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.

Packing list

Here's my packing list so far - some of these weights are approximate. I may post my total pack weight once I'm packed. I've intentionally inflated some of these numbers so that I keep the total weight in line.
All weights except the total are ounces. 30 lbs is about my goal, so if my estimates here are right, I should be in good shape
Also - some of these items will only be in the listed quantity during the first (longest) leg of the trip. I may ship some stuff home if it's not needed.

Packing List
Gear
Shoes/Boots
Sleeping Bag	49
Sleeping pad	48
tent	57
Backpack	48
compass	2
map & guide	13.4
sunglasses
watch (cheap-ish)
head lamp	2.75
whistle
pocketknife	2
Headnet (mosquitoes)	2
Outerwear
rain jacket	13.6
Rain pants	8
warm hat	2.7
polarfleece	6
liner gloves	4
Clothes
Shorts/capris (2)	8
sleeveless tops (2)	8
Long sleeve top	4
Socks (3)	8.4
Underwear (4)	9
sports bras (3)	16.8
Long und. Bottoms	8.6
bandana	2
long und. top	6
Kitchen
stove & pot	8
spoon	1
bowl	3
fuel	12.6
Steri-pen	4
Iodine tablets	2
food	48
snacks	20
bear bag (ursack)
Odor proof bags	6
Water bottle (platypus)
3L Hydration system (platypus)	4
lighter	2
First Aid kit	14
mesh bag
tweezers
safety pins
antibiotic ointment
antiseptic towelettes
Wound Closure Strips
Moleskin
Duct tape
bandaids
Ace
Bandanna
Naproxen
Antihistamine
Emergency Blanket
Safety matches
Lighter
Toiletry bag	14
Miscellaneous
plastic trash bag	2
camera	10
book for entertainment	8
journal & pens	8
Total	30.99
Winston’s list
backpack
water bowl
food bowl
food
leash

Breakfast will be oatmeal with dried fruit. Lunch will be one long snacky meal stretched out all day.
I plan to order in bulk from Mary Jane's Farm, as well as some foods like tuna, salmon, and chicken in pouches from the grocery store for dinner.

My dog is so good-natured!

Winston's pack for our backpacking trip came today.

Before I tell you about it, let me tell you a little bit about Winston. He was a rescue that I adopted three years ago from the national Lhasa Apso rescue. He was wandering the streets, with matted, filthy hair and a face that only a mother could love when a local ASPCA found him. Although he was supposed to have had all medical issues cleared up before he came home with me, he had roundworm and hookworm, and was a pretty sick puppy for a while. Technically, he's a Lhasa/Shih Tzu mix, but he probably has more breeds in him than that. My vet and the rescue estimated that he was somewhere between one and two years old. I suspect that he was closer to two.


I had a Lhasa in high school, and she was a sweet, obedient (except for housetraining issues), mild-mannered dog. I used to take her hiking with me, and I could just let her off leash, and she'd never go further than 4 feet from me.

It took me a long time to decide to get another Lhasa, because I thought I might be comparing another Lhasa unfavorably to Silva. After a lot of research, though, I realized there was a reason she was such a good dog. Lhasas are smart, independent dogs. They are small, but without the insane energy levels of a terrier, so they're fairly low-maintenance as far as wear and tear on the house, but they're not wimpy animals. That's why Silva was such a great hiking companion. Even though she was only 12 pounds, she had stamina. Their generally independent natures make them great for someone who wants a companion that can live without constant attention.

I discovered quickly that Winston had to be crated at ALL TIMES when not supervised. He will eat anything, and I mean, anything. Within the first week of bringing him home, I left him in the bathroom with a baby gate to keep him contained. He got out and ate the metal weather strip off the metal back door trying to get out. My roommate came home to a disaster. There was trash everywhere, and Winston was freaking out. I worked 10 minutes from home, so I made it a point to go home at lunchtime, bring him into the office, or take him to the groomer during long days.
Winston's way of checking things out is to try to eat them. I've taken rocks out of his mouth that he was crunching away on. His terrible teeth fit the name Winston, but I could have called him Hoover.
He also has aggression issues. He's fine most of the time, but it takes constant awareness to keep him behaving. One treat from the FedEx driver and he's a punk for a few hours. Ray and I are on the same page, and we both work to keep him in line, but he pushes the limits any chance he gets.
If he's off leash, he'll take off to whereabouts unknown. We had to run an electric fence around our existing fence because he kept getting out, and we couldn't figure out how. One of our neighbors returned him one day, put him in the back yard, and then watched him climb our 4 foot fence like a ladder. Fortunately, we seem to have that cleared up. Now that I'm home most of the time, he sticks around.


Despite his flaws, he is a perfect dog. He has a great sense of adventure. He loves to go anywhere. He likes hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and playing fetch. The dog park in Orlando we used to go to had a big lake, and he'd try to out-swim the Golden Retrievers.

So when I decided to take this trip, I decided that even though he'll pose some challenges, such as a need for constant leashing, Winston will be the perfect backpacking companion.
I found dehydrated food from the Only Natural Pet store. It'll be light but high-energy, so he can carry it himself.
There are few packs that come in Winston-size, but I found the Ruffwear Approach II pack on sale at Backcountry Edge. At 18 pounds, he's right in between xsmall and xxsmall. I guessed that the xsmall was the right size, but it's a little big.
I'd never tried putting a pack on him before, but he was great with a doggie life jacket, and I didn't have any worries about this.


I filled two platypus bottles partially with water, then the rest of the way with air, and put one in each side. He acted so excited to put on the pack, and when he saw the leash, he went a little nuts. We went for a stroll around the front yard - the backpack is a little too big, but I took a few photos of my poor, long-suffering puppy before sending it back. He was almost ok with this one, except that the bags hang down really far on the sides, and stick out kind of far. The harness is completely at its smallest settings, so he'll be better off with the xxsmall. I can't wait for it to get here!

So here's the plan...

Since putting it in writing makes it so, here it is.

I'm having a quarter-life crisis. In a moment of temporary to permanent insanity, I decided that I need to go for an extended backpacking trip. Here's the catch: it's been years since I've been backpacking. At first I thought I'd do the entire Appalachian Trail, to hell with reality. Then I realized that hey, maybe I should not try winter backpacking again until I've gotten back into the swing of things. So, after some research, I've decided that I'm going to spend the month of September hiking South from Damascus, Va on the AT along the TN/NC border. We'll see how far I'll get.

There. Now it's for real.