Date: 2013-02-27
To: Gear Review
Miles today: 0.0

I know last spring as I was preparing to hike the biggest question was ¢What do I carry with me? Well here is what works for me. I hiked 450 miles of the AT last summer, but more importantly my equipment consultant has been Garlic and Greasepot. The 2 of them have completed the AT and the PCT. Garlic also completed the CDT, so they have been a great source of information for me. Equipment is obviously a personal choice, there is no right or wrong, just what works best for you. I decided to go light (no stove) so I could go further each day and carry less food since I was covering more ground. At first I was a little jealous watching others cook up a hot meal, but I quickly got into my own routine. I ended up eating small portions throughout the day. I also enjoyed town food when it was an option. Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus backpack ¢ I really liked this pack. It is roomy and comfortable. I used 6 sections of the Z Lite sleeping pad for the back padding.         24.0 ouncesMountain Hardware down sleeping bag ¢ This is my new addition for this year. Last year I used an almost 4 pound synthetic bag because that is what I owned. 28.0 ouncesHenry Shires Contrail ¢ This tent was great. It uses a trekking pole for the front. It was much roomier than I expected. No problem keeping things inside the tent. 24.5 ouncesTherm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad ¢ I carried a 6 section with my pack and an addition 2 section inside. I slept surprising well with this set up.        7.0Gossamer Polycryo Ground Cloth ¢ I carried this but never actually used it. Will probably leave at home this summer.        1.6Headlamp ¢ Princeton Tec I have had this for years. I had planned to do some night hiking, but never did.        3.1Leatherman Squirt PS4 ¢ I had friends say I could leave a knife at home. I was glad I had it, but not a big deal either way. This does have lots of features for a small knife.        2.0Gatorade Bottle ¢ 2 ¢ It seemed like most section hikers had Nalgene bottles and the longer distance hikers had the lighter disposable bottles. Some were proud to have used the same Gatorade bottle for 1,000+ miles.        3.4Platapus Bladder Light weight option to carry a 3rd liter of water. They say you carry extra of your fears. Mine was certainly running out of water. I did run out in Virginia when I was not paying attention.         2.0Food bag/cup/fork I used a Granite Gear 13L waterproof bag to hold my food. It worked well for hanging on the bear poles.        6.0Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket ¢ I sweat a lot, so who knows if this is actually waterproof. It did keep me warm though. I did hike through some cold hard rains.        14.0Trabagon Rain Pants ¢ these are light weight. The only time I wore them was to do laundry. I will carry them again this summer.        9.0Marmot Driclime Windshirt ¢ this is a great lightweight wind shirt. I saved it for the cool evenings. I did not want to get it sweaty.        9.5Socks/underwear ¢ I am a big fan of Smart Wool socks. That is all I will carry this summer. I have tried probably 10 different types of socks. The Smart Wool works well even when wet. I thought I would have feet problems on the trail ¢ but no blisters, even with wet feet.        4.0North Face Long Sleeve ¢ I hiked in the same short sleeve shirt and kept this for camp. I would push the sleeves up if it was too warm. Great light weight shirt. Definitely going with me again this summer.        5.5        Nike Fleece Beanie ¢ I had a Buff, but it was taken while at one of the hostels. Nice to have for the cool evenings. I do not like being cold.        2.0Black Diamond Windstopper Gloves ¢ good light weight gloves.        2.3Camp shorts ¢ basically a bathing suit. Again would change into these at camp and hang my hiking shorts up.        6.0Towel/Bandana ¢ I had an REI microfiber towel that I cut in half. Also had 1 bandana        1.3        Money/CC ¢         3.0Aqua Mira ¢ I have thought about carrying a filter, but have stuck with the Aqua Mira. It does require time to work, but is light weight and effective.        3.0First Aid Kit ¢ A basic kit with band aids, Ibuprofen, tape, pads, ear plugs, safety pins, antibiotic cream, iodine. I have duct tape wrapped around my trekking poles.        4.0Personal        4.0Guide Book/misc - I really like AWOL's guide        4.0        Cell phone/charger ¢ I am a Verizon fan. I was surprised how often you could get coverage on the trail.        10.0Plastic bags ¢ I use a trash bag inside my pack to put everything in. I do not use a pack cover. Never had problems with things getting wet. My tent was packed on the outside of my pack.        3.0                186.2 oz        11.6 lb