Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

Here's a list of the gear that i use while out backpacking. A lot of folks might think i take too much or too heavy of items, but i have reasons. i like my gear and the things that i use....

Pack - Jansport Big Bear 5000 - 3 compartments (Main, outside packet and top/lid compartment) Can carry the whole house if you like.

Tent - Ozark Trail 9x8 full sport dome. Wal-Mart Special, i know.....but it performs the way i need it to, is fairly light (3 lbs), and is big enough for 2 people. Easy to set up, superb ventilation.

Sleeping Pad - Thermarest Basecamp Large - Quite possibly the best piece of gear i own. Self-inflates, is fairly light and is made better when i pair it up with a nifty closed cell foam pad which only weighs 10 oz.

Sleeping Bag - "Warmer weather" bag is a 40 degree SleepCell - excellent bag with side ventilation zippers and an inflatable pillow....the pillow sucks though....amplifies every little sound.
Cold weather bag is an Ozark Trail 0 degree bag. Not bad for an affordable bag. Keeps you warm....but keep it away from water.

Stove - MSR Windpro - great all around stove. Easy to use, easy to light, can work the flame adjust control with gloves on. Works well at altitude. Not as fancy or efficient as a Jetboil, but i don't like sit on top of cannister stoves.

Water Purifier - SteriPEN - Not your average water purifier, has a prefilter that fits on your Nalgene, then you just stir the water with the UV wand and viola...clean water in a minute 30. Uses batteries, which as a rule i dispise, but just carry extra batteries dumbass....

Daypack - i use a Camelbak Cloud Walker for dayhikes....it's a great pack....but in the backcountry, i use a Kelty Hawkeye lumbar pack - 800 cubic inches and has a shoulder strap....fits a lot of stuff in it and has 2 Nalgene pockets.

Boots - Hi-Tec Altitude IV - very lightweight but sturdy and comfy....a little higher top than i prefer, but i just don't loop the last loop.

So go ahead and laugh....i like my gear....it works for me. All said, my pack weighs in at around 32 lbs....not exactly ultralight standards....but it's what works for me.