I bought a Sawyer Mini and it won't mate with the Smartwater bottles!? Does anyone else have this problem? I have tried the 1L with the normal cap, and the 700ml with the pop cap. My Sawyer mini is the black one instead of the blue, but that shouldn't matter...

Gravity filtering is so much easier. I'll only use a pump under the worst possible conditions. Now you're making me doubt myself and everything I've ever known/loved... I have little experience with gravity filters, but what if I just want to refill at a stream and boogey? It seems like you just ha...

Oh man, I really can't bring myself to buy a new tent since i already have two! But reading about these Tarptents, they just seem too cool. Has anyone just used bivy sacks before? I use to have a solid one, but I was just at REI and saw they have them with pole systems so they don't lay on your face...

The concept of the spreadsheet seems intimidating. I am just planning section by section using a word document, and by actually writing on the maps I will be taking with me. I am banking on that being enough. Changing subjects- does anyone have recommendations on tents? I have a sweet Sierra Design ...

Thank you, Andrew! And thank you @ rcorfman.

Andrew, I am gonna use your blog to help plan. And I am sure I will have questions for you! So I hope you don't mind me messaging you.

Thanks for the advice. I just signed up for the Trail Association so I can get the data book. Now I just have to make sure to physically train... I just did 15 miles two days ago with a 25 lb pack, and the last few miles hurt more than I had hoped.

Well I am committing. I've decided to hike the AZT this March. I'm gonna go NOBO, but I have yet to identify an exact date. It'll probably be the last week of March, I'm thinking. The most daunting task I am not looking forward to is figuring out resupply and water. I just got all the maps today, so...