Camping gear round-up

This coming weekend, I plan to hike Seven Fingered Jack with some coworkers. This got me thinking a lot about the gear I take with me. Most of my hiking has been in the BWCA, so this will be a much different terrain and experience.

Because of our move to Seattle (and thus my sifting through my gear), this upcoming trip, and because I've been creating my zombie survival pack, I want my hiking and camping gear to be lightweight, compact, multi-purpose, and all-inclusive to the greatest extent reasonably possible. The purpose of this post is to briefly discuss the camping gear I have for several people who have asked me for info.

Necessities

Even when hiking with others, here's some gear that you need (can't be shared with others in your party).

• 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag
• REI Mars multi-day backpack
• Asolo hiking boots

Basics

While not necessary when travelling with others, these are handy. There's shelter (which may or may not be shared with someone in your party):

• Two person tent
• ENO DoubleNest and a SingleNest hammock (Amazon, REI) with homemade suspension system (aka tree-huggers)
• Hydration pack (see below) and/or water bottle

And there's miscellaneous stuff that's always handy:

• Gerber multi-tool
• Paracord (Amazon, REI)
• Biners (I've simply picked up a handful of $0.40 quick links from Fleet Farm just like these on Amazon, but a bit cheaper)
• Butane lighter, matches
• Bandana or a smallish towel
• Headlamp
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Soap (Amazon, REI)

For food and water

I've found that one stove in a group of up to four is fine. Having a second probably couldn't hurt.

• Iso-butane-fueled camp stove and stainless steel cooking pot, or
• Jetboil stove (Amazon, REI)
• A large mug that doubles as a coffee cup and bowl.
• Flatware (Amazon, REI), though a good multi-purpose tool (above) can replace the knife in this set. Go with a spork here.
• Platypus hydration bladder+hose (Amazon, REI).

Having some cotton-free clothing is particularly useful, as you tent to get sweaty carrying so much gear, and when cotton gets wet, it keeps you cold. If you don't have good moisture wicking, quick-drying clothes, then having a spare change of clothes so you can be dry and toasty warm at night is a good second. I've used my rope for an impromptu clothesline, hanging my damp clothes overnight.