First 3 Days In

Well much to be expected nothing ever goes as planned. My boy levated missed his bus and I wound up spending wed in hotlanta! Hit the coke factory and the cnn tower. Was pretty fun tbh!

We finally got on the trail the next day with the help of the "Hiker Hostel" shuttle. After a few choice photo ops on the summit of springer as well as signing the registry we headed north to the very first shelter. I slept upstairs and have to admit it was a great shelter. After a few too many hits of Burbon levated had to carry as punishment for missing his bus, we passed out and awoke the next day pretty early.

The next day took us through some pretty tough and steep mountain after mountain. From the shelter we walked 11 miles to a fantastic river near the 3rd shelter. The name escapes me but it was really a great place to stay. I got a bit dehydrated on the last mountain, seems we undershot the amount of water we would need. But all was well once we got to camp.

We tried the pct method of hanging our stuff that night and had some success after getting our line caught in the tree. Luckily levated was able to joust the carbiner and pull it down.

We got up early and headed out to our next water source at lance creek 9 miles up the trail. We thought we would see how we felt when we got there and if we wanted to keep going to the shelter about 2.5 miles up the trail. Of course we didn't want to as soon as we got there. Right by the trail there was a sweet camp spot so we settled down for the night there.

The next morning we headed up to blood mountain, the highest mountain in Georgia. To my pleasant surprise we were able to get up the mountain relatively with ease. At the top we were greeted with awesome views of some fantastic mountains. We tried to yogi (more on this later) but were pretty unsuccessfull. From there we headed down to the hostel at Nells gap. Unfortunatly there wasn't much in the way of food there. And even more there was nothing for the vegatarians. The hostel was interesting as well. It was a decent hostel, but some hippie kids were trying to stay for free and we quite annoying.

More updates soon, when I can get to a spot that's open. Thanks for reading! Gotta help levated hit this burbon now.

Ps to figure out what yogi-ing is think of yogi the bear. Also here are a few pics from springer.
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First Aid

Initial Thoughts: First aid is really up to you as far as how much you bring. I opt to bring a little more than most maybe, for the shear fact I have issues with my feet due to be flat footed. Moleskin is a must for me, and alot of it. Also Zinc Oxide tape is best used to prevent blisters.

I don't think skimping on a few bandages or even a Ace bandage is a good idea. Maybe you are superman and never get hurt on the trail. If your clutsy like me, and every moment is close to near fatality, then opt for what you need and can use.

Also this goes without saying take sometime to learn how to treat yourself. If your in the backcountry and you break an ankle, now what? You going to lie their till someone helps you? Or can you bandage it up as best as possible and make a rudamentary crutch from your poles and some lashings of branches? Take a little time before you go and see about wilderness first aid or survival classes in your area. It will go a long way, trust me.

Toiletries

Initial Thoughts: This is a no brainer. I grabbed the ultra DEET from REI and everything else is really simple. People talk about drilling holes in there toothbrush handle etc.. I found a awesome toothbrush that uses the handle as a head protector. Nothing grosser than finding a bug on your toothbrush! Remember to put the toothbrush into your food sack when you hang it.

Walgreens sells small travel sizes of sunscreen. Grab one of those too...

Gear

Initial Thoughts: Your gear list is probably where you can make the most adjustments. My basic items:

hurricane matchs
head lamp
trash bags
ziploc bags (diff sizes)
lighter
rope (small and larger)
Comp/Map
Space Blanket
flint
Camp Towel

Are probably all easily accesible and there isn't a whole lot of play here for OZ savings. I read a few people use there bandana to dry off, instead of a packtowel, but for the weight a high absorbant towel can have who cares.. Also think hard about that big fancy compass. Do you really need it? I grabbed a simple compass/thermometer combo, and I am trained to use a compass! Your on a trail and unless you plan on venturing off that for a ways, don't buy the compass thats 7 ounces.

Knife
2 Poles
Blackberry + Extra Batt + Extra Gig + charger
Camp Footwear
Fill/Hook
earphones (sports)

These items above really afford you the best savings. Knife wise, a tiny swiss army knife will probably suit you just fine. I insead grabbed a Navy Seal knife fixed blade. I find for the extra oz's, I am adding an Ax to my backpack. Use a decent sized hard branch and bang on the back of the knife into v shapes on wood and your cutting away in no time. Don't think you can be Paul Bunion with this technique, but if you need to make a brace or a splint fast, here you go.

The filament/hook is really just for fun. I am going to try using my poles as a fishin rod. Well see how this works out.

As far as poles, no they are NOT all equal. The goassamar bay poles have nice CORK handles so when you sweat you won't be sliding all over your stuff. Plus they weight 7 ozs all together. Its like holding feathers.

The camp footwear is from an article I saw online Camp Shoes. I modified them a bit to remove the annoying flip flop feel and just have 2 straps running paralell across the shoe. Lets see how these work!

Food & Water Containers

Initial Thoughts: I picked up the Platypus 2 liter and liter with hose to run from my pack. Seems great, they fold up and are easy to get out of the way. With the pack I got I have a upper pocket to keep the platypus tank and hopefully all will go well. I will report more as I go along.

Food is going to be a tough situation. We decided to use the PCT Method but am not sure how this will work out. Levated wants to sleep with his food. I told him me and my food aren't that close.

Clothes

Initial Thoughts: Ok so here is where I think alot of people can cut back on weight. First off, no cotton. None... at.... all.. I know I know you have this cute little shirt you like to wear, or maybe some pants that will just look devine out on the trail. NOPE. Get gear that wicks sweat away from you. More importantly get gear that can dry quick. Nothing sucks more than to be wet for awhile after a rainstorm. When that sun hits, you should be dry in a matter of minutes, not hours.

If you find you have a rub going on inbetween your legs (flat footed people like myself most likely do), then grab some Stride Shorts I just use these at my undies...

1 maybe 2 lightweight and medium weight long undies will do. If wintertime, substitute the light for heavy.

Golite also makes a great Silk Shirt. This is perfect for those days it might be a little chilly, but you still want alot of airflow to cool you down hiking. Of course add in a midweight long sleeve for those cold nights.

Raingear is essential and definetly person preferance. I found the Reed Pants went a long way as far as comfort and most important, weight. At 5 oz I dare anyone to find something lighter at REI.

My Jacket was something I already had, a combined outter shell (waterproof) and a inner synthetic liner. Nice for when its really cold and rainy, and the outter shell can be unzipped to use just as a rainjacket. If you look around, their are many different combos on the jacket, and you can probably save a little weight here as well.

Finally the most important item of all, Boots. I grabbed a pair of OBOZ from REI and the moment I put them on I fell in love. Alot of lightweight hikers use trail shoes, and I probably would as well if it werent for the flat feet I have. Since I need support, and more importantly a shoe that won't roll over, this boot is just fantastic. Interestingly enough the makers are the founders of Bass who sold it quite awhile later and are now staring OBOZ. For my money, these boots are solidly built, attention to detail is obvious (no silly back heel seam) and they really do hold up.

Since I am flat footed I also reccomend trying the superfeet system at REI. I got a pair of the yellow inserts and had a really awesome salesgirl trim them down for me. I have to say superfeet are definetly the way to go for anyone, ESPECIALLY us flat footed bunch.

Sleeping Pad - Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

Initial Thoughts: This came out just 3 weeks before my trip. I blew it up and it is absolutely soft and nice. It will also serve as my stays/padding in between myself and the pack. My pack has a seperate pocket to put the pad in.

So far with all my gear loaded up, I have found it comfortable to keep the the pad slightly filled with air. It has made a very nice and soft padding for my pack.

The real savings here is the sub 1lb weight (about 14 oz to be exact). This really cut about a lb off the pack weight over any other air mattress. If you want to do the foam pads then go for it, but they just don't give you the insulation these airmatresses do. And if you awake to the slightest noise or the tiniest pea then this is what you need.

A warning, this mattress is probably NOT too durable. So as I will, take caution in clearing your ground of sharp objects.

Sleeping Bag - GoLite Adrenaline +20

GoLite Adrenaline +20

Initial Thoughts: I layed in this bag for about 30 minutes and honestly almost fell asleep. This bag is AMAZINGLY warm, soft, and are you ready for this... ROOMY! I can't stand to be restricted myself but this bag gives you all the room you need and then some. In 09 this was the lightest bag on the market. If bags do go lighter, I would be shocked if they put something as comfortable as this together.

Comes with a waterproof bag and a loft bag for storage. I hit the waterproof bag with a little more silicon spray, just to be sure.

Tent - Six Moon Designs Lunar Solar Enhanced

Lunar Solar Enhanced - Six Moon Designs

Initial Thoughts: This tent is AWESOME! I seam sealed it twice. I also ordered the ultralight floor, which is 30d Sylnylon. I set the tent up and noticed the floor was unbelievably slippery. Also with a little dew on the backyard, when I sat in the tent I noticed the water would come up through the floor.

I also ordered the Tyvek Ground Cloth to go along with the tent.

My buddy Levated then pointed out to me a pretty cool article concerning the SilNylon floor and a good way to seal it up. Jim Wood details here SilNylon Treatment. I sealed both sides of the floor and it is significantly thicker and not as slick as an untreated floor. Lets see how it holds up on the trail.

Also I picked up these Stakes

BackPack - Traveler Six Moon Designs

Traveler Six Moon Designs

Initial Thoughts: I bought this pack after being directed to Six Moon Designs from my buddy Levated. The pack designs are amazing and extremely light. I bought the pack including the stays and the waist belt and pockets on the belt. So far I have worn the pack around for a few hours and I think it fits perfectly.

Gear Details

It took about 2 full weeks but I have finally assembled everything I set out to get. If you take a look at my gear list, I have listed all the items I purchased and then a few links for you to purchase them as well.

An important thing to remember is I was able to put together all of these items at once. Maybe you have a sleeping bag thats 6oz more, or long undies that come in 1oz more. I think its easy to obsess on having the absolute minimum but you also have to remember what will make you happy at the end of the day. Your eating freeze dried foods.. maybe some hotsauce will help.. How about a nice mixture of spices to liven it up.

At the end of the long hiking day, bring stuff you want to use. That doesn't mean bring the kitchen sink, but bring stuff that will make YOU happy. I like fresh socks, infact I can't stand them not being clean. Drives me nuts. So I bring enough so I will have clean socks without worry.

Here is a few pictures of everything laid out.

First Week of Prep

It has been a long first week of working out, testing out old gear, tracking oz's and putting together the perfect lightweight pack list. But admittedly it has been a ton of fun!

So my buddy Levated told me last week he was hitting the Appalachian Trail, possibly all of it. I started thinking, I remember Boy Scouts camping with my external frame pack... All 40 + pounds of it! We never sat and took into account any form of weight management, and our feet certainly felt it! I did a 2 day hike in scouts with my camp chair attached to the back of my pack. My pack fully loaded probably weighed more than I did.

Nonetheless when he told me he was able to get his pack weight down to a little less than 30lbs fully loaded with 6 days of food or so I admittedly thought he was crazy. No camp chair?? And your pack has NO FRAME??? WTH MAN???

After a few explanations I started to beleive too. A pack under 2lbs... A tent as well. Pad almost a lb.... Wow...

Over the next few days I put together this pack list below. This list spares almost no expense, except for items maybe I already had. The jacket could have gotten lighter, but mine works good enough.

Click Here for my Gear List