I'm getting organized for my next major trip over the Mahoosic Range, crossing from Maine to New Hampshire (SOBO – southbound) on the Appalachian Trail, and writing up my gear list is always one of the first steps in my trip preparation process after route planning. It's been a year since I posted a summer gear list, and there have been some significant changes in my kit since I was section hiking the Long Trail in Vermont last summer, so here's an update.
First off, I've made the full transition from a tarp tent to a tarp and bug bivy. While this doesn't sound like a big step – the only difference between a tarp tent and a tarp is a floor – it sure feels like a big change. I expect that the tarp will give me a lot more flexibility, particularly in site selection and pitch configuration.
I've also just upgraded to the new 2009 Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus which is otherwise identical to my older Mariposa Plus, except for a new aluminum curved stay which replaces the old carbon fiber ones. People say that new stay eliminates some of the pack shoulder separation found in the older model resulting in a more comfortable carry. This also gives me a chance to send my old Mariposa back to Grant Sible in Austin to have the external mesh repaired and have it retrofitted with the new stay.
The only other minor change is that I'll be carrying an alcohol stove again on this trip, while last year, I carried no stove for most of the summer to save weight. I'll be experimenting with some more preparation-intensive dehydrated meals on this upcoming trip, in preparation for a real 100+ mile long distance hike coming up later in the summer. I expect that dehydration will open up a lot more food choices and that carrying a stove again may be worth it.
As usual, please post any comments or questions below. I'm always interested in your feedback.
digital camera + extra battery
Just a couple things. Firstly, I notice that you have extreme redundancy in waterproofing your pack. Pack liner, pack cover, and Sea-to-Summit waterproof bag. Secondly, I see that you carry two 3L water bladders. Granted my perception may be skewed coming from the Rockies, but I can't imagine needing that much water at any given time.
I like the idea of revisiting your gear list via your blog. I change up my list a couple times a year for the seasons and then again every year or so. I just revisited my list before my last trip last weekend and its nice to hear feedback.
Master Sam, I am honored by your feedback. :-)
Let me explain about the extreme waterproofing. I don't use the Mariposa hydration pocket to hold my platypus bladder (I only use 1 during the day). Instead, I prop it up inside the pack behind my right shoulder where it sinks down about half way up from the bottom of the pack. I do this because it's much easier to pull out to refill and doesn't require that I repack a tight pack. I've developed a packing system using my food bag and shelter to counterbalance the weight of the water.
When I get to camp I fill both bladders with purified water. One is for camp & cooking and one in for the next day, so I can get a fast start. I also use the second in case I need to carry extra water, which happens occasionally on dry stretches or in very hot weather, and as a failover if one of my bladders is punctured, or if I need to pre-treat water using chlorine dioxide due to a filter failure and carry it for 4 hours before I can drink it. This happened about a month ago.
The pack liner protects against those awkward moments when the bite valve hose comes lose on my bladder and it leaks into the pack. This happens about once or twice a year. I also bring the pack liner along as a vapor barrier bag and use it when I am very cold. It's just a little extra insurance and it's been used like this a few times.
The Sea-to-Summit around my WM bag is probably overkill, but I use it as much for compression as I do waterproofing. It also just weighs 1 ounce. I could probably cut the weight by using a lighter stuff sack, but it's not a huge benefit.
The pack cover serves to protect the external mesh from catching and tearing on the Mariposa when I have to bushwack, as well as against rain, with admittedly little benefit due to condensation. At night, I often hang my Mariposa from a tree and use the pack cover to keep anything in the external pockets dry. A lot of my gear lives outside the pack interior all of the time.
Make sense? The logic is not completely transparent from the gear list itself. However, you've given me something to ponder.
Respectable answers to all my questions. Thank you. I must play devil's advocate on some aspects of it however.
Have you considered carrying two smaller bladders? I simply can not imagine ever needing six liters of water. A two liter bladder w/ tube in the pack for daytime consumption with a one liter bladder for in-camp needs should cover all your needs and save an ounce or three.
Secondly, I'm adamantly against the use of pack covers. I hear your plea desiring to keep your pack dry at night but aside from the rare event when you'd be using your pack liner as a vapor barrier, it is all you need to keep your gear dry within the pack at night.
Once again, I'm just playing devil's advocate because you've got 11.37 lbs. listed and with some tweaking you could have that down below ten.
For those doubting my opinion, my summer gear list (7.21 lb base) is available here: http://tinyurl.com/mdxxlz
As always, keep up the great (and prolific) work on the blog.
Fair enough. I have considered going to 2 L bladders and I can now see now that the pack cover is unnecessary. I could replace the Clearview with a GG Nightlight and drop almost a pound. I could drop the water purifier and replace with tablets and drop another. But honestly, I'm more comfortable with both. Getting under 10 lbs isn't that much of a priority for me. It may be again someday, but I'm happy with just being lightweight. Thanks for the companionable badgering though. It helped sharpen the focus.
Sam – that is a pretty interesting gear list you have. I've been thinking about trying out a quilt and for certain trips I could use a lower capacity and much lighter pack. Look what you've started!
Hey. I am in the market for a new pack and it seems the Mariposa Plus comes highly recommended by all. I was looking to buy it relatively soon, but the Mariposa is out of stock. Any suggestions on a similar pack? The starlight seems to be a good option as well.
Bummer that the Mariposa is sold out. The Starlight is also a very nice pack with a customizable hip belt. But while the shoulder harness is much more adjustable, it is also less sturdy over the long term (I've already had mine repaired once for free, mind you) You need to make sure you always pick up the Starlite using the loop on top of the pack. Of course it all depends what you intend to use the pack for and how much volume you need, etc.