AR Ramblings

Matt posted up his incredibly light, home-made kit over at his blog.

See below for my slightly heavier commercial one. (listed top to bottom, and left to right)

• compass + maps (TI Ocoee, GSMNP) + BMT databook
• 13L Ultra-Sil dry sack
• Patagonia R1 fleece pullover
• thermal hat
• 1 extra socks
• lightweight hammock – for comfy sleeping
• Salomon Raid 30 backpack w/
  • SPOT GPS tracker
  • Ultimate Direction water bladder w/Sawyer inline water filter and CamelBak bite valve – carrying a 128oz bladder, but will probably only ever fill it halfway.
  • Photon Micro-light – emergency light source attached to backpack shoulder strap; good for replacing headlamp batteries in the middle of the night
  • 2x 20 oz. water bottles – one for drink mixes and one for filling the bladder
  • mini-biner + masons twine – for bear bag / food hanging kit (not sure if I’ll use this, but it weighs next to nothing)
  • folding knife w/ whistle attached – the whistle is yellow and makes it easier to find the black knife if I drop it.
• Petzl Myo XP headlamp w/lithium batteries (3 sets) – lithiums are not recommended by Petzl, but I’ve never had issues.  I usually only run low or medium brightness, though, never on high.
• Medkit / toiletries  (see below for contents)
• waterproof notepad & pencil
• GoLite Poncho/Tarp – shelter & rain gear combined

• space blanket
• ClO2 water purification – backup, in case the filter clogs
• antihistimine
• ibuprophen
• anti-diarrhoeal
• sunscreen
• tweezers
• needle
• gauze pad, gauze wrap, tape
• lighter
• cover roll & Leukotape (good for blisters)
• alcohol swaps
• antibacterial ointment
• toothbrush
• Sportslick – for chaffing
• emerg fire starter (cotton ball + petroleum jelly)
• garbage bag (multiple uses)
• bug spray

• HeadSweats visor
• GoLite shorts
• Capilene T-shirt
• Brooks Racer ST shoes
• Sunnto Vector watch

TOTAL WEIGHT: approximately 7 lbs.  (including ~0.5 lb for the SPOT tracker)

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