Bourn Pond: What I bring with me

Pack: Granit Gear Crown 2. As I use the small size that fits my torso length it weighs about.   2lb2oz. From granitgear.com, as well as all outdoor equipment. I got mine at Moosejaw on sale at the moment at a great price.

Sleeping bag/quilt: Aegismax 30*F. Down. Only weighs 1 lb. Durability unknown as I just got it. 

It does not have a hood, so a beanie, or a neck warmer tube that can be pulled over the head as well as keeping the neck warm. A good idea for cooler nights even in July here in Vermont and any trail in mountains. I expect to put on my cold weather under layer on cool nights even in the summer. The Aegismax is going for $65 with a few vendors, such as Ali Express. Got mine as a present.

Tent or hammock. I have an old North Face tent that weighs 5 lb. There are plenty of much lighter tents on the market these days. 

I however have gone to sleeping in a Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, I chose the lightweight double, which means I can put my pads between the two layers of bottom fabric.

With the webbed straps and buckles and carabiners it weighs 1lb 13 oz. 

I also have the Mamajamba tarp also by Warbonnet Outdoors which is big enough to protect me in rain and give me comfortable space under it to cook. It weighs 13.35 oz on my scale. I got my hammock and tarp directly from Warbonnet Outdoors. I do not have an underquilt, my closed cell foam pad and inflatable Exped Synmat 7 pad keep me warm on cool nights.

I can also take my old Etowah Gear 10x10 silnylon tarp for shorter good weather hikes. Still in perfect condition after several years of use. It only weighs 10.25oz. Got it from one of the popular outdoor equipment web sites, can’t recall which one.

The nice thing about the hammock/tarp combo is one is off the ground. Less humidity in rainy weather. The feeling of sleeping/resting suspended in a hammock ads a dimension to the comfort of sleeping in the woods. It provides a comfortable and dry seat to cook and and eat. It also does not require one to find a level spot to pitch a tent. Although by Bourn Pond there is no difficulty finding flat and level sites.

The next item is my bag of light strong twine for the tarp, a couple of aluminum stakes. 50 feet of paracord for hanging up my food bag from out of reach of animals, small and large. 

Weight, 8 oz.

I carry two sleeping pads as mentioned above One very light closed foam pad I got years ago at Walmart, weighs 10oz. In addition I have my old insulated Exped Synmat 7 UL with a R-value of 3.1, never felt cold on it even in a tent on wet ground. The two pads combined make the hammock even more comfortable. The inflatable Exped, although a chore to inflate and deflate, is comfortably soft on a hard shelter floor, if I end up sleeping in one on my longer hikes. I will never forget the one night I slept in a shelter with only the closed foam pad, ouch!

Clothes bag, 2 lb 13 oz

In it I have one set of very lightweight polyester long underwear and long sleeve very light under layer shirt. One UL warm zip neck long sleeve shirt for cooler season, and my packable UL down jacket that goes with me on every hike, even day hikes in mountains, a pair of sport shorts, an extra T-shirt, a pair of socks and shorts. I only use Darn Tough socks made here in Vermont. They really are tough and most importantly don’t loose their form and stay snug on the feet eliminating the socks from rubbing my feet and causing blisters.

I carry an Equinox rain Poncho, 8.25 oz, which I prefer to rain jacket that makes you wet through condensation. Bought it online many years ago on line from a website. I can’t recall which one, several carry it. The poncho is loose with more airflow. I can also put it over my pack if carrying a two day load. It can also be used as a shelter for a minimalist back packing trip. It has a hood with a drawstring and snaps down the sides for it to stay in place.

My kitchen consists of a pocket rocket stove, a full bottle of gas, my very light Jacob Bromwell steel cup, 24 oz with room to spare which i use for cooking my meals. From Amazon just under $10, a great alternative to expensive titanium cups. I have an insulating cozy for this one to prolong cooking without burning gas. In addition I have a 20 oz Stoic titanium cup for my tea and coffee. A lighter, a Sea to Summit titanium Spork, from EMS, an Opinel folding knife, a` French standard. I even use one of those at home daily in the kitchen. carbon steel, not rust proof. There are many stainless folding knives to choose from on the market.

The combined weight of all this is 1lb 13 oz. 

My water filtering system , a Saywer’s squeeze filter with a squeeze bag in its own stuff bag weighs 7.30 oz. About $29 at Walmart, I at times take the Saywer mini filter, just under $20 at Walmart,  but I prefer the bigger one which has better flow.

Personal care and first aid, trail map, my Black Diamond Spot head lamp, compass, extra matches and fire starter for which I have a small zip snack bag stuffed with extra fine steel wool, small container of bug stuff. PT. 

Weight 15oz

My iPad mini connected to phone service where available for texting, emailing outside of WiFi and holds a few books for reading as well as guidebooks. Weight 1lb 6oz. Along the trail towards the north end of Bourn Pond and at the north end camping are a few spots with AT&T service, just two bars on my phone.

On longer trips with visits to towns I carry iPhone and Ipad chargers and one charging cable, 4oz

On my backpack I hang a air of crocks for camp shoes and a cap which I only use in rain under the poncho hood.

I have a Granit Gear 18L, waterproof roll top stuff sack for my food that I hang up on a branch or between two trees above the reach of bears with the para cord that i throw over the branch or two branches if I need two trees. It is big enough to fit my entire kitchen all of which can attract a bear with the residue of food smells. Hang it up 200 feet away from campsite is the recommended distance. 

One hiker on the AT once hung his bag in a tree next to my tent, the recommended two hundred feet away from his tent...

All the above equipment I have bought myself, except the sleeping bag which was a present from one of my sons. I do not get anything from manufacturers or online stores for mentioning them.