So far this is my gear list: http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=10905

My girlfriend and I like camping and would like to pursue going on longer than overnight/weekend trips. I think we need some sort of water filtration system. She's a really petite person so I tend to carry more of the items that people would split with the partner.



Also: How do I make it all neat and different sections to make it easier for y'all to look at it?

Edited by James.Bing on 01/23/2013 08:43:25 MST.

What location and season?

> I think we need some sort of water filtration system

Maybe you added this since you posted but you have a Sawyer Squeeze listed, which is a highly regarded filter.

I doubt your stuff sacks are waterproof (the Outdoor Products drybags are not really), so I'd add a trash compactor bag to put your sleep bag and insulation items in. Even if your pack comes with a cover (heavy), what if you were to fall in a creek?

Not missing but your tent pole seems rather heavy. Could you find a way to use your trekking poles?

Sunscreen for face/ears since no brimmed hat?

Rainwear or at least a wind shirt?

Cozy for "cooking"?

Tent stake for trowel? TP (unless you're using natural TP)? Sanitizer or soap?

Map and compass? I wouldn't trust a phone.

Perhaps something to write notes?

That's all that I noticed missing.

Last year on the JMT I ran into a handful of people using the Sawyer squeeze and I was using it too. Basically it is a great concept, but has some flaws to look out for that everybody was complaining about.

1. The provided bags will fail quickly. Replace them with Platypus or another brand.

2. White gasket ring likes to pop out. Keep an eye on it, and don't screw filter to the bag too tight. Or get a kit and make it a gravity filter and avoid problem all together.

3. Sweaty dirty hands trying to squeeze a bag can lead to some potential contamination that is more likely to make you sick than anything in the water.

4. If it freezes at any point, it will probably stop working even after thawing it out. So if there is any chance of it freezing, sleep with it.

There are a number of threads about this

People like Evernew bags but they're hard to find. I wonder if the reason there aren't as many failures reported is because people haven't used them as much.

I've used the Sawyer bags on quite a few trips without problem. I have babied them because of the reported failures.

The Platypus bags have a slightly different thread, so they drip between bag and filter, which can get into your treated water. Maybe old bags have the correct thread? It's possible to use the new threads, maybe replace the washer with a thinner one?

I usually just place the bag full of water with filter attached, on a log, and let gravity push the water through filter into my bottle. Except then I forget about it and come back to a bunch of water that over-flowed onto the ground. Maybe I'll squeeze a little, but not too much so the bag doesn't break.

They have apparently changed the bags for 2013. I didn't know there was such a problem until I read John's blog.

Yeah, my list is kind of always changing since I'm constantly on the look out.
Anyways, here's a new link with suggestions included http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=11230
Sorry, I don't know how to make links with this forum =/

Forgot to mention the area, which is the southeast mostly and 3 seasons, well winter here is like middle spring at worst in New England.

My girlfriend and I got the new 2013 Sawyer Squeeze, so hopefully the bag will last and I'll make sure we're careful and go easy on it.

The tent we have does not seem like trekking poles could be used to support it and a bit of ease of mind is carried with the pole. We're trying to fit the two of us and our lanky 35ish lb dog in with us and with my understanding, which is quite limited, the trekking poles might get knocked over if we were to use those instead.

Should I just swap the rain cover for a trash compactor bag?
As for cooking, it's been just boiling water and I grab the bowl with the "wind screen" aluminum foil and a sock on, seems to have prevented burnt fingers so far..

Great point about the hand sanitizer, forgot to add that on our last trip lol :-/


So far it's just been walking down a trail for a bit and setting up camp, my girlfriend is outdoorsy just hasn't been as often as I have so we're easing our way into it together.

Edited by James.Bing on 01/25/2013 12:30:04 MST.

> Should I just swap the rain cover for a trash compactor bag?

The bag is likely lighter and more secure, but if you don't cross any deep creeks it's not as big an issue.

You still seem to be missing rainwear and compass (maybe you're always on easy trails right now).

My girlfriend has a GPS from Garmin that I forgot to add.

Also, I just returned my Marmont Mica (only like 6.7oz!) and am getting the Patagonia Pullover rain jacket but that comes in on Monday so I didn't want to add that yet until I can actually weigh the thing. I have this feeling that I'm about as light as I can be right now without shelling out some major cash

Thanks by the way for the help!

A gps is no substitute for a compass

>>The Platypus bags have a slightly different thread, so they drip between bag and filter, which can get into your treated water. Maybe old bags have the correct thread? It's possible to use the new threads, maybe replace the washer with a thinner one?<<

I think it must be that the older ones fit better, as I just pushed through a couple gallons to make sure, and I didn't see any water leak out threads.

A different, but kind of funny problem with the original Sawyer bags... is I guess birds think they might contain food. I ran into a guy last year who said a Steller Jay flew down and poked a hole in it while it was sitting out at his campsite.