1. Nunatak custom modified Arc-Ghost. 13 oz sleep system (not including 6oz pad) that has kept me warm enough down to temperatures where there was 1/4" of ice in the canteen. (With just normal clothing on.)

2. Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket. 10 oz of luxury around camp and insurance for the possiblity of real cold. Also Flight vest when temperatures aren't so bad and saving 5oz is justified.

3. Snow Peak Ti Giga-power stove with piezo lighter (also custom copper wind screen made at home--wrapped in Tyvek to protect pots and stove and save weight of plastic container in which it comes.)

In no particular order:

1) O2 Rainwear - Yellow Jacket
2) Gossamer Gear Lightrek Poles
3) Backpack - Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak w/o hip belt.

With Honorable mentions for my:
Hennessey Hammock and Arc-Edge blanket and all of my Pot/Zip Cozies from Anti-Gravity Gear.

I guess I have two top three lists.

(I could go on and on .....

So many great new pieces of gear this year which have helped lighten my load and tickle my gear fetish... where to start? Here's a few off the top of my head:

1) Petzl TacTikka (an all black version of the Tikka with a neat red lens which flips up for mantaining night vision and flips down for night navigation.

2) Nunatak Arc Ghost sleeping quilt. Not as robust or warm as the Arc Alpinist (or Arc X), but lighter and perfect for warmer western climes.

3) AntiGravityGear Pouch Cozy (boil in a bag meals reconstitute faster and stay warmer longer with this lightweight addition to my cookset - a Braslite Turbo F, Snow Peak 600 titanium mug, with homemade lid and windscreen)

Other gear I love:
Tarptent Virga w/ Floor
Single Leki Makalu trekking pole (use with shelter)
ULA Fusion pack (love those hipbelt pockets!)
Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 Short (use with ULA pack)
Patagonia Balaclava (it's a hat, a balaclava, a gaiter!)
Terramar silkweight long sleeve hiking shirt

1. Nunatak custom modified Arc-Ghost. 13 oz sleep system (not including 6oz pad) that has kept me warm enough down to temperatures where there was 1/4" of ice in the canteen. (With just normal clothing on.)

2. Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket. 10 oz of luxury around camp and insurance for the possiblity of real cold. Also Flight vest when temperatures aren't so bad and saving 5oz is justified.

3. Snow Peak Ti Giga-power stove with piezo lighter (also custom copper wind screen made at home--wrapped in Tyvek to protect pots and stove and save weight of plastic container in which it comes.)

1. Tarptent Rainshadow

2. Marmot DriClime windshirt

3. OR Flextex gaiters

1) homemade TarpTent 1 modified with a catenary cut ridge, small beak on foot end, larger beak on head end

2) size medium GoLite Breeze ... rides with minimal shoulder weight sitting on top of a trusty old Kelty Moab lumbar pack

3)Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 - Short

Here are three items I used on my PCT thru-hike that have no equal on the market but could be improved upon:

1. Aqua Mira - Both the lightest and cheapest ClO2 product. 5 min wait is inconvenient.

2. Osprey Aether 45 - Perfect size and features (roll-top, side pockets, compression / laundry line). Needs competition in the comfort department.

3. Nunatak Backcountry Blanket - Versatile, good for people that roll around all night, requires no skill to use. Long (custom) order delays and the elastic drawcord deteriorated.

K.

#1 Without a doubt, Leki non-antishock trekking poles. (Good for old knees)

#2 Hennessey Hammock Ultralight Backpacker. No more wet spots on bottom of sleeping bag! Sleep like a baby!

#3 Any of my homemade alcohol stoves. Especially happy with fuel efficiency (and speed) of Atlanta Randy's stove (can be seen on Backpacking Magazine's Feedback "Ultralight Forum").

*Big Agness SL1 - The mosquitoes never woke me up this summer on the AT
*Nylon running shorts with cool max liner = no chaffing!
*Aquafina bottles for water - light, no cleaning, buy anywhere

Happy Holidays!

1. ULA P-2, personally fitted by Brian in a visit to Logan.

2. Tarptent Squall - I pick it up every now and then to just be amazed at how light and small it is.

3. Brasslite stove - a functional art piece.

1. Smartwool socks - they allways feel warm and dry
2. Softshell jacket (REI One). Not super light for very comfortable and can be worn all day in changing conditions
3. MEC Northern lights pullover - lighter than pile but warmer

1. GossamerGear LightTrek Poles
2. GossamerGear G5 Hyperlight Pack
3. "all things" eVENT (i.e. Int Des eVENT UniShelter bivy and Int Des eVENT Rain Jacket)

3 favorites? Tarptent Squall - Photon Microlight - Montbell Thermawrap. The "Packa" pack cover/rain jacket is right up there, too.

1-Tarptent Squall-easy to setup, lightweight and roomy.

2-Golite Breeze-light, tough and versitile. I've used it on backpacking and fishing trips from Alaska to Patagonia and also makes a great airplane carry-on. Modified: added sternum clip and rear mesh pocket clip.

3-Dan Bailey Barebones breathable waders. Used for fishing, fording, hiking in wet, floating, raingear.

1. Highgear axis watch. I broke the strap on a summit and returned it for the smaller version. Very acurate altimiter, compass, and barometer. Only wish the alarm was alittle louder and the backlight stayed on longer.

2. Hessnesy hammock ulralight. I will never sleep on the ground again!

3. Jacks r Better Nest http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/Under%20Quilt.htm
Fantastic quilt to keep warm in a hammck. Great by itself to use under a tarp. Nice guys good company!

1.Aqua Mira -- How did I ever get along without this two bottle wonder. Replaced all of that "paraphenalia" I used to carry and lose.
2. Tarptent "Virga" -- Can a "tent" be any lighter and more useful. Stuffs to the size of a cantalope and at 19 oz lets me carry a few luxuries to sinfully enjoy on the trail.
3. Big Agnes' REM Air Core Insulated pad. 21 oz and 2.5 inches of sleeping heaven for these 56 year old bones after a hard day on the trail. (I know this is not ultralight or even lightweight, strictly speaking. BUT...)

And if I could name a 4th place, it would be my aquistion of the lightest and warmest piece of clothing I have ever purchased -- Montbell's UL down liner jacket at 9 oz

Happy Tails to all and to all a good night's sleep!!

Edited by mitchellkeil on 01/01/2005 11:50:30 MST.

1. Bota of Boulder Outback water filtration System (filter in Nalgene bottle). Perfect for dipping and drinking as you go and waiting for the Aqua Mira to do it's job in your other water carrier of choice.
2. Bozeman TorsoLite pad
3. those wonderful orange Titanium tent stakes-haven't lost one yet (did 300 miles in CA this summer).

1. Bozeman Mtn. Works Quantum Arc X Quilt. My favorite bag, hands down.

2. Speer 8.5 Hammock with 8x10 Tarp.
Even if its been pouring rain all day and there is no flat,non-rocky ground around if I can find two trees 12-16 ft. apart ( not hard in the east) I will sleep high, dry and in blissful comfort.

3.Brasslite Turbo F Stove.
All I need, no more or less.Perfection.

Gear I'm looking forward to using in the winter of 2005.

1.Golite Hex 3
2.Montrail Stratos XCR's
3.ThermaRest Prolite 4 Short (15.8 oz.)

1. McHale 0-Sarc UL..........Not the lightest pack but the best carrying pack I have ever owned!

2. Optumus/Brunton Crux Stove.......Great performing Stove!

3. Integral Designs Silcoat Stuff Sacks
Light, Well Designed and the Draw Cord actually stays put when fully stuffed!