Sierra Nevada Summer Backpacking Solo Gear List, base weight 14.7 lbs (6.7 kg).

[Hikin’ Jim]

In preparation for a week long section hike on the JMT this coming August, I've been whittling away at my gear list. My current gear list is posted on my blog. I could cut and paste the list here, but BPL's software is kludgy, requiring me to do a lot of manual tweaking to the html — and even then the results aren't all that good. So it's on my blog. If that's too much of a pain to look at, I guess I could post it in Google Docs.

My base weight now stands at 14.7 lbs (6.7 kg) after a lot of cutting. I'd like to get it down into the 13 pound range. I figure for a week trip in the Sierra, my consumables will be around 15 pounds. Total pack weight = base weight + consumables, so with a 13 lbs base weight and 15 lbs of consumables, my total pack weight would be 28 lbs (12.7 kg), which is very very doable.

So, I've identified half a dozen more weight savings on my own. I'd love additional suggestions.

My ideas are:
1. Change out my convertible glove/mittens (3.5 oz) for something lighter. I really like the convertible glove/mittens, but they are nearly a quarter pound. Try for 1 oz savings.
2. Lose the wind shirt, 3.4 oz. I have a shell, so hopefully I'd be all right without a windshirt. I'm a little paranoid that I'm underpacking. I have silk base layers, a down vest, and a UL Ghost Whisperer shell. I'm not convinced that will be enough for high altitude High Sierra weather, even in August. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on the weather.
3. Swap out the titanium Sierra cup, 1.5 oz. The cup makes a great snow scoop, measuring cup, drinking cup, and water scoop, but a plastic cup would be perhaps 1/2 oz lighter, and I won't need a snow scoop in August.
4. Lighten up my FAK, 8.6 oz. This is the biggest one. I have an "off the shelf" AMK Optimist first aid kit. I need to go through item by item and build my own. Goal: Cut the weight in half. What do you carry in your FAK?
5. Headlamp case, 1 oz. The case is nice and protects from the headlamp getting beat up or turned on accidentally, but a baby sock, of which I have many from my daughter, would probably suffice. 1/2 oz savings.
6. Lose the mini tripod, 1.6 oz. Nice to have, but I only use it once or twice per trip, so it goes.

Total savings are as follows:
1.0 oz
3.4 oz
0.5 oz
4.3 oz
0.5 oz
1.6 oz
______
11.3 oz
=======

I'd lose roughly 3/4 lbs if I can effect these changes.

Again, additional suggestions appreciated, and if you would share what you're doing in the way of a FAK, that would also be much appreciated.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[J-L]

Aside from what you mention:

Patagonia down hoodie sweater: there must be a lighter alternative, 16.7oz for temps < 40F seems heavy. A 100wt fleece and a light down hoodie would probably be just as warm and much more versatile

Long john top and bottom: leave at home; I think they're unnecessary above 20F. You can always wear rain gear in camp. At least leave the top at home if you're sticking with the down sweater above

I see lots of "wind" gear, but no "rain" gear: why a Montane wind shirt and ghost whisperer shell? What are the GoLite wind pants for? A rain kilt would be lighter

4.8 oz for TP + hand sanitizer seems heavy. Using natural materials and then polishing with TP can save some weight

Why do you need an external battery AND 2 spare phone batteries? My Android and iPhone can both get through a week with 40% battery remaining, even being occasionally used as a GPS

Glasses: I pack a backup pair of glasses in a plastic case. With lens wipe, it all weighs 1.7 oz. Any way to trim weight here?

In Misc, what is cordage and liquid soap for?

In Misc, you're carrying matches, could you leave the firesteel at home? I don't imagine starting a fire in the Sierras in August will be difficult this year

Could you leave the trash bag and spare ziploc at home?

Ditch the tyvek groundsheet. Your silnylon floor will be fine.

Looks like a good list overall. Does your 15lbs of consumables include water or just food and fuel? If just food and fuel, then I think you could lose the most weight by looking at your food.

[Hikin’ Jim]

Patagonia down hoodie sweater: there must be a lighter alternative, 16.7oz for temps < 40F seems heavy

Hmm. My format might be confusing it sounds like. The first column, "Old Item" is stuff I'm dropping. The second column, "New Item", is stuff I'm substituting. The Patagonia down hoodie sweater is deleted. Instead I'm bringing a down vest, 9 oz and some change, about half the weight.

I see lots of "wind" gear, but no "rain" gear: why a Montane wind shirt and ghost whisperer shell? What are the GoLite wind pants for? A rain kilt would be lighter

I'm depending on the Gatewood Cape to be my primary raingear with the windpants underneath to provide some level of protection for my legs. I guess I could use a rain kilt instead, but the idea with the GoLite wind pants is that they could be worn for warmth whereas a rain kilt can't really.

Why do you need an external battery AND 2 spare phone batteries?

Good point. 2 spare phone batteries are dropped as is the spare camera battery.

4.8 oz for TP + hand sanitizer seems heavy. Using natural materials and then polishing with TP can save some weight

Yeah, that does seem a little heavy. Hmm. I had 1 fl oz of Purell in a bottle with 2 fl oz capacity. I decanted 0.5 fl oz into a smaller dropper bottle. I'm not sure that will be enough for a week, but I'm now at 3.74 oz. I'll monitor and see of 0.5 fl oz will fly for a week. As for natural materials, I'm not comfortable with stripping leaves off of bushes and such. If the practice became widespread, I think it would have a negative environmental impact.

In Misc, what is cordage and liquid soap for?

Cordage is primarily 20 feet of 200 lbs (approx) test braided nylon cord. The cordage is for guy lines if needed due to wind, for lashing something to the pack, or repairs. The soap is for washing.

Glasses: I pack a backup pair of glasses in a plastic case. With lens wipe, it all weighs 1.7 oz. Any way to trim weight here?

Yeah, maybe I could put the glasses in a sock and ditch the hard case. Alternatively, I could weigh my various glasses and see which pair is the lightest. Right now I'm just bringing the oldest.

In Misc, you're carrying matches, could you leave the firesteel at home? I don't imagine starting a fire in the Sierras in August will be difficult this year

Hmm, there's a thought. I usually use the fire steel whenever I can and the matches only if I have to. I suppose that I could leave one or the other at home. I plan to use an alcohol stove, so a firesteel might be all I need.

Ditch the tyvek groundsheet. Your silnylon floor will be fine.

My Gatewood Cape is floorless. I could switch to Polycro, but I definitely want something. Not sure if Polycro will sufficiently protect my pricey NeoAir, so I've stuck with Tyvek thus far. I'm sure I could lose a couple of ounces here though. Anyone using Polycro with a NeoAir? How's that working?

Does your 15lbs of consumables include water or just food and fuel?

Yes, the 15 lbs includes water as well as food and fuel.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Hikin’ Jim]

OK, the glasses one was a super good tip. I hadn't thought of that at all. I ditched the hard case and I weighed my various glasses and found the lightest pair. The glasses are in an old sock inside a Ziploc. From 109 g to 39 g, 70 g (2.5 oz) saved. I'm pretty sure the glasses will be fine.

I dropped the headlamp case (28 g) and substituted a baby sock (7 g), 21 g saved.

I dropped the Windshirt (95 g saved) entirely although I'm still not sure about that one. Not worth it if I get cold.

I dropped the Ziploc bowl (26 g) and will just eat out of the pot.

I put 0.5 fl. oz. of Purell into a dropper bottle, savings 30 g. I'm not sure 0.5 fl oz Purell is enough for a week, but I'll do some "test" backpacking trips before my August Sierra trip.

I repacked my PLB, saving 16 g.

Total weight drop, about 0.7 lbs. Base weight now 14.0 pounds. Goal is to lose 16 more oz. We'll see.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[J-L]

No, your list format makes sense. Embarrassingly, I just looked at the wrong list :)

The tyvek groundsheet makes sense for the Gatewood. I still do not understand why you have the Montane wind shirt and Ghost Whisperer shell listed.

As for natural TP material, I doubt using a couple leaves makes much of an impact, especially if you gather from multiple sources. There must literally be billions of leaves out there (unless above treeline). TP has to come from somewhere

[Hikin’ Jim]

OK, so I want to drop another 16 oz. Here are my (ahem) brilliant ideas:

1. Lighten up the First Aid Kit. It's been suggested; I just need to do it. It's at about 1/2 pound now, I'd like to reduce it to 1/4 pound.

2. Switch from Tyvek ground sheet (130g/4.6 oz) to Polycro. Weight savings unknown, but potentially a couple of oz.

3. Switch from my current convertible mitten/gloves (100g/3.5 oz) to something lighter. Potential savings around maybe 1 oz.

4. Switch from Ti Sierra cup (43g/1.5 oz) to some el cheapo plastic cup. Potential savings around maybe 1 oz.

That gives me about 1/2 a pound in additional weight savings. Maybe that's all I'm going to get at this point.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Hikin’ Jim]

The tyvek groundsheet makes sense for the Gatewood. I still do not understand why you have the Montane wind shirt and Ghost Whisperer shell listed.

Well, I've now dropped the windshirt for the time being, but the idea is warmth. I don't have anything warm on my arms. I'm carrying a down vest, an ultra thin base layer, and an ultra thin shell. That's not much to keep my arms warm. If I keep the windshirt, that's another layer of clothing on my arms. I guess I could buy some bicycle arm warmers too.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Bean]

"My Gatewood Cape is floorless. I could switch to Polycro, but I definitely want something. Not sure if Polycro will sufficiently protect my pricey NeoAir, so I've stuck with Tyvek thus far. I'm sure I could lose a couple of ounces here though. Anyone using Polycro with a NeoAir? How's that working?"

I'll preface this by saying, I'm likely a danger to myself when backpacking and manage to make all kinds of really bad decisions. However, I do use a Gatewood Cape and polycryo, and so far no holes in my NeoAir. I haven't been very careful either, I'm also a very rough sleeper and my pad moves all over through the night. I'd imagine if a restless sleeping rube like me can use a NeoAir on Polycryo and not manage to puncture it on the first night, somebody who's concerned about protecting theirs should be fine for years.

Consider ditching the TP and become friendly with rocks, sticks and corn lily. Then you don't have to pack out used toilet paper which is a weight savings and oddly liberating. Challenging myself to wipe my butt without toilet paper while backpacking, might be the greatest achievement of my outdoor life.

Hate to talk you into carrying something you already cut loose, but if you run into mosquito swarms, a hooded windshirt can be well worth the weight. A real lightweight pair of gloves makes life more tolerable too, doubt it would be cold enough for you to really need them for anything but mosquito shields.

[Hikin’ Jim]

I'll preface this by saying, I'm likely a danger to myself when backpacking and manage to make all kinds of really bad decisions. However, I do use a Gatewood Cape and polycryo, and so far no holes in my NeoAir. I haven't been very careful either, I'm also a very rough sleeper and my pad moves all over through the night. I'd imagine if a restless sleeping rube like me can use a NeoAir on Polycryo and not manage to puncture it on the first night, somebody who's concerned about protecting theirs should be fine for years.

Brandon! Why God bless you! That's just the information I was looking for. Sounds like I'll be checking out Polycro really soon. QUESTION: Which version of the NeoAir do you have? The original? The Xlite? The Xtherm?

Consider ditching the TP and become friendly with rocks, sticks and corn lily. Then you don't have to pack out used toilet paper which is a weight savings and oddly liberating. Challenging myself to wipe my butt without toilet paper while backpacking, might be the greatest achievement of my outdoor life.

This has been debated here to death on BPL over the years (bury TP! No, burn it! No, pack it out! No! Don't even use TP!). I think what it really boils down to for me is a psychological thing. I just can't get past the ick factor. Having that, well, sh*t on my hands and under my finger nails just grosses me out beyond words. Yeah, yeah, I know, if you do it right with natural "implements", you don't get it on your hands. Told you it was psychological, remember?

Hate to talk you into carrying something you already cut loose, but if you run into mosquito swarms, a hooded windshirt can be well worth the weight. A real lightweight pair of gloves makes life more tolerable too, doubt it would be cold enough for you to really need them for anything but mosquito shields.

What I wear on the trail mostly is a long sleeve tightly woven nylon shirt, such as the one in the photo, below. Shirts of this type are very mosquito resistant. Combine a shirt of this type with pants of similar material + a headnet and you're pretty bug proof for most Sierra conditions. Not sure I'd try it in Alaska, but it works in California. The only place I tend to get bit is the knees where the cloth is stretched tight across the skin.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Nick Gatel]

Jim,

First thing – is the Tri-Ti going to be allowed in all areas where you are going? If it is, wouldn't Esbit be lighter than alcohol for 1 week (stove & fuel)?

I always use a wind shirt. I also normally use a poncho for rain gear, but mine is a lot smaller than yours. I would keep the wind shirt, I never leave home without it. I have a wind shirt in my camper, I take a wind shirt on business trips, and I have another at home for urban wear.

The First Ascent Down Vest at 9.6 oz – My Montebell Ex UL Down Jacket (Large) weighs 6.21 oz and the Ex UL Down Vest is 3.84 oz. I would take the jacket on a High Sierra Trip in August.

I live in flip flops at home, but wouldn't take them as camp shoes. I never take camp shoes.

I don't take extra underwear, actually I usually don't wear underwear. Just a pair of Patagonia Baggies.

I don't take extra socks.

Bowl and cup – Are you cooking or just boiling? I do freezer bag cooking, so my pot is also my cup. The freezer bags are my bowls.

My FAK weighs .92 oz
– 1st aid ointment in foil pouch
– 1st aid towelettes
– 2" X 2" gauze
– 7 Advil in pill pouch
– four ~ 1.5" X 6" strips of Leuko Tape
– four medium bandaids
– I have never needed anything more than this

My 'Personal Kit' weighs about 2 oz
– Dr Bronners in mini dropper
– Duct tape
– Baby Toothbrush
– Toothpaste dots
– Thread & needle
– Razor blade (aka as a knife)
– QiWiz trowel
– Toilet paper (no leaves for me)
– book of matches

I take one mini Bic on trips like this. I make sure it is full before leaving or just take a new one. I keep a new book of matches in the ziplock that stores my TP & Trowel.

I don't own a PLB – I know this is required by your wife

I don't carry any tape other than above, don't carry crazy glue, don't carry extra cord (I can remove guylines from by shelter in an emergency and tie together).

On short trips I don't carry air mattress patch kit.

I quit using Tyvek ground sheets years ago. I use polycro.

With a NeoAir, I bring a 1/8 foam pad to protect it. If the NeoAir gets a major leak, the pad offers a little cushion.

I don't bring floss. My teeth won't fall out if I don't floss for a few days.

In summer I usually just bring a Photon II or sometimes a e+Lite sans case.

No Tri-pod.

Nowadays I often bring a RX100, but no case. 8.47 oz.

Since I use a poncho that covers my pack when hiking, there is no need for any waterproof bags in summer, unless I plan on crossing deep water.

If I bring a bag for my quilt or sleeping bag, it is a cuben sack. I almost never bring one in summer.

My 20F zPacks quilt weighs 18 oz
My 32F Nunatak Arc Specialist weighs 15.8 oz
My 32F EE Ephinay Cuben Quit weights 12 oz (can't wear clothes inside it)
Your 35F bag weighs 20 oz.

Hope this helps.

[Bean]

" QUESTION: Which version of the NeoAir do you have? The original? The Xlite? The Xtherm?"

Xlite.

"I think what it really boils down to for me is a psychological thing. I just can't get past the ick factor."

I get that. It was a gradual thing for me, as I'm somewhat poo-phobic. Used some leaves at times so I didn't need to use as much TP, then after doing that for a while, it just got easier… self imposed exposure therapy I guess.

"What I wear on the trail mostly is a long sleeve tightly woven nylon shirt"

That kind of safari shirt seems to work well enough for me too. Hopefully the mosquitos don't make it very far into August this year.

Have fun!

[USA Duane Hall]

HJ,
I've used polycryo for years now and still have the original NeoAir, no issues. I even used the stuff when I still had my floorless TarpTent. Polycryo is good for a couple years YMMV. Keep it out of the sun. Eventually it starts tearing.
Duane

[Hikin’ Jim]

OK, so there's three examples of a NeoAir working just fine with PolyCro. Good enough. I'm going to order some. And only 1.6 oz. Can't beat that.

Thanks, guys.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Hikin’ Jim]

First thing – is the Tri-Ti going to be allowed in all areas where you are going? If it is, wouldn't Esbit be lighter than alcohol for 1 week (stove & fuel)?

A Ti-Tri would definitely be allowed in all National Parks the Sierra Nevada Mountains with either alcohol or ESBIT fuels. Sierra National Forest restricted alcohol last year, not explicitly but by requiring stoves have a valve (a silly and outmoded restriction, but I digress). Inyo National Forest had some restrictions but granted an exemption for all Federal wilderness areas.

The issue arises if I want to use wood. Last year, National Parks generally forbad wood fires below 6,000' and above 10,000' (lower in some areas). I probably can't go 100% wood, but I could do some combination of wood and ESBIT.

I'll have to chart out the weight difference between ESBIT vs. alcohol. ESBIT will be lighter, I'm just not sure how much.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Hikin’ Jim]

The hooded Montbell jacket I see on their website weighs 9 oz (size Medium presumably). Nice thing about a hood is that it allows me to take a very UL beanie. The beanie just has to be a base layer.

There wouldn't be any weight savings for me to go to the jacket, in fact probably a bit of a weight penalty since an XL jacket will probably weigh more than 9 oz, but a hooded jacket is definitely warmer than a down vest. If the hooded jacket allows me to go out without having to take my 16 oz heavier duty hoodie, than perhaps it's worth it. And I can always gear swap my down vest if I buy a lightweight hooded down jacket.

Montbell does have a hooded down Anorak for 6oz, but it's 900 fill down. 900 fill has a reputation for wetting out really easily from things like sweat and condensation — and it's $80 more than their hooded UL down jacket. I'd have to think about that one, but the weight is certainly sweet.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim's Blog

[Author]

Posts