going on a thru on the A.T any help with my packing list would be great

[balloonatic]

hi everyone well i finally got my pack all prept for this summer and i thought i would get some feedback on it. some things might change but i think i am close. I do not have everything weighed seperatly yet but the combined weight is 20 lbs with out food and water. thanks for the feed back.
balloonatic

Pack
Emerald bay internal frame
Diy pack cover


Sleep
clark Nx 250
Clark rain fly
Whoopee suspention
Diy down top quill
Diy underquill both in water proof compression sack
6 ti 6 inch tent pegs

Cooking
Pop can alcohol stove
Minimalist cooking pot/ cup
Diy wood burner/ wind screen for alcohol stove
Ti spork
1 dew rag
1 camper towel
1 three liter camel back water bag
1 nalgene water bottle
Alcohol fuel contanier

clothes
2 wick a way underwear
1 columbia zip away pant/ shorts
1 pair wind/ rain pants
1 pair thermal pants
1 pair sport shorts for sleeping
1 wick away long sleave shirt
1 wick way t shirt
1 wick away sleeveless
1 thermal top
1 thermal check polyester fleece
1 rain shell jacket
1 pair gortex sox
1 pair keen sandels
1 buff
1 pair north face polar tec gloves
Cowboy hat


Hiking poles
Leki eagle

First aid kit
1 roll toilet paper
1 plastic troll
TP/small mirror/wetwipes/udder balm/hand sanitizer/tooth brush/toothpaste/matches/


Extra
1 htc evo smart phone
1 small monocular
Sunglasses with multiple lenses
Balloons
Flint
Spare aa batteries
Energizer head lamp
Small section of duct tape
P cord braclet

All in all just weighs in at 20lbs with out food and water
Am I missing anything?

[whayneneal]

I just scanned through, but I didn't notice a camera.

[Bat]

I love my Keen sandals too but they were too heavy to make my final packing list. I went with the Waldies AT shoes. The sleeveless shirt seems extra at this point until it warms up. What is your start date?

[balloonatic]

start day is the end of march.
i have a camera on my phone a 8mp real nice and if i can find my point and shoot digital i will bring that also

[Bat]

I hope to see you on the trail. I've never checked out a Clarke and would like to.

[Fronkey]

If you're doing a thru hike on the AP I would definitely be shooting some video. You're doing something that pretty much all of us hear dream of doing.

Fronkey

[balloonatic]

If you're doing a thru hike on the AP I would definitely be shooting some video. You're doing something that pretty much all of us hear dream of doing.

Fronkey

will do. i can't promise much I am nothing like the great video takers that are on this site but I will give it a try to do somthing
balloonatic

[Fronkey]

will do. i can't promise much I am nothing like the great video takers that are on this site but I will give it a try to do somthing
balloonatic

If you video your adventures. I'll volunteer to edit it for you. You would be doing be a favor too because I'm really interested in the trail.

Fronkey

[balloonatic]

If you video your adventures. I'll volunteer to edit it for you. You would be doing be a favor too because I'm really interested in the trail.

Fronkey

now that could work. i think we need to talk. I will have a flipcam with me i just don't know how i would get the files to you i wil have to figure that out. but it would be cool to do as a journal or somthing.
balloonatic

[Fronkey]

now that could work. i think we need to talk. I will have a flipcam with me i just don't know how i would get the files to you i wil have to figure that out. but it would be cool to do as a journal or somthing.
balloonatic

Pm me and we can figure something out.

Fronkey

[OutandBack]

Looks like a pretty good list.
The First aid kit looks a bit light.
I would add moleskin for blisters. Advil for sore muscles.

Looking forward to reading about the adventure.

[Wags]

-camper towel and doorag can be combined to be 1 bandana. more multiuse.
-camelback is heavy. if you want a bladder, then look towards platypus. i like using empty gatorade or soda bottles. they cost $1.50 and come with free soda or gatorade. keep the nalgene for a hot water bottle.
-3 t shirts is a lot. i'd lose one of the short sleeve or sleeveless. long sleeve shirts can become short sleeve shirts by rolling up the sleeves :D
-leave the camera. smartphone definitely good enough. take pictures of people too, not just views
-balloons for what? emergency water holder? just bring a condom. again, mulituse :D
-no water treatment?

i don't see a poofy jacket. i'd recommend getting an 800 fill down jacket by someone. you have a lot of heavy/bulky midlayers. you need to lose one of them and replace it with something nice and toasty. or else you'll be forced into your sleeping bag as soon as you get to camp. again, i'd try to sort out your insulation and clothes. i feel you are carrying way too much.

good luck, have fun

[Boothill]

didn't see anything for water filtration/treatment........

boot

[balloonatic]

-camper towel and doorag can be combined to be 1 bandana. more multiuse.
-camelback is heavy. if you want a bladder, then look towards platypus. i like using empty gatorade or soda bottles. they cost $1.50 and come with free soda or gatorade. keep the nalgene for a hot water bottle.
-3 t shirts is a lot. i'd lose one of the short sleeve or sleeveless. long sleeve shirts can become short sleeve shirts by rolling up the sleeves :D
-leave the camera. smartphone definitely good enough. take pictures of people too, not just views
-balloons for what? emergency water holder? just bring a condom. again, mulituse :D
-no water treatment?

i don't see a poofy jacket. i'd recommend getting an 800 fill down jacket by someone. you have a lot of heavy/bulky midlayers. you need to lose one of them and replace it with something nice and toasty. or else you'll be forced into your sleeping bag as soon as you get to camp. again, i'd try to sort out your insulation and clothes. i feel you are carrying way too much.

good luck, have fun

good coments the poofy jacket is covered by my diy top quill 900 fill down i made it like the jacks are better no sniffler so it has a velcro opening so i can wear it like a poncho very warm and nice.
the balloons well i am the balloonatic and balloons are not only a pillow, elastic bands, band aids, and a handi mans dream but it is also for entertaining my self and those i meet, just ask the guys at the hammock hang in michigan last weekend.

[balloonatic]

didn't see anything for water filtration/treatment........

boot

i did forget to add that i am using the two step purification tablets.

[Wags]

cool. so a down serape. a nice use insulation...

i still think you have too many shirts. i count 5 :D

[balloonatic]

cool. so a down serape. a nice use insulation...

i still think you have too many shirts. i count 5 :D

yeah you are probibly right i will get rid of one or two

[bloomgorge]

if you're leaving in march how many nights do you plan to use to dial in your quilts. i think you mentioned you sleep in your hammock ever night in your home but sleeping inside a house is a little different than sleeping outside.
i found when i made my first UQ it took Kevin (dblcorona) and i almost 3 nights of fiddling and checking each other. i found i need to add a shock cord that ran up over the top of my ridge line to get the most warmth.

i don't think i saw duck tape. i wrap a few yards around my poles along with 5' of shock cord on each pole as well.

[balloonatic]

hmm did not think about dialing it in... the bottom one is using the velcro on the bottom so those are pretty good they are holding the heat in very well. the top one is doing it job and because of how i have the the chambers i can have the down on top or on the side.

but besides that i am not sure how to dial it in any ideas would be great. between the top quill the bottom and the pieces for each pocket it is using 21 ounches of 900 fill down.

balloonatic


if you're leaving in march how many nights do you plan to use to dial in your quilts. i think you mentioned you sleep in your hammock ever night in your home but sleeping inside a house is a little different than sleeping outside.
i found when i made my first UQ it took Kevin (dblcorona) and i almost 3 nights of fiddling and checking each other. i found i need to add a shock cord that ran up over the top of my ridge line to get the most warmth.

i don't think i saw duck tape. i wrap a few yards around my poles along with 5' of shock cord on each pole as well.

[bloomgorge]

have a few sleeps outside and see if you get cold anywhere. if you do, try to get someone that knows what they are looking at/for and have them suggest improvements or add some draw cords if you can.

[chillyhiker]

Good luck to you and Bat I will be following bat on trail journals will you be posting there also?

[Red Wing]

if you're leaving in march how many nights do you plan to use to dial in your quilts. i think you mentioned you sleep in your hammock ever night in your home but sleeping inside a house is a little different than sleeping outside.
i found when i made my first UQ it took Kevin (dblcorona) and i almost 3 nights of fiddling and checking each other. i found i need to add a shock cord that ran up over the top of my ridge line to get the most warmth.

i don't think i saw duck tape. i wrap a few yards around my poles along with 5' of shock cord on each pole as well.

I'm pretty surehe's in a clark and make a bunch of down "pillows" to it the pockets under a clark.. That's his insulation, no fine tuning, just put them in the pockets. At least that's what I gathered when I was lookin' at his DIY quilt thread.

[balloonatic]

I'm pretty surehe's in a clark and make a bunch of down "pillows" to it the pockets under a clark.. That's his insulation, no fine tuning, just put them in the pockets. At least that's what I gathered when I was lookin' at his DIY quilt thread.

yes that is correct i have velcro in the pockets to hold them in place

[Red Wing]

How're those workin' or you buddy? Youtried them out outside yet? You experience any cold spots?

[kayak karl]

have a great hike. you will dial in your gear list by Franklin LOL and say Hi to Ron Haven when you get there.
take it slow and enjoy
take care
KK
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=259886

[balloonatic]

How're those workin' or you buddy? Youtried them out outside yet? You experience any cold spots?

i have not been able to try them outside yet one it is too cold for my gear but also i have no trees in my yard to hang from.

[bloomgorge]

did you make them with baffles or one big pocket pillow for each of the pockets on the clark? if they're one big pillow i would think the down will migrate down to the bottom and you could have cold spots on your sides.

[Red Wing]

i have not been able to try them outside yet one it is too cold for my gear but also i have no trees in my yard to hang from.

rut row raggy! Hope you getto test your gear before you head out buddy. We had a little heat wave come through columbus, oh today, hopefully up in Mich you'll get some quality testing weather soon :cool:

[Jerry]

Take lots of pics. and vids.......And if you have time, take a journal.....eletronic..
THere is a young man doing the trail the end of March, I am folloing his adventure through a blog....Looking forward to it.

I admire you for doing this....Would love to join you....Best wishes....and blessings your way for a great adventure....

Jerry

[affreeman]

I haven't read through the whole thread so someone else may have picked this up already; where are your warm clothes? It get cold in the southern mountains in March and April. I started my thru on 3/18/09, and had plenty of use for my mid-weight longs, hat and gloves, and my down parka. Even hiked through a 2 day snowstorm in the Smokies. I kept my cold weather gear until I reached Pearisburg.

[bear bag hanger]

Too many clothes. Five tee shirts and several pairs of wind pants? Wear a tee shirt and maybe have one long sleeve tee shirt. Wear the zip off pants (I assume that's your plan) and pick either rain pants or wind pants, no more than that. You don't need extra underwear, carry a pair of swim shorts for when you're doing laundry. If you could add a head hole to one of your diy quilts, like JacksRBetter no-sniveller quilts, that would handle those cold mornings early in the hike.

[balloonatic]

Too many clothes. Five tee shirts and several pairs of wind pants? Wear a tee shirt and maybe have one long sleeve tee shirt. Wear the zip off pants (I assume that's your plan) and pick either rain pants or wind pants, no more than that. You don't need extra underwear, carry a pair of swim shorts for when you're doing laundry. If you could add a head hole to one of your diy quilts, like JacksRBetter no-sniveller quilts, that would handle those cold mornings early in the hike.

thanks for all the comments so far i have narrowed down the shirts and some other things. i think how i made the list was a little confusing for example the wind/rain pants are one iteam sorry for the confusion. I did for get to put on mydiy top quilt that i did have a velcro hole so i could wear it in the morring and night time.
thanks agian balloonatic

[vesteroid]

I strongly second dumping the 3 litre camelback...way to heavy but more than that it limits you in use.

I havent hiked the at so I dont know the water, but do you really need to carry 4 liters at a time?

I have found a 2 litre platty and a 1 litre bottle work well for me and is under the weight of you camelback by itself.

As someone said earlier bottles like gatoraid or just regular water bottles are the lightest, but I found I drink more often if I have a bladder.

I woudl also ditch the rain wind pants and get a ula rain skirt or a zpack rain skirt...depending on what pants you have you can save 10 oz there.

As many other have said you have way to many shirts...I use one silk weight, one long sleeve shirt (railriders eco mesh) and one puffy with a combo wind rain jacket as my entire top system. I can sleep to hike in any temp down to 25 or so.

I would also just take the one pair of hiking pants and I dont use zip off but do take a extremely light weight pair of running shorts.

also look for some ex officio underware...best thing I have found..two pairs max, or just wash them out and wear your running shorts...they dry in a few minutes if its warm and about 15 if its cold.

agree with the bandana vs camp towel, and I would leave the trowel at home, use a stick. or a tent stake...no need for a 3-5 oz trowel.

[ShadowAlpha]

+1 no need for trowel and for some no need for underwear ;)

[Cannibal]

i have not been able to try them outside yet one it is too cold for my gear but also i have no trees in my yard to hang from.
This is telling and should be of concern to you. You will have cold nights...trust me! You need to know how to adjust for it. Clothing is a common indulgence on the Trail, especially for early March starters. Good to see you've scaled it back. I do have a comment about using your JRB quilt as a poncho; great around camp, not so much for breaks. You will be taking some time to catch your breath, eat a snack, pray for an ice cream truck, etc. During those stops (early on) you'll be covered with a sheen of sweat and the breeze will chill you quickly when you stop moving. Digging your quilt out of the pack and putting it on for 15-20 will be a PITA. I had the same thoughts, but threw in a fleece pullover (was my pillow at night) at the last minute; smartest thing I did pre-hike besides the hammock. Even into May, you'll be in places that are at least 'cool'. Best to be able to deal with it quickly and easily, even if it costs you a few ounces. Take the earlier suggestion of replacing the 'dew rag' and camp towel with a bandanna. Not as cool, but very effective and light. Affreeman nailed it with the cold weather gear; never before June 1st.

Don't sweat this stuff too much right now. You will, very quickly, realize what you do and don't need. I left Springer with about 42lbs (total). By the time I hit Franklin, I had already dropped about 7 pounds. Post-hike, my pack is rarely over 24lbs (total) on hikes. Keep warm, healthy, and injury free. Everything else is just bragging rights. :D

Speaking of bragging rights; balloons are your thing, huh? I imagine you'll be leaving some fun stuff in the shelters. Good on you. Fun is the most important thing about an AT Thru. Your sense of humor will pull you up the worst mountains. Heck, it might even allow you to enter NC without cursing the birth of the Trail Maintainers that don't believe in switchbacks. :glare::cursing:

and for some no need for underwear ;)
I dunno. One case of Monkey Butt is all it took to convince me that undies (good wicking ones) are a necessity in my pack on a LDH. :scared::lol:

[affreeman]

I strongly second dumping the 3 litre camelback...way to heavy but more than that it limits you in use.

I havent hiked the at so I dont know the water, but do you really need to carry 4 liters at a time?

I have found a 2 litre platty and a 1 litre bottle work well for me and is under the weight of you camelback by itself.

As someone said earlier bottles like gatoraid or just regular water bottles are the lightest, but I found I drink more often if I have a bladder.

I woudl also ditch the rain wind pants and get a ula rain skirt or a zpack rain skirt...depending on what pants you have you can save 10 oz there.

As many other have said you have way to many shirts...I use one silk weight, one long sleeve shirt (railriders eco mesh) and one puffy with a combo wind rain jacket as my entire top system. I can sleep to hike in any temp down to 25 or so.

I would also just take the one pair of hiking pants and I dont use zip off but do take a extremely light weight pair of running shorts.

also look for some ex officio underware...best thing I have found..two pairs max, or just wash them out and wear your running shorts...they dry in a few minutes if its warm and about 15 if its cold.

agree with the bandana vs camp towel, and I would leave the trowel at home, use a stick. or a tent stake...no need for a 3-5 oz trowel.

I thru'ed the AT in '09. For water I had a 1 liter platy soft-sided canteen with a hoser attachment. I put that in one side pocket with the hose run up along the shoulder strap so I could drink while walking. In the other side pocket I kept a 32 oz Gatorade bottle. These bottles are surprisingly tough. I probably replaced it 3 or 4 times for the whole 6 month hike. I also had a 2 liter (actually 2.5) platy soft canteen which I carried empty and rolled up while hiking, but filled once in camp for the evening so I wouldn't have t make multiple trips to the water source. By filling al 4.5 liters when I got to camp, I usually had enough water for dinner and breakfast, and to start off in the morning with close to 2 full liters.

As for rain gear, I gave up on rain pants years ago, finding them insufferably hot to hike in. By the time it is cool enough to wear them, it isn't rain anymore, it's snow and you don't need rain pants. I used a silnylon rain wrap, which is wonderfully light and compact, and kept me dry to below the knees.

I used a pair of zip-off pants so I could hike in shorts all day and zip the legs on in the evening for warmth. I hiked in the same synthetic T-shirt everyday. I had long sleeve polypro (or whatever) long johns for camp and sleeping. Once summer hit I used a pair of running shorts to hike in, and slept in a very lightweight set of silk long johns.

I washed out my clothes pretty much every evening, alternating shorts one day and shirt the next. Put a dab of Dr Bronner's in a one gallon zip-loc bag, add some water and the clothing item, zip closed, and agitate. Change the water once to rinse. The clothes never dried completely overnight, but they dry very quickly from body heat once you put them on in the morning, and it helps avoid "hiker funk."

I carried 3 pair of socks. One pair is just for sleeping in, so don't wear them while hiking and they'll stay clean. The other 2 pair alternated, so I could wash one pair each night and allow them to dry hanging on my pack the next day, assuming the weather cooperated.

I carried 3 bandannas, which is probably more than most. One for wiping my dishes, one for washing my body, and one carried as a general sweat and snot wiper while hiking. I also had a small corner of a pack-towel for drying myself after washing in the evening. I sleep a lot better if I can go to bed without a film of sticky dried sweat on my body.

[brushybill]

so are you hiking in keens? or are these camp shoes?

[Trout]

The first things I noticed were the sandals and the heavy water container. You might want to bring something small to entertain yourself or take notes on. Plus, you don't have listed a map or the hiker trail info broken down into sections.

[Owl]

I want to preface this reply with this...I've never hiked the AT. Most of my dirt time has been military, or pleasure camping/hiking for short distances (<10 miles).

With that said, one of the things I didn't see was any kind of "ooops" gear.

When I'm in the woods, I normally carry several ways to start a fire. A lighter in my bag, one on my person, and a tinder kit with petroleum jelly covered cotton balls in both as well.

A decent working blade in my pack, and another on my belt/neck. Usually, I have a multitool as well.

I normally have a mylar blanket and a trash bag or two in my cargo pocket, along with a decent bit of extra cordage and some duct tape.

And a compass in my bag as well as on my person.

I know it probably sounds like overkill. And I'm clearly spelling myself out as a 'newb who carries too much'...and again, all of my long-distance stuff was done in the military where we normally carried rucks that were 3x the weight that anyone wants to carry.

This all seems like redundant extra weight...til you find yourself in dire need of it for whatever reason.

[sr1355]

Hey Ballon, I see your carrying the EVO... Great for video... so so pic quality... What are you doing to provide power for this battery hog... Are you carrying the larger battery, solar charger...Are you going to be running GPS, even more battery power needed....:scared::scared::scared:

[tiredhiker]

I have threw hike envoy :(:(:(:(:(
good luck:thumbup1:

[Bat]

Did Balloon already start hiking?

[Spire]

I want to preface this reply with this...I've never hiked the AT. Most of my dirt time has been military, or pleasure camping/hiking for short distances (<10 miles).

With that said, one of the things I didn't see was any kind of "ooops" gear.

When I'm in the woods, I normally carry several ways to start a fire. A lighter in my bag, one on my person, and a tinder kit with petroleum jelly covered cotton balls in both as well.



I to have never hiked the AT, but in a pinch the hardened Pine sap from off the side of pine trees works well to as a fire starter for wet tinder. You can use the fresh sticky stuff to, but collect it by useing a stick. Otherwise your hands will stick to stuff from the pine sap residue. Best method to get it off is to keep rubbing dirt on your hands till you get it off. You could use your fuel as well, but the dirt works just as well.

[Fronkey]

I don't think he did. I offered to help him out with his videos and we pmed each other about it for a couple weeks. But, I haven't heard anything from him in at least 2 weeks.

Fronkey

[Dblcorona]

Last time we spoke, he was going to be starting later than expected. He said he was heading down to springer April 1st, intending to hit the trail sometime after that.

[balloonatic]

Hey everyone sorry about the silence commputer problems I just arived in atlanta. Will be postingsoon how you can follow along. Till then
Balloonatic