Saturday 23 February 2013

TGO 2013 MY planned Gear

Gear lists are personal. 

Years ago I had a Karrimor Jaguar 65 backpack, a synthetic sleeping bag, leather boots, a 2.2 k tent etc.

The gear I carried got me over the Coast to Coast - three times, up the Pennine Way - twice, and from one end of the UK to the other. And on other trips.

So lightweight gear is not essential.

But, MY gear has changed over the years.

In the USA, gear lists on eg Backpackinglight.com are plentiful.

I got many ideas from them over the years.

In this country, gear lists are harder (to me) to come by.

When I did my first TGO Challenge I was so curious as to what other people were carrying. Seeing what they were using, on that first Challenge, also gave me ideas.

For what it's worth, this is my gear list for the TGOC - 2013.

If it gives any ideas to anyone - fine. If it seems bonkers - fine. I enjoyed putting it together.

No two lists of gear that people prefer will be the same

My simple approach to backpacking is to carry what is necessary to ensure that I will be comfortable in all the conditions that I can anticipate.

Now that I've completed 3 TGO Challenges - the last 2 being particularly weather-full - I have honed down my gear to that which will work - for me.




This is the gear I plan to take on the 2013 TGO Challenge 

Shelter

                                                                         Grms
MLD Trailstar                                                  550
Oookworks door                                              30
MSR Groudhogs + pins                                 190
Wickes secondary glazing film                       90
Ti-Goat bivy bag - with head net                   200
 Cut down Ridgerest                                       200
Radiator insulation                                            45
PHD Minim 300 - long                                     700
Various dry bags                                            200

Total shelter                                                  2205

Wearing

Lowe Alpine trousers                                     400
Integral Designs short gaiters                         60
Rohan pants                                                      50
Smartwool socks                                              60
Keen Targee 11 Mids                                    1050 (La Sportiva Wildcat II 800)
Marmot Dri-clime vest                                    190
Arcteryx LS merino zip base                          320

Total worn                                                      2130  (1880) 

Carrying

Terra Nova Quasar 45 pack                            600
Extremities fleece gloves                                 50
Extremities Tuff Bags                                       90
Black Rock down hat                                        15
PHD Alpamayo smock                                    435
Berghaus Paclites                                           220
Waterproof Cap                                                 80
Bed socks (liner socks)                                    15
PHD Drishell windshirt                                   120
PHD Ultra pullover                                           290
PHD Minim down trousers                             250
SS Merino base                                                160
Spare Rohan pants                                            50
Spare Smartwool socks                                    60
Crocs                                                                410  (No Crocs 0) 
PHD down socks                                             110
Compass                                                            15
Maps (cut down)                                              150
MSR Blizzard stake toilet trowel                      20
Kitchen roll - as toilet paper                             20
Tissues                                                               20
Petzl e-lite                                                          35
Pen and paper                                                   50
Camera                                                             200
Tool card                                                            10
Bank/Credit cards                                             10
Reading glasses in case                                  90
Ist aid kit - homemade                                      60
Pama charger + leads + plug + mobile         370
Toothbrush                                                       15
Dr Bronners soap                                             50
Small towel                                                       15
Black Diamond poles                                     495
GPS - Garmin E-Trex                                      150
Evernew DX Stove + stand in Myti-mug       280
Kitchen roll                                                       20
Windshield                                                        10
Pouch to keep food warm                               15
Fuel bottles x 3                                              300
Platypus 2l bottle                                            10

Total carried

Shelter and sleeping                                   2205  (2205)
All else in the pack                                      5365  (4955)
Total carried                                                 7570  (7160)

Total weight worn                                        2130  (1880) 

Total weight  worn and carried                   9700  (9040)        


So, there is what I'll be taking.

Food and water are extra. Water is Nirvana's finest - until nearer the lower ground in the East.

The oldest stuff is the Lowe Alpine trousers - at least 14 years old.

The newest is the TN Quasar 45 pack. ( 17/04/13 - Anyone who is sharp eyed will spot that I reduced the weight of the Quasar. Previous weigh-ins were with stuff still inside the inner hydration pocket!! .......and I've taken off the pole attachment bits) 

The MLD Trailstar has proved itself on two TGO Challenges and many other trips. It spent a long time under the radar, but, is currently flavour of the month. Deservedly!

The Keen Targee 11 Mids started to have bits hanging off soon after I bought them. But, I glued these down and they've proved very comfortable and remained durable.  They are not waterproof, but dry quickly. 

(24/04/13 - After taking me for a couple of proper walks, I've decided to go with trail shoes for the first time. The Crocs are not necessary, so the weights - in brackets above - are reduced. Moi, counting grams? Sacre bler!!)

The stuff for sleeping in is a mix and match system that can be added to or subracted from depending on conditions. I have been comfortably down to minus 5C with these items.       

With the mix and match combination of base + vest + windshirt + waterproof and the head and hands taken care of, I have not yet been cold when on the move.

The MSR Blizzard stake toilet trowel also can be used for the most-in-to-the-wind-anchor point for the Trailstar

This is personal.

It is my choice which I find works.

I've done this because I like looking at other people's gear lists and thought I'd share mine too.