[at-l] gear list for AT thru hike

[Sloetoe]

--- Kevin Kirby <kirbyinanutshell232 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Below is my gear list for my 2008 AT hike from
> GA>ME. Please feel free to give advice, feedback,
> what should i add, what should I remove, ETC. 
> 
> Kirby
> GA>ME 2008
> A Journey To Inspire
> 
> Backpack (At least 3,500 cu.in): $120.00 Cabela’s
> XPG™ 4000 Ultra light Internal Frame Pack
### How much does it weigh? Have you bought it yet?
Have you TRIED IT ON, worn it around a few hours, WITH
WEIGHT?
 
> Tent: $120.00 Cabela’s XPG ultra light weight 1
> person tent
### Weight? 

> Sleeping bag liner: $55.00
### Made of what? Weight?

> Ground Cloth*:$15.00
### OK, Kirb, you're good on dollars, but the other
details are MUCH more important. What's this thing
weigh, and what's it made of?

> Sleeping Pad: $45.00 therma-rest sleeping pad
### Have you compared to others? You can do better in
cost and weight (and bother, imo)...

> Backpack cover: $30.00
### Made of? have you tried it over your filled to the
brim, out of town with fresh food, pack?

> Gators: $30.00
### Crocs are lighter, and less trouble to feed, and
less troublesome NPS regulations.
### But what about gaiters? What kind of boots/shoes?
Unless it's sneauxie when you're starting, you may not
even desire them until you hit New England.

> Nylon Cord: $10.00
### You can collect more than enough of this as you
hike. No need to take more into the woods.

> Backpacking alcohol stove: $50.00
### If you go to TinMan, you can get an entire kitchen
for this amount.

> Stove Fuel: $60.00
> Backpacking Pot or Pan: $55.00
### Dude: "TinMan"
I don't see specification on what you're going to be
carrying, so it's hard to make suggestions in the
dark. But my whole solo kitchen weighs 7ozs and costs
>$10 total. If I wuz to purchase it all outright, I'd
just go to TinMan.
> Eating Utensils: $3.00
### I still have Momma's spoon that went 2000 miles
way back when. I still have a rugged steel spoon given
to the boys and I at Eden General Store (VT) when our
fancy-schmancy lexan snapped in three. That one went
the whole LT.... (I still have a plastic "Long Trail
Ale" cup from 1999, but that's another story...)

> Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes: $80.00(if current ones
> do not fit)
### Doesn't sound like you've put many backpack miles
on these shoes, as they're yet-to-be-determined. Very
dangerous.
> Sandals or Water Shoes/Crocs: $35.00
### If your shoes are aiming toward ultralight, you
won't need anything else.

> 2 Pairs (at least) of Synthetic or Wool Socks:
> $70.00(including sock liners)
### Start with at LEAST 3 pairs, of increasing weight,
and add others as you need. Use the heaviest as you're
heading out of town, the lightest when your pack is
lightest. TRY BEFORE YOU HIKE.

> Clothing: $500.00(includes rainwear, hats, etc.)
### Ok, this is vague.

> Gloves (type per environment): $20.00
### When are you leaving? Temperatures, not "$20.00"
will determine what's a good idea.

> Biodegradable Soap:$10.00
### You'll use 1 oz in Georgia, and another ounce
right after Hot Springs, then it will break in your
pack. (OK, yes, I carry about an ounce, as an
emergency thing. Rubbing with plain water is great.
But as you get into hot weather? Put some shampoo in
your hair as the rainy days hit. Way good way to go to
sleep -- with clean hair.)

> Duct Tape or Equal Equivalent: $7.00
### You're not going to carry $7.00 with you, right?
So where you gonna put it?

> Sunglasses*: $15.00
> Pack Towel: $20.00
### Bandanna. "Pack Towels" are evil items made to
absorb water. ABSORB water. Think about that.

> Lighter:$10.00
### A lighter that costly is going to weigh about
14.65 times more than a reliable $0.95 job, and then
it's going to run out of fuel.

> Empty large water bottles for extra water on trail:
### Did you mean "Platypus" containers in 2 liter?

> no money
### What does that cost?

> Water Purifier or Purification Tabs/Drops: $85.00
> Aqua Mira
### Yow. Madison Avenue has gotten their teeth into
you, eh? Don't do it. If you're really desparate, get
a $10 filter straw, for the once or twice you might
actually think you'll need it in 6 months and 2200
miles.

> First Aid Kit: $80.00 (First Aid Booklet/Guide,
> Antiseptic, Anti-diarrhea, Ibuprofen, benadryl,
> Gauze Pads, Moleskin, Tweezers, Burn Treatment Kit,
> Adhesive Tape, Safety Pins, Sun Burn Treatment,
> Snake Bite Kit, Vitamins, Blister Kit)
### WOW! Outfitting for the 101st Airborne, are we?
No, you already have duct tape, and a bandana, and
toilet paper. What you need is an anti-inflammatory
and some neosporin, and some safety pins. Oh, and some
sunscreen for down south, where the sun will eat you
if you don't cover up.

> Bug Repellant: $7.00
### Dirt magnet. leave it home.

> Trowel: $5.00(buy online)
### Got a boot?

> Toilet Paper: $10.00
### Do you have ANY idea how much toilet paper you can
buy with $10.00? If you're at Sam's Club, it's roughly
a year's supply. If you're at the little General Store
just east of the Humps, it's about 1 good roll of
Scotts.

> Sewing Kit (Assorted Needles & Thread): $5.00
### Buy it in town. If you need it.

> Headlamp: $30.00
> Batteries (Appropriate per equipment): $30.00
> Backpacking Knife or Multi-tool: $25.00
### A pair of leetle scissors and a blade are good.
Oh, and a pair of tweezers. 

> Compass/ Whistle: $12.00
### Watch out: most $12.oo compass/whistles don't
work. Find a good one. I love mine.

> Plastic Bags: $20.00
> Total cost for first section: $2,155
> Food: $2,000.00
### How long are you going to be out?

> Everything else that will come up on trail:
> $1,250.00(laundry, hostels, hotels, restaurant food,
> mail,  ETC..)
### This is SO dependent on how much time you spend in
town, but I think you could burn through $1,250 in NO
time, unless you are careful.

> Plane Tickets to Wisconsin: $120.00(Air Tan Airways)
> Any shuttle service to the mountain: $100.00
> Emergency money: $500.00
### Don't stick this in the bottom of your shoe. Nor
on your pack (should it get stolen). Implanted in a
chip in your forearm, it could make a conversation
piece or, with the right equipment, a dandy
nightlight.

> Total cost for second section: $4,120
> Total cost for sections combined: $6,285
### OK, I don't get the "first section... second
section" thing...

Well, there's some thoughts -- more weights, more
specs, less money, which ain't gonna matter a damn
except for what's in your pocket when you're hiking.
How often are you coming into town? THAT matters.

Anywho, I apologize for the smartass answers. I'm
taking my feverish self back to bed....
whoa toe

Spatior! Nitor! Nitor! Tempero!
   Pro Pondera Et Meliora.