Gear

6 thoughts on “Gear”

1. 

   Sam April 1, 2022 — 12:52 pm

   Do you have a specific way of jamming everything into your pack? For example, sleeping bag and clothes on the bottom, food and stove in the middle, tent on the outside? Thanks!

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   1. (Post author)

      Owen April 10, 2022 — 8:02 pm

      Yes, definitely. Your comment has inspired me to perhaps make a short video showing how I do it. Until then, here’s the short of it:
      Quilt on the bottom, sleeping pad and ditty bag (electronics, first aid, etc.) jammed on top of that. Food bag stands on that platform with extra layers packed into the spaces around it, the least used at the bottom (sleep clothes, gloves). That leaves the top of the food bag easy to access during lunch, and my most used layers (wind jacket, rain jacket, extra socks) are easy to grab from around the sides. That’s pretty much the inside of my pack.

      On the outside, I carry my tent and filter in the outer mesh pocket. Water bottles and cold-soak jar go in the side pockets. Phone, camera, and snacks go in my various shoulder strap and hip belt pockets.

      Hope that helps!

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      1. 

         Sam April 11, 2022 — 12:03 am

         That helps very much, thanks! I actually pack a similar way. My kids are starting to take an interest in hiking/camping but they cant carry a whole lot and the last trip left me thinking that it would be nice if the stove stayed home. I notice that you carry no stove. I would like to learn more about your cold soak methods if you don’t mind. I’ve done some soaking which involved hot water and a cozy but never cold water. Keep on hiking!

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      2. (Post author)

         Owen April 11, 2022 — 4:01 pm

         Oh cool, starting them young. That’s great.

         My rule of thumb when it comes to cold soaking is that if a food prep instructions only suggest cooking/simmering for 5 minutes or less, then it is viable for soaking. My go-tos are dehydrated refried beans, couscous, instant mashed potatoes, and ramen. The first is easiest to find online, probably the most nutritious, and my favorite. I add some seasoning and baggie up 1-1.5cup portions at home. The other three options are easy to find pretty much anywhere. All of them will rehydrate given enough time, but just how much depends on the temperature of the water you use. Ramen takes the longest, up to one hour, but the others are quick enough to start soaking once I get to camp. Oatmeal also cold-soaks really well.

         I use a large plastic peanut butter jar with a screw lid, but others soak directly in ziplocks.

         Alternatively, you can forget soaking entirely and just eat “assembly only” foods like peanut butter burritos, cookies, and trail mix. Before I went vegan, I used to eat a lot of salami, cheese, mustard, and mayo tortilla wraps. No cooking or soaking required. The way I see it, almost no one busts out the stove for lunch, so why not just eat lunch food for dinner too?

         That’s the short of it, and I’m always finding new things in stores to try out, like lentil noodles and various dry soup mixes. Usually, these things, even if they work, are too rare to be counted on during a thru-hike, but for shorter trips they can be great options.

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2. 

   Keri April 18, 2022 — 2:03 pm

   Hi there – how are you enjoying the Plex Solo? I just purchased, and am taking it out for the first time this weekend.

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3. 

   Andrew May 17, 2022 — 3:23 pm

   You’ve done a hell of a job blogging your Appalachians trip so far. I’ve enjoyed reading it.
   What Bluetooth keyboard are you using? How did you choose it? Do you recommend it?
   Cheers.

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