2014 SOBO gear list

[Caleb Johnson]

Looking for feedback on an AT gear list if anybody has a few minutes. I'm preparing for a ~6/15 start date, staying out for 8 weeks. Thanks!

One change I'm specifically considering is swapping the Osprey pack for a ZPacks Zero.

Gear List Link

[Bob Gross]

You might start by describing what backpacking trail you will be on.

–B.G.–

[Caleb Johnson]

Sorry, doing the AT.

[Steven Paris]

The only thing that jumps out to me is the Conduit Bivy. I don't know where you are starting/stopping along the AT but I'd think a bivy would be high-condensation prone in June and July anywhere along the AT. I think I'd want some kind of bug inner net instead, maybe coupled with a simple cuben or silnylon 5×7 tarp just in case.

[Ben C]

Know what part of the trail you will be doing might help, but, regardless, here's what I'd do differently:

-I would take shorts and no long pants; maybe extra shorts so you can do wash.
-I would want a rain jacket, poncho, or at least an umbrella; that Ghost Whisperer is not really a rain jacket. I guess you could get by with it if you're in the southeast.
-I would plan on being in a short sleeved light wool or poly shirt; the long sleeve shirt will likely be a night shirt.
-you list spare socks but not a first pair. I really think there is no substitute for 2 pairs of light wool socks.
-I carry only a little more than half the amount of food you estimate
-take the AWOL Guide
-include money, license, etc.
-I would never carry anywhere near 64 ounces of water on the AT. Look at your AWOL for water sources. I typically fill up with 16 ounces.
-I think you've underestimated the weight of your extra clothing.
-I think that bivy is going to be a sweat bag; I would leave that at home. You could stay in shelters only and get by with just a head net or breathable bivy; add a light tarp if you want to spend time outside of the shelters
-Add some toiletries like soap, toothbrush…..

With regard to the pack, I carry a zero a lot of the time and like it a lot. Once you get over about 20 pounds total weight, it starts getting a little uncomfortable; over 25 and its not great to carry, but doable for awhile. A young, fit person can usually be comfortable with a little more weight than an older person. SO I think you need to dial in your total pack weight a little before you make that decision. I can see some weight you are going to need to add in your list, but I think you are likely carrying more food and water than you will on most of your trip.

Hope some of this is helpful.

[Rob]

You only have a 48 oz. water capacity. Is that your intention?

You are carrying a bag for freezing weather, but have no jacket, gloves, etc…

Rain could definitely be an issue for you.

I am pretty sure your shoes are 11 oz. each and not 11 oz. total.

You have 64 ounces of water listed at 2.5 lbs. It should be 4.175 lbs.

You have a Lightweight fleece, T-shirt, Nylon shorts and Spare socks listed as 8 oz???

I agree that 2.5 lbs of food a day is a lot. I typically take 24 oz, but only weigh 165 lbs.

You appear to be missing things, including:
navigation
fire starting
underwear
socks
TP
toothbrush
toothpaste
soap
wallet/money
anything for repairs

Should be a fun trip.

[Caleb Johnson]

I'll try to cover all of the questions… let me know if I missed anything.

A few of the sundries haven't made it onto the list yet. I'll test out the Conduit in warmer weather as the opportunity arises. I've been using a bivy sack for years in all weather, but haven't tested the Conduit model specifically yet outside of a few colder trips. If it's too humid I'll definitely look at other options. The simplicity of the system is really appealing. The Klymit pad goes inside the bag, the bag zips to the bivy, and the whole rig can roll up together in the bottom of the pack without a stuff sack.

I do need to sort out the clothing weight in the pack. The 8 ounces listed is definitely a bit short. The long pants were intended to be a very light pair of wind pants for hiking on very sunny days or when there was a good bit of scrub. Dropping to just running shorts might be a good alternative. There are definitely two pair of socks, one worn and another as a spare set.

The only reason for the 32* bag is for the occasional overnight low temps in the northern section. I'd be starting in Maine around 6/15. Not planning to spend a lot of time around the campsite so the clothing is enough for hiking, not standing around for hours in the evening.

Water weight should be sorted out now. Planning on carrying 40 ounces with capacity for another 24 (1.25 ounce Gatorade bottle) in case of dry stretches of trail.

For rain gear, the Ghost Whisperer should be completely waterproof. It's not particularly breathable, but because I sweat a ridiculous amount it's usually easier to just hike shirtless during the rain and put the dry shirt back on after the rain stops. I'd be more likely to wear it while setting up or taking down camp.

Food is based on a 4-5k calorie allotment per day. Anything below that and I'm starving after a few days (especially when hiking longer distances). Hiked 39 miles on Friday and there's no way any less food would have been adequate. Not that I plan on covering that kind of ground this summer, but definitely over 20 per day.

[Ben C]

It won't hurt that much to carry some of the relatively heavy stuff if its really your preference. A couple of items might make you really uncomfortable though. If you carry that WPB bivy, you can always sleep outside of it. But if its a warm night and the bugs are out, I think you're going to be really uncomfortable.
I don't own the Ghost Whisperer jacket, but its my understanding that it is not waterproof. Plan on getting wet if that's your only rain protection.

[Caleb Johnson]

Which heavy stuff are you referring to? I'm all ears on ways to drop this further (as long as it doesn't involve significant expense).

I'll try to give the jacket a good rain test and do some digging online to find out if other people have had issues with it.

As much as possible, when it's raining I'll be looking for shelters and leave the bivy open. If that means hiking through a few miles of rain, that's generally okay.

[Ben C]

The heavy stuff,to me, would be the WPB bivy, water, and food. Not expensive items to cut at all. Take the AWOL guide and water sources will be easy; you don't need to carry much water.
As to the jacket, I'm not saying there is an issue or problem with it. I don't think its intended to be a waterproof jacket. Mountain Hardwear doesn't market it as a waterproof jacket. Its a windshirt. Even in summer, I would want a waterproof jacket on the AT in New England. I would throw in a cheap dri-ducks jacket to stay dry.
I think you'll really like the New England section of the AT. Enjoy.

[Ben C]

I would think about getting a Sawyer Squeeze too. They are really cheap now(about $20). And you won't have to wait for your water to treat. I can really carry less than a half liter pretty much anywhere on the AT and be fine.

[Emily Lisborg]

-is all your cook stuff really only 4 oz? this would be around the minimum just for a 1L pot without the additional things you listed. if you are planning on 2.5 lbs food a day then i would think a 1L would be minimum and 6 oz of fuel would be on the low side unless you are planning on eating a ton of raw stuff and only cooking occasionally.

-34L seems small to me. have you tried fitting all your supplies in there with the food, water etc? it's much easier to have a big pack and not have to squeeze everything back in every morning IMO. i'm taking a 55 and will not be carrying nearly as much water or food as you.

-someone already mentioned this, but you need a lighter (and maybe backup firestarter)
-it would be good to find out the actual weight of your spare clothing. my guesses for the minimum weights would be somewhere around 8 for the fleece, 4 for spare shorts, 4 for shirt, 2 for spare socks. so you're looking at 18 oz instead of 8.
– a short sleeve top and shorts would probably be more suited for the time of year. keep a warm top if you are concerned, or hang onto the wind jacket for warmth.
-you might consider replacing the wind shirt for a poncho to stay dry. you do not want to be completely without a waterproof top. these will keep you warm in the rain (in summer) and are very cheap and light. i got mine for 10$ and it's 2 oz. it can go over your pack too so it doesn't absorb a lot of water. up to you.

[Caleb Johnson]

The cook system really is 4 ounces. It's basically an alcohol stove with an integrated bottle for boiling up to 16 ounces of water. That's enough to cook my dinner. Breakfast and lunch don't require cooking. The bottle also doubles as a water bottle during the day.

34L really is enough (though to be clear that's basically the internal volume of the pack, not including lid and pockets, etc – it's an Osprey thing). My sleeping/shelter system only takes up a small portion of the volume, just over 1/3 would be my guess.

Sundry items like a lighter and a few other small things still need to be added to the list.

I revised the clothing weight to 16 ounces. Will adjust the fleece top to a long sleeve base layer. Considering a poncho, though the rain gear is primarily as a wind layer. While hiking I sweat enough to soak through from the inside so it's usually easier to just to deal with the rain and put on a set of dry clothes when it stops. I'll use a pack liner (2 oz) but haven't added it into the list just yet.

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