$300 Challenge.

[SGT Rock]

I think maybe reviving the $300 challenge might be cool. the original thread is here: $300 Challenge (http://hikinghq.net/300_challenge.html) but it died from inactivity on Trail Talk.

Here are the basic rules:

Get totally outfitted for ~$300 and have a base pack weight under 15 pounds (before food and water). Please list sources and weight.

Scavenging from recycle bins, using Wal-Mart Greese pots (and simmilar items), and using MRE spoons are not only allowed, but encouraged. Think outside the box.

[PushingDaisies]

Ok Rock, here goes nothing!

This list is for a summer hike. All items are from either REI or Campmor unless noted. Things to keep in mind - Poncho doubles as shelter and rain gear; Space Blanket doubles as ground cloth.

Pack is small, but trust me everything will fit into it! (I know, as this is the pack I will be using on my thru-hike this year!)

Main Items:
1. Pack - REI Talus 30 (2000ci, 2lb 14 oz; $55)
2. Shelter - Rainfair Vinyl Poncho (11 oz; $4.50)
6 Stakes(3oz; free from old tent)
Cord (3oz; free from hiker box)
3. Sleeping Bag - REI Travel Sack +55* (1lb 9oz;$59)
4. Sleeping Pad - Therm-a-rest Z rest 3/4 (16oz;$16)

Total Main - (6lb 8oz; $134.50)

Kitchen:
1.Stove - Popcan stove (1oz;free)
2.Pot - Evernew ti pot (6oz;$40)
3.Spoon - 2 REI spoons (.5oz;$1)
4.Hydration - Gregory Reservoir 128oz cap. (8.5oz;$9) from campmor
5.Water treatment-Potable Aqua tabs (2oz;$5)

Total Kitchen - (1lb 2oz; $55)

Clothes
1.Shirt - North Face Velocity Tek Tee (5oz;$17)
2.Shorts - Columbia GRT shorts (5oz;$15)
3.Boots - Lowa Siero Lightweight hiking shoes (1lb 10oz;$30)
4.Fleece - Target fleece pullover (13oz; $10)
5.Hat - homemade fleece hat (2oz; free-material from grandma)
6.Socks - Athlectic Socks (synthectic from Target) (3oz;$3)

Total Clothes - (3lbs 6 oz;$75)

Emerg./Misc.
1.First Aid Kit - BandAids (.5oz;$2)
Elastic Bandage (1 oz;$1)
Compeed (for Blisters) (.5oz;$5)
Keychain Knife (3oz;Christmas gift)
2.Space Blanket - Adventure Med. Heat Sheet (3oz;$4) (doubles as
ground cloth)
3.Light - Princeton Tec Pulsar II (.5oz;$11)

Total Emerg./Misc. - (8.5 oz;$23)


Grand Total - (11 lbs 8.5 oz;$287.50)

(Grand total includes clothes worn so total would be lighter.)

OK people! Go ahead and rip my list to pieces! LOL :D

[SGT Rock]

Looks good. but I didn't see a lighter or matches LOL. I gues since you have $2.50 left over you're still good.

All that stuff and you splurge on a Ti pot.

[PushingDaisies]

LOL, I put the list together late last night so I knew I would forget something!

ADD:

Matches (Free from home;.5oz)
Hiking Poles (Free from the woods) (Needed to set up tarp)

[smokymtnsteve]

sleeping bag... flecce from target $20 and I haven't weighed it but it is very light and good for down to 40 degrees freeballin or even lower
with fleece jacket and pants...I sleep in this bag with pants and jacket down into the 20's ...

you also didnt have any long underwear or pants ..

nylon pants target $8.99 .....7oz???

laddies microfleece work out pants XXXL $9.95 SAMS CLUB

I always try to stay above 4500 ft all summer and take a least a pair of poly long johns or a pair of light fleece pants and nylon wind proffs...45 degrees can get cool on a wet windy day.

[Sgathak]

Listed weights are estimates in some cases but where they are, the weights are rounded up (I think). Most gear is comfortable to ABOUT 30'F.
Sleep system can be upgraded nearly infanitly by adding debris between the layers. Ive slept in it -15'F when wearing all insulation clothing.

Main
Medium ALICE pack (with outside pockets, extra webbing, and frame pad cut off)
2 lbs - used - $15 from surplus store
Thinsulate Poncho Liner (modified with zipper and drawstring)- 1.4lbs - used - $20
SilNylon sack (sized to fit Poncho liner as dual layer sleep system) - .8lbs - homemade - $20
Army poncho - 1.5lbs - used - $20
550 cord (50ft W/ strings) - .25lbs - uscav - $3
6 Tent stakes (made from 3 coat hangers) - .2lbs -free

Total Main = 5.15lbs $78

Clothing
Russian Telnyashka Shirt (synthetic)- .25lbs - $12
Nylon pants (dual layer w/mesh lining) .25lbs - Sams Club - $9
SilNylon 3/4 jacket - .25lbs - homemade - $10
Duofold Varitherm Mid-weight long underwear set -1lbs - Campmor - $20 (sale)
SAS Headover - .6lbs - uscav - $10
Drive On Rag - .25oz - homemade - $2
US Army wool Socks (2 pair) - .25lbs - uscav - $4
Seal Skinz Socks - .15lbs - rangerjoes -$30
Manzella Gloves - .15lbs - kifaru -$16
Solz Sandles - 1lbs - ActionAfrica - $60

Total Clothing = 3.4lbs $173

Cooking
Stove - Pespi Can - .07lbs - homemade - free
Fuel - 91% alcohol - 1lbs - $1
Aluminum mug (18oz) - .25lbs - Free (found)
Chopsticks - .02oz - homemade - Free
2 One Liter Pepsi bottles - .1lbs - $2.25
Iodine tabs - .05lbs - $2

Cooking total = 1.34lbs $5.25

Utility/Fix-it/First Aid
Duct tape (10ft) - .1lbs - $1??? (taken from $5 roll)
Swiss Army knife - .2lbs - Free (found)
Needles - .0001?lbs - Free
Spetsnaz Shovel (uses far too numerous to mention here) - 1.5lbs - Russia - 20 Rubles ('bout 2 bucks :)... if you buy them in the US, get a Cold Steel version. Cost $25 and worth every penny)

Total Utility = 1.8001lbs $3

Hygeine
Toothbrush (cut down) - .02lbs - Free from dentist
Dental Floss (case removed) - .0005?lbs - Free from Dentist
Toothpaste Sample tube - .1lbs - Free from dentist
Dr Bronner Mint Soap (can be used as toothpaste, among other things, in an emergency) - .25lbs (repackaged) - $4

Total Hygeine = .38lbs = $4

Misc Fire starting Equipment - .25lbs - various - $5


Grand Total = 12.83lbs $269.25