Ultimate Adventure (2012)

From the experience I had in 2008, I have changed out a lot of my gear. I will detail those changes soon and post them here.

For now, here is a PDF of the Ultimate Gear List

It is grouped(green) is by the hiking stage. While the sub-groups(yellow) describe either if I intend to return the gear, or if it is gear specific to the biking stage, or where on the bike/myself I'm carrying the gear.		        
 
   

Appalachian Trail (2008)

One of the best parts of preparing for a journey is the purchase of new equipment. But with backpacking, it's more about what not to take, namely anything too heavy, because you're the one that has to carry it, not your bike.

 

How did I go about it?

Key criteria: light weight, maximum comfort and multi-use.

For example, starting off looking at my iPod Classic. I had an original wall charger that is 4.3 ounces (123 grams) and also required a Firewire cable which was single use. So, I replaced the wall charger with one that was lighter and took the USB cable I would be carrying anyway. I replaced the USB cable with a retractffable type, but removed the retracting component.

 

Total PACK Weight

13lb 5 oz (6,048 grams)

   Backpacking Gear  

What am I carrying while hiking?

 

What am I wearing on the AT?

 

What are you going to eat?

Acrobat Version Complete Gear List

 

Backpacking Purchasing Factors

  1. Weight
  2. Warmth (Clothing and sleeping)
  3. Multi-use
  4. Compactness
Backpacking Gear

Great Divide (2008)

As I left for the Appalachian Trail in February I didn't have a concrete plan on what gear I was going to take on the Great Divide. To a large extent, I was going to see what worked on the hike and whatever survived, I'd take on the bike trip. But the key decision was around the bike itself.

That was short listed to the following options:

  1. Use my Specialized Stumpjumper with new rack/panniers.
  2. Use my Specialized Stumpjumper with an ExtraWheel.
  3. Buy a new Surly Big Dummy.
Big Dummy Extrawheel
Photo: Option 3, Surly Big Dummy Photo: Option 2, ExtraWheel
     

Cycling Purchasing Factors

  1. Strength
  2. Use when not touring
  3. Weight (less of a factor than backpacking)
 

I had serious lust for the Big Dummy, however that option was eliminated due to it not being available to buy before my trip. Plus, I really couldn't justify the $2,000 expense. So instead I bought the ExtraWheel. Why?

  1. Bad experience with racks that break and rear wheel that disintegrate due to being overloaded.
  2. Higher cost of high quality rack and pannier bags.
  3. Easy to put on another bike should I need to ditch the Stumpie.
  4. Can also have a rear rack.
  5. Rotation of 'spare' tire installed on the trailer wheel.

Some drawbacks are

  1. Added rolling fiction.
  2. Harder to load up. I still resist on installing a bike stand.
 
Photo: Final setup, vintage Specialized Stumpjumper with Extrawheel
     

 

 

  

 
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Peter Cunningham, 2012