Types of Gear Lists

[Edward Jursek]

I have been making gear lists on LighterPack. I find my lists form around the number of days I will be gone, which dictates which pack I will be taking and influences my gear choices. Looking over my hiking habits, I tend to take 3 kinds of trips – shorter 2 to 3 day trips that usually fall around a weekend. Then trips that are 4 or 5 days, that usually fall around a holiday weekend. Finally, 6 to 7 day trips where I take a whole week off. I never take 1 night trips anymore, it just seems like too much hassle for being on the trial too little, even though there are some great overnight trips close to home. I am just spoiled living in Seattle.

My "almost SUL" list is for the short 2 to 3 day long trips and focuses on light weight and smaller volume. This is decidedly a summer list. I have a mid-weight, mid-volume list that centers around a 2800 cu in pack, that has enough room for heavier/bulkier shoulder season gear, for those 4 to 5 day trips. Then I have a GG Mariposa with over 4000 cu in that is the foundation for my longer trips, with ample room for all of the food and beefier/heavier shoulder season gear if needed.

One gear list does not seem enough. Do other gear list makers form multiple lists, or just a single list with multiple options? If you have multiple gear lists, how do you decide to build a given list? Thanks!

[scott daniels]

id say my list varies by season more than duration. summer trips really only change the amount of food. early fall i add slightly more clothes. once october/november hits, i become a complete wimp and any semblance of UL usually goes out the window lol…

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