[at-l] Gear expense (was AT2008 Hiker List)

[Mara Factor]

Hi Kirby,

Purchasing gear can be expensive but it doesn't have to be.  This is 
especially true if you go for lightweight gear.  Here are some of my 
suggestions...

The one place where I absolutely advocate spending a good chunk of change is 
in your sleeping bag.  A good down bag will be absolutely worthwhile in the 
long run.  Get one with a water resistant shell.  You just need enough water 
resistance to fend off tent wall condensation.

Other than that, the lighter gear is often less expensive.

Get the lightest pad on which you can get a good night's sleep.  Some people 
sleep well on a standard blue foam pad - CHEAP!  If you're like me and need 
a lot of padding, the REI Air Core pads give more cushioning for less weight 
and money than Thermarest.

Make your own soda can (or similar) stove.  There are many plans on-line or 
you can buy them for cheap.

Lightweight single wall sil-nylon tents (mostly available online or at hiker 
events) aren't as cheap as some Walmart type tents that have gone the 
distance on the trail, but they are right in line and often cheaper than 
many of their heavier counterparts available from standard outfitters such 
as REI and EMS.

Bridgedale socks may cost more at the outset of your hike but you'll only 
need one set for your entire hike.  They are warrantied for 3 years but I've 
used some of mine for up to eight years.

I advocate buying your backpack last if possible.  Only once you know what 
you'll be putting in it, do you know how big it must be and how much weight 
it must be able to carry.  If you go lightweight, the lightweight backpacks 
cost much less than their bombproof counterparts designed to carry large, 
heavy loads.  Why carry a 7 pound Dana Designs Terraplane designed to carry 
a 50+ pound load when a 2 pound pack will suffice assuming your pack weight 
will top out at 25 pounds.  The difference in price for a lightweight pack 
and a Terraplane can be $300 or more.  There are plenty of gradations in 
between.  Take whatever money you save on your lighter pack and put it 
towards your sleeping bag and tent.

Don't forget, the amount you'll spend on your gear is an investment.  If you 
think of dividing the cost by 2170 miles, or six months, all of a sudden it 
doesn't seem so bad.  Plus, if you take care of your gear, you'll be able to 
use it well beyond your thruhike.

Hope this helps,

Mara
Stitches, AT99
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit my Travels and Trails web site at:

http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor
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>From: Kevin Kirby <kirbyinanutshell232 at yahoo.com>
>Subject: Re: [at-l] AT2008 Hiker List
>Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:45:53 -0700 (PDT)
>
>I am quite excited for my 2008 thru hike, I have been
>planning for almost a year now, the only hurdle I have
>to overcome is financing it, since I have to purchase
>a lot gear, this is turning out to be quite expensive.
>
>Kirby

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