Billabong Cowboy Hat Natural

Of course, the cowboy hat was essential gear to protect my head from the wind and sun. I like the straw hat because it does a good job of regulating heat. Baseball caps, for example hold too much heat.

Shady Brady

I discovered this hat at the Western Spirit store in Manhattan, while visiting around Christmas. This is a great looking and well made hat. It will be my starter, and I may order a few more from the www.shadybrady.com website, as they have a great variety.

Mountain Hardware Dome Perigon

I initially purchased this hat as a cold weather hat, but realized it would probably be too hot to hike in, even in the coldest temps. I'll bring it along to wear in camp, but it might end up with a one-way ticket home.

Survivor Buffs

Some say that a bandanna is the ultimate article. I must disagree. Until CBS launched Survivor, I'd never heard of a buff. My girlfriend gave me a couple of these for Christmas, and they are awesome. You can fold these into about 5 different pieces of headwear; headband, neck gaiter, skull cap, etc. They are also made with a quick dry elastic fabric, so they should work well on a sweaty hiker.

Mountain Hardwear Backcountry Recon

I considered my rain jecket the most critical peice of apparel, since keeping dry and warm could mean the difference between life and death, at least discomfort and misery. There were three or four other brands, including North Face, that offered compelling jackets. I chose this one primarily because my outfitter had one I liked in stock. Especially for a piece of gear that has a great number of features, a knowledgable outfitter like Dave is far better than even the best websites. Without going into all of the features of this jacket, I'll just say it's "bad-ass".

Mountain Hardwear Epic Pant

Considering you don't always wear rain pants when it rains, I didn't start at the top of the line pant, but instead made sure they were lightweight, had zippered vents on the sides and would be durable.

Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Jacket

I wanted a lightweight jacket I could wear in camp when cool or under my rain jacket in really cold temps. This piece is very light, warm, and compact. It folds into one of its pockets to make a pillow!

pRana Mojo Shorts

I am still waiting on these to arrive. This was a brand I discovered at my local outfitter. All they had was the Performance Snakebite shirt, so I explored the www.prana.com site and thought I'd give these shorts a shot.

Patagonia R2 Fleece Jacket

In search of something comfortable and lightweight for around camp, town and cool weather hiking, this seems to be a nice item. I wonder though, if it will compete with the MH Comperssor PL Jacket for space and weight in my pack. It too may find itself on a one way postal ride home.

Columbia Cathedral Peak Vest

As the weather gets warmer, this vest may arrive to replace my Fleece Jacket and/or Compressor Jacket

pRana Performance Snakebite

This is another one of those items that I fell in love with once I put it on. It's incredibly comforable and made with a lightweight wicking material that should prove effecient in cooler hiking weather or around the camp.

Nike Pro Vent Dri-fit

I'm walking down the street in Manhattan, which street I don't recall, and I realize I'd just walked past the Nike store. Wooo, I said, and we went it. I'd heard about the technical apparel, but wanted to get a look and feel for the tops. 45 minutes later I exited with four tops, all purchased on sale! All of the shirts here are light, wicking, fast dry and very comfortable.

Eddie Bauer

I've read nothing about this brand. I was simply shopping at the local mall and found these two shirts on sale for $7. So, I'm going to give them a try. They are lightweight, wicking and comfy.

REI Windboxers

I read that most hikers hike with shorts that have netted linings, and don't wear underwear. That may be where I end up, but this is how I'll start, wearing undershorts. If nothing else they will make great sleeping shorts.

Patagonia Capileene

In the case of cold weather, these should work well under my rain pants.

Patagonia Neck Gaiter

This is great for the neck, but is not much for covering the ears. It may be the first thing sent back home. 

180s Tec Fleece Ear Warmers

My trip to New York this past Christmas proved one thing, the neck gaiter would not keep my ears warm. My buddy bought a set of ear warmers for $3 from a street vendor, and his ears were warm. That beat my $15 Patagonia neck gaiter, since it kept slipping down from over my ears.

Northface Powerstretch

As long as it's not bitter cold, my hands stay warm. I opted for these lightweight gloves instead of the bulkier, warmer gloves. These lightweight gloves won't require I take one or both off if I need to dig in my pack, or setup my tent, or other tedious tasks that require your fingers.

Nike Air Tumalo II

These pair of boots was my second footware purchase. Initially, I thought one pair of quality boots would last the entire trail. In discussions on WhiteBlaze.net, I learned they would not, so I purchased my second choice in boots, an almost exact opposite. The Nike appealed to me with a very high tech and technical approach to modern footwear, especially attractive in the cushioning system and their light weight. I wore my Sundowners for about a month before I got these, and I've yet to lace up the Sundowners since. These will be my starters.

Vasque Sundowner MX2 GTX

These were my initial choice as starters, debating the choice between a boot more modern and lightweight versus the solid, rugged build of a proven long-distance book. It was a surprise when I found out that it would not last the lenght of the AT. So, I will start with the Nike boot, and finish in the Sundowners.

Crocs - Caymen Model

These things are amazing. I wanted a pair of lightweight and water proof footwear for stream crossings and wear around the camp in the evening. These are absolutely amazing. Made of Closed Cell Resin (PCCR), these clog-styled shoes warm and soften with your body heat and mold to your feet. They are very comfortable, and surprisingly slip resistant. Dirt and other outdoor debris don't seem to attach very easily and they are so lightweight you forget you're wearing anything at all. I've seen nurses wearing these, so I have to assume they are just as comfortable under the high wear and long days of walking.

U-Dig-It Stainless Steel Hand Shovel

The more I read about field sanitation, the less I believe I will need this item. It will probably stay at home.

MSR PackTowel - Large

Still not sure how useful this will be, but it sure is light, will dry quickly, and comes in a nice little mesh bag with a hanging hook, in which I can also put many of my other toiletries.

Garmin eTrex Vista C

This item is certainly not necessary, and I'll regret bringing it - I am certain. I already regret buying it, since it only uses Gamin Maps and only imports Garmin files (routes, waypoints, etc). Th MapTech AT maps are awesome, but don't work with Garmin. The only reason I will start with this is to map the trail, so others with a Garmin might oneday have a route and waypoints for the AT.

Suunto X6HR

The ultimate in training watches. It does everything except GPS and logs everything to a file. I will be documenting much of this online, but I am mostly interested in optimizing my performance and managing my energy through the analysis of my heart rate while hiking.

Dana Design Terraplane

This is a high volume pack, recommended by a friend who does a lot of hiking and worked at an outfitter for many years. It is also a Backpacker Editors Choice Gold 1999. Iniatial thoughts are "amazing", and considering my starting pack weight is going to be between 60-70 pounds, it better be amazing.

Dana Design Wet Rib

I plan to eat mid-morn, lunch and mid-afternoon meals on the go often. This rib is nice and convenient to hold a bottle of Muscle Milk, food, gloves and a camera on my front-side within easy reach.

Camelbak UnBottle 100 oz

The one downside of the Terraplane pack is there's no internal pouch for a water bladder, so I'll have to attach this bladder to the outside of my pack and counter the weight with other gear, which seems like it might be an aggrevation.

Nalgene Large Mouth 32oz Bottle

These will probably get the start, and the 24-oz bottles below will stay at home. My water filter screws onto the mouth of these larger bottles, whereas they don't on the smaller. I wish I'd purchased the purified before the 24-oz bottles.

REI Basic First Aid Kit

By the time I supplemented this kit with additional items needed, and through out the 5 oz plastic case, I realized I had wasted my money, and should have just made-up my own kit with one trip to the drug store.

MSR MiniWorks EX Mircofilter

Filter vs Tablets - This was the biggest debate for me. I was decided on tablets until I talked to my local outfitter. He hikes a lot and recommended the filter because within minutes it would produce drinkable water, whereas tablets and other means require 30 minutes or so. Not a problem if you've managed your water supply well, but could be tormenting in the case you've been hiking for a couple hours without water. In the end, I figured I could carry a few extra onces better than I could manager my lack of patience. We'll see how that turns out.

Sierra Design Lightening

Another Backpacker Editors Choice Award 2004. I almost changed my mind and bought a single-layer (fly sewn to outside of tent) but decided against it after several hikers told me that I'd be sorry the times I tent on a bald or in a clearing that offered spectacular views, sunrises and sunsets. The convenience of a one piece, I thought, would not be worth the pleasure of a great sunrise or sunset, not even just one, I imagine.

Sierra Design DriZone Cloudripper

Another 2004 Backpacker Editor's Choice Award. Lightweight, warm (15° F), waterproof. Tough to beat. Especially, when using the Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner, I should be able to handle just about any weather comfortably.

Thermarest Self Inflating Mattress ProLite 3

Lite, rugged and compact. To me, sleep is the only remedy for long hard days. The better the sleep, the easier the days.

Cocoon Silk Mummy Liner

This thing feels so good to the touch, I am looking forward to the first night sleeping in it.

Eagle Creek Travel Ear Plugs

Essential gear, especially in the shelters. I discovered these when me and a buddy would go skiing. Boy he could snore a room full of people in to anger!

Primus Omni Fuel Backpacking Stove

Not the lightest, but certainly compact and versatile. Will burn just about anything combustible, including gasoline, diesel and kerosene, and all of the normal stuff like white gas.

GSI Hard Anodized Extreme Cook Set 4 pc

Sould be real easy to clean and very lightweight. I'll probably leave the two smaller pieces (Skillet, Pot) home.

GSI Lexan Cup

Very cool and light, but after staging all of my equipment, I am scratching my head wondering why I bought this cup. I could use my bottle or my titanium french press cup instead.

Snow Peak Titanium French Press

Where I come from, coffee is as much a tradition as it is a drug! This should make chilly morning all the sweeter. This press is supper light and should heat up real quick.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

This thing is really cool. I just hope it covers everything I'll need, aside from my folding spatula for cooking.