2018 Thru Hike Wrap Up

**TxAggie** · 01-20-2019, 22:00

Very nice writ-up, and congratulations on becoming a thru hiker.

Quick question: exactly what is the Barca Lounger you’re referring to?

**gbolt** · 01-21-2019, 11:03

Originally Posted by baldknobber

Curious about the rest of your kit. Clothing, cooking, electronics? Did you resupply along the trail or use mail drops?

I have four 15 minute post gear reviews on my you tube channel if interested. But the rest of the kit was pretty much standard thru hike lightweight gear. Favorite clothing item was the Patagonia Houdini Windshirt. Cooking was Toaks 750 ml pot with micro rocket canister stove and Long handled spoon. Electronics was an Anker 10,500 mah Battery Bank, Double Port Charging plug, and IPhone 7. I mailed a 7 day Resupply to Fontana Dam Resort, before I left home, to get me through the Smokies. I mailed a 6 day Resupply forward to Monson Maine to get me through the 100 mile wilderness. Other than that, I resupplied in Trail towns every three to five days and wouldn’t do it differently. The only item that I got after the hike that I wished I had during the hike, was “The Packa”. Have replaced my Marmot Precip and Pack cover with this. Although I still carry a ZPacks Rain Kilt, Rain Mitts and Rain Pants that I used through southern Va, mailed home and then bought Pre Cips in Gotham NH.

**gbolt** · 01-21-2019, 11:13

Originally Posted by TxAggie

Very nice writ-up, and congratulations on becoming a thru hiker.

Quick question: exactly what is the Barca Lounger you’re referring to?

It’s a 1/8 Gossamer Gear Pad, sewn in between Tyvik to create an ultra light camping pad. Learned about it on this forum that led me to JacksDrinkwater YouTube: https://youtu.be/W5SJ7wYjLZY

**Olde Man** · 01-21-2019, 20:38

Congratulations GBolt, well done. Thanks for the detailed report.

**TxAggie** · 01-22-2019, 08:36

Originally Posted by gbolt

It’s a 1/8 Gossamer Gear Pad, sewn in between Tyvik to create an ultra light camping pad. Learned about it on this forum that led me to JacksDrinkwater YouTube: https://youtu.be/W5SJ7wYjLZY

Pretty cool, I hadn’t seen this before. Thanks!

**BigE94** · 01-22-2019, 09:11

Well done and great write up. Gonna check out your channel.

**Shug** · 01-22-2019, 09:22

Tip of the beanie to you on your thru.
Whoooooo Buddy)))))
Shug

**gbolt** · 01-24-2019, 12:16

Originally Posted by Shug

Tip of the beanie to you on your thru.
Whoooooo Buddy)))))
Shug

I owe my success to you Shug! When I first started preparing for the thru hike, 8 years ago, I needed to replace a 5 lbs Eureka Backpacking Tent and aa 7lb External Frame Pack. This forum and your videos gave me the confidence to give hammocking a try! As the saying goes, I never went back - to the ground lol. Your vids also resulted in me choosing the ULA Ohm 2.0! Chris stands by his product! Just got my pack back from ULA repaired almost as good as new - which says a lot after the beating it took for 2190.9 Miles. Anyway, thank you for juggling all your knowledge and including all of us!

**dakotaross** · 01-24-2019, 12:39

Completely jealous of your success!! Thanks for the things we all needed to hear again. That pack should be hung above your mantle as a trophy! Well, as long as there's another spot for the TV.

**Shagginwagon** · 01-24-2019, 18:01

Congratulations and thanks for the write up. I don't see a lot of post-hike lists, and certainly see fewer post-hike lists specifically for hammocks. I also believe in the tarps with doors. To me, it just opens up a few more options for pitching and if you get the dyneema (cuben) tarp, the weight difference is worth it. I have just recently purchased the S2S pillow as well, and I am not sure how I like it in the hammock. It seems to be a bit large and I tend to prefer my down jacket stuffed into its own pocket and under my neck. This obviously doesn't work well if I am wearing it. How did you like it inside your hammock?