[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[at-l] To buy now or wait.. tis the question
Hey Sparky, You've gotten a lot of good advice already, but here is my
two cents:
1) Someone in a prior post used the word "system" - this is an
important concept to keep in mind . . . what works best for your own
"system" of hiking/camping? How does your gear work together [or at odds?]
2) Look into Red Ledge rain wear and consider the possibility that I am
right when I say that gortex is useless in the southeast . . . at least
in any season other than the dead of winter. You can get a great Red
Ledge rain parka with taped seams, pit zips, hood, etc. for less than
fifty bucks; ditto for their excellent rain pants. These make great
layering items and are very lightweight. They use a waterproof
breathable fabric and seem to work well [but, again, you WILL get wet
from either sweat, humidity or rainfall - or all three - when hiking on
the AT in spring, summer and fall].
3) Look into a smaller, lighter pack - your pack WILL end up defining
how much weight you carry more than any other item you buy.
4) Definitely wait - each year it seems like there are more and more
items being designed and manufactured with long distance hikers in mind;
plus, there tend to be significant price reductions once something is
out for a year or two [great example - the Tiki headlamps - hot in 2001
and selling for $40+ - now there are a number of competitive items out
there (check out the Aurora) and prices have come down].
5) Consider whether you can buy gear that will serve well for a
thruhike and also serve your other hiking/climbing/paddling/mtn climbing
needs.
Have fun - I swear, these days, half the fun of a thruhike is comparing
notes re gear, and buying stuff! :)
thru-thinker
[clark wright]
Adkhiker2003@wmconnect.com wrote:
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> This is the same question I posed on Whiteblaze.net, but I want to also ask
> you all what you think. I value your opinions and your suggestions.
> THANKS!! SPARKY!!
>
> First a little History.....
>
> As you may have seen through various postings of mine... I am trying to
> replace some of my gear with lighter gear. Specifically
>
> 1) a tent... I decided on the Eurpoa II, $260 and weighs 33 ounces vice the
> Peak1 Cobra I have which weighs 67 ounces ),
>
> 2) A sleeping bag, which I have not decided upon but set the dollar limit at
> $200 and max 48 ounces vice the Sandman I have which weighs 64 ounces,
>
> 3) a lighter Pack, either the Forester or the Reality for $225 which is 80
> ounces vice the Windriver which weighs 112 ounces)
>
> 4) a lighter rain coat, decided on the Marmot Precip for $100 which is 14
> ounces vice the lowe alpine which weighs 30 ounces.
>
> With these changes my pack weight will be at 35lbs which includes warm
> clothes, 3 days worth of food, and 70 ounces of water.
>
> I usually give my gear a good home, I take care of it when I first get it,
> I go over each piece prior to going on a hike and when I return I do the
> maintenance and make sure it is clean and if any repairs need to be done are
> done prior to it being stashed away.
>
> I was originally planning on having all this gear bought by the end of fall
> this year. Specifically the tent and the Precip jacket this spring, the Bag
> this summer and the pack by mid winter ( looking for sales)
>
> I am not planning on starting out until March 2005, two years from now...
> I know... I am planning way out there... It is the military in me.
>
> OK, that is the history... now here is the question...
>
> Do I buy the gear now or do I wait till I am closer to my start date? If
> waiting closer... how much closer?
>
> 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.
>
> OK, let me have it... but be nice ;)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sparky!
> _______________________________________________
>>From the AT-L mailing list est. 1995
> Need help? http://www.at-l.org
> Archives: http://www.backcountry.net/arch/at/
> Change your options or unsubscribe:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l
>
> Stay on topic!
>
>
>