Hiking the LT southbound starting sometime in the next 2 weeks. Here is my gear list:

Clothing Worn:

OR Seattle Sombrero
Patagonia Capeline 2 T-shirt
Patagonia Merino Wool long sleeve crew
Patagonia Baggies shorts
Smartwool PhD Socks
Ex Offiico Boxers
Salomon XT Trail running shoes
Komperdell Trekking Poles
Digital Watch

Clothing Carried:

Patagonia Capeline 2 Long sleeve T (kept dry for sleeping)
Patagonia Capeline 2 Leg Tights (kept dry for sleeping)
Patagonia Micropuff Vest
ArcTeryx windshirt
Merino Wool socks x2 (1 pair for sleeping, 1 backup hiking pair)
Lightweight Wool Gloves
Polyester Balaclava
Crocs (still debating bringing these)

Sleeping:

Tarptent Contrail
30 degree rated down bag (20 degree synthetic for backup)
Big Agnes Insulated Aircore Mummy Pad

Storage:

Gossamer Gear Gorilla
2 silnylon bags for food storage
1 Trash Compactor pack liner (for sleeping bag and dry clothes)

Cooking:

Vargo Alcohol Stove
2 8oz alcohol storage bottles
Vargo .7L Titanium cooking pot
Pot Holder
Windscreen
Lite my Fire spork
Bic mini lighter

Water:

2L Platypus w/hose
.5L Gatorage bottle
Katadyn water purifying tablets

Rain Gear:

DriDucks Rainsuit
Moutain Laurel Designs eVent rain mits
Pack Cover

First Aid:

Duct Tape
Hand sanatizer
Ibuprofen
Immodium

Navigation:

Compass
Waterproof Map
End to Enders guide from GMC

Misc:

Princeton Tec Headlamp
Bandana
Pocket Knife
Toilet Paper
Digital Camera
Cell Phone
Rope for Bear Bagging
Waterproof matches


I think that covers everything. If you see anything missing or have any suggestions let me know, I can also answer any questions... Thanks

I did the LT last year north bound ending on October 10th. You will have a great time but, here are some things to expect

I had a very wet hike, some form of precipitation 20 days in a row.

Expect snow, 4 inches on October 1st

There will be very few other hikers

I didn't believe people that the northern section is rough, it is. It is bad. Really bad. Really bad.

This is my gear list for the trip

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApNOlUmSFywccjZpbEVCVjdEM254dmVObGpEVUgySXc&hl=en#gid=0

I ended up using a warmer sleeping bag, and would have switched the Patagonia r1/down vest for a lighter long sleeve/down jacket. Also goretex socks would have been very useful.

Any snow that I would get could be interesting. The only concern I have about my gear are the concerns you listed: warmth. I've heard that a 30 degree bag would do just fine- especially considering I could easily layer up with my insulating layers incase I get cold.

Anyone have any thoughts on the clothing I have listed as far as its ability to keep me warm? Should I consider investing in a mid-weight layer (such as the R1 hoody).

if yr worried just bring the 20 deg bag ... ive never done that trail but if its a long one you dont want to have to bail because the bag isnt warm enough or gets wet for some reason

seems everything else is pretty light

You didn't post any weights on your list, making it pretty hard to offer any insights.

I started a thread titled:
Suggested GEAR LIST ETIQUETTE

- LINK -

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=31018&skip_to_post=262364#262364

I started this thread because there are some key points that really help when you post a gear list.

To be honest, the only things that I would be willing to spend money on to save some weight would only result in saving a few ounces or so here and there. All of the gear that I have listed is relatively light weight by my standards. I am not too concerned about saving this amount of weight. Also, I do not feel like researching the weights or buying a scale.

On that note, I am hoping you could comment on how well my gear suits the type of hike I will be on. I expect to encounter a good amount of rain, mild days, and cool nights.

WHAT?!?!?

You are not interested in buying a scale?

Please note - this is a forum for LIGHTWEIGHT backpacking.

The digital scale is the one-and-only essential item to the lightweight camper!

Digital scales are now pretty cheap but very worthwhile.

In the old days when I first started ultralightweight backpacking (early 1980's), I used three analog scales. One was a regular bathroom scale. One was a baby scale that went up to 20 pounds or so. One was a postal scale that had ounces up to 16.

My loaded pack was only going to about 14.5 pounds then.

--B.G.--