Re: [at-l] My Proposed Equipment List

What a great first note! I think you might want to also join the 
BackPackingLight to get ideas on lightweight gear and such. You might want 
to reconsider the direction of how you are evaluating gear. First consider 
what you plan to put in the pack, what you plan to sleep in (shelter and 
bag) and finally the pack. You will want to get obsessive with weighing 
gear, as this will allow you more freedom and choice in your food and 
camera selections. Periodically, the BPL has researched photo equipment, 
with an eye for weight and function.

The water idea is a good place to start. What do you drink from. Some folks 
use bladders, Nylgen bottles, and even used plastic soda bottles. Your 
choice might lead to decisions about how to treat your water. There are a 
variety of filters, with in-line filters seeming to be the lightest and 
most efficient way to deal with a Platypus bladder, for instance. Iodine 
and other treatments are popular, and a good idea to have as a backup. If 
you consider multiple uses for items, then your water container may aid 
food prep, the iodine as part of your first aid kit, the bladder as a 
pillow substitute, and other ideas.

You are 5'4" and 135 pounds. You have almost no equipment. You are 
incredibly smart to be thinking about gear in this fashion. Start looking 
at hiking sticks with camera mounts - you might not need a tripod. Think 
about ways to combine the maps, guidebooks and your PDA. Borrow or rent 
backpacks to see how things fit and feel. Follow up on WildBill's web 
links. Consider the clothing you own (especially the NorthFace stuff) to be 
expendable in favor of lighter weight. Do not equate $ with quality, 
although it is often the case. Read a _bunch_ of pack reviews before 
purchasing, but be sure to visit an outfitter than will spend time with 
you. It may be difficult to find a pack small enough for your torso in a 
lightweight format - you may have to make your own.

But have fun. It sounds like you have a good start!

OrangeBug

At 12:53 PM 11/16/2000 -0500, tyoung@kskcommunications.com wrote:
>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.

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