This week I've been trying to scramble to get my gear list ready to be "presentable." I had most of my stuff already and was just waiting on some last small items--mainly consumables and first aid kit type things. Obviously, I have some things not measured, but this gives me a good idea of what my pack will be looking like.
Weighing a pair of running shorts on a food scale, using a mixing bowl to tare--a whopping 3.25 ounces.
View my full list via lighterpack.com (much more organized and pleasing to the eye).
PACKING:
- ULA Circuit lined w/trash compactor bag
SHELTER:
- Zpacks Duplex w/stuff sack
- Zpacks 6.5" titanium stakes w/stuff sack
- GossamerGear Polycryo groundsheet
SLEEPING:
- Zpacks 10 degree down bag, reg width/length
- Zpacks ultralight goose down hood
- Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, small w/stuff sack
- Sea to Summit 8L Ultra-Sil dry sack
- GossamerGear Thinlight Foam Pad - 1/8"
COOKING:
- Jetboil Sol aluminum
- Snow Peak titanium spork
- Zpacks cuben fiber 12.3L Blast food bag
- Opsack
HYDRATION:
- Sawyer Squeeze
- Smartwater 1L x 2
- Evernew 2L x 2
CLOTHING PACKED:
- Filson midweight merino wool long sleeve
- Icebreaker Oasis 200 lightweight merino wool leggings
- Injinji toe socks
- Darn Tough ankle socks
- Mountain Hardwear Plasmic Outdry gloves
- Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer no hood
- Smartwool Micro 150 tank top
- Patagonia underwear
- Rain Shell
- Icebreaker Sprite merino wool bra
- American Apparel acrylic beanie
- Zpacks cuben fiber stuff sack
SURVIVAL & TOOLS:
- Swiss Army Classic pocket knife
- First Aid - dental floss, bandaids, ibuprofen, triple antibiotic ointment, moleskin, bic lighter
- Repair Kit - cuben fiber tape, thermarest repair, tenacious tape, needle
- mini nail clipper
- Supplements - multi-vitamin, electrolyte
HYGIENE:
- Zpacks ultralight travel toothbrush
- Eucerin healing creme in contact lens case
- Aveeno Baby SPF 55 in contact lens case
- 1 oz Nalgene bottle hand sanitizer
- Deuce of Spades trowel
- TP, Diva Cup
- 1 bandana, 1 pee rag
TECHNOLOGY:
- iPhone 6 w/case
- Moment lens wide
- Moment lens tele
- Petzl Tikka XP 2 headlamp
- Anker 10000mAh portable external battery w/cord
- Dual USB charger for iPhone w/long cord
- Sony earbuds
OTHER:
- Wallet - ID, 1 credit, 1 debit, health insurance card
- Fake Ray-Bans
- Sea to Summit head net
- Liteflex chrome umbrella
- Chapstick
WORN:
- ExOfficio Super Dryflylite Shirt UPF 30 long sleeve shirt
- Brooks Epiphany III running shorts
- Smartwool PhD seamless strap wool bra
- Patagonia underwear
- Altra Lone Peak 2 trail runners w/Superfeet insoles
- Bearded Bros cap
- Injinji toe socks
- REI Traverse Powerlock trekking poles
- Original Buff
- Dirty Girl Gaiters
TOTAL BASE WEIGHT (minus food, water, fuel) = 12.4lbs
You can view my gear list here in full. It's much easier to read there--I couldn't get the list to embed in my blog. I will also be updating that list to my most current gear as I finalize the rest.
But yep, that's it! I've compiled all the things from various blogs and people's suggestions, but mainly from Carrot Quinn because she's my hero. I will most likely have some tweaks here and there before I leave, but I wanted to make sure my base weight was under 15lbs. So yes! I'm pretty stoked that it is. I may throw in some extra luxury items or extra layers once I get my consumables weighed out. But don't forget, I'm going to be carrying a week's worth of food and water, so my total pack weight will actually range from 30-35lbs. I've read you can carry up to 4L of water at a time throughout the desert, yikes.
And yes, there is no sign of a DSLR. There's just no way I can carry 5-6lbs of camera gear and have to worry about batteries/charging. This number is insane because as you can see, my camera gear would literally be the same weight as my big 3--that would not be wise to bring it with me. It's SO hard to focus on miles when you're trying to take photos and have a heavy ass camera digging into your shoulder/collarbone. And I'll probably be way too exhausted to wake up in the middle of the night to take star photos, so the tripod I'd be carrying around would just be dead weight. It is sad to leave the big ole cam, but I know I'll be complaining how annoying it is. The only thing I may do is ship it to the Sierras or Crater Lake. Plus, iPhone takes great photos, so it'll be fine.
Today, it was also announced that the long distance permits will be open on Feb. 1st. So come Monday, I will finally be able to apply for a permit/official start date! And then I can buy my one way ticket to San Diego. I feel like once I secure a start date, I can get the ball rolling more on my schedule and resupply. Hopefully the next time I write, I will have a date, but it might take a few weeks to process. I am learning there is so much patience to be had in this whole process. It's especially hard when you're mentally ready to go, but not necessarily physically ready.