Re: [at-l] Gear List

Ok, I've added the parts that I commented on.... and have more comments 
after your comments....I hope this one doesn't get cut off by your e-mail
system.

> Toilet paper

be sure to roll it up yourself, and leave the cardboard insert at home.
(and when you get to town, you can swipe some when you use the restrooms in
the grocery stores if you're running low on funds).  this makes it easier to
pack, and to carry in your pocket, etc.


> Stuff Sack - for food, don't have a particular one
> picked out yet

make sure it's big.  You'll be amazed at how much food you'll want to bring
with you as you get hungrier & hungrier.  It always sucked when I couldn't
fit all my food in my stuff sack.


> Therm-a-rest Ridge Rest - 14 oz - Sleeping pad

the ridge rest is the one that rolls up, right?  I switched to a Z-rest
right before my hike because the ridge rest was too bulky and i hated trying
to make it lie flat before going to bed.


> 'Personal Bag'-Small Hand lotion, sm. razor,
> prescription medication, chapstick

anything you won't be using on the trail (razor, shampoo, etc) but in town
can be sent in a bounce box to the next town.  that frees up space in your
pack and makes it just a little bit lighter.


> Whistle

I had a partner for 1600 miles, and we never needed whistles because we a:
talked to sobos to find out the other's location, b: always had a planned
place to meet and a general time (top of Mt. kicksmyass at lunchtime) and c:
yodelled (that was mainly toward the end, when we'd become a group of six or
so)

> Sports Bra - 2 polypro/spandex blend (no cotton)
> Underwear - 2 pr

I threw my bra away at Neels Gap and the undies at Erwin.  I felt much
better.  I think it's all a matter of personal preference, so take them, but
don't be afraid to ditch them if you don't like them.

> Polypro gloves

I had the coolest gloves.  They were mittens that you can take the top off
to expose your fingers to do things like tie you boot laces, cook dinner,
pick your nose, pop your pimples, etc.  I like mittens better because they
keep your fingers warmer (and I have a problem w/ cold fingers) and because
the top comes off to expose the fingers, I could still get things out of my
pack when I needed to.


----------
>From: Irene Meyers <iameyers@yahoo.com>
>To: Dawn Stringer <stringdm@yahoo.com>, at-l@backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [at-l] Gear List
>Date: Wed, Dec 20, 2000, 3:22 PM

> --- Dawn Stringer <stringdm@yahoo.com> wrote:

>> If y'all have water bladders, (platypus) why the
>> Nalgene bottle?  Just a
>> question.
> To mix any drinks? No, not martini's :)  I dunno -
> Gatorade, or another type mix.  Also to mix the
> instant pudding that I like for dessert (on special
> nights)
>
I used old 16 oz soda bottles to mix drinks in.  (both gatorade and martinis
-- actually it was vodka and koolaid) They were lighter and easy to replace
if they got lost or broken (and I know Nalgenes are indestructable and all,
but you never know).  As for pudding, while I never ate it, I saw quite a
few people make it in ziplock bags.  It worked.

>> I've never been able to make moleskin work.  If you
>> have that problem, too,
>> duct tape works wonders.  instead of bandaids, I
>> would suggest sterile
>> cotton pads and duct tape. (you may not have
>> realized the wonderous power of
>> duct tape, but you will.... you will...)
> Ah yes, I know about duct tape.  I have it in my head
> to bring, but it never made it to the list (go
> figure).   I have used moleskin in the past, though,
> and like it.  Your plan, though, eliminates the need
> for the leatherman scissors.  Actually, I usually use
> the moleskin with duct tape over top, so I should just
> go with the pads, less money.  Thanks!
>>
The best place to carry duct tape is to wind it around your hiking poles.

> My plan was to use a bit on my hands, and to do
> laundry in towns.  I am overly sensitive to most
> detergents.  I guess I could just send a bit in each
> maildrop.
>
yeah, that was part of the truncated message.  bouncing stuff ahead...
Puck was sensitive to detergents, too.  he just washed his clothes without
it.  They smelled fine.

> This is where I lost you :(  Boo Hiss to my email.
> Maybe you could send me the rest in a separate
> message??  I don't think my email likes too many
> quoted lines.  I tried to minimize them in this post.
> Thanks for all your great comments, and for your
> journal that I, once again, really enjoyed.  So, what
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