Hi everyone, this is my very first day on as a member and I wanted to get right to business. I am new to backpacking, up to this date I have never done more than car camp or sleep under a cheap tarp on a blanket. Being 40 I definitely wanted to go as light as I can. I have been researching a reading for over 5 years, after reading AWOL on the Appalachian.
I would have pulled the trigger sooner, but we ended up with twins 4 years ago. Now I have been pushed out of my job and removed my 401k to keep the family afloat and at my wife's goading, she convinced me it was time to reach for my dream. Below is just the purchases that I now own. I am missing some pieces, backpack, and base-layer (sleeping clothes also) Please tear this apart and left me know how I can do better or where I am setting up for disaster, (which team me would me something that would ruin my Young burgeoning love of back country backpacking. I set my self a $1500 limit and I am $300 under it at this time, but know that purchasing a pack, good base layer and down sweater will ae me over the mark, Oh and did I mention she is now state=in in certain areas I have to carry a Garnin GPS,,,great more weight. LOL.Ok on to the show…
http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=19828
Can I have everyone's honest opinions. I want the list to be ripped apart so I know where I may be making mistakes before I go and spend a lot of Money. This is a one shot deal for me.
*** Edit I will find me a button compass on AMAZON even if it mean me having to buy the big box of them. Hell, I guess I could hand them and Constitution pamphlets out to kids at Halloween, Nothings scarier than political America.

