Another JMT Gear List

Its a good, complete list without much to criticize. And it sounds like you've taken most of it and find its need. Half of your base weight is in the big 4 section. Unless you're buying new stuff, all you can do is carefully consider the little things.

Just to call out a few maybe's:

do you have a use for the firesteel? These creep in lists but it seems to be a backup to a backup. I'd rather have a second lighter, personally. Unless you have dry tinder on hand anything that will ruin your lighter already ruined your fuel.

does your pack have an emergency whistle buckle?

The 6oz book is likely non-negotiable, but you don't list a cellphone so that might be a worthy tradeoff.

The camp suds aquamira and other liquids can be repackaged, not sure how much you use of each though.

Do you have a sense of whether the light will last you? Or can you buy batteries at some point.

Have fun!

Thanks for the feedback Rick! I'm not planning to replace the sleeping bag (I get cold at night). I'd like a new hexamid solo plus but I've exceeded my budget for toys this year. I have a Z lite pad but it's bulky and uncomfortable. I may swap the jetboil for an alcohol stove. However, I really like the convenience of the jetboil and worry that they may revert to the "must have a valve" requirement if this drought continues.

No, I'm not taking a cell phone. It won't work on the trail and I can't stand trying to read books on it or using it as a GPS. I don't want the extra weight of extra batteries, cords, etc. The Garmin might get jettisoned too, although it is nice to see how far I've traveled. I'll lose the fire steel and keep the book. Maybe tear it in half and put the other half in my resupply? As for the light, I'm testing the duration of the Li battery and will add extras to my resupply in case I need them.

I don't think the strap on my catalyst has a whistle. Ill check again. I have 5 ml dropper bottles for the Aquamira and plan to do the same for the soap. Just haven't weighed them full yet. The others I tend to use quite a bit of and will have to put more in the resupply.

Thanks again for your feedback

I think you can ditch the GPS. Just using the Tom Harrison maps you'll be able to tell how far you've travelled and where you are on the trail – there are so many defining mountains/lakes/rivers/trails/junctions that as long as you pay attention you'll be fine.

The list looks good. My recommendations:

+1 on leaving the GPS at home, unless you want tracking.

Replace the Aquamira drops with MSR ® Aquatabs® water purifier tablets, so much easier. If you have concerns with the tablets bring about 10(along with the drops) and try them out as an alternative. Most likely you’ll be buying them at Reds and ditching the drops.

I’d recommend an alcohol stove.

I’d also change out the fire steel with storm/wind proof matches.

Unless you get cold easily, I’d leave the base layer bottoms at home.

Was toilet paper left out on purpose or is that what the wipes are for?

Thanks. I can calculate the miles traveled using the maps. The GPS is out.

Ken – Thanks for the suggestions. I'll get some storm proof matches. I already decided to ditch the fire steel and the GPS. I use natural materials and soap in lieu of TP. The wipes are for feminine hygiene. I'll think about leaving the bottoms at home. I usually sleep in them but I can use the wind pants instead. I will try the tablets on a trip this spring and see how they work out. I've never had any issues with drops.

I'm glad to hear you're comfortable with just the map, GPS are fun to play with but maps have a hard time failing!

I use the msr tablets when I don't bring a filter. They are pretty easy. Drop in tablets, shake it up, 45 mins you can drink. Nothing to mix. I keep a supply in the first aid kit for maybe a few grams.

Thanks Rick. I'm comfortable with a map and compass. The GPS is is just a luxury item. I'll check out the tablets.

… just a suggestion that one of my favorite items of kit is an ipod nano.
1.5oz. The latest version gets >30hrs battery life on a charge (that's a real number, well tested on the trail).
I never listen to music, but I load up audiobooks for evenings when I'm on the trail, especially when solo.
Although I still love the feel of a physical book at home in an armchair, I find audiobooks are great for the trail. You can lie comfortably without having to prop yourself up to read, and you save flashlight battery too.

"I use the MSR tablets when I don't bring a filter. They are pretty easy. Drop in tablets, shake it up, 45 mins you can drink."

MSR Aquatabs generate chlorine as the disinfecting agent, which will kill off bacteria, viruses, and giardia, but is not effective against cryptospordium.

Thanks for the suggestion Ralph. I have an older nano. I'll check out the battery life.

I think you'll find the battery life to be significanly worse on older versions. There was a big leap with the 7th gen, I'm not sure what changed exactly. But I can 100% vouch for >30 hours in practice at full volume for the 7th gen, I have 2 of them that get heavy usage. But be sure to keep in a pocket close to your body at night – the cold really hurts the battery life.

If you're a reader, you might consider a kindle. the cheapest version is the lightest and probably has the best battery life, since it doesn't have a back lit screen. You can take a million books. If you don't go online, the battery lasts forever. Just a few ounces heavier than a pocket book. Remarkably tough. I keep mine in a zip lock plastic bag for dust/moisture protection. (you can also get a cover for that weighs a few ounces.} I normally don't take anything electronic but my kindle is a joy on trail.

Thanks for the info Jeff – I try to leave the world of computers behind when I go outside. I spend way too much time looking at a screen. I think I'll stick to an old fashioned book. I can split it up in pieces and put a piece in each resupply. It will give me another reason to look forward to those buckets!

True enough Kate. I never read a kindle in real life; only good old books. My only problem is, on extended trips, I worry about running out of pages to read. If I want to take an afternoon off, I love reading for a couple of hours; and then I read at night.

But a paperback, or only half a paperback, is lighter than a kindle and more user friendly for sure. Great idea sending the next installment forward in a bucket.

Good list.

An alternate to your Tyvek footprint is a sheet of polycryo (or sometimes polycro).

It's plain old shrink and seal window plastic, it's remarkably strong and durable, and it's lighter than Tyvek. I've had a sheet of it under my Lunar Duo for three years now and it's still going strong.

There are some good discussions about polycyro here on BPL, you could likely find them via the search box in the top right corner.

I got the patio door size at my local hardware store, search for "Shrink and Seal Window Kit for Patio Door" at Amazon to see what 84 by 110 inch sheets look like.

Thanks Rod! I'm looking it up now.

Kate, try out the polycyro before your big trip. Most people around here like it, but a few of us do not. Hopefully you are in the majority, it is super light and cheap as well. Hope it works for you, it is very good advice.

Tyvek 4oz vs Polycro Ground sheet from Gossamer Gear 1.6oz (-2.4oz)
Jet boil 12 oz vs BRT 3000 (reviewed on BPL) .8 oz + 640 ml Evernew Titanium 3.2 oz (-8oz)
REI dish towel 1 oz vs 1/3 size scotch bright or light load towel .3 zp (- .7oz)
Merino base layers 13oz total vs Cap2 long sleeve 4oz + Under Armour Base 1 Bottoms 3.5 oz (-5.5oz)

That's 16.6 oz savings. Essentially a 1 LB savings for about $100. I was mainly thinking of affordable changes while maintaining your same set up and comfort.

For the future you can get a 10deg Zpacks bag for about 19oz.

46oz for a pack is pretty heavy. A lot of lighter options.

I think with your Big 3 you could easily save 2 lbs on the future but of course that's a lot of $$$. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

You can also lay out your wipes at home to dry them out. Just re-wet them when needed on the trail.

Thanks for your suggestions! I went with the ULA Catalyst because I didn't know if the Berikade would fit in the Circuit. I can probably cut a few ounces off by trimming the straps and removing the internal pouch. I searched for the BRT 3000 but couldn't find anything. Can you give me a bit more info? I have a Cap 2 long sleeve but it weighs 5 oz so not much of a savings. I'll look at the under armor bottoms.

I've ordered a polycro groundsheet. I'll check it out on my next shake out trip.

I have plans for the big three in the future. Just can't justify the expense right now. If you have the z-packs bag, does your head get cold? I'm a cold sleeper and worry about just using a hat to keep my head warm. I could always order a longer bag…

Here is the BRS-3000T stove Spotlite Review

Using a down hood (or now you can get a synthetic one from MLD or Zpacks) works much better than putting your head into a sleeping bag. It's improved my sleeping comfort in the cold immeasurably! And they weigh a little over an ounce. Can be cinched over your face with only a small opening if you're really cold, or just cover your head, neck, and ears.

Thanks dk!