[at-l] Equipment Feedback Please

Greetings.  Since my first post a number of you have provided me with a ton
of useful information and life experiences.  I'm still digesting a lot of
the data, but I wanted to post some of my thoughts related to equipment and
get your feedback.  At the end I've included a little background in case
people want to know what I plan on doing.

Equipment (a somewhat more detailed list follows):

I'd like to go as light as possible because I want to bring in some camera
equipment.  At first I thought I'd post a list of everything I was going to
pack, item-by-item, but after doing some research this didn't seem
reasonable.  I haven't even bought, much less used, any of the equipment
yet.  So let's start with the basics.  I figure my first purchases should be
a pack, tent, sleeping bag, stove, and water filter.  For clothing,
"storage" bags, tarps, healthcare/hygiene, guides/maps, and food I feel
pretty secure, but I'll weight and test things before I head out.

Looking at equipment lists the G4 seems to be popular pack for ultralight
hiking. 

I tried a number of "commercial" sites and couldn't find the G4 listed.  I
did a search and found their Web site, but it said they were not going to
ship any more packs until March. I wasn't sure if that was 2000 or 2001.  I
sent them a message asking about availability.  The GoLite pack was my
second choice, which I can purchase at a local shop; however, they didn't
have any in stock last weekend - so again, I don't even know what the pack
feels like.  The rest of the packs I've "tired on" were around 5 to 6
pounds.  That is more than I want to carry, based on the other weight
estimates I've seen for all the materials that I'll need to bring.  If I
purchase the G4 I'd also get the six or eight section Z-rest.  Would I need
to purchase a similar type pad for the GoLite, or could I wear a fanny pack
instead?

The same thing happened with the Nomad Lite tent.  I saw several people;
whose sites were suggested as references, used it.  The Wonderlust site was
even more vague about availability.  In a polite way the site said, we'll
get to fulfillment as soon as possible.  Again, I sent a message asking
about availability.  I also looked at an Eurka Lite tent.

For a sleeping bag I'm thinking about Western Mountaineering.  Easy to
purchase and I was actually able to touch one last weekend.

For a stove I'm going to try  Don's "Photon" Johnston's stove.  If it
doesn't work at home (user error) or on the "car-trips" in real conditions,
I'm thinking about a Whisper Light.  Whatever boils water in the most
efficient manner is going to be my choice, and I can see from previous posts
this is a contested issue. 

I'm confused about how to choose a water filter.  Without a doubt, in my
opinion, water is the most IMPT! consideration.  I need water throughout the
day to stay alive and to cook.  I've heard bleach/chlorine will work.  That
makes sense, since those are the chemicals used by our public service
companies, but I live by a water filter at home.  Are there other
suggestions?  Keep in mind I can handle water that doesn't taste, look, or
smell like bottled water, I just don't want to risk getting sick.  Of all
the places in the world where I'd like my digestive track to work, the trail
might be #1.

Health will be the basics, first aid kit with toilet paper, tooth paste,
anti-bacteria gel, GNC pills, etc.  

My extras, which are going to weigh me down, include a Nikon N-70 camera and
long lens bag (LowePro TopLoad Zoom AW), tripod, film, and a wireless
Blackberry PDA (w/ back-up battery).  

For a daypack I'm switching between a MountainSmith Tour fanny pack and a
Cannondale backpack.  The only equipment I owned before I took up this hobby
was the LowePro camera bag and the Cannondale pack.  I bought the
MountainSmith because "it seemed right."  From my initial hikes, the
Cannondale pack is far superior.  It holds more and is easier to adjust,
with all the same features.  With the MountainSmith I've had problems with
the belt straps. I just can't get them tight without a lot of effort.  I'm
not always going to have someone behind me to hold the pack against my back
so I can tighten the straps.

I might have to rethink my camera bag as well.  The LowePro bag can either
be worn as a backpack or with a shoulder strap.  I'm not sure if either of
these carrying options are going to work with a full backpack.  I looked at
several LowePro fanny packs (which would also hold maps, PDA, etc.).   I'd
prefer to find another option (not sure if there is one), but on the other
hand I want to protect the camera at almost all costs.

In Pack
G4 
Three or four Silnylon stuff sacks
Nomad light tent
Tyvek ground cloth
Three No-bendum stakes
Western Mountainerring sleeping bag
Don "Photon" Johnston's stove
Lexan spork
Evernew pot
Water proof matches and lighter
One liter water bottle
Four liter Platypus zip bag
Tripod
Health related stuff (double zip lock bags)

In Hand/Fanny Pack
Nikon N-70 Camera,
Compass
Maps, guide books, and stuff
PDA
Notepad w/ Sharpie
REI hiking pole(s)

Cloths (winter and  summer)
REI/Nike running shorts
Paramo mountain shirt
Rail Rider Eco-Mesh desert shirt
Rail Rider Weather pants
Patagonia Puffbal vest
Palartec pullover
North Face wind jacket
North face gloves
Bug Bivy
Hat(s)

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!

--------------------------------
Background:

My name is Tommy.  I'm 31 and live in Washington, D.C.  I'm 5-04 and about
135 pounds.  I have almost no equipment, but would like to start
hiking/camping in the near future.

Game Plan:

I've been on day hikes the last three weekends.  I increased the mileage
each hike (6, 8, 10 miles).  I'm going to continue day hikes as weather and
time permits and walk whenever it's an option to driving to get in better
shape and test equipment.

In the late winter/early spring I want to start going on some 2-3 day
"car-based" camping trips in Virginia/Maryland along the AT.  I understand
from your reading suggestions that a change in weather, my inexperience, or
bad luck could put me in a life and death situation, so I don't plan to plan
and practice moderation.  Before I head out for the first time or with new
equipment, I'll make sure I know how to use what I'm carrying and let people
know where I am.  These trips would increase to longer and more challenging
treks throughout the summer if all goes well.

I'd then like to take several weeks off in late summer/early fall to hike a
section of the AT.  I can envision a number of other mid-distance hikes of
2-4 weeks that I'd like to undertake over the years if all goes as planned
(more AT section hikes, Lake Tahoe, Swiss Alps, Alaska, China, etc.).  Shoot
for the stars; if you miss you'll land on a cloud.

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