[at-l] Packing Light

[orangebug74 at yahoo.com (Orange Bug)]

Sob! A gear question! Oh, how sweet!

Cyber kisses to you, darling April.

How much gear and what weight should it be? This is a
very personal choice, and will change as you get
experience and confidence. For instance, that
"mother's reassurance" can be done in very light
weight fashion with AAA Lithium batteries rather than
the North Face Remote Control Rabbit Ears with D cells
and Solar Recharger. (Page 98 of the Spring Sex L L
Bean catalogue)

I think the key questions is how to determine what is
essential. Well, the best way is to gather your
current concept of gear together and go for a walk
over a weekend. Rent a backpack, sleeping bag and
tent. Expect that the first few times, you will bring
40-50 pounds for your weekend walks. Some bring even
more to Springer Mtn each year.

And keep a journal of these first walks.

The general way of selecting gear is based on the
following human needs:

Food and Water
 1) containers
 2) implements and cooking gear and fuel
 3) consumables snacks and meals
 4) water treatment, if  any
 5) sanitation

Shelter and bedding
 1) tent, hammock, tarp or use of trail shelters
 2) Sleeping bag
 3) selection of sleeping pad

Clothing
 1) Walking gear
 2) boots and socks
 3) Hats and head covering including bandanas
 4) rain / weather gear

Safety and sanitation
 1) toilet items
 2) post toilet sanitation
 3) first aid
 4) signaling gear (whistle is required)
 5) fire making stuff
 6) trash disposal
 7) gear / food protection (weather and animals love
to screw up your stuff)
 8) creature comforts to perserve sanity (maps, books
and whatnot)
 9) lighting

Something to Organize this Stuff
 1) stuff bags
 2) Backpack

Notice that the last piece of gear is the backpack.
The most common mistake is to buy a huge, well
constructed, highly optioned back pack for a few
hundred dollars. This is like buying a Cadillac to go
shop at WalMart to have more room to save on your
purchases. You want to have your gear tell you how big
your bag should be, then go shop for the most
comfortable and useful bag you can find.

Bill...