Date: 2006-02-03
To: MONTH AND A HALF WOOHOO
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everybody!   Sorry for the delay in postings. I am in New York, hard at work on my Mother's basement turning it into an apartment. I have most of the work done, but I am waiting on the plumber and electrician before I can finish out with the dry-wall. Only about a month and a half until my start date, and I am getting REALLY antsy to start lol. If all goes well, I may indeed push the start to the first of March.   I have been to quite a few stores here in N.Y., and have even made the pilgramage to Campmor in Paramus N.J. to get gear. I have finalized almost all my gear tho there are one or two items that I will try to get before I head back to Florida to lighten my overall weight. My gear list will be as follows, everything except food and water. I want to thank the hikers that have posted on this site for the great insite into what I am about to face. Also I would like to thank the WhiteBlaze.net community for all the fantastic posts there. And finally, thanks to all those that have sent me e-mails, or signed my guest-book with tips and well wishes. It means alot to have such nice thoughts from people that understand what I am going through when I decided to do this.BIG 3=Clark Hammock = 3lb 7ozSlumberjack Glacier 0deg Bag = 3lb 9ozMountainsmith Phantom Pack = 3lb 1ozNomad Stove w/can back-up = 13ozFuel strips in solution = 12ozPot/Bowl/Coffee Mug = 13ozBear Bag w/Line = 3ozSwiss Gear Hiking Poles 1lb 9ozVasque Zephyr GTX Boots = 3lb 5ozFleece Gloves = 4ozFleece Pants = 1lb 3ozFleece Jacket = 14 ozDuo-fold T-shirt = 5ozShorts = 3ozLong Sleeve Dou-fold Shirt = 9ozSilk-weight Underwear (top/bottom) = 7ozBandanna = 1ozGore-Tex Jacket = 1lb 15ozPoncho Liner = 16ozSleeping Pad = 8ozMap Set (1 of 3, others to be mail dropped) = 1lbSurvival/First Aid Pouch = 1lb 3oz2 Compression Sacks = 4ozNick-Nack BagFlashlight w/headbandWatchSwiss Army KnifeWater TreatmentPurell Hand SanatizerT.P.Nail clippers/TweezersTooth Paste/BrushNotepad w/PenCompassMap (Current hiking map)ata-bookHiking CompanionStuff sackDigital Camera, w/spare batteries                                    2lb 1ozGrand total before food and water is = 28 pounds.    Keep in mind, some items will be worn, or carried in/on other than the pack(boots, hiking poles to start). This weight is something I feel comfortable with, and barring any radical changes in gear, will be what I leave Springer with. The only changes I am considering making at this time is to 1) New Gore-tex or all weather jacket w/ zip in liner. The weather here in New York is a wee bit colder than Florida this time of year, and may be comparable to some of what I may see during my hike in the higher altitudes. I still have not made my mind up about rain pants tho.2) Titanium cookset. I have a stainless steel set now, and could loose a bit of weight if I go with a hi-tech set.Well, that's it for tonight, I've been online for too long as it is, on my mothers stone age system (I would try one of my games on it, but it would melt)and dial-up connection lol. Thanks for reading, I will be making updates right up until my start date, and then every so often along the trail. Best of luck to the Class of '06 that have started their hike, and those that are planning on starting soon, may you all find the joy you seek.