Suggested GEAR LIST ETIQUETTE

[Mike Clelland]

Reply to John – – Ask Sam H!

He'll have the technical insights.

[Kendall Clement]

I got a great postal scale on Ebay for 39 bucks. Weights are in both American and metric. It even does tare weight. The other thing that's nice is that it goes up to 76 lbs. So, I can use it when I sell stuff on Ebay too. THAT'S RIGHT! Multi-purpose baby!

I also like zip lock baggies.

[James Marco]

Like others, I think weighing your gear is a step in the right direction. But, after more than 40 years of doing it, it becomes a simple inventory sheet. For example, I have had over a dozen WG stoves. Which one to list?

You tell me to list my current trip. OK. Soo, which part? (Base camp/car camp, hiking, fast-packing, canoeing, through hiking?) Over the course of a two to three week trip into the woods, I often take 2 sets of gear: Base camping and hiking/canoeing.

Anyway, gear and weight are only the first step in lightening a pack for a trip.

Next is organizing gear into systems for performing tasks. For example (refer to the diagram above):
Your Sleep System. This also includes a base layer of clothing. By including a base layer of clothing you extend the temperature range of your bag. From there you have several options (given you do not need the extra warmth) a lighter pad, a lighter bag, a lighter shelter. Note that the Ground cloth is out of place. It is actually part of the shelter system, not an independent member of the sleeping system. I decided to let the mistake stand as a good example of what to avoid. (Besides, I would have had to redo the diagram.) Anyway, the point of this exercise is that we can get the lowest weight item for every category, and, we may still be carrying TOO much weight for any one trip. Not always, but it is surly never guaranteed to be lightest needed for any one trip.

As a Computer Scientist, one of the tools we use is called database normalization. This is an offshoot of that. By establishing the parameters of each trip, in a simple example: temperature, we can reduce the weight of what we have available to it's minimum. This MAY be different than simply choosing the lightest item by a spreadsheet. It helps to answer the question: "Which would be lighter for this trip?"
Something a spreadsheet of weights can lack. It is usually far easier to absorb info with a diagram than a spread sheet, anyway.
Going too far? Sure. But I am retired from a school. I get to play with this stuff. There is indeed a methode to my madness. Or is that a madness to my methode?
jdm

[b willi jones]

just re bumping this – an oldie but a goodie

[b willi jones]

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~ Suggested ~
GEAR LIST ETIQUETTE

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Some people enjoy doing crossword puzzles, I enjoy looking at the GEAR LISTS on the BPL forum.

Reviewing and commenting is really fun. I feel strongly that posting and sharing a gear-list is an invaluable tool to help *any* backpacker become more fully aware of his equipment. (beginner to expert, it doesn't matter)

I will add that sometimes it's tricky to play the role of consultant. In order to give truly helpful advice, it is essential to have a few fundamental data points. Please, if you post a list on the GEAR LIST forum, be sure to include these basic details.
__________________________________________________

A – Initial information:

1 ) Are you SOLO camping, or part of a TEAM?

2 ) WHERE will you be camping?

3 ) What type of WEATHER do you expect?

4 ) How LONG is your proposed trip?

An overnight in Arizona in August with a partner is substantially different that a 3 week solo traverse of the Mackenzie mountains in Canada's Yukon Territories in June. (one doesn't require a head lamp!)
__________________________________________________

B – Please, we are all gear nerds here (especially me) so having all the exact weights of everything is super helpful.

C – Separate out the CONSUMABLES from the BASE weight. Food, water and stove fuel should be an independent number.

D – If you don't have a scale, get one!
__________________________________________________

Unless the person who started the thread was courteous enough to include this basic info, any follow-up poster will have to ask these simple questions.

Edited by mikeclelland on 04/03/2010 19:39:38 MDT.

[Brian Lewis]

I somehow missed seeing this "back then".

To Mike's excellent list, I suggest the addition of:

"Do you present this list as being absolutely complete, or is it only intended as a partial (perhaps preliminary) list? Are you asking (or expecting) people to 'review for completeness' as part of the provided feedback?"

[Brian Lewis]

Hmm, and also:

"Tell us a little about your experience level, particularly if that's relevant to gear choices and location/weather/etc".

[Ken Thompson]

A bump for good measure.

[Author]

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