Gear

 I'm fascinated by the ultra lightweight hikers. I have mucho respect for those brave men and woman who lay their fears and comforts to waste and embrace nature in such a simple, unencumbered way. This gear list is probably an offensive monstrosity to most UL hikers. I'm just not there mentally. That being said, I, with my minimal backpacking experience, don't mind carrying some weight. Sure, that's easy to say now, sitting in my living room, but I'll be happy if I can get a base weight close to 17-18 pounds. 15 pounds would be ideal for me, but I'm not going to sell the farm just to fit in with the ultralight community. My hope is that I get lighter the further I go.

***UPDATE***  3/27
I'm dropping my base weight, which on the first weighing, was offensive to hikers everywhere. I'll post that weight and the items I'm shaving in my next post.

The Big Three

Backpack: ULA Catalyst

I knew this pack was the one for my back when I first saw a picture of a filthy hiker wearing it about 6 months ago. I was originally planning on using my brother's Arc'teryx Altra' 65 pack. He was generous enough to insist that I use it, even though I explained that a thru-hike might destroy it. I found it a bit too heavy though, and the chest strap was missing. Thanks anyways, Pat. I love what I see from the ULA. It's big enough for long food hauls, though I am dangerously susceptible to over-pack, I can hide some extra luxury items in there. I like the outer volume mesh packs and the hip-belt pockets too. This pack was an easy decision for me.

Shelter: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 1

I wore my favorite thinking underwear while pondering what my shelter situation would be. I though about a bivy, tarp, tarp-tent, ultralight cuben fiber, and ultimately went with what I know, which is a good ol' fashioned tent. The thing is, I've never used a UL shelter before, nor do I even know anyone who uses one. I figured that I'd do something stupid with an expensive, lightweight tarp like immediately break it or somehow get my nuts caught in a guy-line. I feel like once I see more experienced long-distance hikers using their UL shelters, I'll probably wish I had gone that route, but the tent I bought is pretty sweet. The Big Agnes weighs 2.5 pounds and packs very small. There is not much room inside, I prefer to describe it as "cozy" rather than "claustrophobic death sack," but it seems very sturdy, easy to use, and generally hassle free. It came with a free 4 ounce nylon footprint, which is lighter than tyvek, so I'll use the footprint to protect the floor. Hopefully, I'll become enamored with cowboy camping and can save the tent as recourse from mosquitoes, rain, and such.

Sleep System: (Bag) Marmot Helium 15 degree

                        (Pad) Therm-a-rest Z lite Sol

I don't sleep very well, but when I do, I prefer to be comfortable, of course. The Marmot Helium provides good comfort and is very warm, plus I got it on sale! I'm a very warm sleeper, so when it came in the mail, after I'd nearly sliced it open with a razor while opening the box, I jumped right in it. I immediately became so hot that I started to sweat with anxiety. It didn't help that I just returned from a long hike and the temperature was close to 100 degrees outside (and not much cooler inside.) Once I calmed down, I reminded myself that the PCT is cold at night. I will greatly appreciate the warmth provided by this bag on Mt. Whitney, for example. I bought a Sea to Summit silk/cotton liner which only weighs 4 ounces, and this expensive piece of cloth will protect my bag from body oil/dirt/etc, and also serve as a sleep cover for warmer nights. I'm trying to protect my sleeping bag at all costs, so I bought a Sea to Summit Evac dry sack for it as well.

The sleeping pad decision was a real think-fest as well. My brother says, "You're crazy if you don't use an inflatable pad. Don't you care about comfort? The cc foam pads are too bulky!" All good points. I ordered a Exped Synmat UL7 (they sent me a UL9 instead...) and I'll tell you this, it's a great pad. If I were going inflatable, this would be the one. I changed my mind and returned the pad after blowing it up a few times. I nearly passed out after inflating it. I imagined inflating the pad and deflating it, every day for 6 months, with constant vigilance for punctures, and the decision to buy a foam pad became easier. The z-lite sol is light, easy to abuse, and has the added bonus of being a seat wherever, and whenever I feel like sitting. I can also simply buy another one in Oregon when the first one wears down.

Clothes in Pack: (In 13L Sea to Summit Nano-sil dry sack that doubles as a pillow)

Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket: Warm layer for towns, evenings, and general cold times. I chose synthetic instead of down as a safeguard against moisture. I figure I already have a down bag, why not mix it up? I also tend to destroy things, and down seems fragile to me.

Marmot Driclime Windshirt Jacket: I'm actually on the fence about where I should send this jacket. Oregon? Kennedy Meadows? It's an important part of my layering system, especially since my Montbell cold jacket is very thin and light. I plan on using the windshirt for......wind. I'll also use it for hiking in the chilly early mornings and evenings. The Marmot Driclime is highly recommended on the trail, and it DOES seem comfy and warm, so I might just throw it in the mesh backing of my pack for easy access.
***UPDATE*** 4-4-15, Switched to Patagonia Houdini Wind Shirt to save weight. This shirt weighs around 4 oz as opposed to the Marmot's 10.7 ounce weight, and the Patagonia has a hood, which makes me happy.

Icebreaker Merino Wool Oasis Base Layer (long sleeve top + bottom): I'll use these guys as sleep clothes to keep warm and protect my sleeping bag. They'll also be in my "always dry" bag to help me stay alive in worst case scenarios.

Darn Tough long Hiking Socks (sleep), North Face Canyonlands liner Gloves: These socks are only for sleeping, and gloves are light and comfy. I also have a pair of latex gloves to put over these gloves in rain so that I can tend to my gear without my fingers going numb.

1 pair Darn Tough: Backup socks kept in rotation.

Arc'teryx Wool Beanie :For sleeping and town, to keep my dome warm.

Bandanna (2): I for hiking, 1 for cooking/other.

Raingear: Marmot Precip Rain Pants/ Marmot Precip Jacket: I thought about sending these to Oregon, but the pants are light and could be handy in the Sierra section, and the jacket is the last part of my layering system. Also, it could rain anywhere, right?

Clothing Worn While Hiking:

Nike Dri-fit Running shorts: I like to hike in shorts at all times. I'll deal with sunburns when that happens. These are light, dry fast, and seem durable. They also have pockets for whatever doo-dad captures my whimsy.

Icebreaker Oasis Merino Wool t shirt: Wool is cool. This is a great t shirt for hiking. I won't mention how expensive it is, just know that I cry myself to sleep at night.

Trucker Hat: Breathes easy, shades the eyes and face.

Under Armour BoxerJock:  Protects skin from chaffing, feels like a leprechaun and a unicorn are double-teaming my midsection.

Darn Tough quarter length socks: Highly recommended socks on the trail. These are expensive, so the socks decision is still PENDING....

 Merrill Moab Ventilator: I bought these because they were a bit cheaper than most other shoes I wanted, but they seem durable and comfortable. I'd prefer a lighter running shoe, but I'm not too picky here. I bought Superfeet Insoles as well, and they feel both comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time, if that makes sense. I'm not even sure what they're supposed to be doing.

Sunglasses: First pair I tried on at REI, I forget what brand, but they are polarized, which I've been told is important. I'm not a casual sunglasses guy, and I never wear them, but their importance on this hike is understood.

Trekking Poles: I bought Black Diamond flintlock poles from REI. I've never used or needed poles before, but I'll ship these suckers to Kennedy Meadows for the Sierra section.


Cooking and Water

Jetboil Sol Aluminum: I've never used an alcohol stove. I truly believe that if I tried one, the Pacific Crest Trail would be engulfed in flames. I'm not in love with the Jetboil, because it seems sort of limited. It boils water fast. That should be ok for me though. I'm bringing freezer ziplock bags to cook and rehydrate foods in.

2 Smart water bottles, 2- 2.5-liter Platypus bottles.

Sawyer Mini Water Filter: This seems like a good tool. It's flow is pretty slow, but what are you gonna do? Some of the desert water is disgusting. I also have a dropper bottle filled with bleach as a backup, but I hope to end up using the bleach more than the filter.

Granite Gear Air Zipsack: Food Bag. Very fragile feel to it. It will probably disintegrate before Agua Dulce.
Lexan Spoon
Plastic Deli Container for bowl/cup
Anti Gravity Gear ziplock bag cozy: weighs 1 0z, keeps food warm, and helps balance the ziplock bag so it stays upright.
Electronics

Iphone 5s with a LifeProof Case: For apps, blog, communication, interwebz, etc. etc. etc. etc.
Suntactics s Charger 5 Solar panel: For CA use. Keeps my operation running in the sun.
Anker 2nd gen Astro external Battery, 6400 mAh: For use in Oregon and WA.

Ipod Nano + Ear Buds:  Weighs very little, and saves the phone batteries.
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp + 3 AAA batteries
Keychain Photon Light: Backup light
Double USB Wall Charger  + the various wires and cables for these machines.
Brookstone bluetooth Keyboard: Around 4-5 ounces, and allows me to type this blog without smashing my Iphone over my head repeatedly. I can also charge this with my solar panel, so that is neat.

First Aid and Ditty Bag

Gauze, tape, neosporin, toothbrush+toothpaste, small swiss army knife, sunscreen, TP, hand sanitizer, floss, sewing needle, parachord, gold bond, dr bronner's soap in small bottle, ear plugs, IBuprofen, aloe vera lotion, small mirror, small lighter, matches, and chapstick.

Other

Sea to Summit Bug Headnet
Compass
Halfmile's Paper maps
Halfmile's PCT App
Guthook's PCT Apps
Yogi's Town Guides
Sharpie
Pen
Small Journal
Deet
cash/card/ID/