Gear Setup

Before I start sharing the details of my trip I want to share my gear setup as it is nothing like what I saw all the CTR racers running.  First off I was on a Specialized Stump Jumper Comp FSR 29er.  While most everyone I saw was on a hard tail or fully rigid, I know there are some other people who do the full trail on full suspensions.  Most people reading this are probably most interested in the luggage setup. 
I decided since I was riding a full suspension that I shouldn't run a seat mounted bag as it would not only put added weight on my rear shock in the form of a 3 foot long lever and make my bike ride not as I want, but it would also more than likely hit my tire at the end of my rear travel.  Initially I was going to get a traditional rack and mount it to the swing arm using a mess of brackets and modifications.  I ended up finding this rack by Thule which you can even add these pannier mounts to if you wanted more space.  This rack mounts right on the swing arm using web straps, but during my test ride the tire kept hitting the rack, bag, and straps causing mixed issues.  I believe the webbing had stretched as the straps were loose and the rack kept sliding back (also causing it to be closer to the tire).  Since you cant fit a multi tool in there to tighten it I tied it to my frame with some rope and it didn't have issues, I then tightened it with a wrench in town but ended up keeping the rope on as it was working so good with it.  On this rack I ran simply ran a dry bag that I picked up from REI, strapped down with web straps I got from Home Depot with a net hooked over all of this that I picked up from Amazon.  The net was crucial in that I used it to dry out my clothes after I washed them in the creeks/lakes along the way.  In the rear bag I had put my spare parts, 20 degree synthetic bag, and extra clothes consisting of: a spare chamois, a microfiber clothe, a mini towel, 2 pairs of socks, underwear, a pair of wool socks (the best piece of clothing I brought on the trip), and a tech shirt.  My friend helped me cut the front of the rack so it would let me get full travel.  My sleeping bag was a bit too tall and caused me to only get 3/4 of my travel and then my seat hit it.
On the front of my bike I ran another custom setup instead of getting the typical Revelate bag.  I found this $2 basket mount online and looped some more straps from Home Depot through the eyelets on this to strategically wrap around another dry bag from REI.  In the front dry bag I rolled an REI bivvy sack, micro down jacket, & jet boil in an old ~20" long Thermarest Explorer mattress.  I also shoved my breakfast food, rain jacket, cell phone, and whatever else couldnt fit elsewhere up here.  I had 0 issues with this setup, I was actually expecting it to move around more or have some kind of issue but it was bullet proof.  Depending on where you run your brakes this setup may not work for you.  I also ran a 32oz water bottle I got from Dicks with my knee brace tucked in behind it, a Revelate Gas Tank bag for my camera/day food, and wedged a seat bag in the frame with any liquids I didn't want to leak on my other stuff.  On my back I ran a Camelbak Blowfish in its expanded mode with a 2L bladder.
I mounted some fresh tires before I left using Stans and Gorilla tape and had no tire issues (although I would run a Larsen in the back rather than the Crossmark I did for added braking power with the extra weight).  I also replaced my cable and housing with some fresh Jagwire stuff which worked great as I didn't break a cable the whole trip (I broke 3 in a month before I left).  I applied neverwet to my shoes, Camelbak, and sleeping bag compression sack.  I ran some Odyssey plastic platform pedals and prototype Timberland shoes.  I ran foam grips and some small rubber bar ends which were both nice additions.  I also ran a WTB Deva saddle which was my favorite bike part I picked up before I left as my butt only got a bit sore after the La Garita detour day.