MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 

30)       Pocketmail – A device for composing emails, and for maintaining all sorts of notes.  I used this nightly to make my journal entries.  The device has an audio coupler that is used to transmit and receive emails over a phone line.  Use lithium ion batteries; they are lighter and last much longer.

31)       Watch (Casio Pathfinder) – This watch has a barometer, altimeter, compass and thermometer.  The thermometer is minimally useful, since body heat throws it off.  I used the Altimeter constantly; it, along with my guidebook gave me a good idea of where I was.

32)       Camera Case (Pacific Outdoor Equipment WXtex)  - Carrying my camera on my hipbelt enabled me (and encouraged me) to get more photos.   I wouldn’t do it any other way.  I had a non-waterproof case during my thru-hike, and had to pack away my camera at every rain shower.  I found this waterproof case later.     

33)       Camera (Canon Powershot S30) – I also carried an extra rechargeable battery and the small battery charger that came with the camera.  Even though I took many pictures, I wish I had taken more, especially of people.  I sent camera cards home by mail; my wife would upload the pics and send the cards back.  One camera card (and most important, the photos on it) was lost in the mail.  It would be wiser to copy the photos to a CD and mail the CD home.  Most towns with a post office also have a place with this kind of service.  There is too much to say about cameras.  In short, if I had it to do over again, I would; devote much more time to learning about photography, take a better camera, and take more photos.  It is especially important to learn how to prop the camera and use the timer because rarely will another hiker be around to get in the picture or take your picture when photo ops arrive.  Pics are almost always better with a person in them.  There are a few mini-tripods around – FlexPod is a good choice.

34)       Headlamp w/ batteries – The headlamp pictured is a Black Diamond Gemini.  Next time I would shave a few ounces and take a LED-only headlamp, like the BD Ion.

35)       First Aid Kit – Most items are listed in the summary.  The powder may seem like a splurge, but it is worth its weight to combat chaffing.

NOT Pictured:  I used The Thru-Hiker’s Handbook by Dan “Wingfoot” Bruce.  I cut the pages out of the book, and only carried about 20 pages at a time.   I kept the page covering the current section of trail in a zip-lock bag in my pocket.  I wore sunglasses only on a few days, and did not use suntan lotion.  Both items may come in handy if I had hiked earlier when fewer trees had their leaves.  I kept trash in a one-gallon zip-lock bag, and always kept a bag or two for back-up.