more warms.Sleeping pad: A closed cell foam pad similar to Therm-a-Rest Z lite. I cut off about 1ft from it, creating 2 sit pads. It is soft, never break, and can be easily used anywhere as a seat on both dry and wet surfaces. I had it for so long that I have already lost one sit pad. The sleeping pad still in great shape after hundreds nights of usage.Backpack: Lowe Alpine Zepton ND50 -- This woman specific backpack is a lightweight internal frame pack. It was the only lightweight pack that fit me when I was in the market shopping for one 8 years ago. I bumped into it in a local sports store that has been permanently closed its door :-(. The bag is very easy to fit a full sized bear canister horizontally. The super strong dyneema fabric hardly show much of wear and tear. I used it from Tanzania to Patagonia, it endured the journey on JMT. I used it in both summer and winter times. The heaviest load was 42lb on a snow climbing trip. There is only a couple of small holes in the side soft pocket. I attached a small nylon zipper bag on its hip belt to put small items in there for easy access. The bag is about 2lb and 3 oz in weight.Kitchen: JetBoil Flash cooking system -- I choose this only because I saw posts online saying that the fuel (canister) is easy to find along the trail resupply stores. Normally I use a tiny Esbit titanium folding stove (only 0.4oz) for my backpacking trips. including the JMT trail for my family of 4 for two weeks. But the fuel would not be always available on A.T.. So JetBoil goes into my pack. Adding to this I have a fuel canister stand, one pair of shortened chopsticks, one large spoon, biodegradable soap repacked in a small hotel sized shampoo bottle, a cut off section of wash sponge, some small containers with salt and seasonings. Total of the cooking system is about 1lb. Clothing: A non-brand long down jacket, a thin polar fleece pullover, one pair of hiking pants, one running short, 2 quick dry long sleeve T-shirt, one quick dry buttoned shirt, one quick dry long john, 3 underwear, 3 pairs of wool socks. One winter hat doubles as camera bag, a pair of thin gloves, a bandana. For the protection from the rain, I will carry an umbrella, a poncho (also can work as a tarp), a pair of "legs" (rain pants with only the leg section), and a pair of short lightweight home made gaiters. Personal Hygiene: To keep me civilized, I have a Ziploc bag of toothbrush with shortened handle, a small bar of soap, dried tooth paste cut into small drops. I can chew on each drop when brush the teeth. I used these many times in backpacking trips. It's like eating a jelly bean with tingling, quite nice as long as you don't swallow it. I also carry a small comb. It is good that I cut my hair very short so that I can just use the soap to wash my hair, saving the weight of shampoo and conditioner. A large roll of TP goes to a plastic bag with tent stakes as diggers. I also carry a 2 gallon plastic Ziploc bag for wash my cloth and a tiny folding bucket to fetch water.First aids: Home assembled Band-Aids, medicine for pain killer, diarrhea treatment, tapes for prevent blisters, electrolytes, rubber gloves, keen band, etc. in a nylon flower print bag. Total weight about 8oz. Also I will carry a double layer orange colored emergency blanket.Electric Gadgets: OK, I have to admit that going on the trail for many months does not mean I can cut off from modern world ruled by electronics! The list of my gadgets is long.1. InReach -- The communication tool that allows me to tell my loved ones about my location, text messaging by satellites, and a SOS button that connects to search and rescue management center. It's provide peace of mind for my loved ones and friends, as well as for myself. I have use it for over 3 years and loved the low monthly cost. Together with its free topo map EarthMate on my phone, it also helps me with navigation on the trail. 2. iPhone 5 SE -- This is a small phone with a big storage of 128GB. It will be my pad for writing and reading. i have downloaded many books on it. I will also use the EarthMate topo map. And communicates with my folks.3. GoalZero solar charger + flip 30 -- It is heavy! But it has been kept my phone charge everyday on other long trips. Even though A.T. is covered by leaves. I am still willing to give it a try.4. Olympus E-M1 O-MD + 12-40mm lens -- I cannot go on a trail without it. In the past 4 years, it had accompany me to so many places (also with different lens). It is water proof, dust proof, drop proof and freeze proof. In my test, the freeze proof seams over rated, but the other 3 have been well tested on trails year round, from below sea level to above 19000ft. It's about 3.5lbs. The only drawback was the short battery life. So this means I have to carry 4 additional backup batteries and a charge and cable. It can take a large space in my pack. And total weight about 4lbs.New stuff ...Bear bag: Between Bear canister and Ursack, I finally decided to buy the Ursack major for the packability and weight savings. Plus a 50ft of bear bag rope. This cut at least 1lb from my wild-idea bear can. It can holds our 2 people's 6.5 days of food. I got to practice more on bad hanging technique on trail.Boots: My current Keen is at the end of its life. So last year during the holiday season, I bought two pairs of boots -- Keen and Merrelle. The Keen has lived well with its reputation in terms of waterproof. The Merrelle has been a disappoint. So I will start with Keen first. If it can last long, I don't need to replace it with the Merrelle. Both have been broke-in in the past two months. For water crossing, I have a pair of Merrelle sandals which I have used for a year and had good results for creek crossing.Folding bucket: I have to brag on this find. Sea-to-Summit ultra folding bucket. It is soooo cute. Only 1.5"x2.5" in size when folded, it has 10L capacity and weight less then 2oz. I liked it. I'll see how good it is when put in use o trail.Stuffs left at home ...Microspikes -- Now that I read more blogs from trail (Thanks everyone who posted pictures), I don't think I will need it. Winter puffy sleeping socks, hand and toe warmers, and extra down vest.