I'm going to do my first thru-hike this summer or next, if I can swing the scheduling. I already cycle toured 1500 miles through the northeast with a minimalist setup and no hotels, so my comfort in camping in this exact gear list is already tested and approved. What I'm looking to do is to figure out how best to spend another 300 dollars to trim weight.
The one area I might need to re-examine is the way I carry the DSLR. And no, I won't consider switching it out for a compact camera. Photography is what I do!
Backpack:
Boreas Buttermilk 40L, no frame.
Front Pack: Lowepro Toploader Zoom 55
Hot Weather Clothing:
Shirt: Under Armour Synthetic Heat Tee
Shorts: Nike Dri-Fit Shorts
Pants: Mountain Hardwear Mesa climbing pants
Underwear: Ex-Officio Briefs
Socks: Darn Tough Merino Wool, Nike Dri-Fit Compression Socks (vein problem in one foot)
Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 7
Glasses: Bright colored and ridiculously stylish cheap-o plastic shades.
Hat: Some trucker hat, maybe a patagonia one.
Cold/Inclement Weather Clothing:
Jacket: C.A.M.P. Men's ED Slim Down Jacket (no hood)
Shirt: Smartwool Midweight Crew
Pants: Smartwool Midweight Tights
Rain Gear: Red Ledge Men's rain pants, Marmot Super Mica jacket
Socks: Fox River Reinforced Merino Wool Crew (need lighter alternative)
Hat: Smartwool Men's beanie
Gloves: Smartwool Pocket Gloves w/ liners
Sleeping:
Tent: Hennessy Hammock Ultralight backpacker's A-Sym
Sleeping Bag: EMS Solstice 20 synthetic (3lbs, inexpensive but no real complaints. On the bike tour, I used a cheap ALPS Mountaineering Razor fleece liner all the way down to 40º, and I might repeat that. Could use advice on a new sleeping bag)
Sleeping Pad: Thermarest NeoAir Regular
Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack: Sea to Summit e-Vent M
Water/Food:
Cold diet, no cooking. Pro Bars, CLIF bars, wraps, nuts, chocolate, and whatever else I end up choosing. I'm not picky and I don't drink coffee in the morning. When we bike toured, we used our stove exactly once in 30 days.
Water Filter: Sawyer PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System
Water Bottles: 2x Platypus 1L bottles OR 2x Nalgene Cantene 40oz
Food bag: 20L Sea to Summit Dry-Sack
Miscellaneous:
Firestarting: Zippo Windproof Lighter, Waterproof matches, firesteel, small amount of tinder
First Aid: Band-aids, gauze, Aleve painkillers, moleskine, tweezers, razorblade, Celox powder.
Hygiene: TP, Quick-wipes, Gold Bond, Toothpaste, sawed-off toothbrush, bug repellent.
Electronics:
Phone: iPhone w/ Charger
Headlamp: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 w/ Core rechargeable battery (cord compatible w/ iPhone charger, I think)
Camera: Nikon D5100 w/ Nikon 16-85 DX Wide Angle Zoom Telephoto and Nikon 40mm DX Prime Macro, w/ charger
Batteries: Nikon spare battery, 3 AAA (headlamp)
Other:
2 Sea to Summit compressions traps (fastening gear to the outside of my pack if necessary, fixing problems. Ditch?)
2 Leki Corklite Speedlock poles
1 Pack Raincover
1 Leatherman Micra
1 Sewing Kit (w/ Superglue, clothespins)
1 compass (Brunton Classic)
1 Mylar Emergency Blanket
Duct Tape
Plastic bags, plastic zip-ties
Passport/ID's
TOTAL ESTIMATED WEIGHT: 13lbs measured, but missing water filter, some hygiene items, and all camera gear. Estimated total: 18lbs.
Questions:
1. Add bug shirt?
2. Is a new sleeping bag in order?
3. Does anyone know if the Sawyer Squeeze is compatible with Platypus threads?
4. Should I pack a Stoic Titanium 700ml Kettle for cooking on a campfire occasionally? Think I'll use it w/ no stove?
5. Long-sleeve bug shirt and bug pants for sun protection? Is this an option for keeping cool? Or should I just load up on sunscreen instead?

