Date: 2012-09-13
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

Equipment Critique: 2012 Appalachian ThruhikeA quick run down on equipment that I used that worked, didn't work and the company's service department. I will start with the major equipment: Backpack: Osprey Atmos 65. I started with the large size with the older not adjustable waist belt and shoulder straps. It served me well until I lost to much weight and could not adjust the waist belt any tighter. I found an outfitter that fitted me "properly", the salesman suggested the medium sized Atmos 65. He said the large was too long on my torso. I purchased the Atmos 65 medium with adjustable belt and shouldr straps. This pack was much more comfortable and the waist belt fit great the rest of the hike. ( special note here!! 1. I Would use this product again. 2. Here is the negative issue I encountered with the shoulder straps. The load straps that snug the pack at the top of the shoulder straps would NOT stay snug. They continuously loosened and I found myself having to adjust them 3 and 4 times an hour. Knowing Osprey, I feel certain they will address this issue and their future packs will have this problem solved. Their customer service was great. The new pack's zipper gave out the first week I had it. I called Osprey and they mailed a new replacement to my next re-supply location no questions asked or hassles. Overall pleased with Osprey. Tent: The Rainbow 2 by Tarptent. Overall good performance. I had an issue with the floor and sagging from a poorly sewn seam. I called Tarptent and spoke with Mr Shires. He mailed me another tent body and asked that I send the used body back so he can look over it. The poles lasted the entire trip with no negative issues. The tent was light weight and easy to set up. It was not as expensive as others out there, priced about 265.00. I would use again. Hennessy Hammock: I used this for about 2 months. Mid April to June. Nice set up. Look carefully at the product and consider its performance in cool weather. I used the Hennessy Explorer Deluxe. I wasnt satisfied with their colder weather accessories. I.e., under liner and foam pad to place between the liner and underside of the hammock. I did see others early on using the same set up. I also heard mixed reviews. Not an enexpensive set up after buying accessories. I would not use again on a cool weather extended hike. I did find it comfortable to sleep in otherwise. Stove: I started with the liquid fuel MSR Whisperlite. I liked it but did not like the weight. I had an opportunity to send it home and purchased the MSR Pocket Rocket Canister Stove. I like this stove and would use it again. Average priced for smilar equipment. Sleeping bag: cold weather bag of choice was the Big Agnes Systic 15 800 fill down. I liked it and liked it's pad sleeve in the bottom. Also liked the pillow sleeve. I would use this again. My warm weather bag was a cheap synthetic and light weight 55* bag. It was great for warm weather. I stress warm weather though. Choose your bag carefully after reading it's reviews and temperature ratings. Shoes: I had issues with shoes. I spent way to much trying to find a shoe. I started with a Lowa trail runner- non water proof. Satisfied my needs until they were worn out by Va. I purchased Merrell Moabs after this. Good shoe but too small at this point in my hike. While in Harpers Ferry, I visited another outfitter who measured my foot and said I needed a size bigger. She gave the Oboz Sawtooth a great review and I tried on a pair. I purchased them and in 3 weeks they fell apart and were wearing unevenly ( badly) across the bottom of the heel causing a very bad pronation issue. I called Oboz and they tried to make things right. The shoe also caused bad blisters along the outer side of each heel. I talked with others wearing the same shoe and they suffered the same area of blistering. I would NOT wear an Oboz again. Good customer service, poor rating from me on the shoe. I did end up in a pair of Vasque. I visited an outfitter that had a knowledgable salesman and experience in heavy hiking. He fitted me correctly and had me walk up and down an incline. The Vasque served me well and after I placed a pair of SOLE insoles in them I did not suffer any problems. I would wear a Vasque hiking boot again. Priced at 150 + Shorts: The shorts that served me well were Exofficio with adjustable belt. Expensive at around 60 bucks but did not wear out after 1000 miles. Shorts that did not do well were Columbia and White Sierra. The Columbia shorts crotch seam came apart after only a couple of weeks. The White Sierra shorts seemed to be unraveling and getting thin. I would wear Exofficio shorts again for an extended hike. T-Shirt: Nike Dry Fit shirts were comfortable and durable. Did not seem to stain easily. Underwear: Mothwing peak performance endurance boxers. Extemely comfortable spandex type fit. Suffered no chaffing issues and dried quickly. Lasted the entire trip. Will continue to wear daily. Only comes in camo but eah, what do you expect from a Swamprat!!! Socks: Darn Tuff wool blend or REI wool blend. I tried others but they would wear out quickly. Camera: I used a Pentax WG-1 adventure proof. The ONLY company that would NOT stand by their product. Didnt like the quality of the photos. Sent camera back for repairs and got it back six weeks later. Apparently it was repaired and not filled with gas after the repair to stop fogging issues. Fogged up badly during the rest of my trip. Will not buy Pentax products ever again because of their customer service. They lied and would not return calls. Enough said!!! I kept my phone charged with a Brunton re chargeable product. Very heavy but I chose to carry it. Spot: was able to send ok messages to family when their was no cell service. Satisfied with its performance. Liked the ability to send a custom text message via satelite using my smartphone. Hat: I used a mesh baseball cap most of the time. It was cooler than a cloth hat. I used a Tilly hat in cold or rainy weather. Both served me well. In conclusion I would like to say thank you again to everybody for all your encouragement You gave me through this site. Your guestbook entries have been very much appreciated. For those that have pledged to Grant A Wish, Thank you for your support and please feel free to email me for any information you may need. There is a receipt available and it will be tax deductable. For this info please email me at rfandal123@gmail.com. I can also send you the mailing address again for Troop L Grant A Wish. Thank you again for your support and generositySwamprat