Post-Shakedown Gear Swaps | 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru Hike
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- After putting my gear to the test, I've made some changes! Here are some recent gear swaps I've made!
Though I've tried hard to be budget friendly with all my gear choices, I decided ultimately that spending money upfront to keep me safe, warm, dry, and comfortable was the best decision for me. Though dropping the money on this gear so soon before hitting the trail was hard, I'm so excited for these changes!
Great video and so nice to watch someone make choices that consider comfort and reducing stress. I feel so many videos and people on trail push the ultra light, I’ve had comments made to me about my gear. But I feel “hike your own hike” also applies to gear too. Happiness over ounces any day for me❤ Good Luck Marissa.👍
Thank you! While having a light weight pack will be more comfortable in ways, I think it's important to make things as easy for myself as I can while I'm out there. And my base weight is still decently low even if I will never be ultralight!
All very smart gear moves. I do a large, wide rectangular pad, good sleep is mandatory. Don't listen to the bear can haters.
Thank you! Yes, sleep is key, and I knew I needed a larger pad if I wanted to be well rested.
Hey guys! Just to clarify with my water system changes, I do still intend to carry 2 liters, I'll just have to filter one at the source and one later on. A little cumbersome, but better than a water filter in my armpit 😅
I use a Be Free filter and carry 2 1 1/2 liter bottles done have to fill and a small bottle on my strap to drink out of
I watched a video of a young lady that is taking a bear can as well and she placed an air tag or an I tag in her bear can . I thought it was a great idea. Two ladies we hiked with got their food cans knocked or taken down a hill by a bear . They found them scratched up but intact . Looks like you’re making good choices. Good Luck and Good Health!!
That is definitely a good idea! Thank you so much!
My bear bag line is probably still in a tree in northern GA. I had to hang my food with someone else for a couple of days before getting to Winding Stair Gap. I used an Ursack for the rest of my thru hike and will never go back to hanging a bag.
Sounds like you are getting it figured out, Can't wait to follow your Journey North !
I’ll get flashbacks of Blueberry Bat 😁 YaY! (assuming your Packa rain gear is blue). Your confidence and excitement is really starting to show in your face. I’m so excited to be a small part of this epic adventure!
The color of the case it is in, is the color of the Packa. Mine is red, so maybe more a tomato on the trail. :)
Loved following BadBat last year and looking forward to following Malissa on this year’s hike. 😊
Mine is green! I'm thinking of calling it Avocado mode.😂
I enjoyed the update on your gear and am looking forward to the full gear video. The bear issue would be aggravating to me as well. I was not able to recognize the shirt. 😅
Fun fact: both the "C"s in CNOC are pronounced as "K". It means "hill" in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.
I have heard it said that way once or twice before just wasn't sure what was actually correct😅
That's how people were pronouncing it. They weren't saying "SSSNoSss" And the N following a consonant in Gaelic invariably had an "R" sound so the Irish would've pronounced it "Croc"
@@RissaRoams The company owner pronounces it that way in videos as well.
@@DissiDan I usually hear people say "see-nok", which isn't correct of course.
I've been going back and forth with carrying my bear canister for my long section hike. I can't throw worth a crap either. Glad I found your channel and am looking forward to following along
I have that REI pack. It’s actually relatively light. I also have a CTUG phone pocket. Even though those phone pockets are water resistant I would recommend putting your phone in a ziplock back when during a steady rain. You can keep the ziplock in a hipbelt pocket when not using it.
As for water storage. I did have a CNOC bladder and it’s totally worth it. Sometimes it’s easier collecting water to filter with the bladder. It’s also more efficient. I used a 750 ml Smartwater bottle with the sport cap and kept it in the bottle blocked. I also kept at least a a half liter filtered water in a side pocket in a 1 liter Smartwater bottle in a side pocket so I didn’t have to stop and filter during the day.
Just some suggestions from an experienced ridgerunner. Good luck on your hike!
Thank you! Yes, I definitely will have a ziplock for extra protection for my phone. It is a pretty lightweight pack! I just know most people these days are going for the ultralight packs, but I love my flash 55!
The bear vault is a great idea. Not only will it give you a peace of mind, but also a seat. There was an article I read (I wanna say on The Trek) but I can't seem to find it. It showed a bear vault that survived the night after a bear encounter. There are plenty of similar stories, so they've proved themselves. I think it's worth the extra weight.
Thank you! Yes, I'm happy with my decision! I have seen pictures of a few that have been broken, but every option has its own risks.
Great choice with the Packa. I love mine and the pit zips make it so much more breathable. I love my bear cannister also. Just a tip for opening the bear cannister, I use an old gift card on a key ring, hooked to my pack. Happy trails.
Yes I actually fashioned a slot on the lid of the can to hold a gift card to open it with!
I use the 2L Cnoc Vecto and Katadyn BeFree filter.
With those changes, "there's a chance"! 🤣
Good luck with the bear canister. I think it makes a lot of sense once you solve the issue of where to put it in or on your pack. The conundrum is one of bulk as well as weight, but I agree that it's worth it to have the extra confidence that you can arrive in camp and not have to worry about the bag-hanging follies.
It actually fits perfectly in my pack sideways! I have my sleeping bag, pad, and clothes in the bottom of my pack with the bear can on top. I actually strap my tent to the top of my pack with the brain in case it is wet. It actually isn't any more difficult to pack than my bear bag kit was. Just heavier for sure!
Yes to the 2 liter CNOC bladder. Fill it when you get your camp water. Filling it will save you energy by allowing you to Camel up in the morning and top off your bottles without another trip to the water source.
I’m in agreement with the bear canister! I’m also the type that would be in a panic over my bear bag getting caught on a limb and getting stuck or like you said, not being strong enough to throw it high enough. Good plan for your peace of mind! ❤
Love your non-nonsense approach to gear swapping. I'm sure that attitude will serve you well on the trail and I'm really looking forward to you sharing your adventure!
Also, you ended up in the same spot with regard to tent and water system as I have, which makes me feel warm and fuzzy ;) My experience with the Durston is that a polycro ground sheet will work just fine, and folded it seconds as a butt pad during breaks.
If you decide on gram counting, the bear vault is 36 oz while the Bearikade Blazer is 33.1 oz.
That would be the outfit of Lloyd Christmas! For fun, you should top it off with his haircut too! You would get a trail name pretty quickly too
😂 just don't chip your tooth!
Oof. I think I'll just stick with the shirt and keep my hair the way it is😅
Bear can! Good for you. Will be watching to see how you feel about it down the road. Finding a comfortable way to carry it can take some time, but I agree on everything else about convenience, safety, and it doubles as a chair.
It actually fits perfectly and comfortably in my pack! A bit heavy, but I think it's worth it.
I love my Packa! The hood works best with a cap underneath, I also added a snap on the chest so I can wear it mostly open in the front. It worked great in a downpour! Looking forward to seeing you in it…… but not too often. Have a great hike!
Thank you! Yes, I do have a visor to wear in the rain with it, but the hood actually worked really well for me when I took it out the other day.
I’m so glad you went with a bear can because I had the same problem and I worried I was the only person on earth actually wanting one instead of trying to hang a bag! ❤ and that Packa sounds super cool. Great job 😊
Definitely not the most popular choice, but I think there are more bear can users than we realize. Not gonna let the ultralighters shame me!😅
Every gear fail is a move in the right direction. Great saying., along with “So you’re telling me there’s a chance”. Have fun out there.
I think Christmas came early for you with the Durston! Good for you…and with 28oz’s, it kinda cancels out the weight of the bear vault! For the ground sheet, just stop by a new home build site and ask for some scrap Tyvek. They truly will provide. That is where I obtained my ground sheet…and I always use a ground sheet just to protect tent floor no matter how strong the material is said to be! Tyvek weighs nothing!
Sounds like some good gear changes! 😍
Pigpen really liked her bear canister.😊❤
I hear you on all your gear swaps! I quit trail but am going back after switching out a lot of gear and dropping about 10lbs base weight. Maybe see you on trail sometime in the next several months 😊
Hope to see you out there!
I bought a Durston also. I haven't used it yet, but I think it's a good choice. I use an Ursack (spelling?). It is lighter than a canister. You have to tie it to a tree with a special knot so the harder the bear pulls, the tighter the knot gets. I have a canister, but I have never used it. With the weight savings from my new tent, like you, I may try it?? I may someday do a thru hike, but due to work and life, I just do section hikes.
Good luck, and may God bless you!!
Yes, I didn't consider an ursack because the forest service and the ATC actually require that you still hang it like a traditional bear hang on the AT. They seem like great pieces of gear though! Thank you so much! I hope you get to do your thru one day!
Looks like some good gear changes. I too struggle with rain gear and I am interested in the Packa. I will look forward to your opinions on the Packa as time goes on. Hope to see you on the trail soon for your journey of a life time!
I recently tested it out! Hiked in the rain for roughly 3 hours, and I was happy with it! My arms were wet, but that could've been sweat or the fact I hiked without it on when it was only lightly raining. Ultimately, think it was a good switch!
Thanks Rissa! I value your opinion!!! Have fun on your journey!@@RissaRoams
Nature plays tricks and offers treats. Also, Nature shows no mercy and will find a weakness. Although, Nature also has a sense of humor. May you keep your good humor and may your new equipment provide you safety and comfort. Wishing you a safe journey, good heath, peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!
Saturday, March 16. The Packa is designed and sold by a guy in Ellijay, GA. Cheering you on!
Nice decisions on the CNOC and the packa. Both are great pieces of gear!
Some nice choices. Nice to see your decision process based on shakedown hikes. I have the same pack, pad and tent. Regarding the ground sheet for the tent, I have one and really appreciate it, but not necessarily for durability. I’m in Wisconsin. When you pack up, the moist and somewhat dirty ground cloth can be packed separately giving a better chance to keep your tent clean and dry.
That is definitely a big pro for groundsheets.
So you added 2 lbs with the can, and lost two with the tent... good swap... agree that as you head North the terrain becomes more rocky and the need for the ground sheet. But if a repair can be done to the tents bottom with a duct tape maybe that's the way to go ? The Tent makers ground sheet is well designed with the clips, but a simple piece of Tyvek does the job well. (could the other tents ground sheet work in a pinch?)..... JMO...knowing bears... I think hanging bear bags is the dumbest idea ever thought of.. bears can smell food for miles away... camp sites with bear boxes makes more sense as well the the ATC spending more money on privies along the trail. Hoping to see big smiles as you enjoy the trail...
I do have tenacious tape for repairs! The other tent's groundsheet might work. I'll have to check. It is an odd shape and probably heavier than the one Durston sells. I definitely think bear boxes are the best option when available. Hanging food can certainly be risky.
Welcome to the “X-Mid 1” club 😊
Happy to be a part of the club!
You will soon find out that 1L is sufficient for most sections and learn to carry only what you need to get you to the next water source. Drink a lot when you stop at a water source and schedule where you camp to be near a water source.
Challenge those preconceived notions about gear. Try sleeping on a foam pad on your floor at home, I do and sometimes and get a better sleep than my mattress. I jumped in my tent awhile back and it felt tiny, but when using it for months on end it was like a palace.
You will love the X-mid. I have the 1 and the Pro 2. Beautifully designed and absolutely won’t fly away. Just bring some extra line in case you need to extend the corners (they are short). And yes - it is strong enough to use without a ground sheet - but in a pinch - use your paca under it. Looking forward to following! 🇨🇦🥓
So far I'm loving it! Thanks for the advice!
Question: are you recording this while everyone is asleep? I have to crank my volume up as you seem to be almost whispering/talking too softly.
😂😂😂
Yeah, that is a common complaint. I tried to talk louder this time, but clearly didn't do a good job of it. I assume I was quiet because my family was home and I am a bit self conscious filming around them.
@@RissaRoams it's ok. I imagine once you are on trail you will be able to be heard quite easily.
I always wondered about a bear can to sit on as well rather than the ground. Interested about the tent and whether it feels too narrow
It is narrow, but because of how large the vestibules are and all the mesh it feels bigger because the outer walls aren't so close. I also like the head room. Ultimately, I feel way more comfortable in it! Yes, like that the bear can doubles as a stool.
All great choices! You’re going to have so much fun!
Looks like some good changes. I think you’ll like the tent.
Loving it so far!
Welcome to the Durston fam!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Happy to join the family!
Good choices on all of your gear changes. Looking forward to hearing about how you like the X-mid.
Loving it so far! Slept in it twice and definitely feel like it's a huge improvement
I did a review of the Packa on my channel. It worked great, but I did have some user errors, like not tightening up the cinch thing behind the head. I also felt the brim was not very stable so it worked better over a hat with another brim, but that may be just me. One major selling point for me was that I could put it on the pack and it can live there until it starts raining (if it looks like it is going to rain). One negative was the weight. It is what it is, but in an ideal world, I wish it was lighter (and maybe just a little less bulky). Still a good product I recommend. I am still on the fence if I use it or use the Enlightend Equipment Visp instead.
Just used it for the first time this week and I was definitely struggling with the brim before I cinched the cord behind my head, but then i didn't have any more issues! I did have another hat to wear under it if needed, but I'm not sure that will be necessary for me. Yes, I love that I can have it in pack cover mode and then put it on in a pinch. After weighing it, it was actually only 2.7 oz heavier than the poncho I previously had. Very bulky though.
ISuck@Hiking on the AT now had a GearSwiftsDyneema poncho & it’s like twice the cost of the Packa by Cedar Tree. He thought he’d love it ‘till his arms got just soaked & sent it home. I’m planning on the Packa also & mostly because of BadBatHikes. I think you’ll love it but please be sure to let us know. Also, a little bigger poncho might be great if you ever get a larger pack or fat or your boyfriend wants to borrow it. I list my best HD leather chaps to my boyfriend (now husband) 😂
Curious - did you get blue?
I love my bear canister & glad you do too. I use my canister to put hot water in for a quick ash of myself & my undies then clean & put foods back in. The tent - mist popular but looks a bit fragile for the money & id rather one of the tried & proven BigAgness but that’s me & I hammock when I can 😊
My arms were wet after wearing the packa, but I also waited to put it on until the rain got heavier and I was definitely sweating, so I'm not blaming it. The important thing is my core and my pack were dry. I got the green one. Not a big fan of blue. Yes, love the versatility of a bear can. The big agnes tents are out of my price range. They are typically about twice the cost of the Durston and so far it seems pretty sturdy.
Ground sheet tyvek lighter cut to size. Zip lock bag for phone in rain
Definitely going to have a zip lock for my phone! And actually the durston groundsheet is only 3 oz
Just a suggestion, only place food and scents (toiletries) in the bear vault. That being said, do not put your headlamp and other essentials in the bear vault. If the bear decides to take off with the bear vault, you will lose all of those essentials you decided to "store" in the vault.
Oh absolutely!
Good choice with the bear canister. They'll be mandatory on all the big trails within 5 years anyway. Might as well get used to it now.
Definitely strongly encouraged in so many places that I can see that happening!
What? Is there someone sleeping behind you?
You always sound like you are whispering as if someone is sleeping in the same room. I can't fully hear you even with the volume at full. You might want to iron out your sound mic's.