What to Bring

Imagine what 40 lbs looks like... can you?

For the last three weeks I have been lugging around a ULA catalyst comprised of duct taped zip-locks filled with play sand at varying weights. My current load is measuring in at a whooping 40 lbs. At first, each single cell within my body rejected in unison. This past Sunday, however, I noticed a change. I covered 1800 ft gain/lost in over 7 miles on nearby Grandfather Mountain in ice without "noticing" the pack weight. It could have been due to distraction from the wonderful company or perhaps, just maybe, my body is getting adjusted to the weight. 



Weight. A daily interaction since birth. How could I improve this relationship? How could I lighten my load so to speak?

Take a look at my tentative gear list selection. *indicates that this will be worn rather than carried in the pack. I'm also still in the market for a camera.

The Desert should seem like an enjoyable place given these improvements with weight saving selections in gear combined with pre-trail physical training.

Gear includes the following:

pack:        zpack arc blast 52L              
quilt:        enlightenment enigma 850DT 20 deg R/R              
liner:        sea to summit coolmax              
pad:        gg Thinlight Insulation Pad 1/8"              
tarp:         Zpack hexamid solo w/screen              
groundsheet:        tyvek look into polycryo              
stakes:        zpack 6 inch Orange Ultralight Titanium Tent Stakes (8)              
      
water treatment: sawyer mini squeeze              
                 aqua mira              
water containers: 1 liter bladders (3), 1 liter plastic bottles (3)      
      
clothes: columbia long sleeve, super bonehead (M)      
         mountain hardwear rainjacket      
         montbell down jacket      
         defeet UnD Shurt Tank womens*      
         nike pro combat compression shorts*      
         mountain hardwear skirt*      
         columbia zippants ? Rain pants or fleece      
         shock absorber bra*      
         underwear      
         injinin socks       
         smartwool       
         calve sleeves      
         defeet arm warmers      
         defeet gloves      
         smartwool beenie      

first aid: chapstick
           sunscreen
           bug repellent
           ibuprofen, naproxen, benadryl, hydrozine, and immodium pills
           tiger balm
           AD ointment
           floss, toothpaste, toothbrush denta pix, tooth powder?
           foot powder
           blister kit
           pads (2)
           handwarmers (2)
           lighter, matches
           hand sanitizer
           leatherman micro
           atheletic tape
misc: bedrock earthquack sandles       
      dirty girl gaiters*      
      altra lone peak*      
      gg trekking poles*      
      golite chrome dome umbrella      
      rope       
      mace      
      headlamp      
      guidebook, maps      
      sunglasses      

electronics: iphone 4      
              ipod nano      
              camera               
              external battery w/cords