Hello everyone!

This time it's Wingdale, New York! The trip into Glastonbury, New Haven and New York was an awesome battery recharger, although I was unable to visit any of my awesome Gbury friends (sorry guys, I feel really bad about that). Anyways, it's good to be back hiking. We hit the trail at Bear Mountain, NY in the midsts of a pretty brutal heat wave that seriously slowed us down for a few days. Luckily a well-placed lake and a swimming pool presented themselves at the perfect moments to keep us cool and happy.

While I was home, a few people requested that I post up what currently resides in my lovely backpack, the items necessary to keep a thru-hiker alive. The list is much simpler than it was when I left Springer Mountain 4 months ago! I'll list items from the bottom of my pack to the top.

-Mystery Ranch Futura Sport 4200 CI internal frame pack w/ pack cover
-25* EMS Caribou down sleeping bag (long, left zip)
-Insulmat Thermo-max insulated self-inflating sleeping pad (think therma-rest)
- Clothes
-1 pair shorts with liner (my everyday hiking wear)
-1 pair convertible pants/shorts with zip off legs (town pants)
- 3 pairs synthetic hiking socks (Smartwool)
-2 synthetic t-shirts
-1 cotton town shirt
-Fleece pullover
-EMS System 3 windbreaker/rain coat
-Antigravitygear 1.5 liter pot
-homemade "penny" stove
-8 ounces of denatured alcohol (stove fuel)
-Food bag with bear hanging line
-Random stuff
-headlamp
-small first aid supplies
-cell phone
-Katadyn Hiker water filter
-3 liter MSR Dromedary Bag (water bag)
-Maps, compass, and AT guide book
-digital camera
-AM/FM/TV/Weather band radio


Thats about all you need to survive for... an indefinite period of time.
Hiking across the Connecticut state line today, and into NEW ENGLAND FINALLY!

Love, peace, and bacon grease,

Rob!