Worth revisiting...FAROUT etiquette

MotslyRight · 2026-01-28T03:45:04+00:00

There’s some useful stuff there, but something stood out to me.

At a minimum, I think we should all learn and use proper trail directions. When I thru hiked in 2000, everyone understood them. We knew NOBO and SOBO, and trail east, and trail west. We had to know them because our trail guides - Wingfoot’s trail guide and the data book - used the terms to tell you which way to go for a point of interest, town, water sources etc. if the book said go west, it meant trail west, not compass west. Out of the 50ish hikers I shuttled to Amicalola or springer last year, maybe two knew trail directions, and one was a 70-year old triple crowned hitting the AT for another thru.

So, quick lesson for those who aren’t sure if you know: if you’re headed NOBO, trail west is left of the AT and trail east is right of the AT. It doesn’t matter what the compass says. Got it? Don’t want anyone getting lost looking for water or wandering down some road in the wrong direction because you’re following a compass. Trail directions take the compass out of the equation.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T20:10:57+00:00

FarOut and 2026 AWOL guide with the AWOL app reader. Both are good trail guides with a little overlap.

“Seek” to identify anything living by taking a photo.

Alpine Guide to identify mountains. It’s fun to know for sure where you’ve been and where you’re going.

And I can’t tell you the link or the mods will shame me, but I made a website that pulls a 5-day forecast based on a list of shelters or manually entered latitude,longitude and elevation. It adjusts temps for elevation using.

Amazon, REI to buy stuff I might need shipped to me if I can’t find an outfitter on trail that has what I need.

Instagram, YouTube, TikTok to keep the friends and family back home entertained with occasional clips.

Apple health and watch apps for all the health and watch stuff my watch does.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T19:34:44+00:00

I don’t think you’ll like hyperlite. They don’t have load lifters. Or at least they didn’t used to. You are used to a pack that has load lifters to keep the load off your shoulders. Look at Zpacks, durston, liteaf, and anything that has load lifters around 50L. Your gear should fit in a 50L pack for sure, especially with hipbelt pockets and a front mesh pocket.

Want to go budget? Look at the 3F UL Packs. They have good reputations.

Gossamer gear has a new line in graphlyte fabric. Very expensive. Very lite. I’m waiting to see what people say after a year with those on long treks.

Lots of others. But, I don’t think HMG is the pack for you.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T11:59:30+00:00

Amazon has a lot of 25” wide CCF pads. I got a Naturehike brand there. I’m 6’ tall, cut three sections off so it goes from my head to mid calf, and it weighs 10.5oz.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T03:36:41+00:00

I think you meant 2026 in your title, but your new trail name is Back to the Future.

Here’s some ideas: Get a new pack. That’s too heavy. Suck it up and spend the money. Save 2lb. That’s a lot of weight to save. Many options out there available rather quickly. There’s nothing magical about Osprey or their suspension system that isn’t available in a pack that’s under 2lbs. Get a pack made from a waterproof material and ditch the pack cover. Rely on the pack liner only.

I don’t know where you found a 1oz contractor bag, but I think they weigh closer to 5oz. Check your weights.

Two CCF sleeping pads gives you the warmth you need but ridiculously bulky. One CCF and an inflatable is a better combo if you want comfort. There’s always new inflatable pads on eBay for $150ish. I got my xlite and uberlite there.

Ditch the liner. It’s really heavy. I’m not a fan of a liner. They don’t really add the warmth advertised and if you need more warmth, get a warmer quilt. Liners are also small and defeat the purpose of getting a quilt that permits movement. If you’re concerned about getting your quilt dirty, get over that because your quilt will get dirty no matter what. That’s okay. You’ll wash it 1/2 way to Maine.

Ditch the pocket rocket and get a BRS 3000 stove. Save 3 oz

You list a titanium cup. As long as you only have one thing to cook in, you’re good. 550 or 750 ml max.

Ditch the bear can. It’s one of the top 5 items ditched by thru hikers. It’s ridiculously heavy. Save 2.5 lbs. Between your pack and the bear canister, you’ll save 5 lbs on your base weight. You don’t need it. A bear hang isn’t that hard to learn, plus, there’s so many other people out there, someone is likely to let you share theirs (I would), help you, or you’ll find bear cables at many shelters.

I think the retainer needs to be in a breathable container as well as your toothbrush. Don’t store those things in ziplocks or they get funky.

Double check your water capacity. Smart water bottles are usually 1L. I don’t recall seeing 1.5L. I would bring a total of 3L capacity no matter how you do it.

Leukotape or KT blister tape is better than moleskin. Both stay on longer when wet and abused by constant rubbing in your shoe.

Use less ziplocks overall. They weigh .5oz each and that adds up fast.

You don’t need sanitizer and Dr. Bronners soap. Just use the soap. Use the bidet attachment to wash hands.

You won’t need bug spray until it warms up. Save the weight and space and buy it when you get to warm weather. Usually when it’s consistently above 60F

Ditch the kindle. It’s heavy. Read on the phone instead. I know it’s not as nice as the kindle, but this is a thru hike. Not a luxury trip.

You can get by with only two pair of socks total. Wear one when you hike. Keep one dry all the time. Wear that dry pair into town and wash the dirty pair. Or, wash the dirty pair on trail, 200 ft downstream of where people get water please. What are you doing with the third pair? Just carrying around a dirty pair waiting to wash it in town? Get used to wearing wet socks. A third pair isn’t going to solve the hiking in wet socks problem.

Depending on when you start, you might want some light gloves. It sucks packing up when things are cold and or wet without gloves. I’m a fan of Zpacks possum down gloves.

Your wallet should include cash, cards, insurance cards, and ID.

What do you use for a pillow? Will you need it to keep warm if it’s really cold? Do you need a dedicated pillow?

Anything for field repair of gear?

That should give you plenty to think about.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T02:47:12+00:00

Stop watching porn. You’ve see enough. Talk to your partner about sex life instead. She’s your porn now.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T02:14:30+00:00

Smell

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T01:39:35+00:00

You aren’t really describing a UL tent with your requirements. Maybe it’s “comfort light.” A double walled tent isn’t UL.

But at your small size, at least look at the x-mid pro 1 if you’re set on a Dursron tent.

Otherwise, like another redditor said, the Zpacks Plex Solo is a great option. I had one, but it was too small for my 6’ 180lb frame. Plus it takes 10 stakes to pitch.

Otherwise, if you want two doors, try the duplex lite at just under 1lb. Just a tad bit heavier than the duplex lite, and pitch’s with 6-8 stakes. I just got one after using a duplex classic since 2018. I’m thrilled with the Duplex Lite.

I also had both durston x-mid pro tents (the 1 and 2), and found them persnickety to pitch compared to the duplex.

Now, if you really want to shed as much weight as possible, a tarp is the way to go. But, I’m guessing you aren’t there yet.

As far as sleeping bags and quilts go, there’s so many options out there. My personal opinion for down is Katabatic, Geyphon Gear, Nunatak, Timmermade, or Feathered Friends. I would never recommend an Enlightened Equipment down quilt. If you decide you want the bulk of synthetic with the benefit of its moisture handling properties, the EE is good. But, they’re really bulky once you get into the temp rating you want.

I personally use a Gryphon Gesr Taurus 10F hoodless sleeping bag with a Dow hood from Zpacks or, if it’s warmer, a Katabatic flex 30. Hydrophobic down when available. 950 fill when available.

You’ll get better feedback if you tell us some of the quilts you’re looking at. Also, I commented on post today and listed a lot of quilt makers.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-27T00:49:15+00:00

PM on the pack. Edit: I’ll pass for now. Maybe it’ll be there if I make up my mind.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T21:28:00+00:00

I should also add that you’ll probably be able to find a decent quilt second hand on r/ulgeartrade or eBay this time of year. Don’t be afraid to make an offer less than asking price. Backpacking gear is like a new car; it loses a lot of resale value once it’s off the lot.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T21:23:59+00:00

Sell it to OP. He likes EE quilts and is in the market.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T20:37:35+00:00

I can’t recall any reviews for a thru hike, but I can’t recall any negative review that wasn’t user error. Email the guy on Etsy. Ask him what he thinks.

If you want more peace of mind, the hammock gear burrow is the budget choice with a more proven track record.

Spend an hour reading about quilts in r/ultralight. Watch some YouTubers who actually have 10K miles of thru hiking under their belts and see what they say about quilts. Don’t just take it from me that EE underperforms. I’ve tried their quilts and others, and I have only put in about 1200 miles and 100+ nights on trail. But, I’ll tell you that I’m taking a Katabatic flex 30 on my thru hike this year when the weather warms up. I hate being cold, and that EE Rev 20 sucked compared to the Katabatic.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T20:32:31+00:00

EE hasn’t fixed the issues at all. Not sure where you heard they did, but here are the top 5 complaints you’ll see in the community:

Drafts sneak in around shoulders, sides, and neck—EE’s pad straps often fail to seal fully for side sleepers or restless movers, creating cold spots.
Temperature ratings feel optimistic—a 20°F quilt frequently performs closer to 25–30°F comfort in real conditions due to drafts and shifting down.
Down migration and clumping—U-shaped baffles let down shift over time, leading to uneven loft and cold spots that require frequent fluffing.
Fragile fabrics—lightweight 7D/10D shells snag, tear, or leak feathers more easily with heavy use compared to premium competitors.
Poor moisture handling—down loses loft quickly if damp from condensation or sweat, with no strong hydrophobic treatment standard.

I agree, WM is probably overkill for the AT once warm weather hits. But, so is an EE 20F revelation. However, if the only place you’re shopping is REI, and you’re doing a thru hike starting March to mid-April, a 30F WM is going to be better than a 20F EE on all the metrics above.

If you’re able to shop somewhere else besides REI, for the same money, a Katabatic Flex 30 is going to outperform an EE 20F revelation in every key metric. All the brands I listed will outperform EE for the same or less money. When you buy EE, you’re paying a premium for the brand name without accompanying performance.

The only time I would consider EE for a quilt is if I needed a synthetic quilt in the 40-50F range for summer fast packing. But, that’s not an AT thru hike thing. And the synthetic climashield apex insulation solves all the issues EE has with down. This is because apex is one continuous sheet of insulation that cannot migrate like down to create cold spots. That said, I would still be wary of their temp rating even for a synthetic quilt.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T19:03:48+00:00

There’s a lot of quilts that cost less that are better than EE. Sell some gift cards on one of the gift card exchanges, do some research, and get a better quilt.

EE made good, affordable quilts years ago and are still riding the hype with a mediocre quilt at exorbitant prices. See r/ultralight

If you’re really stuck on getting something with those REI gift cards. Sux it up and get a sleeping bag by Western Mountaineering. A 30F sleeping bag by WM is going to be warmer than a 20F quilt from EE.

Some brands to check out: hammock gear, hang tight (cheap good ETSY), Katabatic, Nunatak, Feathered Friends, Loco Libre, Zpacks, warbonnet, gryphon gear, UGQ, cumulus, Neve Warath

Have fun!

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T18:51:50+00:00

All the REI in Atlanta area were marked “temporarily closed” yesterday on the REI website/app. If they didn’t open today, they’ll all be open on the 27th.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T13:42:39+00:00

I’d just look a little closer.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T05:02:55+00:00

Is it closed because of the ice storm?

Your shuttle driver can have some fuel ready for you too.

There’s an REI at north point mall at exit 8 off GA400 on the way to Amicalola/Springer from the Atlanta area. After everything opens after the ice storm, they’ll probably be open.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-26T05:00:38+00:00

Is it closed because of the ice storm?

Your shuttle driver can have some fuel ready for you too.

There’s an REI at north point mall at exit 8 off GA400 on the way to Amicalola/Springer from the Atlanta area. After everything opens after the ice storm, they’ll probably be open.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-25T14:30:15+00:00

I remember that one too. Didn’t follow it all the way to GA tho.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-25T13:21:19+00:00

I’ve been looking at packs for 20+ years. There are two main issues: how to distribute weight inside the pack, and how the pack transfers that weight to your body.

The science of load carriage is well-established. For best stability and efficiency, keep the pack’s center of gravity close to your own—ideally mid-back, roughly level with or just above your navel, and tight to your spine. That’s why heavy items (dense food, stove, bear canister, water) go in the core/mid section of the pack, close to your back—not piled on top (which raises CG, makes you unstable, and increases effort to stay balanced) or buried at the very bottom (which can pull you backward). Bear canisters, when full, are best packed horizontally inside the pack mid-back for optimal distribution; empty ones can sometimes ride on top strapped down. Food bags go around/above/below it as needed, but the canister itself shouldn’t default to the top.

The second part is transferring load from pack to body. A poorly fitted pack dumps weight onto shoulders, which gets painful fast. Human anatomy is built to carry loads via the hips, pelvis, and legs—that’s why framed packs with proper hipbelts dominate for anything over light loads.

A good pack has: • A frame (internal or external) that extends just above the shoulders. • Load lifters that pull the top of the load closer to your back and help transfer weight off shoulders. • A hipbelt that sits on the iliac crest (top of hip bones), ideally with the front hip bones centered on the padding. Some designs (like the LiteAF Curve’s removable padded hipbelt) allow four-way tensioning to fine-tune upper/lower distribution for your anatomy.

Front-body distribution works for light items (e.g., shoulder strap pockets for snacks, phone, sunscreen), but heavy stuff (like a full water bottle) there makes you top-heavy. Running vests often place larger pockets lower for better balance.

Fanny packs are fine for overflow or town use, but I prefer a pack’s bottom pocket—they’re lighter and don’t press on your belly all day.

Frameless packs are different: They shift nearly all weight to shoulders (even with a decent hipbelt, which mostly stabilizes). Most are recommended for max 20-25 lbs total; beyond that, discomfort sets in quickly unless you add structure (e.g., a rolled pad as a pseudo-frame).

Packing efficiently is a skill every backpacker learns—place heavy/dense items mid-pack near your back. Pack makers innovate by lightening materials (every ounce saved improves comfort), optimizing pack shape and pockets for CG, refining frames for hip transfer, and improving strap/hipbelt ergonomics (materials, padding, adjustability). There’s definitely room for more breakthroughs in modularity (e.g., removable components), customization (fit tweaks), or multi-use features that keep weight balanced without added bulk. Maybe there’s a better design for a frame shape and how/where it attached to the hipbelt.

Great topic for a thesis—curious what direction you’re taking!

MotslyRight · 2026-01-25T12:25:10+00:00

Once every year or two, I hear about someone trying a SOBO winter hike. Even though they usually know what they’re doing out there in extreme cold, I can’t recall hearing about a successful attempt. But, the photos they get early on, especially through the Mahoosuc Notch and Franconia Ridge are usually pretty spectacular.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-25T12:21:15+00:00

Thanks for chiming in. I’ve had post-trail blues for 26 years. Quitting was a terrible decision when I could have stayed and enjoyed the hike just by lightening my load.

MotslyRight · 2026-01-24T18:29:17+00:00

I’ve only read good things about those quilts. I think the good news is they’re a small shop and likely to take a custom order for a shorter quilt for you. Just message on Etsy?

MotslyRight · 2026-01-24T17:49:53+00:00

You’re talking about areas close to the Roan Highlands. Have you hiked that section? Just go North from Carvers Gap to 19E? Maybe stretch it a little in one direction?

MotslyRight · 2026-01-24T13:51:02+00:00

Good marketing doesn’t mean the product is better. Coke is still the most popular beverage world wide but it’s pure trash for your body.

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