Odyssey 2010 Gear List

GEAR LIST (pounds-ounces.tenth ounces)

0-07.5 Gossamer Gear® Murmur™ Hyperlight Backpack
0-12.6 Eck/Nomad tent w/four Titanium Goat CF Stakes in stuff sack
1-01.0 Mountain Hardwear® Phantom™ 45° summer sleeping bag
0-13.0 Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3™ short sleeping pad
0-06.0 Mountain Hardwear® l/s Zip T
0-04.1 GoLite® Ether Jacket
0-02.1 Dollar General® emergency poncho
0-00.5 Homemade water bottle belt pouch
0-03.4 Mountain Dew® 1-liter bottle (2)
0-00.5 Photon Freedom Micro Light™ w/cap-bill clip
0-00.3 Silnylon ditty bag
0-00.4 Cord
0-00.5 First Aid in Ziploc® (iodine preps, triple antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages, surgical blade)
0-00.4 Butane lighter
0-07.0 Garmin® eTrex™ GPS
0-00.4 Silva® Companion compass
0-08.0 Canon® PowerShot SD960 IS Digital Elph™ camera w/case/tripod
0-04.1 Sony® M-470 Microcassette Voice Recorder
0-03.8 Cell phone

5-11.6 Total Pack and hip belt

On my person (other than pack or hip belt):

0-09.0 Mountain Hardwear® Talus Pack Short
0-04.0 Mountain Hardwear® s/s Wicked T
0-02.3 Bridgedale® Ventum Light Hiker (fast and fresh) socks
1-09.4 New Balance® MT812AT trail running shoe
0-02.8 Outdoor Research® Flex-Tex Gaiters (old style)
0-01.8 Hiker Trash ball cap
0-00.8 Rx glasses with Transitions® photochromic lenses
1-01.0 Leki® Makalu Ultralite Air Ergo™ trekking poles
0-02.0 Wallet and contents
0-00.2 Maps and data in Ziploc®

9-12.9 Total gear weight

4-01.3 Total (other than pack weight)

*All gear has been weighed to the nearest pounds, ounces, tenth-ounces (00-00.0) on certified postal scales. Please keep in mind that totals represent dry pack weight (food and water not included). Food and water can add considerable weight, and that added weight will vary according to water availability and the number of days between re-supply. Customarily, I carry no more than two liters of water (a tad under four pounds) at any given time, even across barren stretches, because I travel light and travel fast. My food bag (plastic shopping bag), on average, contains no more than two pounds/day. So, out of town and fully loaded for two days between re-supply, the average for this trek, my total pack weight (water to the next source, plus food) would likely come in well below 20 pounds.

It should be noted that ultra-light backpacks are not designed to carry heavy loads, nor should one be trekking in lightweight trail runners when lugging a heavy pack.

Since I’ll be blessed with the luxury of having support during this trek, I’ll need not carry certain items and gear normally lugged day-to-day. Stuff such as weeks of maps and data, heavier clothing, days of food, comprehensive first aid/meds, etc., can be left in the van, where (when needed or as conditions dictate) they’ll be available.

“Ya wouldn’t git so tired if ya didn’t carry extra stuff. Throw th’ joker outta yer decka cards.”
[Bill Mauldin – Willie and Joe]

Blue Shadows on the Trail