[at-l] Last-minute gear questions

[MedusaJ at aol.com (MedusaJ@aol.com)]

Hello everyone,

I've switched from my work account to my personal AOL account and am now down in Tennessee, three hours from the trailhead, ready to go on Thursday.  March 4th, a great day to, ahem, march forth.  (My start date got pushed back, thanks to car woes--it's a long story.)  I haven't been reading my digests very faithfully, but I have a couple of last-minute questions, that I would welcome any and all responses to within the next 24 hours--I do my last trip to the outfitter tomorrow.  If you do have any advice, email me back today!  (And copy my AOL address as I'm in digest mode.)  Here goes:

1.  Rain gear.  I've been planning to take your basic cheapo barrier rain/wind pants as my top layer.  Should I fork over $100 for something waterproof/breathable/Goretex instead?  I know people have strong feelings about this (as they will about most of my questions) but will I really die out there with a basic top layer?

2.  Is silnylon really worth it?  My family has been backpacking for years, and we are plastic-bag royalty.  I've been planning to use garbage bags for my groundsheet and plastic bags instead of stuffsacks--should I go with silnylon instead, or am I okay with plastic?

3.  I'm also bringing our very heavy Apex stove.  I figured it was worth it because it's gear I'm familiar with, I've used on my own solos, it uses gas that I can get anywhere, and it works in really low temperatures.  But I have been tossing around the idea of ordering a Pepsi-can stove for months now.  Should I order one from one of the tin-can men?  My dad's coming to join me the middle of next week for a week, so he can bring me any gear that I order now.  We could even experiment with some extra stuff that week.

4.  For both the Apex and the Pepsi-can stove, how much fuel do I need to bring for about a week?  This is something it's really tough to get estimates on.  Any web links would be helpful.

5.  Nalgene vs. soda bottles.  I have a Nalgene to which I'm very partial.  But I'm willing to leave it behind to save weight.  If I do, what's the best size and type of plastic bottle to bring?

6.  How essential is a Platypus with a hose?  Will I be okay without one?

7.  How much water-carrying capacity should I have available at all times?

8.  Does anyone have compass recommendations?

9.  What about flashlights?  I've thought seriously about ordering one of the Photon microlights.  Right now I have a mini Maglite, which is fairly heavy.  Do I need to bring a spare battery?

10.  What about a headlamp?  Will I perish without one?  My brother is convinced this is the one essential item without which no hiker can survive.

11.  If I bring duct tape, do I need to carry a repair kit?  If so, what should I carry in it?

I know these are decisions I should have made months ago, but I'm eighty-percent decided on most of them and I just want some feedback for my peace of mind.

Thanks,
Melissa (formerly mjenks, now starting March 4!)