Personal setups » KKs First Attempt
by kkjellquistJust finished my first overnight backpacking trip w/ Mike B (http://www.bikepacking.net/individual_setups/my-set-up-and-things-learned/) in Western North Carolina’s Pisgah Nation Forest. We had a great single night out and managed to avoid all the major storms in the area!
Bike: Salsa Dos Niner w/ Blackburn EX-1 Disc Rack^ and two full waterbottles
In pannier: Mountain Hardware Ultralamina 32 bag, Hennessy Expidition Hammock, Mini Trangia Stove, two tubes, multi tool, pump, (2) CO2 & inflator, headlamp, bike cleaning toothbrush, lube, patches, emergency blanket, mg fire starter, iodine tabs, coffee cup, alcohol, flask, matches, pack towel, 2 beers, and cleaning rag.
In WingNut pack: (clothing) thin wool ls shirt, thick wool long sleeve shirt, non-cotton t-shirt, light windbreaker, running tights, socks, arm warmers, knee warmers, cap, crocs (food/misc) instant oatmeal, instant coffee, ramen noodles, sardines, vienna susages, trail mix, waterproof case with iphone/atm card/id/cash, spyderco knife. (plus 50ish oz water)
In REI handlebar bag: bandana, Bronners, contact stuff, toothbrush, TP, lighter, and Pisgah map. (You really can brush your teeth w/ Dr Bronner’s and it’s not that bad!)
Wearing: sleeveless wool base layer, baggies w/ removeable liner, non-cotton t-shirt, gloves, cycling cap, sunglasses, helmet
Lessons learned: Use HEET for the stove, definitely need some bottom insulation for the hammock, and while I didn’t really need it, the rain jacket I left behind because of it’s weight could have been critical! The only thing I truly forgot was a rear blinkie, but that would only be needed for pedaling home at night in an emergency.
I don’t think there’s too much I could trim except some clothing in warmer months. I used most everything on this list at some point. Mike and I both use/used panniers and we had several discussions about the pros/cons and large saddle bags. In Pisgah we find ourselves behind the saddle descending on a regular basis and I’m really not sure how the large saddle bags can work for that.
I loved my first bikepacking experience!! I’ll be back for more.
^Can work on 29ers w/ some mods
ScottM on 
Dylan on 
AmosIv on 
Preston on 
Jesse on 
Martin on 
Rod on
Looks fun. Will you post a trip report? What were the expected weather conditions?
Looks like you packed fairly light, except for a lot of t shirt like items.
If I read right you wore both a sleeveless- and short sleeve T, than carried another short sleeve, two long sleeves, armwarmers and a windbreaker. Would you really ever wear all that? And if so, wouldn’t there be lighter and more comfortable options?
What is the emergency blanket for? Didn’t you have a tarp with the hammock?
Thanks Slim. I did have decent amount of clothing, but I sweat a lot even in cool temps and I wanted dry clothing for the evening. I did actually wear everything at some point. When we stopped I put on the dry thin wool and t-shirt, and wore the thick wool while sleeping. I never felt like I was carrying too much weight.
The emergency blanket is ALWAYS in my pack. It weighs nothing and takes up almost no space. There’s no reason not to carry it and it could save the life of a hiker, hunter, camper, etc.
Sounds like a great setup. I’m getting ready for my second trip this summer and I also traded in my solo tent for a Hennessy hammock. I’ve heard great things and I’m excited to try it out. I did read quite a bit about backs and butts getting cold in hammocks so I cut down my Z-rest closed cell foam pad to take along. It weighs next to nothing and I simply attached it to the front of my new Revelate Design’s Sweet Roll. Looking forward to testing it out. Thanks for the post!