Preparations

A hike of this magnitude obviously demands a great deal of careful planning.

Two items that were stressed by everyone I spoke to were boots and water. When walking continuously for more than a month, the condition of your feet are obviously your most critical concern. A good pair of hiking boots, and the proper socks, was first on my shopping list. After visiting a few outdoor and hiking shops, and listening to salespeople spinning a million reasons why I should buy the most expensive boot on the market, I arrived at the Ricoshet outlet in the "BIG" (that's the shopping mall's name...) of Eilat. The woman that helped me there, like all the others, started by asking me about my intended purpose for the $250 boots I held in my hands. After listening to my plans, she started by pointing out how "GoreTex" (a material used to manufacture some high end boots) was unnecessary, and would in fact be a bad thing in Israel's dryer climate. This is of course the most expensive element in those boots. She suggested a pair of Asolo Voyagers - with a $100 price difference! Commission-earning salesperson pushing a cheaper product? Wow. I ended up buying most of my other gear from this shop. Luckily I already own a backpack - "deuter Traveler 80+10" - that I brought from home.

My shopping list at Ricoshet in Eilat:
(prices in New Israel Shekel - see www.xe.com for conversion)
Asolo Voyager boots - 589.00
Columbia Falmouth merino wool + synthetics hiking socks - 91.00 for 2 pairs
Sleeping Bag - 186.00
Mini Maglite aluminum flashlight - 133.00
Gas fired stove - 126.32
Gas canister - 6.80

Purchased from Maslul in Tel Aviv:
Stainless Steel cooking set - 159.00
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - 72.00
Locking cable - 10.00
Backpack cover (for rain/dew) - 69.00

Purchased elsewhere:
3l hydration bladder - 52.00

For pictures of the above items, see http://picasaweb.google.com/nevermore042/Gear