My first post since I signed up as a member!

I'm going to be heading out NOBO around March 6th.

=packing=
* MYOG from carcass of REI Flash 30 (similar to golite breeze) - 14
* stuff sacks - 4
* total - 18

=clothing/items worn/carried=
* (later)short sleeved synthetic shirt - 4
* (start) capilene 3 top - 7
* ex officio underwear - 3
* north face hiking pants - 10
* smartwool socks - 3
* vasque velocity shoes - 29
* black diamond compact trail poles - 17
* watch - 1
* total(start) - 70
* total(later) - 66

=clothing=
* extra smartwool socks - 3
* head bug netting - 1 (later)
* capilene 3 top - 7 (later)
* MYOG insulated vest - 8
* MYOG fleece hat - 2
* EMS shell gloves - 5.5 (start)
* EMS fleece liner gloves - 2
* capilene 3 bottoms - 4.25 (start)
* mountain hardwear windstopper fleece - 20.5 (start)
* patagonia houdini windshirt - 3.5
* MYOG poncho tarp (counted in shelter)
* total (start) - 48.75
* total (later) - 25.5

=shelter/sleep=
* MYOG poncho tarp - 8
* MYOG breathable bivy - 8
* stakes - 1
* guylines - 0.5
* short z-lite sleeping pad - 10
* (start)Mountain hardwear ultralamina 15 regular - 43
* (later)MYOG 30 degree synthetic quilt - 19
* total (winter) - 70.5
* total (summer) - 46.5

=food/cooking=
* packafeather stove - 2.6
* fuel bottle - 1
* titanium 0.9L pot - 5
* spoon - 0.3
* lighter + a few matches - 0.5
* bearbagging system (food bag + cord, etc) - 3
* water bottles (2L capacity) - 3
* water treatment (aquamira) - 1
* total - 15.5

=toiletries/first aid=
* toilet paper - 0.5
* toothbrush and paste - 0.5
* soap - 0.5
* first aid kit - 5
* total ~ 6.5

=miscellaneous=
* backpacking repair kit - 2.5
* leatherman micra - 2
* black diamond headlamp - 2.5
* money + id + credit card - 1
* appalachian trail data book - 1
* phone - 2.5
* total ~ 11.5

=fun=
* pen - 0.1
* waterproof journal - 1
* camera - 5.5
* ipod + headphones - 1.5
* total ~ 8.1

=totals=
* base pack weight (start) - 179.75 or 11.2 pounds
* base pack weight (later) - 132.5 or 8.3 pounds


I would love any advice. Especially from people who have on site experience. I live in Boston, so I know the Whites pretty well and am able to hike through late october with the "start" gear list. I'm figuring that the southern end in March will be similar. In case your wondering, I don't use down because I'm vegan. I know I could drop a couple pounds if I went with down for the sleeping bag and insulation, but it's not worth it to me.

I'm curious if I could get away without the shell gloves and just go with the grocery bag technique. I'm not going to worry about if I need the gloves and hat later on - I'll just mail them home if they're unnecessary.

Edited by Eihjia on 11/08/2010 14:01:49 MST.

well judging by the way my gear list was handled, I would suggest using a warmer bag possibly. im starting march 1st and was suggested to use something a bit warmer like a 20 degree. Although because you seem like a MYOG guy you could make a quilt out out of 5oz primaloft and it would probably work great

Oops, the sleeping bag is rated to 15 not 32. Typo! I think it'll be fine by your criteria after the edit.

Well a 15 degree would be fine IMO, especially if you are wearing capelines to bed. Your gear looks great to me, i think you should be set. We may even see each other on the trail....? If you want to see some of my own tips and advice you can also check out some of my youtube videos, just type in butts0989 to the search bar.

The only comment I would make is that you'll want to bring more than one pen. I was pretty religious about writing in my journal every day (and am pretty happy I did) and I carried 2-3 pens because one would eventually fail, a friend would lose theirs and someone will borrow one for the shelter register and forget to return it.

I personally think the leatherman is a bit overkill, but at 2oz if you want to carry it go for it. I just used the smallest swiss army knife I could find and barely used it at all. And my first aid kit was more elaborate than most other thru-hikers where I carried ibuprofin and some tape and thats it. But most people are a bit wary on gutting their first aid.

edit: one more thing it looks like you only have 2 liters worth of water capacity. Depending on the year I seriously doubt you'll ever have to carry more than that, but I would suggest carrying an empty Gatorade quart bottle to fill up at camp to save from getting more water in the morning. It worked for me so I thought I'd just throw that out there. I also carried a 20 oz vitamin water bottle (I'd get a new one every town stop) and use that for drink mixes and morning shakes, but it would be empty when I was on the move.

Edited by xpatrickxad on 11/09/2010 13:09:31 MST.