[at-l] Last-minute gear questions

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

Everyone does things differently, this is either what worked for me, or just 
my opinion 
about certain gear. Take what you need and throw the rest away. Have an 
interesting hike.

Best wishes,

Russ

hotdog AT03

In a message dated 3/2/2004 12:16:11 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
MedusaJ@aol.com writes:
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?
Whatever you wear, you will get wet anyway. I had expensive Marmot rain gear 
on  
my Thru last year, and still got wet. Sweat gets you wet when you hike, in 
goretex 
or cheapie gear. SO I basically carried my expensive rain gear most of the 
time, instead 
of wearing it. Frog togs were popular, basically any kind of rain gear from 
cheap to expensive works. You just may need to buy a new set of cheapies along 
the way.

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?

It all works, I just liked being able to stuff more into sil without worrying 
about it breaking.
And I put everything in garbage bags in my pack, because the pack covers do 
not work.

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.

I used a pepsi can stove, with a wire mesh pot stand for the whole thru hike. 
I loved it.
I only boil water & cook in it, no simmering. I learned to use it on the 
trail. Use alum 
foil as a wind screen.
Fuel - Denatured alcohol, or Methyl alcohol (you can use "Heet", it comes in 
a yellow 
container and is sold in Walmart or auto parts stores, as a gas line 
antifreeze. Not 
ISOHEET, or isopropyl alcohol).

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.

I usually used 1.5 ounces to cook my Ramen at night, so I used approx 6 
ounces for a 
4 day section. You will use more if you cook breakfast. 
Maybe I averaged 1.5 oz for every 2 cups of water I boiled. 
I carried my fuel in a small plastic gatorade or soda bottle (marked with 
XXX).

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?

I used a 32 oz gatorade bottle, once it warmed up a bit.
I use a Nalgene in winter,  in case I needed to use it for hot water in my 
sleeping bag.

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

If you can reach your water bottles without stopping, you will be OK.
If you have to stop & take off your pack to drink like I did, get a hoser (I 
did).

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

I had a 2 liter hoser & at least another 16 ox gatorade bottle (usually a 32)
with me all the time. I also had a water bag (4-6 liter platypus) with me most
of the time (until I left it at a shelter).

8.  Does anyone have compass recommendations?

Yes. Either get a tiny one that is on your emergency whistle, or leave it at 
home.
The only time I used it was to see what direction I was looking, to try and 
ID the 
mountains (mainly in Maine, to see where Katahdin was).

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?

I used a Petzle Tikka headlamp. I brought spare AAA batteries.
If you are OK using the photon by holding it in your teeth while you work or 
cook, OK. 
But most of those mini lights stay on once they get wet. And mine got wet... 

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.

My personal opinion is that he is right. One piece of gear I won't do without.
YMMV.

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

I didn't have a repair kit (what are you repairing?), just duct tape wrapped 
around my 
poles. Lots of it. Yes, bring poles. My other won't ever hike without it gear 
item.

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!)