Taking shape

I'm beginning to think planning this venture is going to be half the fun. I love horse shopping! No, still haven't found the right one, but the options have rolled out in front of me, and I have only to choose. I have been offered a client's horse, one that I am very fond of, and solidly confident in his physical ability and mental capacity for this venture. . . and he's just a gas to ride. The drawback? I would be training this horse, for free, for at least the next 4 months. The money I'd lose from training is much more than I would have to spend on a new prospect. Option B may be the Enumclaw auction held the first Sunday of every month. In the April auction a 15 hand 4 year old Mustang filly (PERFECT for me) sold for $75!!! She would have been JUST the ticket. And even after gas and ferry I'd only be into her about $500. But it's a gamble - the horses could be sick, drugged, lame, crazy - or I could spend $400 on gas and ferry to find that there's nothing suitable for me to buy.
I've seen some promising ads, but nothing good enough to warrant the costly trip to the mainland, and the horsey budget continues to shrink in direct relation to the list of gear I'll be investing in which seems to be growing faster than the weeds in my garden!
Speaking of gear, I've decided to ride in my Isabell Werth Wintec dressage saddle. I know it may sound crazy at first, but it's extremely comfortable for me, has an adjustable gullet and Cair panels for the horse, weighs less than my Bona Allen western saddle by about 15 lbs, and it's synthetic, so it'll be easier to care for on the trail. Greg will be maxed out for weight with him and a western saddle, it will be up to my mount and the pack horse to carry feed for three horses, and all the human gear and food. 
The first thing I'd like to have accomplished (aside from finding a horse) is a gear list..... I've got a few things in mind:
Pack saddle and bags/boxes
Stowaway Bags for my dressage saddle
Rain sheets for 3 horses
Feedbags (nosebags) for 3 horses
Collapsible bucket (for watering when horses can't get to the source - could double as feed container)
Tree savers
Sheepskin for lining saddlebags, hobbles, etc
Oh, it goes on and on. I'm anxious to start buying what I can, little by little, but am waiting to figure out the best values, reading up on what worked well for other riders.... Really need to get out on a Backcountry Horsemen ride so I can pick a few brains. :)

Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass - East

In preparation for the Washington State leg of the Pacific Crest Trail Greg Hertel and I are planning to ride Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. We are loosely planning the last week in August / first week of September. This leg of the PCT should take us 4 days, and will be a great "trial run", as well as a spectacular experience, I am sure, on its own merits. I am beginning the hunt this morning for another horse, or two. Cheeseburger should be a shoo-in. I've read that the horses who are physically unsuitable will break down after the first 100 miles, so I intend to have her vetted after our 74 mile trek to see how she holds up. The concern is her knees, she's just a little flat, and all the elevation change (the downhill bits) could wreak havoc. As long as they hold up she will make a fine mount for Greg or myself. She is stout, fit, an easy keeper who doesn't need to eat much. She's got an efficient, ground-eating walk, and is willing and eager to get through all the obstacles of a trail.
My Thoroughbred filly is completely unsuitable, for a mount or a pack animal. She is too reactive and flighty to be of much use, though I'm sure a trip like this would be to her benefit - I'd rather not die finding out. :)
I need to find something in the next 4 to 6 weeks so we will have time to condition and train!