The lightest weight tripod around

On my never ending quest for lighter and multi-multiple use gear, I came across this little gem hidden inside the pages of instructables.com. It's an ingenious technique of using a bit of string or rope as a tripod. Perfect! Now I can add one more use to the ever growing list of things to do with my bear bag rope.

Just attach the string to your camera, loop it below yer' feet, back to the camera, and then tie the end off on a tree. It'd probably take a little getting used to setting it up, and it's not quite as stable as a real tripod. But it's definitely a nice little trick to keep in mind when you want to get that long exposure of your campsite after the sun's gone down beyond the ridgeline!

There are also diagrams of simple monopod and bipod string techniques too. You can find them all right here.

Oh yes, and the 9V LED light is another cool little project on the site that's perfect for the beginner-electronics chap in need of a nice build-it-yourself light.

prepping for overnight solo test

This weekend I'll be heading up to the Catskills for a short overnight solo trip. It's mainly a shakedown of the gear I'm planning to bring before heading down to Georgia. It'll be my first solo overnight which will either be a bunch o' great fun... or two days of absolute terror... or both. Who knows? Maybe I'll come back all white in the face and call the whole AT trip off! he... heheh.... ahem.

So, here's my gear list. It might look a little long for a simple overnighter, but I'm packing everything I think I'll take with me on the AT to test it all out. Items in GREEN I've used extensively and are reliable, RED are untested, and YELLOW are stuff I'll be picking up at Campmor in Jersey on the way up. I'm half way through the process of weighing everything so some don't have numbers yet. This list will have a few changes in the next two weeks. Be sure of that!

CORE:

• Osprey Atmos 65 Backpack 61oz 4200 cu/in (large)- A killer lightweight pack with nice breathable straps and back. The shoulders could use a touch more support, but other than that, it feels great.
• Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym 42oz - I tested this out in providence a few weekends ago and it was SUPER comfy. At least for the one night I slept in it. It was a cool 50 deg and raining but was still one of the best first nights sleeping in a tent I've ever had.
• 4 tent stakes - For the guide lines on the Hammock. Simple thick aluminum. Also used for my pot holder over the stove.
  
• EMS 40 deg. synthetic sleeping bag 29oz. - old faithful... may need an upgrade to a 20 deg at some point.
  

Kitchen:

• Pepsi-G Alcohol stove 1oz - I'll probably take a few alcohol stove designs along to see which one works best.
• Listerene 16 oz Bottle w/Alcohol - with extra fuel for the testing.
  
• Snow Peak 1 liter Cook Pot 6oz- Titanium lightness.
  
• Spoon
  
• 1 Liter Nalgene or Gatorade bottle - mostly for night drinking and as a backup for the camelbak.
  
• 3 Liter Camelbak - with hydration tube
  
• Sawyer InLine Filter 1.8oz - attached to the Camelbak. This is the most untested part of the setup. Might have to abandon the idea for my old PUR Hiker if it doesn't work.
• Water Purification Tablets - To kill Viruses. Probably Katadyn Micropur.
  
• Bear Bag and Rope - Watertight with a loop for hanging. Last time I was on the AT we hung one too close to the branches and something nibbled it's way in to our bag and made off with a bunch of GORP.

Clothing:

• EMS Gore Tex boots - This might be changed to a lightweight boot in order to keep cooler and lighter.
  
• Hiking Socks(2 pair)
• Wicking Sock Liners(2 pair) - still debating if this is necessary.
  
• Pants with Zip-Off Legs(2) - need one more pair.
• T-Shirt(2)
• Wicking Boxers (2)
• Lightweight Long underwear - Top and bottom
• Teva Sandals - For in camp use and fording streams
• Sil Poncho - Great design for the backpacker in mind. Can also be used as a tarp tent.
  
• Baseball Cap
• Sil Stuff Sack - For organizations sake

Electronics:

• 6.5 watt Foldable Solar Charger - With battery and cell phone charger.
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp 2.7oz - Including 3 rechargeable AAA batteries
• Palm Treo 650 Cell Phone 6.3oz- For emergency use and updating this bloggeroo. *need to buy an emergency AA adaptor for this as well*
• Digital Camera - Still haven't done my research here yet. Still deciding on if I should go cheap or medium in price.

And more:

• First Aid Kit - Inside Ziploc bag we've got Band Aids (5), Moleskin (a lot), Tylenol (6), Advil (6), Aspirin(6), Diarrhea Medicine(3), Tweezers, Antiseptic Wipes(6), Large Gauze Pad(2), Water Purification Tablets, Elastic support wrap
• Repair Kit - Tent Patch, Mosquito Net Patch, Duct Tape, Small Sewing Kit, spare shoelaces, Matches, safety pins
  
• Matches and Lighter
• Bandannas (2) - one with the stove, one on me.
  
• Notebook and Pen- for my thinking
• Maps - Will probably carry half at a time, and have the other half sent to me on the way.
• Guidebook - Also available as a free download, but buy it if yer' gonna' use it.
• Suunto Compass - always know how to use one of these suckers!
  
• Walking Poles - Haven't done my research on these yet.
• Sunscreen
• Leatherman Wave Multitool 8.5oz- don't lose it!
• Small shatterproof Mirror - To see just how un-presentable you are when going in to town. Also good to check for ticks, and signaling... i suppose.
• Plastic Whistle
• Toothbrush, Toothpowder, and Floss - you know what they say about cleanliness... well, it's double fer' your mouth! Floss has the double use of sewing thread.