November Trip Breakdown

My first foray into the lightweight realm went surprisingly well!  For 8 days in the White Mtns. NH, I had a pack weight of 33lbs 10oz with food, fuel and water on day one!  Pretty awesome compared to my usual 50 lb load.  We got snow, tons of rain, and some sun so it was a really good test for my systems. Here is the breakdown of gear and food for that trip.  * Note, I was working with a co-leader, so she brought the stove while I brought the tarp, also helps with dinners)

Pack: Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian Ki, altered to eliminate any extras = 2lbs 8 oz
Sleeping System: -5 Synthetic REI Sleeping bag (4lbs 4oz YIKES!), homemade Tyvek 1/2 bivy (4oz), 3/4 thermarest neo air (9oz) = 5 lbs 1 oz
Tarp: Equinox 10x12 Syl Nylon = 1lb 12 oz
Stakes: 4 = 2oz
Hygiene Kit: Syl. Nylon stuff sack with blister kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, bandaides, Ibuprofen, and flosser = 8oz
Toilet Kit: TP (yes, for us girls it seems pretty necessary), Hand Sanitizer, 8 feminine wipes, 26 misc. tampons, 5 liners = 14oz
Camp Chair: Thermarest Trekker Chair = 14 oz
Fuel Bottle w/ Fuel: 33 oz MSR canister w/ small carabiner = 1lb 15oz
Mess Kit: Cheap Bowl w/ bubble wrap insulation w/ cover, mug no cover, Water Bag, tea tumbler, spoon, knife = 15oz
Water System (Full) = 32 oz Nalgene, small dropper bottle with bleach, insulated coozy = 2lbs 12 oz
Misc: Headlamp w/ 3 lithium AAA batts, compass, ziplock baggie = 4 oz
Food Bag w/ Stuff Sack (8 Days) = 11 lbs 9 oz
Extra clothes w/ Stuff Sack: Heavy weight smartwool sleep socks, bandanna, extra hike socks (lightweight smartwool), 3 thongs, fleece mitts, glove liners, mesh ball cap = 1 lb
Insulating Layers: Mountain Hardwear Synthetic Puff Pants (1 lb 3 oz), Patagonia Nano Pullover (12oz), Sierra Designs Rain Pants (10 oz), Patagonia Technical Shell (1lb 4oz) = 3 lbs 8 oz
Contractor Bag (pack liner) = 4oz

Total: 33 lbs 10 oz

Food:
Oatmeal Packs: 1/3c rolled oats, 2T maple sugar, walnuts, cinnamon (1/morning)
Earl Grey Green loose leaf tea w/ powdered milk
Jennie's Macaroons, Individual Wrap (1/day)
1/4c Dehydrated Refried Beans( add water) w/ 1c Crumbled Corn Chips (1/lunch)
Jarlsberg Cheese Wedge
Pistachios
Sweet n Salty Granola Bar (1/day)
Nonni's Chocolate Biscotti, Individually Wrap (1/day)
Gatorade
International Coffee Cappuccino
Dehydrated Balsamic Greens w/ Tortellini*
Dehydrated Spicy red Sauce w/ Tortellini*
Dehydrated Madras Lentils w/ Instant Rice*
Dehydrated Jambalaya w/ Instant Rice*

* All these meals were homemade dinners that I food processed, then dehydrated.  I had a co-leader, so these meals are for 2 people (she brought the other 3 meals)


So that is the breakdown, sorry no pics!  Today I begin the process of getting stuff together for the February trip (10 days in the Adirondacks).  I will keep you posted!

Starting

This makes it official in my mind...I am hiking the Long Trail in VT in October 2012.  There, it's official!  I have done a lot of hiking and backpacking in the past few years; I even do it for my occupation.  But never have I set out to complete my own thru-hike.  I currently work for the Outdoor Leadership Program, in MA.  I am an instructor and get to go out with students on many trips.  I am headed to the White Mtns in just a couple weeks.  More importantly, I am currently trying to get an ultralight packing system...thanks to some sweet books I have read like Mike Clelland's "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips".  So that's exciting (at least to me).

Anyways, the purpose of this blog is for me to show the process I will go through, and hopefully the success.  Journal all my trips, and ultimately prepare for the Long Trail.  Hopefully it won't be too boring!