New semi-final packing list

With pictures!

Clothes:

Long underwear top (STP)
Long underwear pants (STP)
2 shorts (STP)
2 shirts (STP)
3 undies (STP)
two sports bras (STP)
3 socks (STP)

Noticing a trend? (STP)






















Outerwear:

Mountain Hardware Gore-tex jacket
(Travel Country - In store)
Marmot Precip Pants
(Gander mountain - store)
Polar buff
Black Diamond Fleece zip-neck (STP)
Mountain Hardware Fastpack cap (STP)

























Food prep:
Orikaso fold-flat bowl (STP)
Ursack S29 - I got the last one!
Odor-proof bag
Big MSR isopro canister
Titanium Spork (Backcountry Edge)

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove set (REI)
I got a fantastic deal on this set - after an additional 20% discount, the total for this set came to about $37 - including the titanium pot. I was so thrilled to get this.

I'm not sure how many, if any, of the little plastic containers I'm going to bring. My Granite Gear stuff sacks came in them, and they're food grade. I might bring the big one for reconstituting Winston's food.










Miscellaneous/safety:
Compass (I don't know where I got this - I've had it for years)
(2) 100 lb 'biners (Northern Tool)
mosquito net (REI)
Map, guidebook, plastic bag
waterproof journal (Backcountry Edge)
headlamp (Backcountry Edge)
whistle
ace bandage
first aid kit (homemade)
Steri-Pen







Toiletries/other:
trowel (Backcountry Edge)
sunscreen
lip balm
toilet paper/tissues
comb
tooth brush/toothpaste
Dr. Bronners
insect repellent
packtowel (Backcountry Edge)

I'm considering whittling this down a little bit - maybe bring a tiny(er) container of soap. It's mainly for doing laundry, but I don't know if that's really going to happen on the trail.



Gear:
Backpack - Deuter Aircontact 55+10 Zero (Backcountry Edge)
Deuter's Zero line is a different take on lightweight backpacking. This pack has fully adjustable straps - something I really wanted with my short torso. This one weighed in at 3,1 (mfr spec 3,3), and it can carry up to 45 lbs - much, much more than the standard light pack. Plus it has a fully adjustable, padded belt, a hydration bladder sleeve, a non-detachable top, one part-mesh pocket on the outside, as well as bottle holsters. The only additional thing I would have wanted would be a sleeping bag compartment, but I knew I couldn't have that and get an otherwise no-frills bag, so I'm really, really happy with this one.
Tent - Golite Den 2 (STP)
This is a really cool, single-wall, lightweight tent. We'll see after this trip how it works, but the theory behind it is interesting. I'll go into all that when I know if it works. Including a discount (I kept ordering from STP, so I kept getting discounts -very cool), this tent came to $85. Even it it only lasts this trip, I'll get my money's worth.
Komperdell poles - well, if you read the last post, you'll already know about these




Not pictured:
A borrowed 3 pound synthetic sleeping bag - thanks Dante!
Shown in the top photo is my 3 liter Camelbak - full it weighs 6 lbs, 4 oz.




This pack - including the Thermarest, full Camelbak, and 3 lbs of food is just 30 lbs, 5 oz!
Right on target. It will weigh more because I'll carry more food, plus Winston's water and food, but I'm pretty thrilled with the weight. It'll probably come in at less than 35-38 lbs.
It took a couple of tries to get it packed - I had to keep moving things around. The sleeping bag has to go in the bottom, but I have enough room for everything, and just a tiny bit to spare. I thought I'd have tons of room with this pack, but it turned out to be just enough.

About the vendors I bought my gear and clothes from... First off, it's been a while, so most of this stuff had to be bought or borrowed. I even had to get new outdoor clothing. Most of my activities for the last few years have been walking and bicycling, so most of my clothes had cotton in them. For clothes, my number one choice was Sierra Trading Post. As long as you're not in a hurry, no matter what you're looking for, they'll eventually have it, and cheap. I also lucked out on the tent, even though I wasn't planning on buying a new one. The Golite weighs less than half of my existing tent, so it was really hard to resist it.

For gear, my first choice is Backcountry Edge. Their motto is "Awesome Gear, Amazing Service," and they mean it. They've been great about getting Winston's backpack fitted. Their selection isn't the widest, but what they carry is excellent quality, and their prices are great. I got the classic Steri-pen for $64.96 minus an additional 12% for signing up with them online. I found them when shopping for my backpack, and I'm now a customer for life. They're a small company, so it'll be interesting to see where growth takes them. Regardless - I definitely recommend them.

For a local place to look at stuff (and buy) I liked Travel Country in Altamonte Springs. I ended up getting a few things there, mostly little stuff, like a mesh bag and some Granite Gear stuff sacks. They have a good selection - if you want almost anything, they have it. Their prices are mostly retail, but I bought a jacket in the store that I found on their website, and it came in at 60% off. The best thing about this store is the staff. They are really enthusiastic, helpful, and knowledgeable. You'll be asked at least a dozen times if you need help, by at least four people, but they mean it. They'll run up to the stock room 15 times for you and really, genuinely, be happy to. (Don't ask me how I know this...)

So now I just need to order my food and Winston's food. For Winston, I'm looking at various high-performance and dehydrated foods for a high energy-weight ratio.

Other thoughts:
I may yet get a SPOT.
I'm not sure if I should bring some sort of water-carrier bucket for Winston, dishes, whatever.
Also - I'm bringing a camera - not sure about a tripod.

Winston's list to follow when I get his pack fitted - if I get it fitted. The XXsmall was too small.

Fun with Instructions!

The last of my gear was delivered today - an inexpensive non-cotton hat, two pairs of running shorts (mens - why can't manufacturers make women's clothes fit right?), and my trekking poles!

At first I wasn't planning on bringing poles. I never used them before except when snowshoeing. Then I talked to my mom and she said she thought they'd be worth it. Then we talked about stream crossings, and I imagined doing them without poles, and then with. I ordered the poles right away.

Fortunately, Sierra Trading Post had quite a few sets to choose from. The first pair I chose sold out when I was shopping for shorts. The second pair were cheaper, plus I had a 15% off coupon from my last purchase, so I got a pair of $90 Komperdell trekking poles for $46.00.

First I read the directions and the miscellaneous reading material that came with them. Between the grammar missteps and typos, it made for entertaining reading. Then, I put one of the baskets on. It was a little tough. Before I locked it on, I considered that maybe I shouldn't put it on, because I may not be able to get it back off. Ah, well - caution is for sissies. On we go. Then I tried to take it back off. No go.

I waited until Ray got home, and when he couldn't get them off, I started to get a little worried.

I read the directions. Here's where it was funny. This is a direct copy of the text.
Easy-Change Basket System
With the exclusive Vario Basket System you can easily change between summer and winter basket and adapt them to different conditions with just a short twist. By turning to the left take off the basket from its fixation, change summer- or winter basket and fix the new basket by turning to the right.

I tried, but no matter how many times I turned in circles, I had no luck.

I called Sierra Trading Post to ask for help, and sometime in the course of the conversation we figured out that they actually are summer baskets. So... they can stay on. It's easier to take the tips on and off than the baskets. If I ever decide to use these in the winter, I'll need new tips.