Want to start out thanking everyone for their well wishes along with their comments and suggestions on helping to reduce pack weight.
Andy – Thank you for catching the missing trekking poles. I have added those. The SHT is a very beautiful trail. I like it, and hate it at the same time. I have done 90% of it in sections. There’s no long significant elevation ups or downs, but a lot of up down, up down. I like to say it nickel and dimes you. The views are awesome from the many ridges and lookouts. Lots of beautiful waterfalls too. I highly recommend the SHT.
John – The 5×7 tarp probably should go away, but after being on the trail many times before wishing I had a tarp for relief from the cold wind, or from the rain. The other reason is I will have my dog with and if it’s raining during a break I would like to setup the tarp and be under that versus setting up the tent and getting that wet inside. Definitely a luxury item. I don’t plan on using all the bladders while hiking. The 2 liter bladder will be used for camp use. The water will be for my dog and I. Even though most water sources are very close to campsites, I have found it easier in the past to fill them up when I get to or about to camp versus taking short walks to get more when there empty. The Aquafina bottle is for making mix drinks of Nuun, Gatorade, or lemonade.
Shawn – I was told by the SHT association that the reroute north of Gooseberry Falls will be changed again this summer to a permanent reroute, but probably not before I go. It’s unfortunate what happened to the land owner from a few random hikers.
Ken – Updated the Hankie to bandana, I had the wrong wording. Two of the light load towels were for bathing and drying off. Another one was to dry my dog off from rain before entering the tent and going to sleep with her down quilt. I could just add the one to her pack. I can easily drop the 4x light load towels for adding another bandana. Good call there. For the soap I could easily change to a dropper bottle. I have thought about doing this before but I didn’t like the idea of the cap falling off and soap getting over other stuff. While thinking about this I remember I have some dropper bottles sold by MLD a few years ago. I will have to give them a look. As for the tooth brush, I have tried the Zpacks tooth brush kit for the last few year, but it never feels like my teeth are as clean as when I use a real tooth brush. My first couple of backpacking trips were with one of these tube style. From what I remember they were bigger than just a regular tooth brush. Next time Im at the store I will give the tube style a look over. I have a ULA rain wrap and from what I remember the addition of the pants was almost a wash in weight, so I will stick with these for now. I wouldn’t feel comfortable hiking in rain pants vs wind pants. Qtips, I know that is an odd thing to find on a gear list. I guess I have a fetish with keeping my ears clean. Also thought of using these to apply the New Skin if needed, although I may just use my finger to apply. You don’t know how many times I have gone yay or nay to the camp sandals. My only justification is for allowing my feet to dry out, and bathing. As of know there nixed. How is it that you use a Smart water bottle with the sport cap for back flushing a Sawyer Squeeze?
I have updated my gear list with some of the recommended changes and more updates will be coming from the other recommendations. Thanks again for the help!
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