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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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