4 Days to go!

imported
#1

Yep, on Saturday, April 13th, I get to start my thruhike. I have all of my gear ready and it looks like I will be right around 24.5 Ibs with 3 Days of food and a liter and a half of water. Please go check out my gear list on my journal and let me know what you think :slight_smile:

Thanks everyone for the advise and friendship offered here during the last 3 years. Leif and Zip, you two guys are the greatest and thanks for all of your hard work on this site.

I hope to see everyone at Trail Days as I will be helping Tom Hennessy at his booth. Please stop by and say hello.

Once agin thanks to all and May God Bless,

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#2

how much food are you allowing per day?

best wishes

Linguini

#3

I hike naked all year round to save weight. 24 lbs?? that could be a three day’er to Neels Gap? See you at the booth, JD

Bushwhack

#4

Rebel WAC - Since you asked: Your list of stuff looks very good because you have chosed great equipment and most of it is fairly light weight. But IMO, here’s the problem - you are planning to carry too much. You can, of course, carry all that stuff, but I think you should trim weight.

Here’s what I discovered after several thru hikes: the more you carry, the harder it is, the more tired you get, and so the more likely it is to get sick or injured. Its much more fun when you don’t have to work hard or worry about injury. When I meet others on the trail, I almost ALWAYS find that the super light hikers are happier than those with heavier pack. (Before anyone jumps on me, I acknowldege that different folks have different needs, and that we all should hike our own hike.) For example, to keep your lower body warm/protected, you are taking convertible pants, long johns, fleece pants and rain pants. You can elminate two (or maybe three) of these items. I’m not sure what kind of rain pants you have, but one pair of homemade Omnitech pants (for example) would serve all purposes. Also, for me the GVP pack gets uncomfortable when carrying as much as you propose (with food).

Going light weight is a learning process – every year I find ways to carry less. This year, my basic pack weight will be 10-15 pounds until I ditch the cold gear - then it will be less. Some folks find ways to go lighter than me. If you shave 5-10 pounds off your pack weight it will make a huge difference.

Old Man

#5

I agree with Old Man, you could lose a few things. Who am I to talk though? I carried roughly 40lbs the whole way. I don’t think you need the waterproof socks or the waterproof gloves. Your shoes will dry quickly enough, and those socks, though breathable, will still give you some nasty funk foot. If you swear by 'em, go nuts. I had a 2 pairs of thorlos and a 2 liners and never got a blister. I was fine with a pair of fleece gloves which I started and ended with (mailed home in the middle). My hands got wet, but once you start pumping with the poles you warm up in a few minutes. I guess I don’t know the weather down south this time a year (hiked SOBO) and how those waterproof gloves will work out with warmth. I think you can lose both hats. You’re in the woods all day, you won’t get a sunburn. If it rains, use the hood on your precip. Speaking of that, precip is a great coat. My good buddy Wrong Way hiked with it. I think you’ll find, however, that you’ll rarely wear it. It’s much better to get a shower than to sweat inside you coat while it’s raining. I wore my coat 3 times while hiking and that was only during the coldest month. I guess you should start with the fleece top then send it ahead to New England after the Smokies. You probably won’t need 4 pairs of pants. I carried long underwear and picked up a pair of rain pants for the last month for an extra layer at camp. You don’t need 2 hiking shirts either. I would use the short sleeve and the long underwear. Finally, I have to recommend hiking in a Kilt. Man, did I have the worst rash in my REI convertable shorts (I sent the legs home after a couple weeks, never used them) before I picked the kilt up. Although I mooned my fair share of people including a busload of elderly folks in the Shennies (I didn’t mean to), it was versatile, light weight, cool, and made bathroom breaks so much easier. Just my two cents. Most importantly, you should hike with the gear that makes you most comfortable.

Grimace

#6

I think Old Man is saying to think carefully about your redundancy and lines of defense in an emergency.

What would you do to stay warm and dry in a worst case scenario? Maybe you would need all 4 pairs of pants, but then you have a sleeping bag and other lines of defense, too. So the things that serve two or more purposes come in especially handy, like your sleeping bag that converts to a vest.

What you do with your sweat is especially important. If you soak your clothing and then put it in your pack, you lose the insulating ability and carry the extra weight. Once you warm up, you need only wear one shirt, if that, while you’re hiking.

If you plan to spend 6 or 8 hours around camp every night, then you might need a second set of clothes due to cooling off.

Linguini

#7

I agree about the fleece pants and have been trying to decide on if I should take them. I may dump them and save 12 oz and also the Bavaclava and just carry a very lightweight toboggan. I an very cold natured so I need warm clothes if its cold. My rain pants are the Marmot Precips which will serve as my rain pants and my pants to wear in town and while washing clothes. They only weigh 8 Oz and they work great.

Ok theres 12 oz gone, but i fail to see what else I can Safely remove until after Damascus. Most of my weight is in cold weather gear, which I need to keep until after Mt Rogers anyway. Last year it got down to 12 degs on Mt Rogers in May.
After I remove the cold weather gear, I will be at 12 to 13 Lbs base weight.

The GVP G4 supports my 24 Lbs just fine. I have used this pack now for over 125 miles in the Smokies, while hiking with the thruhikers. I tried it at 30 LBs and I agree that it put weight on my shoulders too much then, but at 24 I am just Dandy :slight_smile: I will take a survey during my first 4 days and Ill bet that few if any come in lighter weight than me :slight_smile: So far after seeing about 50 thruhikers coming thru the smokies, I met only one person with a lighter weight and that was because he had a 5 X 8 tarp as a shelter and using an Esbit stove, and he was at 21 Lbs. Ill take my Hammock and stove over his shelter and stove anyday. Besides I have a nice Alcohol stove ( Trangia Westwide ) if I decide to switch to alcohol if canisters become too hard to come by.

In going over your 15 Lb base weight, I arrive at this total pack weight. 15 Lbs base + 3 days of food (6 Lbs, 2 Lbs per day ) + one and a half liter of water ( 3.3 Lbs ) = 24.3 Ibs if you carry the same food and water as me. Looks like our weights match up preatty good :slight_smile: However if you truly have a base weight of 10 Lbs including cold weather gear, then my hats off to you !! In fact I would love to see your gear list to see how you accomplished this.

Thanks for the suggestion and I will strive to reduce weight. Remember that the trail teaches one everything :slight_smile:

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#8

i don’t think you need to be worrying about all of this cold weather gear. last time i checked it was spring and summer was just around the corner. as of late the colds have not been that cold in western nc and georgia. just something to think about.

grizzly adam

#9

I thru-hiked the AT in 2001 with a base weight varying between 7 and 11 pounds, with homemade gear, and with max weight of 18.5 pounds.

Afterwards I bought the G4 pack, with the idea of carrying of carrying up to 24 pounds - with the extra capacity for food. I’m trying to learn its use during dayhikes.

I find that the G4 rides a little lower than my homemade pack (and the GoLite/Jardine pack), and stands off my back a little farther. I’m used to the homemade pack landing in and hugging the small of my back above the rump, so the contents ride as close to my center of gravity as possible.

Another difference with the G4 is that the pack straps ride little differently on my shoulders and cut into them somewhat, which temps me to rig up an elastic strap pulling the pack straps closer together over my chest.

Also, there’s no convenient way to reach back for a small camera. The tops of the pockets end higher on the pack where it is more difficult to reach (still wearing the pack). It looks like I must find a place to sew on a small pouch for easy access.

Can anybody give me tips on the loading and distribution of weight in the G4?

On the whole, I’m happy with the G4. I’d appreciate feedback that would help me customize it closer to my own use.

Linguini

#10

Ok after reading the suggestions and after much thought, heres what I’ll change. I am removing from my pack equipment the following. Fleece pants, Long Underwear Top, Bavaclava,Seal Skinz gloves and the OR Sombero ( I had already removed this one, but it was still on my gear list ). However I am adding: a pair of shorts ( gives me 2 pairs pants ) and a light weight MH Dome PolarFleece hat. Total weight removed: 12 Oz + 6 Oz + 3 Oz + 3 Oz + 3 Oz = 27 Oz. Add + 6 Oz for the shorts and hat = 21 Oz removed. Ok that dropped me a 1 LB and 5 Oz.

If it gets real cold during the next 30 days, then i screwed up :slight_smile: Oh well thats what I got that cool sleeping bag for. I just wont be able to stand around in camp as easy in the cold.

Ok now I am down to 23 Lbs even, with 3 days of food and 1.5 Literf of water. And I know the GVP G4 will carry that just fine. After Damascus ( or Mt Rogers ), I will be able to drop off at least 3 Lbs, maybe more. Ok now I feel better :slight_smile:

Thanks again Gang, you did good !!

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#11

Ok heres what I did: First I got a small fanny pouch ( very light weight one ). it has 2 compartments, a small one in the front ( for my Digital Camera ) and a larger one behind the first one (holds my snacks ) I wear it with the Pouch facing the front, not the back. Its is made by ALPS.

As far as the G4 goes, I use 6 Sections of a ZRest in the Frame Pad compartment and a 3/4 Ridgerest rolled up inside the pack, then expanded out as a liner. This gives me 2 pads to use in a shelter ( prevents sore hips ) and it gave my pack much better form. It also took off to some degree the weight off my shoulders. I have the custom G4 with the solid side pockets and a Sterum strap. The Sterum Strap makes all the difference in the world. Get a Sterum Strap and add it right above where the top of shirt pockets would be. Mine is located there and it works !! At 25 Lbs, mine rides great with barely noticeable weight on the shoulders. At 30 Lbs, the shoulder weight is much more noticeable. At 20 Lbs, you cant tell you even have this thing on :slight_smile: I hope this helps.

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#12

It’s your outdoor and hiking skills that will make the difference - whether you carry 20 pounds or 40 pounds.

Hang in, and listen to the trail. The earlier you pick up the indications, the better you’ll adapt to the challenges. Best wishes.

Linguini

#13

Reb - some good suggestions re. the G4. I like the pack, and would recommend it. But like Linguini, I find it does ride a bit lower on me than my homemade. That’s why it is not so good when weight gets over 20 or 25 pounds. Still, I am very tall, and it fits pretty well – but I wonder if a shorter person might find it too low? Really, the pack seems to me to be just a bit too big. It could be thinner and would pack better, I think. (Then I wouldn’t be able to take so much stuff, which would be good!)

Old Man

#14

For what it’s worth, I made my homemade pack 3 times (if you count 2 revisions) before it snugged in to my torso. One of the places I “took in” my homemade was in the back, in a manner that lifted up and streamlined the bottom into more of a wedge shape. The loop in at the bottom of the G4 allows me to do that somewhat, although I could just take out a sewing needle.

Actually, I’m seeking the extra capacity that the G4 has for carrying extra food. I’m just trying to find out how to “work with it” when it’s half-full.

I like its large capacity side pockets, and the level at which they carry the weight on the back. If I rolled all my stuff in a blanket and wrapped it around my middle, that would work well for me. I find myself trying to do something similar in the weight distribution of my homemade and my G4.

Linguini

#15

JD, for a few more bucks you can also use some extra stuff to cross the cold spots and higher levels and bounce it when you don’t need it. We swapped clothes and bags bi weekly as conditions premitted to keep pack weight at a premium. Took a little figuring and watching the weather channel but it worked. Bounce the tent for a week or some other piece, really saves the feet and back since we tend to enjoy some luxury on the trail.

Bushwhack

#16

Your great list is looking pretty good. Everyone likes different gear. A couple of my opinions on what you are showing right now:

I would hang onto the balaclava. It may be the most warmth for the weight of anything you can carry. We’ve all heard the quote along the line of “50% of your body heat is lost out of your head.” I don’t know if it’s quite that much, but I do know that when you are cold, having headwear that covers your head, neck, and much of your face makes a HUGE differance. They are much warmer than other “stocking hats” of the same weight material. Balaclavas are so light, and provide so much warmth, I’d suggest hanging onto it until you are sure the weather is going to stay warm for a while. For standing around camp on those cold/cool mornings and evenings, and even for sleeping they can be a lifesaver.

I’d be most concerned about the hammock. I think hammocks are a recurring idea that don’t work out well for many people. I don’t recall seeing one the last 2,000 miles or so of the trail. It SEEMS like such a good idea, I think it would catch on faster than it has if it was.

You’ve put a lot of good thought into your list, and I think you’ll find you’re much better prepared gear-wise than most folks starting the trail. Good luck!

Colter

#17

I can’t stand weight on my shoulders and 24 pounds is about what you would carry on your shoulders with a 70 pound pack. I love my Shasta and I run around 40, but its all on my hips. I have a CD flashlight, a full thermorest, and a pepsi crap stove … for the novelty. But hey im not worried about miles … maybe you are. I already can get my patch … all I got to do is call …is it really worth it though for you, … thats what counts. I’ll probally see ya, i’ll be out on the trail for another month or 2 again soon.

Easyhiker

#18

AS far as the Hennessy Hammock goes, I have been using Tom Hennessy’s Hammocks for over 2 years now. I helped him test last years Ultra Light Backpacker Model and on This years hike I will be testing his New Asymmetric Lightweight model. I have many nights in these things and unlike the others, I cant stand to use anything else. You see, I get sore hips very easily from sleeping on the ground or in a shelter. I have tried a Thermarest, ridgerest, zrest and I get sore hips with them all as I am a side sleeper with boney hips :slight_smile:

The HH has only one fault and thats if it is very cold. Well 2 people already told me thats its springtime and to forget some of my winter gear, so I guess I have to assume that the worst of the cold is over. Just in case I have a 6 section ZRest and a 3/4 Ridgerest to use as extra Barriers along with a 15 Deg Bag. This has been tested as OK down to about 20 degs .

The HH is a True Multi use item. It is my shelter, my rainfly, my protection from bugs, my clothesline to dry clothes from and my chair to sit in when cooking or resting. Weight is 1.7 Lbs for the new model which has a much bigger rainfly and cocoon.

Also Tom Hennessy is Sponsering my hike, so as you see, the HH goes where I go. Anyone interested in seeing the New Asymmetric Model, Tom and I will be introducing it at Trail Days.

Once again thanks for all of the advise and Ill let you know how the hammock works out on my hike. Personnaly I have no doubts as to its ability to function better than the Sil Shelter I used to use.

As for the Bavaclava, I replaced it with a Mountain Hardwear PolarFleece Cap which covers my head, ears and the back of my neck. It weighs 1 Oz and hopefully will serve well in camp. If I get into a driving snow storm, then Ill have to rethink everything Im afraid. Maybe, maybe not.

Later gang, Im off to my next to last day of work !! Only 2 more days to go !!

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#19

I love the new A-Sym, it’s a great product. Way more usefull and lighter than a one person tent.

About the cold weather properties. A Shelter with raised sleeping platforms is just as cold (at least to me) but everyone uses those without complaint. All it takes is a light pad like your Zrest or my Mt Washington is perfect.

SGT Rock

#20

Rebel with a Cause,

Enjoy your hike. What a nice gift from your wife. Maybe I will see you along the way. I will be cleared to hike again by the doctors next month when my next EKG is done to verify my heart condition is a thing of the past.

I plan to section hike in the VA area after Memorial Day.

Love your gear list too. Sounds like you got a good weight to put on decent miles from the beginning and good equipment.

Somehow, I don’t think you will run into a snow storm. It has gotten warm here in TX and we are the first to see the Alberta clippers that strike the Smokys and the southern AT. So, I don’t think you will have but one or two cold nights to drive you nuts.

Mr. Boo