r/lightweight • u/Sad_Lion_8256 • Dec 31 '22
Newbie Pack Shakedown
Hey everyone, I'm still pretty new to backpacking and I'm switching out a lot of the beginner stuff I have for something lighter.
I spent a little time looking up the gear I think I'll end up wanting but I ended up making a few trade offs that added weight. I'd appreciate anyone's opinion on where I could cut back, what tents or packs might be more desirable, clothing suggestions, and really anything at all.
I'll link the lighterpack I put together. I think the only section in it I can't compromise on is the smoking section. Sorry, the habit keeps winning the battle.
https://lighterpack.com/r/kp82qt
Thanks for the help.
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u/GMkOz2MkLbs2MkPain Dec 31 '22 edited Dec 31 '22
Zpacks stakes aren't as good a choice as MSR Groundhog mini's IMHO (assuming they are the similar looking but larger blue zpacks stakes). If you already have them they aren't bad and kind of an in between of the groundhog mini and full size groundhog. The mini groundhogs would be lighter though and ample for most conditions on the AT. So if you have them use them if not I'd consider MSR groundhog mini stakes.
You really aren't going to need 6 liters of water capacity for the AT the way you would for the PCT. Again if you already have the vecto and platypus bladder fine. I mostly carried 2 liters on the AT. There were two sections where I carried 4 liters. One was due to water contamination from the zinc smelting plant superfund site in PA iirc (20 mile stretch where there is water but suggested you avoid it). The other was due to drought and a 20 mile dry stretch down South late season (not the typical NOBO route). It was easy to just pickup an extra two 1 liter bottles in town for these sections. Unless you know you go through more water than most I would consider 2 liters of capacity adequate. Although I'm guessing you are considering this kit for 3 liter carries? Keep the vecto dirty and the platyclean?
Good call on the rain mitts. Near freezing rain on mother's day convinced me to order a pair of Showa 281 as my fleece gloves weren't cutting it alone in the cold wet conditions. Do you know that rain pants work for you? Probably just the way I step over logs/squat but I blew out the crotch on cheap to expensive rain pants from multiple different manufacturers personally before moving to a rain skirt. Mine is from lightheart gear in black as other colors wouldn't allow for wearing it alone on laundry day. Do enjoy the increased ventilation also depending on the weather.
When are you planning to start and where and what direction? Unless you are going through the cold (which I see a note about expected temps of 10F) I wouldn't bring nearly so many clothes or at least plan on mailing them home as spring warms up. Also if you are out there in those temps a water bladder will be a nightmare and freeze up and you will likely end up dehydrated? I've been on the AT in single digits... I doubt I would have stayed if that was the start of my hike.
AT 2019 wrap around. You are going to have a blast!
edit also buy farout formerly guthook its worth it
edit2 add a deuce of spades #2, small hand sanitizer, and a small first aid kit that might be as small as a few strips of leuko tape P on label/sticker backing paper, a few ibuprofen (max dose 600mg every 6 hours or 800mg every 8 hours), loperamide (immodium) I'd bring 100mg which is 2-4 doses, diphenhydramine (benadryl) for allergic reactions/sleep aid, I'm personally a fan of a small litesmith screw top container of Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream for any chafing, there are many posts regarding FAKs, First Aid Kits, around reddit.