Henry David Thoreau

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau

Equipment List

Equipment List: Total Weight 23 lbs (Without Food and Water)

- 1 GoLite Pinnacle Backpack (Large)
- 1 Small Notebook
- Guide Book
- 1 Pen
- 10 1 Gallon Heavy Duty Ziploc Bags
- 1 Roll Toilet Paper
- 1 Cat Hole Shovel
- 3 Pair Smart Wool Socks (Medium)
- 1 Pair Dress Socks
- 1 long Sleeve Hiking Shirt
- 1 Short Sleeve hiking Shirt
- 1 Insulated Undershirt Shirt
- 1 Insulated Long Johns
- 1 Pair Shorts
- 1 Pair Hiking Pants with Removable lower legs
- 1 Orange Baseball Hunting Cap
- 1 Outdoor Research Cold Weather Cap
- 1 Pair Gloves
- 1 Rain Jacket
- 1 Northface Cold Weather Jacket
- 1 Pair (RED not pink) Crocs
- 1 Military Surplus Water Proof Bag
- 1 Hennesy Hammock with Rainfly
- 1 Stuff Sack
- 1 C-Clamp
- 50 Feet 550 Para Cord
- 1 Jet Boil Stove
- 1 Can Fuel
- 1 32oz Water Bottle
- 1 Camel Water Bladder, 2 Liter
- 1 plastic Bottle of bleach with eye dropper, 2.5oz
- 1 Poncho Liner (Military)
- 1 Poncho (Military)
- 1 Plastic Combination Compass, Whistle and Thermometer
- 1 Solio Solar Charger
- 1 Droid Cell Phone/Camera HTC
- 1 Razor, travel size shaving cream, toothpaste and toothbrush
- 1 Shammy wash cloth
- 4oz Camp Soap
- 1 Small Combo Sponge and Green Pad
- 1 Metal Spork
- 1 Bottle Centrum Chewable Vitamins, 60ct
- 1 Bottle DHEA 50mg, 100ct
- 1 Bottle Ibuprofen, 200mg, 100ct
- 1 Bottle 1.75oz Vaseline
- 1 Head Lamp with 3 AAA Batteries
- 3 spare AAA Batteries
- 1 Medium/Small Knife
- 1 Leatherman Knife
- 1 Flint and Metal Striker
- 1 Bic Lighter
- 1 Box Matches
- 1 Small Nail Clipper
- 1 Small Knife Sharpener
- 8 Vivarins
- 5 Imodiums
- 3 Band Aids
- 4 Claritins
- 1 Series Antibiotics
- 1 Pair Reading Glasses (Yeah, I’m getting old.)
- About 2 feet Duct Tape
- 1 Book of Matches
- 1 Box Water Proof Matches
- 1 Wax Candle
- 1 Emergency Silver Blanket
- 1 Medium Safety pin

Note: A lot of the cold weather gear will be sent back once the weather stabilizes at a higher temperature. Right now it appears to still be around 30 at night in the mountains even in Georgia. The long range forecast for Georgia calls for quite a few rain days. I hate hiking in the rain. I’ll have to think about carrying an umbrella. Ray Jardine recommends carrying one in his Pacific Crest Trail Hiker’s Handbook. I only ran into one guy last year who was carrying one. He liked it but it looks kind of cumbersome.

If I appear to be paranoid with all the matches and fire starters it is because I am. That close brush I had with hypothermia in Maryland was a wake up call. I’d rather err on the side of caution until it gets convincingly warmer. The reason the fire starting equipment (Matches, Strikers and Lighter) are distributed throughout the list is because I have them spread throughout my pack in different ziploc bags.

Ice Axe

Just received my Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe.  This is for the PCT.  On that trail you have to cross some ice fields on the sides of mountains.  The Ice Axe is so you can self arrest if you start sliding off the mountain.  Should be fun!

Note: I did say I was going to document costs. The Ice Axe plus tax and shipping came to $93.54.

Weight Check

Well it is official. I have put back every last pound I lost on the trail. Just weighed in this morning at 223. Left for the trail at 224 on July 1st. Came off the Trail November 8th at 180. Can't wait to get back out there!

PCT Update

The Pacific Crest Trail Association was unable to provide me with a permit from Hart's Pass north into Canada due to legal issues (Homeland Security). They have sent me a permit to travel from Hart's Pass in Washington State to Campo, California. I just booked my flight for June 14th from Orlando, Florida to Bellingham, Washington. Looks like a 9 hour flight with two stops. I hope they don't lose my pack.

I intend to publish what I am spending on these undertakings as the costs are important for people who want to undertake this type of adventure and besides, I am on a budget this time and trying to keep things reasonable. I booked a Delta flight and used a voucher I received last year for the ticket. Total one way price is $393.10. My voucher was for $400 so it worked out perfectly for me.

I will look into transportation from Bellingham to Hart's Pass when I finish the AT.

Marcus "Little Engine"

Just got a text msg from my friend Marcus aka Little Engine. He is back on the trail in Erwin, TN. I think he will finish before I head back out in April. Good luck my friend!

Note: Marcus says it's still cold with patches of snow.