Date: 2016-03-11
To: Let's Talk Gear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Time for my requisite "The Things They Carried" post...Everyone loves gear, right? When all you have is what you can carry in your pack, every single item is considered, weighed, modified, and re-considered repeatedly in the months leading up to the thru-hike. Or is this just me? I have over thought this portion of my trip planning to the point that I have my gear list and the itemized weights memorized. I went into this hike knowing that a lot of my gear will be replaced or abandoned along the way, so the name of the game was "Low Cost, Low Weight." Here's what I'm looking at bringing with me, please critique and question to your heart's content, I could use the feedback:Sleep and Shelter:-Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 Sleeping Bag-Mountain Hardwear Waterproof Compression Sack-Gossamer Gear Hammock Pad-Hennessy Expedition Asym Classic Hammock w/ Rainfly-"Snake Skins" Hammock stuff sack-Hennessy webbing hammock strapsPack:-this is actually in flux right now, I'll update it later. My original plan was to use my North face Terra 40L, which is a great, super affordable pack I've used since 2008, but probably too small to also pack out all the trash I'll be collecting!-Trash compactor bag linerClothing:-Waterproof stuff sack-Athleta down jacket-Fleece 3/4 zip (memento from my first overall win at a triathlon)-2 pairs REI wool socks, 1 coolmax, 1 max cushion-Injinji toe sock liners-REI poly sock liners-Feetures Elite+ Merino wool camp socks-Ibex 150g baselayer bottoms-Athleta silver salt long sleeve tee-Synthetic short sleeve race t-shirt (I have dozens of them, so they can be replaced easily, fo free, with mail drops)-Champion compression shorts-Sports bra-Synthetic undies (Target brand, I swear by them)-REI fleece gloves-Fleece hat/buff contraption. Also functions as a pot cozy for cooking-Bandana-Sunglasses-Sea to Summit headnet, because bugs adore me-My beloved "Stop Mountaintop Removal" trucker hat (http://www.mountainkeeper.org/)Footwear:-Keen Koven Boots w/ Superfeet Green insoles-Merrill Hiking Sandals- these may be nixed in favor of lightweight camp shoes, but I love hiking in sandalsRaingear:-Sea to Summit Poncho TarpKitchen:-6L Stuff Sack/Bear Bag-bear bag cord-Homemade spice kit-2 oz bottle of Olive Oil-Freezer bag (2)- for cooking and for trash-GSI Outdoors Kettle-Coleman brand pocket stove -BIC Mini lighter, obviously-Sea 2 Summit collapsable X bowl and mug-Spork-Sawyer Squeeze Filter-64 oz Sawyer water reserve-2 32oz Powerade bottlesHygiene:-TP, plastic baggies-Hand Sanitizer-Toiletry Kit (sunscreen, insect repellent, Dr. Bronner's, Chapstick)-toothbrush/ paste-Chamois butter (aka magic) and Gold Bond powder-Trowel-Homemade first aid kitTech:-Iphone 6S in Lifeproof case-charger and back-up battery-earbuds-Petzl Tikka headlampEmergency/ Odds and Ends-Swiss army knife-Sharpie w/ duct tape wrapped around it-Cord bracelet-Trekking PolesFor picking up trash:-Camry digital luggage scale 5x3 inches, for weighing trash-Assorted stuff sacks and plastic bags-EZ2Care Folding grabber (for picking up stuff without getting dirtier/stuck in a thorn bush)Believe it or not, all of this stuff comes to a base weight(excluding my normal, wearing-while hiking clothes, the Merrill sandals, and the trash picking stuff, which hasn't arrived yet) of 16ish pounds, which I'm quite proud of.The biggest upgrade was going from a much older down bag to the ultra-light Mountain Hardwear bag, which weighs less than 1 1/2 lbs and packs down teeny-tiny! I'm also pretty jazzed about the Gossamer Gear pad, because I can use it in shelters- I didn't want to go with an underquilt, because I'd be really uncomfortable if I chose to sleep in a shelter, but I've also found that most pads don't work well in hammocks. The Gossamer Gear pad is wide enough to wrap around my shoulders, eliminating any worry about cold spots, but packs down pretty small and only weighs 10 oz! Anyway, I think that's all for today. Let me know in the guest book if you have any feedback on my gear list! I'll also be posting some updates over on Instagram (@AT_Rigby) after the good people at Roads, Rivers, and Trails shake down my pack next week.