The Simplicity Of Backpacking Can Become Really Complicated!

I've been putting together my pack for the season. I've finished removing the things I didn't use last season and I have added a few things. A new addition to my backpack is my down sleeping bag. Backpacking in the Northwest where there is always a threat of rain, I went back and forth on whether or not I should get a down sleeping bag. Because, as you should know, you're ducked if your down bag gets wet! I chose to go with one after all because the weight and size of a down sleeping bag takes up quite a bit less room in my backpack. It was no longer beneficial for me to carry such a heavy and large sleeping bag when I had reduced the size and weight of my pack by replacing my backpack and sleeping pad. I will give you a break down of my system in just a minute. But first I'd like to discuss my philosophy in backpacking. It's a pretty easy concept. For me, the joy of backpacking comes from within. It can't be purchased. Meaning, if you can't afford the latest things on the market, it's okay. Instead hit your local thrift stores and pick up things that will do just as good, if not better in some situations. Hike for the of love for nature. And if you have to, go naked!

Our original "thrift store" set up. 

When Jennie and I first started this together, I didn't have a tent. I had a sleeping bag that I got as a birthday gift and a hand me down backpack from a friend who had moved up the merchandise line. When I was on a trail I would borrow a tent or sleep in a friends. My clothing consisted of cotton and converse. My water bottle was a 40 oz. Gatorade bottle and some iodine tables. My mess kit was the only thing I had actually purchased, and at the time, it cost me $12 at Big 5. It consisted of a pan, pot and cup. And Jennie didn't have a single item. Not one. We shopped our local thrift stores and over a short period of time we found a 20 degree synthetic mummy sleeping bag for $5. A backpackers tent for $10. And  let me tell you, later on, while were trying to figure out how to put this tent together, we quickly realized what an awesome find it actually was. The thing had only two small poles and all together it was barely over two pounds! The thing was just down right fantastic! We used it for two years! Giving it to another fellow backpacker only because we needed to invest in a tent that was waterproof for the Washington area. We then went in on some used hiking boots, sweaters, and hiking pants. We ended up having to purchase as additional backpack from Amazon for $40 because we couldn't afford a new one in our area. And the used ones in our area turned out to be obsolete. We also purchased a new rocket style stove, again from Big 5 for $20 and it included a gas can. I still use this stove today. I prefer it over the Rocket because although the Rocket is slightly lighter, mine feels more sturdy and it's arms are slightly longer and holds a good size pot easily.  If you were to total all our old gear expenses, you would likely find that a monthly fast food expense is more costly.

So, if you haven't figured it out, we're not interested in getting the next big thing on the market. We're interested in getting the next best thing suited for our needs. Whether or not the product is used, old or slightly heavy, matters not! We like to spend more time on the trail and less time working to buy products. With that being said, here's the low down on our equipment.

Everything that goes in my bag, excluding Badboy, the cat.

Stix Gear:

• Osprey Kestrel 48 Pack, Med/Lar
• Kelty Cosmic 20 Degree Down, Short
• REI Quarter Dome T2 Tent & Footprint
• Thermarest Prolite Short 
• Platypus Big Zip SL 3.0L
• Burton Stove
• Open Country 1-Quart Non-stick Billy Pot w/ Lid + Snow Peak Titanium Spork & Coleman Aluminum Cup
• First Aid Kit & Multi Tool Pocket Knife
• Headlamp

I use Sea To Summit dry sacks for my sleeping bag and PJ's. I don't pack clothes other then a hooded fleece sweater, extra underwear and socks that go in with my PJ's. The clothes I hike in, I wear the entire time. I do have several different types of PJ's to choose from at home before the trip, and based on the weather forecast I pack suitably. If the weather is hot, I hike in shorts, but pack with my PJ's a light pair of pants for the evening. I wear a pair of  New Balance Gore Tex Trail Shoes that I got from Ross. Which by the way, I'm sold on and will purchase again and at full price if I have to.

Jennie will post her gear list later.