Cannot seem to lighten up, but maybe if it carries well..

[Jeffrey Wong]

Here's my current gear list as I prep to do some section hiking of the PCT–leaving this weekend. All weights in ounces:
1 RAIN Rain skirt 1 coated ripstop 1.9 3.1
1 RAIN Patagonia Torrentshell jacket 11.4
1 Pack RAIN cover, ULA 3.0
1 SOCKS spare Darn Tough hiker 2.7
1 t neck LL Bean Powerdry, black 8.5
1 Swim goggles 1.3
1 Mitten shell and mitten liners 2.6
1 PACK ULA Circuit 39.0

1 hammock 136" w/slings/bugnet in 3l dry bag 22.6
1 hammock tree straps 7' of 1" polyester 5.2
1 hammock dutch clips, pair 0.6
1 GROUNDSHEET poly cro 4.5 x 7' 1.5 mil 4.2
1 TARP Superfly, 4 tie outs, 2 ridge biners, ridge lines 24.0
8 tent stakes Sorex 6" 1.7
1 Foam foot pad 22×28 2.5
1 Sleeping Underquilt Climashield apex 6, 60×48 summer 19.0
1 matches, box Greenlite H2O proof MUST HAVE 0.3
1 flashlight Fenix LD01 0.5 Alk batt AAA 0.4 oz
4 Batteries aaa lithium
1 KNIFE Gerber light weight 0.6
1 permits 0.6
1 paper, pencil 1.0
1 ACR personal locator beacon Aqualink 9.5
1 inReach Explorer 7.1
1 Firestarter: waxed paper sparker 4.1
1 alcohol fuel bottle–500ml disposable water bottle 0.4
1 pot cozy for EverNew .9L 1.6
1 Deuce of Spades trowel 0.6
1 allergy Zyrtec, nasal spray eye drops 1.4
1 Flonase allergy nasal spray 0.8
1 diarrhea meds 0.4
1 Altitude meds/ nifedipine/diamox 1.2 maybe not necessary in Wash/Oregon
1 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 7.0 needed for gps, pct apps, making phone calls.
1 Anker 10,000 maH battery 8.6
1 ear buds 0.4
1 USB charging adapter 0.6
1 Pyrethrum soak for debugging apparel 0.0
1 signal mirror 0.3
1 note pad, pencil, superglue 2.1
1 ibuprofen 0.3
1 foot fungus cream 0.3
1 itch cream 0.8
1 space blanket 2.5
1 water: liters 35.3
1 bug dope stick/bug juice 1.3
1 neck warmer-windproof 1.6
1 WATER RX Aquamira 3.3
1 modified FIRST AID KIT 4.0
5 toilet paper: 12 squares of double ply/day 0.9
1 twin blade razor 0.3
1 knee brace 1.2 just in case but it can go.
1 lip balm (SPF 15+) MUST HAVE 0.3
1 hood synthetic fill 3.5 (sleeping bag is hoodless)
1 wool buff 1.7
1 long bottoms Patagonia capilene 5.6
1 pack towel 1.1
1 Stove Supercat stove 0.2
1 stove windscreen for Supercat 0.7
1 matches Bic lighter 0.7
1 spoon plastic Kenyon 0.4
1 toothbrush/paste, floss 0.6
1 COMPASS Brunton Classic 1.1
1 Jacket North Face Thermoball 11.8 could sub a 6 oz Mont Bell down jacket.
1 Sleeping Bag ZPacks 20 deg wide 20.0
1 Water container Platypus 2 liter canteen 1.4
1 Water container Powerade 32 oz 1.8
300ml fuel Denatured alcohol, ml 8.5
1 Ti saucepan/lid EverNew .9L 4.9
1 FOOD BAG dry bag 5.0 currently using a plastic department store bag, which at about 1 oz is much lighter, but one tear and it's toast.
1 Charging adapter Samsung 2.5
8 FOOD for trip MUST HAVE 132.0
1 Trader Joe liter water bottle R 1.3
1 trekking pole BlackDiamond CF each 8.9
1 Umbrella GoLite reflective 8.0 It really works for me.
1 basic first aid 2.0
1 sunscreen cream or stick (SPF 30+) MUST HAVE 2.0
1 Coffee Vinacafe 1.0
1 Extra socks for sleeping? 5.0 (I can't believe it.)

total weight is 19.90 lb before food/water

With 10 lb of food/water, the pack reached the edge of comfort. I have begun to consider a pack such as the REI Yosemite 75 or Crestrail 70 that can handle the weight better. The Osprey Atmos 65 AG is a bit small in my size as is the Osprey Exos 58.

Thanks to all in advance.
Jeff

Edit: The replacement sleeping socks weigh 1.5 oz.
The ACR Aqualink will give way to a newer ACR weighing 4.6 oz. Not sure if I'll take the inReach.

[Adam White]

Well, that's a long list. It's all over the place, too, which makes putting together coherent feedback difficult. Here is feedback that is (unfortunately) also all over the place:

> 1 Swim goggles 1.3
You must be expecting a LOT of rain. Leave at home?

> 1 hammock 136" w/slings/bugnet in 3l dry bag 22.6
> 1 hammock tree straps 7' of 1" polyester 5.2
> 1 hammock dutch clips, pair 0.6
> 1 GROUNDSHEET poly cro 4.5 x 7' 1.5 mil 4.2
> 1 TARP Superfly, 4 tie outs, 2 ridge biners, ridge lines 24.0
> 8 tent stakes Sorex 6" 1.7

That's 3.6 lbs of shelter. I'm not a hammock-er, so I can't comment on whether or not there are ways to continue to use a hammock, and slim this down weight-wise. Still, many PCT hikers hike with much less than 3.6 lbs of shelter.

> 4 Batteries aaa lithium
> 1 Anker 10,000 maH battery 8.6

You didn't show the weights for the AAA, but that's probably 10 oz of batteries. Are the AAA just for the Fenix? How long are the sections you'll be hiking?

> 1 ACR personal locator beacon Aqualink 9.5
> 1 inReach Explorer 7.1
> 1 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 7.0 needed for gps, pct apps, making phone calls.
> 1 Charging adapter Samsung 2.5
> 1 ear buds 0.4
> 1 USB charging adapter 0.6

That's 1.7 lb of electronics. You're clearly choosing to take all this, when all of it isn't necessary. If you're interested in a lighter pack, why not leave the PLB or the inReach at home? Also, that 3.1 oz of adapter really stings. Completely non-functional weight–just makes a square peg a round one.

> 1 Firestarter: waxed paper sparker 4.1

There are many lighter ways to start a fire.

> 1 paper, pencil 1.0
> 1 note pad, pencil, superglue 2.1

Erroneous duplication?

> 1 matches Bic lighter 0.7

Get a miniBic?

> 1 RAIN Patagonia Torrentshell jacket 11.4
> 1 Pack RAIN cover, ULA 3.0
> 1 Umbrella GoLite reflective 8.0 It really works for me.

Pack liner for 1-1.2 oz instead of a cover? If you're going to take the umbrella, use it for sun AND rain, and take a much lighter shell.

> 1 Sleeping Bag ZPacks 20 deg wide 20.0
> 1 Sleeping Underquilt Climashield apex 6, 60×48 summer 19.0

That's 2.5 lbs of quilt. That's enough down for, like, a -20 degree bag. I realize this is more fallout from choosing a hammock. Still, that choice appears to cost you several pounds.

> 1 allergy Zyrtec, nasal spray eye drops 1.4
> 1 Flonase allergy nasal spray 0.8
> 1 diarrhea meds 0.4
> 1 Altitude meds/ nifedipine/diamox 1.2 maybe not necessary in Wash/Oregon
> 1 ibuprofen 0.3
> 1 foot fungus cream 0.3
> 1 itch cream 0.8
> 1 modified FIRST AID KIT 4.0
> 1 basic first aid 2.0

Are you opening a pharmacy on the PCT? That's over a half pound of meds. Hopefully one of the two first-aid kits was also erroneous duplication (*cough* resultant from a haphazardly organized gear list *cough*)

> 1 COMPASS Brunton Classic 1.1

Consider taking a button compass (0.2 oz), since (I assume) you already have a compass built in to the Samsung thingamabob.

I'm sure I missed a lot. If you could organize your list into things like: clothing typically worn, clothing packed, shelter, sleep system, etc…that will make it much for any who follow–and probably increase the likelihood that any will follow.

[Ken Thompson]

1 allergy Zyrtec, nasal spray eye drops 1.4
1 Flonase allergy nasal spray 0.8
1 diarrhea meds 0.4
1 Altitude meds/ nifedipine/diamox 1.2 maybe not necessary in Wash/Oregon
1 ibuprofen 0.3
1 foot fungus cream 0.3
1 itch cream 0.8
1 modified FIRST AID KIT 4.0
1 basic first aid 2.0

So what's in the first aid kits?

Never seen swim goggles on a gear list here before.

It's a lot of individual items isn't it?

Edit: concur with Adam.

[Jeffrey Wong]

Thanks Adam and Ken.

The swim goggles don't make sense for hiking the PCT, since swimming present rarely. I'm taking a side trip to Vegas to visit with family immediately after the section hike (~145 miles) from White Pass to the Columbia River–i.e. off the trail, hitch a ride and fly to Vegas, jump into the pool. I hiked with the goggles from Campo California to the Acton KOA only to learn that the pool wouldn't open for two more weeks!

Electronics? left over from earlier thru hiking California and voltage insecurity. The Anker will supply 4 full charges if I use the app a lot. I bought the AAA batteries at a trail town for the little flashlight, which takes only one, I could leave three and just take one spare.

Really only one first aid kit. a few bandaids, some tape to help my finger tips heal when they begin splitting. Ibuprofen. not much else.

only one pad/paper

ac adapters: Excellent point. Since this is just one section, I can leave them home. For multiple sections or thru-hiking, it made sense to have them. Problem is that when I get to Vegas, I'll eventually need to recharge and all my relatives there have incompatible iPhone chargers .

I have no interest in starting a fire, but certainly can lighten up here.

The hammock. Sadly, the numbers won't cooperate. It looks like the penalty is about 2.25 lb. I'm still contemplating taking my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo instead. Sigh.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I like hammocks too, but the total is heavy. There are lighter options or, God help you, sleep on the ground :(

1 Pack RAIN cover, ULA 3.0 <— use a trash compactor bag or turkey roaster bag

1 hammock 136" w/slings/bugnet in 3l dry bag 22.6 <— doesn't need a dry bag

1 GROUNDSHEET poly cro 4.5 x 7' 1.5 mil 4.2 <

---

groundsheet with a hammock? Polycryo should be much less.

8 tent stakes Sorex 6" 1.7 <—- 8 stakes? Your tarp has 4 tie-outs.

1 ACR personal locator beacon Aqualink 9.5 <—- do you need both?
1 inReach Explorer 7.1

1 Firestarter: waxed paper sparker 4.1 <—- way heavy. One esbit tab? Alcohol gel hand cleaner is good too.

1 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 7.0 needed for gps, pct apps, making phone calls.
1 Anker 10,000 maH battery 8.6 <– this thing is a monster. Evaluate all electronics!

1 hood synthetic fill 3.5 (sleeping bag is hoodless) <— find something lighter (like the buff below)
1 wool buff 1.7

1 long bottoms Patagonia capilene 5.6 <—- find lighter

1 Jacket North Face Thermoball 11.8 could sub a 6 oz Mont Bell down jacket <— I would do that for dry summer weather

1 FOOD BAG dry bag 5.0 <— way heavy

8 FOOD for trip MUST HAVE 132.0 <— included in total?

1 Trader Joe liter water bottle R 1.3 <— seems you have several water containers

1 trekking pole BlackDiamond CF each 8.9 <— normally left off base weight

1 Umbrella GoLite reflective 8.0 It really works for me <— evaluate all rain gear

1 basic first aid 2.0 <—- evaluate all first aid and take only the amounts needed for the trip.

1 Extra socks for sleeping? 5.0 <— you have another spare (2.5oz) and these are heavy

[Jeffrey Wong]

Thanks Dale
I just threw out the rain jacket, in favor of a pair of sleeves only that weigh less than 4 oz. Still a bit heavy, but much less than the Torrentshell at 11.4 the umbrella covers all but the arms should I need to hike in the rain.

I'll leave 4 stakes home. If I lose stakes, I'll just use rocks. Maybe leave 6 stakes home.

I'll leave the fire starter at home, b/c it's summer and I have alcohol anyway. The last fire another thru hiker started wasn't really getting going–I said, "use your jetboil"–we had a fire in under three minutes.

Changing out the polycro for 0.7 mil.

Will look at the rest.

Cheers &
Thanks.

[Hudson Farris]

Superfly is a winter tarp, which you won't need IMO. you could shave 8 ounces there with a sil hex tarp or asym. even more with a cuben hex or asym tarp. These will cost money though unless you already have another.

The apex under quilt is way heavy. you could get a down UQ rated to 40" for 12 oz.

Just some options to make hanging not such a weight penalty, but will cost some money (not too bad though considering) unless you already have a smaller tarp. These two would save you a pound. I also agree with the others about the electronics, but at the risk of being redundant i won't comment further on them.

We know for sure you'll sleep better than most on the ground though!

[Author]

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