[at-l] To buy now or wait.. tis the question

[Slyatpct@xxxxxxx (Slyatpct@xxxxxxx)]

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In a message dated 2/23/2003 10:10:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Adkhiker2003@wmconnect.com writes:

> Why the question?  Well as you can see that is a LOT of cash, $800, well to
> me it is a lot of cash for all that gear.. and I don't want to cut my hike
> short because I have to buy gear again... but again I don't want to get on
> the trail with gear I have not tried and tested.
>

There's no sense if having nice gear if you can't afford to hike.  I did this
my first year and had to interupt my hike to go back to work and make some
more money.  That wasn't so much a problem, but in the two months time, my
conditioning fell off and I had a subsequent injury.  Of course starting back
up again in the Whites and thinking I could do the miles that I was doing
previously may have had something to do with it.

I wish in the beginning I had paid more attention to my pack weight along the
cost of my gear, since nearly everything has been replaced.  Carrying 35
pounds or more when you could be carrying less than 20 also goes along way to
a successful hike and injury free hike.

Since you have two years, you should be able to pull it off, but compromise
if you feel you're not going to have enough money to finish the trail.
Ditch your current pack, but look for cheaper, lighter alternatives. While a
Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering sleeping bags are great, Campmor
makes some that will serve you well for half the price. A Frogg Togg jacket
is not only lighter, but a third of the price of a Marmot.

Sly