Originally Posted by
tamijo
Appalachian Train Gear List:
c Backpack with camelback insert: Osprey Xenon 85 Women's Backpack
c Trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
c pack rain cover:
c
SHELTER AND SLEEPING:
c Tent: Tarptent Double Rainbow plus pole extender tips, tyvek groundsheet, and stuffsak
c Sleeping Bag: Halo +25 20* bag may be more comfortable early on
c Thermal sleeping bag liner only needed during the coldest nights, silk liner would be MUCH lighter. Extra clothes can be worn at night on the occasional real cold snaps
c Sleeping pad: Thermarest Neo Air Mattress
FOOD AND HYDRATION:
c Bear Vault: BV500 not needed
c Stove: Jetboil personal cooking system alcohol and small pot MUCH lighter
c Fuel: with cannisters you have to carry extra when near the end of a cannister, then carry the empty when it's done. With alcohol, you just top off when needed, you are always certain how much fuel you have/need to get
c spork
c long-handled spoon use your spork - no duplicates for the same function
c coffee press cup
c Water filter: Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter AquaMira/Potable Aqua MUCH lighter and more compact - cheaper too if you haven't already bought the filter
c
CLOTHING:
c ____ pairs underwear (what kind???)
c 2 sports bras (one to wear, one to pack) One to wear, none to pack
c 1 pair lightweight compression shorts in case I experience chafing Buy them along the way if needed, no sense carrying it if not a problem
c 1 pair convertible pants
c Macabi skirt
c 2 short-sleeve shirts (one to wear, one to pack) One to wear, none to pack
c long-sleeve shirt wear this while washing the short-sleeve you normally wear
c MontBell Ultralight Thermawrap Insulated Parka </SPAN>
c ___ pair socks (What kind??? Should I layer two pairs?) Two pair should be sufficient. Moreno wool. I (and most others) find liner socks not necessary with trail runners again, add them if the need develops
c rain pants
c rain jacket
c hat knit hat for warmth early on, plus a brimmed hat to keep rain off your face (glasses)
c gloves
c should I bring thermal underclothes? Moreno wool for insulation (PolyPro will also work), Silk for added warmth when in sleeping bag, plus it keeps the bag cleaner. Keep the silk pair only for sleeping, and they will always be reasonably dry and comfy.
c shoes: probably trailrunners, but what about camp shoes? water crossings? Crocks (Dollar General knock-offs are CHEAP, hold up well, and I find them more comfortable than the originals)
TOILETRIES AND MISC. PERSONAL ITEMS:
c Decomposing Field wipes (available at Wal-Mart)
c Diva cup or tampons (need to check out the possibility of straight-though BCP to dodge the issue altogether) deferring comment to the ladies
c disposable razor (yeah, I know...should skip the shaving altogether but I hate the way my legs feel when they get hairy) Get used to it, everyone else will
c shampoo Bronners or CampSuds - all purpose
c conditioner ditch it
c Body Glide buy along the way IF you need it
c hand sanitizer yep, keep with TP Tiny bottle goes a long way
c deodorant ditch it, you'll get used to the smell, everyone else smells as bad or worse
c wide-tooth comb ditch this or the brush, better yet, cut your hair short, MUCH easier to maintain a semblance of cleanliness/neatness
c brush see above
c hair bands for braiding my hair see above
c toothpaste if you must tiny, sample size, use sparingly
c toothbrush
c dental floss
c toilet paper
c tweezers questionalble
c nail clippers get knife with scissors, much more versatile
c Dr. Bronners soap see shampoo comment above - only need a small container
c towel: somewhere I read about a towel that can be found in the austomotive section at Wal-mart: small and lightweight but very absorbent If you carry a pack towel, cut it down. Bandannas work quite well are lighter and more versatile
TOOLS:
c headlamp or flashlight unless you plan on frequent night hiking, small is the key
c lantern to journal by that's what the headlamp is for
c cat hole shovel stick, tent stake, boot heel - dual purpose always!!!
c compass (attached to pack, weighs virtually nothing)
c knife or leatherman tool Micro leatherman that includes scissors - see comment above
c Duct tape (have a couple of yards on my trekking poles)
c Bic lighters
c waterproof matches as backup
c Toby’s Swedish fire steel )probably don’t need this but Toby wants to give me something for the trail) Is Toby going to carry it for 2100 miles?
c rope,,,what kind and how much? Masons cord available at most hardware type stores. Light and strong enough for most uses. For bear bagging, this can be used, but need to take care not to damage trees as it's very small cord. If not mason's cord, nylon or other synthetic parachute cord, about 1/8" diameter is more than adequate. 50ft.
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
c first-aid kit plus moleskin Keep it small, with only a couple of days worth of anything. You will soon be in town where things can be supplemented as needed. I like to include Ibuprofen, something for cold, diarrhea, antacid, moleskin, few bandaids and few pieces of gause. Most first aid items can be improvised. First aid course (preferably Wilderness First Aid) is your best bet and doesn't weigh a thing or take up any space.
c whistle
c bug spray: what kind? I am a major bug magnet!!!! My friends are always astounded Most of the time bugs aren't a problem. When they are, pick some up along the way. No sense carrying bug spray from Georgia to New Jersey or Maine. They sell spray in every state and community along the way.
c sunscreen
c water treatment tablets (backup in case filter fails) Just use these when needed, boiling over a fire is your back-up. See comment about filter above.
MISCELLANEOUS:
c playing cards
c journal with fine-tip writing implement
c camera with charger, spare batteries, spare memory cards
c ear plugs
c MP3 player and charger
c cell phone and charger
c 2 bandanas
c ID
c Credit Cards
c cash
c Ziploc bags