Red River Gorge, KY; October

I'm not familiar with all of those manufacturer model names. Do you have rain gear and a windshirt? Maybe separate out stuff on your person vs. in the pack.

* Add a pealess whistle and topo map. Instead of the tool and pocket chainsaw, I'd prefer to just have a single fixed blade around 4 inches. A #1 Mora in sheath is around 3 oz.

* Can you do anything to cut the weight of the backpack itself down?

* Eliminate one of the cooking containers.

* If you're going to be hanging around camp much, it sounds like you'll have plenty of time for a wood fire, or maybe to collect fuel for a wood stove.

While I carry a S&W642 often when I hike, I'd at least leave the spare mag at home for the G27. The chances of you needing a spare mag are minuscule.

"…I'd at least leave the spare mag at home for the G27. The chances of you needing a spare mag are minuscule."

@ Jacob:
You must not have had the experience of being down at Red River Gorge during the Fall (a.k.a. "harvest"). It can be quite an adventure :)

@OP: What are you using for footwear? Will you be bushwhacking or staying on trail?

The RRG is such a special place:

Were down at the Motherload in the Gorge a few years ago climbing, got out real late only to meet a bunch of local friends on their way in to find us. Turns out there's a "hanging tree" there which sees some frequent use by drug runners in the area, about two weeks before hand someone was eviscerated and hanged there.
Personal even w/o all the hunters there in the Fall sometimes I think a handgun or two might not be a bad idea there. Still never carry one, dont own one, and with some notable exceptions I often wonder why anyone would. Still the George can be a bit of a sketchy place sometimes. ugh.

I noticed no down jacket – MtBell Alpine Light Hoody would be nice to have in Oct

Andy,

I've got a Fox 40 whistle that I'll throw in. The raingear is the Arc'Teryx Alpha.

Aaron,

I'll probably have Merrell Chameleons for footwear, and the plan is to stay on the trail about half the time. I didn't include them, because I usually don't tally up the clothes to be worn. Everything in my pockets gets counted though.

Robert,

Here is the news article from last year:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/26/national/main5343131.shtml

I don't have a down jacket yet-that will be a Christmas present for next year…

The Gorge has been improving the past few years, and with October being the most popular month, feeling safe is rarely an issue. Im doing 18 miles there this weekend as long as the weather holds out. What trails are you planning?

I'm not too concerned about other people at the Gorge, but I do have some fears about leaving anything in the car. My hiking partner is making the trail plan, but it will likely be the rough Trail and spending most of the week in the Clifty Wilderness.