On-The-Go
Water Kit – Aquamira, plastic
bag, 0.5 L PowerAde Bottle, 1 L Platypus, 2 L Platypus
Discussion: Very happy with Aqua Mira.
I didn't use the 1 L Platypus, but near Crater Lake there is a 30
mile dry section where even more water containers would be advisable.
I did not use the Platypi as a Camel Pack. I prefer to use a water
bottle so I can have Gatorade when I want it.
Grade: A
Map Kit - maps for 2 sections, 1
page handwritten trail guide, Petzl 3-LED headlamp, Garmin Etrex
Legend HCX GPS + sock.
Camera Kit – Olympus Tough
Camera, extra memory card.
Discussion: An iPhone has a gps,
camera, and phone in one. With the new halfmile's PCT app (created
by White Truck, a trail angel I had the good fortune of meeting). I
don't own an iPhone, but in the future I'll probably have an all-in-1
device to save weight. Of course iPhone users need to carry a
charger. The gps was nice, but mostly unnecessary. In fact, it led
me astray once! However, with it I always had a pretty good idea of
where I was. The sock on the gps was necessary because the screen
was starting to get scratched. A thru-hiker showed me his gps and it
was very scratched up. I never used the headlamp as there were a lot
of daylight hours in August. I liked the security of a waterproof
and shock-resistant camera. Both the camera and the gps took
conventional batteries so they were easily replaced when necessary.
Grade: B, this stuff will be
constantly changing.
p.s. I also brought a SPOT device,
mostly for the little woman.
Hygiene:
Toilet Kit – TP, 2 oz. Hand
Sanitizer, metal shoehorn, plastic bag
Toiletry Kit - 2 cutoff
toothbrushes + tooth soap
Discussion: After the trip I upped the
Hand Sanitizer to 2 oz. I used the shoehorn as a trowel and I still
like that., but I wouldn't carry it if I carried hiking poles. Tooth
soap is lighter and more effective than toothpaste, but it doesn't
help your breath.
Grade: A-
Other Essentials:
1st Aid Kit
– band aids, mole skin, Calendula ointment, knife, burn gel, drugs,
threaded needle, 2 plastic bags
Kitchen - Bowl (Plastic
Gatorade Powder Container with Lid), plastic spoon
Emergency firestarting kit -
matches, bic mini-lighter, esbit tablet, dryer lint, shoelace,
plastic bag
Discussion: Didn't have enough band
aids and mole skin. Calendula was good to have. Didn't have the
right combination of drugs (ibuprofen+allergy meds), easy to fix.
Bowl with Lid could be used to carry another 1/3 L water if need be.
Grade: A-
