Over the last couple posts we covered the logistics, training and food planning that we have put into the start of our Appalachian Trail adventure. Prior to leaving Maine we spent all night and drained two pots of coffee laying out gear, re-hashing our packing list, weighing each piece and of course taking pictures of it all for the blog! Oh and don’t get your hopes up too much based on the title of the post, the clothing post is coming up next, we aren’t hiking the AT naked. (Although I do look damn good in Ranger Panties)

Our goal ‘dry weight’ is only 40lbs combined (All three of our loaded packs, without clothing, food, water or fuel) and no more than 110lbs combined with a full six day supply of food, hiking clothing and full water bottles. That would give me about 55lbs on my back when leaving town, 45lbs for Lindsay and of course 10lbs of food for Hunter. This would drop down everyday as fuel and food is consumed, allowing us to go a little bit further or faster each day as our packs lightened.

We broke our packing list down into several systems rather than just a long list that didn’t make sense. Also, you’ll see that sharing gear allows us to save ‘dry weight’ because we only need one water filter for two people, one stove, toiletries, first aid kit, etc. Then again, there are some things that the gear sharing doesn’t matter with such as sleeping bags and extra socks! So without further ado…

Walking System – Total Dry Weight: 14.9lbs

Items: 75L Gregory “Baltoro” Backpack w/ Rain Cover, 70L Gregory “Diva” Backpack w/ Rain Cover, Leki Hiking Poles, Black Diamond Hiking Poles, REI Camp Stool (Clay’s)

Sleep System – Total Dry Weight: 14.4lbs

Items: Mountain Hardwear 3 Person UL Tent w/ Poles and Stakes, REI Self-Inflating Sleeping Pads, 2x Nemo “Nocturne” (Spoon Shape) Sleeping Bags w/ Compression Sacks

Cooking System – Total Dry Weight: 2.3lbs

Items: MSR “Windpro II” Stove, Snowpeak Titanium 1.5L Pot, 2x Snow Peak Titanium Bowl, 2x Snow Peak Titanium Spoons, 1x Plastic Stirring Spoon, 2x Coffee Cups and Re-usable Filters.

Water System – Total Dry Weight: 2.7lbs

Items: Homemade Water Filter Kit, MSR “Dromedary” 6L Bladder, 4x Nalgene 1L Bottles

Backcountry System – Total Dry Weight: 4.5lbs

Items: 30′ 550 Cord, 2x Carabiner Sets, Fire Starters, Compass, Map Book, Guide Book, Bear Spray, Leatherman, 2x Headlamps

First Aid Kit – Total Dry Weight: 2.1lbs

Hygiene System – Total Dry Weight: 3.0lbs

Items: Everyday Bag (Toothpaste, Tooth Brushes, Hand Sanitizer, Foot Powder, Face Moisturizer/Sunscreen, Camp Suds, Pocket Mirror, Floss, Toilet Paper);

Occasional Use Bag (4oz Shampoo, 4oz Conditioner, 2oz Bug Spray, 2oz Sunscreen, Waterproof Matches, Superglue, Needle/Thread, Lighter, Fingernail Clippers, Scissors, Tweezers, Contacts, Stamps, 4x AAA Batteries)

“Multimedia System” – Total Dry Weight: 2.4lbs

Items: Tablet and Homemade Case, Waterproof Camera, Write-in-the-rain Notebook and Pens, Chargers, Playing Cards

“Hunter System” – Total Dry Weight: 3.3lbs

Items: Harness and Saddle Bags, Leash, Collar, Pack Cover, Meds and Documents, Paw Salve, Sleeping Pad, Collar Light, Bowl

Total Dry Weight: 49.6lbs (9.6lbs over!!)

Yikes, looks like we have to do some packing list trimming!

 

When we get done with our little adventure we are going to write an article reflecting on the gear we brought, the gear we tossed, the gear we bought and the gear we finished with!