Roast my AT gear

I am leaving for the Appalachian trail in 3 days. This is my pack, it weighs roughly 13 pounds base weight, and roughly 20 with food and water.

Please lmk what your would add/drop from this setup. Be honest, you won’t hurt my feelings, but you can try.

If you can’t tell from the picture, the bottom left is my hammock and sleeping bag, they will go in the drybag. Top right is rain gear w/ a hat and fishing mask for bugs.

Not pictured is my phone, wallet, pocket knife, etc (stuff I normally carry in my pockets anyways) No I will not be walking ass naked, other obvious shit like my pants and shirt are also not pictured, this is the stuff that is in my bag.

All of this stuff is the lightest weigh stuff that I own and also have experience with and confidence in, which is important to me. I’m sure I could find a more lightweight version of many of these items, but this is what I’ve got so it’s what I’m using.

250 Piece Survival Gear First Aid Kit

LifeStraw Water Filter for Hiking and Preparedness

250 Piece Survival Gear First Aid Kit

  1. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    WTF will you do for light?

    Is the only water storage that Nalgene? I hope you have a good handle on where you can get water on trail.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      There is a headlamp in one of the plastic bags and there is also a water bladder

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        The headlamp was not visible sorry, good catch tho

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        Ok then you seem pretty ok.

        As others have noted, moleskin is not all that good. It wears through pretty fast and doesn’t stay put. Leukotape with gauze is better. That looks like a roll of adhesive tape, if just swap that for Leukotape and toss both the corn pads and the moleskin.

        I think with the weather you’ll be fine for hammock insulation but that mostly depends on how warm you sleep. If cold, get an underquilt.

        Take at least a rain poncho or similar. That might be in your “not pictured” gear but just be sure to have one.

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          He has rain gear (top right). If it’s a jacket he might be ok at first but it’s warming up quickly. He could switch to a poncho or umbrella later; jackets are a little too warm for east coast summers.

  2. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    I’m co fused. I see three large items: hammock, tarp, and sleeping bag? No underquilt? Does your hammock have a bugnet? What kind of suspension are you using?

    Still pretty chilly in the mountains. No fleece or puffy?

    No dry bag for storing and hanging food?

    Nalgene? Lol. LMAO!

    Get the AWOL or Guthooks guide (I think Guthooks is called Far Out now).

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      >what kind of suspension are you using
      Billstein shocks

      Does it matter? I hang the ends of the hammock to two trees

      >underquilt
      No I don’t, but I have have a space blanket I can bring with me which will do just fine

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        Have you tested the space blanket because I've tried a goretex bivy in a hammock and you'll find out that a vapor barrier will help with warmth but will also result in a wet puddle under your back.

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          I get a puddle under me from my cum anyway, I jack off all night out of boredom

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        >why does suspension matter?
        If you don’t have a water break or at least some drip lines (which don’t work nearly as well) it will matter quite a lot. Plus I didn’t see one in the pic and was curious.

        >I’ll use a space blanket instead of an under quilt.
        Is this your first time sleeping in a hammock?

        Whats wrong with nalgenes?

        What’s wrong with Nalgenes?
        A 1L Nalgene is about 6oz heavier than a 1L SmartWater bottle. They’re also an odd shape, being short and squatty. OP should consider 2 bottles. 1L isn’t enough in some sections.

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          6 ounces is worth the indestructibility imo

          • 11 months ago
            Anonymous

            Captive cap, too

          • 11 months ago
            Anonymous

            How many SmartWater bottles have you seen break? Do you think it’s common for them to fail, and if so what are you basing that opinion on? Have you seen a SmarWater or similar bottle in person, and what did you think of it’s durability? Why are they so popular among thruhikers if durability is lacking?

            • 11 months ago
              Anonymous

              I havnt personaly used one but ive used and broken pet bottles plenty of times, they crush and get pinholes
              Ive never broken a nalgene

              • 11 months ago
                Anonymous

                I've seen a nalgene shatter before and I'll still use them especially for winter, but I switched to smart water or similar bottles for most days and I lose them but have never broken one. Plus the AT is not remote wildness and has lots of water sources. In the event that you lose a container a water bottle is an easy replacement.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      Lowest temps I’m seeing is high 50s, and it will only get warmer as it gets closer to June, I should be ok, but I might pack a base layer or atleast a wool hat to wear to bed

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous
    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      Whats wrong with nalgenes?

  3. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Moleskin is total crap. Don’t even bother. Same with corn cushions. Get a roll of Luekotape and some non-adherent pads.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      redpoll me on leukotape anon. on saturday I threw some moleskin on my feet blisters and went another 20 miles. it still hurt but they held up pretty well imo

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        The main difference is the adhesive. Both use a zinc oxide bazed adhesive, but moleskin isn’t nearly as aggressive. Luekotape will last for several days of hiking.

        Moleskin is also generally thicker, which is a mixed bag. You want some kind of padding if a blister has already formed. It will still be uncomfortable, but less so. It’s why I take non-adherent pads in addition to luekotape. But the thickness of moleskin can also cause its edges to peel up.

        Luekotape is also more bendabale, again because it’s thinner, allowing it to be used in less-than-ideal places. It’s not like blisters always form on a convenient spot.

        This is all based on the moleskin like OP’s pic; the stuff found in every pharmacy in the US. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was making ultra thin moleskin with extra strong glue.

        I havnt personaly used one but ive used and broken pet bottles plenty of times, they crush and get pinholes
        Ive never broken a nalgene

        Pic isn’t even close to the same thing.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      Add a SmartWater bottle.
      Sawyer bags are notorious for pinholing and the squeeze screws on it

      >why does suspension matter?
      If you don’t have a water break or at least some drip lines (which don’t work nearly as well) it will matter quite a lot. Plus I didn’t see one in the pic and was curious.

      >I’ll use a space blanket instead of an under quilt.
      Is this your first time sleeping in a hammock?

      [...]
      What’s wrong with Nalgenes?
      A 1L Nalgene is about 6oz heavier than a 1L SmartWater bottle. They’re also an odd shape, being short and squatty. OP should consider 2 bottles. 1L isn’t enough in some sections.

      https://i.imgur.com/pWfHRhL.jpg

      The main difference is the adhesive. Both use a zinc oxide bazed adhesive, but moleskin isn’t nearly as aggressive. Luekotape will last for several days of hiking.

      Moleskin is also generally thicker, which is a mixed bag. You want some kind of padding if a blister has already formed. It will still be uncomfortable, but less so. It’s why I take non-adherent pads in addition to luekotape. But the thickness of moleskin can also cause its edges to peel up.

      Luekotape is also more bendabale, again because it’s thinner, allowing it to be used in less-than-ideal places. It’s not like blisters always form on a convenient spot.

      This is all based on the moleskin like OP’s pic; the stuff found in every pharmacy in the US. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone was making ultra thin moleskin with extra strong glue.

      [...]
      Pic isn’t even close to the same thing.

      I'm co-signing these

  4. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    buy Vaseline

  5. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    I'm jealous have fun. Better food than that at least? Oatmeal? Jerkym

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      I will probably throw in some jerky, maybe partway through I will ditch the stove and just get a hot meal in town every now and then, the hot meals are more of a morale thing I don’t really NEED it

  6. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    >MSS patrol bag
    Patrician choice
    >OP asks for roast
    Uh... walnuts are gross

  7. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Compass not visible?
    You should have a compass you don't want to be the next Jerry Largay

  8. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    for my 2 cents:
    -if I had to take any first aid it would be aleve (pain killer but also good for joint aches) and some gauze and some hockey tape. Most injuries I've had have been cuts and hockey tape holds like a MF and you can make whatever size bandage you need with that and the gauze. I also like iodine because it doubles as disinfectant and water purification. If you're over 35 a compression bandage can also be a useful thing.
    -metal pegs you might do without if you can just make wooden ones. depends on ground. I used to do rockies a lot and you need strong steel ones. I'm in Ontario now and just make wooden ones from sticks and they work better anyway.
    -one thing I've enjoyed a lot is my lantern called the luci light. I prefer the full size luci lux which has warmer light. on just a full initial charge you can probably get 2-3 days of 4-6 hours a night on it. Plus its solar. You can also get a smaller one which is a bit smaller and lighter but I find the life is a lot shorter. get a small carabiner for it.
    -one thing I learned the hard way once is always bring mosquito repellent. I got absolutely fricked up once on a trip where I forgot it for a 3 day hike in thing in B.C. Brands I'd recommend are Ben's spray and Watkins Great Outdoors Lotion. I work as a Geophysicist and my GF was a tree planter. I just spent a weekend up in northern canada with blackflies everywhere and they didn't bite me with the Ben's. The great outdoors lotion is something she turned me on to and it also is amazing. Pair any of those with a picaradin spray and you're basically invulnerable. If you have to choose just one go with deet though. The net is nice just because the frickers will drive you crazy circling your head even if they aren't biting.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      also consider making your own jerkey. It's stupidly easy to do at home, stupidly cheap if you can find clearance meat, and really keeps you going. cut thin strips of lean meat. lightly coat with 50% salt /50% sugar. Add seasonings as desired (pepper, I use this ethiopian spice mitmita). drape over oven rack. turn on heat on minimum setting and crack the door slightly open with something like a tea strainer. Maybe 6 hours is good. 12 if you want it to last a really long time. You can also just do this in the hot sun and a good breeze BTW. I also made a smoker according to this guys video:

      I just bought some mesquite smoking wood from the hardware store and use a couple of small pieces. Takes maybe 20-30 minutes to smoke jerkey, then dry as described. Enjoy.

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        oh and also I wanted to add, one other thing that's really awesome is dried kiwi. I just cut in thin strips, place on parchment or wax paper and put in front of the heater/vent for maybe 1-2 days. It maybe lasts a month but it has so much vitamin C. It just really boosts me back up especially if I've been sweating a lot.

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      I'm planning on going motocamping in the Kootenays (also from BC) for the first time with some buddies. Here is my gear (hammock UQ OQ not pictured). Also have a headlamp tucked away somewhere.

      Is Ben's tick repellant spray (has 20% icaridin but no deet) enough to keep away the mosquitos and horse flies? I'd rather not use deet since I just bought this hammock and deet melts plastic. Also what are your thoughts on permethrin? In Canada it is kinda banned but some farmers markets have the oily smelly stuff.

      Are bear cans/ bear bags necessary here? What's your recommendation?

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        >DEET on my hammock
        Sounds kinky. You don’t have to worry though. DEET melts polyester, but your hammock is most likely made out of nylon. DEET will harm waterproof coatings on nylon, but not the nylon itself.

        >permethrin
        It works really, really well. I’ve heard that the stuff used for cattle is chemically the same but a stronger concentration than the commercially available stuff used on clothing. I’ve also heard of people vying at Tractor Supply and just diluting it themselves because it’s cheaper than the Sawyer stuff.

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          The bulk livestock concentrate is the way to go.
          I treated 2 whole apartments with it, the whole chicken coop two times, all of my summer PrepHole clothes, and larpshit; I've used less than half of the bottle so far.

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          Also sprayed down a cow that wandered into my yard covered in mosquitos

        • 11 months ago
          Anonymous

          The bulk livestock concentrate is the way to go.
          I treated 2 whole apartments with it, the whole chicken coop two times, all of my summer PrepHole clothes, and larpshit; I've used less than half of the bottle so far.

          What’s the name for the bulk permethrin?

          • 11 months ago
            Anonymous

            Gordon’s is the one people mention, but there are others I’m sure.

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        >Are bear cans/ bear bags necessary here?
        I carry a bear can when hiking anywhere there are brown bears whether they are required or not. Probably a vestige of living in AK but I have encountered too many browns that couldn't be scared away.

        For black bears I just hang my food.

  9. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Add a SmartWater bottle.
    Sawyer bags are notorious for pinholing and the squeeze screws on it

  10. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    -Bring an extra lighter.
    -Bring different food as well.
    -Get an extra water bottle.
    -Ditch the rape whistle. When your bones snap from you falling off a cliff, carve them into a flute to call for help. It may sound like a terrible idea, but it would make for a kickass news story that I get to read.
    -Bring a walking stick. Good for moral support, actual support, shelter improvisation, and for yeeting snakes off the narrow parts of the trail.
    -Get some lower leg protection. Most people use gators, I use puttees. You'll thank me later.
    -Bring some sort of Etool. Whether its a hatchet, folding shovel, or a fricking spoon, you'll want something sturdy to make a few alterations to camp every now and then (shitter holes, for example)

  11. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Not enough neon gloworm colors
    Ngmi/10

    • 11 months ago
      Anonymous

      That is a good point.

      Without those you’ll frighten solo female hikers and they’ll call the police on you.

      • 11 months ago
        Anonymous

        >Omg your trail name is Creeeper!

  12. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Get a bandana to prefilter your water. the sawyer cloggs quickly.

    Have you ever tested that shelter system before? Looks like new.

  13. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    I’m from Arizona so seeing 2L of water storage makes me cringe, but I don’t know about East Coast hiking. Everything looks pretty good. I sometimes carry a moldable splint if I’m hiking with an inexperienced person. The MSS patrol bag is what I run, but I keep the Bivvy and I run a mosquito net.

  14. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Have a poop kit?

  15. 11 months ago
    Anonymous

    Did OP ever make it?

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