Date: 2016-01-27
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Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

¢There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.¢ ¢        Sir Rannulph FiennesAs previously mentioned, compiling my AT thru-hike gear and clothing has been a magnificent obsession. Facing 6 months in the wilderness in all types of weather, I must carefully and deliberately choose what I wear and carry on my back. The consequences of poor choices include hunger, hypothermia, injury, chronic discomfort, and possibly quitting the trail. Given the many times I¢ve already been asked, ¢What¢s in the backpack?¢ I thought I¢d go ahead and answer that.There are many different philosophies and variables to consider when deciding on backpacking clothes and gear. There are those on a tight budget, whose main consideration is cost. They will sometimes sacrifice quality or functionality in search of the good deal and saving money. They also tend to pride themselves on homemade, old school solutions, like using an old dog food can as a cooking stove, or tree branches as hiking poles. For other hikers, the main consideration is weight, and they will invest in usually more expensive ultra-light gear. They may also go without a stove or sleeping pad, or cut a toothbrush in half, in order to travel as light as possible. Every fraction of an ounce counts and the lighter the load, the more likely you are to make it to the other end. Just as the cost cutters might boast on how little they spent, the ultra-lighters might boast about how little their pack weighs. At the other extreme, there are those who over-pack with too many luxury items or duplicate items. Some falsely assume that what works on a weekend camping trip with the family will work on a 2200-mile journey. Many of them end up sending stuff home or quitting altogether.My approach was to get mostly high quality, lightweight gear, but to bring enough of it for a little more comfort and functionality than what a pure minimalist would have. Yes, I could have gone lighter and I could have gone cheaper. But if I fail, I don¢t want it to be because I had insufficient or crappy gear. Here, then, is a breakdown, along with some insights on my rationale. I¢ve gone into some detail for the benefit of those who may plan a hike and because I appreciated previous thru-hikers who did the same.The Big ThreeBig Agnes Flycreek UL2, with footprint ¢ 34.4 ounces; ultra light, 3-season, freestanding, double wall tent. Technically a 2-person tent, but better suited for a solo hiker + gear (especially a 6¢ 2¢ hiker). Sets up quickly and kept me dry overnight in a recent torrential downpour. Ideally, the vestibule would be a tad larger, especially when entering/exiting the tent in the rain. I prefer the privacy and quiet of a tent to a shelter unless rough weather dictates otherwise. Also, while I find hammocks a tad more comfortable, I still prefer the privacy, weather protection, and ability to spread out gear and clothing in a tent.ULA Circuit Backpack with pack cover ¢ 41 ounces; 4200 cubic inches (68 liters) in total volume; lightweight, durable, very comfortable. Love the large side and belt pockets. In fact, I love everything about this pack. Designed by a successful thru-hiker and he clearly put a lot of thought into every ounce of it.Western Mountaineering Alpinlite ¢ 33 ounces; 20-degree, 850-fill down sleeping bag; roomy, breathable, and compressible. The most expensive and comfortable piece of outdoor gear I¢ve ever owned. The days may be brutal, but I should be warm and comfortable at night.To Be Continued...