In case you are interested in my current packing list. I've added in some
weight since my thru-hike attempt in 2008. Mostly for luxury items, but a few
items have been added to fix some minor issues I was unhappy with during the
hike.
| Item: |
Weight: |
Number: |
Total: |
| Summer Clothing (50°F and
up) - these clothes are always in my pack. They add a little comfort when
the occasional summer cool spot hits or as dry replacements for part of my
base I wear (listed below). |
MontBell
UL wind pants. Small, light, easy to put on breathable nylon pants for times
you need something on your legs but are moving and fleece would be a bad
idea. |
2.44 |
1 |
2.44 |
Marmot
Ion wind shirt.
Small, light, easy to put on when I need a wind block. I finally saw the
light and got a wind shirt. |
5.23 |
1 |
5.23 |
Wal-Mart
ankle high running socks. They are light weight with some padding for
comfort, and they dry pretty fast. |
1.48 |
1 |
1.48 |
| Total |
9.15 |
|
| Rain Gear - I
always carry these articles because in a surprise cool snap in summer it
gives me something to wear in camp. I've seen high 30's in the Appalachian
Mountains in July before. |
Packa
rain jacket/pack cover. One of my favorite pieces of equipment. It is
waterproof, but the design breathes like a poncho while having the
protection and for fitting of a rain jacket. You can also take this off or
put it on easily without stopping and taking off your pack when the weather
is on the boderline. |
10.28 |
1 |
10.28 |
Mountain
Laurel Rain Chaps. The Packa covers down far enough that I don't need real
pants in the rain. This option gives me better protection and ventilation
when I do need rain protection for my legs than real rain pants would. |
2.40 |
1 |
2.40 |
Rocky
Socks. I add these only when the weather is cold and wet, otherwise I hike
in just my socks - these things can be too warm at times. Sometimes I wear
these around camp as slippers. |
3.32 |
1 |
3.32 |
Mountain
Laurel eVent rain mittens. Add over wool gloves when hiking in the wet
cold. |
1.13 |
1 |
1.13 |
| Total |
17.14 |
|
| Spring/Fall Clothing (30 to 50
degrees) - When the forecast for my hike looks like it can get into the
30's I add this layer to my pack. It is my insulation base layer. |
REI PowerStretch Top.
Good, light base layer for my top. |
9.19 |
1 |
9.19 |
Arc'Teryx
Rho Pants. Good, light base layer for my legs. |
8.06 |
1 |
8.06 |
Army
surplus wool gloves. I've tried many polypro gloves and liners, but I keep
coming back to these. |
2.16 |
1 |
2.16 |
Wigwam
Wool Socks. I rarely ever walk in these. They are my warm socks I put on
when reaching camp. |
2.54 |
1 |
2.54 |
Granite
Gear Stuff Sack. When I start hiking spring, fall, and winter I need an
extra bag to carry the clothing in. |
0.99 |
1 |
0.99 |
A
really light fleece hat with a wind blocking shell outside. This makes for a
very warm and light hat. |
1.45 |
1 |
1.45 |
| Total |
24.38 |
|
| Winter Clothing (0 to 30
degrees) - If the forecast for my hike is going to be below the 30F level,
I add my puffy layer to stay warm in camp. I rarely ever hike in this stuff. |
Western
Mountaineering Down Jacket. I like the loft vs. weight, but I'm still not
convinced I like this better than my good old field jacket liner. |
12.61 |
1 |
12.40 |
Army Field Pants liners Tough rip-stop
nylon shell is quilted with polyester fiber batting interior for warmth.
Same thing as the Army Field Jacket Liner. I don't need the pants as often
as I need the jacket. |
7.99 |
1 |
7.99 |
Polartec
P300 Mittens. Lightweight warm mittens for wearing in camp when it is really
cold. |
1.80 |
1 |
1.80 |
Wigwam
heavy wool socks to use in cold weather. At this
level, I only wear the socks in camp. When I walk my feet stay warm enough. |
2.61 |
1 |
2.61 |
Polypropylene
head gaiter a fabric tube that can be made into a hat, balaclava, neck
warmer, etc. Combine this with my wool camp to form a balaclava when I need
it in really cold weather. |
1.98 |
1 |
1.98 |
| Total |
26.78 |
|
| Kitchen -
these items make up my kitchen. I love to eat hot food and have been known
to cook three hot meals a day, especially in winter. |
Plastic
Spoon. The only utensil a hiker really needs. |
0.39 |
1 |
0.39 |
Evernew
0.9L titanium pot. The perfect size for me. Cook everything in the pot and
eat out of it most of the time. It is also one of the lightest pots around
at this size. I took the rubber off the handles so it is a little lighter. I
kept burning them anyway |
3.85 |
1 |
3.85 |
Homemade food bag.
I wore out one food bag on my trip. It is about twice the size of one of
those Kevlar bear bags. |
0.99 |
1 |
0.99 |
Modified
Ion Stove with titanium stand. Made from large tea light candles. |
0.46 |
1 |
0.46 |
Plumbers
cloth Pot Cozy/Windscreen. Combine two parts into one. Mine is a little
chewed up after mice got to it in the Smokies. |
0.92 |
1 |
0.92 |
Scripto lighter.
I like scripto because they don't weigh much and hey have an adjustable
flame unlike some Bic lighters these days. |
0.64 |
1 |
0.64 |
2+
Liter Platypus. I usually only use this in camp, but there have been days I
need to carry extra water. |
1.24 |
1 |
1.24 |
10.1
ounce fuel bottle. This 330ml bottle came out of a vending
machine for can soda. It fits perfectly inside my pot and leaves room for my
stove, stand, windscreen, lighter, and priming tray. |
0.71 |
1 |
0.71 |
Priming plate.
It's only really needed in winter. But I seem to always carry it. |
0.14 |
1 |
0.14 |
Bowl
Bag. Made from a food grade plastic pouch. |
0.39 |
1 |
0.39 |
Skidsteer's
Ultralight coffee mug. Made with a Styrofoam cup and one of those 'Go
Pack Snack containers. |
0.74 |
1 |
0.74 |
32 oz water bottle
- Gatorade bottle with carabineer. The clip allows me to hang it off my pack
or hammock line when I need to. If it gets too nasty I can always buy a new
bottle - and it comes with Gatorade inside. |
1.98 |
1 |
1.98 |
12oz
bottle for olive oil. |
0.95 |
1 |
0.95 |
Plastic
bottle for Tabasco. Because you need the heat. |
0.32 |
1 |
0.32 |
Zip Lock bags (1
Qt). Milk powder, coffee & tea, and potatoes. |
0.46 |
5 |
2.30 |
Zip Lock bags (1 gallon).
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, condiments, and trash. |
0.21 |
3 |
0.64 |
Polar
pure iodine water treatment |
3.18 |
1 |
3.18 |
| Total |
19.86 |
|
| Miscellaneous Gear
- those odds and ends you need. |
First Aid and
Repair Kit with spare batteries. Just what you need to fix yourself or
your gear up to get into the next town. |
5.51 |
1 |
5.51 |
Zip lock bags (1
quart). One for my camera and one for my cell phone. |
0.21 |
2 |
0.42 |
Stick
pic. Turns a hiking pole into an instant camera mount. |
0.39 |
1 |
0.39 |
Stuff
Sack. A small sack for keeping the knick-nacks in. |
0.39 |
1 |
0.39 |
Thermometer.
Tied outside my pack to let me know if I should snivel or not. |
0.25 |
1 |
0.25 |
| Total |
6.95 |
|
| Electronics
- Technology is a bane to my hiking weight. Here is over 1/2 of a pound of stuff
just so I can have a phone. I started carrying this when pay phones started
disappearing. |
Spare
Smartphone batteries. That way I have a back up if the primary dies in the
woods. |
0.82 |
1 |
1.63 |
Headphone
adapter. Adapts normal headphones into a phone. |
0.35 |
1 |
0.35 |
110
Charger. Charges from wall AC to USB. |
1.98 |
1 |
1.98 |
Kodak
Easyshare C160. Runs off AA Li batteries so I don't have to worry about
trying to re-charge it when I get into town like I do with my cell. |
5.51 |
1 |
5.51 |
Motorola
Q 9c Smartphone. Internet, email, camera, and it even works as a phone. It
eats batteries if you leave it on. I tried using it as my camera on my thru
but the quality wasn't good and charging was an issue. |
4.66 |
1 |
4.66 |
|
Total |
14.13 |
|
|
|
Hygiene - keep clean and healthy. |
1
oz bottle for soap. Just the bottle weight is list here. I use mint soap
because mint grows wild in the Appalachian mountains and I've never seen
where a bear has been eating mint. That leads me to believe (despite what
some web pages tell you) that bears don't associate the smell of mint with
food. |
0.28 |
1 |
0.28 |
Ultralight
pack towel. Actually, only 1/2 of the original towel.
You don't need much of one of these. If you want a big towel for showers,
then bounce it. Many places will rent you a towel if they have a shower. A
small camp towel dries quickly and is all you need. |
0.60 |
1 |
0.60 |
My
dentist has me using one of these to prevent teeth grinding at night. |
0.35 |
1 |
0.35 |
Pill
bottle - old snuff can. I found this is easier to get my pills out of since
I put all pills in the same container. With a normal pill bottle I had to
pour them all out and sort through them. |
0.35 |
1 |
0.35 |
1/2 kids tooth brush and travel tooth paste
(tube weight only listed here).. Make sure you leave it long enough to
reach your back teeth. |
0.42 |
1 |
0.42 |
Zip lock bag (1/2 gallon).
For carrying toilet paper in. |
0.21 |
1 |
0.21 |
| Total |
2.23 |
|
| Navigation and lights
- to make your way down the trail without getting lost. |
1
Quart zip lock. For keeping my journal, maps, pencil, Sudoku, and guide
book in inside my pack. |
0.21 |
1 |
0.21 |
Black
Diamond Spot with Li batteries. I took the strap off and replaced it with
some elastic and a cord lock. |
2.23 |
1 |
2.23 |
Trail journal
pages. Steno sized sheets of paper. |
0.03 |
16 |
0.62 |
Pencil.
Can't run out of ink in the woods. I put a plastic cap from an ink pen over
the tip so it doesn't poke holes in anything. |
0.25 |
1 |
0.25 |
Map
- average wt. I don't always need a map or maps in my pack, but when I do, I
rarely carry more than 2. One is in the pack, and the other is out and handy
for use. |
1.59 |
1 |
1.59 |
Guide
book. Depends on what trail I'm on as to weight. For the AT I like the
AT Guide. The BMT Guide shown only
weighs 2.1 ounces. |
2.86 |
1 |
2.86 |
| Total |
7.76 |
|
| Sleeping Bag/Ruck/Shelter
- the big 3 or big 4 depending on how you look at it. Sleeping bag, shelter,
pack, and pad. |
ULA
Circut. I used my Gearskin during my thru. I loved it, but I missed having
the ability to pack as I broke up camp. With the Gearskin I pretty much had
to totally break camp before I could pack it. I also have fallen in love
with the hip belt pockets. |
35.09 |
1 |
35.09 |
Sil
Nylon pack liner. Another barrier to protect clothing and down from getting
wet in my pack. |
1.73 |
1 |
1.73 |
JRB
No Sniveler Quilt. I love this quilt. I carry it in four seasons because
it makes a good, light quilt in warm weather, and serves as my underquilt in
cold weather. Plus you can wear it in camp when you need an extra layer in
cold weather. |
21.02 |
1 |
21.02 |
Warbonnet
Edge in Spinn UL sil-nylon. The lines are from Arrowhead Equipment. |
8.69 |
1 |
8.69 |
Granite
Gear stuff sack. This bag carries my JRB quilt and clothing in summer, and
serves as my quilt bag in the other three seasons. |
0.99 |
1 |
0.99 |
Warbonnet
stuff sack for the Edge tarp. |
0.32 |
1 |
0.32 |
Home
made aluminum
toggles from Easton Scout arrows. These are the link pin between the tree
huggers and the Whoopie slings on my Ghost Hammock. |
0.035 |
2 |
0.07 |
Pocket
Pad. I carried a double layer of Evazote on my thru. But because I
wasn't careful with how I packed it I pretty much killed it. I made a new one
and left some space between the layers so they can be stuffed with handy extra
insulation when it is needed. |
10.95 |
1 |
10.95 |
Home
made Ghost Hammock. Made using
1.1oz ripstop nylon
from
www.thru-hiker.com using
headchange4u's plan for a Hennessy Hammock copy over at
www.hammockforums.net. |
7.00 |
1 |
7.00 |
Home
made UCRs made out of Dynaglide for support lines on the Ghost Hammock. |
0.175 |
2 |
0.35 |
Removable
bug net "sock" for my Ghost Hammock. Made from veil material and treated
with
pymetherin. |
2.44 |
1 |
2.44 |
Ridgeline
for my hammock. Used to hold the bug net up. |
0.18 |
1 |
0.18 |
Rock/Stake bag I
added my 50' of line as the pull cord for this bag - 50' for a little bag?
Voila! I now have a combination stake bag and throw bag/cord for my food
bag. |
1.66 |
1 |
1.66 |
Home
made Tree Straps. Used to protect trees from rope damage when hanging a
hammock. |
0.74 |
2 |
1.48 |
Home
made stakes from Easton arrows and hardwood golf tees. |
0.16 |
4 |
0.57 |
| Total |
93.29 |
|
| Spring/Fall Hammock
- when I expect weather between 30F-50F I change my hammock and tarp and add
this stuff to stay comfortable. |
Nuntatak
Backcountry Blanket. I used a Hungry Howie quilt on my thru. Since I got
off, I've been working out and my shoulders got too wide for the HH Quilt.
So I switched back to my good old BCB. Since the BCB has a DWR shell I
stopped using the top part of the JRB Weathershield. |
26.82 |
1 |
26.18 |
|
Remove the ridge line. |
0.18 |
-1 |
-0.18 |
|
Remove the Bug-net. |
2.44 |
-1 |
-2.44 |
JRB
Shock cords. Cords used to hold the underquilt in place. I've modified
mine to make them shorter and more efficient for my hammock. |
0.39 |
2 |
0.78 |
| Total |
21.24 |
| |
| Winter Hammock
- when I expect weather below the 30's I add this stuff to stay comforatable. |
Edge
Tarp door kit. |
1.66 |
4 |
6.64 |
Hammock
Winter "sock". Made from breathable 0.9oz rip stop nylon. |
6.04 |
1 |
6.04 |
Aluminum
stay. I made mine from some scrap aluminum. The jury is still out on the
need for it. |
1.73 |
1 |
1.73 |
 Piss
bottle. I added a 24 ounce Gatorade bottle last year when it was VERY cold.
I didn't want to leave my warm hammock to go. The wide mouth helps make this
a little easier. It takes some practice though. This means you also have a
warm water bottle to help thaw out your feet without burning any extra fuel. |
1.48 |
1 |
1.48 |
Ridgeline
for my hammock. Used to hold the winter sock up. |
0.18 |
1 |
0.18 |
| Total |
16.08 |
| |
| Luxury Items
- items that make camping a pleasure. |
Flask. Just an old
soda bottle for carrying bourbon in. |
0.92 |
1 |
0.92 |
1
Quart zip lock. For keeping my cigars in. |
0.21 |
1 |
0.21 |
Book.
Normally a Sudoku or crossword puzzle book. |
1.15 |
1 |
1.15 |
| Total |
2.69 |
|
| Clothing (Worn)
-This stuff serves as my base clothing for all hikes - even in winter. Those
surprise warm snaps hit even in January down here. |
Wal-Mart
ankle high running socks. They are light weight with some padding for
comfort, and they dry pretty fast. |
1.48 |
1 |
1.48 |
Patagonia T-Shirt.
Light weigh wicking shirt. That means warmer in winter and cooler in summer. |
5.16 |
1 |
5.16 |
Addidas
Trail runners. New pair of kicks for my feet. The jury is still out on
these. |
27.67 |
1 |
27.67 |
Ankle
braces with liners. I have injured my ankles multiple times - the worst ones
have been in high boots. An ankle injury forced me off the trail in 2008, so
I take care not to repeat that again. |
3.47 |
2 |
6.93 |
Nylon
dress socks to prevent chaffing of my shins on the ankle braces. |
1.10 |
1 |
1.10 |
ID, money, credit cards, and keys.
Zip lock style hiker wallet. Keep the cards to a minimum: ID, ATM,
insurance, emergency contacts. When I hike a short stretch I also have the
car key with me. |
2.47 |
1 |
2.47 |
Leki
Gear Trekking poles. Working good so far. The take some of the strain off my
knees and help when climbing. |
9.33 |
2 |
18.66 |
Duct tape - on trekking poles.
Duct tape can repair almost anything and it is good for blisters. You don't
need to carry a whole roll though. |
2.97 |
1 |
2.97 |
Patagonia nylon shorts.
Loose for comfort. They dry well and don't weigh much. |
5.19 |
1 |
5.19 |
Wal-Mart
microfiber underwear. Dry well and prevent thigh chafe. Going commando has
never worked for me. |
2.05 |
1 |
2.05 |
Scripto lighter.
I like scripto because they don't weigh much and hey have an adjustable
flame unlike some Bic lighters these days. |
0.64 |
1 |
0.64 |
Lip
balm. Cool little lip balm pack for when you get wind burn on your face. |
0.21 |
1 |
0.21 |
Leatherman
Micra. I've tried smaller and I've tried larger. This is what I always
go back to. |
1.77 |
1 |
1.77 |
Dog tags.
I've had this set for years. They are my good luck charms. |
0.99 |
1 |
0.99 |
Ti
wedding ring. To keep the hiker babes off me. |
0.14 |
1 |
0.14 |
Zip lock bags (1
quart).For my MP3 player. |
0.25 |
1 |
0.25 |
Map
- average wt. I don't always need a map or maps in my pack, but when I do, I
rarely carry more than 2. One is in the pack, and the other is out and handy
for use. |
1.59 |
1 |
1.59 |
Guide
book Section. The page of the guide I am currently hiking on. |
0.07 |
1 |
0.07 |
Mesh Hat.
A brim to keep the sun out of your eyes or to keep the rain off your glasses
in wet weather. |
2.30 |
1 |
2.30 |
Glasses
with case. Transition glasses so they serve as sunglasses. The case is a
microfiber bag so it also serves as a cleaner for the glasses. |
0.88 |
1 |
0.88 |
Headphones.
Serve as my headphones for my MP3 player and for my cell phone when used
with the pigtail adapter. (See above). |
0.42 |
1 |
0.42 |
1 Gallon zip lock.
One for keeping the map I am using in handy and protected. |
0.46 |
2 |
0.92 |
MP3
player/FM radio with Li battery. Stores 2 Gigs of music and runs off Li AAA
so I can share batteries with my headlamp if I need to. |
1.31 |
1 |
1.31 |
Casio
Pathfinder watch. Compass, altimeter, barometer, and it charges off solar
energy. You just have to calibrate the altitude whenever you get to a point
with a known elevation so it stays as accurate as possible. |
2.72 |
1 |
2.72 |
| Total |
87.39 |
|
| Consumables - those supplies you use up as
you hike so the weight goes down. |
Days |
Oz per day |
Total |
| Olive Oil |
4 |
1.50 |
5.80 |
| Milk Powder |
4 |
0.78 |
3.12 |
| Dr Bronners Mint Soap |
8 |
0.09 |
0.71 |
| Toilet paper |
8 |
0.16 |
1.26 |
| Meds |
4 |
0.01 |
0.04 |
| Cigars |
4 |
0.57 |
2.28 |
| Toothpaste |
30 |
0.03 |
0.75 |
| Potato powder |
4 |
1.50 |
6.00 |
| Food |
4 |
33.40 |
133.60 |
| Water @ 1.04 ounces per fluid ounce |
1 |
32 |
33.28 |
| Drinking alcohol |
6 |
3.30 |
18.40 |
| Alcohol @ .82 ounces per fluid ounce |
7.3 |
1.5 |
8.70 |
| Total |
|
|
213.9 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oz |
Pounds |
|
1. CLOTHING |
9.2 |
0.57 |
|
2. RAIN GEAR |
17.1 |
1.07 |
|
3. SPRING/FALL CLOTHING |
24.4 |
1.52 |
|
4. WINTER CLOTHING |
26.8 |
1.67 |
|
5. KITCHEN |
19.9 |
1.24 |
|
6. MISC |
7.0 |
0.43 |
|
7. ELECTRONICS |
14.1 |
0.88 |
|
8. HYGIENE |
2.2 |
0.14 |
|
9. NAVIGATION/LIGHT |
7.8 |
0.48 |
|
10. SLEEPING BAG/RUCK |
93.3 |
5.83 |
|
11. SPRING/FALL HAMMOCK |
21.2 |
1.33 |
|
12. WINTER HAMMOCK |
16.1 |
1.00 |
|
10. LUXURY |
2.7 |
0.17 |
|
11. FOOD |
213.9 |
13.37 |
|
TOTAL (summer) |
387.1 |
24.20 |
|
TOTAL (spring/fall) |
432.8 |
27.05 |
|
TOTAL (winter) |
475.6 |
29.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL (- food & water) |
173.2 |
10.82 |
|
TOTAL (spring/fall - food & water) |
218.8 |
13.68 |
|
TOTAL (winter - food & water) |
261.7 |
16.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
12. CLOTHING (WORN) |
87.4 |
5.46 |
|
GRAND TOTAL (summer) |
474.5 |
29.66 |
|
GRAND TOTAL (spring/fall) |
520.1 |
32.51 |
|
GRAND TOTAL (winter) |
563.0 |
35.19 |
|
|
|