New Hiker, Advice anyone?

[Jarhead16]

I will be starting my NOBO thru-hike in spring of '09. I am currently 16 but will be 17 when I start, turing 18 in June on the trail (Sweet, huh?) I am currently 5'31/2" at 115# and growing slowly. This is my gear list minus clothing (couldn't find weights on them) with four days of food minus oatmeal for breakfast 3 of the 4 days. The total weight is 24#12oz. Any suggestions would be SUPER! And the weights are read as "lbs.-oz".





Pack ALPS Mountaineering Denali 5-4
Tent Sierra Designs Iota 1-man 3-season 3-12
Utensils Jetboil Jetset Utensil Set 0-1.4
Fry Pan Jetboil Fluxring Frypan 0-10
Companion Cup Jetboil 1 liter Companion Cup 0-8.7
Cooking System Jetboil Personal Cooking System 0-15
Titanium Cup MSR Titanium Cup 0-1.9
Platypus 3 Liter 0-4.5
Potatoes and Beef Mountain House 0-4.34
Lasagna Mountain House 0-3
Eggs and Bacon Mountain House 0-2.6
Chicken Stew Mountain House 0-4.8
Titanium Spork Snow Peak 0-.5
First-aid Adventure Medical Ultralight 0-9.5
Chair Crazy Creek Original 1-10
Towels MSR Packtowl Ultralight 0-2
Water Purifier System MSR Sweetwater Purifier 0-14
Replacement Cartridge MSR Sweetwater Cartridge ----

Shower Sea to Summit Pocket Shower 0-4.25
Soap Sea to Summit Pocket Soap ----

Compression sacks Granite Gear Air Compressor 0-7
Tent Repair Adventure Medical Tent Repair 0-4
Knife Leatherman C302 0-3.2
Multi-tool Gerber Compact Sport 0-6.6
Sleeping Mat Thermarest Pro-lite 4 1-8
Sleeping Bag The North Face Cat’s Meow 2-10
Sleeping Bag liner Sea to Summit Silk Liner 0-4.4
Headlamp Petzl Tikka XP 0-3
Headlamp Petzl Zipka Plus 0-2.3
Trekking Poles Black Diamond Trail 1-2
Binoculars Brunton Eterna 1-9

[Jarhead16]

Make that 3 days of food.

[Cuffs]

Lose the following:

Chair Crazy Creek Original 1-10
Shower Sea to Summit Pocket Shower 0-4.25
Soap Sea to Summit Pocket Soap ----
Binoculars Brunton Eterna 1-9

Knife Leatherman C302 0-3.2
Multi-tool Gerber Compact Sport 0-6.6
PICK ONE.

Headlamp Petzl Tikka XP 0-3
Headlamp Petzl Zipka Plus 0-2.3
PICK ONE

[Lilred]

I agree with Cuffs, also, I wouldn't include the weight of my poles in my packweight. Grab some campsoap instead of all the soaps you have listed.

I'd consider losing the bag liner. I had one and I only ended up getting twisted up in it in my bag, sent it home after one week ymmv.

You also have a lot of cooking paraphenalia. I'd get rid of the frypan. I'd also ditch the spare water filter. Maybe put it in a bounce box?

What I don't see are Maps, handbook, journal and pen?, camera, rope for bear bagging.

Also, the spork, I've heard people say it makes a lousy spoon and a lousy fork. Just a spoon would be enough.

[Jarhead16]

Semi-noted, I want the chair REALLY bad, because I have major problems the next day if I don't have a semi-soft chair. Knife and headlamp, understood. Hygeinic accessories, gotta have. And Binoculars, well, I'm a long-distance looker. I like to magnify the beauty of things.

[Jarhead16]

Ok, I don't have weights for the things you mentioned though, I do have them in the arsenal. What's a soldier without his rifle, eh?

[Cuffs]

Try the small travel pack of baby wipes for cleaning the "important parts." They work really well and arent that heavy and dont require precious water!

As for the binocs... I do too much walking to be looking off that far, and most areas are tree covered... not much to see.

For a soft spot to sit, I cut a small rectangle off a CCF pad and use that for a sitter... very light and semi-comfy, and keeps the dirt off the behind.

[Jarhead16]

CCF pad? Baby wipes, super!

[Jarhead16]

Closed cell foam?

[Cuffs]

CCF, yes, closed cell. there a decent pad at walmart for <$6.00, so youre not hurting if you cut it up!

Where in AL are you? (Me too!)

[Jarhead16]

Way down south, Hint: you can't go farther south, hah.

[Cuffs]

OH, LA!!

check out www.hikealabama.org

They just had one, so the next will be in the spring, but they offer backpacking workshops!

[Jarhead16]

I can't find that pad at walmart.com

[Cuffs]

probably wont be online, but its in the camping/sporting goods section right next to the sleeping bags.

[Jarhead16]

Ok, cool.

[Cuffs]

pad looks like this

http://www.rei.com/product/302.htm

[Blissful]

Semi-noted, I want the chair REALLY bad, because I have major problems the next day if I don't have a semi-soft chair.

Maybe a thermarest seat cushion would help instead. It will also cut down on bulk and what you tie to your pack. I took mine on my hike, loved it. Campmor sells it, I believe. it was my luxury item.

I think having a bag liner is a good idea to start. Yeah it can get twisted at times, be patient with it and it really comes in handy when those temps dip way low. My son (who was your age when he started) used his and was glad to have it. He also carried the cats meow - loved it.

You can usually get water cartridges at outfitters along the way. I don't imagine you will need to replace it much before Damascus, but someone may know that better than I.

All you need for your cook set is one lexan spoon and your jet boil set with fuel, and a swiss army knife or the like - tweezers and scissors on it is handy.

Dehydrated prepared meals are handy if you get to places late but expensive to carry the whole hike. Do a search on meals, etc and what hikers carry for food. There have been lots of suggestions. You can also buy as well along the way.

No need for a tent repair kit. Repairs can be made at outiftters if needed.

You will have to figure out weight of clothes.

Great that you are getting gear together now. Make sure to put some of your needed items on your Christmas wish list for your family!

[Jim Adams]

Semi-noted, I want the chair REALLY bad, because I have major problems the next day if I don't have a semi-soft chair. Knife and headlamp, understood. Hygeinic accessories, gotta have. And Binoculars, well, I'm a long-distance looker. I like to magnify the beauty of things.

The chair makes a BIG difference. If you really want it...take it. I used one on my 2002 thru hike and at the end of the day, an hour in the chair and you feel as though you haven't hiked yet. It is one of the best physical recovery items that I've found.
Soap, toothpaste and tooth brush are all you need for hygene.
You will be on top of ridges with a great view MAYBE once every 2, 3, 4 days. The rest of the time for the most part, you will be in woods and as the summer progresses it will get more dense. I would leave the binoculars home until New Hampshire.
Don't need the multi tool.
Don't need the Ti cup if you are taking the jetboil cup.
Sporks really do suck...take a large spoon and cut down the handle if needed.
Good luck and have fun,

geek

[Jarhead16]

The companion Cup is actually for mates joining me at different sections, parents don't really welcome the fact of me walking across the country alone. So, I will be taking the Companion Cup and Titanium cup for drinks.Spork, dually noted.

[mountain squid]

Keep in mind that you are going on a long-distance 'hike', not a long-distance 'camp'. Several of the items you have listed would be nice if camping, but only end up weighing you down when you hike all day, every day. If you choose to carry some of these items (already identified by other repliers), you will likely be mailing them home sooner, rather than later. Scrutinize your gear (and listen to advice given) and only take that which you need...

If you plan on doing the Approach Trail, an extra day of food might be needed.

Anyway, Good Luck and Have Fun with the planning.

See you on the trail,
mt squid