Well - here is a list of the equipment that I use at various times:

• I'm still using my jansport Alaska Model 100 internal frame pack for longer trips! For most trips I can put everything inside my Alaska backpack, including my pad and tent so I have nothing hanging on the outside. I still have my Camp Trails Wilderness Backpack Internal Frame (medium) - 1999 model with top that converts to a fannypack for side trips.
• Note: 24 June 2000. I really enjoyed using my Jansport Alaska model 100 internal frame back. Since it had more room inside I was able to move my Therma-rest sleeping pad and my tent inside my backpack so that I didn't have anything hanging outside or tied on outside - I liked that! The sleeping bag compartment is also bigger and will hold my winter weight bag too without feeling like I'm over stuffing the compartment. I just finished my 2nd trip (2001 and 2004) to Philmont Scout Ranch with this pack and I'm still very satisfied with it.

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  I also have my first internal frame pack which I bought on sale from L.L. Bean. It is a slimer pack but great for shorter length trips if I pack right. I have add on water bottle holders as it doesn't have the mesh side pockets. I used this pack on a 4 day trip on the AT through North Carolina in 1996 and it worked out great.
• Boots - Recently bought a pair of REI gortex boots made by Merrell - working out really good! I also have a pair of Merrell lighter weight boots that I bought in 2003 from REI.
• Sleeping Bags - I have several depending on the weather/temperature
  • Slumberjack So-Lite Regular Hiker-Biker bag good to 40 degrees - really compacts small with a compression bag and caps.
  • Slumberjack 20 degree bag for cooler trips - bought at the Outdoor Outlet in St. Louis (out of business now).
  • Goosedown bags that will take me to 20 degrees or cooler - one I bought 30 years ago and the other I paid $5 for at a flea market.
• Stoves - Still using a Coleman white gas stove - have a couple of types - older models but they do a great job and are very reliable. Also have assorted size fuel bottles and I keep duct tape wrapped around them for emergency uses. I have also purchased one of the Esbit stoves with the solid fuel tablets that I plan on trying out on a solo trip.
• Raingear - I have a medium priced gortex rainsuit from Campmor.
• Sleeping Pad - Have an old Therma-rest - full length - can't do without it anymore. I have upgraded to the Therma-a-Rest Prolite 4 Large to save some space and weight in my pack.
• Tents - have several depending on the group size - with plastic ground cloth.
  • Two-man tents - I have three - no specific brand names. My latest cost me only $40 from the Outdoor Outlet in St. Louis. It is free-standing and has more windows and breathes better. I have a similar model bought from Bass-Pro in Springfield MO but it doesn't have enough windows to let the air move around on warm/humid nights. My third I bought through the Performance Bicycle catalog - must be pegged down but it is very light weight.
  • Eureka One-man tent - I have one Eureka one-man bivy type tent, very light weight. I have used it on trips up to 10 days long and stayed dry when it rained almost every day.
  • Eureka Four-man tent - I have a Eureka four-man tent which is very good in any type of weather. However, four-man is sort of a misnomer. You can sleep with four adults in it but then it is very tight and it is much better with only 3 adults.
  • ALPS Mountaineering one person tent. I recently purchased this tent as a space and weight saver. It is the Taurus 1, self standing, 2 poles, mainly mesh with an excellent rainfly. I used it for 13 days at Philmont Scout Ranch in August 2004 and it kept me dry through some bad rain/wind storms and one hail storm. It worked out great.
• Water Purification/Bottles - I have a water filter but I have been carrying Polar Pure instead of the filter. I carry two 1-quart water bottles and have a medium collapsable Nalgene bottle as well. For waterless days, if needed, I have a 3-gallon collapsable bladder that can be used as a pillow too (if filled with air instead of water). Since water weighs about 8 pounds a gallon I try not to plan waterless camps - they suck ! I have also purchased one of the Boda water bottles/filters where you can fill the bottle and drink the water immediately. After using this a few times I find that it leaks when you squeeze it so I am very skeptical of using it.
• Misc. Stuff depending on the time of year, length of trip, expected weather conditions, etc.
  • Compass.
  • Map if needed.
  • Nested pots - camp suds & scruber.
  • Pillow (stuffable).
  • Wool Mittens & stocking hat.
  • Bowl, cup, spoon, plastic fold up kitchen spoon & strainer.
  • TP and trowel.
  • 1st Aid Kit of my own making w/sun screen. I use a 50 spf for my fair skin.
  • Knee/Ankle wrap.
  • Repair kit - assortment of stuff - my own.
  • Rain cover for backpack.
  • Brimmed Hat as I sunburn very easily.
  • Sleeping clothes.
  • One extra set of hiking clothes and socks in plastic zip lock bags.
  • Extra plastic and zip lock bags.
  • Food and trail snacks as needed.
  • Small flashlight with extra batteries and bulb in film canister.
  • Clean-up kit in a Camp Trails bag. Camp towel and bandanas.
  • Jacket, gloves, other head gear, as needed for the time of year.
  • A tarp to cook under if we have a group and the weather outlook is not good. Sometimes I'll use the tarp for my tent and leave the tent at home to save weight.
  • Small diameter rope - 40-50 feet and clothes pins to dry out or air out gear.
  • Pen, paper, trail guides, a book, as one needs.
  • Camera and extra film as desired.
  • Pocket knife and/or my Gerber Tool.
  • A ground chair that my Therm-rest fits in.
  • A pocket hammock when you know there will be plenty of trees around - great to stretch out on and get off of your feet.
• On short trips you can save a lot of weight by going cookless and leaving the stove, fuel, pots and pans all behind.