Day -21: Packing

The good thing about packing my backpack is that this time I know what to take. My first trip hiking the Trail was a lot of trial and error. I started off with different items in my backpack than what I had when I ended. I was able to finish packing my pack today. What exactly do you take on a 3-month hike?

• Tent (North Face 2-person)
• Therma-Rest & Fleece Sleeping Bag (for summer)
• Stove & Fuel (MSR Dragonfly)
• Pot & Spoon (only a spoon is needed...no need for a fork)
• Clothing (1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 2 shirts, 1 tank-top, 3 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of underwear, rain jacket, & fleece)
• Platypus, Nalgene & Water Filter (PUR Hiker)
• Rope (for hanging food bag in a tree so bears can't get at it)
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mini-brush, and wetnaps...there is nothing like a wetnap bath when you haven't showered for 5 days to make you feel like a million bucks)
• First Aid Kit (moleskin for blisters, alcohol wipes, & lots of Vitamin I...a.k.a. Ibuprofin)
• Georgia Chrome (a.k.a. Duct Tape...can be used for anything & everything)
• Headlamp & Pocket Knife
• Trail Data Book & Maps
• Pepper Spray & Whistle (in case I run into any shady characters...animals or humans)
• Journal (I keep a journal and write in it every day on the Trail...many of my blog postings will be excerpts from my journal)
• Trekking Poles & Knee Braces (only way my legs will move...along with 12 Vitamin I)
• Digital Camera & Cell Phone (I really hope I don't fall into a river)
• Baggies (everything is in a Ziploc bag and spares...there is nothing worse when your gear gets wet)
• Food (currently 7 days worth)
• Camp Shoes (flip-flops to put on after a long day's hike...very important to get out of your boots)
• Miscellaneous Stuff (bugspray, spices for food, bandanas, hat, pack cover, etc.)

So, after I solved the puzzle and fit all of the above in my pack, I decided to weigh it. I stepped on the scale first and then again with the pack on my back...a difference of 39.4 pounds. With water, I will be carrying around 45 pounds on my back for 3 months.

I may need to reconsider taking that 4th pair of underwear...