Solo alpine gear list 2008

It looks like alot of people have over looked this post but it looks pretty interesting. You seem to be carrying alot of weight, there are a couple similar journeys that have been taken by BPL members. Roger Caffin did an alps trek with a gear list, and a very friendly and knowledgeable member, Miguel Arboleda who posted his list here:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/8876/index.html?skip_to_post=63658#63658

You may want to opt for some more breathable clothes, I've heard a lot about the unbreathability of windstopper fleece and hard shells, but clothing is obviously very individual

I think I'll end up repeating my self but the two links I've sent are the "cutting edge" if you will of light weight Alps trips. I think that the ideas they bring are great but will be the first to agree that they are expensive!

oh and here is the Roger Caffin Trip
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/caffins_4_month_gear_list.html

take care and speak up!
Jon

Sounds like you have some fun in front of you.

I would toss the Thermarest or get a lighter foam pad something like the Gossamer Gear Thinlight, save you 4 to 8 ounces. The wind proof fleeces are nice when sitting still but the lack of breathability will be bad when moving. I would swap it out for a Patagonia R2 type fleece, probably about 4 ounces lighter and a lot more breathable. And if it is so cold even when you are moving wear your Regatta over the top.

The weight of your pack is the killer part. eBay has old Jams sometimes, or any of the Dyneema packs would work. I have a Cold Cold World pack made for me out of Dyneema at a little over 2 1/2 pounds, at around 3000 cubic inches. You could easily save 3 pounds there.

Ponchos are nice but when moving over Class 3 terrain, typically average of what I like, I want to be able to see my feet, and do not want to be moving wind blown fabric from cutting down on my vision.

In summertime I will wear my Patagonia Jackalope pants, silkweight longsleeve, R2 fleece, Houdini, and if it gets really bad on goes my Spraymaster.

I agree with you about the free standing tent. I have been in some storms where the thought of a tarp scares me, but that may be my lack of experience with them.

I also carry 2 1 liter Platypus bottles and a 2 liter Platypus. I would be nervous if I only had one water source. You may want to consider some sort of backup water bottle. The altitude usually hits me hard so I drink like a fish. I will start out with 4 liters and have the first 2 liters down in an hour to get a good level of hydration going. I will carry a minimum of 2 mini Bic lighters maybe even 3.

I have had good luck with a soft shell glove, particularly the OR Vert glove, Schoeller with leather palms. While the gloves may not be as warm as fleece glove, in the wind or putting your hands on rock they will be more durable and weatherproof.

I would toss the long underwear top and wear the Craft shirt to bed, if that what the thermals are for, a few more ounces there.

I don't take a ski mask in the summer. If the wind is blowing hard enough, or cold enough, I will bury my face in my shell jacket or you could use the long underwear bottoms or something like that.

Hey you guys thanks for the feedback, nice links and good reading!

@Jonathan:
You are definately right about the breathability of the windstopper, some of the time it behaves like a sheet of plastic around your body. When temps are up it stays in the pack, with decreasing temps while walking, I wear it on top of my Craft shirt. This works for me, still allowing enough breathing.

@Christopher:
That Gossamer pad looks mighty uncomfortable to me :-) I choose my two pads for durability, thickness and insulation. It may be clear this is pretty low-budget. My sister carries a nicer, lighter, and more expensive down-insulated pad. I think this would be my only preferable alternative to my current pads.

The pack has emotional value, but I totally agree on you this is my major weight-killer. It will go next season. As for the camelback, you have a good point. I actually forgot about the extra bottle I carry. THis is what I call my "cooking" water. It's just a one litre PET bottle (CocaCola or something), and can act as reserve supply as well. So that's an extra kilo.

The thermals to bed are there so that I have some clean clothes to bed and extra warmth. THe daily worn Craft fibre shirt smells after one day of use, so I don't stink up all of my bag. But I agree it's more of a comfort choice then anything else, so might be worth to exclude.

I added my Winter Gear list. Mostly for low angle climbing/mountaineering in the Winter conditions of the lower 48.

With all my clothing I should be comfortable to well below 0F.