Gear Check me

[jdman]

I will be doing the Conondale Great Walk over the Easter long weekend. I am really looking forward to the trip having been set to do this some time ago and due to circumstances had to cancel.

The walk is a 3 night 56km circuit with the weather reports saying showers likely and the night time temps likely to be in the mid to high teens and day time mid to high twenties. Anyway here is a list of the gear I am planning to take. Any comments, feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
JD

Item/Weight (grams)

Pack - Osprey Atmos AG 65n Pack 2000g
Cooking - Jetboil (inc 100g gas canister) 530g
Cooking - GSI Stainless Steel Cup 145g
Cooking - 230 gram Gas Cylinder 375 g
General - Para Cord 10m
General - Spare Batteries
General - Small am/fm Radio 140g
Hydration - Water blader 3 Litre 320g
Hydration - 1 Litre Plastic Water Bottle 120g x 2
Hydration - Sawyer Mini 120g
Tools - Light My Fire Knife 112g
Tools - Swiss Army Knife 140g
Lighting - Head Lamp Black Diamond (inc batteries) 95g
Lighting - L7 Torch (with pouch and batteries ) 180g
Medical/Safety - First Aid Kit 410g
Medical/Safety - PLB 115g
Medical/Safety - Whistle 20g
Medical/Safety - Space Blanket 100g
Medical/Safety - Fire Kit 385
Navigation - Topo Map
Navigation - Compass
Navigation - GPS Etrex 30 (inc batteries) 180g
Shelter - Black Wolf Grasshopper 2 2600g
Shelter - Groundsheet 140g
Sleep - Kashgar 150 compact synthetic 1050g
Sleep - Therm -A-Rest Prolite Large 850g
General - Leather Gloves 140g
Weight 10237g

Clothing that will be Packed
Wool Socks x 2
Sock liner x 2
Thermal pants
Thermal top
Undies x 2
Fleece top
Soft shell
Wicking T shirt
Beenie
Rain Pants
Rain Jacket
Weight 1700g

Food 2100g
Water - max 4 litres to be carried (so at times this weight will be less) 4000g

TOTAL WEIGHT ALL ITEMS 18037g (call it 18kg)

[wayno]

a half kilo medical kit? sounds a bit much. or is it full of bandages for snake bites?
a 400gm fire kit? is that necessary?
two thermal tops and a softshell? softshells are heavy, combine a wind breaker with a fleece or use a synthetic primaloft jacket and you get the same effect and you can use the garments seperately for more flexibility
whats the weight of each clothing item?
thermal pants sounds like overkill in those temps. rainpants will be enough or add long johns... or if you're wearing long pants you prob wont need long johns unless it rains...
ultralighters might tell you to avoid using two items of gear when you can use one. but thats open for debate. and how much you feel the cold re clothing... doesnt hurt to have multiiple items when theres rain and one set of clothes gets a soaking IMO. but i'm used to NZ where its often impossible to get gear dry without a decent fire and shelter...

[Eremophila]

Toilet paper & trowel?

What's the extra gas canister for?

[Empty]

18 kilos for a 3 night walk- ouch! You have kilograms in "just in case stuff" that you will never a use. Leave it behind- your knees will thank you and you will never miss it.

[GPSGuided]

Radio, second knife, water bottle, medical kit, fire kit (assume 385 refers to the weight) can all be lightened I think.

[Bluegum Mic]

I agree on the only 1 knife (id take the light my fire over the swiss army). I'd only take one torch (id go the headtorch but thats just a personal preference). Fire kit a suggestion is just some cotton balls coated in vasoline in a small snap lock bag (you've got a flint in your knife so I wouldn't carry a second). Also agree on not taking the soft shell if you've got a fleece. Kmart sell $10 wind jackets that weight next to nothing and are similar to your little montane wind jackets etc. Something like that on your fleece and your set.
Enjoy your trip. If I get to move back to brissy in the next couple of years its on the to do list

[wayno]

temps sinmilar to where you live? camp out in your back yard to see how much clothing you really need.. to stay warm, taking into account the forecast for your trip

[icefest]

I would suggest leaving the snake bite compression bandage in the kit though.

[jdman]

a half kilo medical kit? sounds a bit much. or is it full of bandages for snake bites?
a 400gm fire kit? is that necessary?
two thermal tops and a softshell? softshells are heavy, combine a wind breaker with a fleece or use a synthetic primaloft jacket and you get the same effect and you can use the garments seperately for more flexibility
whats the weight of each clothing item?
thermal pants sounds like overkill in those temps. rainpants will be enough or add long johns... or if you're wearing long pants you prob wont need long johns unless it rains...
ultralighters might tell you to avoid using two items of gear when you can use one. but thats open for debate. and how much you feel the cold re clothing... doesnt hurt to have multiiple items when theres rain and one set of clothes gets a soaking IMO. but i'm used to NZ where its often impossible to get gear dry without a decent fire and shelter...

wayno thanks for your feedback

* The med kit at 410g does contain 2 heavy crepe bandages for snake bites along with TP packed in the same waterproof container.
* The one thermal top along with pants are polypro, weigh next to nothing and pack small.
* "combine a wind breaker with a fleece or use a synthetic primaloft jacket" good idea but as I don't own either of these not an option for this trip. However I may well decide to leave the softshell out. I haven't bothered to weigh each piece of clothing.
Unless we have our wires crossed what's with the long johns? I plan the use the thermals as clean,dry clothes for sleeping.
* The fire kit was a typo and should read 100g

[jdman]

Toilet paper & trowel?

What's the extra gas canister for?

The TP is packed in the med kit and I did forget to mention the trowel which is a cheap nylon one.
The gas packed with the jet boil if not full but you're probably right I might just leave the part full one behind and just take a single full canister.

[jdman]

18 kilos for a 3 night walk- ouch! You have kilograms in "just in case stuff" that you will never a use. Leave it behind- your knees will thank you and you will never miss it.

18 kilos is the maximum weight including food for 4 days and 4 litres of water. The weight will go as low as 12 kg's even with the equipment taken as is. The softshell and extra gas canister will probably get left at home which will bring it down by almost 1.5kg again.

[jdman]

Radio, second knife, water bottle, medical kit, fire kit (assume 385 refers to the weight) can all be lightened I think.

Small radio 140g - yes I like to listen to the news at night. It's coming!
The 2nd knife (Swiss army is useful for the scissors etc)
I am taking the 2nd water bottle which is just an empty soft drink bottle to use with the Sawyer Mini to collect untreated water in.
Fire kit - as mentioned previously, a typo it should have read 100g

[jdman]

I agree on the only 1 knife (id take the light my fire over the swiss army). I'd only take one torch (id go the headtorch but thats just a personal preference). Fire kit a suggestion is just some cotton balls coated in vasoline in a small snap lock bag (you've got a flint in your knife so I wouldn't carry a second). Also agree on not taking the soft shell if you've got a fleece. Kmart sell $10 wind jackets that weight next to nothing and are similar to your little montane wind jackets etc. Something like that on your fleece and your set.
Enjoy your trip. If I get to move back to brissy in the next couple of years its on the to do list

As I mentioned earlier I take the Swiss Army knife along as well as it has scissors etc
Torch - I can see your point if I was trying for UL but I really do like to have two torches particularly on multi day walks
Fire kit - weight was a typo, it should have been listed as 100g which does include vaso soaked cotton balls and a bic lighter.
Soft shell - yes it is heavy and I do like the idea of a wind jacket with the fleece to save a bit of weight. Do you know if the K-Mart ones you mention breath at all? Or are they more like a plastic rain jacket?

[jdman]

temps sinmilar to where you live? camp out in your back yard to see how much clothing you really need.. to stay warm, taking into account the forecast for your trip

Temps will be similar, probably a few degrees cooler. I live in an apartment on the coast so unfortunately no backyard to camp in.
I am a bit of the sook when it comes to the cold so I am probably lean towards taking more than not enough clothes

[jdman]

Thanks again for everyone's feedback
JD

[Hallu]

Quite a lot of redundant items : why 2 plastic bottles, why a torch if you have a headlamp, why a fire kit in Easter, 2 knifes. Also, rain pants may be overkill, wear one pair of softshell pants with DWR, you don't need gloves if temperatures are that warm, you don't need two jackets, keep the softshell alone or the rain jacket alone. So a bit of overkill, but if that makes you feel safer, go for it and you'll see if your knees can handle it. Also, your sleeping gear + tent seem a bit heavy don't they ? That's a two person tent and you're alone as far as we know. On top of that : no smartphone ? No camera ? No walking poles ? They could add a bit of weight too.

[wayno]

you dont need thermal pants and insulated pants

[jdman]

you dont need thermal pants and insulated pants

What a genius, but who said I was taking thermal pants and insulated pants?

[jdman]

Quite a lot of redundant items : why 2 plastic bottles, why a torch if you have a headlamp, why a fire kit in Easter, 2 knifes. Also, rain pants may be overkill, wear one pair of softshell pants with DWR, you don't need gloves if temperatures are that warm, you don't need two jackets, keep the softshell alone or the rain jacket alone. So a bit of overkill, but if that makes you feel safer, go for it and you'll see if your knees can handle it. Also, your sleeping gear + tent seem a bit heavy don't they ? That's a two person tent and you're alone as far as we know. On top of that : no smartphone ? No camera ? No walking poles ? They could add a bit of weight too.

Hallu you seem to have misunderstood. This list is not a wish list of gear that would be the absolute best for the trip, this is a list of gear I currently own and plan to take. and if you read some of the replies I have already made on the thread you will find many of your points have already been addressed.
Fantastic of you to say the tent and sleeping gear "seam a bit heavy" but this is the gear I currently have so no choice in that area at this stage.
"Rain pants an overkill" You are kidding right?
"why a fire kit in Easter" Because it is sensible at any time of year!
"you don't need gloves if temperatures are that warm" - Have a think about it, why else might somebody take leather gloves? Here is a hint its not about warmth.
"why 2 plastic bottles" (answered previously but just for you I will say it again) "I am taking the 2nd water bottle which is just an empty soft drink bottle to use with the Sawyer Mini to collect untreated water in"
"why a torch if you have a headlamp" Already answered this

All the best
JD

[Travis22]

JD, you asked to be gear checked... Seems to me the guys here were simply doing just that.

Your last few replies have come across to me as very defensive and rude, i dont think anyones having a go at you or your gear.



And for the record i have no idea what the leather gloves are for? Protection for your hands?

Travis.

[hobbitle]

What's with the rudeness? You asked to have your gear checked ie opinions. If you were already set on taking everything why bother asking.


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[GPSGuided]

A tad too sensitive. People are making good suggestions based on their experiences of what's essential. A good way to gain from such a thread is to take people's suggestions and cut and cut, to an absolutely bare minimum that's required for a trip. Then, depends on how much one is willing to haul, add bits and pieces for luxury. Don't try to defend your starting list as it's meaningless.

[jdman]

A tad too sensitive. People are making good suggestions based on their experiences of what's essential. A good way to gain from such a thread is to take people's suggestions and cut and cut, to an absolutely bare minimum that's required for a trip. Then, depends on how much one is willing to haul, add bits and pieces for luxury. Don't try to defend your starting list as it's meaningless.

All, I am happy to receive suggestions and advice hence I have already acknowledged some points raised as good and will likely make some changes to my kit based on some of those.
My last few comments were not intended to be rude but the reality is I have the gear I have and need to make that work. Different combinations, leave some gear behind are all possibilities but I am not about to head out and buy a new tent or anything along those lines.

The written word can often be misinterpreted as it is difficult to express tone. Just for the record Travis I wasn't having a go at you just as I'm sure you weren't having a go at me. And yes you were spot on with the gloves. They are for hand protection, good when have to navigate spiny plants etc.

JD

[weeds]

Gotta agree with the others JD.....maybe a few more thanks I will consider it's would have come across better.

Sounds to me you were already as lean as you wanted to be.......members responses will assist me in the future

[Travis22]

No stress JD, i didnt think you were having a go at me as that was my first post in this thread but it seemed you were having a go at Wayne and Hallu thus my post above. These are guys with enormous amounts of experience just like many others here and their advice and comments are spot on.

Travis.

[neilmny]

Take 1 spare undies if you have to or go commando if the originals are unwearable.
1 spare wool socks for sleeping in? (I do)
Wicking t shirt - wear it.
Leave behind the part filled gas canister (already discussed.)
Use rain jacket over fleece top for wind protection.
1 plastic bottle....you wouldn't want to mix them up if one is contaminated by rough water source or take the bag from the Sawyer mini for "contaminated" water.
If there is scissors in the first aid kit you don't need the Swiss army knife or vise versa.

I aslo carry a lot of weight around the same 18kg.......it hurts, I'm working on trimming it any way I can.

[wayno]

rainpants: you have to be very sure you won't need rainpants to not take them when rain is forecast.. some experienced people might leave them out... but that comes down to making sure you can manage your body temperature without them. if you are forced to stop you need to make sure you can keep yourself warm enough if its raining without them, you say you feel the cold then i would keep the rain pants, some people sweat up a storm with rain pants and dont need them as much...
ultralighters can get away with less gear if they have the skills and experience to manage themselves with less gear and recognise the extra risks to their health when they occur and manage them correctly, ie often the risk of hypothermia... you have to know how you will cope with the forecast conditions plus a margin of error. some ultralighters are on such a fine margin with their gear if it gets too cold they have to stay in their shelter in there sleeping gear to avoid hypothermia... thats something that Andrew Skurka, long distance hiker and Instructor calls Stupid Light
http://andrewskurka.com/2012/stupid-lig ... or-better/
he also posts his gear lists for various trips he's done, but bare in mind, his trips usually consist of being on the move for 15 hours a day. he only stops long enough to setup camp, eat, navigate and answer the call of nature... so he doesnt pack clothes for sitting around camp outside his shelter admiring the view, he packs enough to stay warm enough on the move or to stay warm sleeping in his shelter http://andrewskurka.com/section/how-to/gear-lists/

rain jackets can be overkill for wind protection especially if they dont have vents. a wind breaker will breathe a lot better and can weigh under a couple of hundred grams, some are under a hundred and give you more flexibility in your clothing options...

in NZ i will be almost guarateed to take an item like rain pants.. if the forecast is wrong then it can be a serious issue leaving out something like rain pants due to how hard it can rain and how cold it can get... but thats NZ, you're in Australia and you need to look at your conditions over there to decide you gear list, if you're new to bushwalking er on the side of caution to start with its better to take a bit too much gear than too little. just avoid overkill of gear if you can which is what people are trying to help you with here, a lot of us have made that mistake in the past and dont want to repeat it...

[Empty]

I consider weight the same as I consider debt. There is good debt and bad debt and good weight and bad weight. Good weight is anything that adds to your comfort, safety and enjoyment and bad weight is all those "just in case" items that you invariably carry but never actually use.

I bumped a bloke on the second day of an overnight walk a few months back. He was resting on the side of the track, still bent over under the weight of an enormous pack and he looked shattered.

I stopped and had a bit of a chat and we each commented on what a beautiful evening it was the night before. I said (basically because I am an incontinent old fart) that I can't go to bed too early or I'll be up all night so I sat up reading till quite late. He said, " oh, I can't sit up. It's too uncomfortable so I go to bed straight after dinner". I said, "I've solved that by carry a little collapsable chair which is really comfortable". "Oh" he said. " you've got one of those Helinox chairs. I've always wanted one but they are 800 or 900 grams and I couldn't justify carrying that". His pack already looked pretty heavy so I asked what he did carry. He then rattled off a list which included, mutli tools, Swiss Army knives, a folding saw and a mile of other stuff.

I asked him how often he used the folding saw and he said "I have never actually used it but I always carry it just in case".

We worked out that if he left behind all that useless crap he could probably carry 2 chairs.

My advice is to carry everything that you think you need and after a couple of walks you will either have it sorted out or you'll be put off walking forever.

Just remember though that usually after a hard days walking the thing that you are most looking forward to is a nice comfortable camp and a good meal. Your first thought probably won't be "which knife shall I use or which of my 2 torches will I turn on first".

[Hallu]

Yeah I sweat a lot in rainpants, and softshell pants with DWR can withstand quite a bit of rain in my experience. Besides, given the temperatures you'll be experiencing, I reckon they should be enough. If it were temperatures below 10° with wind, like in NZ, I'd say rainpants essential, but in Queensland in Easter, softshell could work, for me at least. And if those are torrential rain showers we're talking about, well why do the walk in the first place =)

[wayno]

i wouldnt wait for the temp to drop anywhere near ten degrees before considering taking rain pants, theres extra wind chill with rain if its consistent or heavy enough or the wind is strong enough... plus the conduction effect of heat loss with water is far greater than with air, at least fourteen times greater..