I’ve got another section hike coming up on the Long Trail and I’ve made a few changes to my gear list. This next section will be a 4 day trip covering slightly over 47 miles over much more difficult terrain. After this section, I will have hiked close to 50% of the 272 mile Long Trail.
I have one major stream crossing and will be bringing a pair of Waldies with me to avoid getting my boots wet. We’ve had a lot of rain in New England the past day or so and I expect that the rivers and streams on the Long Trail will be up.
The only other major change is to switch back to my Six Moon Designs Starlite pack instead of my Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus. On my last trip, I experienced some shoulder fatigue with the Mariposa on a high mileage day. The Starlite has a much more sophisticated shoulder pad system, including load lifters, and therefore much better load-to-hip transfer characteristics. Since I will be carrying more food weight on this trip over higher ascents and on high mileage days, I wanted the more comfortable pack.
Packing | oz. |
Six Moon Designs Startlite Backpack | 25.0 |
Therm-a-rest Z-lite sleeping pad as framesheet | 10.2 |
Equinox Silnylon Pack cover | 3.5 |
Gossamer Gear internal pack liner (lg) | 1.7 |
Mini REI thermometer | 0.3 |
Fox 40 Whistle | 0.1 |
Skunklight Solar LED | 0.6 |
Swiss army classic knife | 0.7 |
Shelter & Sleep System | |
Sea-to-summit 8L waterproof stuff sack | 1.1 |
Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping bag | 28.7 |
Helium Ditty bag for sleep clothes | 0.4 |
Medium wool socks – sleeping | 2.7 |
Patagonia Capilene 1 Bottoms | 5.7 |
Techwick short sleve shirt (permethrin) | 5.5 |
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent | 28.5 |
Gossamer Gear Polycro Footprint | 5.0 |
6 easton stakes | 2.5 |
Brunton LED Lantern | 2.7 |
Wide mouth Pee bottle | 1.9 |
Hydration | |
3 L platy | 1.4 |
3 L platy | 1.4 |
General Ecology First need water filter/purifier | 15.9 |
Platytpus hose and camelback bite valve | 2.1 |
Kitchen | |
MLD bear bag system (bag, rope, rock sack, carbiner) | 3.1 |
OPSACK odor barrier bag | 1.1 |
Long handled titanium spoon | 0.4 |
MSR pack towel | 0.7 |
Head net ditty bag | 0.5 |
black polypro glove liners (permethrin) | 1.2 |
Buff bandana (permethrin) | 1.3 |
Mountain Hardware polypro hat | 0.8 |
Golite Team Mesh hat (permethrin) | 1.5 |
Extra clothing | |
Cocoon polarguard pullover vest with helium ditty bag | 6.4 |
Golite Reed rain pant | 7.0 |
Outdoor research celestial jacket | 9.0 |
Waldies Aruba sandals for Stream crossing | 7.1 |
Navigation | |
Suunto a-10 compass | 0.9 |
digital camera | 5.8 |
Grey ditty bag (murphy) | 0.4 |
Gear repair | 4.4 |
First Aid/Emergency Kit | 5.0 |
base pack weight in lbs | 12.8 |
I’m also going to be carrying and wearing a lot more gear treated with Permethrin. The latest black fly reports for this section of Vermont say that the black flies and mosquitoes are out and biting, so my plan is to stay as covered as possible.
You’ll notice that I’m not carrying a stove again on this trip. Temperatures are predicted to be low 80’s during the day and high 50’s at night so I’m just going to eat cold meals. The weather is warm enough that an alcohol stove would work fine, but I’d rather not add the fuel weight.
I’ve also switched out the Torsolite sleeping pad for the Thermarest Z-lite. The Starlite requires a sleeping pad as an internal framesheet and the Torsolite isn’t really designed for this. I could have used a Gossamer Gear Nightlight pad which is 7 oz lighter, but I find the Thermarest to be more comfortable and a bit warmer, so I’m taking it instead.
Why 6 liters of bladder? Is this the "standard" amount you carry on the LT? Thanks!
I used to carry a lot of capacity, but not necessarily use it until I got to camp. These days. I carry two 1 liter soda bottles and a 3L platy for camp because I like to purify my water for the next day the night before. In general, you don't need to carry that much water on the LT because it's so wet most of the time.
I’m thru-hiking the Long Trial this June (it’s the time I have to do it), not ideal, but I am mentally prepared for the black flies et al. I am planning on using a HMG flat tarp. Questions: 1) can i get away with not having a bug bivy and not be too miserable? 2) Can you recommend a bug bivy that is lightweight and can be ordered within 1 month?
Thanks.
Try REI if the cottages are sold out. NEMO has one too.
thank you sir.