SLEEPING GEAR
14) Tarp (Black Diamond Beta Light) – I love this tarp; it is light and very roomy. I modified it by sewing 6 inches of mosquito netting at the bottom perimeter to make it nearly bug-proof.
15) Ground Cloth (tyvek) – When I stayed in shelters, I’d put the ground cloth on the shelter deck to help prevent sleeping pad punctures.
16) Sleep Pad (Big Agnes) – This is more comfortable than comparably-weighted Thermarest-style sleeping pads. It also takes up less pack space. The downside is blowing it up nightly and a somewhat noisy deflation each morning.
17) Summer Bag (Homemade) – A simple, square, roomy design made with rip-stop nylon and thinsulate. There is only insulation on one side, so I’d put the insulation side down on the warmest days. This would keep me comfortable enough at temps above 45 degrees.
18) Winter Bag (Phantom 32deg) – I got the Mountainsmith Phantom (pictured) after my hike. On the AT I used a Kelty Lightyear 25 degree bag that was about a half a pound heavier.