Just for me, that would be too much. But I don't live in Florida either. In my opinion, don't skimp on insulation. If you find you don't need it, send it home. If you don't have it and realize you need it, it's too late. I asked if you had tested it because you do live in Florida. So I was curious if you were just being safe. Also, learn from mistakes made by the NOBOs last year. I heard that quite a few sent some cold weather gear home early because it was so warm. Then April came and they froze. So don't use Neel's Gap as a judge of what cold weather gear to send home. It may only be 30* up to that point, and you don't need the pad. Then when you get in the Smokies it could drop to single digits one night and you will wish you didn't send the pad home at Neel's Gap. That's just how I am doing it this year.
Is the UQ + Pad too much? For me, yes, for some, no.
If you consider yourself a moderate or warm sleeper, then I would take a thin pad (ie: GossamerGear) to add if needed. It will serve as a frame for your pack, too. Packs much smaller and lighter, too.
Is your hammock a top loader? If so, and if you have not yet bought all of your gear, have you considered a Speer PeaPod , without a pad, ( or maybe a JRB Katahdin) and a lighter weight top quilt? Unless you need a pad for ground backup, in which case you could carry a 3/4 length ccf pad, or the 10 oz BMW inflatable.
Or, if you are planning on sleeping on the pads most nights anyway, have you considered just adding more pads and going pad only? Either aproach could save you some weight.
Last edited by BillyBob58; 01-21-2008 at 23:01.
The peapod is too constricting for me.
I didn't see the JRB article on the temp rating of their stuff until tonight. If I had, I might have gone with a Katahdin over the Nest. As it is, though, I have already bought my sleep kit and am committed to what I have. Worst-case scenario, I end up going to ground/shelter a few nights, sleeping on the CCF with both quilts over. I can live with that.
Last edited by furtigan; 01-21-2008 at 23:46.
I'd put the duct tape elsewhere, but definitely not on the poles. While it may be convenient, you have to swing the weight of the poles and the duct tape every step you take. Personally, I wrap several feet of the magic stuff around a tongue depressor or bamboo skewer and cut to just longer than the duct tape is wide. Works for me, hopefully for you too.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
I still have the little bit I started with on my poles. I tried to use it once and it really didn't hold. If I carry it again I will try it on something else not exposed to the weather.
Definitly take the insulation. It doesn't weigh that much. Also don't buy into the super ultra light stuff everyone will be talking about. The right weight is what you can pack comfortably. My base weight was the lightest when I started, and got heavier as I went from there.
Something to think about too is at some hostels there is no mattresses. You will be staying on the floor. A pad is definitly needed on a thru in my opinion. Plus if you roll up on an empty shelter and it is pouring rain it is nice to stay in the dry shelter vs setting up the tarp in the rain.
A thought on your pack is to have plenty of extra room when it is packed. That way when the hunger hits you have the room to carry the extra food. Also if you are cold you can pack out the cheap fleece for a cold snap. I am planning on making a new pack with my old frame. I think the perfect pack for me is 5500 ci, can comfortably carry 50+ lbs, yet only weighs 3.5 lbs. A little on the extreme side for most, but I think it will work under any condition I will be hiking in.
Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".
I say leave it as is! You've obviously put a lot of thought into this list.
I say keep the padding, if you end up needing to hit the ground due to a cold snap it is a backup.
I think all the clothes listed for hiking are a bit overkill, but they may come in handy for camptime.
What about toothbrush/paste/dental floss?
I have one of the osprey atmos 65 and i can say that for me it is not comforable with over 25 pounds loaded in it the straps are thin for the breathable ability they have.
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