My DETAILED Gear List

“I'm relatively new to hiking, but thanks to this site, a ton of books and some other great web sites, I think I've put together a solid list of gear. I finally got my web site up and running and I posted my gear list here:

http://www.UnexplainedEarth.com/gear_list.php

It's REALLY detailed and there are links to reasons why I chose certain items. Hopefully this will be helpful to anyone else who wants to get started with lightweight backpacking or anyone thinking of buying some new gear (hmmmm... I guess that's everyone, right?).

Anyway, I'm always looking for ways to improve, so if anybody has any suggestions for gear I should consider or ways to lighten my pack weight, I'm all ears!

-Chris Maier
http://www.UnexplainedEarth.com”

“I haven't seen such a detailed list
since I saw one from an MIT student. He had you beat on the different foods and weights in relation to calories he expected to
need for certain parts of his trip!”

“I would of packed a bigger one,but
that's just me.”

“Looks very well thought out.

Without hiking with you and seeing how you use things, I have only two suggestions:

1) Drop the snake bite kit. It's only an ounce, but all the evidence I've seen suggests they don't do any good at all.

2) Adjust the sum on your weight for fuel tabs

"Fuel Esbit tabs (2 tabs/day, .5oz/tab) 0.0 oz" doesn't make sense. It 's a tiny mistake, I had more goofs than that on the gear list I posted a while back.”

“Impressive. Really, are you comfortable and under all conditions?”

“Yikes!!!! I thought my list was detailed, crap. I tend not to worry about the clothing I am wearing.

List looks good. Like you I am relatively new to backpacking. I have been canoeing for the past 10 years so I was used to packing big loads. I had to make a list like yours to keep the weight down.”

“You don't have TP on your list. (in my list I bolded the toilet paper so as to NEVER be able to forget it.”

“ His List

Very nice. I've added the link to my Gear List List. An interesting mix of top of the line pricey stuff (mchale pack, western mountaineering, etc) and some homemade/inexpensive stuff like your pot lid and insulated cup.

You are the first backpacker I have seen with a camcorder and a sat phone.”

“HEY...you don't have www.thebackpacker.com on your hiking links list!!!!”

“I REPEAT...YOU DO NOT HAVE WWW.THEBACKPACKER.COM ON YOUR HIKING LINKS LIST!!!!”

“C'mon Budder - it's a classy site. If he starts linking to every two-bit cluster of 400 or 500 online backpacking enthusiasts it'll just turn the site into a circus.

Actually, I noticed that too. I got to Michael Connick's site and that was it - no Trail Talk, no Trips Page, not even the Home page (I hear there is one).”

“I like the insulated cup idea. I've been looking for something small than what I currently carry. Great website. I mostly appreciate the pics and simple instructions. Thanks!”

“Wow!! You took all of the lightweight advice to heart and had the $$ to do it right.

Are you the guy that posts on the yahoo GC site about the lost caves in the Grand Canyon?”

“That is a good list.


8)”

“i would just say that if you are relatively new to backpacking, test your kit in bad weather in a place where you can easily GET OUT if need be, and not alone. i've been backpacking for years now, lightening my load quite a bit in the last year, and recently got myself into an ugly weather situation quite a few miles from help. i made it, but i was borderline hypothermic and was greatly helped by having my husband there to make sure i got dry and warm. it can happen to anybody, not just somebody packing light - but sometimes going too light without the experience to back it up can really shrink your safety margin. i don't mean to insult you or imply that you shouldn't try this, but experience makes a huge difference in safety.”

“Elfskin2:
"He had you beat on the different foods and weights in relation to calories he expected to
need for certain parts of his trip!"

Hmmmm... Now there's an idea! Actually I haven't decided on what exact food to bring with me. When I do, I wouldn't be surprised if I did something similar.

pedxing:
"1) Drop the snake bite kit. It's only an ounce, but all the evidence I've seen suggests they don't do any good at all."

Yeah, I've heard that from some other people too. I'm rethinking it...

"2) Adjust the sum on your weight for fuel tabs "Fuel Esbit tabs (2 tabs/day, .5oz/tab) 0.0 oz" doesn't make sense. It 's a tiny mistake"

I actually did that intentionally because the fuel weight depends on the number of days I'm out. That's explained below the list, but I can see how that could be confusing.

hikerjer
"Impressive. Really, are you comfortable and under all conditions?"

No. ;) This list is tailored to the American Southwest in mild, dry weather. For other conditions I would need to adjust it.

Buddur
"You don't have TP on your list."

Actually its under the Health section, second from the last. I just put the minimum because the amount carried would depend on how many days I'm out.

Coop:
"You are the first backpacker I have seen with a camcorder and a sat phone."

I wouldn't always bring them. That's why they're extras. I am planning to take them on my next big hike though because of the subject matter and the danger level.

Buddur:
"HEY...you don't have www.thebackpacker.com on your hiking links list!!!!"

Oops! Fixed.

MaryPhyl:
"Are you the guy that posts on the yahoo GC site about the lost caves in the Grand Canyon?"

What Yahoo Grand Canyon site do you mean? I've seen some other people posting links to some of my articles on various forums or groups, but I only submitted my Grand Canyon article to one site that has yet to publish it.

tarbubbIe:
"i would just say that if you are relatively new to backpacking, test your kit in bad weather in a place where you can easily GET OUT if need be, and not alone."

Absolutely. I'm actually going to be gone for a week starting Thursday and I'll be testing alot of my gear in the process. I agree that experience makes a huge difference and I'm definitely still learning.


Sorry fo the massive reply, but I wanted to respond to everyone!”

“Nice list for someone who hikes in the summer without a chance of rain.

I don't agree with your choice of footwear.”

“Nice site!”

“Pay little attention to bacpac, unexplainedearth.

Very cool list. I've been backpacking for years, and I think going hardcore ultralight is a good way for me to take it to the next level... especially when I finally move back up to the NE!”

“Clearly, this guy is a troll.















J/K :-)”

“Pay no attention to Artex.”

“Wow. Great info/site. :-)”