so to speak. It's been 3 years since my last solo trip, which was awesome. Friday I enter EP14 for a 9 day solo trip, including 5 nights in Weeney Lake PMA. I just need to talk out my planning as I have no one to bounce these things off of locally.

-I have packed all my food and beverages, 12 pounds worth. Looking at it, it seems like a lot, but then I think to myself "9 DAYS". I packed per day: One big breakfast, about 500 calories of snacks, and one big dinner. I think my food is nailed down, might have extra snacks at the end, but that will be car food or emergency rations if I am held over. Small pot/pan combo, scrubber, cup, spoon, fork, oil, salt/pepper, matches,lighter.

-Gear: Kelty Teton 2 tent, 10X10 tarp, 10-16' lengths of rope, 1-40 ft bear rope, Irwin Saw, Large fixed blade Gerber knife for splitting wood and as a second knife, Thermarest Guidelite, Mountain Hardware synthetic fill 20 degree bag.

-Life Vest (matches, water tablets, bic lighter, first aid kit, extra map and case w/pen, sunscreen, E-Trex GPS unit, SPOT, multi-tool.

-Clothing: Merrel Boots, Teva sandals, 3 pairs merino wool socks,1 North Face zip off pants, 1 (non-cotton) Mountain Hardwear button up short sleeve shirt, 1 North Face lightweight insulating long sleeve shirt, one cotton t-shirt, 2 pairs boxers, baseball hat, winter hat/ gloves, raingear.

-Misc: Duct tape, Electrical tape, 10 small zip ties, toiletries, book, journal, 2 bic pens, camp chair, camera, batteries, headlight, headnet, DEET, rod/reel, 4X6 tackle box.

I think I have everything ready to go. Just fighting off the "what ifs" of packing, trying to keep it minimal yet adequate. Thanks for listening.

looks good.

Things I would think about, bumabu...

It'll be harder work traveling through a PMA - do you have enough calories to fuel the extra effort?

Take a compass as well as the GPS?

The weather forecast (as far as it goes) looks pretty moderate for the next 10 days, but record lows are below 30. If you get a couple of cold, wet, windy days, and/or dump and get soaked...? I'd add a pair of long johns and at least a fleece vest. That will give you an added margin without too much more weight/bulk. A couple of chemical heat packs might come in handy.

SPOT or PLB or SAT phone just in case...? Very likely no one else will come through the Weeny Lake PMA.

Have a good trip - sounds like a real adventure. Looking forward to the trip report.

It would be difficult to forget the canoe and a paddle or 2.

I assume when you say toiletries that includes TP. Seeing you are going into a PMA be sure to remember a small trowel to dig a cat hole as there is no latrine.

You did not mention a stove-I am sure you just forgot to mention it-I would be sure to bring one even if you think you will cook only over wood. If you are cooking over wood be sure to bring a wire fire grate as there are no fire grates in the PMA and you will want something for over the fire.

boonie, a SPOT is on his list.

I will very likely be posting this same type of thread if I get to go on a solo.

Are you planning on bringing a water filter, drinking straight out of the lakes, or relying on the tablets I see packed?

Pack a compass. And if you don't know how to use a compass, a little cheat sheet on how to use one. I don't mean to sound insulting, but a GPS can utterly fail and probably at the worst time.

Got a pair of sunglasses? The glare off the water can get annoying.

I would skip the electrical tape.

Throw in a small, purely backup, headlamp or candle or something.

Is the clothing you are going to use while bushwhacking pretty tough? I'm thinking about branches and twigs grabbing and ripping the clothing. And I would toss in another fleece or something.

Looks good though. Have a great trip! I wish I could be going on a 9 day solo.

One thing I do on solo's, especially in the spring and fall is to double up my fire building supplies and keep them in separate packs. I also keep an extra set of warm clothes in a pack separate from the rest of my clothes. It's the 'just in case I dump' stuff.

JD

I didn't see a mention of a rain coat and pants. I would add a fleece or better yet down vest. Plus I always bring 2 layers of insulation.

I too would leave the electrical tape at home. The stuff is practically worthless to fix things.

knife sharpener?

quote jdevries: "One thing I do on solo's, especially in the spring and fall is to double up my fire building supplies and keep them in separate packs. I also keep an extra set of warm clothes in a pack separate from the rest of my clothes. It's the 'just in case I dump' stuff.


JD"

I go in the fall and I also have multiple matches, lighters, etc. in various places. I keep my sleeping bag and a set of long johns, toboggan, and pair of socks in one waterproof compression stuff sack. Other clothes are in another waterproof compression stuff sack.

Oops, D. P.

Hey, bumabu...looks to me like you've got some experience and a good plan...here's hoping you'll have favorable weather and a memorable trip.

Plenty of calories, I actually just cut some out of the menu,
yes to compass (it's my fancy necklace).
have a fleece wool sweater, forgot to list it,
NO long johns.
NO heat packs.
yes to headligth if its not up there.
no stove, have 3 lb coffee can twig burner
yes to toilet paper and trowel
rented a SPOT, canoe, paddles.

I am so on edge its ridiculous.

d.p.

I appreciate all the input, keep it coming. you only have 20 hours left to save me from making a huge error in packing!

I always have at least silk-weight long johns - a light-weight insurance policy.

No stove - OK if no possibility of fire ban.

The edge will wear off out there...but don't let it get too dull.

Sounds like a great trip - I'm looking forward to the trip report. Take lots of pictures.

Might want to replace some of those calories with fiber considering all that cheese - you don't want to have work too long when you're squatting ;).

quote boonie: "I always have at least silk-weight long johns - a light-weight insurance policy.

No stove - OK if no possibility of fire ban.

The edge will wear off out there...but don't let it get too dull.

Sounds like a great trip - I'm looking forward to the trip report. Take lots of pictures.

Might want to replace some of those calories with fiber considering all that cheese - you don't want to have work too long when you're squatting ;)."

Hoping the cheese and peanut butter will give me an every other day schedule.........

What is it with you and poop talk? lol

quote bumabu: "no stove, have 3 lb coffee can twig burner "

You do realize that a twig burner is not a legal stove during a fire ban don't you?

no fire ban right now, at least I think, thanks for the reminder.

Don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!

i would leave the saw and large knife at home. not necessary and too dangerous, also heavy.