What's Not in My Pack

I still have more work to do...here's where I'm at after the first go round.

Eliminate:
1 Pen
Spare headlamp battery
Shovel Handle
Weight Savings: 4.2 OZ

Changes:
Fast Fly Tent (lighter than my Nemo Bivy)
New Ultralight Thermarest
Replace Check Card and ID with a couple twentys
Replace detailed maps with SHTA pocket maps
New lighter SteriPen
Weight Savings: 27.1 OZ
Cost: $220 (to replace thermarest and SteriPen...is it worth it?)

I've thought about using a ridge rest instead of my Thermarest. The first half of last summer I went ridge rest instead of Thermarest, but developed back pain. Today my back doesn't hurt at all (which is new for me) and I'd like to keep it that way. The new Thermarest is my only option there.

Mosquitoes shouldn't be too bad up there in May, so I'm comfortable with the Fast Fly Tent as far as that goes. My only concern is that if its still pretty wet up there, I might have some muddy nights. This would be bad with a down sleeping bag. Still, I think it's well worth the risk and I can always use leaves and the such for added protection (even with a 25 mile day, I'll still have plenty of downtime to make camp).

Considering the cost of my trip is only food (less than a hundo) and travel (not going far), an extra $220 would put it around the same cost as my 5 day Rocky Mountain trip from last year, so I think I can justify it. Plus getting new gear is sweet!

31.3 OZ savings doesn't get me under my goal, but its pretty damn close. My next options include:

1. Ligher Sleeping Options
2. Pack Modification (maybe get 3 or 4 ounces?)
3. Lighter Fleece
4. Lighter rain gear
5. No Cell Phone
6. No Journal
7. Lighter cooking pot
8. Eliminate hydro bladder or water bottle
9. Reduce contents of 1st Aid Kit
10. Leave the shovel
11. Lighter stopwatch
12. Leave troop flag

Sleeping Bag

I already have an ultralight 3-season bag, weighing 30.3 ounces. That being said, the only thing I have that is heavier is my tent. I could go with a sleeping bag liner (11.6 oz), but then I would surely need to pack some additional wicking clothes for sleeping. The weight savings drops tremendously once that is taken into account and I'm not interested in freezing each night. No change.

Pack Modification

This won't get me much, but doesn't hurt to give it a go. I looked into other packs, and there just isn't anything lighter. I'm already using a day pack for a 10 day trip. Modify away!

Lighter Fleece

An Internet search shows that most clothing companies don't list the weight of their shirts. I think I'll be taking my scale to the store to see what I can find. Give it a go.

Lighter Rain Gear

Just over a year ago I purchased the lightest rain jacket/pants combo out there. My options here include taking a light weight poncho or a garbage bag. I'm on a tight schedule and I can't afford to sit out during the rain. Without any spare pants, I wonder if the poncho can give me adequate protection when hiking in the rain. Look into it.

No Cell Phone

I love this idea because I'm afriad that if I have it with me, I'll be tempted to turn it on. Still, on a solo trip where of this length, it would be dumb of me to leave it behind. No go.

No Journal

Just me and my thoughts for ten days. I'm bringing my journal, it's as essential as my pack. No go.

Lighter Cooking Pot

I just bought this awesome pot and there was one that was about an ounce lighter and cost an additional $40. This pot is also supposed to use less fuel than the more expensive and lighter titanium pot. I don't know if it's true, but I know the price was a fact. I already made this decision. No go.

Eliminate Hydro Bladder or Water Bottle

I bought a new platypus hydro bladder which is much lighter than any other brand I have seen. The downfall? The SteriPen doesn't work with it. This necessitates me to bring both the bottle and the bladder or to change my bladder (adding weight) or change my purification plan. No go.

Reduce Contents of 1st Aid Kit

I've looked at my kit about a hundred times. 101 won't hurt. Look into it.

Leave the Shovel

Each SHT campsite has a latreen. Still, if some trail side emergency happens, it will be nice to have. Also, I will want to dig a cathole for dirty water after bathing, etc. The shovel is just a must when it comes to LNT. I more than cut the weight of it in half by leaving the handle behind though! No go.

Lighter Stopwatch

I'm crazy, but I don't think I'm up for spending more than a $1 to save a fraction of an ounce. No go.

Leave the Troop Flag

Not an essential piece of gear, but at 1.1 ounces it's going to make a sweet "prize" that will encourage advancement and backpacking to one of my Scouts. No go.

So, my things to look into include:

1. Modify Pack
2. Find a lighter fleece
3. Evaluate Rain Gear options
4. Investigate 1st Aid Kit

What's In My Pack?

I've come up with my complete pack list for my SHT thruhike in May. I have had three objectives while packing:

1. Minimize weight
2. Minimize space
3. Have everything I need and NOTHING that I don't

Last year I went from the "traditional backpacker" style of packing to the ultralight method (with a target base weight of 12lbs). This year I'm going the extra mile to conserve space and weight at every opportunity. I'm dreaming of less than ten pounds of base weight, so we'll find out when I add it all up below.

I have strayed a little bit from my ultralight "norm" from last year. I am bringing a small stove, which I didn't last year. With ten days worth of food, even with the stove, I'm saving both weight and space by bringing dehydrated meals. Last year, when out for 2-5 days, I was better off without the stove. I am also bringing my phone, which I have never brought on a trip before. There are usually plenty of people on the SHT on the weekends that it is easy enough to find someone if something goes wrong. A Wednesday in May might be a different story, so I'll have my phone just in case. I also got an ultralight solo tent. It doesn't weight much more than my bivy, but there is some additional weight. I'm willing to sacrafice it for the added comfort on a 10 day trip.

All of that means I had to cut even more weight from my usual packing. The stuff I had in my pack (water bottle, hydro pack, rope) that wasn't already ultralight has been replaced. I've done what I can to every piece of gear to make it lighter and I have seriously evaluated the necessity of everything.

What will be on me while hiking:
T-Shirt 6.9 OZ
Bandana 1.0 OZ
Zipoffs 14.0 OZ
Socks 1.1 OZ
Hiking Shoes 35.0 OZ
Poles 19.7 OZ
Pocket Knife 2.2 OZ
Camera (w/case and extra battery) 8.4
TOTAL Weight on me: 89.3 OZ (5.58 LBS)


Base Weight:
Camelbak Backpack 19.2 OZ
Thermarest 21.5
Stopwatch 1.2 OZ
Compass 0.2 OZ
Flint .6 OZ
Whistle .3 OZ
1,000 ML Platypus Hydro Blatter 4.4 OZ
Toilet Paper/Hand Sanitizer 3.6 OZ
500 ML Platypus Water Bottle 0.8 OZ
SteriPen 9.0 OZ
Extra Batteries for SteriPen 4.0 OZ
Shovel 3.7 OZ
Sunscreen 1.6 OZ
2 Pens 0.8 OZ
Big Agnes Solo Tent 43.7 OZ
2 Waterproof Stuff Sacks 3.5 OZ ea 7 OZ total
Fleece 10.8 OZ
Sleeping Bag 30.3 OZ
1 Pair Socks 1.1 OZ
1 Pair Underwear 2.8 OZ
Fuel Canister (full, most of the weight is the can, so we'll put it here) 8.2 OZ
Journal 4.4 OZ
Tea Pot 5.9 OZ
Matches in Case 0.9 OZ
Ion Headlamp 1.0 OZ
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove 4.3 OZ
Titanium Spork 0.6 OZ
First Aid/Survival Kit (with Soap, toothbrush, etc) 4.1 OZ
Rope 1.5 OZ
Cell Phone 4.5 OZ
Extra Cell Phone Battery 0.7 OZ
Complete Trail Maps 4.7 OZ
OR Ultralight Rain coat and pants 15.9 OZ
Car Key 0.6 OZ
Check Card & Drivers License 0.3 OZ
Troop "Flag" 1.1 OZ
TOTAL Base weight: 220.2 (13.76 lbs!).

Oh No! Not Good! Looks like I have some work to do. I'll reevaluate and repost what I come up with. This will fall below ten pounds!

Mississippi Trip

I'm planning a trip down the Mississippi River from the headwaters to Fort Snelling. I'm planning the trip for June of 2010. It's 500 miles and well take at least 17 days at 30 miles a day. My boss already gave me the ok to take the time off. Any interest from TEAM 42?

Logo?

I know we already have "a" logo but I was playing around with some stuff and check it out.

Blog Addition

There's a new addition to the blog, it's an e-mail address. It's a way for potential expedition sponsors to contact us. If anyone is interested in donating gear or funds to TEAM42, please shoot us an e-mail. Cash donations are preferred, but equipment donations are accepted as well.

Persons/companies that donate will be eligible to have an expedition named after them and will have their products reviewed on teamfortytwo.blogspot.com.

Route is Planned!

I've planned the route for my May SHT thruhike. Here goes...

Day 0 - Reach trailhead by 6pm. Look at the BRT to the North and think "next time". Head off to the South and West. Hike 1.7 miles South to Andy Creek.

Day 1 - Hike 15.2 miles to Carlson Pond.

Day 2 - Hike 23.4 miles, including the "Lake Walk" to Woods Creek

Day 3 - Hike 22 miles to Trout Creek, hiking along the cascade river. Site is close to Cascade Falls so I could head over there for some journaling or a really, really, really cold shower.

Day 4 - Hike 16.3 miles to Mystery Mountain. Will hike near Caribou Lake and around Lake Agnes. Will continue through Lutsen (maybe dinner at Papa Charlies?). Mystery Mountain is the campsite that TEAM 42 stayed at outside of Lutsen over Thanksgiving 2007. This will also be my last day until Day 10 of hiking "new to me" trail.

Day 5 - Hike 23.3 miles to Fredenberg Creek; following part of the route that T42 took November 2007 (our to Lutsen route, NOT our return route).

Day 6 - Hike 19.5 miles to the campsite right outside of Crosby Manitou.

Day 7 - Hike 17.5 miles to Section 13. I have always wanted to stay at Section 13, there is a small loop trail right next to the site that is supposed to have some awesome cliffs.

Day 8 - Hike 23.2 miles to South Beaver River (where the greatest waterful ever is located and the magestic sound of the bald eagle can be heard late into the night). This day I will pass the Bean Lake overlook, my favorite place along the trail (so far).

Day 9 - Hike 20.5 miles to Goosberry River along the split rock and gooseberry rivers.

Day 10 - Hike 13.2 miles to trailhead, with the last 6 or 7 miles being new trail to me. Drink a beer at the trailhead, thinking about how much I accomplished and how much I hurt.

My numbers aren't perfect, as I'm coming up with 195.8 miles and the SHTA says that there is 204 miles of trail from Two Harbors to the BRT. Still, I'm pretty close and since those 8 miles aren't likely to show up on the same day, I should be good. I'm going to do my best to stay on schedule each and every day, regardless of how good or bad I'm feeling.

Now its on to the next thing...food!

Thru Hike Prep

So I am midway through planning my route on my thruhike. So far my longest day is about 25 miles and the shortest day is 17.

I'm considering my options regarding food, and I think I will be bringing dehydrated dinners along. I didn't want to bring my stove, but with the number of days I'll be out, I think I will save both weight and space by bringing it. My pocket rocket with pot weighs around 22 oz.

I'm in the best physical shape I've ever been on, but I still want to get some practicing in. I haven't hiked a 20 mile day since last July and then it was only back-to-back 20 mile days instead of back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to...you get the idea.

The next three weekends are taken up by Scouting commitments. As a result I'm looking to do a 10 mile day trip this Sunday and a 20 mile day trip next Sunday. If anyone is interested, let me know.

I'm going to head up to the trail twice before I begin. I plan on doing two 10-15 mile days over the weekend of 24-26. I'm thinking somewhere near Goosberry Falls. Sarge will be with on that trip and anyone else is welcome to come too.

My last "tune up" will be May 8-10. I'll be hiking near Finland, so I can scout out the area that was hit worst by the storm. Hopefully it'll be cleaned up by then, but if not it will give me a chance to plan an alternate route through that area if necessary. I'd like to get 42 miles in that weekend. 42 in 2 is too much for Sarge, so it'll just be me and anyone that would like to tag along.

I'm going to be considering my food options...let me know any ideas...I'm going to stay away from freeze dried because 1. The single servings are too much for me to eat 2. Too much packaging 3. Price!. Anyway, ideas are appreciated.