Lots of Stuff

Well gear lists are now starting to appear for the 2013 TGO Challenge.  It is with some trepidation that I make this post.  Other people's lists always seem to be lighter and smarter than mine!  But this is my current state of thinking.  I am sure some readers will be horrified by the base weight of 11.7kg. All I can say is that this is lighter than when I started planning!

I feel I need to justify some of the weightier choices, so here goes.  Firstly, my choice of pack.  Until recently I used a Golite Pinnacle but I have replaced this with the ULA Catalyst. This is probably of higher capacity than needed, although I reckon a fair proportion of the claimed volume is actually in the mesh outer pocket.  I purchased this pack because the XL size has a very long back length.  I am 6 foot 3 inches and the Pinnacle hip belt used to sit on my waist.  The ULA hip belt sits on the hips and this makes for far more comfort when carrying a large load.  Indeed, this is the first pack I have had which has fitted me properly since my fully framed Karrimor Randonneur pack which I had in the early 70's.

The other weighty item, by today's standards, that I will probably take is my Akto.  This is instead of the Trail Star, although I haven't yet come to a final conclusion about that. I want to have a few more nights in the TS before May and to use my as yet untested new Oook nest. Unlike the rest of the world I am still entirely unconvinced by this combination - I reckon that the TS and the nest simply lacks sufficient length for someone of my height to sleep comfortably, despite it having a footprint somewhat larger than the O2 Arena.  If my next few nights in the TS are not succesful I will be flogging it. I do not actually think the weight penalty of the Akto is that great once you add pegs and a nest  or bivi bag to the TS's sold weight.

I also know that there are some non-essential items in what follows, eg Exped Pillow and some bits of clothing. These may get whittled down nearer the time. Hope I haven't missed any essentials, though.

Oh and I forgot to include my Sawyer water filter in the list below - 122 grs with the large pouch.

So have a gawp, have a laugh but do comment!

Kit		Weight	Comments
		Grams
Pack
ULA Catalyst		1400
Packliner		146
Camping / Sleeping
Akto		1650
Sleeping Bag Rab Neutrino		760	In its waterproof stuff sac
Silk liner		120
Exped Pillow		81
Neo Air X lite large		485	Includes Neo Air repair kit
Duomat sit mat		150
Tent J Cloth		15
Polycro for porch		25
Kitchen
Stove, feet, windshield	Optimus	185
Pan	Evernew 0.9l	115
Pot cosy		28
Mug	Lifeventure titanium	65
Fuel		382	1*230gr cartridge
Steel		28
Matches		15
Fork / spoon		32
Long spoon		12
J cloth		15
Water container	Platypus 2 litre	37
	Platypus 1 litre	36
Swiss army knife "Classic"		22
Can opener		10
Purification tablets		10
Plastic food bags		10
Tiny sponge scourer		4
Health and Hygiene
First Aid Kit		160	Various dressings, wipes, pain killers, tick thing etc
First aid kit dry bag		26
Crepe knee bandage		45
Bisoprolol		10
Asprin 75mg		10
Hayfever tabs		5
Compeed		11
Ear plugs		2
Imodium		10
Gehwol Foot Cream		57
Chafing gel		40
Sunscreen		51	Chance would be a fine thing
Sudacreme		40
Toilet roll		70
Hand sanitiser		100
Wash Kit	Dry bag	30
	Toothbrush and paste	45
	Comb	6
	Dr Bronner's	60
	Spare Contact lense	4
	Contact lense fluid	65
Reading glasses in case		107
Midge repellant		110
Midge head net		50
Lifesystems towel		166
Trowel		61
P Bottle		62
Navigation
Silva compass		40
Maps		250	Weigh amount guessed here
Ortilieb Map Case		64
Watch		40
Smartphone / GPS	Galaxy 1	117	With Viewranger 1:50k
Spare batteries for phone		64	2 spare @32gr
Phone case		60	Aquapac
Phone charger		62
Accessories
Repair kit	Dynamee	40
	Duck Tape	15
	Shock cord	40
Whistle		15
Theadtorch	Petzl Tikka	80	includes its 3 AAA batts.
Notebook and pen		60
Waste bag (Yellow Pod)		38
Dry Bags		129	Xped Light L,M,S,XS + Standard weight S
Camera		270	Includes spare battery
Wallet		150
Rail tickets		10
Bus / train details		0
Cheques for B and B		0
Spare Clothes (Carried)
Pants	Rabs Meco boxers	72
Base layers	Merino top	285	Rohan
	Rab Meco long johns	148
Montane Prism Trousers		348	In stuff sac (16gr)
Spare socks		160	X sock extreme (60g) + smartwool 100g
Spare shirt		250	Paramo Katmai
PhD Minimus Jacket + Hood		478	In stuff sac
Lowe Alpine Waterproof Hat		81
Fleece beenie		68
Buff		38
Berghaus Jacket	Paclite	530
Berghaus Overtrousers	Paclite	250
ME Gloves		65
Seal  Skinz gloves		118
Total base weight		11676
Clothes etc (Worn)
Wicking pants	HH	88
Trousers	Montane	357
Merino Shirt	Rohan	286
Paramo Fleece		325	Micro fleece
Boots / trail shoes		856	La Sportiva Raptors
Socks		112
Gaiters		68	Shorties In stuff sac
Windshirt		350	Paramo Fuera Smock
Pacer poles (alloy)		650
Weight non pack worn items		3092
Food and Drink
Dehydrated food		900	Three main meals + 3 deserts
Total other food (3 days)	Tea bags
	Drink choc		1 sachet per day
	Condensed milk		Tube of Carnation - luxury item!
	Instant porridge
	Cereal bars
	Trail mix
	Chocolate
		1600
Hip Flask		288	88g empty. Assume 200ml contents
Water		1000
Total weight food / water		3788
Total pack base weight		11676
Total food and water		3788
Total worn and non-pack		3092
Total pack weight		15464
Total weight		18711